January 30, 2011

The Foolishness of God Is Wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written,
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

NOTES: The wisdom of the world would say that power is winning.
The Christian story is one of finding gain in loss, of finding life in death. The power of GOD’S sacrificial love overcomes the powers of the world.
God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.
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SCRIPTURES

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Micah 6:1-8

THE EPISTLE
1 Corinthians 1:18-31

THE GOSPEL
Matthew 5:1-12
Psalm 15



ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thank you Nancy Wingo for being our musician today. As a gift to St. Mark’s, Nancy is donating her musical talent for service today. She works as Projects Analyst to the Provost at UAB. Simultaneously she is working to earn her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is also the sister-in-law of Rev. Sara-Scott.
+Bishop Parsley will be visiting Sunday, February 13th. This will be his last visitation at St. Mark’s in an official capacity. Plan on attending so that we may give him a warm welcome.

+Children’s Sunday School will be held on February 13th and 27th. Sam and Jalete Nelms will be teaching. Be sure to have your children here by 10:00 a.m. so that they won’t miss out on the lesson the Nelms prepare.
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We want St. Mark’s to be a friendly, safe place for children to be formed spiritually through Christian fellowship, play, worship and learning. We offer classes for children every second and fourth Sunday of the month; and ask that parents, grandparents, and interested others to teach.Our curriculum is based on Gospel stories.Children may gather in the classroom at 10:00 every Sunday. They will have a class on designated Sundays and on other Sundays they will be supervised by an adult volunteer. Children stay in the classroom until the offertory at which time they are expected to join the parish family in church and stay through communion.
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+ We are invited to St. Stephen’s, our companion church to tell the story of St. Mark’s. Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 5:45-7:30 p.m. is the date and time. We will join them during one of their Lenten suppers and program.
Rides will be arranged for those who will need them. This is an exciting opportunity to share our story and ministry with St. Stephen’s.
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VISITORS
You honor us by your presence in worship today. Let us know if there is anything you need to feel more at home. Also, please fill out a visitor’s card and place it in the alms basin or hand it to the priest. The announcements contain information on upcoming events and activities. We would love to have you join us for any or all of them.
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Left top:The Wingos . Bottom right: Andrea Holder














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All clipart courtesy of GospelGifs
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