Peace and Global Witness Offering

 

Each church decides where their “mission” efforts and dollars will go. A church in Pennsylvania initiated “Fresh Start Loads of Love”, a laundry outreach program to those in the community who were struggling, and covering the expenses of a laundromat was a challenge on many levels.

The program was partially funded by a grant from the Presbytery, using a part of their portion of the Peace and Global Witness Offering as well as the congregation’s portion. Rev. Caroline Vickery says, “We know that Jesus makes it clear that how we treat the vulnerable is how we treat Jesus…our laundry outreach has put the congregation in touch with a world whose hardships they’re unaware of…Not being able to keep yourself clean robs people of their dignity…That’s why we call it ‘Fresh Start.’ It’s a chance to start over.”

St. Mark’s involvement with Isaiah 58, Circle of Concern, and Peace Meal are efforts to reach out and to support those in need. Please give generously to this Special Offering.

Newborns in Need

 

Presbyterian Women is collecting for Newborns in Need during the month of September. Newborns In Need is a charity that specializes in the needs of babies facing health or economic crisis In St. Louis. It is a local and national nonprofit organization. 

New and gently used baby items such as bibs, booties, burp cloths, hats, onesies, socks, sweaters, and undershirts, sleepers, blankets, baby wash, wipes and diapers are accepted and may be placed in the Pac n Play by the PW table. 

Monetary donations are greatly appreciated. Make checks out to Newborns In Need and ask for a tax receipt. Mail to: Newborns In Need c/o Judy Giovanoni, 310 Oxford Ridge Ct.., Ellisville, MO 63021. For more information, call Shirley Boeker or Louis Grothe.

Worship Prayers September 15

 

CENTERING PRAYER

 

It says in the Bible, O God, that you created the world through your Word. Your Word is powerful, but so are our words. They can heal, create a smile, be a declaration of love; they can also hurt and destroy a sense of self-worth. Give us your wisdom, God of the Word, so we use our words to build up and not to destroy. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 19)

 

Look at the heavens!

They are shouting the glory of God.

The days and the nights declare the magnificence of God’s creative works

Their voice goes through all the earth and their words reach the ends of the world.

Let our words of praise be acceptable to you.

Our Lord, our rock, our redeemer!

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

You call us, O God, but we refuse to listen; you stretch out your hand and we do not take it. We take what you give us and use those gifts to hurt others and defy you. We refuse to listen to your wisdom. Forgive our inability to recognize you and live out the reality of your gospel. Give us the insight we need to understand your place in our lives. May our words and actions reflect the glory of God in the lives of others. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

God has given us our lives and our very beings. Let us give to God now from what God has given us.

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray… God of wisdom, may this offering serve as a powerful witness to this world in need. Guide us as we use these gifts for the building of your kingdom. It’s in Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

 

Scripture for September 15

James 3:1-12

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

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Daily Prayer

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Daily Readings for Friday, September 13, 2024

• Morning Psalms 51; 148
• First Reading Job 29:1, 31:24-40
• Second Reading Acts 15:12-21
• Gospel Reading John 11:30-44
• Evening Psalms 142; 65

Jesus, Good Shepherd of the sheep, by whom the lost are sought and guided into the fold: Feed us and we shall be satisfied, heal us and we shall be whole, and lead us that we may be with you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Almighty God, by grace alone you call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call. Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. In the beginning you separated light from darkness and placed all your works in our hands. You have given us the light of day that we might see your wonders in all we say and do; you give us the gentle darkness of the night that we might rest from our burdens and be refreshed in body and spirit. Break through the darkness of our sins with the splendor of your mercy and love. Send your light to dispel our fears and anxieties and fill us with hope and joy. Glory, praise, and honor are yours, O God. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

(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 September 8

  CENTERING PRAYER

Generous God, you are my maker and I trust in you. Surround me with your favor today that I may hear the cry of those in need and share my resources with the poor; in the excellent name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good.

God’s steadfast love endures forever.

Be strong; do not fear! God is with us.

The Lord will come to save us.

Let us worship our God together.

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

God of favor, we have not been true to you.   You have chosen the poor in the world, but we have dishonored them.     You plead the cause of the afflicted, but we crush them. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.   We have favored the rich and despised the poor. We have dismissed the needy with empty words.             Soften our hearts and make straight our ways. Heal our unbelief and turn us back to you. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to Offering

 

Those who are generous are blessed       

through the good name of Jesus Christ our Savior,         

by whom we have received the favor of our God—
better than silver or gold.

From the riches of God’s grace,

let us present our gifts of gratitude to bless those in need.

 

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let Us Pray…Generous God, thank you for these gifts                          

we bring from your abundance.

Bless gifts and givers to show your love to all those
in need  

through our glorious Lord Jesus Christ,   

healer of the sick, advocate of the afflicted,         

provider for the poor. Amen.

Scripture for September 8

 James 2:1-10, 14-17

Favoritism Forbidden

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. ² Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. ³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ⁷ Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”^[a] you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Photo by Matheus Viana on Unsplash

Peace and Global Witness Offering

“A Season of Peace” begins September 1 and concludes October 6, World Communion Sunday. The Peace and Global Witness Offering (previously the Peacemaking Offering) will be collected during that time. This year is the 40th anniversary of this offering, which was approved by the 192nd General Assembly in 1980.

Whenever the church gathers for worship, we are assured of Christ’s peace. We celebrate that we are connected, we are loved, and we are not alone. Through participation in the Peace and Global Witness Offering, our congregation is extending Christ’s peace throughout our community and our world. Peace begins with each of us.

Our participation in the Peace and Global Witness Offering provides funds for peacemaking programs locally and in the wider world. Those programs range from working to eliminate all forms of human trafficking to supporting the work of a mission co-worker.

Twenty-five percent of the total St. Mark collects is retained for local use, which goes to the Presbyterian Children’s Home and Services and St. John Episcopal Peace Meal. Use the special envelope in your September packet or simply mark your check for the Peace and Global Witness Offering. Thank you for your generosity.

Worship Prayers September 1

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

Almighty God, in Christ you show us the way, reveal your truth, and offer us everlasting life. Keep our eyes upon you, that we may see your path more clearly, know your truth more fully, and receive your life more abundantly; through Christ who dwells with you and the Holy Spirit in eternal glory. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 61)

 

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I call to you,

when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;

for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me abide in your tent for ever,

May we find refuge under the shadow of your wings.

Come, let us worship our God together.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Almighty God, your word offers freedom from sin, but we choose to remain in bondage. We harbor malice toward our enemies; we are deceitful in our relationships; we are insincere in our commitments. We work for ourselves instead of abiding in your love. Forgive us our sins and lead us to genuine repentance. Reconnect us to your power and help us bear good fruit. We ask this in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)