May 19th Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Sowing Far and Wide
Again Jesus began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” And he said, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”
[Reading above - Mark 4:1-9 ]
Following a story and a teaching that expands Jesus’ family to any who do the will of God (Mark 3:35), Jesus sits in a boat beside the shore to tell a parable to a large crowd. To his agrarian neighbors he tells a highly relatable story—a parable of sowing seed. Like a farmer who broadcasts seed far and wide in a field, so Jesus is casting the seed of transformation by God’s grace to any who will listen and allow Divine unconditional love to take root.
Questions for Reflection:
Parables were a common teaching tool in the time of Jesus. Parables connect the mystery of Divine truth to ordinary experiences in daily life. What Divine truth shines through for you in the Parable of Sowing Seeds?
Jesus’ parables often use the unexpected and surprising to bring insight. What surprises you in this parable? How might that twist apply to a challenge or opportunity you are currently facing?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Today’s parable is ideal for the practice of the spiritual reading of scripture. Follow these steps:
1. Read through the parable a few times aloud and slowly.
2. Ask God to open your heart and mind to an insight you need.
3. Read through the parable one more time, noticing any words or phrases or images that resonate with your spirit.
4. Ask God to connect that word, phrase, or image to a challenge or opportunity in your life.
5. Give thanks for the insight you have gained and put it to work in your life.
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice.
Use the journal as a way to:
1. jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures
2. respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes
3. make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons
4. create a to-do list of discipleship actions
5. list questions you want to explore
6. write prayers, stories, poems, or letters, be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com