Wednesday, May 31, 2017

All Church Book Read

In her insightful and encouraging new book Anne Lamott explains that it is mercy which gives us the chance to “soften ever so slightly” to understand one another more deeply. Let’s talk about it!!!!

Purchase your book in the church office ($10). Gather to discuss…

Chapters 1-3 Wednesday, July 5 6-7 pm

Chapters 4-6 Wednesday July 26 6-7 pm

Chapters 7-9 Sunday, August 13 9:30-10:15 am (each discussion will focus on overall themes so come to any or all!!!)

Sponsored by Adult Education Committee

Monday, May 29, 2017

Pentecost Special Offering

This year the “official” Pentecost Sunday slides into June. Pentecost is always the “end” of the
“Easter” season…50 days following Easter. Pentecost is known as the birth of the church.
Pentecost Worship on June 3 is at 5PM and on June 4 at 9:30 AM.

Presbyterians honor that event with a Special Offering, which serves young people in God’s kingdom. The offering was established in 1998 and over the years since, Presbyterians have donated over eleven million dollars.


Forty percent of the funds remain with the local congregation: St. Mark supports the Presbyterian Children’s Home and Services and UKirk Presbyterian Campus Ministry. Twenty-five percent goes to Young Adult Volunteers, being used for development of future church leaders, assistance with individual student’s funding, and retreats and speakers. Another 25% is used to support ministries to youth ages 12-18. The remaining 10% is used for Child Advocacy, efforts to improve the lives of children everywhere. Be a part of these initiatives. Give generously.

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Worship Prayers for May 28

PRAYER IN PREPARATION-  Great and Loving God, we who come to worship are also persons who sometimes feel that you have abandoned us or left us to fend for ourselves.  Although we rely upon your ever-presence, we suspect your absence.  Encourage us, O God, when we doubt your promise to be with us always.  In our worship, grant us the gifts of discernment and hope.  Enable us to recognize your workings in the commonplace and the everyday.  Open us to faith and help us to perceive not only what is, but also what, by your grace, might be.  We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus.  Amen


CALL TO WORSHIP
Come.  Bring your hands and your feet, your heads and your hearts.
Be present here, alive and authentic.
Come to speak and to hear, to receive and to give.
Come as people of God into the divine presence.


   PRAYER OF CONFESSION
We need forgiveness, God, for we are not the people you would have us be, and we are not the people we would like to be.  Time and again, the life of abundance you call us to live and share remains only a dream.  Forgive us and set us free to be all that we can be.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen


   SCRIPTURE                                                                                                                         Acts 1:1-11, p. 118

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Prayer for May 27

SATURDAY
God is love, and those who abide in love, abide in God, and God abides in them.

Ezekiel 3:4-17; Hebrews 5:7-14; Luke 9:37-50

Eternal God, we praise you for your mighty love given in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and the new life we have received by his resurrection. We thank you for the presence of Christ in our weakness and suffering, the ministry of Word and Sacrament, all who work to help and heal, sacrifices made for our benefit, opportunities for our generous giving. God of grace let our concern for others reflect Christ's self-giving love, not only in our prayers, but also in our practice. We pray for those subjected to tyranny and oppression, wounded and injured people, those who face death, those who may be our enemies. Eternal God, your love is stronger than death, and your passion more fierce than the grave. We rejoice in the lives of those whom you have drawn into your eternal embrace. Keep us in joyful communion with them until we join the saints of every people and nation, gathered before your throne in ceaseless praise. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(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.)

Friday, May 26, 2017

Scout Corner

"Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill."

On Saturday, May 27, Memorial Day Weekend, our Boy Scout troop will have the distinct privilege to serve as honor guard at Lambert Airport, seeing off an Honor Flight departing for Washington. Please keep these, and all veterans, in your thoughts and prayers during this holiday weekend. Visit www.honorflight.org to learn more about the Honor Flight Network.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Word From the Pastor

Therefore, my beloved . . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and work for God’s good pleasure . . . I am glad and rejoice with all of you – and in the same way you must also be glad and rejoice with me.” Philippians 2:12-13; 17-18 

What a gift God has given to St. Mark in these glorious days of Easter! After many months of searching and prayerfully listening for the call of God’s Spirit, the Pastor Nominating Committee brings to us a candidate. On June 11, there will be a Congregational Meeting to formally elect the PNC’s candidate as the new Pastor/Head-of-Staff. That person will begin as St. Mark’s pastor sometime later in the summer.

It is with great hope and trust in God’s goodness that I rejoice in the gift of new life that is given to St. Mark. I’m excited about the prospective pastor’s arrival; I have no doubt that God is leading the way to greater faithfulness, deeper joy, and abundant new life for St. Mark.

With the announcement of a pastor candidate, I feel the time is right for me to begin my personal discernment and transition process. Providing that the congregation acts favorably on June 11, my final day as your interim pastor will be June 30 (June 25 will be my final Sunday). This will also allow the congregation to have the necessary space to fully anticipate the next season of ministry and to freely welcome and embrace a new leader.

During the past two years, it has been my privilege to work alongside you during this interim time.
As a pastor and people together, building on an already strong reputation, we have cast a vision for St. Mark as a traditional, friendly, caring, and active church, and are ready to confidently embrace a new season of ministry.

I rejoice in all that we have brought forth through God’s grace. I am grateful for all those who worked to help this congregation become more intentional about its identity and focus, and develop a renewed sense of purpose. Together we have solidified the church’s financial situation by emphasizing our role as “living stones” during our Stewardship campaign, and continue building ourselves into a “spiritual house” with creative and interactive worship experiences such as this year’s Holy Week services. But what was most thrilling for me was being allowed to become an intimate part of your lives through sharing worship, lunches and dinners, coffee and conversations, golf and Cardinals’ games, hospital visits and funerals, and baptisms.

In the same way, I hope that you will be glad and rejoice with me. I am grateful for the way that this congregation has nurtured and supported my ministry. I will carry the love of this congregation with me, and that love will shape and guide my discernment as I listen for God’s calling upon my future. I know that God will use my experience at St. Mark to strengthen and ready me for a coming ministry, whatever or wherever that might be.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your interim pastor. It is difficult for me to leave people I so dearly love, and who have so warmly loved and cared for me. I continue to hold each one of you in my heart. Let us pray for God’s presence during this time of endings and beginnings, and let us give thanks, be glad, and rejoice for our journey together.

Grace & peace, Pastor Jim


Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Congregational Meeting Called to Elect New Pastor on June 11

A fter many months of searching and prayerfully listening for the call of God’s Spirit, the Pastor
Nominating Committee is pleased to present their recommended candidate to the congregation.

The Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, June 11, 2017, for the purpose of receiving the PNC’s report and electing a new Pastor/Head of Staff. The meeting will be held in the sanctuary immediately following the 9:30 am worship service, in which the pastor candidate will preach. There will be no Saturday night service on June 10. Should the congregation act favorably, the pastor candidate will begin serving at St. Mark in August.

In the Presbyterian process of calling a pastor, the call, or job, is not officially confirmed until the congregation votes at the congregational meeting. The candidate’s current congregation is unaware of the call that St. Mark is extending; therefore out of professional courtesy to the candidate and their church, personal information about the pastor candidate will be distributed to St. Mark members during the week of June 5. In addition to hearing the candidate preach on June 11, congregants are invited to an open house for church members to meet the candidate and family on Saturday, June 10 (details to be announced).

Monday, May 22, 2017

BRO

BRO collects new and gently used toys, Legos (sets are not necessary), stuffed animals, dolls, books, games, puzzles, art kit items, infant & toddler toys to distribute to around 5,500 St. Louis children at Christmas. Especially needed are toys for children 6 to 10 and small “stocking stuffer” items. Items may be placed in the BRO gray collection container.

St. Mark members were very generous to BRO in 2016. They donated items valued at approximately $4,300.00. This does not include the monetary donation from Deacons and PW. We especially want to thank all those who knitted, crocheted & sewed all the cute hats, baby items, blankets & scarves. They are adorable.

Around 400 new moms received layette sets from BRO in 2016. They are so thankful for the generosity of everyone. St. Mark members donated $900.00 worth of baby items for last year & donated 319 items at a value of $1,194.00 to be used for layette sets in 2017. For further information, contact S. Boeker  or L. Grothe.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Worship Prayer May 21

PRAYER IN PREPARATION:  Loving and Beloved God, in the resurrection of Christ you have overcome the powers of this world and shown your saving love for all people.  As Christ has loved us, may we remain in his love, growing in love for one another; through Christ your Incarnate Love, to whom with you and the Spirit, one holy God, be honor and praise, now and forever.  Amen

  
CALL TO WORSHIP
Blessed be the name of God.
Life bursts forth in the beauty of creation; life erupts from the darkness of despair.
Hope abounds in the promises given; joy springs forth and sadness ends.
Strength is found to face every tomorrow; God’s wholeness brings healing to all.
The world and all that is in it glows with the glory of God.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, you call us to love our neighbor and to seek justice.  But in this busy and complicated world we are pulled in so many directions that it is easy to lose sight of your way.  Forgive us when we neglect the needs of others.  Empower us to live out your way of justice and new life. 

   SCRIPTURE                                                                                                                     Exodus 3:1-15, p. 50


Saturday, May 20, 2017

Daily Prayer for May 20

SATURDAY

God is love, and those who abide in love, abide in God, and God abides in them.

Deuteronomy 32:34-41 (42) 43; Romans 15:1-13; Luke 9:1-17

Eternal God, we praise you for your mighty love given in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and the new life we have received by his resurrection. We thank you for the presence of Christ in our weakness and suffering, the ministry of Word and Sacrament, all who work to help and heal, sacrifices made for our benefit, opportunities for our generous giving. God of grace let our concern for others reflect Christ's self-giving love, not only in our prayers, but also in our practice. We pray for those subjected to tyranny and oppression, wounded and injured people, those who face death, those who may be our enemies. Eternal God, your love is stronger than death, and your passion more fierce than the grave. We rejoice in the lives of those whom you have drawn into your eternal embrace. Keep us in joyful communion with them until we join the saints of every people and nation, gathered before your throne in ceaseless praise. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(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.)

Friday, May 19, 2017

Montreat Youth Conference is coming

THANK YOU!!MONTREAT YOUTH CONFERENCE June 3-10 the youth are headed to Montreat Youth Conference. This year’s theme is ‘A Missing Peace.’ I am eager to see what we learn and how the youth not only absorb it, but are transformed by it! The youth will be presenting their trip later this summer. There is much more to be shared, you will not want to miss it!!

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who participated, donated, and helped make our Trip to Montreat happen! It is truly a transformative experience for our students and on behalf of Pastor Susan and myself, we are so privileged to have the opportunity to see the transformation that happens over the weeklong trip! THANK YOU!!

Click here for photos from 2015 Montreat Retreat

Monday, May 15, 2017

Deacon Reach Out and In

Flood Clean Up 2017
Let’s talk about mission/outreach. From the Mission Study Report, four significant values emerged:  traditional, friendly, CARING, and active. Our faith calls us to be known by our actions as well as our convictions, serving both our own congregation and the larger community. That’s where the deacons can help.

Many of the deacon committees provide opportunity to help others – here are just a few: Golf Tournament benefitting Circle of Concern, Caregiving Committee (“We Care” meals and more), ABC Sale for charitable monetary donations

In addition, Pastor Susan and our Mission Committee continue to provide “hands on” opportunities like the mission trip to Perryville to help after the tornado or helping with the latest Meramec River floods.

 But all these opportunities need one very important element: YOU! As leaders in the church, deacons provide opportunities for you to get involved and reach out. We NEED YOU to work with us to reach both inside and outside our church walls to our sisters and brothers in Christ. So ask a deacon or look for these types of opportunities and come along to share God’s love with others. While you fill the needs of others, the Holy Spirit will fill your spirit with goodwill and love. It’s a win win!

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Worship Prayers for May 14

PRAYER IN PREPARATION:  Living God, we come this day with praise and thanksgiving.  May this time of worship empower us to embody your good news.  May we always abide in you, and you in us.  May we respond to the power of your word, and the promises of your love.  May we be so filled with your Spirit that we can't help but proclaim your goodness.  Amen.


CALL TO WORSHIP
We come to this place where God pours out love on us.
         We join our voices in praise, as we come to worship God.
We gather with these people, those who seek to follow Jesus.
         We gather so we might walk the paths of discipleship.
We open our hearts to gifts of the Spirit.
         We will tell of God's love to all who will listen.


   PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, your love is poured out on all peoples.  We have been slow to receive it for ourselves.  We complicate your love with rules, worries, and doubts.  We have been slow to live out your love - our actions have not matched our words; our hearts have not matched your message.  Help us to hear your call and feel your transformative power.  May your Spirit fill us with courage to proclaim the good news of your love.  Strengthen our resolve and guide our actions, that we may truly bear good fruit.



   SCRIPTURES                                                                      Luke 24:36-48, p. 91 and Acts 3:12-19, p. 121

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Daily Prayer for May 13

SATURDAY

God is love, and those who abide in love, abide in God, and God abides in them.
Jeremiah 31:23-25; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 7:18-28 (29-30) 31-35

Eternal God, we praise you for your mighty love given in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and the new life we have received by his resurrection. We thank you for the presence of Christ in our weakness and suffering, the ministry of Word and Sacrament, all who work to help and heal, sacrifices made for our benefit, opportunities for our generous giving. God of grace let our concern for others reflect Christ's self-giving love, not only in our prayers, but also in our practice. We pray for those subjected to tyranny and oppression, wounded and injured people, those who face death, those who may be our enemies. Eternal God, your love is stronger than death, and your passion more fierce than the grave. We rejoice in the lives of those whom you have drawn into your eternal embrace. Keep us in joyful communion with them until we join the saints of every people and nation, gathered before your throne in ceaseless praise. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(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.)

Friday, May 12, 2017

VBS is Coming!

VBS PREPARATION DINNER DATES 5:30 P.M. 
May 10 is being re-scheduled
June 14 Pulled Pork 
June 28 Hamburgers/Hot Dogs 

Join your St. Mark family as the Children’s Ministries Committee prepares for VBS. This may entail painting, cutting, assembling crafts, ironing decals, etc. All dinners are casual with the main course provided. Please bring a side dish. (A free-will offering is collected to offset the expense of the main course.) BE A SUPER HERO FOR VBS 2017

SAVE THE DATE VBS 2017—JULY 17-21
Calling all Adult Heroes and Junior Side Kicks to help during the week
Questions??? Liz Oglesby or Ellen Hynes

Monday, May 8, 2017

Music Notes

The 2016-1017 Choir Season is coming to a close as summer approaches. I am very thankful to
everyone in our chancel choir and our bell choirs for their service, plus those who have shared their talents with their individual instruments or voices. While it may look “easy” in the congregation, most of our music requires weeks of preparation. While some choir members come as they are available, others are at rehearsal and in worship without fail, every week. Without the commitment of our choir members, and bell choir members, there would be no choirs at St. Mark. Directors cannot do it alone! Thank you one and all!

We also need to thank our Children Choir Director, Lisa Marsh for her faithful and cheerful service the last 17 years! That is right, I said 17! Lisa has brought her enthusiasm and understanding to the children of this church as she directed them in biannual musicals. While this was a joy for her, there was also sacrifice involved because when her family wanted her to go off for a weekend or event, she would have to say “No” I need to work with the children. After these many years of service, Lisa has decided to retire this year after the Spring Musical. Thank you Lisa, you have earned a well-deserved rest!

And let’s not forget the Children’s Choir and Chancel Choir Accompanist, Judy Young! She makes my job so much easier with her steadfast accompanying. Judy has also “stepped up” to help me during service by playing on hymns with the bells, or the Doxology while I was on the other side of the sanctuary, and filling in as a substitute director or organist while I took a vacation day. She has also quietly done “ clean-up” duty after Cantatas and Easter to get the choir loft back to normal. She is one of the “Angels” of the church.

Please be aware of and appreciative of all these people. I am old enough now to say things like this: one of the biggest mistakes I have seen people make in relationships, organizations, churches, or businesses is to NOT appreciate and support what they have while they have it! Grab one of these people and say “Thanks!”

Serving God the Best I Can . . . Marsha

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Worship prayers for May 7


PRAYER IN PREPARATION:  Almighty God, our risen Lord was made known to the disciples in the breaking of bread.  You opened the meaning of the Scriptures to the disciples on the road to Emmaus.  You set their hearts ablaze.  Open the eyes of our hearts that we may recognize Christ’s presence, kindle our hearts as we hear your word proclaimed, so that we may with his disciples cry, “The Lord has risen, indeed!”  Amen.

  

CALL TO WORSHIP
Where the broken are made whole, where life is stronger than death:
         there the stone has been rolled away.
Where strangers become friends, where hope is stronger than despair:
         there we find Jesus walking.
Where the anxious find serenity, where love is stronger than hate:
         There, Jesus is opening our eyes.
Alleluia!  Christ is risen!
         Alleluia!  Christ is with us!


   PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Living God, you come to us, offering new life, yet we do not see the miracles you set before us.  You come to us, proclaiming never ending love, yet we do not recognize you.  You come to us, piercing our darkness with hope, yet we overlook your presence.  Forgive us, we pray, our hearts are slow to see and honor you.  Do not leave us, but stay with us.  Awaken us to your presence.  Walk with us, so we can become companions to the lost.  Welcome us, so we can include the helpless and the homeless.  Love us, so we can share that love with everyone we meet as we follow Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.


   SCRIPTURE                                                                                                                     Luke 24:13-35, p. 90


Saturday, May 6, 2017

Daily Prayer

SATURDAY

God is love, and those who abide in love, abide in God, and God abides in them.
Isaiah 8:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18; Luke 22:31-38

Eternal God, we praise you for your mighty love given in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and the new life we have received by his resurrection. We thank you for the presence of Christ in our weakness and suffering, the ministry of Word and Sacrament, all who work to help and heal, sacrifices made for our benefit, opportunities for our generous giving. God of grace let our concern for others reflect Christ's self-giving love, not only in our prayers, but also in our practice. We pray for those subjected to tyranny and oppression, wounded and injured people, those who face death, those who may be our enemies. Eternal God, your love is stronger than death, and your passion more fierce than the grave. We rejoice in the lives of those whom you have drawn into your eternal embrace. Keep us in joyful communion with them until we join the saints of every people and nation, gathered before your throne in ceaseless praise. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(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.)

Thursday, May 4, 2017

St. Mark Flood Response

Hello Friends:
As the closest Presbyterian Church to our neighbors experiencing these
rising waters we need to respond.
Here is what we are imagining…
*If you wish to donate items please see list below.

Our Family Ministries (Children/Youth) will be sorting and organizing personal care items, non perishable food items and linens to deliver
to Eureka Baptist Church on Thursday May 11.

*ON WEDNESDAY MAY 10 at 5:30 we will have an ALL CHURCH POTLUCK (with Fried Chicken)
to sort items and prepare for working the following day.

*ON THURSDAY MAY 11 we will head to Eureka (or Valley Park as these Requests are changeable based on volunteer participation and that Wild unpredictable water!)

Leaving St. Mark at 8:00am and
Returning around 3 o clock.  If you wish to WORK CLEAN UP
please contact the office (636-394-2233) so that we can equip you with particulars for Thursday.

DEPENDING on the immediate needs of the community…
We are considering setting up a grill or bringing sandwiches drinks, etc.
St Mark would serve lunch to those working flood clean up….

This project will be with us for an extended amount of time there will be multiple
opportunities to serve and donate.

“They will know we are Christians by our Love!”
Pastor Susan
P.S. VBS prep planned for Wed May 10 will be rescheduled.
Red Tent planned for Thurs May 11 will be rescheduled to Thurs May 18 9:30am.


St Mark Flood Response May 2017  Items to donate…
Personal Care items:
Hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, face cloths, towels, toilet paper
Diapers and wipes, combs, brushes, toothbrushes and toothpaste
Food items:
Can openers (not electric), granola bars, bottled water, Gatorade,
Bread, peanut butter, jelly, hard candy, gum, Easy Mac, squeezable applesauce
Linens:
Blankets (new), pillows (new), sheets (new), pillow cases (new), towels, face cloths
Please place items in barrels in Narthex.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Hands and Feet

What is that? As a precursor to the June 16-23, 2018 General Assembly, this initiative starts with the
July 6-8, 2017, BIG TENT event in St. Louis.

“If we, through new and existing mission and ministry programs, immerse ourselves in St. Louis over the next eighteen months, our General Assembly gathering will be a natural extension of our charge to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in action, and not simply a meeting,” said the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly.

Hands & Feet will be replicated in Baltimore, Maryland, for the 224th General Assembly (2020), and in Columbus, Ohio, for the 225th General Assembly (2022). There will be numerous volunteer opportunities identified and available. For more information about BIG Tent and Hands and Feet, visit http://oga.pcusa.org/section/churchwide-ministries/big-tent-2017/.

How can we help?

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Word from the Pastor

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” [The disciples] said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish . . . [Jesus] said to [Peter] the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to Jesus, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:3-6; 17

We have journeyed through the 40 days of Lent, the mountaintops and valleys of Holy Week, and Easter morning and the empty tomb. Now what? What comes after Easter in our understanding of the faith journey that we have chosen to take?

 In John 20, we read of the fear and lack of hope that consumed the thinking of the disciples after the crucifixion and the experience at the empty tomb. Then Jesus came. He came and stood among them saying, “I’m here just like I said I would be. Put aside your fear. Replace it with my peace.” And then Jesus breathed his divine breath upon them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit and get ready to be sent out into the world, just as I have been sent, I send you.”

However, in the next chapter in the Gospel of John, we find the disciples going back to work, doing what they knew how to do best, and doing what they did before meeting Jesus. They went fishing. They went back to the familiar routine of everyday living as if the previous three years with Jesus were just a fading memory.

Sometimes we are advised, after experiencing a traumatic event as the disciples had, “to get busy, go back to work, you’ll get over it.” Maybe the disciples began to think, “This Jesus movement was a good thing while it lasted, but all good things must come to an end. So, let us just go back to work and forget all this Kingdom talk and especially this resurrection idea. The story is ended.”

Then early one morning the risen Christ finds these disciples-turned-back to-fishermen and says to them, “It’s not over. It is just getting started. Do you love me? Then get out of those boats and feed my sheep. Go find my people and teach them the things I have taught you. Go and be my church.”

It’s not easy to start over. Maybe we would never start over without the pushing, pulling, and prodding of the risen Christ. Peter and the others were quite content to go back to the routine and familiar; to a life that was safer than following Jesus.

However, for the disciples, and for us, the story is not finished, so Jesus comes to us and says once again, “Feed my sheep.” Hopefully, we will not be like the disciples who decided the story was over and went sorrowfully back to their fishing, to the way they were before Jesus.

It is a temptation to let down spiritually after Easter when the events and the excitement are over. We are drawn back into the routine and commonplace repetition of our jobs and responsibilities. Sometimes, even unintentionally, we tend to put Easter carefully back on the shelf as a holiday until next year.

So what is next for those who believer in Easter? I believe that Easter is present tense. It is about following Jesus now. It is about living as if God is victorious, unstoppable, triumphant, now. As “Easter people”, we must believe that God will get God’s way in the end, no matter what. If Jesus’ death on the cross has been defeated by the empty tomb at Easter, what other victories is God working on?

How is God working in your life? Where does God show up in your daily walk?

If we allow it, Easter can move us quickly from the affirmation, “He is risen,” to an assignment, “Go into your family, community, and the world and do something about it.” By carrying out that assignment, Easter continues within the lives of each one of us for the rest of our life and beyond.

God is not finished with the story or us. The story is alive. So what is next? The rest of the story.


Monday, May 1, 2017

ABC Sale

"Oh my - is it time for the ABC sale already?"
The Deacons are in the starting blocks, awaiting the signal that begins the preparation for what has traditionally been St. Mark's largest fundraiser. Behind the scenes, committees are being created and confirmed, inventories of supplies are being checked and a schedule for each leg of the race is being set. For this isn't a sprint but a marathon that takes more effort than 15 people can expend.

This is an exciting time for our church, and a great way to get involved and to get better acquainted with people you may not already know very well. Sure, everyone is pretty tired by the time the sale is over and everything is put away, but it's a good tired - really! So... in answer to the above question, it is indeed time to think ahead.

The sale is July 28 & 29 this year, and it's never too early to start setting aside those giveaways that just might become someone else's treasures. They can be brought to church from Sunday, July 23 - Wednesday, July 26. (If you can presort and label the items before you bring them, that would be great!) And seriously consider giving the Deacons a helping hand before, during or after the sale. The money made (minus a small amount needed for expenses) goes directly back into the community and makes a difference to so many of our brothers and sisters. And the fellowship you experience - well, that makes the race worth running! Just ask any of the Deacons.

For information and photos on past ABC Sales, click here.