“At once the Spirit made him go into the wilderness, where he stayed forty days, being tempted by Satan.” [Mark 1:12-13] It’s a humble journey, the one we begin to look at this week—Unlike other journeys in our lives, journeys that start off with the excitement of loaded suitcases, wedding licenses or retirement gifts. It’s a humble journey we begin, this Jesus-journey. Humble? Really?
This scripture from the gospel of Mark seems pretty sensational really—It starts, after all, with a baptism featuring a “booming voice of repentance” dressed in animal skins eating a diet consisting primarily of bugs—Then there’s the trek through the wilderness littered by Satan and wild beasts, “cleaned up” by angels. The gospel writer Mark’s terse account of these awesome things isn’t spectacular.
No, his telling of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry is remarkably understated, unlike the animated paintings and silver screen renderings—not to mention Matthew’s and Luke’s awe-inspiring accounts that ends with a powerful message booming out from the Super-Hero Jesus, who strides into Galilee to change the world for all of eternity. Join us this week at Sedona United Methodist Church as the Rev. Fred Mast delivers a sermon entitled “From Mountain Highs to Valley Lows”.
Out of love and concern for our congregation and community, we have temporarily suspended our On-Site Worship and Fellowship Time as an extreme precaution due to the increase in reported cases of Covid-19 post-holiday’s. We are currently offering On-Line Worship—Please check our website and Facebook page for worship access and the latest details and updates.
Our Church Office is closed but we here to answer your phone calls during normal business hours and responding to emails. Please contact us if we may be of assistance and for pastoral care. We are here to help!
The Church Building may be temporarily closed—But the Church is certainly open with so many great missions, ministries and opportunities 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 of O’Beyond roundabout on Route 179 in Sedona. All are welcome at Sedona UMC—Come and grow with us!
