Adrift in the Storm
4/26/20 – 6/28/20
The gospel of Mark was originally written to a group of Jewish (and some Gentile) Christians who were suffering from severe persecution at the hands of Rome and Emperor Nero. In the midst of our own levels of anxiety or fear, caused by this time of social isolation and Covid-19 concerns, we too may feel like we are adrift in the storm, being tossed to and fro, and looking for Jesus to be the one to calm the stormy seas.
The Prequel to A New Hope
April 26, 2020
Today we’re kicking off a new series in the gospel of Mark, entitled, “Mark: Adrift in the Storm.” In many ways, Mark is all about how we remain faithful to Jesus in the midst of constant anxiety and fear, as is detailed in a rather long (apologies) introduction to the culture and context that so influenced the gospel of Mark.
Baptism, Suffering, Community, & Hope
May 3, 2020
Today we’re kicking off a new series in the gospel of Mark, entitled, “Mark: Adrift in the Storm.” In many ways, Mark is all about how we remain faithful to Jesus in the midst of constant anxiety and fear, as is detailed in a rather long (apologies) introduction to the culture and context that so influenced the gospel of Mark.
Miracles, Maturity, & Maiming
May 17, 2020
Continuing this innovative sermon series, “Mark: Adrift in the Storm,” Pastor Evan speaks with the Rev. Dr. Chip Hardwick, PhD, about key passages on Christian discipleship. Chip shares valuable insight about praying for miracles, maturing in the faith, and the types of maiming we are willing to go through in order to become more like Christ.
First Fruits: The Harvest is Near
May 31, 2020
In this service, Pastor Evan takes a break from our series through Mark in order to mark the day of Pentecost and explore the idea of first fruits and what God is doing in this time. Also in this message is the call not to brush aside what God may be doing in this season, in order to return to what is comfortable, because God has this way of doing the unexpected when we are least comfortable.
The Ways We Deny Jesus
June 14, 2020
In this next part of the series on Mark’s gospel, Pastor Evan had a conversation with the Rev. Jerrod Lowry, the General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina. In this conversation, they explored ideas of living out our faith daily and the temptations that are present to deny Jesus, either by what we say or do, or by what we leave unsaid and undone.
Patient Suffering
June 21, 2020
Continuing our series through the book of Mark, Pastor Evan and the Rev. Dr. Charlene Han Powell, the Executive Pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, NYC, have a conversation about the redemptive role of suffering and what we can learn about our own times of suffering by looking at the model Jesus sets for us.
Uncertainty, Fear, & Faith
June 28, 2020
Mark’s resurrection narrative, as Mark originally wrote it, does not include an appearance of the resurrected Jesus. Instead, it ends with the women saying nothing to anyone, despite having been given directives to the contrary, because they were afraid. Joining Pastor Evan to discuss this passage is the Reverend Bronwen Boswell, the General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of Shenandoah Presbytery. In their conversation, they talk about how to live out your faith in the midst of uncertainty and fear.