Michael and Isaac talk about some of the language in Mark 4:35-41 and Matthew 14:22-33 as well as the way the two stories follow similar structures.
Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.
About the Authors
Michael Pitzer is the Director of Sr. High Ministries at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC
In light of the peace that Jesus brings in the middle of our storms, may these prayers of peace help you pray this week.
This week we'll be exploring Mark 4:35-41 and Matthew 14:22-33.
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35-41
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33
Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here.
in this coming week, we'll reflect on the stories of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41 and Matthew 14:22-33:
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35-41
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33
What are your storms?
Before 2017 disappears in the rearview mirror, if you haven't already, take a look at all the ways Calvary reached out to our neighbors in 2017.
Last week we heard from a Dessert Monk named John the Dwarf (again, an incredibly cinematic name). This week Rowan Williams reflects on Anthony's link of loving neighbor and loving God:
Saint Anthony of the Desert says that gaining the brother or sister and winning God are linked. It is not getting them signed up to something or getting them on your side. It is opening doors for them to healing and to wholeness. Insofar as you open such doors for another, you gain God, in the sense that you become a place where God happens for somebody else. You become a place where God happens. God comes to life for somebody else in a life-giving way, not because you are good or wonderful, but because that is what God has done. So, if we can shift our preoccupations, anxiety, and selfishness out of the way to put someone in touch with the possibility of God’s healing, to that extent we are ourselves in touch with God’s healing. So, if you gain your brother or sister, you gain God.
Williams, Rowan. Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in One Another (p. 24). New Seeds. Kindle Edition.
Here's a great round up of how United Methodists intersect with the work of MLK.
Randy, Debbie, and Isaac talk about the unique role of music in our lives.
Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.
About the Authors
Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC
Spoken prayer is entertwined with musical offerings as a moment of prayer unfolds:
This week we'll be exploring Psalm 40:1-11:
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened—
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”
I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here.
Our text for the coming week is from Psalm 40:1-11:
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened—
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”
I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
How do patience and a new song work together?
Sometimes we have the time to plan ahead for ministry support outside of our church. And then there are those times when we hear about a need and a response is needed immediately. The latter was the case during the bitter cold that we had after Christmas. One of our Calvary family heard from the Safe Harbor staff that the number of people coming there for a warm place to sleep was far beyond what they usually serve. They were in desperate need of blankets and socks. We put this need on Facebook and very quickly people were responding. We don’t know how many folks took blankets and/or socks directly to Safe Harbor (there was no time to collect at Calvary and then deliver them), but we did have another of our Calvary family members who went to Walmart and purchased 27 blankets and 126 pair of socks on behalf of the church. In addition, a local restaurant delivered 100 chicken dinners to Safe Harbor.
This is what happens when the people of God hear about a need. Being in a warm house when it’s bitterly cold outside just makes us more keenly aware of how miserable it would be to be outside longer than the time it takes to walk to our car.
Thank you for continually responding to needs as they arise. This is what it means to love our neighbor.
About the Author
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC
One of my favorite early monks in the church was a man known by the name "John the Dwarf" (sounds like he's right out of Lord of the Rings). We often think of monastics as solitary and reclusive figures, but they are quite the opposite. They have much to teach us about radical hospitality and love of neighbor. Rowan Williams talks about John below:
John the Dwarf: “You don’t build a house by starting with the roof and working down. You start with the foundation.” They said, “What does that mean?” He said, “The foundation is our neighbor whom we must win. The neighbor is where we start. Every commandment of Christ depends on this.” Everything begins with this vision and hope: to put the neighbor in touch with God in Christ.
Williams, Rowan. Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in One Another (pp. 14-15). New Seeds. Kindle Edition.
About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC
Randy, Debbie, and Isaac talk about the season of Epiphany.
Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.
About the Authors
Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC
Check out this week's guided prayer experience here.
This week we'll be exploring Isaiah 60:1-6.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
“Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the hip.
Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.
Herds of camels will cover your land,
young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and incense
and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here.
This coming week's text comes from Isaiah 60:1-6:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
“Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the hip.
Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.
Herds of camels will cover your land,
young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and incense
and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
One of the things I enjoy about the end of one year and the beginning of the next are the various ‘Year in Review’ segments in the news. Although there are plenty of things for which to be sad (deaths, wildfires, flooding), I love to remember the incredible blessings God has allowed us to witness.
There are many members of our Calvary family ministering to our community everyday in ways we don’t even know….and we celebrate their faithfulness to God! There are also some things that we do as a church that we can easily identify…..and I want to make sure all of us see this full picture so that we can celebrate the faithfulness of our God.
Calvary tithes (gives 10% of our donations) to ministry beyond our walls. In Matthew 25, we read these words of Jesus, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (For the full effect, read Matthew 25:31-46.)
The Outreach Team has the responsibility of determining where the funds go. Rounded off to the nearest 100, here’s how your tithe was used in 2017:
The Baby Fold $11,000
Faith in Action 5,000
Home Sweet Home Ministries 11,300
Habitat for Humanity 10,000
Midwest Food Bank 10,000
Buliisa Water Project 10,000
Haiti Church Build and Missions 14,700
Elmira Sellu (Missionary in Sierra Leone) 2,500
Illini Fighting Hunger (food packaging) 2,900
Mom and Me Camp 2,000
Flood Relief (UMCOR) 5,000
Operation Christmas Child 1,000
Linda Unger (missionary in Nairobi) 3,000
Red Bird Mission 1,000
ISU Wesley Foundation 5,000
Bloomington Township Community Care 1,000
Calvary’s Good Samaritan Fund 1,500
Flood Bucket Supplies 500
Suubi Works (Uganda) 3,500
Our Conference Our Kids 3,500
Parkside Elementary Special Olympics 950
The United Methodist Church requests 6 special offerings which help various people in need and Outreach also contributed $600 to each of those 6 areas.
In addition, the church proudly contributes to the General Church (the United Methodist Church as a whole) through a benevolence asking called the World Service Apportionment, which supports a plethora of ministries throughout the world. Through the World Service Fund, we join hands with United Methodists around the world to help those in need.
Of course, it’s not only financial support that we provide…..people volunteered in nearly all of the above ministries and donated food, clothing, and gifts to many of God’s people.
So…..Calvary’s year in review, in part says that God was very faithful to allow us to fulfill the instructions of Jesus written in Matthew 25. Thank you for being a part of God’s work throughout the world in 2017!
About the Author
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC
From Rowan Williams' book "Where God Happens:"
We love with God when and only when we are the conduit for God’s reconciling presence with the person next to us. It is as we connect the other with the source of life that we come to stand in the place of life, the place cleared and occupied for us by Christ.
Williams, Rowan. Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in One Another (p. 36). New Seeds. Kindle Edition.
