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Thoughts: We all know that Mark is the shortest gospel. He begins with Jesus as an adult. He proceeds swiftly through Jesus’ travels and teaching and miracles, his trial, death, and resurrection, and presents all this in sixteen tidy chapters.
So we are amazed to find that Mark repeats one verse three times in chapter 9. Verses 44, 46, and 48 are identical. “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” When we remember verses we have memorized, this probably does not spring to mind. Why did Mark think it was so important? Did he like the idea of eternity? Did the monosyllabic words (all but one) appeal to him? Did he savor the sheer repetition? In Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Wall,” Frost’s neighbor tells him, “Good fences make good neighbors.” “And he likes having thought of it so well he says again, ‘good fences make good neighbors.’ “ Discussion: What does Mark mean by “worm”? Activity: Memorize Jude 24-25. (Perhaps you already know these verses.) Remember in prayer this week Vivian Hansard, Joyce Bauman’s grandson, Spencer Harrison, Gladys Hughes, Betty Leach, Brenda Michaux, and Jim Kuszmaul’s granddaughter and Barbara Strozynski’s niece, Sara. This Wednesday at 1:00pm is UMW sandwich making. This Saturday is the all church work day beginning at 9:00am. Many hands make light work. Please join us on Sunday to celebrate Gladys Hughes during worship and at a special coffee hour. She will be moving to Utah to be close to her daughter, Dorothy.
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Thoughts: As Jesus and his disciples traveled to Capernaum, he realized they were arguing. Undoubtedly, Jesus knew the subject, but when they were settled in their Capernaum house, he asked they, “Why were you arguing?”
The disciples were embarrassed to tell Jesus that they had been disputing who among them was the greatest. Well, whom would you choose? Peter was bold. John was charming. Nathaniel was studious. Philip was practical. Andrew was capable. Thomas was frank. Judas managed the disciples’ funds. Simon the Zealot had military experience. James had administrative ability. Matthew had been appointed by the Romans to collect taxes. Jude–Thaddeus–Judas was a man of many names. Even James the Less may have been appealingly diffident. Discussion: What qualities of greatness do children possess? Activity: Choose a lesser known disciple and learn more about him. Remember in prayer this week Joan Coval, Vivian Hansard, Gladys Hughes, Betty Leach, Diane Martin, Brenda Michaux, Kaj Ostergaard’s dad, and Keith Sadlier’s sister Jan. The celebration continues for STP Ministry. As of this writing, over $23,000 has been received SINCE reported on Sunday by Terry Pritchett. Praise God for this miracle! If you took a book for the Lifeguide Bible Study class led by Jane Egermann and are not attending the class, we would like to have it back. If you would like to keep it, they are $6.50. Thoughts: Blue.
Gone with the Wind. Christmas. These are the most popular answers to “What is your favorite color?” “What is your favorite movie?” “What is your favorite holiday?” What would be the most popular answers to your favorite hymn? Favorite Bible story? Favorite sermon? We favor certain things – that is, we like them; we prefer them. But what do we savor? If we savor something, it means that we delight in it; it give us intense pleasure. Jesus admonished his disciples to savor the things that are of God. So what do we savor in our church? Charming people? Harmonious music? Promises in the Bible? Discussion: What one part of our Sunday morning church service do you savor? Activity: Choose a favorite hymn. Perhaps it could be included in a church service. |
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January 2021
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