YEAR-END GIFTING TO ST. MARK

 

Historically, tithing at St. Mark has been made via outright financial gifts. We just write a check, pay by credit card, or make a direct deposit to St. Mark. In addition to supporting the ministry of St. Mark, this may have provided you an immediate income tax deduction, should you itemize deductions on your federal tax return. 

You may also want to consider making an outright gift of investment securities such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investments to St. Mark. You may have investments (outside your retirement plans) that have increased significantly in value over the years, creating an opportunity for a suitable charitable contribution. Again, this may create an immediate income tax deduction. Our church office can assist you with this transfer and credit against your pledge. 

Always consult your financial planner or tax professional to review the most appropriate way for you to give to St. Mark. For further information or questions, please contact the St. Mark Finance Committee.

Photo by Leiada Krozjhen on Unsplash

OCTOBER FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

• Dinner Helpers

• Dry Pasta

• Pasta Sauce in Cans

• Cereal

• Tampons and Feminine Pads*

All year long, we collect food and hygiene items for Circle of Concern and Isaiah 58 Ministries. Please place your donations on the mission table outside the church office.

*Non-food products such as tampons and feminine pads cannot be purchased with food stamps.

Worship Prayers for Octboger 13

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

Creator God, you spoke the world into existence with your Word, but we find it hard to hear your voice among the constant din of our lives. Speak, once again, for your servants are listening. Speak, once again, for the world needs your Word. Speak, once again, and we will be made whole. We pray this in the name of your Word-Made-Flesh, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 22)

 

God, you are holy,

enthroned on the praises of Israel.

In you our ancestors trusted;

they trusted you, and you delivered them.

To you they cried, and they were saved;

in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

God, you are holy.

All praise to you, now and forever!

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Almighty God, you speak to us the words of eternal life, but we plug our ears and turn from you to follow our own paths. You give us the resurrection hope, but we allow apathy to slow our steps and fear to dilute our discipleship. We confess our brokenness before you, and we ask you to transform our hearts. Forgive our sinful self-reliance, our empty words spoken to those in pain, and our silence as others suffer. We pray this in the name of our Lord and our God, Jesus Christ, who gave his whole life for the sake of the gospel. (Silent Confession)

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

Faithful God, you promise to be with us at all times, and we believe there is nothing that can separate us from your love. Please accept these gifts we return to you now…

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray…God with Us, we ask you to bless these offerings we lay before you. May you grow them to spread your Word and build your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. It is in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

Scripture for Worship Oct. 13

 

Job 23:1-9, 16-17

23 Then Job replied:

2 “Even today my complaint is bitter;
    his hand[a] is heavy in spite of[b] my groaning.
3 If only I knew where to find him;
    if only I could go to his dwelling!
4 I would state my case before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would find out what he would answer me,
    and consider what he would say to me.
6 Would he vigorously oppose me?
    No, he would not press charges against me.
7 There the upright can establish their innocence before him,
    and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.

8 “But if I go to the east, he is not there;
    if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
    when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.

Job 23:16-17

New International Version

16 God has made my heart faint;
    the Almighty has terrified me.
17 Yet I am not silenced by the darkness,
    by the thick darkness that covers my face.

Read full chapter

Daily Prayer October 11

 I appeal to you, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Daily Readings for Friday, October 11, 2024

• Morning Psalms 51; 148
• First Reading Hosea 9:10-17
• Second Reading Acts 24:24-25:12
• Gospel Reading Luke 8:1-15
• Evening Psalms 142; 65

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord. Keep the church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace; bring all creation to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Clothe us with the power promised from on high, and send us forth to the ends of the earth as heralds of repentance and witnesses of Jesus Christ, firstborn from the dead. Merciful God, strengthen us in prayer that we may lift up the brokenness of this world for your healing, and share in the saving love of Jesus Christ. We pray for those in positions of authority over others, the lonely and forgotten, children without families or homes, agents of caring and relief. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

May God in endless mercy bring the whole church, the living and departed, to a joyful resurrection in the fulfillment of the eternal kingdom.

(Opening sentences, prayers, and blessings are from the Book of Common Worship. Readings are from the daily lectionary in Daily Prayer. Both are published by Westminster/John Knox Press.)

The Beauty of the Earth

 I recently had the great pleasure of travelling with my best friend for the first time in over 30 years. She and I have spent much time together since our last travel adventure, but had not taken any trips together during that time. Alaska is a beautiful state and we were blessed with some of the most gorgeous views that one can get from the deck of a cruise ship. I was reminded daily of the words in the hymn “The Beauty of the Earth”.

My bestie and I got to gaze upon and traverse some of the beautiful Alaskan scenery that our creator gave us to enjoy. And for that I am grateful. I am also grateful for the efforts that you all make toward being a greener more planet friendly congregation by using reusable containers, recycling plastic lids, swapping plastic out for paper, and so much more. This planet is ours to care for. This congregation is ours to care for. Let us consider these things and pray the words of the hymn above as we look ahead to the next part of our journey together. 

Peace and blessings,

Pastor MP

Equal Exchange

 Equal Exchange -- In the Narthex on October 13th

Hot Cocoa Season is Almost Here!

The entire supply chain has been under intense pressure and buyer competition due to the current global cacao shortage. For many of Equal Exchange’s farmer partners, this period of higher prices offers a chance to reinvest in and stabilize their crops after over a decade of challengingly low prices. Equal Exchange adjusted their prices to ensure they can continue providing the same quality of chocolate while still supporting small-scale farmer partners and their cooperatives.

St. Mark supports this mission to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just, environmentally sustainable, and to foster mutually beneficial relationships between small farmers and consumers (that’s us!).

Cash, Credit, Debit, Digital Wallet Payments Accepted

Worship Prayers for October 6

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

God, sometimes we do not understand why bad things happen to good people. Sometimes all we can do is lift up our eyes and hearts to heaven, and scream out loud, Why? Sometimes we do not want to persist in our integrity; we allow our suffering to lead us into despair. Yet, wisdom comes from listening to your Word. Enable us to see the life you have given us through the laughter, joy, trial, and tribulation of your son Jesus Christ, who lived, suffered, died, and was raised for us. In his name we pray. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12)

 

Long ago, God spoke to our ancestors

through the prophets,           

but in the last days he has spoken to us

through his Son Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory,

and he sustains all things in the world

by his powerful Word.

Therefore, we will proclaim God’s name.

In the midst of the congregation,

we will praise God.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

You gave us commandments, God of love,     because you know the hardness of our hearts. You created us to live in community, and still we oppress others and separate ourselves from each other and from you. Jesus loved the children,

but there are still children in the world who live in hunger or fear, rejected and unloved. Forgive us, and call us to faithfulness. Bind all your children together as siblings, and nurture us with your love and forgiveness, that we might share what we have been given, and receive your kingdom with the wonder and gratitude of children. (Silent Confession)

 

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

In gratitude for all God is doing, we are invited to bring our offerings and tithes for the building up of God’s kingdom.

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray…Blessed are you, our Comfort. You have given Jesus, your only son, who was made lower than the angels for our sake. With thanksgiving, we give of what you provided, that your will may be done in this world. Give us the wisdom and the courage to follow where you lead in this your world. Amen.

 

Scriture for October 6

 Job 1:1, 2:1-10

Prologue

1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.

Read full chapter

Job 1:1 in all English translations

Job 2:1-10

New International Version

2 On another day the angels[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

6 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”

10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish[b] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Job 2:1 Hebrew the sons of God
2. Job 2:10 The Hebrew word rendered foolish denotes moral deficiency.