Thursday, September 30, 2021

Faces in the Crowd: People in the Story of Jesus (Mary Magdalene)

Our Wednesday Morning Bible has been watching the series The Chosen. As we await the new season, we're looking at some of the people in the story of Jesus.


During this second session, we considered Mary Magdalene by discussing the following: 

Before the Crucifixion

Luke 8:1-3 - Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him,  as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,  and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.

Witness to Jesus's crucifixion and burial

Mark 15:40-47 - There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.  These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.  When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,  Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time.  When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

Matthew 27:55-61 -  Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him.  Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.  When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus.  He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.  So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth  and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

John 19:25b-27 – Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”  Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

Mary at the Resurrection

Mark 16:1-8 - When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?" When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you." So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. 

Matthew 28:1-10 - After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Luke 24:1-12 - But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest.  Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.  But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. 

John 20:1-18 -  Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. 

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.  They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.



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Wednesday, September 29, 2021

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A New Vision for Sligo Youth

Good Morning & Happy Fall Y'all!

Can we please pray together for just a few moments? God, we give you the glory for a new season. We thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon SPC this past year. We thank you, God, for bringing us a pastor that we can count on to lead this church. Father, we thank you for the many children who walk into this church to learn about you whether it's for Sunday School, Church or through Release Time. God, I ask you to hear our prayer for a special group of kids, and that's for the local youth who need to hear of your amazing love through Jesus Christ. God, open our hearts and minds as we consider a new approach to reaching young people in our community. Amen.

Recently, Pastor Ed, Paula Conner and I met together to brainstorm on how to proceed this fall with the youth program. I would like to share some of the new ideas we have in mind for the youth in our church and local area.

We recognize the importance of getting our youth involved in mission work and at least one type of community service. We are hoping to coordinate with the Sligo Council for local needs, but if you have an idea, please feel free to share it with us. Pastor Ed has graciously contacted the Union High School regarding requirements for high school graduation, and was told community service is needed for students in grades 9-12. We see this as an open the door for Youth Outreach and Ministry.

In addition to missions and community service, many of the young people in our area are in need of life skills that are no longer being taught at the high school. Wood Shop and Home Economics have become a thing of the past at Union HS. Although many students attend the CC Vo-Tech to learn a particular trade, they are missing out on sampling other crafts or trades that we might be able to introduce at the church. God has given each of us special gifts to share, whether it's cooking/baking, woodworking, card making, vehicle maintenance, sewing on a button, or whatever you might think of.

This is where we need your help. Would you please share one of your gifts with a group of teenagers in our Pilot Program this fall? We have 7 dates between October 10th and Nov. 21" open for anyone who is willing to give it a try. The meeting time for youth is Sundays from 3-4:30 pm. We would hope you would consider a 45 minute segment of time or more if needed.

Clara will be passing the sign up sheet today and it will be placed in the back of the church thereafter.

Last, but not least, we don't want to miss the most important reason forgetting kids into our church ... it's all about sharing the love of Christ We will continue to have a Bible lesson each week with the• youth. Please give this Outreach Ministry your consideration. We need all of you, young or old, male or female. If you have any questions, please contact Jodie Hagan (814) 229-2644 or Pastor Ed at 814-745-2771 (SPC). And remember. If you love the children, you will want to help us out!

SPC Life Skill Trades & Crafts for Youth

Approx 45 minute class (additional time can be added.)

For youth age 7-12th grade *

A New Approach to Youth

Beginning 10/10/21

  • Trades
  • Woodworking & Tools 
  • Archery/Hunting
  • Painting a Room 
  • Automotive Maintenance 
  • Automotive Detailing 
  • Computer Software
  • Cooking Soup
  • Baking Apple Pie
  • Home Gardening & Canning
  • Noodling
  • Basic Sewing
  • Learning to Crochet or Knit
  • Card Making
  • Plants & Floral Arrangement

Calling All Youth

All Youth (7th-12th grade) and Adults are invited to go Bicycling on the Lawsonham Trail, Sunday, 10/3.  We will meet at the church to load bikes at 3 pm.  If you need a bike, let us know in advance and we can most likely provide one.  The trail to Phillipstown is approx 9 miles long, and we will be getting pizza at the end of our trip.  Our return time to the church is approx 5:30-6 pm.  Permission slips are required and available at the church.  Please text Jodie Hagan at 814-229-2644 or Paula Conner at 814-229-3753 if you plan to attend.

Sunday, September 26, 2021

Friday, September 24, 2021

Prayer Requests to be shared during Sunday’s service

On Sunday, September 26, Silgo Presbyterian Church will lift to God the following needs.

  • Alice Lucas
  • Armed Forces 
  • Bruce Amsier
  • Bruce Bowman
  • Bus Clark
  • Church Leaders 
  • College Students
  • Craig & Jodie Hagan
  • Dan Minick
  • Dee, Jeremy & Jacob
  • Doctors & Nurses & all essential workers
  • Ed Leonard
  • Ed Males
  • Government Leaders 
  • Greyson Whyte
  • Jim Mason
  • Josh Charney
  • Kathy
  • Maxine Hartle
  • Maxine Simpson
  • Melva Grabill
  • Mr. Wolff
  • Nancy Campbell
  • Our Youth
  • Police Officers
  • Randy Frampton
  • Ron & Shelly Haines
  • Rwanda Partner
  • Sam Williams
  • Sean Bayless
  • Steve Lucas
  • The People of Afghanistan
  • The People of Haiti
  • The Teachers and Student at Sligo Elementary
  • Velma Stewart
  • World Vision

The Bulletin for Our Service - Sunday, September 26, 2021

Below is the bulletin for our service, on Sunday, September 19, 2021. Remember, you can stream the service live by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube page beginning at 10:00 a.m.










A Thought from the Word

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Thursday, September 23, 2021

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, September 19, 2021

Sunday, September 19, we continued a series entitled "Walking with Jesus in the Gospel by Mark." As disciples of Jesus, we've been called to follow him by claiming his example and learning from his teachings. From June to October, we're going to focus on the Gospel of Mark so that we might better understand how we might follow our Savior and live as his community. 

During the following twenty Sundays, the message will apply following passages:

June 6, 2021 - Mark 3:20-35
June 13, 2021 - Mark 4:26-34
June 20, 2021 - Mark 4:35-41
June 27, 2021 - Mark 5:21-43
July 4, 2021 - Mark 6:1-13
July 11, 2021 - Mark 6:14-29
July 18, 2021 - Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
July 25, 2021 - Mark 7:14-23
August 1, 2021 - Mark 7:24-37
August 8, 2021 - Mark 8:27-38
August 15, 2021 - Mark 9:30-37
August 22, 2021 - Mark 9:38-50
August 29, 2021 - Mark 10:2-16
September 5, 2021 - Mark 10:17-31
September 12, 2021 - Mark 10:35-45
September 19, 2021 - Mark 10:46-52
September 26, 2021 - Mark 12:28-34
October 3, 2021 - Mark 12:38-44
October 10, 2021 - Mark 13:1-8
October 17, 2021 - Mark 13:24-26, 32-36

Below is a copy of the bulletin, a podcast of the sermon and the video of the worship service. 












Sunday's Message - In the Story

As disciples of Jesus, we've been called to follow him by claiming his example and learning from his teachings. From June to October, we're going to focus on the Gospel of Mark so that we might better understand how we might follow our Savior and live as his community. 

During the following twenty Sundays, the message will apply following passages:

June 6, 2021 - Mark 3:20-35
June 13, 2021 - Mark 4:26-34
June 20, 2021 - Mark 4:35-41
June 27, 2021 - Mark 5:21-43
July 4, 2021 - Mark 6:1-13
July 11, 2021 - Mark 6:14-29
July 18, 2021 - Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
July 25, 2021 - Mark 7:14-23
August 1, 2021 - Mark 7:24-37
August 8, 2021 - Mark 8:27-38
August 15, 2021 - Mark 9:30-37
August 22, 2021 - Mark 9:38-50
August 29, 2021 - Mark 10:2-16
September 5, 2021 - Mark 10:17-31
September 12, 2021 - Mark 10:35-45
September 19, 2021 - Mark 10:46-52
September 26, 2021 - Mark 12:28-34
October 3, 2021 - Mark 12:38-44
October 10, 2021 - Mark 13:1-8
October 17, 2021 - Mark 13:24-26, 32-36

On Sunday, September 19, 2021, we looked at Mark 10:46-52. The passage, the message and the podcast is below:

Mark 10:46-52 [Contemporary English Version]

Jesus and his disciples went to Jericho. And as they were leaving, they were followed by a large crowd. A blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting beside the road. When he heard that it was Jesus from Nazareth, he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” Many people told the man to stop, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, have pity on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him over!”

They called out to the blind man and said, “Don’t be afraid! Come on! He is calling for you.” The man threw off his coat as he jumped up and ran to Jesus.

Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”

The blind man answered, “Master, I want to see!”

Jesus told him, “You may go. Your eyes are healed because of your faith.”

Right away the man could see, and he went down the road with Jesus.

In the Story

You know, I think our perspective changes when we put ourselves into a story. Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about. Before I came up here, I was working in two little biddy churches in the Ohio Valley. And in one of them, I led a Bible study every Thursday afternoon. Now back in April, we did a 4-part series focused on Easter, and specifically, on how the story of the resurrection is a little bit different in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, because each of the four evangelists viewed it in a slightly different way. And to illustrate how that can happen, in the very first meeting, we did this little exercise. You see, I shared with them the following story:

A mother was baking a cake and needed some milk to finish. Since her son was only watching television, she sent him to the store with money and some very clear instructions: Buy a half gallon of milk. Reluctantly, the son went. When he got to the store, he noticed that there was a sale on Twinkies. Unfortunately, he didn’t have enough money to buy the half gallon, and so he bought a quart and the Twinkies. As he walked home, he was enjoying the golden cake and creamy filling. Suddenly, a dog jumped out of the bushes. He ate the Twinkies and caused the milk to spill all over the sidewalk.

Now that was the story. And with this in mind, we retold what happened from the perspective of the mother, the son, the dog, and of course, the Twinkies. And then we followed it up with some questions, you know, about the different interpretations made and the different lessons learned. Of course, the point was pretty simple; our perspective shapes the way we tell a story. You see, it happens to us and I believe it happened to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as they wrote about the resurrection.

And I’ll tell you, we’re going to do that same kind of thing with the passage we just read this morning. You see, we’re going to put ourselves into the story as Bartimaues and then as Jesus and then as the people. We’ll look at what we might have in common with them and then we’ll consider how we might respond when we find ourselves in their situations. And hopefully, when we’re finished, we’ll have a better understanding of who we are but more importantly what we can do, and I’m talking about when we find ourselves in the story.

Of course, to do that, we really need to understand what’s happening here. And so let’s talk about the passage a little bit. I mean, right at first, we have Jesus and his disciples around Jericho, a little town not far from Jerusalem. And as they were leaving, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus showed up. And according to Mark, he was shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” [Mark 10:47b, CEV] Now that’s all he said. But evidently, it was enough to really bother the people around Jesus, because they tried to get him to stop. But the more they told him to shut up, the louder he got. “Son of David, have pity on me!” [Mark 10:48b, CEV] And then all of a sudden, Jesus stopped and told the people who’d been trying to shut him up and down, he told them to call Bartimaeus over. And you know, they must have known Jesus wasn’t going to chew him out, because “they called out to the blind man and said, ‘Don’t be afraid! Come on! He is calling for you.’” [Mark 10:49b, CEV] And I’ll tell you, Bartimaeus must have known it too, because, according to Mark, he “...threw off his coat as he jumped up and ran to Jesus.” [Mark 10:50, CEV] Of course, they were right, because, after Jesus asked what Bartimaeus wanted and after “the blind man answered, ‘Master, I want to see!’” [Mark 10:51b, CEV]. He got exactly what he desired. Jesus healed him. And “right away the [Bartimaeus] could see, and he went down the road with Jesus.” [Mark 10:52b, CEV] Now, in a nutshell, that’s what happened.

And I’ll tell you, when we intentionally identify with these characters, I think that can offer us some genuine insight when we find ourselves in a similar story. For example, first, I think there are times when we can identify with Bartimaeus. In other words, I believe most folks can understand what it’s like to have a need that sure seems beyond their own ability to solve. Of course, like it was for Bartimaeus, that need might be physical, and with that I include everything from disabilities and sickness to poverty and abuse and addictions. Now that’s what I mean by physical. But you know, the need could also be a little less tangible. I mean, it could be emotional, you know, like all the stress a person might feel being separated from his wife while trying to figure out how to move thirteen years of stuff from one place to another. Now, I recognize that compared to a lot of folks, well, that’s relatively minor, but trust me, it’s still stressful. Of course, we’ve just been talking about the physical and emotional. I’m telling you, I believe a lot of people are struggling with a need that I think you could call spiritual, you know, an emptiness on the inside, a lack of peace and purpose as they live in the present and a lack of direction and hope as they face the future. And these are just a few of the things with which people struggle. Man, there are all kinds of needs out there and frankly in here.

And you know, since I believe that’s the case, I think Bartimaeus can teach us a lot about how we might handle them when they rear their ugly heads in our own lives. You see, just like he did, we can actively seek out those who might be able to offer us some help as we struggle with whatever physical or emotional or spiritual need we might have. Then after doing what’s necessary to identify those who might be able to help us, we can approach them, something that I believe is going to take courage, because it ain’t easy to ask for help, and confidence, assured that whomever we’re approaching is able to do something for us, and persistence. And I’ll tell you why that’s just as important for us as it was for Bartimaeus. I mean, not only does the squeaky wheel get the grease, but if a need isn’t heard, it probably won’t be addressed. But I’ll tell you, this is something we’ll know, when we put ourselves in the story and recognize that there are times when we can identify with Bartimaeus. But he’s not the only one with whom we can connect. 

You see, second, I think there are times when we’re also kind of like Jesus in this story, because like him, we may have the power to address some of the needs we hear expressed. Now, I don’t want to be suggest that this is always the case, because that would be foolish. I mean, if you have appendicitis or a blown gasket or thermostats that need to be installed, don’t call me. Man, go to a doctor or a mechanic or to Mark. Still, if we’re honest with ourselves, I think every one of us can help someone in some way. For example, regardless of how busy we are, and most of us are really busy, we probably have some time that we could offer to send a card to someone who’s lonely or to lend a hand to someone who feels overwhelmed. And even though we may not have the skills to cure blindness, God has given us each a whole mess of gifts and talents that we can use to help others, and you know, if we don’t know what they are, it may be time to find out. And you know, just like we’ve been talking about with roof, most of us have the means to help. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a lot or a little, most of us can offer something. You see, just like Jesus had the power to answer the cry of that blind beggar, we also have the ability to address some of the needs that surround us.

And I’ll tell you, as we try to figure out how we’re going to do it, we can follow the example Jesus offered in this story. And you know, it really starts with us being available and open. Now we talked about this a little bit last week. If Jesus hadn’t been on that road, he’d have never heard Bartimaeus shouting for help. And if Jesus hadn’t asked what Bartimaeus wanted, Jesus may not have known what he could do. And I think that applies to us too. Man, we need to be available and open. But I’ll tell you, being available and open ain’t worth a hill of beans, if we don’t do anything about it. I mean, remember, Jesus didn’t say that the nations will be blessed because they know about the needs that people have. No, they’ll be blessed when they actually feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, and when they actually welcome the stranger and cloth the naked, and when they actually care for the sick and visit the prisoner. You know, I think it’s important to remember that, when it comes to most human needs, actions speaks louder than words. And that’s something we’ll understand when we put ourselves in the story and recognize that there are times when we can identify with Jesus.

But Bartimaeus and Jesus aren’t the only characters with whom we might have something in common, because remember that there were a whole bunch of folks kind of hovering around in the background, and I think that’s the third group in which we might see ourselves. In other words, I think there are plenty of times when we’re like the people in the story, and I’m talking about those men and women who are just there, following Jesus around. I mean, they don’t appear to have the same kind of need that motivated Bartimaeus to cry out for help nor do they have the power really to do anything about it. No, they were just kind of there, minding their own business, but suddenly forced to hear the shouts and to see the need. 

And you know, when you get right down to it, isn’t that where we usually find ourselves? I mean, even though we might not be so desperate that we have no choice but to beg for help in the middle of the road, I think we recognize that there are folks all around us who know first-hand that kind of desperation. And even though God has given us some time and talents and resources that can be used to help those in need, even when we come together, we don’t have to power to do very much to address all the problems, much less all the causes. No, I think there are plenty of times that we’re like those folks who were just there following Jesus.

And for that reason, I think what we can learn from them in this story is particularly important. You see, even though, at first, they didn’t show a lot of sympathy and mercy, after Jesus told them what he wanted them to do, both their attitude and actions changed, didn’t they? I mean, all of sudden, I think they showed some genuine compassion to this blind beggar 

whom they wanted to shut up a few minutes before. My goodness, instead of acting like Jesus had put a 100 pound weight on their shoulders, they approached Bartimaeus and said, “Don’t be afraid! Come on! He is calling for you.” [Mark 10:49b, CEV] You see, not only were they sensitive to his feelings, they brought him to the one who had the power to help him. And you know, we can do the same thing. I mean, we can try as hard as we can to be sensitive to those who are hungry and thirsty, to the naked and to the stranger and to everyone who is sick and imprisoned. But more than that, we can work together so that they might find and receive the help they need, either from us or someone else. You see, this is something we can do when we put ourselves in this story and recognize that there are times when we can identify with the people.

Now, when I did my little exercise at that Bible study back in April, after telling the story of the cake and the milk, well, there were some really interesting ideas when we intentionally identified with the son, his mother and the dog. And as it relates to the other character in the story, someone felt moved to bring a box of Twinkies to the study the next week. And with that, I guess you could say it worked out better than I could have imagined. 

And you know, this business about identification, man, we can do the same thing with the passage we read this morning. You see, we can recognize that sometimes we really are like Bartimaeus, with some very definite needs, and because of that, we can decide to seek out help. And we can also recognize that sometimes we’re really more like Jesus, with the power to address the needs, and because of that we can decide to become both open and active. And finally, we can recognize that sometimes we really are more like the people, just sort of hanging around observing, and because of that, we can decide to become sensitive to others and to work to find the help they need. You see, I believe all this can happen, when we make another decision, namely to put ourselves in the story.



Looking at Mark - The Parable of the Sower


Every Sunday morning, your friends and neighbors at Sligo Presbyterian Church gather to discuss our faith in Jesus Christ. Currently, we're using the Gospel of Mark as our guide. Pastor Rudiger is leading the discussion and everyone is invited. And so plan to come join us as we grow in our understanding.

During our tenth session, we discussed the parable of the sower. During the next session, we'll consider three parables that explain the parable of the sower.

Mark 4

Again he 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!”

When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that

‘they may indeed look, but not perceive,
and may indeed listen, but not understand;
so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.’”

And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”



Ed Rudiger's Installation at Sligo Presbyterian Church

Here is a reminder for Ed Rudiger's Installation at Sligo Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 26, 2021 @ 4pm. The church is located at 403 Colerain Street, Sligo, PA 16255. Please see the Zoom link below for your convenience. Thank you.

Kiski Presbytery is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Ed Rudiger Installation at Sligo
Time: Sep 26, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Witness, Share and Evangelize: Today in the Mission Yearbook - Race, faith and climate change

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Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Faces in the Crowd: People in the Story of Jesus (Nicodemus)

Our Wednesday Morning Bible has been watching the series The Chosen. As we await the new season, we're looking at some of the people in the story of Jesus.

During this first session, we consider Nicodemus by discussing the following: 

Nicodemus Visits Jesus (John 3:1-21)

1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” 

The Unbelief of Those in Authority (John 7:45-52) 

45 Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not arrest him?” 46 The police answered, “Never has anyone spoken like this!” 47 Then the Pharisees replied, “Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? 48 Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.” 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, 51 “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?” 52 They replied, “Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.”

The Burial of Jesus (John 19:38-42) 

38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. 39 Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42 And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.



A Thought from the Word

A brief thought based on Joel 2:23 - “People of Zion, celebrate in honor of the LORD your God! He is generous and has sent the autumn and spring rains in the proper seasons.” 

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