There’s an old legend about an old rabbi approaching the city gate. The watchman calls out to him: Who are you, and what are you doing here?” The rabbi immediately asks the watchman how much he is paid to do his job, then offers him double to ask him those very questions every morning: Who are you, and what are you doing here? Today’s reading from the gospel of Mark reminds the church what its purpose and identity is: to tend faithfully to God’s mission until Christ comes again. What does that look like? Well, it might look a little bit different for different congregations. Faith Lutheran is working out a renewed statement of God’s mission and vision for this congregation. And that’s what I’ll be talking about today. If you are new to Faith, this might be a nice introduction to our culture and priorities. If you have been a part of Faith for a while, I hope this message accurately reflects who we are, and what we are doing here. Let us pray:

Energized by your amazing love, O God, we pray that we may be and become the people you are creating and calling us to be. Amen.

Mark 13:32-37

The holy Gospel according to St Mark, the 13th chapter, beginning at verse 32:

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

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