21-Jan-24 (Mark 1:14-20)

In the gospel of Mark, Jesus begins his earthly ministry with "The kingdom of God has come near." or "The kingdom of God is at hand."  In our lives as Christians, one of the great privileges is to catch glimpses of the kingdom of God as it comes near.  One of the times we're almost sure to catch a glimpse is here at the Table.  Here, everyone is welcome.  Here everyone comes as a sinner in need of God's grace.  Here, everyone comes as a beloved child of God.  Here, we remember the love of God so great that Jesus gave his life to prove it.
Let us pray.

Prayer:

God, for whom sin was not too much to overcome and death was not too much a cost to bear, we thank you for the glimpse of the kingdom we get here at your table.  We thank you for the ministry of Jesus that showed us the way.  We thank you for his death that made a passage into life for us.  We thank you for these symbols of bread and cup that remind us of all of that.  As we take this bread and cup, let us also take up the call to follow you in our lives that others will know your love through us and hear your good news from our mouths.
In the name of Jesus, our Christ, AMEN