March 25, 2020
The Gathering
Preacher: Rev. Daniel M. Schweissing
Scripture: Mark 13:1-8, 24-37 (NIV)
Title: Living Faithfully “Until it is Over”
6:30 p.m. Worship
The Gathering Worship Service will be posted as a video on our Youtube Channel, website, and Facebook page. It will also be emailed with the morning worship video link.
This week’s scripture begins with Jesus’ seemingly off the cuff prediction that the temple in Jerusalem will one day be destroyed. This, in turn, prompts four of his disciples to ask, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” Jesus replies with a short prophetic discourse, offering predictions of uncertainty, hardship, and terror that will ultimately culminate in the return of “the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”
So what are we in the 21st century to make of this seemingly cryptic and elusive message? While it may be impossible to clearly understand every last thing that Jesus has said here, he does offer some pretty clear advice on how to live faithfully in times of tribulation and uncertainty. Given that most of us have found our lives upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, might Jesus’ words in Mark 13 give us some guidance as we seek to navigate these times of unprecedented unknowns?
Come! Join us at the (virtual) Gathering on Sunday as we unpack Jesus’ words in the book of Mark and explore these issues further.