Dear friends,
This week’s focus scripture is Mark 1:29-39 (also 1Cor. 9: 16-23). Confession: One of the first times I was ever asked to preach, I was given this text from Mark. I remember telling the congregation that when I first read this passage, I wanted to shout to Simon’s mother-in-law, “Stay down! Rest up!” I wish I could say that I was cheering on Jesus, but as a mother of four and so a mother at a constant run, juggling a young family, work, and school, I just knew if Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed, she needed to be in bed. Those healthy young men who’d just arrived at her house could warm up the leftover soup and serve their own guests. Stay down, Momma. Rest up.
And then I wondered what had laid her low in the first place? Yes, a fever, but I’ve seen a lot of moms and grandmoms, foster moms, godmoms and dad/moms who insist on showing up to watch the soccer game at the park in the rain with a fever. What else? Was it only the physical ache or something more, like a fever of fear about this new movement her son-in-law was signing up for?
I wonder what you think? I wonder what you think got her out of bed, too? Open the Sunday School at Home lesson to see my guesses—and an invitation to guess with others around a soul-soothing bowl of soup.
And speaking of soup, Stevi Hamill is putting the finishing touches on a Lenten Devotional. She’d love to include some simple soup and bread recipes from you. (I hear she has more soup than bread recipes at this point, so any breadmakers out there?) If you’d like her to include a recipe from you, send it to her at stevihamill@gmail.com by this Sunday.
And speaking of love (always speaking of love), we would also love C2C valentines by this Sunday so we can bring these love notes to the 55 residents by Valentine’s Day. Stevi created a PDF for you to use, or you could design your own quarter-page card. Drop these in a box that Stevi will leave at the church.
And looking ahead, Lent begins Feb. 17! We will be offering a drive-thru Ash Wednesday evening on Feb. 17, 4:30-5:30. Would you please fill out this simple survey so that we can be sure we have enough resources? https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6180779/2021-Ash-Wednesday-Lent. If you drive thru between 4:30 and 5:30 on 2/17, we’ll offer ashes, a bit of communion, a blessing, and some Lent at Home kits with the devotional to help you step into the Lenten season. Check the highlights and webpage for more details!
Peace be with you and lift you up!
Rev. Karyn Frazier
Sunday-School-at-Home-2-02-21.pdf
