Daily Prayer March 31

Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, we press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

Daily Readings for Friday, March 31, 2023

• Morning Psalms 22; 148
• First Reading Jeremiah 29:1 (2-3) 4-14
• Second Reading Romans 11:13-24
• Gospel Reading John 11:1-27
• Alternate Gospel John 12:1–10
• Evening Psalms 105; 130

Holy God, your Son came into the world to free us all from sin and death. Breathe upon us with the power of your Spirit, that we may be raised to new life in Christ, and serve you in holiness and righteousness all our days. By your power, great God, our Lord healed the sick and gave new hope to the hopeless. Though we cannot command or possess your power, we pray for those who want to be healed. Mend their wounds, soothe fevered brows, and make broken people whole again. Help us to welcome every healing as a sign that, though death is against us, you are for us, and have promised renewed and risen life in Jesus Christ. O God, we pray for the church in the whole world. Sanctify her life, renew her worship, give power to her witnessing, and restore her unity. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of God's Son, Jesus Christ our 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.)

Weekly Questions and Thoughts Chapter Thirteen

 • While Revelation is the best-known apocalyptic work, there are several examples throughout the Old and New Testament. 

• Many scholars refer to this chapter as Mark’s “Little Apocalypse”, and it connects with Matthew 24-25 and Luke 21. What images comes to mind when you hear the word “apocalypse”? Do you see it as hopeful or something to be feared? 

• “In a nutshell, apocalyptic literature stems from a worldview that believes that everything happening on earth represents and correlates with a larger, heavenly struggle between good and evil. It therefore reads into earthly events cosmic significance and anticipates future events on earth in light of the coming battle between the forces of God and the devil. Hence, it often tries to make sense of current events and experiences by casting them in a larger, cosmic framework and in this way give comfort to people who are currently suffering or being oppressed.” David Lose, Working Preacher 

• Jesus speaks to his disciples about the destruction of the temple, upcoming persecutions, and the need to remain faithful in all things and at all times. These are challenging texts, but they do provide substantial strength for those going through difficult times. Is there anything in this chapter that you find helpful?

 • The challenge with apocalyptic literature is the temptation to make everything about the current age. While there are certainly similarities between Jesus’ day and our own, this chapter almost certainly refers to the destruction of the second temple in 70 AD and the Romans brutal suppression of an Israeli uprising. The “Desolating Sacrilege” or the “Abomination of Desolation” is mostly likely a statue of the Roman Emperor Titus on the temple grounds.

 • The news isn’t all bad, and the chapter concludes with the need for watchfulness. The coming of the Son of Man with great power and glory is promised, and followers of Christ are encouraged to keep awake. This is more than an overused adage like, “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” This is tangible hope that God is in charge no matter what evil is happening in the current age.

Good Friday: Journey to the Cross

 Join us on Good Friday April 7th between the hours of 11 am and 7 pm for a spiritual self-guided journey through an ecumenical version of the stations of the cross.   Upon arrival you will be greeted by someone who will provide you with a map and instructions. This journey is a time for each one of us to connect with God in a special way as we contemplate the last hours of Jesus earthly life. We can then examine how those contemplations speak to our own spiritual life in Christ Jesus. For more information, contact Pastor MP.

Something to Ponder this Lent

 "Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength. . ." Psalm 8:2

"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 18:3

I'm sitting at my computer wondering what to write this year for our Lenten Devotional Booklet.

Rubbing my chin and pondering the mysteries of life, my eyes gaze upon pictures of my five "perfect" grandchildren.  Together they total less than ten years of life but already they have mastered attitudes that have eluded me for over fifty years.  They enter into life around them engaging it fully.  Laughing or crying, squealing or singing, jumping or dancing-whatever the moment calls for they seem to reach out and touch life, extracting all the emotions from the air around them, while I sit back waiting to react to life's next moment with a calm and measured response.

They see opportunities everywhere; I see problems.  They climb the stairs with the excitement of adventure in their eyes; I see danger ahead.  I want to stack the blocks high and neatly;' they want to flail their arms causing the tower to come crashing down spreading chaos and mayhem all around.  They love to try new things, learn new words, and try them out.  They find laughter in mistakes---I've forgotten how funny a blunder can be!

Learning new things is their quest.  Over and over they attempt the impossible until it is mastered.  "Why?" and "How come?" are their favorite words.  I want to learn too, but it's in one easy lesson or forget it. If only I could think of something to share this Lenten season that might help us for Easter's new life and new beginnings!

A brief prayer:  Dear God, help us all grow up and become like children. Amen

Re-printed from 2006 Lenten Devotion, R. Bruce Meyer (Interim Pastor)

Lafayette Industries

Our mission provides a choice of employment for a wide range of adults, with varying degrees of developmental disabilities, in a safe environment where they are appreciated, respected, fulfilled, and celebrated. Your support of Lafayette provides the resources for this life-changing, meaningful choice of employment.

Our 46th year has been amazing and providing us the ability to “Be Back in Full Swing” with our workday and after hour programming. This ear successes include hiring 30 new employees, award an employee our 100th gold watch for 25 years of service and accomplishing our largest production month ever in August 2022.

Our partnership with McArthur’s Bakery and the “Pioneer Café” on Kirkwood’s main street continues to be successful and award winning. In 2022 we celebrated 9 graduates from the STEPUP training program and received 2 awards. The STEPUP program received the St. Louis Business Journal Innovation in Philanthropy Award and the prestigious “Cutting Edge Award” from MACDDS.

Worship Prayers March 26

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

Merciful God, you hear our cries and honor our tears. Stir in us such a passion during worship that we might vow to give you our all, for the glory of your name. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Let our hearts exult in the Lord;

our strength is exalted in God.

Let our mouths be ever fixed in praise;

God gives us the victory.

There is no Holy One like the Lord;

there is no Rock like our God. Praise the Lord!

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

O God, who is faithful and just, we fail to help those who have little while we have much. We are boastful and haughty and fail to appreciate the gifts you give. Our arrogance leads us away from your righteous way. Forgive us, Merciful God, and lead us to a humble path, for Jesus’ sake. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

 

OFFERING

 

People of God, the Lord gives us so much. Let us praise our God through our gifts for the uplift of God’s kingdom now and the glorious age to come. Let us pray…

 

Dear god, we offer these gifts back to you. Multiply them so they might help build up your kingdom on earth. All glory, praise, and honor are due to you, now and forever. Amen.

For the complete bulletin, click here.

Scripture for March 25 and 26

Titus Destroying Jerusalem 
by Wilhelm von Kaulbach (1846)

 Mark 13:1-8 

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Read full chapter

Daily Prayer March 24

 

Know this: The Lord alone is God; we belong to the Lord, who made us; we are God’s people and the sheep of God’s pasture.

Daily Readings for Friday, March 24, 2023

• Morning Psalms 22; 148
• First Reading Jeremiah 23:1-8
• Second Reading Romans 8:28-39
• Gospel Reading John 6:52-59
• Evening Psalms 105; 13

Eternal God, protector of all who put their trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Fill us with your mercy and your grace, that, with you to rule and guide, we may so use the good things of this present life that we do not neglect those of eternal worth. Give us the courage and faith to accept life as it comes, confident that the future is yours and that we belong to you forever. O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son. Look with compassion on the whole human family, take away the arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts, break down the walls that separate us, unite us in bonds of love,

and, through our struggle and confusion, work to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of God's Son, Jesus Christ our 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.)

Weekly Questions and Thoughts

Mark 11 and 12

After Jesus’ authority is questioned: 

• Why do you think Jesus talked to his audience in parables?

 • Why these particular parables?

 • Who are the players in the stories? 

• Can you identify yourself in any of the parables? 

• What does it mean to love God with all your heart, mind, and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself? 

• What can you do to watch out for the oppressed, the widows, the orphans, or people less fortunate?

Children's Ministry

 VBS "HERO HOTLINE" - Registration is now open for this summer's VBS from July 17-21 (9-12p.m.).  The cost is $15/child ($40/3or more siblings).

JERUSALEM FESTIVAL - Don't miss a chance to let your kids process into worship waving palms with the animals (10:00 a.m.)!  Experience the Jerusalem marketplace with crafts, light fare, petting zoo, grape stomping and so much more!  On Sunday,  April 2nd from 11:00 - 12:30 p.m. in Gleason Hall (gym).

BUNNY BREAKFAST - Saturday, April 8th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Free donuts, picture with the Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunts for 3 & under (10:30am); PreK-K (10:50am); 1st & 2nd grade (11:10am); All ages (11:30am).  This is an outside event (in case of inclement weather we will move inside)

CHILDREN'S SPRING MUSICAL - "Under God's Sea in 3D" - Join us on Sunday, April 23 at 4 p.m. in the St. Mark Presbyterian Church as our SMP choir and Pre-K choir leads us with dramatic story and song deep into God's World and Word!

May Peace Prevail

Before you reach the marketplace called Kilaeua, there is an Episcopal Church which blends the Hawaiian and mainland cultures in its service and in the rich flora around its building. Kathy (first spouse) and our friends Gail and Karen attended there in  2015 and felt the blessing of cultural acceptance in the people and the building. I am still wearing a flowered short-sleeved shirt I bought in their Thrift Shop.

Victoria and I stopped and prayed in the same open sanctuary on Thursday and walked the labyrinth in the back that led to the Peace Pole at its center.

I was most struck by the stained glass window near the front of the sanctuary portraying Christ in the open- handed beckoning gesture to the world, as if in timely supplication to the war-torn continent.  Every Christ portrayal seems to have its own cultural bias, and this one seemed a little East European to me with it fair skin and high forehead.

 

 

 

In contrast, we saw another peacemaker portrayed below with his fellow tribesman: King Kamehameha. This king conquered the warring tribes with steel weapons he purchased from the Europeans.  According to the dedication accompanying the council painting below, King K dedicated his life to bringing peace to the islands by conquest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could this also be what Vladimir Putin had in mind in uniting the peoples of Eastern Europe, one country at a time? Or does he have more of “Lebensraum” mentality like his predecessor, Adolf Hitler, who was not satisfied with assimilating the German-speaking lands, but advanced eastward and southward into Europe to bring all Aryan peoples together?

Peace in our time is more likely to come from the beckoning Christ than the uncompromising warrior, but, again, Christ said his kingdom was not of this world. Perhaps it is something we find at the end of a labyrinth.

 

Re-printed with permission of the author Bill Tucker who originally published this on his personal blog https://wtucker.edublogs.org/category/spiritual/page/4/

Presbyterian Children's Homes

 

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services is a faith-based Christian organization. We provide Christ-centered care and support to children and families in need. We strive to serve like Jesus. We focus on our clients’ strengths rather than their weaknesses. And we encourage our clients to focus on their futures rather than their pasts. We help our clients find hope and know the love of God.

We started in 1914 when four Presbyterian ministers in Farmington saw a need for an orphanage due to all the mining accidents in that region. As years passed, we created additional programs throughout the state of Missouri with the biggest focus on child abuse, neglect and abandonment.

Now serving approximately 4,500 at-risk children and families across Missouri, Texas and Louisiana, we work diligently to provide children of all ages with permanent homes and help parents achieve self-sufficiency. We are always seeking more effective approaches to help our children heal and prosper. Recently when we saw that the needs of the Farmington community and St. Francois County had changed, we responded with several new programs and methods of treatment to give each child and family the opportunity to find their strengths, overcome obstacles and build futures.

Worship Prayers March 19

 

CENTERING PRAYER Gracious God, seeker of the lost: draw your children back to your loving embrace, restore us to our inheritance as daughters and sons, and reconcile our hearts to you, that we may become ambassadors of your reconciling love to all the world. Through Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen. 

CALL TO WORSHIP We come to sanctify ourselves. We come seeking to be worthy of our call. The Lord looks not at our outward selves, but seeks to know what is in our hearts. Let us learn what is pleasing to the Lord, that we might live as children of the Most High. 

 PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful God, we confess that we have strayed from your ways. Like the Prodigal Son, we have wasted our inheritance. You gave us the earth for our home, but we squander earth’s resources and hoard its bounty. You gave us neighbors to love, but we pursue selfish ambitions. You gave us the commandments that lead to human flourishing, but we break your law and forsake your love. Forgive us our sin and bring us to repentance. Draw our wandering hearts back to you that we may find freedom in obedience to your love. Through Christ our Lord we pray. (silent confession) 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 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. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 

For the complete bulletin, click here.

Scripture for March 18 and 19

 Mark 11:27-12:1a, 37b

James Tissot - The Pharisees Question Jesus 

(Les pharisiens questionnent Jésus) - Brooklyn Museum

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”

31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

The Parable of the Tenants

12 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.

Mark 12:37

New International Version

37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

The large crowd listened to him with delight.

Daily Prayer March 17

 

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, March 17, 2023

• Morning Psalms 22; 148
• First Reading Jeremiah 11:1-8, 14-17
• Second Reading Romans 6:1-11
• Gospel Reading John 8:33-47
• Evening Psalms 105; 130

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.)

Weekly Questions and Thoughts

 

We are in the third week of Lent, but Mark’s gospel is already at the beginning of Holy Week with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. There’s a lot of rich material for us, and here are some questions to consider. 

• Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is one of the events that takes place in all four gospels. It is obviously important to the larger story and gives a good, if incomplete and misunderstood, view of Christ as King. Jesus sends two unnamed disciples to obtain a donkey colt who has never been saddled. Why do you think Jesus wanted a donkey instead of a horse or a chariot? What do you believe this symbolized? 

• On the surface, it might feel like the disciples are stealing this animal. Jesus tells them to give the answer, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately” if anyone asks them what they are doing. Do you think Jesus planned this with the owner beforehand? If so, why is this significant? 

• One of the greatest conundrums in the gospels is how Sunday’s cheers turned into Friday jeers. What do you make of this? Do you think it was the same people in both stories? Why should this matter to us today? 

• There’s a rather disturbing story of Jesus cursing a fig tree in this week’s reading. Does this account bother you? What do you believe Jesus was trying to teach, and what can we learn from this incident?

 • We hear about Jesus cleansing the temple and driving out those who were buying, selling, and changing money. This greatly upset the chief priests and the scribes, and they began to look for ways to kill him. What is it about challenging the economy and livelihoods that upset people then and today? What are some tables that need to be overturned in our own culture and lives?

 • At the end of the chapter, the leaders question Jesus’ authority again. This push back largely occurs because Jesus is challenging the status quo. What is it about change that elicits these kinds of responses?

Easter Lillies

 

St. Mark will continue our tradition of using lilies to beautify our sanctuary on Easter Sunday. The lily is mentioned frequently throughout the bible and serves today as a beautiful reminder of the significance of the Easter season. Easter lilies grace homes and churches each spring as a symbol of purity, joy, hope and life. We encourage you to order one or more lilies to brighten your home. Consider ordering a plant to be delivered to a homebound member as a tangible reminder of their spiritual connection to St Mark. The cost is $8.75 per plant. Order forms can be found by the flower chart on the easel in the Narthex. A portion of this year’s Easter lily cost will go to our mission partners. If you have any questions, contact Carolyn McBee.

Photo by Serafima Lazarenko on Unsplash

Presbyterian Women Candy Sales

  PW Candy Sales are Back! Just in time for Easter!

 

Delicious handmade Salted Caramel and Chocolate Bark

(with or without almonds)  $10.00 per 8 oz. box.

 

Candy is made to order and comes beautifully packaged in white boxes with ribbon bows. Each box costs $10. Please plan to bring cash or check on sale dates:   March 11&12, 18&19 and 25&26.

 

Chocolates will be available for pick up on April 1 and 2 (Palm Sunday / Jerusalem Fest weekend)

 

All proceeds go to PW Missions

 

If you can't make it to church to order your candy, you can use the attached order form and return it to church in person or by mail. If you are a shut-in we will deliver - just indicate on the order form.