Annual Report: Music Director

 The Chancel Choir and Chancel Bells resumed rehearsals and Sunday performances in mid-August. The Cantata, “The Mystery and the Majesty” was performed on December 15th by the choir with help from St. Mark soloists and a small chamber group of instrumentalists hired for the occasion. 

Both the Chancel Choir and Chancel Bells enjoyed welcoming new or returning members to their groups, whether they be for typical Sunday performances, special music, or Easter/Christmastime performances.

The Chancel Bells have been busy this year as well! The ensemble has learned music at a wonderfully brisk pace, allowing the group to perform multiple times within a season, giving more opportunities for the members of St. Mark to share their musical gifts. A small bell ensemble joined us for the Easter service’s “Hallelujah” performance. Additionally, we had so many members participating in our Christmas Bells performance, that we were running out of space, stands, and bells—a good problem to have! 

With the help of Pastor MP, numerous youth members, and their supporting families, we have been able to incorporate a new ensemble into the Music Ministry at St. Mark. The youth music ensemble with look forward to additional opportunities to perform in the Spring. 

Listed below are additional musical points of interest from the past year: 

• The yearly Christmas Cantata accompanied by a chamber orchestra including St. Mark members 

• Special Music during Holy Week services 

• The Hallelujah Chorus and other Special Music with brass/percussion during Easter 

• Collaboration with Pastor MP in continuing a Lessons and Carols service 

• Engaging in a diverse array of music, including education and discussion of Spirituals

 • Music selections for the Blue Christmas service 

• Collaborations between the Chancel Choir and Chancel Bells

 In the coming year, we hope to continue as many of these wonderful opportunities as possible, while striving to provide continuing opportunities for the members of St. Mark. In the coming year, some brief goals will include streamlining the music storage areas, reducing visual “noise” in the Sanctuary regarding the Music Ministry, initiating an opportunity for an Adult Chamber Music Ensemble, and continuing to provide compelling music during special services and within the Sunday morning worship service. 

Respectfully submitted, Ethan Forte, Music Director

Holy Week Activities

 

Mound Ridge Retreat and Mission Center

 

Mound Ridge Retreat and Mission Center is a hidden gem nestled in the Missouri Ozark countryside, overlooking the headwaters of the upper Meramec River. Mound Ridge is a place where it is easy to relax in

nature, a place where our spirits can be renewed and refreshed, a place where you can slow your pace and connect with the Triune God and with your friends and family.

Mound Ridge provides excellent hospitality with our many facilities and is a great weekend or vacation destination in all seasons.

We welcome families, day use, weddings, and groups of all kinds including mission/service groups year- round. During the summer we hold

various camps for ages 6-15. Through the “Children in Nature” fund we provide scholarships to summer campers from distressed/underserved nonmetropolitan and metropolitan middle income family groups with children.

St. Mark is involved with Mound Ridge in a variety of ways -- donations of accessible picnic tables from recycled lids, scholarships to the Children in Nature Crippen fund, and monetary grants. Last year, a native edible garden was planted in honor of Susan Talley. St. Mark members also help construct and maintain cabins.

Worship Prayers Palm Sunday

 CENTERING PRAYER

Gracious God, as we enter this Holy Week, strengthen us to move beyond the festive parade of palms and to follow Jesus into the way of the cross, that united with him and all the faithful, we may one day enter through the gates of righteousness into the eternal city, the New Jerusalem, where we may praise you with Christ and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Let Israel say: "His love endures forever."
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;
The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you
The LORD is God and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the altar.
You are my God, and I will give you thanks you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

God of heaven and earth, we give you thanks for sending us Jesus Christ. Even though we profess to follow him, we confess that, in times of trouble, we too often deny him. Forgive us and heal us, we pray. Help us to put our faith not in the princes of this world but only in the Prince of Peace. We continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – WCF SC Q1

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

God has given us his only Child, Jesus Christ,

as the way of our salvation.

Let us then give generously, as God has given to us.

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray… Holy One,

we give you thanks for the great deeds of salvation

that you have done and continue to do.

Bless these offerings of thanksgiving

that they may further your kingdom in this world;

through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

 

Scripture for April 13

 Luke 19:28-40

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[a]

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

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Triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Russian icon (Cathedral of the Annunciation, Moscow)

Daily Prayers for April 11

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. I was dead and behold I am alive forever and ever. Because I live, you also will live.

Exodus 40:18-38; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; Matthew 5:38-48

O God of grace, you have given us new and living hope in Jesus Christ. We thank you that by dying Christ destroyed the power of death, and by rising from the grave opened the way to eternal life. Help us to know that because he lives, we shall live also; and that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come shall be able to separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. By your power, great God, our Lord Jesus healed the sick and gave new hope to the hopeless. Though we cannot command or possess your power, we pray for those who want to be healed. Mend their wounds, soothe fevered brows, and make broken people whole again. Help us to welcome every healing as a sign that, though death is against us, you are for us, and have promised renewed and risen life in Jesus Christ the Lord. (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.)

Finding a Difference

 “Be the change.” I’ve always admired that succinct exhortation that puts responsibility on us to to make a difference in the world. But the admiring is quite different from the executing.

I think of Jesus taking a detour into a Samaritan village just to talk with a woman who had taken five husbands. (John 4:17-18). It’s a rare appearance by Jesus in Samaria, which would have been considered an outlier in Judaism in his time.

This woman was also an outsider: a five-time loser, a Samaritan, and a follower of a mountain cult, who thought God was located in high places. None of this puts her at the center of Jewish religious thinking.  Yet Jesus made a detour to speak specifically with her.

I don’t believe this was entirely intentional on Jesus’ part. He went to the local well, as any traveler might. He asked for water from a woman who had a shady past, and then used the occasion to offer her living water, a rather obscure blessing.  Over a simple transaction, Jesus had gone from physical to spiritual needs and ended up preaching to an entire town about the kingdom of heaven. He seized the opportunity.

Sometimes we infer too much from scripture.  We don’t need to go to a local watering hole and preach. The point, I think, is that we can offer faith, hope  and love to people most unlike us and especially people down on their luck. We probably meet these people every day, but they are invisible to us, because we prefer to hang out with the most respectable, people like us..

The main point lies here. People not like us. They could be from South or North, vegetarians or carnivores, Republicans or Democrats, hockey fans or badminton fans, but a little off our center. Those are God’s people; we need them more than they need us.

Even in writing this blog, I anticipate those who read it will be more like me. So I’m thinking I need to branch out. Or maybe find another medium of communication. Not sure where to take this, but I’m conscious of sitting in my comfort zone.

That’s what I get from the Woman at the Well story: looking for opportunities to meet people less like us. From Jesus’ point of view, he could not have found someone less like him, someone who did not even honor this Galilean coming to the well without a pitcher or cup to drink from.  The Samaritan woman had to step over boundaries to even talk to Jesus, and so did he.

For most of us it’s about opportunities, not explicit missions. We are not all called to full-time service, but full-time willingness. That’s barely a step beyond the comfort zone. That’s a good word for someone like me or not at all like me. That’s all there is to spreading the Gospel.

As Brian Mclaren says,

God’s message of love is sent into the world in human envelopes. If you want to see a great spiritual migration begin, then let it start right in your body. Let your life be a foothold of liberation. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?pli=1#inbox/FMfcgzQVzNwdqBvfxhlnjNjKvRsTTgrS

Bill Tucker 

Annual Report: Claymont Pre-school Committee

 Claymont Preschool at St. Mark happily completed its 62nd year of Preschool Education, serving the communities of Ballwin, Chesterfield, Ellisville, Manchester, Town and Country, and Wildwood. 

May 2024 ended our 2023-2024 school year and brought the tragic loss of  our Preschool Director who led the preschool for the last two years with her whole heart. Our former Preschool Director, and the whole teaching staff pulled together to make sure the rest of the school year and summer camp were carried out as she would have wanted. In August, Jessie Bahr was hired as the new Director. 

The Preschool Summer Session was held in June. Thirty-two children attended in two 17 classrooms. For three weeks of school, the children participated in themed activities and playtime. 

The 2024-2025 school year at Claymont Preschool at St. Mark began September 2nd and continued to offer 3 different age classes for children ages 2 years old up to 5 years old. Currently, 72 children are enrolled at Claymont Preschool. Our classes meet from 9:00 to 12:00, 5 days a week. Lunch bunch is offered as an option for those children aged 3 and up and concludes at 1:30. After-school activity sessions include a baseball class, two gymnastics classes, and a soccer class. These activities are optional for families to have their child stay at school until 2:00 in the afternoon. We continue to be fortunate to offer daily music and movement classes, daily physical activity outside or in our two designated indoor spaces, and our monthly science program. We also added a room for theme-based play called the Imagination Station. 

Families have felt a sense of community here at Claymont Preschool at St. Mark, which is apparent from their participation in our school events. We have had significant involvement in Parent Orientation, Meet the Teacher, Open House, Claymont Preschool t-shirt sales, and our annual Christmas Program. Families can mingle and converse with each other at these events, as well as in the hallways at morning drop-off and afternoon pickup. Many families have also participated in St. Mark Church events like Fall Festival and Santa Brunch. 

Our preschool families continue to refer their friends to our preschool, which shows they are happy with our excellent teachers and our ability to provide a warm, caring environment for young children. We are fortunate to continue to have wonderful, tenured teachers who go above and beyond for their students. Many thanks to the Preschool Committee for their unwavering support and dedication:  We look forward to starting enrollment with our St. Mark members for the 2025-2026 school year.

Find Hope in God

In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, it's easy to feel anxious, lost, or overwhelmed. The news is filled with stories of division, conflict, and confusion. The pressures of daily life seem to weigh heavily, and it’s often hard to find peace amidst the chaos. But even in times like these, we are called to pause, reflect, and remember that God offers us refuge and hope. 

Psalm 46 offers a powerful reminder of God’s presence and strength in the midst of life's trials: 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult… “Be still, and know that I am God!” 

In the midst of anxiety, we are called to pause. To stop. To reflect. In a world that moves at a rapid pace, filled with endless distractions, we are invited to take a moment of stillness and remember that God is with us. 

The season of Lent invites us to embrace this pause, this stillness. As we journey toward Easter, we reflect on Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. This is a time to remember that God’s love is greater than the brokenness around us. Even when the world seems full of noise and unrest, we can find peace in the knowledge that God is in control.

Anxiety is something many of us feel, whether it's from the uncertainties of the future, struggles in our personal lives, or the overwhelming sense of a world in chaos. But Psalm 46 reassures us that we do not need to live in fear. The God who created the heavens and the earth is the same God who promises to be our refuge in times of trouble. 

As we approach Easter 2025, let us pause and reflect on the peace that only God can give. In a world filled with noise, let us take time to listen to God’s voice calling us to be still. We may not have all the answers to the world’s problems, but we know that in the stillness, we can find God’s presence and strength. 

This Easter, let us remember that God’s love is unshakable, even in times of fear and uncertainty. Jesus' resurrection reminds us that there is always hope, even in the darkest moments. Through Him, we are assured that God’s grace, mercy, and love are stronger than any fear or anxiety we face. 

“Be still, and know that I am God.” In these anxious times, may we find peace in these words, knowing that God is with us—offering us refuge, strength, and hope in a world that so desperately needs it. 

Peace and blessings,  Pastor MP

Marion Medical Mission

Marion Medical Mission (MMM) shares the love of Jesus with the extremely rural poor in Africa by providing a sustainable source of safe drinking water. Since 1990, MMM has built over 58,000 wells covering an area of over 60,000 square miles in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania.

The villagers make bricks, provide sand, stone, and unskilled labor. MMM provides only what the village cannot: the cement, pipe, pump, and skilled African labor. Everything is purchased, manufactured, and administered in Africa by Africans. $475 builds a well in Africa that is sustainable by the extremely rural poor.

Safe drinking water means children will not die from waterborne diseases. Not just the year the well is built, but for generations to come. It means healthier people who can work and have longer, higher quality lives.

100% of all designated donations go to their designated purposes.

100% of all undesignated donations go to the mission field in Africa. No portion of donation is used for administration costs unless so designated.

Through the annual Lent Water Challenge and Christmas Alternatives, St. Mark donated enough funds to MMM to build 24 wells in 2024.

Worship Prayers April 6

  

CENTERING PRAYER (St. Augustine of Hippo)

 

“Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of thy brightness. Fill us with holy love, and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom. All our desire is known unto thee, therefore perfect what thou hast begun, and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. We seek thy face, turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied, and our peace shall be perfect.”

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter and shouts of joy.

We rejoiced: “The Lord has done great things for us.”

May those who go out weeping, earing the seed for sowing,

come home with joy, carrying their sheaves.

Come! Let us worship our God together!

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Purifying God, we grow comfortable with the way things are in our lives, in the church, and in the world. We do not always welcome the new life you offer in Christ, for you overturn our notions of power and protocol. Sure of our own righteousness, we are critical of others. Wanting to control our assets, we hoard the gifts you give us. Forgive us, we pray, for seeking our gain at the expense of others. Help us bend our lives toward your own life of self-giving and sacrifice. Fill our lives, our homes, our churches, and the whole world, with the abundant love of Christ until you make all things new. We continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – WCF-SC-Q1

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation:

 

We bring the offerings of our lives now to you, O Lord.

 

Prayer of Thanksgiving:

 

Let us pray…God of all blessings, we bring our gifts to you this morning, knowing that you are the source – not just of these gifts but of all we have. As we dedicate these gifts, help us to keep focused on the gift that is greater than all others, the redemption and resurrection made available to us through a growing trust in Christ, our rock and our salvation. Amen.

 

Scripture for April 6

Philippians 3:4b-14

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

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Photo by Samuel Ramos on Unsplash

Daily Prayers for April 4

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

Exodus 34:18-35; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13; Matthew 5:27-37

O God, whose presence is veiled from our eyes: Grant that when we do not recognize you, our hearts may burn within us, and when feeling is lost, we may cling in faith to your Word and the power of bread broken. Eternal God of unchanging power and light, look with mercy on your whole church. Bring to completion your saving work, so that the whole world may see the fallen lifted up, the old made new, and all things brought to perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. God of grace and hope, we thank you for life, love, and good memories, for the gift of age, and for the wisdom that comes from experience. We bless you for your constant presence, for with you there is fullness of joy. Give us the courage and faith to accept life as it comes, confident that the future is yours and that we belong to you forever. (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.)

Annual Report: Children's Ministires

 

The congregational support to Children’s Ministry has been a huge blessing to the volunteers and to our children. Our programs would not have been possible without the many dedicated volunteers who supplied time and talent in all areas of the Children’s Ministry. The following programs were successful by all of us working together! 

• Sunday school classes for Pre-K – 5 th grade, continue weekly and online, using Orange 252 Kids curriculum. We are proud to connect church and family to create community and to partner in teaching the next generation to love God and serve others. Nursery care for children 0-2 years is available from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. A special thank you to our dedicated Sunday School teachers and nursery workers. New teachers were recruited throughout the year to teach and assist. 

• Palm Sunday, March 24 was our annual Jerusalem Festival. The event began during the worship service with children and youth processing with animals throughout the sanctuary. After worship, the Gleason Hall became first century Jerusalem filled with interactive and intergenerational activities such as: the petting zoo, shopping at local markets, an archaeological dig, visiting a temple and sukkah. 

• Bunny Breakfast, with donuts, egg hunts, activities and crafts, was March 30, the day before Easter. This also included a photo opportunity with Peter Cottontail. The hundreds of plastic eggs that were filled by PW women and were “hunted” by approximately 250 children and families of preschool age through youth.

 •Children began rehearsals in January for “Joy Ride, The Musical.” It was presented on April 21, followed by a beach “hang-out” reception. Children from Pre-K through 5th grade worked together under the direction of Latisha and the assistance of many volunteers to create this wonderful musical. 

• VBS was for five days, July 15-19, with the theme: “Camp Firelight.” Youth as well as adult volunteers worked together to provide a meaningful VBS for children from preschool through 5 th grade. There was an outpouring from the congregation of items needed for the week. Our numbers grew from 150 children in 2023 to 180. We had 52 youth and adult volunteers. 

• “Blessings of the Backpacks and Bible Sunday” was on August 18. All children entering third grade were presented with Bibles. Backpacks were blessed for the new school year. 

• Several Youth sponsored events that included Children’s Ministry, and were intergenerational, occurred throughout the year such as: tubing at Hidden Valley, apple picking at Eckert’s, cheering for the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, and enjoying the Garden Glow’s beautiful displays, hot cocoa and s’mores around firepits at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. 

 • In June, the Mission committee sponsored Rise Against Hunger, a meal packing event that provided the opportunity for children and adults to participate in Packaging 15,000 meals. In 90 minutes, 80 plus people packaged meals that that were sent to the Philippines.

 • The Fall Festival was attended by over 200 children and adults, and 350 hotdogs were served! All ages attended the event, enjoying food, fellowship, crafts, hayrack ride, live band and inflatables. Approximately 80 volunteers, including adults, youth and Scouts made this possible! 

• The Kids and Youth Christmas Program was presented on December 8th. It included the Youth instrumental music Ensemble, Children’s choir, congregation sing-a-long, and was followed by the annual Jingle Mingle hosted by the Fellowship committee. It was a joyous intergenerational event celebrating the birth of Christ! 

• Santa Breakfast on “Candy Cane Lane” was attended by over 200 children and their parents. Santa and the elves welcomed guests, and all enjoyed a delicious breakfast, crafts, cake walk, and a book read aloud by Santa. Music by the St. Mark Youth Ensemble was a special addition this year.

 • We ended the year with the grand finale of the Children’s and Family Christmas Eve service at a new time (4 p.m.) with glow sticks and an impromptu live nativity made up of both St. Mark students and those visiting for the holidays! Also, not to be missed was the Pajama Sunday after Christmas service with lessons in carols, interactive activities, and left-over cookies, hot cocoa and crafts for all ages. 

This completes my third and final year as Chair of the Children’s Ministry Committee. I thank all of you who, when asked to help, enthusiastically said, “yes” and to those who volunteered without being asked! This is how we faithfully fulfill the promise we made when children are baptized. Thank you to Latisha Gilliland, Director of Children’s Ministry. Her love and dedication are an inspiration for all. I have been truly blessed to serve with them.

Lafayette Industries

 

Lafayette Industries is a contract packager offering shrink wrap, blister pack, display assemblies and other business services. Our mission is to exceed the customer’s expectations while employing hundreds of adults with disabilities within our business operations. Through extensive training and support programs employees learn to maximize their abilities to be successful in a productive and professional work environment. The result is high quality products and services at a competitive price on a timely basis.

On the business side of our operation, we again produced 10 million

packages. The partnership with McArthur’s bakery in Kirkwood, the

“Pioneer Café,” expanded to 17 participants learning social skills and the hospitality business, and we have now expanded into Jefferson County at the Wicked Chicken and Cool Beans café with 12 new participants.

There would be no Lafayette Industries were it not for Bob and Ethel McLuen, as well as a handful of other families who, back in 1976, were looking for a post-schooling work opportunity for their adult children with disabilities. With funding from the state of Missouri, they opened a modest, one room warehouse with an oil- and grease-filled floor in Valley Park, Missouri. There were 16 workers originally, including the McLuen’s son, Kenny, who retired to Nashville—but came to visit us twice this past year! As we enter our 49th year, we now provide opportunities for over 400 individuals. Wow.

The vision that founded Lafayette continues to hold true today as it did in 1976---to provide employment to deserving folks that gives them dignity through work and the opportunity to use their God-given talents and abilities. To Bob and Ethel, Boots and Bob Berry, Rev. Howard and Rosella Gleason, Bev, and Bob Hanson, and to the St. Mark congregation ---- we are forever indebted to you.

Worship Prayers March 29

CENTERING PRAYER Gracious God, seeker of the lost: draw your children back to your loving embrace, restore us to our inheritance as your daughters and sons, and reconcile our hearts to you, that we may become ambassadors of your reconciling love to all the world. We pray this through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 32 Grace and peace in Jesus Christ our LORD. Amen. Blessed are those whose transgression is forgiven. Thanks be to God.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful God, we confess we stray from your ways. Like a prodigal child, we waste our inheritance. You give us the earth for our home, but we squander her resources and hoard her bounty. You give us neighbors to love, but we pursue selfish ambitions. You give us commandments leading to human flourishing, but we break your law and forsake your love. Forgive our sin and bring us to repentance; draw our wandering hearts back to you so that we may find freedom in obedience to your love. We continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

PRAYER 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.