Deacons in Action at St. Mark

 

The Caregiving Committee oversees and cares for St. Mark members and friends in times of need and grief. Laurie Dolson started chairing this committee 3 years ago in September. The caregiving team reaches out to members in many ways: 1) sending cards to many homebound or ill members, as well as families with loss. 2) delivering various gifts to homebound members including flowering plants, mums, cookies and 24 advent bags. 3) sending gift cards to 10 college students. 4) offering refreshments for visitations and funerals 5) preparing a “we care meal” and delivering to members twice a year as well as making/delivering desserts and plants to senior living residents.

ABC Sale

 

THANK YOU ST. MARK! Wow! What an awesome week of “being the church” for each other, for our community, and our mission partners! 100% of the net proceeds of $14,000 will benefit our mission partners. With great gratitude for your time, talent, and treasures! 

Joyce Blackwell & Pam Ladley Co-Chairs

I volunteered at the annual ABC sale, and a young boy came into our area, eager to donate his toys. When he walked in and saw all the toys, he was so excited that he exclaimed, 'This place smells like happiness!' His joyful comment really touched our hearts. We felt truly blessed by the generosity and enthusiasm of this young donor. – Shared by Robin Warner

Worship Prayers for Reformation Sunday

 CENTERING PRAYER (Martin Luther)

 

Lord God, heavenly Father, you did not spare your only Son, but gave him up for us all to be our Savior, and along with him you have graciously given us all things. We thank you for your precious, saving gospel, and we pray that you would help us to believe in the name of our Savior faithfully and steadfastly, for he alone is our righteousness and wisdom, our comfort and peace, so that we may stand on the day of his appearing; through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, our Lord. Amen. 

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 42)

 

Our souls thirst for God, for you, the living God.

We remember days filled with joyful shouts and loud songs of thanksgiving.

We’ve spent too much time away from you, adrift on the rolling waves of culture.

The deepest part of us calls out to the deepest part of you.

We will hope in God on sunny mornings and stormy nights.

We come to worship our Creator, our Redeemer, and our Sustainer.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a flood of judgment. Set us free from a past we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Scots Confession Chapter One

 

We confess and acknowledge one only God, to whom only we must cleave, whom only we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom only we must put our trust: who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance, and yet distinct in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; by whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and in earth, as well visible as invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by his inscrutable Providence, to such end as his eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice has appointed them, to the manifestation of his own glory.

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

Loving God, we thank you for being our shelter in the storm, our rock in nights of uncertainty, and our deliverance through dangerous times. Please accept these gifts we return to you in gratitude.

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray…We thank you God for all you have done in our lives. We ask you to use these gifts to share your grace in a world hungry and thirsty for righteousness. Amen.

 

 

 

Scripture for Oct. 27

 Job 42:1-6, 10-17

42 Then Job replied to the Lord:

2 “I know that you can do all things;
    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me to know.

4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of you
    but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
    and repent in dust and ashes.”

Read full chapter

Job 42:10-17

New International Version

10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. 11 All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver[a] and a gold ring.

12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.

16 After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 17 And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

Job Restored to Prosperity by Laurent de La Hyre (1648)

Daily Prayer October 25

God is love, and those who abide in love, abide in God, and God abides in them.

Daily Readings for Friday, October 25, 2024

• Morning Psalms 88; 148
• First Reading Micah 6:1-8
• Second Reading Revelation 9:13-21
• Gospel Reading Luke 10:38-42
• Evening Psalms 6; 20

Eternal God, we praise you for your mighty love given in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and the new life we have received by his resurrection. We thank you for the presence of Christ in our weakness and suffering, the ministry of Word and Sacrament, all who work to help and heal, sacrifices made for our benefit, opportunities for our generous giving. God of grace let our concern for others reflect Christ's self-giving love, not only in our prayers, but also in our practice. We pray for those subjected to tyranny and oppression, wounded and injured people, those who face death, those who may be our enemies. Eternal God, your love is stronger than death, and your passion more fierce than the grave. We rejoice in the lives of those whom you have drawn into your eternal embrace. Keep us in joyful communion with them until we join the saints of every people and nation, gathered before your throne in ceaseless praise. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by 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.)

ST. MARK BLOOD DRIVE

Blood donation is a selfless way to communicate love to friends, family & community who may not survive without it. Just one blood donation can help save up to three (3) lives! For years St. Mark has participated in this very valuable community service.

 For donors who regularly give blood, please add this date & time to your schedule by signing up today. For residents of our community & beyond who have been thinking about giving for the first time, let this October 27th be the beginning of a new habit in your life. 

Sign up at https://www.redcrossblood.org/Donate/Blood and enter: Saintmarkpres. A member of your community may be the one who receives your blood because of cancer, transplant surgery, other life-saving surgeries, genetic blood disorders, various illnesses & a multitude of various accidents. 

BE THE ONE WHO BRINGS HOPE & HEALING TO THOSE PATIENTS IN NEED.

Still Collecting Plastic caps

 Let’s Recycle Together … plastic caps and lids STILL wanted!

This summer, St. Mark donated another ADA picnic table to Mound Ridge made from the plastic lids you donated. Plastic in our world is not going away anytime soon, so let’s keep it out of the landfill and turn it into something with another useful purpose!

Here are the types of lids we need to collect:

· in general: caps/lids from food grade containers and household items 8” in diameter or smaller

· snap-on lids from butter tubs, coffee cans, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, whipped topping,

· small twist-off caps: medicine, soda, water, sports drinks, milk

· large twist-off caps: detergent caps, peanut butter

· flip-top caps: ketchup, condiments, dressing

· 6 pack beverage holders – the ones with the solid tops (not the old open ring design)

· YES! to go container lids with recycle number of 2, 4, or 5

· other caps and lids with the recycle symbol and recycle number of 2, 4, or 5

Please drop off your caps and lids in the collection bin near the Youth table in the Narthex

Worship Prayers October 20

 CENTERING PRAYER

O God, you show us the way to servanthood. You give us much so we can bless others and not seek gratification for ourselves. Help us to seek your path and keep us in humility so we can be the light of Christ in the world. In the name of the one who came to serve, we pray. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 104)

 

Praise the LORD, for God is great indeed!

Let us sing praises for God’s glorious works.

We give glory, honor, and thanksgiving to the LORD,

who makes and sustains all things.

Come, let us worship our Creator together.

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Merciful and gentle God, we want reward without sacrifice. We are unwilling to serve and do not humble ourselves in obedience. Forgive our hubris, gracious God. Correct our ignorant ways and help us to know your glory through servanthood. Guide us to be your true followers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

God is ever faithful and blesses us with so much. With grateful hearts, let us offer back to God what we have, with love and thanksgiving.

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray…Gracious God, we offer you these gifts. Multiply them so they might help build your kingdom on earth and be of service to the body of Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Scripture for Oct. 20

 Job 38:1-7, 34-41

The Lord Speaks

38 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
    with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
    Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
    Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
    or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
    and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?

Read full chapter

Job 38:34-41

New International Version

34 “Can you raise your voice to the clouds
    and cover yourself with a flood of water?
35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?
    Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who gives the ibis wisdom[a]
    or gives the rooster understanding?[b]
37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?
    Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens
38 when the dust becomes hard
    and the clods of earth stick together?

39 “Do you hunt the prey for the lioness
    and satisfy the hunger of the lions
40 when they crouch in their dens
    or lie in wait in a thicket?
41 Who provides food for the raven
    when its young cry out to God
    and wander about for lack of food?

Read full chapter

Daily Prayer October 18

God is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for God's good pleasure.

Daily Readings for Friday, October 18, 2024

• Morning Psalms 130; 148
• First Reading Hosea 13:9-16
• Second Reading Acts 28:1-16
• Gospel Reading Luke 9:28-36
• Evening Psalms 32; 139

God our creator, yours is the morning and yours is the evening. Let Christ the sun of righteousness shine forever in our hearts and draw us to that light where you live in radiant glory. O Lord, our creator, by your holy prophet you taught your ancient people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived. We commend our neighborhood to your care, that it might be kept free from social strife and decay. Give us strength of purpose and concern for others, that we may create here a community of justice and peace where your will may be done God of glory, you see how all creation groans in labor as it awaits redemption. As we work for and await your new creation, we trust that you will answer our prayers with grace, and fulfill your promise that all things work together for good for those who love you. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

(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.)

YEAR-END GIFTING TO ST. MARK

 

Historically, tithing at St. Mark has been made via outright financial gifts. We just write a check, pay by credit card, or make a direct deposit to St. Mark. In addition to supporting the ministry of St. Mark, this may have provided you an immediate income tax deduction, should you itemize deductions on your federal tax return. 

You may also want to consider making an outright gift of investment securities such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investments to St. Mark. You may have investments (outside your retirement plans) that have increased significantly in value over the years, creating an opportunity for a suitable charitable contribution. Again, this may create an immediate income tax deduction. Our church office can assist you with this transfer and credit against your pledge. 

Always consult your financial planner or tax professional to review the most appropriate way for you to give to St. Mark. For further information or questions, please contact the St. Mark Finance Committee.

Photo by Leiada Krozjhen on Unsplash