References to Phyllis Tickle's 2008 book, The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why. I highly recommend reading it.

Context, referenced: congregation voted two weeks ago to pursue Holy Closure, and will finish worshipping together in early January. Change is hard.

It seems we aren't familiar with Bartimaeus because his story showing up in the lectionary usually conflicts with Reformation Sundays.

"Jesus loves you, but I'm his favorite." The baptized life is about service, care and concern for the oppressed and vulnerable, not occupying places of favor or honor.

Small congregation voting on closure after several months of dedicated discussion, which followed years of "kicking the can down the road."

Congregation will meet next week after worship to vote on council recommendation to close. Hard conversations have been had and will be had.

The young, rich man was given a hard choice. What happened to him?

Reminder: Jesus said divorce is bad, and NOTHING about gays or other LGBTQ+ people. We are made for relationship with the Divine and one another. This means healthy, nurturing, caring, loving relationships. Abusive relationships of any sort are antithetical to the Gospel and God's Creation, ongoing creative activity.

Lots of references to myriad things, including this sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v00iAqhUno&t=791s

Congregation is grappling with upcoming vote to close.

Small congregation without live music. Worshipped outside to resume singing during worship. Music for worship played from YouTube* and we sang along. Hymn referenced at end of sermon (All Are Welcome by Marty Haugen): https://youtu.be/U-S-Peltx-c.

*Thank you Halifax Lutheran Church/Lutheran Church of the Resurrection and Tim McNabb. Your channel/recordings are what we use every week (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Cc1Y1pshqQ8X8F3nBr-lQ).

Got an excellent follow-up/clarifying question after worship about identifying Jesus with the cross at this point. Remember, the gospels were written ~40+ years following Jesus' resurrection and ascension and are NOT first person accounts. The writers wrote to different audiences and had different ways of emphasizing the life and ministry of Jesus. Also, Jesus wasn't crucified for going around telling everyone he was God (or the Messiah as he instructs the disciples in today's reading to keep quiet), but for telling the earthly powers that they, like God, needed to be concerned with the needs and rights of the poorest among them- a clear challenge to their power and privilege. Picking up Christ's cross and following him requires us to put down our power and privilege and pick up the needs of the poor, oppressed, downtrodden, and to work towards the realization of God's justice for all.

Pretty sure I spent too much time on a geography lesson and not enough on Jesus.

Assigned lectionary is Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. Read Mark 7:1-15, 17-23 (no v.16; some translations offer one. Mark is weird).

Remember: Jesus was Jewish and we shouldn't use our scriptures to disparage Judaism/Jewish people.

Warning: lots of rhetorical questions for your deeper consideration.