A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

This weekend's Gospel addresses the call to discipleship. As we read the account of Jesus calling Simon and Andrew in Mark 1:14-20, we cannot help but reflect on our own sense of "call." How do we understand our "calling?" How does the "call" come to us? How do we respond to the "call of Jesus" in our lives?

One of the interesting perspectives of Jesus' preaching is that his message included a call to repentance as well as a proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel. In simple language, "Turn your life around. Start changing the way you are thinking about things and doing things, and believe the Good News!" That has always been Jesus' call to us, as the baptized people of God. Our response is to heed the "call" by our own act of repentance and belief. Join us for worship this weekend at St. John's.

A PERSPECTIVE ON "THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP" . . . "From time to time, lobsters have to leave their shells in order to grow. They need the shell to protect them from being torn apart, yet when they grow, the old shell must be abandoned. If they did not abandon it, the old shell would soon become their prison - and finally their casket. The tricky part for the lobster is the brief period of time between when the old shell is discarded and the new one is formed. During that terribly vulnerable period, the transition must be scary to the lobster. Currents gleefully cartwheel them from coral to kelp. Hungry schools of fish are ready to make them a part of their food chain. For awhile at least, that old shell must look pretty good. We are not so different from lobsters. To change and grow, we must sometimes shed our shells - a structure, a framework - we've depended on. Discipleship means being so committed to Christ that when he bids us to follow, we will change, risk, grow and leave our "shells" behind." (Brent Mitchell in Fresh Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching)

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Sunday, January 25, 2009, is the Annual Meeting of our congregation, beginning at approximately 11:30 AM in the Parish Life Center, (following our 10:15 AM worship services). I hope you will make every effort to attend, since we have a very important congregational resolution to act on, which will enable us to proceed with our “A Church Alive!” building project this year. We will adopt our 2009 ministry budget as well as elect new members to both the Charitable Trust Committee and the Nominating Committee. In addition to attending the Annual Meeting, you can also support our St. John's youth by attending the Chili Fest (served in Fellowship Hall) immediately following the Annual Meeting. This is a major fund-raiser which supports our Senior High Youth Work Camp to Tennessee in 2009. Please come to both important events this weekend!

"SOUPER BOWL OF CARING"

ADVANCE NOTICE: A special "Souper Bowl of Caring" offering will be received on Sunday, February 1, 2009 (Super Bowl day), to support local ministries feeding the hungry here in the Bloomington/Normal Community. Our St. John's children and youth will be receiving the offering after each worship service.

PRAYER OF THE DAY: Almighty God, by grace alone you call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Alive in Christ,