The most vulnerable in our region continue to struggle with food insecurity and affording basic needs. Please bring your donations to St. Mark during office hours or worship.
· dinner “helpers”, canned fruit, condiments
· dish soap, ibuprofen
· diapers and infant care items
Isaiah 58 Ministries
· coffee, canned pasta with meat
· toilet paper, laundry detergent
· men’s and women’s new/like new tennis shoes, graphic t-shirts, athletic pants
James 1:17-27
“Broken Mirrors”
Hymns:
#32 – “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”
#610 – “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
CENTERING PRAYER
Unchanging God, you bless us forever through the Beloved One, Jesus Christ our Lord. Born again by your word of truth, let us live out your love by following your word, caring for the weak in their distress, and pursuing your reign of justice. We lift this prayer in the saving name of Jesus. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP (Song of Solomon 2)
The Redeemer meets us here this morning.
The time of singing is come.
The Lord calls us to follow.
The time of singing is come.
God’s voice echoes across the land.
The time of singing is come.
Arise, beloved, and let us worship together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Loving, righteous God, our hearts are defiled with the wickedness you hate. You call us to yourself, but we are prone to wander. We deceive ourselves and abandon your commandments. We happily honor you with our lips, but our hearts are far from you. Cleanse our hearts from evil intentions and cleanse our tongues from evil words. Forgive us of our many sins so that we may live with you and love one another. (Silent Confession)
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed
OFFERING
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. Filled by God’s generosity, let us offer our gifts with gladness through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us pray...
Living God, thank you for your gifts of life – flagrant flowers, fruitful vines, singing creatures, and our own lives, renewed in Christ. Let your grace infuse the gifts we offer so they might bless those in need. We pray this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
James 1:17-27
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven.Whoever eats of this bread will live forever.
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!
ABCs (“A Bench of Caps”) for Mound Ridge
St. Mark Youth are continuing to collect plastic lids for an “upcycled” bench for Mound Ridge. The project is designed to be a teaching tool for youth about caring for our earth.
Youth will sort and assess donations which will be delivered to Green Tree Plastics. The plastic is processed and transformed into a beautiful, durable bench. If enough acceptable plastic is donated, additional benches and tables will be manufactured.
Please review the list of acceptable caps and lids and bring your donations to St. Mark during office hours or worship.
CENTERING PRAYER
God, you bring us into your holy place and invite us to hear Christ’s words of eternal life. As you make us alive by his flesh and blood, help us to bear witness boldly to the gospel by welcoming the stranger, pursuing peace, and standing strong in the struggle of our times.
PRELUDE (Sunday Worship)f Heron
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
Our souls long, indeed they faint for your presence;
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.
Happy is everyone who trusts in you.
Come! Let us worship the One who welcomes us here.
† HYMN “Lead On, O King Eternal!” Hymnal #269
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Watchful God, you know our plight. Offended, we do not believe your words. Complaining, we betray your love. We are weak, estranged, wandering, and lost. Seeking to stand in our own strength, we fall. Strangers to your holiness, we wander. Defenseless against evil within and without, we are lost. Shine your light into our darkness, and guide us back to our place with you. (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 (Sunday Worship) (Children 5th grade and younger may leave to attend Sunday School)
SCRIPTURE Ephesians 6:10-20
SERMON “Choose the Shoes” 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 Love Grows Here Besig
Julie Hunt, Soloist
† THE DOXOLOGY
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
† HYMN “Standing on the Promises” Hymnal #838
† CHARGE AND BLESSING
† BENEDICTION “Guide My Feet” Hymnal #741
POSTLUDE (Sunday Worship) Cathedral Fanfare Young
† You are invited to stand, as you are able
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.
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.)
Celebrating with Pie! Join your church family in celebrating Pastor Dave's 4th Anniversary at St. Mark on Saturday evening, August 28th! Mark Reynosa's Trio will give a Parking Lot Concert after the Saturday 5 PM worship service. Pack yourself a picnic supper and join us for homemade pie during the intermission! Check your email for more details as the date gets closer!
Everyone is welcome to join us for St. Mark's next Parking Lot Concert on Saturday, August 28 at 7:00 PM. We will enjoy an evening of jazz music at our campus. Bring a friend, a lawn chair, and a favorite beverage as we enjoy jazz. There is no cost for the concert, but we will accept donations. Please contact the church office with any questions.
CENTERING PRAYER
Morning I praise you, Lord, and give you thanks for the gift of this new day. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Let your songs fill my heart. Give me a wise and discerning mind to walk in your way, making the most of the time as I go out among your people. Amen.
PRELUDE I’ll Praise My Maker Page
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
God is the source of wisdom,
The fount of life eternal.
Let us listen for the wisdom of God
And worship the One whose words shape the world.
† HYMN “O God, You Are My God” Hymnal #743
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Lord, the voice of your wisdom rings out in the world, guiding us to place our trust in you. The voice of your wisdom rings out in the world, challenging us to seek things that matter. Too often, O Lord, we refuse to listen. We place our trust in things that are fleeting. We seek the things that make us comfortable, rather than seeking the way of your peace. Forgive us, God of grace, and teach us to walk in the path lined by your wisdom. (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 (Sunday Worship) (Children 5th grade and younger may leave to attend Sunday School)
SCRIPTURE John 6:51-58
SERMON “Between You and Me” Rev. MP Panco
† 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 Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone Traditional/Tomlin
Sarah Burgess & Lisa Marsh, Vocalists
† THE DOXOLOGY
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
† HYMN “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” Hymnal #366
† CHARGE AND BLESSING
† BENEDICTION “We Are Marching in the Light of God” Hymnal #853
POSTLUDE Call of the Trumpets Purcell
†You are invited to stand, as you are able
John 6:51-58
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is near.
Eternal God, you taught us that the night is far spent and the day is at hand. Keep us awake and alert, watching for your kingdom, and make us strong in faith, so that when Christ comes in glory to judge the earth, we may joyfully give him praise; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. God of holiness and light, cleanse our hearts and give a new spirit to all your people, that your saving grace may be professed and proclaimed to the whole world. How great is your love, Lord God, how wide is your mercy! Never let us board up the narrow gate that leads to life with rules or doctrines that you dismiss; but give us a Spirit to welcome all people with affection, so that your church may never exclude secret friends of yours, who are included in the love of Jesus Christ, who came to save us all. Amen. (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.)
We had so much fun last year! Let’s do it again!
It’s a VIRTUAL Presbyterian Women’s Brunch!
We can bearly wait for St. Mark Women and friends to join us
at the 2021 Presbyterian Women’s Fall Brunch
Saturday, September 11, 2021 10:00 a.m.
Watch for more details in the September Messenger!
