Daily Prayer February 28

 

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise: I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness.

Exodus 28:1-4, 30-38; 1 John 2:18-29; Mark 6:30-44

Faithful God, your promises stand unshaken through all generations. Renew us in hope, that we may be awake and alert watching for the coming of Jesus Christ, our judge and savior. May we boldly proclaim the good news of his coming, by the words of our mouths and the deeds of our lives, rejoicing always in your powerful presence. We thank you, Lord God, for brave and believing people who brought your message to this place, may we follow as they followed, in the way, truth, and life of Jesus Christ, the head of the church. Loving God, you want us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing except losing you, and to lay all our cares on you, knowing that you care for us. Protect us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds in this mortal life may hide from us the light of your immortal love shown to us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord in the power of his resurrection. Alleluia!

(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.)

Vice Moderator's Report

 Reflecting on the past year, I am filled with gratitude for the continued growth and vitality of our community. This report highlights the achievements and milestones of our church family, celebrating the collective efforts that have made 2024 a year of profound impact. 

Youth and Children's Ministries Under the dedicated leadership of Latisha Gilliland, our children's program has continued to thrive. The youth mission team's journey to Moss Point, Mississippi, last June, was a transformative experience, fostering a deeper connection with the divine in both the people they encountered and the places they visited. A movement toward intergenerational worship and activities was of primary focus and a hugely successful team endeavor by youth and children’s ministries.

 Adult Programming The Presbyterian Women's group remains vibrant, continually seeking innovative ways to minister to the women of St. Mark. The Friday hybrid Bible study group has maintained an average attendance of 20-25 individuals and continues to be a much-desired way to connect to God and to others. 

Presbytery Participation I continue in the role of Chairperson on the Administrative Commission to Dardenne PC. I also joined the Committee for Preparation for Ministry mentoring a CRE candidate as part of my role. 

Pastoral Growth and Education I participated in Year A of the Board of Pensions CREDO program for pastors within their first five years of ministry. This was held in Ferncliff, Arkansas. Year B will occur March of 2025. 

Looking Ahead to 2025 June-September of 2025 I will be on Sabbatical. My focus is on reconnecting with God, with family and friends, and with my familial and faith history. As we embark on the next leg of our journey together, we are filled with anticipation for what God has in store for us. Through each one of you, God continues to do great things, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Together, let us continue to seek out God's call on our lives and move forward with faith, hope, and love. 

Peace and blessings, Pastor MP

Discover Mission Sunday

 

This annual event is an opportunity for us to meet our local mission partners like Circle of Concern or Newborns in Need.  We can stop by the tables, ask questions, find out about volunteer opportunities or how we can help.

DISCOVER MISSION SUNDAY

 

Circle of Concern

Isaiah 58 Ministries

Lafayette Industries

Marion Medical Mission

Mound Ridge

Newborns in Need Peace Meal 

Presbyterian Children’s Home and Services 

Worship Prayers Feb. 23

CENTERING PRAYER 

In the morning when I rise, O God, you are with me strong and sure, turning my dreams into insights and teaching me the delights of your law. You preserve my life day after day, and in return, I rejoice at the new dawn. Guard my waiting this day, O Lord, guide my feet and my hands, give me stillness and patience so that I may give delight to myself and to those I meet; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP 

Take delight in the Lord, who satisfies the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord and trust in God’s actions. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for God. The Lord is our salvation and our refuge in times of trouble.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

Merciful God, we confess that we have not followed your ways or trusted your promises. We love only those who love us; we show kindness only to those who are kind to us; we give only when we expect to receive. Forgive us, Lord. Fill our hearts with your selfless love. Change our lives by your matchless grace. These things we pray through Christ our Savior. (Silent Confession)

PRAYERS 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.

Scripture February 23

 Luke 6:27-38

Love for Enemies

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

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Moderator's Report

 “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, NRSV.) 

It has been a very busy year for St. Mark and for me professionally. The church continued to gather regularly for worship, prayer, education, mission, and fellowship. We met around God’s Word in several new and unique ways in 2024. This included weekly Sunday school classes, various Bible studies, midweek learning opportunities, and the weekly online St. Mark Spark. The church should never stagnate, and I am pleased at the various ways we’ve built upon our solid foundation over the past year. 

The church continues to host many special events for members and guests. I love seeing so many neighbors at the Jerusalem Festival, Bunny Breakfast, Fall Festival, and Santa Brunch. It’s also wonderful to join in service opportunities like the Rise Against Hunger event. Many of the people who participate will never attend a Sunday service, but the church continues to grow as we love and serve our neighbors both near and far. I know we will find new and creative ways to engage our community in 2025.

I served the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy as vice-moderator for much of this past year. This included moderating the monthly gathering planning meeting where we organized every presbytery meeting. I am also working with the Vision Team on helping the organization with a sustainability plan. Over the past couple of months, I’ve moderated the Mound Ridge Task Force. This group convenes every four years to work on a ministry partner agreement. This has taken a good deal of time, but I am hopeful it is a benefit to the camp, the presbytery, and the member churches. In November, the presbytery ordained me as the moderator at a service at St. Mark. This one-year position is a cross between the organization’s president and speaker of the house. It requires a substantial amount of time to accomplish the work, but I am thankful for this unique opportunity to serve. 

I also served as a presbytery delegate to the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly in Salt Lake City, Utah during the summer. I worked on the Financial Resources Committee where we discussed the denomination’s unifying budget work, equitable clergy compensation, special offerings and many other issues. It was a long two weeks, but it is an honor to participate in this important work. 

Much of my work from this past year centered on looking ahead to 2025. We are excited about our upcoming Capital Campaign Program kickoff on April 27. The church has not had a major fundraiser in over ten years, and there are many exciting projects in the works. I am thankful for the effort of many volunteers on the committee, and we look forward to sharing the improvements with the congregation soon. This past year had many uplifting highs and several crushing lows. Through it all, we continue to lift up Jesus as Lord and seek to follow God’s call in our individual lives and in our corporate life together. I am thankful to share this journey with you all.

 In Hope and Confidence, Pastor Dave 

Recycling Lids

 

Let Recycle Together in 2025 … plastic caps and lids STILL needed!

Plastic in our world is not going away anytime soon, so let’s keep it out of the landfill and turn it into a new picnic table for Mound Ridge!

We need:

· caps/lids of all types from food grade containers and household items up to 8” in diameter

· look for the recycle symbol with number 2, 4, or 5

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

Worship Prayers for February 16

 

CENTERING PRAYER*          *J. Birch, FaithAndWorship.com

 

In my waking and arising, be the first thought that enters my head.
In my eating and drinking, be the first thought that enters my head.
In my walking and journeying, be the first thought that enters my head.
In my working and serving, be the first thought that enters my head.
In my sowing and harvesting, be the first thought that enters my head.
In my rejoicing and sorrowing, be the first thought that enters my head.
In my resting and sleeping, be the first thought that enters my head. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

 

Blessed are those who trust in the LORD,

whose trust is the LORD.

They shall be like a tree planted by water,

sending out its roots by the stream.

It shall not fear when heat comes,

and its leaves shall stay green.

Its leaves shall stay green;

in the year of drought it is not anxious,

and it does not cease to bear fruit.

Grounded in love, let us worship our God together!

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Merciful God, your call to discipleship is demanding. You call us to reorder our lives by the kingdom you are bringing through your resurrected Son, Jesus Christ. We still pass by the ones you especially notice: people who are poor and hungry; people who weep. We have not stood with those who are vilified, mocked, hated, bullied, and excluded. Comfortable with the way things are, we are far too complacent and even complicit with actions of injustice and prejudice. Forgive us, O God, and turn us back to your gospel. We pray this now, for our sake, and for the sake of the world; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord. (Silent Confession)

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Heidelberg Catechism Question One