Friday, July 31, 2020

Daily Prayer July 31

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever.

Daily Readings for Friday, July 31, 2020

Eternal God, through long generations you prepared a way for the coming of your Son, and by your Spirit you still bring light to illumine our paths. Renew us in faith and hope that we may welcome Christ to rule our thoughts and claim our love, as Lord of lords and King of kings, to whom be glory always. Fill your church with the power that flows from Christ‘s coming, that, in the midst of the sinful world, this may signal the beginning of a renewed humanity, risen to new life with Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. We thank you, O God, that you call all people to worship you and to serve your purpose in this world. We praise you for the gift of faith we have received in Jesus Christ. We praise you also for diverse faith among the peoples of the earth. Help us all to celebrate your goodness, act upon your truth, and demonstrate your righteousness. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, make you complete in everything good so that you may do God's will, working among us that which is pleasing in God's sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever!

(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.)

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Worship at Home

“I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name” Psalm 9:14 NLT

It is Sunday morning. I’m settled in and enjoying the music being played by the Masked Bellringers. I’m tucked in, secure in the knowledge that this week I will not fall off the footstool . The best seat in the house for me is on mbp’s lap or extended legs. The problem was that when she moved I would slip off, go boom and land on the floor.

We have now solved the problem. Grandpa’s comfy blue blanket is now our security blanket and it will not let me fall. Yes, we look a little silly curled up with the fleece blanket during the St. Louis days of summer. It works so I’m not complaining. Linus has his blanket and so do I!

How many times we all need to feel the protection of God’s loving arms and support as we move through our daily lives. In this new normal or whatever we are calling it we need to feel secure and loved. Virtual hugs, phone calls, old and new photographs, notes and precious memories bring us through the dark or gloomy times. They provide a sense of security and well-being.

I have a blue blanket. Linus has his blanket. Mbp seems to have a whole flamboyance of flamingos. Take time today to hold a teddy bear or anything that gives you peace as a reminder that God is here with us for support and comfort.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 24-25

Godspeed my friends,
Gaspod

Monday, July 27, 2020

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

St. Mark Presbyterian and the American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive on Sunday, August 16th from 8:30 – 1:30 pm in Gleason Hall at 601 Claymont Dr. Ballwin, MO. Please help us help others by making an appointment today at http://www.redcrossblood.org/Donate/Blood and enter: Saintmarkpres .

For a limited time, the American Red Cross will test all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service to our donors. This testing may provide critical insight into whether donors may have possibly been exposed to this coronavirus. An antibody test screens for antibodies in your blood, which are formed when fighting an infection, like COVID-19. An antibody test assesses whether your immune system has responded to the infection, not if the virus is currently present. The COVID-19 antibody test is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. The results of your antibody test will be available by logging in to your Blood Donor account on the Blood Donor App or online about 7 to 10 days after your donation.

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Worship July 26

July 26, 2020

10:00 am Virtual Service

ORDER OF WORSHIP

CENTERING PRAYER

Living Lord, you meet us in unexpected place and surprise us with the abundance of your love. Feed us by your Word and fill us with your Spirit so that we may follow you this day, and always; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior. Amen.

PRELUDE Hail Thee Festival Day Hobby

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP

O Lord our God, we praise you.

We cried to you for help, and you answered us.

You restored our lives.

You rescued us from the grave.

Come. Let us worship our risen Savior together.

† HYMN “He Lives” p. 220 RED HYMNAL (1986)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Lord God, in the light of your glory, we see the evil we do, the suffering we cause, the good we refuse, and the truth we deny. Heal us of our many sins, wash us in your mercy, and feed us with your grace, so we may follow your way and tell the good news of the gospel. (Silent Confession)

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

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

SCRIPTURE John 21:1-19

SERMON “Fishin’ in the Dark” Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Heidelberg Catechism Question One Q. What is your only comfort, in life and in death?

OFFERING

SPECIAL MUSIC The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done Shackleton Mark Reynoso, pianist

† THE DOXOLOGY

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

† HYMN “Will You Come and Follow Me” Hymnal #726

† CHARGE AND BLESSING

BENEDICTION RESPONSE Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ v. 3 Hymnal #526

POSTLUDE Salva Festa Dies Hobby

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

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Scripture for July 26

Raphael, Christ's Charge to Peter, 15.
Victoria and Albert Museum, London

John 21:1-19

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

John 21:1 Greek Tiberias
John 21:2 Thomas (Aramaic) and Didymus (Greek) both mean twin.
John 21:8 Or about 90 meters

Friday, July 24, 2020

Daily Prayer July 24

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Daily Readings for Friday, July 24, 2020

Holy God, Creator of all, the risen Christ taught from scripture of his death, resurrection, and ascension into your glorious presence. May the living Lord breathe on us his peace, that our eyes may be opened to recognize him in breaking bread, and to follow wherever he leads. Fountain of wisdom, by your word you set the universe in space, and with your hands you molded us in your image. Everywhere we see signs of your loving care. Guide us always into your ways, that in your wisdom we may find life abundant

and live forever in the splendor of your glory. Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us co-workers in your creation. Give us wisdom and reverence to use the resources of nature, so that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty. (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.)

Monday, July 20, 2020

Virtual Genius

Sadly, due to the Covid-19 virus, the Attic Basement Closet Sale, which was scheduled for June 26-27, was cancelled. The Deacons had budgeted to raise $14,000 for Missions from the 2020 sale based on the amount generated in the 2019.

Common sense would dictate that we write it off and let the Missions take the loss.

But we were a little short of common sense.

We remembered our proud ABC tradition

[ The first rummage sale at the church was in 1973 and also ran for two days. In the first 5 years, $2,602 was raised for charity. It was officially known as the ABC sale in 1976 which originally was for "Attic, Basement and Cellar" not "Attic, Basement, Closet" which is how we currently advertise it.]

and plotted our first Virtual ABC Sale. The 2020 Virtual Sale would allow our frustrated donors of household items to offer cash donations to support the Mission Program. This had the added advantage of storing all the give-aways in the donors’ attic, closet and basement for another year.

Why didn’t we think of this ingenious Virtual Mission Program before?

So we invite the potential generous donors of excess household goods to work out your frustration at not removing these goods from your homes by:

writing a check to “St. Mark” and
include "ABC Sale" in the memo line

You’ll feel better about the hoard in your basement, because your donations will be rescuing the many missions who need your help.

Thanks for thinking of St. Mark’s Missions!

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Worship July 19

July 19, 2020

10:00 am Virtual Service

ORDER OF WORSHIP

CENTERING PRAYER

God of all times and all places, be with us in this time and this place. Just as you spoke to your people through prophets and poets, we pray we might hear the Word you speak to us today. Just as you spoke to your people through deeds and miracles, we pray we might have eyes to see the Word you speak to us today. Just as you called your people to act in the midst of your creation, we pray we might have feet to walk and hands to reach out; for the sake of your Son who gave his life out of love for the world. Amen.

PRELUDE Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley Livingston

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 118:5-9)

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me?

The Lord is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in mortals.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

† HYMN “O Lord My God” Hymnal #625

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Savior God, we come to worship today with heavy feet and confused spirits. You command us to take up our crosses and follow you, but we are too comfortable maintaining the status quo, and we lose our way. We confess you as Lord when the winds are favorable, but we deny you with our actions in the middle of the storm. Betraying your call to take care of the least of these, we abandon our hungry, thirsty, and persecuted neighbors. Forgive us, Lord for the sins we do not understand and for the sins we commit willingly. We pray remembering your steadfast mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. (Silent Confession)

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

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

SCRIPTURE Luke 23:32-49

SERMON “By Your Side” Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Heidelberg Catechism Question One

Q. What is your only comfort, in life and in death?

A. That I belong--body and soul, in life and in death--not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

OFFERING

SPECIAL MUSIC On Christ, The Solid Rock, I Stand Pethel
Declan Phipps, Cello

† THE DOXOLOGY

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

† HYMN “What Wondrous Love Is This” Hymnal #215

† CHARGE AND BLESSING

BENEDICTION RESPONSE “Jesus Remember Me” Hymnal #227

POSTLUDE Dialogue du deuxieme ton Boyvin

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