Sermon 01.07.2024: The Beginning of the Good News

Rev. Marci Glass • January 7, 2024

Mark's Gospel doesn't begin with stories of shepherds, angels, or magi. He begins with John the Baptist, gathering large crowds and preaching a baptism of repentance. Jesus, too, is baptized by John, with the heavens parting, and the Divine voice proclaiming “you are my son, the beloved. With you I am well pleased”. 


And maybe, especially, right after Christmas, we need that reminder that we are God’s beloveds, and with us, God is well pleased. Isn’t that the lesson of Christmas? God chose to become one of us, to be one with us.


Download Sunday Bulletin Download Sermon PDF

Scripture


Mark 1:1-20

The Gospel According to Mark

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
   who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
   “Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight” ’,
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

The Baptism of Jesus

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’


The Temptation of Jesus

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.




Sermon Text


Coming Soon!

An illustration of the forest. The text says

Art by Rachel Wolf

A rainbow sunset overlooking mountains, the text reads - Sabbath means freedom

Sermon 07.12.2026: Sabbath Means Freedom

By Guest Preacher Rev. Dr. Joanne Whitt • July 12, 2026
“Observe the Sabbath day, and keep it holy,” says Deuteronomy's version of the Ten Commandments. Does that sound like one more religious rule that’s too hard, or at least, too inconvenient, to take seriously? Or might an intentional break from our hectic lives be a path to freedom?
Queen Esther seeking permission to speak, mosaic by Lilian Broca

Sermon 07.05.2026: Queen Esther & the Anonymous Miracle Worker

By Rev. Victor Floyd • July 5, 2026
The "morning after" our country’s 250th, we turn to a similar would-be dynasty with its own ancient treasury scandal, arbitrary system of discrimination, and freewheeling corruption. As in Queen Esther's time, we live somewhere between our nation's promises and betrayals. And yet miracles still find us!
“Surreptitious Dialogue

Sermon 06.28.2026: For Such A Time As This

By Rev. Joann Lee • June 28, 2026
If you’ve ever thought, “I’ve never heard God’s voice. I couldn't possibly be part of God’s plan or called by God,” the story of Esther is for you! Esther felt the same way. And believe it or not, like Esther, we are called to a particular service, for particular people, in particular times. What do the times call us t
A city of a foggy SF skyline with the text ‘to give you a future with hope’ Jeremiah 29:4-11

Sermon 06.21.2026: A Particular Kind of Church

By Rev. Marci Glass • June 21, 2026
Before Pastor Marci leaves for Sabbatical, she'll share a vision the Session is dreaming for the church, and how we can use this sabbatical time to live into our vision. In our story from Paul's letter to the Romans, we're reminded that we're called to particular service when we follow Jesus. How can we be faithful?
A person wandering into a field, with the word ‘INHERITANCE’ boldly at the top

Sermon 06.14.2026: Inheritance

By Rev. Marci Glass • June 14, 2026
Today we hear the ending of the story of Ruth, and while it is a happy ending, of sorts, Ruth is still “acquired” in a transaction by Boaz at the city gates. As honorably as Boaz behaves in this story, he still buys her as property. At the end of the story, Boaz is still Boaz and Ruth is still a Moabite woman—being ac
A field of wheat with the text ‘gleaning grace’ at the top

Sermon 06.07.2026: Gleaning Grace

By Rev. Marci Glass • June 7, 2026
Who is the hero in a story of two women on the margin, looking to survive, praying for a break? What does the story of Ruth and Naomi teach us about the way we care for each other, about the way we structure our society? Where is grace to be gleaned in a story of famine?
Ruth and Naomi by He Qi - a colorful mass of shapes embracing each other

Sermon 05.31.2026: Famine, Foreign Lands, and Family

By Rev. Joann Lee • May 31, 2026
We begin a four-week series on the book of Ruth. In this first chapter we hear about how famine causes Naomi and her family to migrate to the land of Moab. There, they meet Ruth, who will forever change their lives as well as the very lineage of Christ. This story of personal loss and loyalty shows us how to welcome.
Saturated in Spirit (Acts 2:17) - 2020 Lauren Wright Pittman

Sermon 05.24.2026: Found In Translation

By Rev. Victor Floyd • May 24, 2026
God listens to our prayers. Our words? Not so much. God knows what's in our hearts, despite the words we choose. What if we, like the Holy Spirit, were to listen to what's underneath the noise? Perhaps then we could discover true common ground.
A large spacious sky, purple and pink, with the word EMPTY across it

Sermon 05.17.2026: Empty

By Rev. Marci Glass • May 17, 2026
Our passage from the Letter to the Philippians contains what is called the Christ Hymn. Perhaps they used it in worship. It is very poetic language about who Jesus was. Jesus is described in this hymn as someone who 'emptied himself'.

Sermon 05.10.2026: Yes, And I Will Rejoice

By Rev. Marci Glass • May 13, 2026
The apostle Paul experienced hardships for his preaching. He was imprisoned, kicked out of towns, and suffered harm. He was willing to talk about his struggles, but he never stopped there. It can be easy to see our struggles as the conclusion of a story. It can be more challenging to see them as a part of a bigger story. In Paul's letter to the Philippians, Paul reminds us to look for the bigger thread that weaves our stories together, and, in the midst of his suffering, he makes the decision to rejoice.
More Posts