Prayers of the People by Avery West.

One of the big challenges of growing up for many people is deciding what they want to do for the rest of their lives. At least, that is what it seems to feel like when you reach that magical age of around eighteen when high school is wrapping up, and we are expected to make those big decisions that launch us onto fateful trajectories into adulthood. Do we start families, go to college, leave home, join the military, enter a trade school, take time to travel the countryside, build our own farm, launch a new business…?

The options feel endless, and the pressure to make the right decision can feel overwhelming.

As we move beyond this point in our lives, we realize we are not limited to just one window of opportunity to make such big decisions. This is especially true when our lives don’t fit the expected patterns we might have imagined earlier in our childhood. In this week’s scripture passage from the letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul encourages us to always be open to new opportunities. He challenges us to not be conformed to the expectations of the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we can discern God’s will for our lives. Following this advice can lead to personal revelations that send our lives in new directions which we may have never imagined. As we reflect on the message from Paul this week, we will consider how the Holy Spirit nudges us toward that special, unique calling that God has for each one of us.

Prayers of the People by Bobbi McDermott.

Special music for the week by Sheryl Clifton.

Ironically, humans are some of the most fragile beings on earth, yet our influence on the earth is astounding. Compared to other creatures on earth, we are very slow at running or swimming, we can’t jump very high, and we have limited endurance in various climates. Yet we have managed to map the furthest corners of the earth, both above and below the surface of the ocean; we have built machines that can move us faster than any other creature, across the land or through the air; and we have been able to leave

the earth and explore the moon and will likely visit Mars soon. Despite our innate weaknesses, humanity has tremendous potential to significantly change the entire earth.

This week we will reflect on a passage in the Letter to the Hebrews that discusses God’s empowerment of humanity, and the role Christ has played. The author of this letter recalls Psalm 8 where the question is posed, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them?” Although we have our limitations and detractions, God loves us so much that God sent Christ to experience life and death so that we could experience salvation and be called brothers and sisters of Christ. Join us in worship this Sunday as we celebrate the many gifts God has given us.

Special music for the week by Sheryl Clifton.

Prayers of the People by Brandon Coz.

Fun and heartfelt thank you to Brandon Coz.

Special music for the week by Brandon Coz.

This week we continue in the Gospel of Mark where we had left off last Sunday. Jesus and the disciples had arrived at Capernaum after a long journey, and Jesus had gathered them together to teach them what it means to be first in the kingdom of God. Following this lesson, Jesus continues to address concerns raised by the disciples and emphasizes the importance of faithfully following his teaching. He warned them that

they would experience hardship and face difficult decisions. But the benefits of entering the kingdom of God far surpass any sacrifice we must make in this life.

God does not cause suffering or create problems for us, but they happen. When confronted with life’s challenges, Jesus teaches us to always prioritize the choice that we believe God wants us to take even if it causes us to suffer in this life. We are not expected to literally maim or blind ourselves, but we are expected to be willing to sacrifice our personal comforts that stem from activities or systems that work against God. Consistently failing to follow Christ’s teachings dilutes our faith and muddles our identity as Christians. Instead, Christ urges us to show our true colors as his followers and let his light shine through us.