Drive-in Pentecost Worship

On May 31, St. Mark Presbyterian held its second Drive-in Worship---this time in honor of Pentecost. With stringed instruments playing the music, red balloons and banner, everyone was in a festive spirit for Drive-in Worship.  As with the Easter Drive-In Worship, those in attendance found it very emotional to be worshipping with so many church friends even staying in the cars. Pastor MP preached a moving sermon which will be on Wednesday's blog.  Thanks to everyone who made this happen including the staff and tech crew!

Thanks to the photographers:  The Burgess Family, Chris Polak, Sherry Naylor, Victoria Sherman

Worship for May 31 Pentecost

Pentecost May 31, 2020 10:30 am 

Virtual Service, Click here

ORDER OF WORSHIP 

CENTERING PRAYER Spirit of God, source of life, refresh my spirit, reshape my desire, and re-create my heart, that I may show forth your enduring glory; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

PRELUDE        Kum ba yah           Giamanco

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP
Come to Jesus, you who are thirsty.
 Alleluia!
 Drink deeply of the Holy Spirit.
Alleluia! 
Let your heart overflow with the living water that renews the face of the earth.
Alleluia! Thanks be to God. 

† HYMN      “Spirit of the Living God”      Hymnal #288

PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of new creation, we confess that we have failed to trust your bountiful goodness. By the power of the Holy Spirit you brought forth the earth and its creatures in abundance. Yet, we hoard earth’s resources and refuse to share your gifts. We dishonor your generosity by withholding our charity to those in need. We betray your kindness by dealing harshly with our enemies. We disregard your compassion by severely judging the sins of others. Forgive us. By the power of your Spirit renew our hearts and free us from sins that we may enjoy the fullness of your blessing upon all creation. Amen. (Silent Confession)

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

SCRIPTURE Acts 2: 1-38

SERMON      “Get Ready”      Rev. MP Panco

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH From A Declaration of Faith, PC(USA)
We affirm that the Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of life, the Renewer and Perfecter of God’s people, the One who makes real in us what God has done for us. ... We believe that by the power of the same Spirit, the church can be set on its way again, even when it seems beyond hope of renewal. We are grateful heirs of reformations and awakenings. We are faithful to the reformers of the past when we hold ourselves open in the present to the reforming and renewing work of the Spirit. ... We testify that today this same Holy Spirit makes us able to respond in faith to the gospel and leads us into the Christian community. The Spirit brings us out of death into life, out of separation into fellowship. ...The Spirit impels us to make the unity of Christians visible to a divided world and assures us that we shall be one. 

OFFERING

SPECIAL MUSIC      Surely It is God Who Saves Me      White
Bill Tucker, vocalist; Liz Sprague, hand bells †

THE DOXOLOGY

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

† HYMN      “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”      Hymnal #286

† CHARGE AND BLESSING POSTLUDE      SAINT DENIO      Beals

†You are invited to stand, as you are able.

***For other on-line activities, click here***

Pentecost Worship for Drive-In Service

Pentecost May 31, 2020 9:00 am Drive-In Service

ORDER OF WORSHIP

CENTERING PRAYER Spirit of God, source of life, refresh my spirit, reshape my desire, and re-create my heart, that I may show forth your enduring glory; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

PRELUDE Various Songs

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP Come to Jesus, you who are thirsty.
Alleluia!
Drink deeply of the Holy Spirit.
Alleluia! 
Let your heart overflow with the living water that renews the face of the earth.
Alleluia! 
Thanks be to God.

HYMN “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” Hymnal #291

 Refrain: Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through the wildeness, calling and free. Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea. 

Vs. 1 You moved on the waters: you called to the deep: then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep: and over the eons you called to each thing, Awake from your slumbers and rise on your wings. 

Vs. 4 You call from tomorrow: you break ancient schemes: from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams. Our women see visions: our men clear their eyes. With bold new decisions your people arise. 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of new creation, we confess that we have failed to trust your bountiful goodness. By the power of the Holy Spirit you brought forth the earth and its creatures in abundance. Yet, we hoard earth’s resources and refuse to share your gifts. We dishonor your generosity by withholding our charity to those in need. We betray your kindness by dealing harshly with our enemies. We disregard your compassion by severely judging the sins of others. Forgive us. By the power of your Spirit renew our hearts and free us from sins that we may enjoy the fullness of your blessing upon all creation. Amen. (Silent Confession)

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST The peace of Christ be with you.
                                                              And also with you. *Flashing of Car lights*

SCRIPTURE Acts 2: 1-38

SERMON “Get Ready” Rev. MP Panco

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 

THE DOXOLOGY

HYMN “Spirit of the Living God” Hymnal #288

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. 

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. 

Melt me, mold me, fill me: use me. 

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me

CHARGE AND BLESSING

POSTLUDE Various Songs

Scripture for May 31

Fresco of the pentecostal dove (representing Holy Spirit)
at the Karlskirche in Vienna, Austria

Acts 2:1-38 New International Version (NIV)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[c]

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[e]

29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”’[f]

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes:

1. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11
2. Acts 2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name
3. Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32
4. Acts 2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles)
5. Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11 (see Septuagint)
6. Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Fresco of the pentecostal dove (representing Holy Spirit) at the Karlskirche in Vienna, Austria

***We will have Drive-in Worship (601 Claymont, Ballwin MO) tomorrow at 9 AM****

***Virtual worship will be at 10:30 AM tomorrow.  Click here for links***

Daily Prayer May 29

The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the

poor and release to the captives.

Daily Readings for Friday, May 29, 2020

• Morning Psalms 96; 148
• First Reading Jeremiah 31:27-34
• Second Reading Ephesians 5:1-32
• Gospel Reading Matthew 9:9-17
• Evening Psalms 49; 138

Almighty God, you sent Jesus to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us with your Spirit, that we too may bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive. As you have made this day, O God, you also make the night. Give light for our comfort. Come upon us with quietness and still our souls, that we may listen for the whisper of your Spirit and be attentive to your nearness in our dreams. Empower us to rise again in new life to proclaim your praise, and show Christ to the world, for he reigns forever and ever. Holy God, from whom every family on earth takes its name: Strengthen parents to be responsible and loving that their children may know security and joy. Lead children to honor parents by compassion and forgiveness. May all people discover your parental care by the respect and love given them by others. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The grace of Christ attend you, the love of God surround you, the Holy Spirit keep you, that you may live in faith, abound in hope, and grow in love, both now and forevermore.

(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.)

THOUGHTS ON HOME COMMUNION

 Judy Richardson

 February 4, 2020

On Thursday, January 29, Bette and I drove to the Fountains to bring Communion to four people. Bette was having vision problems so I was elected to read the ritual.

I could not know the emotional impact this would have on me! I had heard the words thousands of times in my life.

 How could the words affect me so?

 “Mighty acts of love,”
“embodied in the death..,”
“This is my body..”
“forgiveness of sin”

The words rolled through my brain and struck my heart. My eyes watered. The people we ministered to were weak and old. The words “that you may be strengthened through our communion in the Body of Christ” struck me poignantly.

The Confession of Sins and the Assurance of grace have so much meaning. “We have followed too much the desires of our own hearts. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.” This can cover a whole lifetime, can’t it? And the assurance that “anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.”

 I then read favorite scripture including the 23rd Psalm and we said the Lord’s Prayer together.

(We then presented the bread and the cup)
The bread (Bread of Life, given for you)
And Cup “of blessing, poured out for you.”
Lastly we prayed thanking God for the gift of Christ and the Sacrament of Communion. The last phrase grants peace as it does when we have services in our sanctuary.

Anyone who has been ordained as a Deacon or Elder and has the opportunity should take time to serve this home Communion. As my Jewish friend expressed it to me, “Do you think the Holy Spirit came to you during this service?” I believe that is what I experienced.

St. Mark Hunger Mission Partner Updates – Circle of Concern and Isaiah 58

Isaiah 58 and Circle of Concern are most grateful for the current and past generous support by the St. Mark congregation.

Circle of Concern

112 St. Louis Avenue Valley Park, MO 63088

Phone: (636) 861-2623 http://www.circleofconcern.org/

Circle of Concern reopened after a two-week closure with revised operating schedule and procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are serving client families on Wednesdays and Fridays, curbside to allow for safe distancing as prescribed by the CDC and other health agencies. Circle is accepting food donations on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 am to 3 pm at their location in Valley Park. Circle of Concern serves clients that live in or have students that attend schools in the Parkway, Rockwood, or Valley Park school districts or live in zip code 63026.

Current needs include:

Pasta Sauce, Dinner Helpers, Canned Pasta, Dry Potatoes/Beans/Rice, Condiments, Snacks

Body Wash, Laundry Detergent, Hand Soap, Bar Soap, Conditioner

Monday, May 18th, was the planned date for Circle of Concern’s largest annual fundraiser -- the Circle of Concern Golf Tournament. The tournament raised approximately $25,000 last year. If you were a “regular” supporter/participant of the golf tournament, please consider making a similar donation this year to Circle of Concern.

Isaiah 58

2149 S. Grand Blvd.

Saint Louis, MO 63104

Phone: 314-776-1410 https://i58ministries.org/

Isaiah 58 has modified their operating procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic to serve adults inside AND outside their regular service area twice a month with pre-packaged shelf stable food, produce, dairy, meat, bread, and hygiene products. Food is provided to clients outside the Isaiah 58 entry door to allow for safe distancing as prescribed by the CDC and other health agencies. This protects clients, staff, and volunteers.

FOOD DRIVE RESULTS

The May 17th Superhero Sunday food drive on was a great success! THANK YOU to all St. Mark members, families, and friends who donated food, money, as well as the volunteers who supported the event. Four very full SUVs transported donations to Isaiah 58 which will be distributed to clients this summer.

thi

Worship Prayers for May 24

Click here to see St. Mark's architectural drawings for the current building.

***Virtual Worship Sunday at 10:30 AM

Click here for Sunday's on-line worship service and instruction.***

CENTERING PRAYER

Holy God, you commanded us not to be afraid and assured us of your presence. In the midst of trials and joys, sorrows and dreams may we know your presence and rejoice.  Grant us courage, O God, to take delight in your spirit in all times and all places. Grant us faith, O God, to see the myriad of ways you give life. Grant us hope, O God, to participate in your work in the world. Grant us love, O God, to welcome, respond, and act with compassion in all we say and do. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Who remembers the way things once were?

Take courage, children of God.

Continue in good works, for I am with you says the Lord of hosts.

Take courage, children of God.

The God of exodus and exile is calling us back.

Take courage, children of God.

God’s Spirit abides with us, so we will not fear!

† HYMN “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty” Hymnal #35

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy God we come before you a broken people in a broken world. We confess we ignored, yet again, your assured presence. We forged our own paths and charted our own waters. In the name of independence, we ignored your aid, your comfort, your peace, and your promise. We called upon you in desperation rather than recalling your mighty and faithful acts in all times and places. Forgive us. You have been with us in exile and liberation; be with us even now. (Silent Confession)

SCRIPTURE Haggai 1:1-12 

SERMON “When We Get Back” Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Westminster Confession of Faith, Shorter Catechism, Question One Q. What is our chief end? A. Our chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy God forever. 

OFFERING SPECIAL MUSIC Great Is Thy Faithfulness arr. Larson         Amy Shelton, soloist 

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER 

† HYMN “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” Hymnal #435 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING POSTLUDE Sing to the Lord     Smith

***Drive-in Worship next Sunday May 31 9 AM 601 Claymont Dr. Ballwin, MO***