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Mark 8:27-38 (Common English Bible)
27 Jesus and his disciples went into the villages near Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”
28 They told him, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others one of the prophets.”
29 He asked them, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” 30 Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
31 Then Jesus began to teach his disciples: “The Human One[a] must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and the legal experts, and be killed, and then, after three days, rise from the dead.” 32 He said this plainly. But Peter took hold of Jesus and, scolding him, began to correct him. 33 Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, then sternly corrected Peter: “Get behind me, Satan. You are not thinking God’s thoughts but human thoughts.”
34 After calling the crowd together with his disciples, Jesus said to them, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. 35 All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me and because of the good news will save them. 36 Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives? 37 What will people give in exchange for their lives? 38 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this unfaithful and sinful generation, the Human One will be ashamed of that person when he comes in the Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
On Saturday morning, September 11, 2021 at 10:00 am we will not have our usual Facebook Live service as we will join in the Memorial Service for one of our beloved former pastors, Bishop Beverly J. Shamana. The service will be broadcast live on YouTube from Pasadena First UMC.
In addition, since we will not have our worship recording on Saturday, on Sunday morning, September 12 at 10:45 am, we will join in worship with our sister congregation, Grace United Methodist Church of Los Angeles at 10:45 am via Grace’s Zoom & YouTube accounts!
Guest Preacher for Sunday (9/12)
The guest preacher will be Rev. Dr. Michele Watkins, a Provisional Elder in the United Methodist Church, serving under appointment as the Assistant Professor of Theology & Religious Studies at the University of San Diego, teaching courses in the early church tradition, Black and Womanist theologies & Religion and Hip-Hop. Dr. Watkins holds a PhD in Theology & Ethics and Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Howard University in Washington, DC. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Summary:
Conventional wisdom may lead us to believe that we have God all figured out, but following Jesus is full of surprises.
It is a rule that lions may represent strength and courage, sometimes lions are filled with fear. Yet, when a cowardly lion is faced with fear, Jesus Christ, as the Conquering Lion, can fill them with faith!
Reflection Questions:
- What is a word, phrase or image that comes to mind when you read or hear the text?
- What does this scripture teach you about courage?
- What does God invite you to do, change or be through this passage?