March 19th Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Jenna Crafts
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Restored
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.
The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
[Reading above - John 9:1-12]
As with the stories of Nicodemus and the woman at the well, we see once again the use of paradox and irony in the Gospel According to John. As it turns out, the one born blind is the one who “sees” while the physically sighted characters in the story struggle to open their eyes and hearts. Jesus transforms the disciples’ question of “why?” into an ethical imperative for the community of faith to pay attention to the needs around us and take action. Ours is not to primarily focus on what is wrong with the world but to open ourselves to the work God’s Spirit can do through us to bring restoration.
Questions for Reflection:
During Lent I have been encouraging you to ponder some questions:
What do you think? Are we born with sin or into sin, or do we acclimate to sin as we sin? Does the origin of sin mater?
No one in the story is exempted from responsibility. Even the one born blind must go the Pool of Siloam and wash. What actions is Jesus calling you to take for the sake of personal and communal restoration?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Take a walk or drive around your neighborhood. Like Jesus, pay attention to any needs you see. Take an action to help meet the need. Then, prayerfully consider the way meeting needs right where you are helps you see more clearly who you are and whose you are and why you are here.
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice. Use the journal as a way to:
jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures
respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes
make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons
create a to-do list of discipleship actions
list questions you want to explore
write prayers, stories, poems, or letters
be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com