March 14, 2010 – 11:59 pm
We are no doubt familiar with the images of missing people we often find stamped on the sides of milk cartons, or on postcards in our mailboxes. We can barely begin to imagine the agony that those parents and families must go through as they wait for their loved one’s return. Our Scripture lesson is a story about missing persons. It is the parable of the Prodigal Son Luke 15: 11-32. We see again a parent’s heartbreak over the loss of his son… or is it his sons? One comes to himself and finds his way home but one remains missing – missing in plain sight. All of us are lost in and or to something. Our Father’s heartbreak is real but he never stops hoping for our return. He never stops searching and calling us home. Will we answer the call or remain on the Missing Persons list? Listen to the invitation, the plea, to be found!
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Listen to the story of the Fig Tree, a parable of repentance and grace, from Luke 13:1-9 . We look at the Fig Tree, and hear again a call to repentance and bearing fruit. Listen to surprising words from the New Testament; a lesson Of Figs and Fertilizer with Pastor Lib.
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February 28, 2010 – 11:59 pm
Have you seen the television series Intervention on A&E on Mondays at 9 pm? It is gripping and powerful television drama. But the truth is the concept of intervening to rescue folks from trouble is nothing new. God has been about the work of intervention almost from the beginning of time. Yet we have continued as a people to be resistant and rebellious to God’s intervention in our lives. In Luke 13:31-35 we read of how Jesus wept profusely over the city – the people of Jerusalem, the nation of Israel. But even in his grief and sorrow Jesus pressed on to the cross. He didn’t and hasn’t quit on his beloved. We remain a rebellious people. Jesus must still weep over our condition – over the state of things and yet he continues to offer grace. He continues to try and intervene on our behalf. He continues to try and gather us back in like a Mother Hen. Will we accept it or continue to resist it? Listen to Pastor Ben, and experience Christ’s offer of Intervention.
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February 21, 2010 – 11:59 pm
Our text for Sunday is the recounting of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Three times the devil tried to get Jesus to question his identity as the Son of God and to choose a different way. Three times Jesus rejected the offer by remembering and embracing both who he was and whose he was. We too live in a world of great temptation and testing. Need proof? Glance through the headlines. So how do we resist it? How do we stay true to our calling to be faithful children of God amid all of the testing? Listen as Pastor Ben retells the story of Jesus’ temptation, Luke 4:1-13, and unpacks The Keys to Passing Every Test.
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February 18, 2010 – 10:05 am
Faith is not about show – it is about coming clean and being authentic in the deepest parts of our hearts; it is about continually removing those things that separate us from God. Lent is the time that we take an intentional and deep look at the things that have hold of us – the places where our treasure lies, and turn our hearts toward God. Pastor Lib Campbell
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
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February 14, 2010 – 11:59 pm
Transfiguration Sunday is the bridge between Epiphany and Lent. In the text we read that Jesus led Peter, James, and John up the mount to pray and while Jesus was praying he was transfigured. Peter was so blown away that his gut reaction was to want to freeze the moment in time. He asked if he could build a dwelling place for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. But Jesus demonstrated that freezing the moment in time was not the faithful response but rather that the call was to move on and to share the experience of God’s glory with others. Individually and collectively we have been to the mount as well and we often fall victim to what Pastor Ben calls “Peter Syndrome.”
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We too are tempted to want to freeze the moment for all time and just stay put. But Jesus will not let us. The dark would needs to see the light. Listen to the call – Don’t Conceal, Move on and Reveal. Luke 9:28-43
February 7, 2010 – 11:59 pm
When Peter is a reluctant fisherman, Jesus says again, “Don’t be afraid. Get in the boat. We’re going fishing.” Having been fishing before, I know that there are lessons of fishing to be learned. Most of all is to have a Master Guide in the boat to lead me to the fish. Peter had the Master Guide with him, and the catch was remarkable! Listen to Pastor Lib for Fishing Lessons from the Master Guide. I Corinthians 15: 1 – 11 & Luke 5: 1 – 11
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January 24, 2010 – 11:59 pm
Most if not all of us have experienced some unforgettable weddings and wedding receptions. Some were unforgettable because they were so beautiful and inspiring; others because something didn’t go according to the plan. From the silly to the heartbreaking, most of us can tell stories of things that happened at weddings that were not supposed to happen. Our text for Sunday, John 2:1-11 , is the story of Jesus’ first miracle. Note where it took place – not at a synagogue or the Temple but at a wedding reception. What does that tell us about Jesus and discipleship? It too is a story of something not going according to plan at a wedding reception. Jesus encountered that which was empty – the wine jugs – and filled them up – with water which became wine. It is the story of how Jesus transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary and saved the best for last. Furthermore he did it while celebrating and with great joy. So then, are we going to be Party Poopers or Party People?
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January 17, 2010 – 11:59 pm
In light of the massive earthquake that hit Haiti this week and because of the immense suffering and devastation it is causing, worship at St. Mark’s this Sunday was centered around Praying for Haiti and learning more about how we can respond. Please listen, please pray, and please respond.
To listen to the Sermon, click below.
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January 10, 2010 – 11:59 pm
This Sunday marks the celebration of the Baptism of our Lord. We recall the story of how Christ journeyed into the wilderness and was baptized by John (Luke 3: 15-22 ). We also hear again Christ’s call to the church to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” For the baptized, this Sunday marks a time to reflect on how we are living out our baptism. What is remarkable, and what we so often forget, is that the same power that was made available to Christ at his baptism was also given to us at our baptism. Do we live like we believe it? Listen as Pastor Ben reminds you that in fact, You Are Full of It (and by “it” he of course means The Holy Spirit)! Let us be resolved in 2010 to live like we really are baptized, empowered followers of Christ!
If you or your children have not been baptized, and would like to know more about the sacrament of Baptism and what we believe at St. Mark’s, please contact Pastor Ben or call the church office at (919)787-0544.
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