"All That You Need" - Mark 6:1-13

We watch a lot of cartoons in our house right now, especially those involving monster trucks.  One of these shows has been oddly important in Sam’s development.  In the show monster trucks do stunts and often they fail to complete the jump.  The narrator always assures the monster truck that “it’s okay.  When we fall down, we just try again!” and then the truck correctly completes the jump.  Since beginning to watch this show obsessively, Sam no longer flops into the floor screaming every time he doesn't know how to do something. Try again!  Try again!  Is now a chorus in our house as Sam takes on the world.

This Sunday we encounter Jesus trying to do ministry in his home town and failing.  The people don't believe him and his miracles are few.  He moves on, telling the disciples that they too will meet with failure in their ministry but not to allow it to discourage them or stop them from sharing the Good News.  If the people will not listen this time, move on, shake the dirt from your feet and try again.  After hearing this, the disciples went out into the world and many people were healed and saved.

As we continue to regather, we at The Congregational Church are going to be trying some new things: a new time and organization for Sunday School, alternate times for worship, engaging in new ways to serve the community and more.  Some of it will work and some of it will not.  Trying something new is hard, we risk looking foolish or failing to accomplish our goals, but we as a church will keep trying, because even in what we might perceive as our failures, healing and new life are happening.  I am excited to try new things in ministry with you all in the coming months.

Peace, Pastor Shannon