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.