Epworth United Methodist Church

Calming the Storm: 6/25/06, Epworth Worship Celebration

3rd Sunday after Pentecost (Year B)

Welcome. The Season after Pentecost is a time for growth in faith under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Easter's celebration gives way to the hard work of Christian discipleship in grateful response to God's love. Our text today recounts an extraordinary experience of comfort and promise in the midst of fear and challenges. Our community gathers also this evening in Church Conference session to consider exciting updates to the Comprehensive Plan for Relocation. How does God's comfort and promise speak to each of us, and to the congregation as a whole? Are we aware of God's calming presence-even in the midst of our fears-as we reach out and grow in love and service in God's world?

Welcome
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (alt)

As we work together with Christ,
        we are also urged not to accept the grace of God in vain.
§       For Christ says, "At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
        and on a day of salvation I have helped you."
See, now is the acceptable time;
§       See, now is the day of salvation!

Gospel Lesson
Mark 4: 35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm

³⁵That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." ³⁶Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

³⁹He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

⁴⁰He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

⁴¹They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"(via)

Sermon - Calming the Sea Rev. Jack Abel
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Sharing the Spirit: May 07, 2006 Worship Celebration

4th Sunday in Easter (Year B)

Welcome. The Easter season is fifty days, a week of weeks. Our focus is the presence of the risen Christ, and the resulting discovery of new life for ourselves. Today's keyword is "inspiration." Our celebration includes Holy Communion. The elements we use are wheat bread and unfermented grape juice. All are welcome at the table of the Lord. As we prepare for worship, you may wish to consider your own sense of inspiration this morning, and the inspiration you have witnessed in others. How does inspiration contribute to your practice of love in God's world?

Greeting
Psalm 23

Lord, you are my shepherd, I need nothing more.
You give me rest in green meadows setting me near calm waters
where you revive my spirit.
You guide me along sure paths, you are true to your name.
Though I should walk in death's dark valley, I fear no evil with you
by my side, your shepherd's staff to comfort me.
You spread a table before me as my foes look on.
You soothe my head with oil; my cup is more than full.
Goodness and love will tend me every day of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I shall live.

Historical Bible Lesson
Acts 4:5-12

The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (via)

Sermon - Sharing the Spirit Rev. Jack Abel
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