​The windstorms of life arise
and threaten us,
but God is present with us in the storm.
The waves rock the boat
and terrify us
and make us ill,
but God is present with us in the storm.
We are overwhelmed
by the incessant onslaught
coming at us from every direction,
but God is present with us in the storm.
Even when we are afraid
and questioning our faith,
God is present with us,
speaking peace to our spirits
in the midst of the chaos.
Let us worship God,
whom even the wind and sea
​obey.

This week's passage (Mark 4:26-34) centers on parables. Jesus used stories to help his followers understand his message. Storytelling as sabbath practice is not just a wonderful conversation starter, but a discipline. In fact, the PC(USA) has included storytelling in its list of five individual and communal Essential Practices grounded in scripture. While Jesus does not give us a command in this passage, he does set an example. Obedience leads us to follow the example set for us in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, who told stories of God's activity in the world. These stories illustrate the ways in which God has been at work throughout the history of the world and continues to work today. Our job as followers of this storyteller is to continue to share these stories, authentically and with love. With whom can you share the stories of God's activity in your world this week? 

Call to Confession

All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Let us confess our sin before God and seek God's mercy.

Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, O God.
We plant our seeds of hope in you,
and we despair when we do not see them grow
and bloom
and bear fruit.
Seeds of justice seem to dry up
when the calls for fairness drift on the wind.
Seeds of mercy seem to disappear
when those who need it come from different places --
geographically or politically or theologically or socially --
than us.
Seeds of peace themselves explode
in boiling soil under the white hot blaze
of nationalism
and egocentricity.
We do not listen to your explanations,
do not accept your subverted methodology,
do not wait patiently for your seeds of love to grow
in us,
to change us,
to transform our way of thinking.
Be gracious with us,
and teach us to show grace to others.
Have mercy on us, we pray,
and teach us to be merciful.
Quiet our minds and spirits
that we may hear your still, small voice in the storm
and bear the fruit of peace ourselves
​to a world that longs for hope.

Assurance of God's Grace

God has promised that when we confess our sin, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sin, removing it as far as the east is from the west, and remembering it no more. (1 John 1:9, Psalm 103:12, Hebrews 8:12) In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us also forgive one another.
The peace of Christ be with you.
Please extend the peace of Christ to all whom you encounter this day.

The kin-dom of God is growing,
like seeds planted and left to sprout.
By the mercy of God, it is growing,
offering shelter to all who seek it.
The kind-dom of God is growing
until such time as the harvest is ready.
Join in the training for kin-dom planting.
Join in the active waiting for kin-dom harvest.
Sower, seed, and shelter,
​worship the Lord!

The focus passage for this week is Mark 3:20-35. In vs. 35, Jesus tells the gathered crowd that "the person who obeys God's will is his brother or sister or mother." (The Message) What does it mean to obey God's will? Many will point to the ten commandments as God's will, but Jesus boiled the commandments down to two, summing up the law and the prophets: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. This is God's will for us. To love. 

Loving is more than being kind. Being kind is kindness, and that is part of loving, but it is not all of loving. Loving is be respectful and thoughtful. It is listening to another person and responding to what they need the best way you can. Sometimes loving means moving out of our comfort zone. Sometimes loving means standing up for them. It always means meeting them where they are, and walking alongside in a way that honors their truth. 

Obedience to God this week is loving God in action and in truth, and loving God is loving our neighbors, the stranger, the enemy, and the marginalized. Loving them ... not tolerating or enduring or ignoring or politely imposing your own will ... but loving them. May it be so.

Call to Confession

​"Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter," Jesus said. (Mark 3:28) Let us confess our sins and blasphemies, and seek God's mercy. 

Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, God.
Your church has become a rumor mill,
creating false narratives ...
alternative facts ...
fake news ...
out and out lies ...
about justice work
because it threatens our egos
and our separateness.
We have distorted your message
for our own purposes,
to secure our positions.
We have revised history 
to support the belief
that we are your chosen,
and not those who don't look like us,
who don't love like us,
who don't live like us.
We are not who you have called us to be.
Have mercy on us!
Teach us to obey your law of love
with hearts that are open,
transformed by your grace
and overflowing with gratitude, 
that we may truly be called your siblings
and live, indeed, as those who are.

Assurance of God's Grace

Jesus said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:34b-35) In the name of Jesus Christ, our sibling, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us also forgive one another.
The peace of Christ be with you.
Please extend the peace of Christ to all whom you encounter this day. 

The end has come for the Disruptor.
Jesus has come 
and has bound up evil,
so that it no longer has a stronghold.
Let all who believe gather.
Let Christ's siblings gather together.
In obedience to God's commands, 
let us gather in worship,
united in love.

The wind blows where it will.
We  may neither hear it
nor know from whence it comes,
but those born of the Spirit
will believe
and understand.
Let us worship God
in Spirit and in truth!