February 4th Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Source of Strength
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and _________ _____ ___. Then the fever left her, and she began ___ ________ them.
That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there ____ __________. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us ____ ____ to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
[Reading Above - Mark 1: 29-39]
After revealing his authority in the synagogue in Capernaum to bring healing and peace with God’s Spirit of service (see Mark 10:45), Mark mentions that Jesus’ fame began to spread (1:28). Entering the home of two of his disciples, Jesus (without speaking a word) heals Simon’s mother-in-law as he took her by the hand and lifted her up. It is little wonder that by evening the whole city was gathered around the door seeking his Spirit of healing, peace, restoration, and wholeness. Before dawn the next morning, Jesus retreats to a deserted place to pray, his source of strength. Jesus leaves some needs unfulfilled in Capernaum in order to move on with his message of transformation empowered by the reign of God (1:15).
Questions for Reflection:
Can you identify a time when Jesus took you by the hand and lifted you up, so to speak? What was the result of that experience?
Quiet prayer was essential to Jesus as a source of strength and wisdom. How do times of quiet restore your strength and open you to God’s wisdom?
A Spiritual Practice to Try:
Last Sunday you were invited to engage in acts of kindness as a spiritual practice. This Sunday we are invited to restore our strength with the spiritual practice of peace and quiet. This week bring the two spiritual practices together by establishing a pattern of action followed by quiet, followed by action, followed by quiet…
A Practice to Focus on Discipleship:
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice. Use the journal as a way to:
jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures, respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes, make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons, create a to-do list of discipleship actions, list questions you want to explore, write prayers, stories, poems, or letters, be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com.