Jingle Mingle and Christmas Musical

 Our Musical this year is called "Christmas County Spelling Bee" and will be presented on December 3 @ 4 pm. For more information, contact lgilliland@discoverstmark.org.

Jingle Mingle with your St. Mark family on Sunday, December 3rd from 5 pm to 7 pm! Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share, Fellowship will provide a delicious punch! If you are attending the Children's Musical at 4 pm, we hope that you will join us for a mingle after the performance! There will be plenty of food and treats for children and adults!

Worship Prayers for November 26

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

God of majesty, you love us with an everlasting love and show us the way to justice and peace. In Jesus Christ you reconciled the whole world to you and claimed us as your own, that we may live as his body on earth and, with all the saints, enter your glory on the last day. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

The Lord God is our shepherd.

We are the people of God’s pasture,

the sheep of God’s hand.

God will seek the lost,

feed the hungry,

and strengthen the weak.

But the proud and power-hungry

will be fed with justice.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Sovereign God, we confess we are not ready for your holy realm. You guide us toward right paths, but we refuse to follow where you lead. You love, feed, and care for us, but we fail to love and serve others. Forgive us, merciful God, so that we may return to your fold and rejoice in your presence. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, the Lamb upon the throne. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Confession of 1967 9.54

 

Biblical visions and images of the rule of Christ, such as a heavenly city, the household of God, a new heaven and earth, a marriage feast, and an unending day culminate in the image of the kingdom. The kingdom represents God’s triumph over all that resists the divine will and disrupts God’s creation. Already God’s reign is present as a ferment in the world, stirring hope in all people and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption.

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

In gratitude for the immeasurable gift of Jesus Christ, let us bring our tithes and offerings to God.

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray… Holy God, use us, and these gifts to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and honor your presence in all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Scripture November 25 and 26

 Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Read full chapter

One of a series of photos by Nick Thompson of a set of mosaic panels in the church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna. The panels are high up and not well lit. A tip my hat to the Nick for what he achieved. See the full set here: www.flickr.com/photos/pelegrino/sets/72157624125438256/wi...

Daily Prayer November 24

 The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send

out laborers into his harvest.

Daily Readings for Friday, November 24, 2023

• Morning Psalms 88; 148
• First Reading Nehemiah 9:26-38
• Second Reading Revelation 22:6-13
• Gospel Reading Matthew 18:10-20
• Evening Psalms 6; 20

God, you are the well-spring of life. Pour into our hearts the living water of your grace that we may be refreshed to live this day in joy, confident of your presence and empowered by your peace. Protect your people, O God, and keep us safe until the coming of your new dawn and the establishment of your righteous rule. By your Holy Spirit, stir up within us a longing for the light of your new day, and guide us by the radiance of Jesus Christ your Son, our risen Lord. Almighty God, guide the nations of the world into ways of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Compassionate God, your Son gives rest to those weary with heavy burdens. Heal the sick in body, mind, and spirit. Lift up the depressed. Befriend those who grieve. Comfort the anxious. Fill all people with your Holy Spirit that they may bear each other's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. (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; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, remain with you always.

(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 Prayers

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

O God, the gift of your Son is the life-changing treasure that is truly beyond all value. Your generosity and goodness astound us! Inspire us to teach your commandments and share your gospel, that all may enter into the joy of Christ. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 90)

 

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations;

You have been our home throughout all the ages.

You were there before the world was made and will be forever.

From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Loving God, we confess we sin by not honoring you or one another. In your light, we see our iniquities and our wayward deeds. We should live thankful lives, but we grumble against our neighbors and covet what others have. Renew us, restore us, and bring us back to you. We cannot live without your forgiveness. (Silent Confession)

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

In giving to the Lord, we grow closer to God. Let us offer our life and labor to the One who draws near and freely gives the treasure of eternal life in Christ.

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray. Loving God, you are our home and dwelling place forever. Thank you for giving your people a gift beyond all value, the treasure of eternal life. Bless our gifts we offer you this day. With them may we share your love with others, that all may enter into your eternal joy. Amen.

 

Scripture for November 19

 

Matthew 25:14-30 

The Parable of the Bags of Gold

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Read full chapter

The Parable of the Talents, depicted by artist Andrei Mironov

Daily Prayer November 17

The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor and release to the

captives.

Daily Readings for Friday, November 17, 2023

• Morning Psalms 130; 148
• First Reading Nehemiah 12:27-31a, 42b-47
• Second Reading Revelation 19:11-16
• Gospel Reading Matthew 16:13-20
• Evening Psalms 32; 139

Almighty God, you sent Jesus to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us with your Spirit, that we too may bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive. As you have made this day, O God, you also make the night. Give light for our comfort. Come upon us with quietness and still our souls, that we may listen for the whisper of your Spirit and be attentive to your nearness in our dreams. Empower us to rise again in new life to proclaim your praise, and show Christ to the world, for he reigns forever and ever. Holy God, from whom every family on earth takes its name: Strengthen parents to be responsible and loving that their children may know security and joy. Lead children to honor parents by compassion and forgiveness. May all people discover your parental care by the respect and love given them by others. (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.)

Surviving the Holidays

 

The Holidays are fast approaching, and the hustle and bustle of this happy season will soon begin. For some people, however, this time of year is anything but happy. The holidays have a completely different feeling when you have lost a loved one. Going out to parties, being with people is not what you want to do. Join us for Surviving the Holidays. It is a one-time two-hour session that will try to help you find the tools to get through the holidays. If you have any questions, contact Pastor MP at mpanco@discoverstmark.org

Christmas Dinner

From St. Mark's booklet "Thoughts on Advent"

December 22, 1984

Scripture:  Romans 16:25-27

Christmas dinner was a plate of spaghetti at 8:00 p.m. in a bamboo busha mess hall after a long, grueling day of unloading truck parts from the rail siding--parts desperately needed to build the Ledo Road into China.

The other lieutenant with me looked at the spaghetti and with ample sarcasm said, "Oh, this is great! This is what we always have at home on Christmas Day!"

This was Christmas, 1943 in Assam, a northeastern province of India.  We had waited for weeks for this shipment of parts, while more and more vehicles broke down in the mud and muck.  Since Christmas was expected to be a casual day of light duty, the arrival of our so-called presents was not a time of cheer.

The "goods wagon," as the freight cars are known in India, had to be unloaded as soon as possible.  We used gangs of coolies to help our Gi's unload the heavy boxes.  Coolies were paid about $15 a month, plus a minimal amount of food and a place to sleep in a bamboo shack.

Time has dimmed the memory of why we ended up with canned spaghetti,instead of the special fare of canned shredded chicken.  Fortunately, we were able to temper our feelings with a blend of humorous sarcasm.

I can only hope our hard-driven coolies had the same gifts to soothe their loss of a pleasant Christmas. Day.  As I think back, we gave little thought to their feelings and welfare.  If we had noticed that in this poverty-ridden group were a few fellow Christians who knew the meaning of Christ, wouldn't our day have been really enhanced?

This piece was written in 1984 by our former member Ted O' Neill.  We welcome other contributions from members on a Christmas memory or  an inspirational piece.