Youth Activities Announcements

Join us August 9th for the Blessing of the Backpacks! During the 9:30 worship, we will lift up the students as they head back to school the following week. Make sure your student and their backpack are here!

Also that morning, from 9-12, the Youth will have a Car Wash! Bring us your car, let us work our magic on your exteriors, and hand you back an *almost* completely different vehicle! The Car Wash is FREE, but donations are accepted! Proceeds will go to the Youth Mission Fund!

August 29/30 Youth Led Worship at both services! We will be sharing our Mission Experience from Little Rock. Come hear how our students served both neighbor and God! Students, then stay for a Pizza & Wii Party from 10:30-12 p.m. on Sunday! Let Katie know if you’re coming so there will be enough to eat!

Local Youth Mission Dates (Times TBD)

Coach Announcing Fall Line-up

· August 15th The Bridge

· October 11th The CROP Walk

· October 24th The Bridge

· November 7th The Bridge

· December 6th Angel Tree Wrapping

Calling all 8th Graders! Now is the time for Confirmation! We will gather September 13th in rooms 17-19 @ 9:30 a.m. Bring your parents and calendars! More information will be sent home! Check your mailboxes!

Fall Program year starts September 13th!

Confirmation for 8th graders: 9:30-10:15 a.m. in room 17-19

Youth Group for 6th-12th graders 11:30-1p.m. in the Youth Lounge

Mid-Week Bible Study & Games for 6th-12th graders 6:15-7:30 p.m. September 16th!

Full Fall Calendars will be sent home and emailed out!

Youth at VBS

 The youth at St. Mark Presbyterian were hard at work for VBS last week:  helping with the technology, decorating, helping with the snacks and assisting the adult leaders.  They got to have a little "fun" in the afternoons, going to Sports Fusion (pictured here) on Monday and Skyzone on Tuesday.

Friday, they helped clean up from VBS and set up for the dinner on Friday.  Saturday, some of them left for the work trip in Little Rock, Arkansas.  We are thankful for our youth and pray they have a great week and a safe return.

Lafayette Industries

The year 2015 has been a year of awards and recognition for Lafayette Work Center, Inc. Lafayette was founded in 1976 by the Session of St. Mark Presbyterian and Reverend Dr Howard Gleason as "Community Mark Workshop".  It merged with another group in order to obtain State of Missouri recognition to become Lafayette Work Center, Inc.  Lafayette opened its doors September 13, 1976 with 16 disabled adults and one staff in a rented garage in Valley Park.  Today, Lafayette employs 379 disabled workers and 43 staff in two manufacturing plants in Manchester and Berkeley, where an addition is currently underway to accommodate another 80 workers.

At the 2015 Special School District's Awards Banquet, Lafayette received the SSD Ambassadors Award, the highest recognition given to honor those who demonstrate "Extraordinary Commitment to Students and Staff" of the district.  Ken McLuen, a St. Mark member and one of the original 16 members in 1976 was one of the 500 people at the Banquet.

In March, Lafayette receive a Grant Award in a Facebook campaign from Monsanto for creative thinking to assist disabled workers.

In April, Lafayette was recognized at the ARCUS Awards from the St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce for "Achievement in Inclusion and Talent Attraction."

In June, the Ladue News Charity Award was given to Lafayette and four other missions in St. Louis for filling a need in the community.

Lafayette just keeps growing and being recognized as the largest employer of disabled adults in the State of Missouri

Worship Prayers July 19

THE TIME OF CENTERING:  O God, in whose mercy we find our peace, in whose presence we find our place, in whose world we find our calling; Grant us grace to hear and accept your word that we may be faithful, followers of your will and your way all our days.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen

CALL TO WORSHIP

God has accomplished all things through Christ,

        so that we might live as God’s own children.

Let us give thanks to God

        And live for the praise of God’s glory. 

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of green pastures, we confess that we can get so busy and distracted that we lose sight of your love and care for us.  We forget to live in gratitude and fail to live lives of goodness and mercy.  Forgive us, heal us, and lead us down gentle paths that restore our souls. Amen

Protecting Houses of Worship

Information below is based on an article from  Rev. David L. Myers, Director, Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

I'm taking the liberty to assume that most congregation members are aware of recent and tragic events that have occurred within houses of worship foregoing the notion that houses of worship are not immune from disasters and emergencies.  Faith leaders representing many traditions are concerned for the safety of their congregants.  It is important to know who your first responders and emergency managers are to begin or continue an ongoing relationship.

Your takeaway to remember is this:  there is no way to guarantee complete safety.  But there are ways to decrease risks and increase safety. 

This link fema.gov/protecting-houses-worship will provide information that can help prepare your house of worship for disasters and emergencies, and implement practices that will mitigate their damage.  This includes an active shooter event.  The 2013 guide is designed to be scalable for use by small to large-sized houses of worship in order to help navigate the planning process for emergencies.

Isaiah 41:10 -  'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Summer Blood Drive

Sunday July 26 from 9-1 at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 601 Claymont Drive.  Make an appointment at redcrossblood.org and enter then name "SaintMarkPres" or call 1-800-Red Cross.  Bring a valid photo ID.  Worship is at 9:30, so plan to attend later in the day.

More Fun at VBS

Teen Helper with Snacks

Thanks to our many adult and teen volunteers who make St. Mark Presbyterian's Vacation Bible School such a great success!

On your Mark, Get Set, Go----VBS Is On Its Way

 G-Force VBS has converted the Narthex into a raceway which was great for this rainy day.  The support of many families (see below) who are keeping the "campers" and "staff" in our prayers.

 With group activities, worship, art, crafts, snacks, story-time, social time and an opportunity to give to Operation Christmas Child, Vacation Bible School has it all!

Operation Christmas Child

For several years, St. Mark Presbyterian's Children's Ministry has supported Operation Christmas Child.  This year, Vacation Bible School is collecting items to pack into shoeboxes for this wonderful ministry.

  Devon received a shoebox at a church in Grenada at age 12. 

"My gift was very unique because the person took the time to wrap the box in fabric.
What stood out to me were all the toys. My mother was a single parent with four children. She made tremendous sacrifices for us but she wasn’t able to buy such things. When I received my shoebox, it was the first time I received a gift at Christmas."
Click here to continue reading the testimony of Devon, one of the recipients.

As a reminder, here are the items that are being collected this week

St. Mark VBS Mission Project  

Help needy children around the world by bringing in items to pack in shoeboxes.   

Shoebox Item Suggestions  

School Supplies:  

     Crayons  

     Pencils and Pens  

     Erasers and Pencil Sharpeners  

     Paper (notepads or small booklets)  

     Pencil bags/pouches  

Toys/Fun Stuff:  

     Matchbox cars/trucks  

     Small dolls  

     Softballs, Tennis balls  

     Sunglasses  

     Coloring books (thin books)      Small flashlights with batteries  

Hygiene Items:  

     Toothbrushes and toothpaste      Bar soap   

For more info visit:  

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/occ/