A Committed Christian Ministry Characterized

Collect: Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins and give us, we beseech thee, the liberty of that abundant life, which thou hast manifested to us in thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Isaiah 40:21-31 . . .  In awe-filled tones, the prophet Isaiah describes God’s majesty, power and compassion.

Psalm 147:1-12, 21b . . . The song of tender care

1 Corinthians 9:16-23 . . . Paul explains how he willingly lays down his privileges as a Christian to reach people with God’s message of good news.

Mark 1:29-39 . . . Jesus’ ministry revolves around healing and preaching, solitude and prayer.

The scope and meaning of God’s authority

Collect: Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

 Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 . . . Moses encourages the people to listen to God’s prophet and thus heed God’s word.

Psalm 111 . . . The Path of Virtue

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 . . . Paul explains that true obedience to the law will be balanced by love and compassion.

Mark 1:21-28  . . . Jesus demonstrates his divine authority by healing a man with an unclean spirit.

Sermon   The Rev. Rachel May, Pastor of Boulevard United Methodist Church in Richmond, Virginia, preaches a sermon called “Even the Demons” based on the Gospel text from Mark 1:21-28.  She says, “You’ve been there.  Someone–maybe it’s you–grows quiet at the supper table because they don’t feel like they know enough to join the discussion. For all the noise out there, there are still some things you and I don’t talk about because the second we try, we feel well outside our wheelhouse.”  Exorcism, for example.  What do we know about that?  And why, in this modern world, would it matter?

The  risky nature of Christian discipleship.  For “Repentance,”  “Metanoia,” is what we are called to do.

Collect: Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Jonah 3:1-5 . . . The prophet Jonah obeys God’s call to preach to the people of Nineveh, who repent and believe.

Psalm 62:6-14 . . . A Prayer for Protection: An expression of pain, condemnation of external foes, and asking for God’s help

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 . . . Paul urges believers to give priority to God’s mission instead of the passing concerns of this world.

Mark 1:14-20 . . . When Jesus calls his first disciples, they abandon their jobs and homes—in short, their security—to follow him.

Sermon 1: Father Michael Renninger, Pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia, preaches a sermon called, “Oh, Jonah He Lived in a Whale.”  But he did so much more than that.  He preached repentance to the Ninevites, the enemies of Israel.  Apparently God wanted the people of Ninevah to change their ways and experience his forgiveness.  What does God want for your enemies?

Sermon 2: The Rev. Dr. Gary Charles is pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia.  In this sermon from Mark 1:14-20 he says, “I’m often astonished at how many people see following Jesus as optional equipment in life, like buying an extended warranty on a car.  ‘Yes, I’d like to purchase the Jesus option, just in case there’s something to this Jesus I’ll be covered.’  Yet from the first chapter of his Gospel Mark introduces us to a Jesus who is not interested in our occasional curiosity or our arm-length respect, he is interested in claiming and transforming our lives right now.

Exploring the meaning of baptism

Collect: The First Sunday after Epiphany

 Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized in his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.

Genesis 1:1-5;  . . . God parts the waters, transforming darkness and turmoil into light and hope

Psalm 29 . . . The voice of power

Acts 19:1-7 . . .  Linking baptism with the empowering descent of the Holy Spirit in the developing Christian community

Mark 1:4-11 . . .  As John baptizes Jesus, the heavens split apart and the Spirit descends, affirming Jesus as both messianic King and Spirit-filled servant