SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, January 31, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ —

This week we look at Mark 1, where Jesus has moved on to Capernaum from Galilee. On Saturday morning, he and his friends go to the synagogue and Jesus preaches. Those present that day are “astounded at his teaching,” amazed, blown away, spellbound, “for he taught them as one having authority.”

They "kept asking one another, ‘What is this?’”

Can you recall a time when God grabbed you? When an encounter, word, or image astonished you? These are rough, unlikely days for astonishment. These are rough easy days for fatigue as we struggle to multitask under face masks, death tolls, mutations, and quarantines.

It’s not just different, it’s hard! Despite distance and masks, not everyone can gather in person, so our access to spiritual community, holy space, ritual, and sacrament is limited. So let’s gather as we may this Sabbath. Let’s read the Word, pray for ourselves and all of God’s created (that which and whom God loves as God loves us).

Invite everyone you know. Let’s position ourselves for grace.

Let’s worship Jesus —