Gospel | Matthew 4:12-22 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
I Will Follow by Jacob Sooter and Jon Guerra

Lyrics:
When the sea is calm and all is right
When I feel Your favor flood my life
Even in the good I'll follow You
Even in the good I'll follow You

When the boat is tossed upon the waves
When I wonder if You'll keep me safe
Even in the storms I'll follow You
Even in the storms I'll follow You

I believe ev'rything that You say You are
I believe and I have seen Your unchanging heart
In the good things and in the hardest part
I believe and I will follow You
I believe and I will follow You
(I believe and I will follow You)

When I see the wicked prospering
When I feel I have no voice to sing
Even in the want I'll follow You
Even in the want I'll follow You

When I find myself so far from home
And You lead me somewhere that I don't wanna go
Even in my death I'll follow You
Even in my death I'll follow You

When I come to end this race I've run
And I receive the prize that Christ has won
I will be with You in Paradise
I will be with You in Paradise

Passage:
Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”[a]

Jesus Calls the First Disciples
18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”[b] 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Musical Reflection:
Harp meditation no. 1 by Gretchen Kirby

Reflection Notes:
A repetitive pattern in the left hand provides a meditative foundation while the right hand experiments with ascending lines. The tune is meant to be joyful and evoke delight.

Prayer:
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.