Drawing upon a number of scripture texts from the gospel of Mark, this collection of sermons speaks about many challenges on the road to Christian maturity. The call of the gospel is given to all who find themselves in sticky human circumstances, whether they are troubled by relationships, tainted by affluence, tired of the career ladder, traumatized by persecution, or threatened by death. When people enter into a community of faith it may take a while for them to grow into mature membership within God's family. They may need to be weaned from selfish actions, stingy habits, and resentful attitudes. This book addresses those challenges in such chapters as: - Invitation to Community - Love and Money - What to Say When You Roll Out of Bed - Something to Do While the World Falls Apart "There is an air of unpredictability about William Carter's sermons... Enjoy their humor; their joyful interplay of the biblical and the contemporary, their delightful poetic cadences." Thomas G. Long Princeton Theological Seminary William G. Carter serves as pastor and head of staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. He received his B.A. degree from the State University of New York and his M.Div. degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. An accomplished jazz pianist, Carter has extensive experience as a composer and arranger, having studied and performed with noted jazz artists such as Phil Woods and Bob Brookmeyer. His sermons and articles have appeared in "Journal For Preachers," "Presbyterian Survey," "Preaching," "Lectionary Homiletics," "The Christian Ministry," and "Best Sermons" (Harper-Collins, 1994).