When was the last time you covered your eyes when hearing someone say something; probably never I guess.  Maybe you'd cover your ears if you didn't want to listen to some terrible news.  Today we're in Chapter 4 of Mark's gospel; the parable of the sewer and the seed, a sermon you've heard more times than you can count, particularly if you've spent a good part of your life in church.  Today, Nancy's focusing on a different slant; the ears of your heart.

For all of us "oldies" out there, I think we might remember who Sister Sledge was.  Well, maybe not, but we probably remember the song which continues "I got all my sisters and me".  Loyalty to family, but what family and how are we loyal?  That's the question Nancy is exploring this morning.

As Christians we tend to get comfortable. We settle in. We sit in the same pew, we have friendly conversation with the same people, sing some songs, listen to a sermon, go home and relax or enjoy our favorite activity, get up Monday and start the cycle all over again.  Nothing wrong with any of that, but that's not the end game.  We're called to be fishermen, but how does all that work?  A good fisherman has three tactics: He knows where the fish are, he has the right equipment, and most importantly, he sets the right bait.  Today Nancy's beginning a new series in the Gospel of Mark and beginning with the tactics of being a good fisherman.