Worship Preview: Lent 2 - Feb 25th, 2004 "Disruption"

First United Methodist Church         

This Weekend: 10:30am – “Disruption”

Scriptures – Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31, Romans 4:13-25 and Mark 8:31-38.

Sunday the lectionary jumps ahead in Mark again. Two weeks ago was Transfiguration Sunday and we read from Mark 9. That passage begins “Six days later…” One likely is prompted to ask: “six days after what?” This week’s passage is the answer. In Mark’s gospel, immediately before taking Peter, James, and John up the mountain, Jesus is talking with his disciples and “the crowd” and shares some bewildering news. Peter seeks to quiet this talk of suffering and death and Jesus rebukes him. Like Peter, we struggle to hear what Jesus is saying here. As we unpack these verses, we will draw on the other lectionary texts – Paul, writing to the Romans, and using Abraham’s faith as the cornerstone of his argument, a short reading from Genesis sharing part of Abraham’s story, and Psalm 22. 

Last week we identified Psalm 22 as an individual lament, but the verses we read from the Psalm this week are a joyful call to trust and faith, the mood is one of celebration. These verses then lead into the well-known Psalm 23 and its comfort and praise. But we also know Psalm 22 from its opening verse “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?," which is quoted in Mark 15 as Jesus suffers on the cross. In a way, Psalm 22 encapsulates the destabilizing shift Jesus is leading his followers through here. Jesus knows where his journey leads - towards the cross and beyond, but even now we, like Peter, have difficulty following. These difficult verses challenge us and call us deeper. Who is this Jesus? How do we know? How do we respond, especially when our comfort is disrupted? As we continue our Lenten journey, these verses will help us consider faith and what it means to be one of Jesus’ disciples here and now. 

We invite you to join our Lenten journey, bringing your questions, assurances, and hopes to worship this week. You can learn more about what to expect here at First United Methodist at our website: www.firstumcfortscott.org or our see our Facebook page www.facebook.com/firstumcfortscott for the latest updates.

Upcoming Events: 

Wednesday, February 28, 5:30–6:30pm: Feeding Families in His Name – this weekly free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at www.firstumcfortscott.org/onlinegiving

Mark Your Calendars! Faith’s Journey Returns! Saturday, March 23rd at 6pm. Join us the Saturday before Holy Week for another great evening of Absolute Country, Definitely Gospel with Faith’s Journey! Branson’s 2021 Gospel Show and Group of the Year will be here for another freewill offering show! If you were here last year, you’ll want to hear them again, and if you missed it here is your chance to see them! Invite your friends and neighbors!

Easter Sunday is Sunday, March 31st and our service will be at our usual 10:30am time– during Holy Week prior to that we will celebrate Palm / Passion Sunday on March 24th at 10:30am and hold two special midweek services. Maundy Thursday celebrating the last supper and Good Friday/Tenebrae, a service of darkness reflecting on the crucifixion. These prepare us to truly celebrate the good news of Easter and we hope you’ll plan to join us at each of them!