Mark: The Beginning Again

It is a pretty well accepted fact among scholars that Mark’s original gospel ended at verse 16:8.  Verses 9-20 were added quite a bit later, possibly in an attempt to harmonize it with the other gospel stories.  Or perhaps the original ending did not test well with focus groups.  Some find it to be a bit of a downer, full …

Easter Sunday (Sermon and Program)

Program Sermon: “Go Back to Galilee” A reading from the Gospel According to Mark, chapter 16, verses 1 through 8: When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought perfumed oils so that they could anoint Jesus.  Very early, just after sunrise on the first day of the week, they came to the …