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Sunday, June 21, 2009
Calm Our Storms

Scriptures: I Samuel 17:32–49; Psalm 9:9–20; II Corinthians 6:1–13;
Mark 4:35–41/4:28–33 IV; Alma 14:85–87; Doctrine and Covenants 161:3a–b

Place pictures—around the room or in the worship setting—of sea storms, beaches surrounded with palm trees, the consequences of natural disasters (hurricanes, cyclones, tidal waves, and tsunamis), and human-made disasters (war and its effects on people’s lives and their environment).

Prelude

Gathering Hymn: “Come, Holy Spirit, Come” NS 6
OR “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” HS 157

Welcome and Call to Worship: Psalm 9:9–20 OR Alma 14:85–87

*Hymn of Praise: “Amazing Grace” HS 104
OR “Great Hills May Tremble” HS 153

*Invocation

*Response

Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35–41

Other Storms

Ministry of Music: “Weave” NS 51
OR “How Firm a Foundation” HS 136

Message

Prayer for Peace see page 27

Disciples’ Generous Response

*Closing Hymn: “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” HS 145
OR “There’s an Old, Old Path” HS 158

*Benediction

*Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 161:3a–b

*Postlude

Scriptures: I Samuel 17:32–49; Psalm 9:9–20;
II Corinthians 6:1–13; Mark 4:35–41/4:28–33 IV

Mark, in his account, is unique in presenting the Christian message of salvation, as believed and preached among Gentiles in the middle of the first century. His account is illustrated and reinforced by selected material from the Christian tradition about Jesus: his mighty deeds, teachings, death, and resurrection.

Within the general run of gentile Christianity the mighty works of Jesus were evidence of his authority in the present and his power to heal the sick, exorcise demons, and raise the dead. He is the Lord of his church and at the same time transcendent and exalted above it at God’s right hand. This type of faith was what the Gentiles craved and could understand. In fact, granted the possibility of divine intervention in “the constitution and course of nature,” miracles were only natural. Hence, the center of interest in such stories as this was not really in the miracles, as it would be for us, but in what it proved: the presence, the power, and the saving purpose of God.

For Mark, no doubt, and for his readers this miracle story about the storm meant that the same divine Lord who had been able to rescue his disciples in the tempest on the sea was still present with his own and could preserve them in the midst of danger, persecution, or whatever threats of destruction they encountered. In most cases, the parables in Mark contain profound truths that can be arrived at only by allegorical interpretation.

In this story the incidents take place probably in the evening, about the Sea of Galilee, and are connected with the journey across the lake and back. The point of the present story is not about any teaching or saying of Jesus, or even his example of faith and courage in the midst of danger, but his power, as Son of God, over the roaring elements.

Jesus may have asked his disciples to go on the other side of the lake so he could spend time with them alone or perhaps to find a new area for his ministry. His disciples were experienced fishermen who knew how to deal with storms at sea. Jesus, having worked all day, was tired and was sleeping on a cushion. The pleasure of the trip was interrupted by a sudden and violent storm such as frequently occurred on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were extremely frightened; perhaps their fear was aggravated by the belief that the storm was caused by a demon.

In panic, they awoke the “Master” and accused him of not caring for their safety. We also may face roaring elements and desperate situations in life and may panic and believe that God doesn’t care.

Jesus said, “Peace! Be still!” Here he demonstrated full trust in God and reliance on God for help. Jesus is repeatedly represented in Mark as teaching, exorcising, and demonstrating trust in God. We notice Christ stilling the storms of life and bringing peace and calm into turbulent lives in our troubled world. These words address a great need. For the minds and spirits of people are like the Galilean lake—churned by great storms.

The command has been given to the storms and terrors of our lives to be stilled. We need to have faith and accept the idea that the world is in the hands of God. Believing one’s life is in the hands of God is a most liberating idea.

In the direst trouble of life and in the face of death, the words “Peace, be still” can speak meaningfully in lives that are open to that voice. They encourage us to be hopeful. If Christ, the Son of God, is in our lives and we have faith in him, we will experience a great calm.

The invitation to have faith in Christ and experience the calm that only comes from God can minister to lives ridden by hurry and drive, lashed by ambition and greed, terrified by extreme poverty and misery, and consumed by exaggerated dependency on material wealth and individualism.

1. The storms of life continue to cause people concern and anxiety.
2. Christ brings the message of peace in the face of life’s storms.
3. Fear gives way to faith when one trusts in God.

1. When have you experienced storms in your life? How did you feel?
2. When have you heard Christ’s voice of peace in stormy times?
3. What stands in the way of you moving from fear to faith and trust?

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