Sermon podcast from the Sunday, 6-23-24 worship service - Peace Memorial Church, UCC in Palos Park, IL. Mark 4:35-41
Showing posts with label Mark 4:35-41. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark 4:35-41. Show all posts
6/21/2021
Napping - Mark 4:35-41 - Pentecost 5 - 6-20-21
Sermon podcast from the Sunday, 6-20-21 online worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Mark 4:35-41
6/25/2018
Napping
Sermon podcast from yesterday at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Missed it because you were napping? ;-) Mark 4:35-41.
Sermon preview video
"Napping" podcast
Sermon preview video
"Napping" podcast
6/23/2015
In the Boat Together
This Sunday's sermon at St. Paul's UCC called out the evil of racism and of treating anyone as less than.
"In the Boat Together" podcast
"In the Boat Together" podcast
6/23/2012
Don't You Care?
This week's Bible reflection (Teachable) doesn't turn whiny, but it has grown up into what is now the Sunday sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Don't You Care?" text
"Don't You Care?" podcast
"Don't You Care?" text
"Don't You Care?" podcast
6/18/2012
Teachable
In this week’s Bible reading from Mark 4:35-41, Jesus was tired. While the boat was sailing to the other side of the lake, he took a nap.
And then there was a storm.
Jesus stayed asleep.
It was a really big storm. It was so big that the boat was starting to sink.
And Jesus slept.
And the disciples woke him up, exasperated, and cried to him. “Don’t you care that we’re all going to die?”
And Jesus got up, shouted at the storm, and said to the lake, “Peace! Be still!”
And everything quieted down.
Jesus asked the disciples why they were afraid. He asked them if they had any faith at all.
And the disciples were filled with awe and wonder.
If I had been there I might have said, “Are you kidding?! No faith? While you were asleep we almost died. Why did you let us go through that storm? Why didn’t you keep us safe? Why didn’t you at least try to help us keep the boat afloat while the rains were pouring down!
And I’m guessing that Jesus would turn that into a teachable moment.
What do you think the moment would be like?
And then there was a storm.
Jesus stayed asleep.
It was a really big storm. It was so big that the boat was starting to sink.
And Jesus slept.
And the disciples woke him up, exasperated, and cried to him. “Don’t you care that we’re all going to die?”
And Jesus got up, shouted at the storm, and said to the lake, “Peace! Be still!”
And everything quieted down.
Jesus asked the disciples why they were afraid. He asked them if they had any faith at all.
And the disciples were filled with awe and wonder.
If I had been there I might have said, “Are you kidding?! No faith? While you were asleep we almost died. Why did you let us go through that storm? Why didn’t you keep us safe? Why didn’t you at least try to help us keep the boat afloat while the rains were pouring down!
And I’m guessing that Jesus would turn that into a teachable moment.
What do you think the moment would be like?
8/17/2009
Phil Stacey - You're Not Shaken Bible Study
Interlinc is conducting a test digital delivery of their latest music magazine (YLO 77) I've got a couple of articles in the magazine -- this one is a Bible study for American Idol contestant Phil Stacey's song, "You're Not Shaken."
The edited version in the magazine lacks some of the punch of the original Bible study I wrote, (that happens sometimes as my progressive leanings can, on occasion, be too much for the conservative leaning mag.) but it still gets the point I was trying for across. Feel free (as long as the test edition is up) to compare the two and see what you think! (Interlinc would love to know what you think of the digital delivery -- take a look and respond to them!)
Leader Guide
Artist: Phil Stacey
URL: philstacey.com
Album: Into the Light
Label: Reunion
Song: You’re Not Shaken
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com
Theme:
Trust in God
Objective:
Students will discuss difficult times in life and they will be encouraged that God will never abandon them
Warm- up
Rock the Boat: Arrange to bring a video camera to youth group. Be sure to have the proper equipment (usually just a connecting cable) to be able to view the short production you create on a larger screen than the camcorder. Gather students into teams (for larger groups) or in one group and describe the events from the Bible study for this lesson. (Mark 4:35-41 – use only Mark 4:35-38 for this video.) Have the students act out a boat trip for the camera. (In a ‘spontaneous melodrama;’ way.) When the storm comes up suddenly, shake the camera to simulate a rocking boat as the students pretend to be jostled around by the waves. (Provide as much direction as you’d like, though a no-rehearsal, no-direction video will likely provide the most laughs when you watch it with the group.) After shooting the video or videos, show them to the group.
Transition:
Say: The disciples were in the boat and the wind and the waves were thrashing them – yet Jesus was asleep. Sometimes we wonder where God is in the difficult times in our lives. Phil Stacey asks the question, “Why?” in his song, ‘You’re Not Shaken.’
Play You’re Not Shaken from Phil Stacey
During the video, have students fill in the lyrics:
I am _________ in the ________ that is ________
I just wanna ______________
I am _____________in the _____________ of my own ________
All the __________ with no _________
So ________ me __________ I’m __________
Transition:
Say: The writer wants to know why – and ultimately decides to trust that God has things in hand. But it isn’t easy to just let go and say, “I’ll trust you, God” when we’re in the midst of danger. Just look at how the disciples acted towards Jesus when their boat was sinking.
Bible Study:
Have students read the entire passage – Mark 4:35-41.
Say: Some folks would say that God was active in the storm that rocked the disciple’s boat.
Author’s perspective: I do not, now will I ever, blame God for hurricanes and tornadoes and earthquakes and other disasters or tragedies. Any time someone stands up and says that storms appear because God is punishing folks for something or other my response is a succinct: “That kind of thinking is wrong.”
However, nowhere in this week’s reading does it say that God brought on the storm. It does say that Jesus rebuked the wind and told the sea ‘Shhhh! Be still.’
We may think God brought the storm because there are many “God caused” moments in the Bible:
But our Bible reading this time doesn’t say that God had anything to do with this storm.
Say: What do you think about this idea?
“God is not the one who brings the storm. God is the one that brings us through the storm.”
(Spend time discussing the idea.)
During the discussion, say: “Those words are comforting and hopeful. Though they aren’t an answer to the reason why things happen, and they aren’t words upon which everyone agrees, they are words of comfort and hope.”
Say: When Jesus woke up as the wind and the waves threatened to swamp the boat, his first words were “Shhhh! Be still.” What do you think of the idea that as he said those words, he also directed them at the disciples?
(Discuss the question.)
Wrap-up: Even with all our questions, something is evident. Jesus calmed the storm. He said “Shhhhh! Be still.” Jesus says to us, in the most difficult times, ‘Trust me – we will get through this.’
Closing prayer: God who brings us through the storm, thank you for your love, your compassion and your strength. Help us to trust you as you guide us and stay with us on our faith journey. Amen.
The edited version in the magazine lacks some of the punch of the original Bible study I wrote, (that happens sometimes as my progressive leanings can, on occasion, be too much for the conservative leaning mag.) but it still gets the point I was trying for across. Feel free (as long as the test edition is up) to compare the two and see what you think! (Interlinc would love to know what you think of the digital delivery -- take a look and respond to them!)
Leader Guide
Artist: Phil Stacey
URL: philstacey.com
Album: Into the Light
Label: Reunion
Song: You’re Not Shaken
Writer: Kirk Moore
Ministry: Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Location: Somonauk, Illinois
Email: kirk@revkirk.com
Theme:
Trust in God
Objective:
Students will discuss difficult times in life and they will be encouraged that God will never abandon them
Warm- up
Rock the Boat: Arrange to bring a video camera to youth group. Be sure to have the proper equipment (usually just a connecting cable) to be able to view the short production you create on a larger screen than the camcorder. Gather students into teams (for larger groups) or in one group and describe the events from the Bible study for this lesson. (Mark 4:35-41 – use only Mark 4:35-38 for this video.) Have the students act out a boat trip for the camera. (In a ‘spontaneous melodrama;’ way.) When the storm comes up suddenly, shake the camera to simulate a rocking boat as the students pretend to be jostled around by the waves. (Provide as much direction as you’d like, though a no-rehearsal, no-direction video will likely provide the most laughs when you watch it with the group.) After shooting the video or videos, show them to the group.
Transition:
Say: The disciples were in the boat and the wind and the waves were thrashing them – yet Jesus was asleep. Sometimes we wonder where God is in the difficult times in our lives. Phil Stacey asks the question, “Why?” in his song, ‘You’re Not Shaken.’
Play You’re Not Shaken from Phil Stacey
During the video, have students fill in the lyrics:
I am _________ in the ________ that is ________
I just wanna ______________
I am _____________in the _____________ of my own ________
All the __________ with no _________
So ________ me __________ I’m __________
Transition:
Say: The writer wants to know why – and ultimately decides to trust that God has things in hand. But it isn’t easy to just let go and say, “I’ll trust you, God” when we’re in the midst of danger. Just look at how the disciples acted towards Jesus when their boat was sinking.
Bible Study:
Have students read the entire passage – Mark 4:35-41.
Say: Some folks would say that God was active in the storm that rocked the disciple’s boat.
Author’s perspective: I do not, now will I ever, blame God for hurricanes and tornadoes and earthquakes and other disasters or tragedies. Any time someone stands up and says that storms appear because God is punishing folks for something or other my response is a succinct: “That kind of thinking is wrong.”
However, nowhere in this week’s reading does it say that God brought on the storm. It does say that Jesus rebuked the wind and told the sea ‘Shhhh! Be still.’
We may think God brought the storm because there are many “God caused” moments in the Bible:
- God caused the great flood. (Genesis 6-9)
- God caused the plagues. (Exodus 7-11)
- God caused the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 18-19)
But our Bible reading this time doesn’t say that God had anything to do with this storm.
Say: What do you think about this idea?
“God is not the one who brings the storm. God is the one that brings us through the storm.”
(Spend time discussing the idea.)
During the discussion, say: “Those words are comforting and hopeful. Though they aren’t an answer to the reason why things happen, and they aren’t words upon which everyone agrees, they are words of comfort and hope.”
Say: When Jesus woke up as the wind and the waves threatened to swamp the boat, his first words were “Shhhh! Be still.” What do you think of the idea that as he said those words, he also directed them at the disciples?
(Discuss the question.)
Wrap-up: Even with all our questions, something is evident. Jesus calmed the storm. He said “Shhhhh! Be still.” Jesus says to us, in the most difficult times, ‘Trust me – we will get through this.’
Closing prayer: God who brings us through the storm, thank you for your love, your compassion and your strength. Help us to trust you as you guide us and stay with us on our faith journey. Amen.
6/20/2009
Waves
This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Sit down, you're rockin' the boat) has now been transformed into tomorrow's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL. And yes -- the song you're thinking about right now is there, too.
6/15/2009
Sit down – you’re rockin’ the boat
Here's this week's i.ucc.org Bible study blog entry:
Is the bouncy tune and the ever-present smile of Mr. Nicely Nicely from the Broadway musical and major motion picture “Guys and Dolls” in your head?
This post has virtually nothing to do with that, but since you’re thinking about it, why not break out into song just for a moment – then come back
.
Ready? (to come back – not to sing again. Sing all you want – just come back here when you’re ready to think “Bible-ey.”)
Now are you ready? OK
We’ve always learned not to stand up in a small boat (especially a canoe) and that rocking a boat is a dangerous thing.
So why, in this week’s Bible reading from Mark 4:35-41, does it look as if God is somehow active in the storm that rocked the disciple’s boat? How is it that Jesus caught onto the whole deal and, probably a little crabby after just waking from a nap, told the storm to STOP?
I do not, now will I ever, blame God for hurricanes and tornadoes and earthquakes and other disasters. Any time someone stands up and says that storms appear because God is punishing folks for something or other my response is a succinct: “That kind of thinking is full of (insert your own word here.)”
So what am I to do with a Bible passage where it seems that God is rocking the boat? What’s the teachable thing here?
I’m going with the obvious, if not too simple, observation: God is not the one who brings the storm. God is the one that brings us through the storm.
What are your thoughts?
Is the bouncy tune and the ever-present smile of Mr. Nicely Nicely from the Broadway musical and major motion picture “Guys and Dolls” in your head?
This post has virtually nothing to do with that, but since you’re thinking about it, why not break out into song just for a moment – then come back
.
Ready? (to come back – not to sing again. Sing all you want – just come back here when you’re ready to think “Bible-ey.”)
Now are you ready? OK
We’ve always learned not to stand up in a small boat (especially a canoe) and that rocking a boat is a dangerous thing.
So why, in this week’s Bible reading from Mark 4:35-41, does it look as if God is somehow active in the storm that rocked the disciple’s boat? How is it that Jesus caught onto the whole deal and, probably a little crabby after just waking from a nap, told the storm to STOP?
I do not, now will I ever, blame God for hurricanes and tornadoes and earthquakes and other disasters. Any time someone stands up and says that storms appear because God is punishing folks for something or other my response is a succinct: “That kind of thinking is full of (insert your own word here.)”
So what am I to do with a Bible passage where it seems that God is rocking the boat? What’s the teachable thing here?
I’m going with the obvious, if not too simple, observation: God is not the one who brings the storm. God is the one that brings us through the storm.
What are your thoughts?
6/19/2006
Frustration
I have a new "Opening the Bible" blog post at i.ucc.org. It's about the frustration I think Jesus felt while getting the disciples ready. It's called "I was taking a nap!"
Jesus spent time with the disciples sharing the things that others didn't get. He was teaching them to look for more and to be people who challenged others to trust in Jesus.
And apparently on this day, Jesus was tired.
In this reading, from Mark 4:35-41, Jesus and the disciples got into a boat and headed across the lake. Jesus went and took a nap. Some say he was napping because he was going to show the disciples God's authority over the wind and the waves later. I think Jesus was tired.
He slept through the rocking of the boat and the crashing waves only to be awakened by the frightened disciples. They didn't understand how Jesus could be sleeping at such a dangerous time on the boat. I'm sure they were amazed that the storm hadn't woken him up before they did.
And Jesus simply told the storm to be quiet. And it was quiet. Sometimes I wonder if right here Jesus was waking up, feeling a bit crabby, and instead of saying something nice he said something more like "Hey! I was taking a nap! Shut up wind! I was sleeping!"
But that's not the frustrated mood I'm really thinking of with this passage. Instead, I'm looking at Jesus frustration as he says, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" It is as if Jesus was saying, "You're not ready to do the work I have for you."
Yet the frustration I see in a "just woke up from a nap" Jesus doesn't keep the work of God from being done. In pretty short order, Jesus sent the disciples out to preach. As frustrated as he was getting woken up from a needed nap -- and as frustrated he was at their lack of faith, He sent them out. They weren't ready. But they were sent.
I don't think any of us are ready to do the things God wants us to do. But I believe we are sent anyway. We may frustrate God to no end with our mistakes, our fear and our lack of faith, but God is capable of calming the storm -- and getting God's work done. I think it's nice to know that we can be part of that work. We don't have to feel or even be ready. I guess what we really need to be is willing.
Jesus spent time with the disciples sharing the things that others didn't get. He was teaching them to look for more and to be people who challenged others to trust in Jesus.
And apparently on this day, Jesus was tired.
In this reading, from Mark 4:35-41, Jesus and the disciples got into a boat and headed across the lake. Jesus went and took a nap. Some say he was napping because he was going to show the disciples God's authority over the wind and the waves later. I think Jesus was tired.
He slept through the rocking of the boat and the crashing waves only to be awakened by the frightened disciples. They didn't understand how Jesus could be sleeping at such a dangerous time on the boat. I'm sure they were amazed that the storm hadn't woken him up before they did.
And Jesus simply told the storm to be quiet. And it was quiet. Sometimes I wonder if right here Jesus was waking up, feeling a bit crabby, and instead of saying something nice he said something more like "Hey! I was taking a nap! Shut up wind! I was sleeping!"
But that's not the frustrated mood I'm really thinking of with this passage. Instead, I'm looking at Jesus frustration as he says, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" It is as if Jesus was saying, "You're not ready to do the work I have for you."
Yet the frustration I see in a "just woke up from a nap" Jesus doesn't keep the work of God from being done. In pretty short order, Jesus sent the disciples out to preach. As frustrated as he was getting woken up from a needed nap -- and as frustrated he was at their lack of faith, He sent them out. They weren't ready. But they were sent.
I don't think any of us are ready to do the things God wants us to do. But I believe we are sent anyway. We may frustrate God to no end with our mistakes, our fear and our lack of faith, but God is capable of calming the storm -- and getting God's work done. I think it's nice to know that we can be part of that work. We don't have to feel or even be ready. I guess what we really need to be is willing.
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