Opening Prayer
Begin with reading the prayer below. If you have children there is a version they can read or repeat as well.
Gracious God, as the winter storm rages outside our windows, we gather in the warmth and safety of our homes to worship You. Though we cannot be together in our church building today, we know that Your presence is not confined to any structure. You are here with us now - in our living rooms, at our kitchen tables, wherever we pause to seek You. Calm the anxious places in our hearts, just as Jesus calmed the wind and waves. Help us to truly rest in Your care as we worship together from our homes. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Children's Version
Dear God, thank You that we are safe inside today while the storm is outside. Even though we can't go to church, we know You are right here with us at home. Help us to remember that You are always watching over us and taking care of us. We love You. Amen.
Gracious God, as the winter storm rages outside our windows, we gather in the warmth and safety of our homes to worship You. Though we cannot be together in our church building today, we know that Your presence is not confined to any structure. You are here with us now - in our living rooms, at our kitchen tables, wherever we pause to seek You. Calm the anxious places in our hearts, just as Jesus calmed the wind and waves. Help us to truly rest in Your care as we worship together from our homes. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Children's Version
Dear God, thank You that we are safe inside today while the storm is outside. Even though we can't go to church, we know You are right here with us at home. Help us to remember that You are always watching over us and taking care of us. We love You. Amen.
Song
Jesus Loves Me
Cornerstone
Reading - Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Song
It Is Well With My Soul
Reading: Mark 4:35-41
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
Devotion
Picture the scene with me: seasoned fishermen, men who had spent their entire lives on the water, gripped by fear as their boat filled with water. The storm was fierce, relentless. And where was Jesus? Asleep on a cushion in the back of the boat. Not panicked. Not afraid. Simply resting.
Sometimes I wonder if Jesus slept through that storm not because He was exhausted, but because He wanted to teach His disciples something essential about trust. He was showing them - and us - what it looks like to rest in the Father's care even when the winds howl and the waves crash. He wasn’t worried, and never was because he knew His heavenly Father was watching over him.
The disciples' question reveals our own hearts, doesn't it? "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" How often do we interpret God's silence or apparent inactivity as indifference? The storm outside your window today might feel overwhelming. Perhaps it's not just the winter weather that troubles you, but storms of a different kind - financial worries, health concerns, relationship struggles, the weight of uncertainty. (insert whatever IT is here!)
Notice what Jesus does. He doesn't minimize their fear. He doesn't say, "Oh, come on, it's not that bad." Instead, He stands up and speaks directly to the chaos: "Quiet! Be still!" And creation obeys its Creator.
But then comes His gentle rebuke: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Jesus isn't scolding them for feeling afraid - He's inviting them to understand something more. He's asking them to consider who is in the boat with them. The same One who formed the seas and set boundaries for the waters was right there with them. They were never in danger of drowning, not because the storm wasn't real, but because the Savior was present.
Here's the beautiful truth for us today, sheltered in our homes: the same Jesus who calmed that ancient storm is with you now. The apostle Peter, who was in that very boat, trembling with fear that night, later wrote these words: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Peter learned. He discovered that Jesus' question, “Don't you care?”, had been answered not just by the calming of one storm, but by a life of faithfulness, and ultimately by a cross, an empty tomb, and a conversation with the resurrected and living Christ!
God does care. He cares deeply. And He is watching over you—not with a drowsy, half-attentive gaze, but with the vigilance of One who neither slumbers nor sleeps. The storm may rage, but you are held. You are seen. You are safe in His care.
Today, as you remain at home, hear Jesus speaking those same words to whatever threatens to overwhelm you: "Quiet! Be still!" And then hear Him speaking tenderly to your fearful heart: "I am here. Trust Me."
- Pastor Devin
Sometimes I wonder if Jesus slept through that storm not because He was exhausted, but because He wanted to teach His disciples something essential about trust. He was showing them - and us - what it looks like to rest in the Father's care even when the winds howl and the waves crash. He wasn’t worried, and never was because he knew His heavenly Father was watching over him.
The disciples' question reveals our own hearts, doesn't it? "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" How often do we interpret God's silence or apparent inactivity as indifference? The storm outside your window today might feel overwhelming. Perhaps it's not just the winter weather that troubles you, but storms of a different kind - financial worries, health concerns, relationship struggles, the weight of uncertainty. (insert whatever IT is here!)
Notice what Jesus does. He doesn't minimize their fear. He doesn't say, "Oh, come on, it's not that bad." Instead, He stands up and speaks directly to the chaos: "Quiet! Be still!" And creation obeys its Creator.
But then comes His gentle rebuke: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Jesus isn't scolding them for feeling afraid - He's inviting them to understand something more. He's asking them to consider who is in the boat with them. The same One who formed the seas and set boundaries for the waters was right there with them. They were never in danger of drowning, not because the storm wasn't real, but because the Savior was present.
Here's the beautiful truth for us today, sheltered in our homes: the same Jesus who calmed that ancient storm is with you now. The apostle Peter, who was in that very boat, trembling with fear that night, later wrote these words: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Peter learned. He discovered that Jesus' question, “Don't you care?”, had been answered not just by the calming of one storm, but by a life of faithfulness, and ultimately by a cross, an empty tomb, and a conversation with the resurrected and living Christ!
God does care. He cares deeply. And He is watching over you—not with a drowsy, half-attentive gaze, but with the vigilance of One who neither slumbers nor sleeps. The storm may rage, but you are held. You are seen. You are safe in His care.
Today, as you remain at home, hear Jesus speaking those same words to whatever threatens to overwhelm you: "Quiet! Be still!" And then hear Him speaking tenderly to your fearful heart: "I am here. Trust Me."
- Pastor Devin
Feel free to use the Family Craft Activity here or later in your day.
Reflection
Answer the questions below (journal, discuss, contemplate) to help guide your reflection of the story in Mark 4.
1. What "storms" in your life feel overwhelming right now? How does it help to remember that Jesus is in the boat with you?
2. The disciples asked, "Don't you care if we drown?" When have you felt like God was silent or distant during a difficult time? Looking back, how did you see His care?
3. Jesus asked, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" What does faith look like in the middle of a storm - not after it's over, but while it's still raging?
4. Peter experienced Jesus calming the storm firsthand, and years later wrote about casting our anxieties on God. What storms in your past have taught you to trust God more deeply?
5. How can we practice "being still" and resting in God's care today, even while staying home during this winter storm?
6. What things in your life do you want to trust Jesus with today?
1. What "storms" in your life feel overwhelming right now? How does it help to remember that Jesus is in the boat with you?
2. The disciples asked, "Don't you care if we drown?" When have you felt like God was silent or distant during a difficult time? Looking back, how did you see His care?
3. Jesus asked, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" What does faith look like in the middle of a storm - not after it's over, but while it's still raging?
4. Peter experienced Jesus calming the storm firsthand, and years later wrote about casting our anxieties on God. What storms in your past have taught you to trust God more deeply?
5. How can we practice "being still" and resting in God's care today, even while staying home during this winter storm?
6. What things in your life do you want to trust Jesus with today?
Prayer
Loving Father, we confess that like the disciples, we often allow fear to drown out faith. We look at the size of our storms rather than remembering who is with us in the boat. Forgive us for the times we've questioned Your care, for the moments we've let anxiety rule our hearts instead of trust. Help us to cast our worries upon You, knowing that You truly do care for us. Teach us what it means to be still, to rest in Your sovereignty even when circumstances feel chaotic. Thank You for Your constant watchfulness over our lives. Amen.
Children's Version
Dear Jesus, sometimes we get scared just like Your disciples did in the boat. Help us remember that You are always with us, even in scary times. Thank You for taking care of us and loving us. Help us to trust You more. Amen.
Children's Version
Dear Jesus, sometimes we get scared just like Your disciples did in the boat. Help us remember that You are always with us, even in scary times. Thank You for taking care of us and loving us. Help us to trust You more. Amen.
Song
Firm Foundation
Reading - 1 Peter 5:6-11
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Closing Prayer
Faithful God, thank You for reminding us today that You are always watching over us - You neither slumber nor sleep. When storms threaten to overwhelm us, You are our refuge and strength. Help us to live with the peace that comes from trusting You completely. When we're tempted to fear, remind us that Jesus is in the boat with us, speaking "Peace, be still" to every threatening wave. We are at home, and we are in Your care. In the powerful name of Jesus, our Savior and our Peace, Amen.
Children's Version
Dear God, thank You for being with us today and keeping us safe. Help us remember that Jesus calms the storms and is always with us. When we feel scared, help us to trust You. We love You, God. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Children's Version
Dear God, thank You for being with us today and keeping us safe. Help us remember that Jesus calms the storms and is always with us. When we feel scared, help us to trust You. We love You, God. In Jesus' name, Amen.