Scripture for November 1

 1 John 3:1-3

New International Version

3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

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Footnotes

1. 1 John 3:2 Or when it is made known

Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

Daily Prayer October 30

 God is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for God's good pleasure.

Daily Readings for Friday, October 30, 2020

• Morning Psalms 84; 148
• First Reading Nahum 2:13-3:7
• Second Reading Revelation 13:1-10
• Gospel Reading Luke 12:13-31
• Evening Psalms 25; 40

God our creator, yours is the morning and yours is the evening. Let Christ the sun of righteousness shine forever in our hearts and draw us to that light where you live in radiant glory. O Lord, our creator, by your holy prophet you taught your ancient people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived. We commend our neighborhood to your care, that it might be kept free from social strife and decay. Give us strength of purpose and concern for others, that we may create here a community of justice and peace where your will may be done God of glory, you see how all creation groans in labor as it awaits redemption. As we work for and await your new creation, we trust that you will answer our prayers with grace, and fulfill your promise that all things work together for good for those who love you. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

(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.)

Managing Fear

 by Judy Richardson 

October 20, 2020 

As a child I don’t remember fearing very many things. My most common nightmare was of having my brother sucked down a bathroom drain as I struggled to hang on to him. The dream would end without resolution. Years later my husband and I were needed to help him out of a crisis.

 In Thursday morning Bible study we have been examining Dr. Seuss stories for scripturally inspired parallels. The last one was the “Butter Battle Book” about two groups of characters—one which buttered bread on top and one underneath. Because of their differences, they hated one another. They built a wall and then built gadgets to hurl and shoot at each other. Eventually they invented a doomsday weapon and the book ended without resolution, like our world’s MADD nuclear deterrent. 

The ending brought to my mind 1963 and the Bay of Pigs incident. I was 14 and I remember the fear I felt from my father as he gathered food and placed it in our cellar in Reno, Nevada. At that time Stead Air Force Base was located just outside of Reno which caused some fears that we could be targeted. We had drills in school where we dived under desks for protection in case of a nuclear attack which made most of us fear that we would never grow up. I think this added to the recklessness of the ‘60’s. 

Today our fears revolve around the COVID-19 virus. We debate how to protect ourselves and our loved ones and still enjoy their company. How can we do this safely while our grandchildren are returning to school, playing with neighborhood children? We still want to be with them. 

My husband and I enjoy going to breakfast at First Watch. The tables are spread apart and everyone wears masks going in, but as we eat and drink they are removed. The waiters and waitresses wear masks and they have always kept the restaurant very clean so we feel safe. We pick up our lunch from Charlotte’s Rib when we have time and we feel comfortable doing this. 

Holidays are coming. What do we do about Halloween? My daughter says it is recommended that we assemble treats in individual treat bags and assemble them so they can be picked out individually so I have obtained treat bags and candies which I will assemble in a box lid in rows so they can be easily picked up as children come to the house. How many will come, I do not know. 

What about Thanksgiving? As with birthdays, we will gather wearing masks except when we eat together and we hope and pray that none of us are carrying COVID-19 around. My daughter’s grandmother-in-law is 91. 

Christmas is going to be much the same. We pray for vaccines and good-sense guidance from a new administration and we fear that a new administration will not come. 

We fear the outcome of a close election with resulting violence in the streets. We fear that hungry, destitute people will lose hope and become violent. 

Politicians prey on our fears. I remember President Johnson’s ad which featured a lovely little girl eating an ice cream cone while a nuclear blast goes off behind her. After that ad, his opponent did not stand a chance. Today we fear a close election and this may be the first time that very few voters will refuse to vote. Perhaps this is a good fear. 

Dear God, help us handle our fears and only worry about controlling what we can and leave the rest to you. 

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

No Contact Drive Through Collections

 On behalf of the St. Mark Mission Committee: THANK YOU!!!!

DRIVE THROUGH DONATION COLLECTIONS UPDATES 

On behalf of the St. Mark Mission Committee and our local mission partners, THANK YOU for your generosity in supporting our recent drive through donation collections! 

October 18, 2020: 23 LARGE bags of winter coats and winter clothing along with $100 were collected filling 3 SUVs; 

September 27, 2020: 1,500+ pounds of food and personal care products plus $475 were collected for Isaiah 58 and Circle of Concern filling 1 pickup and 3 SUVs. 

Upcoming Drive-Through Collection

November 15, 1-3PM - Christmas gifts for Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services as well as Circle of Concern will be collected. The gifts can be brought to the church from November 10  - December 1 when the church is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  There is also a drive through at church to drop the gifts on November 15 from 1-3 pm.  A gift bag should be with each gift.  No gifts should be wrapped.  They should be labeled with what is inside and who purchased the gift.  For example:   "boy age 12, legos, purchased by C. Polak".

If you want to donate a Christmas gift, please contact C. Polak.

Worship for Oct. 25

 

October 25, 2020 

10:00 am Virtual Service 

ORDER OF WORSHIP

 CENTERING PRAYER From everlasting to everlasting you are God. Carry me today in your steadfast love that I may rejoice and be glad all my days, living life fully without fear of the end. Amen.

 PRELUDE     Christians, We Have Met to Worship     Traditional Folk Hymn 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

CALL TO WORSHIP You shall love the Lord your God With all your heart, And with all your soul, And with all your mind. 

And you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 

Drawn by love, we come, To offer our whole selves in Christ’s service. 

Let us worship the Lord! 

† HYMN     “Amazing Grace”     Chris Tomlin 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Lord, we confess: we do not live as those worthy to be entrusted with the good news of your grace; we relate to others callously as though we do not trust that gospel ourselves; we seek to please and manipulate, using flattery to gain praise and distinction; we use condescension as a mask to cover insecurity or a need for power. Our motives are mixed, impure. Lord, reassure and cleanse us, in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Silent Confession) 

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

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

SCRIPTURE James 1:19 

SERMON “Be Quiet and Listen” 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 

† HYMN     “10,000 Reasons”     Matt Redman 

OFFERING SPECIAL MUSIC What Is the World Like, When God’s Will Is Done Morris 

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

† HYMN      “Jesus Loves Me” with ASL      Hymnal #188 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION RESPONSE     “We Lift Our Voices”      Hymnal #710

Scripture for October 25 Worship

 James 1:19 New International Version

Listening and Doing

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

Photo by Anna Elizabeth on Unsplash

Daily Prayer October 23

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

Daily Readings for Friday, October 23, 2020

• Morning Psalms 88; 148
• First Reading Micah 6:1-8
• Second Reading Revelation 9:13-21
• Gospel Reading Luke 10:38-42
• Evening Psalms 6; 20

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.)

Worship October 18

 October 18, 2020

 10:00 am Virtual Service 

ORDER OF WORSHIP

CENTERING PRAYER*                                      *J. Birch, faithandworship.com

 

I arise today, embraced in the arms of God the Father, empowered by the strength of God the Spirit, immersed in the love of God the Son. I arise today in the company of the Trinity, Father, Spirit and Son. I arise today.

PRELUDE      To God Be the Glory      Grichetchkine 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 99)

 

The Lord rules from on high. Pay attention!

God reigns on his angel throne – take notice!

Our King loves justice and righteousness.

Honor God, our God; worship the Lord’s holy rule!

Let us arise, and praise our God and our King!

† HYMN      “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”      Hymnal #12

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

What a debt we owe to you, O God. You give us all things in Christ, and yet we withhold from you the honor and glory that are yours. Instead, we pay tribute to empire, mock your truth with empty praise, and put your patience to the test.

Forgive us, O God, and by your grace restore in us the image of your face; we continue to pray through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Silent Confession)

 

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

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

SCRIPTURE Matthew 22:15-22 

SERMON     “FEARLESS Faith”     Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 

OFFERING SPECIAL MUSIC      “Let All Things Now Living”      arr. Pethel 

Nicole Lesh, Clarinet 

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

† HYMN “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” Hymnal #611 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION RESPONSE “We Lift Our Voices” Hymnal #710 

POSTLUDE      Sing a New Song      Broughton 

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

Scripture for October 18

 Matthew 22: 15-22

Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

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Footnotes

1. Matthew 22:17 A special tax levied on subject peoples, not on Roman citizens

Fresco:  Masaccio - http://www.christusrex.org/www2/art/tributo.htm

Daily Prayer October 16

 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.

Daily Readings for Friday, October 16, 2020

• Morning Psalms 130; 148
• First Reading Hosea 13:9-16
• Second Reading Acts 28:1-16
• Gospel Reading Luke 9:28-36
• Evening Psalms 32; 139

Eternal God, Author of our life and End of our pilgrimage: Guide us by your Word and Spirit amid all perils and temptations, that we may not wander from your way, nor stumble in the darkness; but may finish our course in safety, and come to our eternal rest in you. Eternal God, your hand shaped our lives by grace and your hand rescued us from sin by love. May your hand guide us through this day, shielding us from all evil, strengthening us to do justice and love. Enable us, O God, to do all things as unto you; that small things may be filled with greatness, and great things may be crowned with humility. O God, whom we cannot love unless we love our neighbors, remove hate and prejudice from us and from all people, so that your children may be reconciled with those we fear, resent, or threaten; and live together in your peace. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

With God's help and love may your lives be blessed and your labors fruitful as you offer yourselves gladly in the service of our common Lord.

(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.)

Newborns in Need

 

PW’s September collection of baby items for Newborns In Need was a huge success. A total of 384 items were collected totaling a value of at least $1,652.50. The baby items collected were knitted & crocheted blankets (13) & hats (42), a flannel quilt, cloth blankets (3), fleece blankets (82), booties, bibs (11), burp clothes (24), one Pac ‘n’ play, diaper boxes (8), box of wipes, boy sleepers & onesies (77), girl sleepers & onesies (77), $60.00 cash and one wedding dress.

Thank you to all who contributed these items. They will be much appreciated by St. Louis mothers of babies facing health or economic crisis. We will collect again in April.

For more information, call S.Boeker  or L. Grothe.

Worship Oct. 11

 

October 11, 2020 

10:00 am Virtual Service 

ORDER OF WORSHIP

CENTERING PRAYER

On this new day, O God, I thank you for clean air that fills my lungs, for water to drink and stream over the rocks, for light that creates life and shines on my path, for soil that grows fruits and vegetables, fashions hills and valleys, and makes homes for creatures in burrows and trees. Let me see Earth today with gratitude and feast my senses on its beauty; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRELUDE      Praise My Soul the King of Heaven      Page 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

OPENING WORDS / CALL TO WORSHIP

You have been called to the banquet.

This is the feast.

You have been summoned to the wedding.

This is the feast of life and light.

From the streets and the byways, God has invited us.

We have come to the banquet that has no end.

Alleluia! Amen!

† HYMN      “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”      Hymnal #39

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

You invite us to your feast, O God, and we do not come. You beg us to give thanks for life, and we fail in our thanksgiving. You have made for us a wonderful earth, and we neglect the gift. Forgive us for what we have done and for abandoning the pathway you desire for us. Be our guide and conscience. Turn our feet and hands to your will, that all we do might give glory to you. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

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

And also with you. 

SCRIPTURE Matthew 22:1-14

 SERMON      “The Invitation”      Rev. MP Panco 

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      “Rejoice! He is Lord of All”      Knoedler      

Soloist: Mark Reynoso 

† THE DOXOLOGY PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

† HYMN      “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” Hymnal     #804 verses 1-4 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION RESPONSE      “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart”    Hymnal #804 verse 5 

POSTLUDE      Great Is the Lord      Moore 

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

 

Liturgist Bob Lienemann