Lower Manhattan Community Church

Scripture is many things, including a Call to Liberation. Scripture not only corrects or encourages, it reminds us that God is on a mission to free his people from oppression. Jasmine Wood walks us through Mark 8:22-26, the story of Jesus healing a blind man in two stages, to examine how God frees us from all types of oppression, and how we join him in the work of setting others free, too. A great message for those who have encountered Jesus, but long for a second touch and more healing.

Vito Aiuto explores Mark 5:1–20, the story of a demon-possessed man who encounters Jesus. Or rather, Jesus encounters him. Jesus crosses borders and oceans to find people in peril and still the storm within them. He comes to wage war against the darkness that opposes us and threatens the image of God within us.

Vito Aiuto reminds us of a simple truth: we were made to bear fruit. Throughout Scripture, fruitfulness comes through listening and allowing ourselves to be pruned. We’re drawn to fruitful places because they remind us what we were made to do.

This message by Vito Aiuto continues the series on the book of Mark with Mark 2:23–3:6. It explores our deep need for rest. We look for rest in all kinds of places, but Jesus points us toward something deeper. The Sabbath was not another burden to carry. Jesus came not to pile on, but to provide rest, reminding us that there remains a rest for the people of God.

Vito Aiuto explores the story of the paralyzed man in Mark 2. Jesus begins with words no one expects, revealing that the deepest need is not always the most obvious one. Jesus notices those on the periphery and responds to the needs of the whole person, bringing both spiritual and physical healing.

For centuries, God's people were told to wait. Jasmine Wood opens our series on the book of Mark by asking what it actually looks like to stop waiting and start preparing. She traces the story of John the Baptist, a voice in the wilderness after a long period of waiting, and his message to prepare, and then Jesus, who comes right on time.

When you don't know what to pray, pray this. Jasmine Wood walks through a prayer from Ephesians 3 that asks God to do what only he can do: strengthen us from the inside, empower us to go forward, and receive love that's wide enough to handle anything, even people or situations that try to hurt you. God is very present in whatever's coming next.