Litany of Thanksgiving, Part I

Our pastor, Steve, and his wife Kim created a beautiful Litany of Thanksgiving which concluded the worship service at St. Mark Presbyterian.  It was a wonderful way to include our pastors emeritus in the worship service since they had been such key figures in the programs mentioned.

Litany of Thanksgiving

L:            Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being,

P:            Hear our prayer,

L:            For the church universal and for this congregation of your people,

            For the 92 charter members. the 881 current members and all those in

            between,

            For their energies through which this church was gathered, given order, and continued,

            For all the saints who have stood among us; whose memory still enlivens our faith and emboldens our witness,

P:            We give you thanks, O God. . .

Jubilee Sunday Clipping

 After worship at St. Mark Presbyterian, the Bagpiper led the congregation outside for the clipping. According to Wikipedia: The word "clipping" is Anglo-Saxon in origin, and is derived from the word "clyppan", meaning "embrace" or "clasp".  

  For more click here.  Our Youth Director, Ryan, brought this custom to our attention.  We liked the idea of "embracing the church" facing outward into the community which has been an important mission of our church.  We also liked the idea of us all clasping hands into a united community.

 The bagpipes were a salute to our Presbyterian roots in Scotland.

Jubilee Sunday Worship and. . .

Pentecost Sunday is traditionally the day we confirm our teens at St. Mark Presbyterian who have studied and worked hard all year to become members. Our Youth Elder introduced the confirmands.

This Pentecost Sunday was fuller than usual because it  included celebrating Pentecost, our 50th Anniversary, Confirmation Sunday and. . .

Jubilee Sunday Worship

 Jubilee Sunday Worship involved our three current pastors and our three pastors emeritus:  Steve Ranney, Sean Butler, Susan Hayes, Bob Lucas, Howard Gleason, Dan Hudson.

 Before worship was a chance for reunions---the parents of Drew (on the right) had been charter members with Bob Lucas on the left.

Jubilee Party Part III

 Following the Pot Luck Dinner, we went in the sanctuary at St. Mark Presbyterian where Pastor Steve welcomed us and introduced many of our visitors.

Jubilee Party Part II

 Celebrating our 50th Anniversary at St. Mark Presbyterian gave us a chance to see many faces from the past.  In the center is June, a Charter member seated with the daughter of a charter member and Jill who joined the church within the first year.

 Some found this a wonderful opportunity to trot out buttons from past anniversary celebrations.

 It was great seeing the children of our retired pastors with their families.

Jubilee Party Part I

 Saturday, St. Mark Presbyterian, was bustling with members setting up for the 50th Anniversary Potluck and Program to be held that evening.

 The decorating committee had been busy for weeks with decorations and cutting out circle place mats.

50th Anniversary Committee

 Our 50th Anniversary Committee began working on our celebration 16 months ago.

We have re-written a history book, had articles in the newsletter, created programs, made posters, collected recipes, arranged for a hymn to be written, planned a meal, decorated the church, cut out place mats, sold tickets, made Christmas ornaments, designed T-shirts, sent out invitations, interviewed Charter members, arranged to honor three of our earliest pastors with emeritus status.

Hannah Circle Laughs

 The Presbyterian Women began the year celebrating the fashions of the past 50 years---a nod to our 50th Anniversary Celebration.  But, the Hannah Circle at St. Mark Presbyterian Church ended the year in similar fashion---wearing hats.

 Actually, they've ended the program year in this way since the Presbyterian Women studied Ecclesiastes one year.

 Ecclesiastes 3: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. . . a time to weep, and a time to laugh. . ."

Children's Foundation of Mid America

Our Pentecost Offering is dedicated to children at risk, youth and young adult programs.  Forty percent of St. Mark's offering goes to the Children's Foundation of Mid-America (formerly known as Presbyterian Children's Home).  This foundation serves 1800 children and families in Missouri for residential treatment, community programs, foster care management (350 families statewide).

Gardens in May

 Many churches have nice landscaping especially around their signs, but our church St. Mark Presbyeterian. . .

 Has the most beautiful displays all growing season.  In May we have the day lilies--Stella Dora blooming.

 We also have these yellow daisy-like flowers, and purple sage.

Celtic Crosses at St. Mark

 As a Presbyterian Church, we use the Celtic Cross freely.  It is an ancient cross with a ring around it.  Although we've often heard it represents the circle of eternal life and the Christian cross, there are many interpretations including the circle representing the sun.  Here's a web site that has more information than you probably want to know. (Click here)  Above it is seen on the cornerstone of our sanctuary, but below it is seen on our steeple.

 Our newest cross was erected just a few years ago in the memory of Betty Acheson, a former member.

( Double click on the photos to enlarge them)

Daughters of God: Sowing Seeds in the Garden of Joy

Pastor Susan opened our luncheon in prayer at St. Mark Presbyterian.

 We remembered stories about one of our friends Do:  her class, her courage after a stroke, her determination to fix fudge for the holidays, her love of bridge, her friendship.

Daughters of God: Garden Party Luncheon

 Several years ago, the Fellowship Committee at church decide to hold "Daughters of God" luncheons instead of Mother-Daughter Banquets since all women are "daughters of God"

 This year's theme was a Garden Party Luncheon and as usual, the committee did not disappoint us.

We were asked to wear floral bright colors.

Mike Beale

Excerpts from eulogy from  Pastor Steve Ranney:

I knew Mike primarily through the five and a half years that we worked together at St. Mark (he was with us for sixteen).  He would arrive early and set up the sound system and key board for our informal service.  When he was done practicing, usually about a half an hour before the start time, we would often have time to sit and talk. . . .

Church Office Re-decorating

 Several years ago, St. Mark Presbyterian members decided the church needed to update the decorating and formed the Design Committee.  Their latest project has been the church office.  Jean and Lisa first selected new fabric for the chairs and then selected fresh paint and art.

 Our secretary, Doreen, is inspired by the photo by her desk of light shining through the trees.

Midweek Dinner

Every Wednesday during the School Year, St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Ballwin, MO has a wonderful dinner for a modest price.

 While some are having bells and choir practices, dinner is being served by our very capable staff with volunteers.

Claymont Preschool at St. Mark: Jubilee Year

 Our preschool is also celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.  They began in September 1962 in the Claymont Bath and Tennis Club, but moved to St. Mark Presbyterian Church in 1965.

 St. Mark Presbyterian Church is blessed to have such a wonderful outreach program.  And it is so much fun to share such a special anniversary!

It's Beginning to Look Like a Jubilee

Our 50th Anniversary Committee has been busy, putting together a book, creating posters and banners, sending out invitations, setting up events and decorating the church to prepare for our 50th Anniversary Celebration.