Daily Prayer April 30, 2021

 You, O Lord, are full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger, and rich in kindness.

Daily Readings for Friday, April 30, 2021

• Morning Psalms 96; 148
• First Reading Jeremiah 31:15-22
• Second Reading Colossians 3:1-11
• Gospel Reading Luke 7:1-17
• Evening Psalms 49; 138

God our creator, you made all things in your wisdom, and in your love you save us. We pray for the whole creation. Overthrow evil powers, right what is wrong, feed and satisfy those who thirst for justice, so that all your children may freely enjoy the earth you have made, and joyfully sing your praises. Take all our doubts and uncertainties, O God, and fill us with such faith that we may be confident of your love and loyal in the service of him who died and yet lives for us, Jesus Christ the Lord. Merciful God, you bear the pain of the world. Look with compassion on those who are sick; cheer them by your word, and bring healing as a sign of your grace. God of comfort, stand with those who sorrow; that they may be sure that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, shall separate them from your love. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

As God's own, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, and patience, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, and crown all these things with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

(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.)

Let us go to the House of the Lord

 April 21, 2021

Dear Friends,

I write you today with a heart filled with excitement, joy, and anticipation. Our church leadership made the difficult decision last March to suspend in-person worship as the pandemic spread. We adjusted quickly and provided ways to stay connected through online worship, ZOOM classes, outdoor events, and countless other creative activities. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our church staff and volunteers, we persevered and found new ways to grow closer even as circumstances forced us to keep a safe distance.

The St. Mark Session monitors the case numbers, vaccine distribution, and CDC recommendations. I am excited to announce our leadership recently approved a move to in-person worship on Sunday, May 16 at 10:00 AM. We will still provide online worship through a livestream on our church’s YouTube page. Members and guests will always be able to join us through this easily accessible channel. For anyone who is able to join us for in-person worship, there are several precautions we are implementing. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Please stay home if you are feeling sick.
• Everyone is required to wear a face mask when in the building.
• There will be no congregating in the narthex before or after the service.
• Ushers will escort worshippers to and from designated socially distant seats in the sanctuary.
• We will have music, but there will be no singing from the pews.
• There will be no touching during the “passing of the peace.”
• We will not pass the offering plates in the service. There will be a basket in the back of the sanctuary for tithes, gifts, and offerings. You can also give through the USPS or online through our website (www.discoverstmark.org).
• On communion Sundays, we will provide everyone with an individually prewrapped bread and cup.
• Children are welcome to worship with their families. There will not be Children’s Church or nursery care.

The Session will continue to monitor the situation and examine best practices for other church activities moving forward. We will have more information in the coming weeks. Please look at the newsletter, bulletin, website, and social media for additional details. If you have any specific questions, I encourage you to contact the church office. I am thrilled with the thought of worshipping together in the near future. God is good! All the time!

In Hope and Confidence,
Pastor Dave, Pastor MP, and the St. Mark Session

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1, NRSV)

Worship Service April 25

 April 25, 2021 

10:00 am Sunday Virtual Service 

ORDER OF WORSHIP

CENTERING PRAYER 

We are your people, O God – the sheep of your pasture, the flock you gather. Lead us beside still waters; teach us the way of righteousness; and feed us at your table; through Jesus Christ, our good shepherd. Amen.

PRELUDE      Joyous Procession       Lorenz 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

The Lord Jesus Christ is our shepherd.

He lays down his life for his sheep.

The Lord Jesus Christ is our shepherd.

He knows us, and we belong to him.

The Lord Jesus Christ is our shepherd.

He speaks, and we listen for his voice.

† HYMN      “Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us”      Hymnal #187

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Lord, have mercy on us. We talk about love, but our actions betray us. We talk about love, but we neglect the poor. We talk about love, but we fail to love one another. Lord, have mercy on us. Forgive us, and abide in us by the power of your Spirit so that our lives may show our love for Jesus Christ, in whose name we continue to pray. (Silent Confession)

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

 † SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST 

The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. 

SCRIPTURE                     John 10:11-18 

SERMON      “Know Your Worth”      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

 

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the goods of the world and sees a sibling in need, yet refuses to help? With love of God and neighbor, let us offer our lives to the Lord. Please pray with me.

 

Gracious God, we give you thanks for showing us the meaning of love through Jesus Christ. Show us how to share this love by giving our lives for one another; to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC      My Shepherd Will Supply My Need       arr. Medley

 Emmersen Douglas, voice & Declan Phipps, cello 

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

† HYMN      “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling”      Hymnal #418 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION RESPONSE      “Be Joyful”      Kaiser 

POSTLUDE      The Kind of Love My Shepherd Is        Irish Melody 

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

Scripture for April 25, 2021

 1 John 3:16-24

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

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Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

Daily Prayer April 23

 Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Daily Readings for Friday, April 23, 2021

• Morning Psalms 96; 148
• First Reading Daniel 6:1-15
• Second Reading 2 John 1-13
• Gospel Reading Luke 5:12-26
• Evening Psalms 49; 138

God, our creator, you have given us work to do and call us to use our talents for the good of all. Guide us as we work, and teach us to live in the Spirit who made us your sons and daughters, in the love that made us sisters and brothers. Remember, O God, your church. Unite it in the truth of your Word and empower it in ministry to the world. Remember the world of nations. By your Spirit renew the face of the earth; let peace and justice prevail. Remember our family and friends. Bless them and watch over them; be gracious to them and give them peace. Remember the sick and the suffering, the aged and the dying. Encourage them and give them hope. Rejoicing in the communion of saints, we remember with thanksgiving all your faithful servants, whom you have called from this life. We are grateful that for them death is no more, nor is there sorrow, crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

Go forth into the world, rejoicing in 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.)