Scripture for July 2

 

Scripture for July 1 and 2

 Genesis 22:1-14

Abraham Tested

The Angel Hinders the Offering of Isaac, 
by Rembrandt, 1635 
(Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg)

22 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

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Daily Prayer June 30

 

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a humble spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Daily Readings for Friday, June 30, 2023

• 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

Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ and make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our daily lives, make us attentive to your voice and alert to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else. O God, you are infinite, eternal and unchangeable, glorious in holiness, full of love and compassion, abundant in grace and truth. Your works everywhere praise you, and your glory is revealed in Jesus Christ our Savior.

Therefore we praise you, blessed and holy Trinity, one God, forever and ever. Eternal God, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through him.

(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.)

ABC Sale

 

CALENDARS – 2023 ABC SALE! Workdays are July 29 – August 3 & Sale days are August 4 and 5 Start saving your treasures! As always, the sale is a great opportunity for fellowship and outreach to the community. This is our largest fundraiser of the year to support our local mission partners. Co-Chairs: Glenn Knopf, Joyce Blackwell, Pam Ladley

Worship Prayers June 25

 CENTERING PRAYER 

O God, I praise you as I arise this morning. You are the giver of all life and you provide for what you have made. Be with my spirit this day and teach me to be thankful for all that you offer. Be near to me and help me to trust your love. I pray for all the world today, for what I do has effects far beyond what I can know or understand. Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP 

Do not be afraid: God hears our cries when we are lost. Do not be afraid: God does not leave us abandoned. Do not be afraid: God is with us, now and always.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

God of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac, God of Hagar and Ishmael, who gave us your Son, Jesus Christ the crucified, send your Holy Spirit to help us confess and truly repent of our sins. We turn against one another; we fail to care for the weak and poor among us. We pay no heed to the cries of the powerless; we seek our own advantage. Your Son emptied himself upon a Roman cross and revealed your eternal, self-giving love. Forgive us, merciful God. Wipe sin from our lives and let us find ourselves

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.

Scripture for June 24 and 25

 Genesis 22:1-14

Abraham Tested

The Angel Hinders the Offering of Isaac,
by Rembrandt, 1635
(Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg)

22 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

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Daily Prayer June 23

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.

Daily Readings for Friday, June 23, 2023

• 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

Eternal God, Author of our life and End of our pilgrimage: Guide us by your Word and Spirit amid all perils and temptations, that we may not wander from your way, nor stumble in the darkness; but may finish our course in safety, and come to our eternal rest in you. Eternal God, your hand shaped our lives by grace and your hand rescued us from sin by love. May your hand guide us through this day, shielding us from all evil, strengthening us to do justice and love. Enable us, O God, to do all things as unto you; that small things may be filled with greatness, and great things may be crowned with humility. O God, whom we cannot love unless we love our neighbors, remove hate and prejudice from us and from all people, so that your children may be reconciled with those we fear, resent, or threaten; and live together in your peace. (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.)

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 in Gleason Hall. 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.

JUNE FOOD PANTRY MOST WANTED 

• Boxed potato mixes & rice mixes 

• Jelly & peanut butter 

• Canned diced tomatoes 

• Dry beans 

• Kid friendly cereal 

• Size 6 diapers 

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 June 18

 CENTERING PRAYER 

God of wonder, you appeared to Abraham as three persons; you reveal your fullness in your Son Jesus Christ. Your Spirit fills your people with hope through the peacemaking cross of Jesus. Gather us as Christ’s faithful disciples and empower us with his good news, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP 

Friends in Christ, let us gather in the shelter of God’s presence. 

Let us bless the Lord, for God has wondrously shown us steadfast love. 

God is indeed our rock and our refuge. 

God guides us and leads us 

Into God’s hands we commit our spirits, for God has redeemed us. 

Abundant is the goodness that the Lord has stored up for those who worship God!

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

Holy Three-in-One, we confess we do not know how to look for you. We do not sense your nearness, nor are we aware of angels among us. We do not show hospitality to strangers as Abraham did to you. We do not trust that our hardships can be transformed by your Spirit. Covenant keeper, forgive us. Enable us to laugh with joy because your grace has made peace among us. Open us with your grace that we may extend gracious hospitality to others. (Silent Confession)

PRAYER OF DEDICATION 

Holy One, we offer our gifts in gratitude for your ongoing love and abundance, for your promises always kept, for your hope in Jesus which brings us life. Use our offerings and our lives for your purposes in the world. In the name of Jesus our Savior. 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

Scripture for June 17 and 18

 Romans 5:1-8, Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7

Peace and Hope

Abraham and the Three Angels,
watercolor by James Tissot,
c. 1896–1902

5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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The Three Visitors

18 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord,[a] do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”

“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs[b] of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.

“There, in the tent,” he said.

10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

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Footnotes

1. Genesis 18:3 Or eyes, Lord
2. Genesis 18:6 That is, probably about 36 pounds or about 16 kilograms

Genesis 21:1-7

New International Version

The Birth of Isaac

21 Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac[a] to the son Sarah bore him. 4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

6 Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” 7 And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

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Daily Prayer June 16

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

Lord Jesus.

Daily Readings for Friday, June 16, 2023

• Morning Psalms 84; 148
• First Reading Song of Solomon 2:8-13; 4:1-4a, 5-7, 9-11
• Second Reading 2 Corinthians 12:11-21
• Gospel Reading Luke 19:41-48
• Evening Psalms 25; 40

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.)

YOUTH MISSION TRIP, JUNE 11-17

Please pray for the youth mission team, our on the ground TEAMeffort leaders, and the people and communities in Puerto Rico that we will be stepping alongside. Our team consists of one pastor, 5 other adult leaders, and 8 youth! We plan to give our mission report later this summer. We thank you all for your continued support of this ministry! God is good! they bring Christian service to an area desperately in need of help.

Daily Prayer June 9

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

Daily Readings for Friday, June 9, 2023

• Morning Psalms 88; 148
• First Reading Deuteronomy 26:1-11
• Second Reading 2 Corinthians 8:16-24
• Gospel Reading Luke 18:9-14
• Evening Psalms 6; 20

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.)

Message from MP

 

The month of June seems to bring the human concept of milestones into acute focus. There are ceremonies and parties acknowledging and celebrating graduates moving from one grade level to the next with an extra portion of “good luck’s” and “you’ll do greats” for those who are embarking on the journey to college, internships and apprenticeships, and the open job market. Summer prompts many of us to take vacations or to explore our home cities a little more closely. There are summer weddings, family and class reunions, backyard BBQs, and outdoor theater or hiking excursions. 

Although the weather of course has something to do with our sudden desire to get out and about, I hypothesize that we are also somewhat conditioned to see the summer in this way. The most obvious reason is that the school year here in the United States typically takes a summer break allowing school age folks a time of rest from their studies. In this empty space, the vacuum we call summer, there is an opportunity to rest and renew. And it is at that precise moment when books are put aside and the days are freed from the constant Pavlov dogs’-like bell ringing movements of the school day, that we begin to fill our days with other “to-do’s”. 

A vacuum by itself does not exert force, it is simply empty. However, we often press or force things into the vacuum, in this case the empty summer. I realize that this scenario is not applicable to everyone and yet I do believe that the general idea here is familiar to most of us. As we enter this particular summer, let us cease a bit from our doing, and rest in God’s Sabbath time. Let us listen to what the Holy Spirit has to tell us in this time of separation; church from pastor. Let us seek to adhere to God’s fourth commandment to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. As we journey the time together, throughout these three months of Pastor Dave’s sabbatical, I encourage you to pray intensely, listen intently, and act intentionally. 

What message of hope, word for the day, or vision for the future is God speaking to you? Peace and blessings, 

Pastor MP

Vacation Bible School

 

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!Click here  to register your family today!! 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES! We are looking for volunteers for VBS preparation! We kick off with a VBS potluck and prep on July 7 at 5:30 pm. Please use this SignUpGenius link to sign up for the potluck and other VBS prep volunteer opportunities. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4DA4AD2FAA F94-vbsprep2

STEPHEN MINISTERS

Stephen Ministers offer one-on one confidential care to anyone who wishes to receive it. Your Stephen Ministers help meet the needs of hospital patients, nursing home residents, new mothers, divorced or bereaved persons along with persons facing various stressors and transitions of life. St. Mark provides Grief Share classes and referrals. The majority of this Christian care is to St. Mark members, we also minister to persons throughout the community based on referrals from St. Mark members and other community resources. If we can be of service please notify the church office or call Bette Nuzum.

Order of Worship for June 4

 ORDER OF WORSHIP 

CENTERING PRAYER God, who labored creation into being, we give thanks for this day and the privilege to work in your world. We pray this day for those for whom this Lord’s Day is not a day of rest but of toil, for those who cannot afford to take Sabbath, and for those who believe they cannot afford to take Sabbath. Grant us the strength to labor for what is right, just, and fair as well as the wisdom to speak out for those who are enslaved, oppressed, and exploited. Bless us the ability to break the chains of injustice, to hear the voices of people long silenced, and for the privilege to work in your world; may we make it better. Amen. 

PRELUDE Now Let Us Rejoice Franklin D. Ashdown 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

CALL TO WORSHIP Sing praises to the Lord, for God has done gloriously; let us sing God’s praises throughout all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, from the highest peaks, to the deepest caverns. Shout aloud and sing for joy, from the tiniest creatures, to the greatest herds. Shout aloud and sing for joy, in the midst of our joys and our sorrows. Shout aloud and sing for joy, as we come to worship the God of all creation! 

† HYMN “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service” Hymnal #761 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of peace, we confess we are a people of fear. We have let anxiety rule our days and worry our nights. We have been distracted by nerves and focused on tension. We confess we have ignored your command not to be afraid. Forgive us, O God. Calm our hearts, settle our stomachs, and renew in us the ability to find our comfort in you. (Silent Confession) 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON 

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

 † GLORIA PATRI Hymnal #581 

TIME WITH CHILDREN (Sunday Worship) Rev. Carol Devaughan 

SCRIPTURE Luke 21:5-19 

SERMON “When Change is Normal” Rev. Ryan Landino 

† 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. 

† HYMN “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah” Hymnal #65 

OFFERTORY Special Music by Alan Naylor 

† THE DOXOLOGY Hymnal #606 

THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION 

Invitation to the Table 

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer 

Words of Institution 

Sharing of the Bread & Cup

Come, Now is the Time to Worship Brian Doerksen Chancel Bells arr. Douglas Wagner 

Prayer After Communion 

† HYMN “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” Hymnal #610 

† CHARGE AND BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE We are One in the Spirit Hymnal #300 Verse 1 

POSTLUDE Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr Johann S. Bach