How Do We Uncover our Faith Stories?

Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. I Peter 3:15 (The Message) 

Seek examples of other writers and their faith Discover how you can write about your faith experience 

Share writing for yourself / for people you trust/ for people you don’t know. 

Sign up to read one of these four books (above) and be part of a book group reading to understand and write faith stories that answer “why you’re living the way you are.” 

See the display of books and sign-up list in the Narthex after church on Sunday. Otherwise sign-up with Bill Tucker. The groups will start meeting in June, but you can start reading now!

Rise Against Hunger

 

You are invited to join a Meal Packaging Experience with St. Mark Presbyterian Church in the movement to end hunger on Saturday, June 24, from 10 am – 12 pm. Come join us as we partner with Rise Against Hunger to pack 10,000 meals that will be sent to feed people around the world. The event is for all ages and abilities. Go to discoverstmark.org to register to participate and/or to donate to this event.

MAY FOOD PANTRY MOST WANTED

 • Canned Fruit 

• Canned Spinach 

• Crackers • Dish Soap*

 •Adult Depends* 

• Pullups and Baby Wipes* 

All year long, we collect food and hygiene items for Circle of Concern and Isaiah 58 Ministries. Please place your donations on the table in the pastors’ hallway. *Non-food products cannot be purchased with food stamps.

 

Worship Prayers for May 28

 CENTERING PRAYER

Holy God, like a rushing wind, your Spirit moved upon the first disciples on the day of Pentecost, and, like a purifying fire, your Spirit seared their hearts and minds with the message of salvation. Send your Spirit upon your church in this time and place, stir up our courage, and rouse us for prophetic witness, that we may join with them to proclaim to the world your mighty deeds of power in Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Come to Jesus, you who are thirsty.

Alleluia!

Drink deeply of the Holy Spirit.

Alleluia!

Let your heart overflow with the living water

that renews the face of the earth.

Alleluia! Thanks be to God.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

God of new creation, we confess we fail to trust your bountiful goodness. By the power of the Holy Spirit, you brought forth the earth and its creatures in abundance. Yet, we hoard earth’s resources and refuse to share your gifts. We dishonor your generosity by withholding our charity to those in need. We betray your kindness by dealing harshly with our enemies. We disregard your compassion by severely judging the sins of others. Forgive us. By the power of your Spirit, renew our hearts and free us from sins that we may enjoy the fullness of your blessing upon all creation. (Silent Confession)

 

 

 

 

OFFERING

 

With thanksgiving for God’s gifts to us, let us offer ourselves and the fruits of our labor for God’s work in the world. Let us pray…

 

Almighty God, we have opened our hands to you, and you’ve filled them with good things. Receive the gifts we bring in gratitude for your care for us, and help us to bless you with the dedication of our lives; through Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Scripture for May 27 and 28

 Acts 2:1-21

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[c]

Read full chapter

Daily Prayers May 26

If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Daily Readings for Friday, May 26, 2023

• Morning Psalms 96; 148
• First Reading Ezekiel 34:17-31
• Second Reading Hebrews 8:1-13
• Gospel Reading Luke 10:38-42
• Evening Psalms 49; 138

New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us the desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. God of all times and places, in Jesus Christ, lifted up on the cross, you opened for us the path to eternal life. Grant that we, being born again of water and the Spirit, may joyfully serve you in newness of life and faithfully walk in your holy ways. God of all joy, fill our souls to overflowing with the fullness of your grace. Lord, remind us of your triumph over the tragedy of the cross, and your victory for us over the powers of sin and death, so that we may reflect your glory as disciples of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. (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.)

YOUTH MISSION TRIP, JUNE 11-17

Pray for our St. Mark youth mission team and for the communities we will encounter! - Pastor MP

 Summer 2023 offers more opportunities than ever for middle and high school youth groups to put their faith into action through challenging and rewarding youth mission trips! Groups will complete projects such as repairing and renovating homes for families in need, building mission and ministry facilities, leading children's outreach programs, working at homeless shelters, responding to natural disasters, and reaching out to individuals and communities through Christian service. The island of Puerto Rico has many opportunities for ministry and service within communities where families struggle with poverty every day. On this overseas mission trip, youth will be able to serve in one of the poorest communities by passing out food and through community outreach ministries in the neighborhood and at the local parks. Groups will also serve through hands-on projects such as home repair and renovation. Your youth will be able to experience a different culture and come to love the children and families of Puerto Rico as they bring Christian service to an area desperately in need of help.

Worship Prayers for May 21

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

Redeeming God, you call us to be one with you, as you are one with Christ. Your perfect love casts out our fear and fills us with your love. Unite us by your Spirit of peace that we may be one with you now and forever. Amen.

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Let the righteous be joyful!

Let them rejoice before God.

Let us all be jubilant with joy!

Sing to God, all peoples of the world.

Sing praises to God most high.

From the sanctuary of heaven,

God gives live and renews the face of the earth.

Let the righteous be joyful!

Let them rejoice before God.

Let us all be jubilant with joy!

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Loving God, we confess we do not always bring honor and glory to your name. We are rebellious and weak; we flee before your goodness. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us by the grace and mercy of Christ, that we may rise up again in peace to love and serve the world. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

 

OFFERING

 

Jesus said to the Father, all that are mine are yours and all that are yours are mine. Therefore, let us offer to God this day our lives and labors in service of Christ’s love. Let us pray…

 

Glorious God, everything given to us rains forth out of the abundance of your love, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. Bless these gifts and our lives together that all we are and all we offer give glory to you. We pray in the name of Christ, who is the way, truth, and life. Amen.

Scripture for May 20 and 21

  

Acts 1:6-14

Garofalo 1520

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[a] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Read full chapter

Daily Prayers May 19

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord. I know them and they follow me; and I give them eternal life.

Daily Readings for Friday, May 19, 2023

• Morning Psalms 96; 148
• First Reading Ezekiel 1:28-3:3
• Second Reading Hebrews 4:14-5:6
• Gospel Reading Luke 9:28-36
• Evening Psalms 49; 138

---

God of our forebears, as your chosen servant Abraham was given faith to obey your call and go out into the unknown, so may your church be granted such faith that we may follow you with courage for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. God of love, as you have given your life to us, so may we live according to your holy will revealed in Jesus Christ. Make us bold to share your life, and show your love, in the power of your Holy Spirit. Mighty God, sovereign over the nations, direct those who make, administer, and judge our laws; the President of the United States and others in authority among us; that, guided by your wisdom, they may lead us in the way of righteousness. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

(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.)

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

Look for our Summer Sundays and VBS Volunteer Table on May 21st before and after the morning

service! Find out how to simply give of your time one hour/once a month during the summer months AND/OR how to "say YES TO VBS!" and join our team the week of July 17-21 from 9 am - 12:00 pm. 

Latisha Gilliland will be available to answer any questions you may have - we are so excited about what God is going to do in St. Mark Children's Ministry! 

VBS AT ST. MARK JULY 17-21 Join us for a full week of VBS fun as we are all called together to serve God at Hero Hotline! Online Registration is now open for VBS! Go to discoverstmark.org or use the QR Code to register your family today!! 

VBS LEADER AND VOLUNTEER TRAINING Training will take place on the following dates in Fellowship Hall immediately following worship: May 28, and June 25. Use the QR code or go to discoverstmark.org to register as a volunteer! 

Worship Prayers May 14

 CENTERING PRAYER

Loving God, in whom we live and move and have our being, help us to choose life in you, that we may keep the commands of Jesus, follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and witness to the hope that is within us, sharing Christ’s love in the world. Amen.

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Bless the Lord, O people, sing!

Let the sound of praise ring out.

Come and hear what the Lord has done,

the Lord who has made everything!

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy One We love you imperfectly: we do not always keep your commandments. We love each other imperfectly: we hurt those you call us to love through our actions and our inaction. We love ourselves imperfectly: we struggle to believe that we are truly your beloved creations, made in your image. Forgive us. By the power of your Spirit, make us more faithful that we might live as Christ has shown us, reflecting your love and grace.

(silent confession)

 

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS  

Because Christ lives, we also live.

Not because of anything we have done,

not because of our belief or faithfulness:

we live because Christ lives.

This is the Christ who forgives us.

This is the God who is in us.

This is the Spirit who is with us.

Alleluia! Praise be to God!

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

Q. What is our chief end?

A. Our chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy God forever.

 

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

God, the divine giver, gifts us with life and breath and all that is. In gratitude, let us offer our gifts in return for the goodness and grace of God in Christ. Let us pray.

 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING/ DEDICATION

O loving God, we give you thanks that you have placed in the hearts of your faithful people the gift of generosity and the desire to keep your commands. Bless these gifts and use them to reveal to all tribes, nations, and peoples your love in Jesus Christ. Amen.