Worship at First Presbyterian Church of Marion, Illinois

Acts 9:1-19a Paul and Ananias, each called into Christ’s service Saul is in a rage. Those Christians really tick him off. Blasphemous, heretical, unholy, spreading lies, and Saul is going to get them and get them good. Saul collects his letters and his authority and heads towards Damascus to look for followers of the Way. Then he has a ‘come to Jesus’…

John 20:19-31 Jesus gives Spirit, appears to Thomas. It’s still Easter. John makes sure we know that as we start this passage. It is a good reminder for an Easter people, who gather on the first day of the week to celebrate resurrection. It is still Easter when Jesus appears to the disciples in the upper room.  Thomas wasn’t there. He doesn’t…

John 19:16b-22 Sign above the cross proclaims the crucified king. John 12:12-27 Triumphal Entry Jesus comes in and goes out of Jerusalem in today’s two lessons. They happen about a week apart, and they show a dramatic shift in the attitudes of the people of Jerusalem about Jesus. What stays the same is the title that Jesus is given. As he comes…

John 19:1-16a Jesus is condemned, they have no king but Caesar. Pilate does odd things to start this passage. Jesus is brought out with no grounds for a charge, but after being whipped and dressed in a purple robe, crowned by thorns. That doesn’t feel right for how we should dismiss someone who has no charges against them, who is innocent. Pilate…

John 18:28-40 My kingdom is not from this world. Last week, Jesus was brought before the Jewish leaders for accusation and trial. This week the Jewish leaders have brought him to the Roman authorities. The leaders won’t go in to the palace, as that would make them ritually unclean. They have no such concerns about Jesus. Pilate isn’t particularly interested in taking…

John 18:12-27 Jesus’ trial before Annas, Peter’s denial. There is a contrast between Peter and Jesus here, or between disciples and the Messiah. Both are questioned about who they are and what they have been doing. Jesus essentially answers the charges by telling the chief priest to listen to what is being said about him. Jesus has been in ministry in public,…

John 13:1-17 Footwashing as a sign of Jesus’ love and example. John again centers us on Passover as we begin this passage. Jesus and the disciples are preparing for the celebration. In chapter 12, they have come into Jerusalem, and Hosannas have been shouted, welcoming Jesus. John tells this story looking back in time, describing…

John 11:1-44 Raising Lazarus, Jesus as the resurrection and life. This passage is all about life and death. John is the only one who tells this story. As we hear this story, we may hear tales of another death and resurrection. This story does some things out of order – Mary is identified as the one who washes Jesus’s feet, but that…

John 9:1-41            This healing happens. It is an oddly messy type of healing, from the spit and the mud on the eyes to the fallout in the community. His parents don’t want anything to do with exploring why this happened with the temple leaders, and the man who is healed doesn’t know who Jesus is.            There’s this odd conversation between…

John 7:37-52            One of the oddities of the people of God is what we get stuck on. In this passage, the people of God are more stuck on the idea that the Messiah, the prophet, is from Galilee, than the proclamation that those who come to Jesus shall have their thirst met, and that out of them will flow streams of…