Jesus could see how far from God’s Word people had gone. He could prioritize words and actions according to God’s intent better than anyone had before.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP
5 p.m.
Modified Traditional Worship
A modified traditional worship service; generally less than 45 minutes.
We gather in the chapel on the Front Street side of the building near Fourth Street
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
8:30 a.m.
Traditional Worship
We gather in the main sanctuary for liturgical Lutheran worship,
accompanied by the pipe organ and featuring our excellent choir.
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School, Adult study, Coffee & Fellowship
10:30 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Led by our Praise Team, we share contemporary Christian music,
God’s Word and prayer in the main sanctuary.
Devotions for this week: What defiles? — February 16, 2020
SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding
Monday, Mark 8:1-10, Feeding the Four Thousand
Tuesday, Mark 8:11-13, The Demand for a Sign
Wednesday, Mark 8:14-21, The Yeast of the Pharisees
Thursday, Mark 8:22-26, Jesus Cures a Blind Man
Friday, Mark 9:9-13, The Coming of Elijah
Saturday, Mark 9:14-29, The Healing of a Boy with a Spirit
Go to clergystuff.com/daily-devotions for devotions on the daily readings.
TALK: Consider some of these ideas:
“Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” (Mark 7:14-15)
Jesus could see that the rites and rituals being performed had fallen far from God’s intent for God’s people. He demanded that they stop over-attending to external things, and begin attending to the internal things that defile.
- Words can hurt. Thank of a story that was reported unfairly. Did it cause division? What would it take for people to unlearn the lie and relearn the truth?
- Do you notice how you feel when you in indulge in gossip? How does it affect your relationships?
PRAY: O God, you know what we carry in our hearts. Fills us with the things that promote life, and purge us of all that distorts and defiles from within. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
BLESS: May God bless your words and actions that they may bless!
