The disciples are sent out to do ministry. This is the end of this week's section which began with their call - they are now fully prepared. We think about the town in which Jesus can do few miracles 'because of their lack of faith'. Our prayer: 'Lord, give us more faith!'

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone today! Our story in the gospel concerns the raising of Jairus' daughter and the healing of a woman with a flow of blood who reaches out to Jesus. We think about the way in which Jesus reached out find the woman who touched him, and the importance of the personal encounter.

Jesus calms the storm and deals with a demon possessed man. We talk about the authority of Jesus over spiritual, mental and physical health (and nature) and long to see more of that authority exercised in our church today.

We listen to the parable of the sower and the other parables of Mark chapter four - most also about how things grow. We think about the way that people hear the word of God and the times that people are ready and open to hear and respond to what they hear.

Jesus calls his twelve disciples and then is confronted by his family (who think he's mad) and the religious leaders (who think he's demon possessed). We reflect on what radical discipleship looks like.

Jesus' followers attract criticism for picking heads of grain on the Sabbath. As we get to the end of this first section of Jesus' ministry we begin to see how sharp the contrast is between the breaking in of the Kingdom of God in Jesus' ministry and the formal religious structure into which it is poured.

We think about the connection between the passage where Jesus eats with tax collectors, and the section where he talks about new wine and new wineskins. The new convert is readier to accept the things of the kingdom that the established Pharisee or teacher of the law.

Jesus heals a leper and a paralyzed man. Both of these stories involve a deeper healing than the physical condition. The leper is able to be declared 'clean' and part of society again; the paralyzed man is told his 'sins are forgiven'.

We reflect on the emphasis on the spiritual realm in Jesus' ministry. He 'preaches and casts out demons'. Jesus is the king of the kingdom who is claiming subjects from the powers of darkness.

We begin a new series in Mark's gospel. We reflect on the fact that the first thing that happens to Jesus after the Holy Spirit descends on him is that he faces a period of trial and temptation in the wilderness.