Gospel | Mark 8:27-38

Opening Song:
By Our Love by Christy Nockels

Lyrics:
Brothers, let us come together

Walking in the Spirit, there's much to be done
We will come reaching, out from our comforts
And they will know us by our love

Sisters, we were made for kindness
We can pierce the darkness as He shines through us
We will come reaching, with a song of healing
And they will know us by our love

The time is now
Come Church arise
Love with His hands

See with His eyes
Bind it around you
Let it never leave you
And they will know us by our love

Children, You are hope for justice,
Stand firm in the Truth now, set your hearts above
You will be reaching, long after we're gone
And they will know you by your love

Passage:
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

(Mark 8:27–38 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” tune by William Bradbury

Reflection Notes:
The tune BRADBURY is named for its composer, a New Englander from the first half of the nineteenth century. The sweet melody for the verses repeats, then is followed by a strong refrain.

Prayer:
O God, the life of the faithful, the strong helper of them that call on you: hearken to our supplications; and as you do put within us a hearty desire to pray, so grant us, O most Loving, your aid and comfort in our prayers; and may the souls that thirst for your promises be filled from your abundance; through Jesus Christ or Lord. Amen.