Last week, I drove to Kansas for a brief visit with my oldest son. I was two hours away when I heard, on the radio, that the jury had reached a verdict in the charges against Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. It would still be awhile before the announcement of the verdict, and I decided to go into Topeka to the historic site commemorating Brown v. Board of Education, the 1954 Supreme Court case that ruled racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional.
Next to that site is an incredible mural that covers the outside wall of a building. It tells the story of Brown v. Board, but in relationship to those who came before and those who are present now. Over 2,000 individuals, of all ages, were part of creating this mural, representing how we come along side one another.
In our liturgical year, we are between Easter and Pentecost. Our scripture reading this week (from John 14:15-21) reminds us that Jesus tried to prepare his disciples for his physical death and departure from this world. He tells them that he is not abandoning them. For, he will be sending another Advocate or Paraclete (the Holy Spirit), which can have the meaning “to come along side another.” Jesus did this in his time on earth, as does the Holy Spirit, and we are encouraged to do the same with one another.
In our time of worship, we will share inspiring music including hymns and musical offerings from our singers (accompanied by Nara Lee), a children’s moment, prayer and reflection, and the reading of the scripture passage based on John 14:15-21. The sermon title is “Whispers of Wisdom.”
If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for decades, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with you on the live stream at 10:30am this Sunday.