We've had some pretty serious storms recently. When have you experienced a storm, literal or spiritual, that you found really challenging? What was especially difficult? How did you find your way through?
Deep in the history of the Methodist movement comes a narrative from John Wesley himself. He had boarded a ship bound for America that was staffed by a group of Moravian Christians. Wesley noted their positive and resilient spirit. But during one particular testy time in the voyage, a storm arose, he writes, and I quote, “the sea broke over, split the main-sail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks, as if the great deep had already swallowed us up.” During all of this, Wesley observed the steadiness of the Moravians, as they continued to sing through the travail. His English colleagues, unlike the Moravians, were terribly distressed. Later Wesley asked one of the Moravians, “Were you not afraid?” They replied, “Thank God, no.” This stalwart faith impressed Wesley.
In the Gospels, we read a story of Jesus on a boat with his disciples on the sea of Galilee. A storm arose, and the disciples were quite frightened. They awakened a sleeping Jesus, saying, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus’ response was, Mark tells us, to rebuke the winds, and to say, “Be silent! Be still!” The seas calmed, and Jesus asked the disciples why they were afraid.
In our worship service on Sunday, the sermon continues the series, “And God said, ‘Let There Be Stories.” This week’s sermon is titled, “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night.” It arises from Psalm 42:1-8; 11, which will be read by Mary Beth Hannah-Hansen, and Mark 4:35-41, which will be read by Kristen Hess. Our Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa, and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs will sing “On Eagle’s Wings.” We’ll sing together, pray and have a time for children.
If this will be your first time at St. Mark’s, or you have long been connected to our church, we look forward to connecting with you. Join us in the sanctuary, or on livestream on Sunday at 10:30. To join online, visit www.smumc.church, and click on the Live Stream Banner.