Life, Lessons & Love

Today we welcome the newest member of our pastoral staff, Aren Rennacker who is sharing with us about life, lessons and love. It is good to get acquainted with him and his story as a prelude to the long and rich relationship we are looking forward to enjoying with him in the years ahead.

Today, he shares a bit of his story, the things that have shaped his life, and the larger Story that also shapes his life in even more profound ways. Among the chapters in that larger story is the passage to the right, in addition to other chapters that describe how Jesus includes those who others exclude, and how Jesus welcomes us into the Kingdom. As Aren reviews these and other stories scattered through the gospels, he shares how it is that in the midst of them all, he is drawn to Jesus. Jesus and Who He is is central to his ministry and His life. Keeping Jesus central to ours is the key to it all. Lot's of rich and challenging stuff shared today.

If you would like to listen to the sermon again, or perhaps for the first time, you can access our sermon library here. If you would like to view the entire service, you can access the livestream version here.

Mark 10:46 ff

NIV

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.