Liturgist Dennis Kirk welcomed the congregation for worship and led in the call to worship. After singing the opening hymn, "All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name," the pastor lifted up people for prayer and led us in the pastoral prayer of the morning.
Jeanne Mitchell read the scripture lesson from Isaiah 25:4 and Mark 4:35-41, the story of Jesus calming the sea.
Pastor Mark shared with the children the definition of a metaphor, and told them a story of "Captain Hook being lost at sea." He said the hard times in our life sometimes feel like we are sinking in a mighty sea.
But by the power of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can get through those times. He challenged the children to think of how many TV theme songs have tunes to which we can sing the words of "Amazing Grace."
On this day after hearing of the great violence in France, Pastor Mark shared scripture of a very different, yet frightening, event of the disciples caught in a storm in the Sea of Galilee.
This is the second in his series of "Who Is Jesus Christ?" Last week we saw Him as "the One who never Quits." This week Jesus is "the One who is with us in the storms of life."
We ask, "Why do we have to go through tough times?"
The violence in France is the latest event.
To the disciples in the boat that stormy night it was the most frightening thing they had experienced.
When they woke Jesus, pleading for His help, perhaps they were expecting him to help bail water out of the boat, but instead he demanded the storm to stop.
The sea became peaceful. In the midst of the storms of our life we need to recognize who Jesus is and ask simply for Him to wrap His arms around us and hold us safely while the storm passes.
There are times when we decide what we want and are frustrated because we don't receive it. Is it possible that we forget to ask God what He wants us to have, be, do?
Instead perhaps we should focus on asking "God, what do You want me to do? And will you please hold me in your Almighty Arms while I do it?"
Pineville United Methodist Church -- a part of the Noel, Pineville, Southwest City parish of the United Methodist Church. Join us on Sunday at 9:30 for worship; 10:45 for Sunday School. Too early for you? You are invited to worship at Noel at 11 a.m. or Southwest City at 1:30 p.m.
Pastor Mark by cell: 417-665-9795; email: [email protected]; facebook: Mark Kailbourn; regular mail, P.O. Box 212, Pineville, MO 64856.
Religion on 11/19/2015