“They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?…” —Mark 1:21-24a
The Lord Jesus is setting out to make fishermen—‘fishers of all people’, and he begins this task immediately. He takes Peter, Andrew, James and John to stay with him in nearby Capernaum—“He who walks with the wise grows wise” (Provs. 13:20). On the Sabbath they accompanied him to the local synagogue as would be the norm. Jesus would have adhered to the tradition of standing up to read a passage from the Scriptures to the assembly, and then sitting down to instruct them. As the service progressed the congregation was overwhelmed by the words of Jesus and his works—That is what Mark wants us to grasp—There had never been a Sabbath day like this in the entire lives of this congregation and any other.
They had left their homes in Capernaum that morning and walked through the lanes and streets entering this place never anticipating the life-changing experience that lay before them. When Jesus spoke in the synagogue at Capernaum the response was on a different level—The whole congregation entered an anguish of spirit and experienced a perplexity that they had not known before. Who was this, and what did he want of them? Word began to spread like wildfire—there was no turning back now. Join us this week at Sedona United Methodist Church as the Rev. Fred Mast begins a series of messages walking with Jesus and his followers on the journey that will take them to the cross in a message entitled “A Lamb with a Mission”.
Sunday mornings we enter the spirit of worship at 9:30 am featuring uplifting music, special times of prayer and passionate life changing messages designed to move you closer in your relationship with Jesus Christ and others. Immediately following worship you are encouraged and invited to stay and join us in our Fellowship Hall for the friendliest and best fellowship time anywhere featuring delicious snacks and great coffee and always friendship.
We offer a number of book and bible studies: Tuesday “Neighborhood Studies” at 2PM, Wednesday’s our Men’s Bible Study at 9am; and Thursday’s our Women’s Bible Study at 9:45am. So many great missions, ministries and events happening at Sedona UMC—Visit our website at us on www.sedonaumc.org and “Like” us on Facebook. We would love to pray for you!—Prayer requests may be submitted online or by calling us at 928-282-1780. We are conveniently located at 110 Indian Cliffs Road off the Back O’Beyond roundabout on Route 179 in Sedona. Come and grow with us!
