When you think about it, many of the stories told in scripture come down to being opened or closed? When God appears in a burning bush and asks Moses to lead the Exodus, initially Moses is closed. When the angel Gabriel announces to Mary her pregnancy, her “here am I” reply is a sign of her openness. Sometimes we are openly seeking God out like Samuel and sometimes we are hiding from God behind closed doors (or jaws) like Jonah. At times we are open to the new thing God is doing like Peter with the Ethiopian eunuch, but other times we are closed off like Paul struck blind on our own Damascus Road. So how are you feeling lately… open or closed? When God comes calling is the neon sign blinking “Open” or do you rush to hang the “Sorry, We’re Closed” sign before God reaches the door? This week’s healing texts also open people up. Join us for worship as we explore how healing, wholeness, and openness are intertwined and practice opening ourselves to God.
The scriptures for this Sunday are Psalm 146, James 2:1-10, 14-17, and Mark 7:24-37, 21-23. Songs for this Sunday are #519 “Open Your Ears, O Faithful People”, #612 “Healer of Our Ev’ry Ill”, and #859 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”. We give thanks to this week’s Worship Leaders, Production Crew, and Musicians!