Sermon by Rev. Barb Lemmel and Rev. Mitch Hay

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Gospel Lesson                                Mark 9:38-50

John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to the Anointed will by no means lose their reward.

“If anyone puts a stumbling block before one of these little ones who have faith, it would be better for them if a great millstone were hung around their neck and to be thrown into the sea.

“If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life limping than to have two feet and to be cast into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the Realm of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be flung into Gehenna, where their worm never dies, and the fire is not quenched.

“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Keep the salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.”