26 September 2021 is the 18th Sunday after Pentecost and the main reading this week comes from Mark’s Gospel – Mark 9:38-50.

The version set out below is taken from The Message, rather than the usual ‘New International Version’ (of the Bible), for a bit of variety. The version read in the service (video link to recording, below) is from the NIV version, as usual.

Should you wish to download the sermon as a PDF, a version is available at the link here.

Below, you will find the main scripture for this week, the Order of Service, the Video of the Service led by Rev. Geoff McKee, and a Musical Selection by Katherine Robertson, with an interesting local, Moray connection.

This week’s main scripture reading

Mark 9:38-50 (from The Message translation of the Bible)
38 John spoke up, “Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t in our group.”

39-41 Jesus wasn’t pleased. “Don’t stop him. No one can use my name to do something good and powerful, and in the next breath slam me. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally. Why, anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice.

42 “On the other hand, if you give one of these simple, childlike believers a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck.

43-48 “If your hand or your foot gets in God’s way, chop it off and throw it away. You’re better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owner of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of eternal fire. And if your eye distracts you from God, pull it out and throw it away. You’re better off one-eyed and alive than exercising your twenty-twenty vision from inside the fire of hell.

49-50 “Everyone’s going through a refining fire sooner or later, but you’ll be well-preserved, protected from the eternal flames. Be preservatives yourselves. Preserve the peace.”

Order of Service

Welcome and Intimations
Call to Worship
Praise: MP394 Jubilate, everybody x2
MP358 Jesus Christ is alive today x2
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Children’s Address
Praise: MP1082 King of the ages
Readings: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 and Psalm 19:7-14
Praise: By faith we see the hand of God
Readings: James 5:13-20 and Mark 9:38-50
Sermon
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Praise: MP164 From the sun’s rising
Benediction & Threefold Amen

Video Service

It is our response to the stranger that will make the difference. It will define us and reveal to the world just how close we are to the teachings of our founder, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Geoff McKee

Musical Selection

The hymn “Because He lives” was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither in 1971.

This wonderful performance of the hymn has been uniquely revitalised by the inspiring group, Celtic Worship.

Band members and husband/wife, Mhairi Marwick and Scott Wood, hail from Fochabers.

Verse 1 begins with the empty grave on Easter Sunday. Verse 2 is about hope because of the resurrection of Jesus. Finally verse 3 takes us to heaven where we will “see the lights of glory and… know that Jesus reigns!”

Because He lives reminds us that God holds the future and, if we accept Christ’s resurrection, life is worth living and we can face the future whatever uncertainties we may have to face in our lives

John 14:19—“because I live, you also will live”.