And amen and good morning and welcome. You can be seated so glad that you're here. Hope you're glad you're here.

Those of you watching online, we're so glad that you're joining us and trust that you'll be blessed that you did.

Sunday morning's second service, we're going through the Gospel of Mark verse by verse and will Lord willing

complete chapter 1 today. Our text will be verses 39 through 45 and due to the length of the

passage and the standing for the reading of God's word. If you'd be more comfortable

remaining seated, that's fine. But those of you wishing to stand for the reading of God's

word, we would encourage you to do so at this time. You can follow along as I read. Mark,

by the Holy Spirit, continues and says verse 39, so he's speaking of Jesus.

Travel throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues, and driving out demons. All in a day's work. Verse 40, a man with leprosy.

Oh, this is new. Came to him and get this. Begged him on his knees.

If you are willing, you can make me clean. Filled with compassion, verse 41, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.

I am willing, he said, be clean.

Immediately, verse 42, the leprosy left him and he was cured, healed. Jesus, verse 43, sent him away at once with a strong warning.

See that you don't tell this to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices

that Moses commanded for your cleansing as a testimony

to them. Instead, verse 45, he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter

a town openly, but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from

everywhere. Let's pray, if you would, please join with me.

Father, we're so grateful to you for your word and for inspiring Mark by the Holy Spirit

to write this for us today.

Because this is for us today.

There's so much here that I know you want us to take home with us today.

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