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Sentence

Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?  Mark 4:41     

                        

                

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Collect 

O God our defender,

storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid:

rescue your people from despair,

deliver your sons and daughters from fear,

and preserve us all from unbelief;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy

Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

 

Readings

• 1 Samuel 17:32-49
• Psalm 9:9-20
• 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
• Mark 4:35-41

next week

• 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
• Psalm 130
• 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
• Mark 5:21-43

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A Thought to Ponder

Pentecost 4 – Mark 4:35-41

Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”

The Sea of Galilee is really a land-locked lake 600 feet below sea level. Ravines in the hills and mountains surrounding the Galilee act as natural wind tunnels. In the evening, as the warm air of the day rises above the water, cool air rushes in through the ravines. The effect is amazing: the tranquil lake is whipped into a fury of white-capped six-foot waves. In the midst of this terrorising experience, Jesus calms both the sea and his disciples’ fear.

The evangelist is recounting this story to a terrified and persecuted community. Today’s Gospel is intended to reassure them of the Risen Christ’s constant presence in the storms they struggle through for the sake of their faith in his reign to come.

The wisdom and grace of the “awakened” Jesus is present to us throughout the journeys of our lives to “calm” the adversities and tragedies that can either help us grow in understanding life or consume us in despair and hopelessness.  

In our stormy whirlwind lives, we need to make time for peace, for stillness, for quiet in order to hear the voice of God within us.

The grace of the Risen Christ enables us to discern the presence of God amid the roar of anger and mistrust and to see the light of God in the darkness of selflessness and prejudice.

The voice of Jesus in our own “boats” speaks to us in the encouragement and support of others calling us beyond the fears, misgivings and doubts that stop us from embracing life to the full.                           

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Sermon

Sorry I forgot to take my phone to church to record the sermon.

You can read the Pew Sheet here

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