Repeating a bit of what I wrote last Friday, I strongly encourage you to attend the Annual Meeting of the congregation this Sunday at 11:45 a.m. We will meet in the sanctuary and anticipate the meeting lasting between 60 and 90 minutes.
In addition to approving a Financial Plan for 2024, you will hear from our Council President, Sara Dannen, and from me, regarding the church council’s decision to assess a possible Capital Campaign with the intent of expanding our campus to include multi-use space on Gloria Dei’s property to the north of our current buildings.
Per our constitution, only those attending in person can vote, but if you cannot make it to the meeting it will be livestreamed at www.gloriadeisf.org/live. Your voice and vote are needed, so come and be present as you are able.
This weekend in worship our reading (Mark 5:21-43) consists of two healing miracles of Jesus. While Jesus is on his way to the home of a synagogue leader named Jairus to heal his young daughter, Jesus stops along the way to heal a woman in need. This dual healing is sometimes called a Markan Sandwich, as the two healings are sandwiched together.
As with much of Mark’s gospel, these healings have to do with fear and faith. As you read in Mark chapter 5 (and read too the last section of chapter 4 where Jesus calms the storm) think about your own life. Have you faced desperate or challenging situations in your life? I think we all have. How does your faith in Jesus, who defeats the power of sin and death for you, and who loves and accompanies you through all of life’s challenges, help to overcome, or at least lessen, the fear involved?
One more thing: Gloria Dei is looking for volunteers to serve an evening meal to the residents of St. Francis House on Sunday, February 11, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Sign up here.
See you in worship,
Pastor Tim
