April 14th Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Follow Me!
Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
[Reading above - Mark 2:13-17]
In Mark’s telling of Jesus’ story, by the end of the first chapter, Jesus is atracting so much atention because of his teaching and healing that he could no longer go into a town openly but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. This does not mean that Jesus did not encounter resistance. In the second chapter of Mark’s gospel, Jesus makes decisions and takes action that are distasteful to the authorities. In the opening story of the second chapter Jesus’ spirit of forgiveness is called blasphemy by some, and in this week’s story, Jesus’ calling of a tax collector as a disciple seems out of synch with the reputation of a religious teacher. Jesus enlarges the circle of Divine grace to include those on the margins. Will we have the courage to follow Jesus along this path?
Questions for Reflection:
Can you relate to Levi? How have you felt on the outside looking in?
What is the good news of the closing statement of this story: those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Jesus used meals as a way to develop a community of disciples. Be more intentional about developing community at your table.
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice.
Use the journal as a way to:
1. jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures
2. respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes
3. make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons
4. create a to-do list of discipleship actions
5. list questions you want to explore
6. write prayers, stories, poems, or letters, be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com