Dear FPCLA,
I spent the morning calling my friends that I experienced 9/11 with. Like many, I remember where I was in NYC when the towers fell. The day snuck up on me, and this morning I was triggered as I saw the news feeds about the 9/11 Memorial services in NYC. I spoke to some and left messages for others and renewed my love and support. We shared memories of lost loved ones and affirmed our continuing to grief. I was reminded again how life is precious, and how I am blessed with many loving friends. I hope and pray we all continue to make new friends and cherish old ones.
Sermon: Self-Sacrifice
Scripture: Mark 8:27-38 The Message Bible
27 Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, “Who do the people say I am?”
28 “Some say ‘John the Baptizer,’” they said. “Others say ‘Elijah.’ Still others say ‘one of the prophets.’”
29 He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?”
Peter gave the answer: “You are the Christ, the Messiah.”
30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.” He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it.
32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.”
34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
38 “If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels.”
Announcements:
- We are back to remote worship.
- Feast Day will be an in-person worship in the courtyard where we will eat and worship. It will be a potluck. You are welcome to bring food and/or just bring yourself. It will be a day of eating, worshiping, and communing together.
- If you or someone you know needs any immediate necessities like groceries, medications, books, or etc., then please fill-out our Mission Fund 2021 Form and send it to Pastor Sam.
- T-shirts Design. If you want to help design the T-shirt for FPCLA’s Feast Day, then please contact Pastor Sam.
