Claymont Preschool

 Claymont Preschool at St. Mark Fall 2021 Registration. Registration continues for classes beginning in August. Please enroll preschoolers in your family and help spread the word to your friends and neighbors about our fabulous preschool. 

Half day classes are available for children who will be 2 years old before October 1, 2021, through pre-kindergarten. Classes meet 9:00 to 12:00 with extended day until 1:30 for older children most days. 

Claymont Preschool enjoys a wonderful reputation for excellent caring teachers and superb kindergarten readiness. 

For more information and to schedule a tour, please email Lynne Dauve, at ldauve@Discoverstmark.org.

Click here for registration forms.

Order of Worship June 27

 

CENTERING PRAYER

By your grace I arise from my bed this morning, Lord; by the power of your Spirit, I draw my breath. As the dawn brightens into day, enlighten my mind with your truth and open my heart to all those I meet, that I might reflect the light of Jesus Christ, in whose name I give thanks and praise. Amen. 

 PRELUDE      Praising!      Martin 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

CALL TO WORSHIP  

I wait for the Lord, 

my soul waits, and in God’s word I hope.  

My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning,  

more than those who watch for the morning.  

In faith, let us turn to our God, whose love is sure. 

 † HYMN      “Great is Thy Faithfulness”      Hymnal #39

PRAYER OF CONFESSION  

Trusting you does not always come easy when each day we are faced with the ugliness of the world. We do not believe that love conquers fear. We are not convinced that power comes through weakness. We cannot conceive how you could heal us. Forgive our lack of faith, O God, and renew our trust in you, for we would be disciples of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen. 

 ASSURANCE OF GRACE

 † SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST 

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

†GLORIA PATRI 

TIME WITH CHILDREN (Children 5th grade and younger may leave to attend Sunday School*) 

SCRIPTURE Mark 5: 21– 43 

SERMON     “Great Faithfulness”      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 

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

† HYMN       “I Want Jesus To Walk With Me”      Hymnal #775 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION      “We Are Marching in the Light of God”      Hymnal #853 

POSTLUDE      Promenade      Cain 

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

Scripture for June 27

 Mark 5:21-43

Raising of Jairus' Daughter by Paolo Veronese, 1546

New International Version

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman

21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing[a] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. Mark 5:36 Or Ignoring

Daily Prayer June 25, 2021

 Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving; go into the holy courts with praise; give thanks and call upon God’s name.

Daily Readings for Friday, June 25, 2021

• Morning Psalms 130; 148
• First Reading 1 Samuel 9:1-14
• Second Reading Acts 7:17-29
• Gospel Reading Luke 22:31-38
• Evening Psalms 32; 139

Almighty God, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: Give us faith to perceive his glory, that being strengthened by his grace we may be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory. O God, we pray for all international organizations of goodwill that their efforts may lead to a strengthening of those influences which make for peace. Great sacrifices have been made for war; awaken in us and in all people, O God, the willingness to make great sacrifices for peace, so that the day may be hastened when no nation shall draw the sword against another, and people no longer shall learn to fight. O Lord God, look with mercy on all whose increasing years bring them isolation, distress, or weakness. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers and the willingness to accept help; and, as their strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love. (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.

(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 in Sanctuary

 

St. Mark Presbyterian continues to worship safely by safely distancing in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings at 10 AM.  We also live stream on our YouTube channel  Discover St. Mark.  Beginning July 3, we will also begin our 5 PM Saturday worship in Fellowship Hall.

These photos are from a few weeks ago.  The pastors take a photo of the congregation each week instead of signing the ritual of friendship pads.  The photos are then used for our attendance records.  Photos from the first day back in the sanctuary,  Click here:

Discoverstmark.blogspot.com

When the Communications Committee developed the blog in  2012, we needed a way to communicate that would automatically reformat information for the up-and-coming smart phones.  We also wanted a way to have longer articles and a way to use a lot of photos which our server and the newsletter at that time couldn’t handle.

Meanwhile, we found the blog was a great way to catalog our history, give our members an opportunity to express themselves, and we were able to share our church with the world., Plus, a lot of people enjoyed getting the blog in their email in-box most mornings.

Nine years later, we have had 133,000 views, 2368 blog posts, over 1200 subscribers  and even won an award.  

While we will continue having the blog, as of July it will no longer be sent out as an e-mail.  The developer of the “widget” we use will no longer be supporting it.

We hope you will continue reading the blog using the link on the web site , follow the links on Facebook or bookmark it on your computer.

We will continue to share information about our missions, worship, activities, thoughts and prayers.  We hope you will continue reading.

Order of Worship June 20

10:00 AM Sunday Worship

CENTERING PRAYER

 

Heavenly Father, you created the world and all that is in it. The wind and the sea obey your Son. Your Holy Spirit is the source of our strength and our confidence in you. All praise be to you, our stronghold and savior. Amen.

PRELUDE      Prelude on “Mear”       G. M. Martin 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

How very good and pleasant it is when siblings live together in unity!

It is like the precious oil on the head, like the dew the falls on the mountains of Zion.

Together, let us worship God.

† HYMN      “This Is My Father’s World”       Hymnal #370

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Most merciful God, forgive us. We imagine we can live without you, when you give us our very breath. We seek control over others rather than strive to live in unity. We allow fear to overtake us, even though our lives are forever in your hands. Draw us back into your steadfast love and shape us into the likeness of your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. (Silent Confession)

 

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST 

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

†GLORIA PATRI 

TIME WITH CHILDREN (Children 5th grade and younger may leave to attend Sunday School*) 

SCRIPTURE Mark 4:26-34

 SERMON “Weathering the Storm” 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 the saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 

OFFERING       Serenity      Cumbia 

Marsha Medley, piano 

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

† HYMN      “Be Still, My Soul”       Hymnal #819 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION       “We Are Marching in the Light of God”       Hymnal #853 

POSTLUDE       Recessional in C       Sobaje 

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

 

 

Scripture for June 20

  Mark 4:35-41

Cornelis de Wael: Calming the storm 

Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Read full chapter

Daily Prayer for June 18, 2021

Good is the Lord, whose mercy is everlasting; and whose faithfulness endures from age to age.

Daily Readings for Friday, June 18, 2021

• Morning Psalms 51; 148
• First Reading 1 Samuel 3:1-21
• Second Reading Acts 2:37-47
• Gospel Reading Luke 21:5-19
• Evening Psalms 142; 65

Almighty God, you have taught us that all our deeds without love are worth nothing. Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the very bond of peace and of all goodness. Give us your hope, O God, that we may rejoice in your goodness to us and to all your children, and be thankful for your love revealed in Jesus Christ. Give strength to those who are searching together for that kind of obedience which creates unity. Heal the divisions separating your children one from another, so that they will make fast, with bonds of peace, the unity which the Spirit gives. High God, holy God: you rule the ways of peoples, and govern every earthly government. Work with those who work for your ways. Make every person in authority an agent of your reconciliation, and every diplomat an ambassador of hope. Bring peace and goodwill among all people, fulfilling among us the promise made in Jesus Christ, who was born to save the world. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord be kind and gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

(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.)

Trunk and Sidewalk Sale

ST MARK TRUNK AND SIDEWALK SALE, JUNE 19, 9am – 2pm.  The proceeds of the sale will benefit several local charities.

Items to donate include Toys, Games, Puzzles, Lawn, Garden, Outdoor Implements,Tools, Sporting Goods and Camping Gear.  

Donations for the sale will be collected Thursday, June 17, 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday, June 18, 9:15 a.m. – 12 pm.

Order of Worship June 13, 2021

 CENTERING PRAYER

God, you are the gardener of all creation. You planted this world with the seeds of your love and grow them with your faithfulness. We are your harvest; we find our meaning and sustenance in you. May our minds listen to you calling, may our hearts be attuned to your will, may our feet follow you in the world, through Jesus, the Word become flesh. Amen.

PRELUDE      God Is My Strong Salvation      Young 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 20)

 

Please LORD answer us in days of trouble!

May God grant our heart’s desire and fulfill all our plans.

May we shout for joy over your victory,

and in the name of our God set up our banners.

May the LORD fulfill all our petitions as we worship together.

† HYMN     “Open My Eyes, That I May See”     Hymnal #451 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Holy God, the parable of the mustard seed teaches us that a little faith can produce great work in your kingdom. Yet, we are too timid to bear the fruit of your righteousness, for we walk by sight and not by faith. Forgive us, Lord; we do not uphold the poor or the oppressed. We do not advocate for the powerless or the voiceless. We do not sacrifice ourselves for the needs of our neighbors. Renew us with the love of Christ so that we will live no longer for ourselves, but for Christ who became the seed of your righteousness in us. (Silent Confession)

 

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

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

†GLORIA PATRI 

TIME WITH CHILDREN (Children 5th grade and younger may leave to attend Sunday School*) 

SCRIPTURE Mark 4:26-34 

SERMON “Grains of Truth” 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      This Is My Father’s World      Medley 

Chancel Bells 

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

 † HYMN      “I Love to Tell the Story”      Hymnal #462

 † CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION “We Are Marching in the Light of God” 

POSTLUDE      Great is the Lord      Moore