[RCL] Ezekiel 17:22-24; Psalm 92:1-4,11-14; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, [11-13], 14-17; Mark 4:26-34 Note: During the 2024 Season after Pentecost, Sermons That Work will use Track 2 readings for sermons and Bible studies. Please consult our archives for many additional Track 1 resources from prior years. Oh, the mustard seed. Like tiny granules of salt or…

RCL: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; Psalm 20; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, [11-13],14-17; Mark 4:26-34 Have you ever known one of those people with eternally green thumbs? You know, the person who seems to walk by, and plants just naturally perk up? The person whose yard is an explosion of color; whose orchid is perpetually in bloom; whose…

The lessons we read today seem to be mainly about planting. Most of us probably do not live on farms, but we might have some knowledge about the growth of plants. We know that planting requires someone to sow the seeds. The seeds need to have soil, and the soil needs to be tilled and…

In today’s gospel passage, Jesus speaks in parables. Again. He does that a lot. Jesus frequently uses this particular literary device to get his point across. And in this passage from Mark’s gospel, we hear that Jesus preached only in parables, “as they were able to hear.” Parables are brief stories that illustrate a particular…

“He did not speak to them except in parables.” Mark 4:34 Back in 1990 when the now famous Hubble telescope was first launched, there was not much hope for its success. Apparently its reflecting mirror had been manufactured improperly, causing the telescope’s pictures to be out of focus. In fact, Hubble needed a giant —…

Have you ever had someone thank you for something you’ve completely forgotten? You know the kind of experience I mean. A friend of yours, or even more likely, an acquaintance, tells you about a chance remark of yours that made a real difference to her. Perhaps it was when her Dad was in the hospital,…