Rejected - Mark 6:1-13 - Seventh Sunday after Pentecost - 7-7-24

 

Sermon podcast from the Sunday, 7-7-24 worship service - Peace Memorial Church, UCC in Palos Park, IL. Mark 6:1-13

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"Rejected" sermon podcast

The whole worship service

Rejected - Mark 6:1-13 - Pentecost 7 - 7-4-21

 

Sermon podcast from the Sunday, 7-4-21 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Mark 6:1-13

Video sermon preview

"Rejected" podcast

The whole online worship service

Rejected

Sermon podcast from yesterday at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Mark 6:1-13.

Sermon preview video
"Rejected" podcast

Sent

This morning's sermon at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL imagines Jesus going back to his hometown in several different eras.
"Sent" podcast

Hometown

This week's Bible reflection (He could do no deed of power there) now has a "What if?" flavor and it's the Sunday sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.  
"Hometown" text
"Hometown" podcast

He could do no deed of power there

• Jesus was as stubborn as the people in his hometown -- so he told them, "I ain't gonna do nothing for you since it won't impress you anyway. (Then he thought better of his stubbornness and healed a few people anyway.)
• Jesus knew the people didn't respect him.  He knew that any powerful deed he did would be met with skepticism.  So he didn't do anything to impress anyone.  But he did heal a few people when others weren't looking.
• Jesus would have done many works of power in his hometown, but the people didn't believe.  So he couldn't.  And then he healed a few people in private.
• It wasn't going to matter what Jesus did in his hometown.  Some people were never going to think he was anything more than a carpenter's son.  So he didn't even try to impress them.  But when he saw some people who really wanted and needed healing, he cured them
• Jesus looked at the defiant crowd and said, "Go stuff yourselves."  He didn't give them the satisfaction of seeing his healing show.  And then later he helped some people who weren't interested in a show -- but rather true healing.

Which one of these makes the most sense to you in relation to this week's Bible reading from Mark 6:1-13?  What other way might you look at it or understand it?

They took offense at him

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Just suppose. . .) started the process for re-imagining Mark 6:1-13 as it would play out in various ages. And now it's tomorrow's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, Illinois.
"They Took Offense at Him" text
"They Took Offense at Him" podcast

Just suppose . . .

Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:

Just suppose . . .

That we reimagined this week’s Bible reading from Mark 6:1-13 and wondered how it would play out in an i.culture.

Jesus finished up blogging and went to the myUCC group where he and his closest friends would gather to chat. He posted some profound things in the main community pages and some of the folks there were amazed that someone who had no business writing profound things was doing it. Several made snarky comments about his family and his upbringing, and pointed out that someone ought to talk some sense into him.

Of course, Jesus responded to their comments by saying that “folks outside our community like me – what’s your problem?” And he decided that he wouldn’t write much more at all for them.
Then he went back to the myUCC group where his closest friends would gather to chat and he told hem to make lots of new groups – on myUCC and Facebook and Myspace (though he rethought Myspace when he saw the usage trends) and many other social network sites.

He wrote to them to just make the groups – no intense web design and no pre-planned discussion questions. And he also said that if they made the groups and the folks there started making an overabundance of snarky comments and hate messages that they should make an “I’m closing this page” announcement and go on to the next opportunity.

So they made the groups and welcomed folks – offering them a reason and a way to turn towards the stillspeaking God. They prayed with folks in real-time prayer chapels, offered words of encouragement and healing with posts and comments and forum discussions. Many people experienced a reconnectionto God and a restored awareness of faith in their lives.

Any thoughts to share? Please join the conversation!