Worship Prayers for Easter Sunday

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

Holy One, you come to us with power beyond all knowing. You lift all things out of the dust, you breathe love into every cell, you call us into communion with you, and you claim victory over death. Blessed be your holy name now and forever. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

All-knowing, all-powerful God, we confess that, even on this most holy day, we are unable to believe in the victory over death shown to us in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord. We confess our utter dependence on you not only for life but also for faith, hope, and love. Without your astonishing appearance to our ancestors and your stunning presence throughout the ages, we would be lost. Forgive us and transform us, that in every way our work and prayer will make whole what is broken and give peace on earth. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

With compassion for our needs, the Risen One stands beside us, calling our names. Let us, with that same mercy, bring forth our tithes, offerings, and gifts, to relieve the suffering of this world and proclaim far and wide the good news of resurrection life.

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray… Holy God, you shower us with gifts so abundant, we cannot measure them all. You give us life itself and the power to befriend our companions in this world. Bless these gifts for the sake of those in need. We pray this in the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Scripture and Prayer for Easter Saturday

 

The Burial of Jesus

57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, 58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. 61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.

Lord of lament, who feels the weight of sin and death, help me not move too quickly past the emotion in my heart. As I wait to celebrate tomorrow's glorious resurrection—where Jesus defeated death and sin—help me eagerly anticipate that final day when all will be made right. Amen.

Daily Prayer March 29 Good Friday

"My word shall accomplish that which I purpose," says the Lord, "and succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Daily Readings for Friday, March 29, 2024

• Morning Psalms 22; 148
• First Reading Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-33
• Second Reading 1 Peter 1:10-20
• Gospel Reading John 13:36-38
• Evening Psalms 105; 130

Eternal God, as we are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ, so give us the grace of repentance that we may pass through the grave with him and be born again to eternal life, for he is the One who was crucified, dead, and buried, and rose again for us, Jesus our Savior. Eternal God, you sent us a Savior, Christ Jesus, to break down the walls of hostility that divide us. Send peace on earth, and put down greed, pride, and anger, which turn nation against nation and race against race. Speed the day when wars will end and the whole world accepts your rule. God of mercy, you are full of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in mercy, and always ready to forgive. Grant us grace to renounce all evil and to cling to Christ, that in every way we may prove to be your loving children. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, 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.)

Maundy Thursday Prayers

 

 

CENTERING PRAYER

 

God of love, during Holy Week, we give you thanks for this night Jesus shared with his disciples. Between the public parade and the public charade is this intimate hour. Though even now we do not fully understand, we long to follow his example: to serve as he served, to heal as he healed, and to love as he loved. Jesus promised if we know these things and do them, we will be blessed. Help us, then, to know and to do all that Jesus taught. Though we betray and deny, we still come seeking your blessing. We cannot live unless you bless us. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

In the growing darkness we gather.

Our Lenten journey has brought us here.

Jesus, our Teacher and Lord, sets before us: a towel, a bowl, bread, a cup.

He gives us an example and a commandment ever-new:

To love one another as he has loved us.

This is how everyone will know we are his disciples, when we love each other.

Come! Let us worship our God together!

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Holy and gracious God, our sin is too heavy to bear. Trusting in your mercy, we lay before you the truth of who we are.

 

We confess our failure to love as Christ loved . . .

We confess our covetousness and greed . . .

We confess our weakness before temptation . . .

We confess our frailty before the challenges of this world . . .

 

Merciful God, forgive us. Heal us, and make us whole, for the sake of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. (Silent Confession)

PRAYER FELLOWSHIP AND PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

 PRAYER FELLOWSHIP The Prayer Circle meets every Monday morning that the church is open at 9:30AM. We begin with a devotional and a prayer. Then we lift up the names and situations that have been requested in the worship service or requests given to the pastors, the church office or a Prayer Circle member.

The Prayer List is updated every week and is available at the Welcome Center on Sunday morning or always in the Prayer Circle mailbox in the church office. We also send cards to members unable to attend church. Our group is small but dedicated, and I appreciate the faithfulness of our members. We welcome everyone who would like to join us! 

Respectfully submitted, Pat Marshall 

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN St. Mark Presbyterian Women is an organization for women within our church. We enjoy fellowship, Bible study and supporting local, national and international missions. Our challenge is to accept the gifts God has given us and to use those gifts to assist in the life and work of the Church. 

The Board of Presbyterian Women meets the first Wednesday of each month and is made up of women who serve as officers, Circle leaders, and project chairs. As of 2023, our Presbyterian Women have 5 Circles and approximately 80 active members. Most Circles meet on the third Wednesday or Thursday of the month from September to May; Ruth Circle meets year-round. Three circles meet during the day and two meet in the evening. One circle meets monthly on dates determined by its members. Two circles are using the Horizon Bible Study and three circles use other materials. All circles meet in person either at church or in member’s homes. 

Presbyterian Women continue to host a monthly book club. Book club meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 9:30 am for discussion of a book selected by the group, with no meetings in July or November. The club meets at church in person with a zoom option. 

The mission work of PW is funded through individual gifts and two fund raising events: The Spring candy sale and the Christmas Boutique held in November. PW holds layette drives in the spring and fall in which many beautiful items are donated and gifted to Newborns in Need. In February PW sponsors the Blanket Sunday collection to support the emergency efforts of Church World Services. Additionally, PW continues to contribute to the work of the Presbyterian Church USA through our annual pledge and offerings. 

Our annual brunch was held in September. The theme was “Hanging out with Presbyterian Women”. More than 60 St. Mark Women and their friends and family attended a delicious brunch. Mary Beth Powell, with the assistance of her dancing team, once again presented a wonderful program. We learned many interesting facts about the much-maligned sloth and how we can take inspiration from them in our spiritual lives. 

For our October fall outing, after lunch at Kohn’s Kosher Meat and Deli, we toured the St. Louis Kaplan Felman Holocaust Museum. It was a moving and informative experience with many testimonials from survivors and their families. We learned about the causes of the rise in fascism in the twentieth century and how we should be on guard to ensure tragedies like the holocaust never happen again. 

We ended the year on a high note, with the PW Christmas Boutique and Angel Street Café. Begun in 1984, PW has been holding this event yearly, with a two-year hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid. This year, our profit from the Boutique exceeded $8000. The profits from the event, along with candy sales profits will be distributed to mission in early 2024. Thank you to everyone who assisted in making the Boutique a resounding success. 

The board held its December meeting at The Hearth Room in Town and Country. Together, we celebrated the events of another spiritually fulfilling year through devotion, fellowship, and of course good food! Looking forward to 2024, PW plans to host a Mid-Winter Event on January 24. The theme will be “Feasts of the Bible”. There will be an educational program accompanied by delicious homemade Jewish delicacies. In February we will again hold our annual PW retreat at Todd Hall in Columbia Illinois. A very special thanks to Pastor MP who continues to be an invaluable resource in keeping our women connected and spiritually healthy. We are so very blessed to have her. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Sharon Tharp, Moderator, St. Mark Presbyterian Women 

Spirit of Gentleness

  Spirit, spirit of gentleness,

Blow through the wilderness, 

Calling and free.

Spirit, spirit of restlessness,

Stir me from placidness

Wind, wind on the sea.

Sometimes a hymn sung on Sunday stays in my head a few days bringing me peace and comfort.  It's as if the entire congregation singing the hymn are wrapping around me like a giant embrace.   At 3 AM hearing the hymn in my head rocks me to sleep like a lullaby.

Last Sunday, as we sang the hymn "Spirit of Gentleness", I was struck by the poetry of the words: not just the images or meaning of the words but the beautiful sounds of the words. This hymn is awash with sibilance which is, for me, very soothing.  The image is of wind which can be gentle but also can be strong as wind often is near the sea.  But it is also an image of the Holy Spirit blowing us with energy.  The imagery is beautiful and yet, there's also the sounds of the words, sibilance, with the "s" sound:  "spirit of gentleness. . .spirit of restlessness . . . .stir me from placidness" I found myself singing it while exhaling a lot of air and emphasizing the "s" sound.

The refrain opens with "Spirit, spirit of gentleness" but concludes with "Wind, wind on the sea" : one is a gentle breeze and the other a stronger wind on the sea wanting us to move.  We can sit back and enjoy a gentle breeze but the stronger wind pushes us, directs us, forces us to move with the wind at our backs. The Holy Spirit may be with us all of the time but when it needs us to move, it urges us forward.

Although first three verses tell the history of the Holy Spirit at creation, with Moses and with Jesus at birth, the final verse, switches from past tense to present  tense:

You call from tomorrow;

You break ancient schemes;

From the bondage of sorrow

The captives dream dreams.

Our women see visions;

Our men clear their eyes.

With bold new decisions

Your people arise.

The sibulant sounds of the final words in each line, gives us a gentle hug while the meaning and images are pushing us forward.  This is followed by the refrain which gently holds us and yet encourages us to move forward:  much like a parent urging a child with anxiety to sing that solo.  The Spirit is gentle but urging us to move forward, to go, to grow.

It's all too easy for us to be complacent:  sitting in the sun enjoying a gentle ocean breeze.  But, we need to be aware of when the Spirit wants us to move---be aware that the wind is picking up and is no longer soothing us but now blustering and we need to move. 

Jaclyn Morgan, June 1 2023

We hope you are inspired, not only by the faith we express, but by the

challenge to write your own faith story. 

If you write a faith story you would like to share with the congregation, send

it to Bill Tucker for feedback and publication. Only with your permission, we

will publish it on the St. Mark Blog. 

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING – LENT AND EASTER

 

One Great Hour of Sharing is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Since 1949 this offering has been the single largest way that Presbyterians join together to share God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world. 

Each gift helps to improve the lives of people in challenging situations through three impactful programs. 

• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (32%) works alongside communities as they recover and find hope after the devastation of natural or humancaused disasters.

 • Presbyterian Hunger Program (36%) takes action to alleviate hunger and the systemic causes of poverty so all may be fed.

 • Self-Development of People (32%) invests in communities responding to their experiences of racism, oppression, poverty, and injustice and educates Presbyterians about the impact of these societal ills. Additionally, 

St. Mark supports the Marian Medical Water Mission, which works to provide clean water to communities in Africa. Let’s “dig” a well—lots of wells! 

You can use the special yellow envelope that was in your packet for February, or you can write a check to St. Mark and indicate OGHS or Marian Medical Mission in the memo line.

Worship Prayers for March 24 Palm Sunday

 CENTERING PRAYER

God of salvation, our lord entered his passion to raise us to life. In the holiest of weeks, help us to walk the way of the cross, that we may be raised in a resurrection like his and dwell forever in you, Eternal God: Father, son, and holy Spirit. Amen

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Awake to the day of our Savior’s triumph!

Give thanks for this day that leads to the cross!

Come with your branches, hosannas, and songs!

Fill the air with welcome to the Lord!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

We confess we continue to sin, and although we would like to deny it, we forsake you daily. We are horrified by the suffering we cause – to you, ourselves, and the world you created. Open the gates of your forgiveness and restore us in your love. We pray this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. (Silent Confession)

 

Scripture for March 24

 Mark 11:1-11

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

11 As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”

4 The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 5 As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.

8 Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God![a]
    Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
10 Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
    Praise God in highest heaven!”[b]

11 So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

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