Scripture Reading: Mark 1:29-39

In today’s scripture reading, Mark’s Gospel emphasizes the power of Jesus’ word. His word can heal (1:31 and 34), free people from demons (1:34 and 38), and proclaim the Good News (1:39). His word has the power to make people whole, return them to their place in family and society, and reconcile them to God. Jesus calls us to the healing of the fever of disconnection.

The term “fever” is not mentioned much in the Old Testament. Two parallel texts describe fever as one of the punishments of the people of Israel if they do not obey the Lord’s commandments and ordinances once they reach the promised land (Leviticus 26:16; Deuteronomy 28:22). The New Testament contains a few other stories about the healing of fevers. Matthew and Luke have parallel accounts of this passage (Matthew 8:14-17 and Luke 4:38-41). John records an account of Jesus healing the son of a royal official, a Gentile. The boy is on the point of death, and one of his symptoms is a fever. Jesus heals the boy remotely, without having to touch him (John 4:46-54). In Acts, Paul heals the father of Publius, a citizen of Malta. Paul heals the man by prayer and laying on of hands (Acts 28:7-10). It is likely, that the fever that Peter’s mother in-law had resulted from malaria. Malaria was widespread in the Mediterranean Read more…

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:14-20

Today’s reading is phase two of God’s plan, phase two of the implementation of the redemption of all humanity. Jesus has now been baptized and the ministry passes from John the Baptist to Jesus. Jesus begins His ministry by preaching in Galilee.  He proclaims the good news of the Kingdom of God, saying the Kingdom of God has come near and we must repent and believe the good news. He then goes out and starts picking followers saying, “follow me.”  It happens so quickly in the book of Mark that we can miss the details, we can miss what a wonder it is that Jesus could draw people to Himself so easily. 

The disciples followed with urgency in their hearts and without question.  Do you follow anyone so easily? Has there ever been a person that you just had to follow?  Not a person that you were forced to follow, but a person you wanted to follow. 

I did. He was my fourth-grade camp counselor. I would follow him wherever he would go.  Why?  Because he cared about his campers and because he was there for us when we needed him.  Kids saw Jesus through his words and actions. This camp counselor made a lasting impression on me, but I don’t even remember his name! I have Read more…

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-20, John 1: 43-51

Today’s message is on the call of Samuel, Philip, and Nathaniel. It is a story of Witnessing. May this message help us to accept our calling as God’s witnesses. The story begins with Jesus finding Philip and saying to him, “Follow me.” Notice that: Jesus finds Philip. Just like He finds us. He seeks us out, even when we were not looking for Him.  But Jesus came and sought us out. He found us and brought His gospel to us and placed His call on our lives.

Jesus calls us, even as He called Philip. “Follow me,” Jesus says to each one of us. “Come on along! Find out what you will discover on this adventure of faith. Follow me, learn from me, as my disciples. Grow in your knowledge and faith.” Jesus calls us to keep on following Him, in a lifelong journey of faith. He leads the way, every step of the way, all the days of our life. “Follow me.” Hear the authority in His voice. Hear His personal care for you. Jesus is calling you to be His disciple.

In the same way God called Samuel who was staying with Eli the Priest. Samuel hears God calling him three times, but thought it was Eli calling him. He finally knew God was calling him. How many times has God called us, but Read more…

December 27, 2020  

Pastor Joel Plisek

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:22-40

If anything, the year 2020 could be entitled the year of waiting. We waited to hear if we had a job. We waited to get our job back.  We waited to see how mom and dad, parents, grandparents, and children were doing.  We waited in line for food.  We waited to find out the state of our 401K. We waited to find out who the President was.  We waited to buy toilet paper.  We waited to burry our loved ones.  In many ways we are still waiting.

The old saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait,” but I want to ask, when does that start? For those who are feeling this way I have a story for you.  It is about two people, Simeon and Anna, who are both examples of faithful waiting even though it took many years for joy to become a reality.   The coming of Christ involved all manners of waiting on God. A young maiden, a dying man and an old widow all model hearts yielded to God. Read more…

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20

Beloved friends, peace and grace to you. We gather here for many reasons tonight. What are your reasons? It is Christmas Eve, a time so many have been waiting for. Can you feel it? Can you feel that buzz in the air? Family members have arrived, phone calls are being made, words of love and greetings are exchanged. Friends, Jesus Christ is the reason for Christmas.

As Luke tells it in his Gospel, there were no expectations other than a birth. If mystery were in the air for Mary and Joseph, it was only the question of where Mary and Joseph could find a room. If there was beauty to be celebrated, it was only the glow of a mother with a child safely born. We want Jesus to be in our midst.

At Christmas time, we too want to let Jesus show – in our church, in our community, in our lives. Christ is born! Joy to the world! The Lord is come. And we are grateful. The nativity story from Luke 2 is so well known to us, we probably could recite it. But because of Read more…