All are Welcome

Gospel Reading Luke 8:1-15

1Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.

This Lectionary reading for today is interesting because the women are mentioned, three by name:  Mary (called Magdalene), Joanna, Susanna "and many others."  This is the second time in a month of readings that Luke mentions the women with Jesus.  We also heard about them on Easter morning---many of them were the same women.  Click here for that passage.

At first glance, I wryly thought---"well, things haven't changed much." The women in the Easter passage were taking spices to the tomb to prepare the body of Christ. They were making sure everything was tidy, clean and smelled good to honor Jesus in death.  And, in today's passage they are "providing" --- we assume they are cooking and feeding the disciples---possibly washing and mending. But, wait. . . .

First, I noticed the disciples are "the twelve" and not named in this passage, but several women are.  This indicates the focus in this passage is intended to be on the women who are "providing out of their resources"  We don't know if they are providing the funding for the ministry or the food---perhaps both.  After all, Joanna is the wife of Herod's steward which could be a hint as to the kind of resources they are providing. She would have been a very wealthy woman and perhaps the other women were too.   Is this Luke's way of thanking them or is he acknowledging the importance of their role in the ministry of Christ?

As scholars have mentioned, it would be very unusual for women in this era to be traveling with an itinerant band unless they were wealthy and powerful.  They were certainly not "camp followers"---Jesus has made his position on adultery very clear and they would not have been named.

No, these were women who were respected by Jesus and Luke.  The other interesting part of this passage is they are "women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities."  These were women who had been flawed by mental or physical illness and had found peace and healing in Jesus' presence and teachings.  Regardless of their past, they were welcome.

This speaks volumes on who is welcome to join Jesus on his journey:  everyone is welcome---the flawed, the cured, men, women, the poor and the wealthy---if they are willing to serve. 

Dear God, Open our eyes to the ways we ALL can serve you. We may be flawed, but we are still  welcome within the church if we are willing to serve.  We may have sinned, but we are still welcome within the church if we are willing to serve. Help us to follow the paths that Mary, Joanna, and Susanna have shown us.  

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Jaclyn Morgan

Daughters of God Pajama Party

 Our St. Mark Presbyterian Daughters of God Luncheon theme was "Pajama Party" where we were invited to wear pajamas, robes, slippers.  The cupcakes were adorned with "pink fuzzy slippers" (made with Nutter Butters), the menu was printed on a sleep mask and we had a booklet of prayers and inspiration to relax us before bed.

"Pajamas" "Gossip" "Pillows" "Selfies"

 



















We had a puff pastry souffle, smoothies and a salad in addition to two different cupcakes.  For recipes, click here.

This was followed by Pastor Susan conducting relaxation exercises, meditation and a little yoga.

What more could a woman want?  Fellowship, Food, Fun and Faith!

Daughters of God Luncheon

Instead of a Mother-Daughter luncheon, St. Mark Presbyterian has a "Daughters of God" event each year.  This year's theme is Pajama Party with Pastor Susan leading us with relaxation exercises, humor and sharing God's love for us.  It will be Saturday May 10 at 11:00 AM for $8.  Contact the church office for more information 636-394-2233.

To see photos from 2013 Daughters of God luncheon with the Recycle theme, click here. And, 2012 had the theme Garden Party (click here)

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Worship Weekend March 1-2

Due to Winter weather, most of us missed Susan's sermon on "Bad Girls Club".  Her sermon was based on Luke 7:36-50 and John 4:7-29:  two unnamed women and their thoughts when encountering Jesus.  If the above video doesn't play, Click here. Susan ended worship by playing this video, a tribute to courageous women in 2013.

Call to Worship:  All who are thirsty, this is the place for water.  All who are hungry, this is the place to be fed.  Why spend your earnings on what is not food?  Why pay for that which fails to satisfy?  Here, without money, here, without price, all may enjoy the bread of heaven.  God speaks and all who listen will have life.

Prayer of Confession:

One:  Glorious God, your thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are your ways our ways.  You look at the ugliest soul and see, still unstirred, the wings of an angel.

Red Tent

 St. Mark Presbyterian women attending the Red Tent will be studying ‘Bad Girls of the Bible’ by Barbara J. Essex with Pastor Susan Hayes.  Our gathering will explore lives filled with betrayal, deception, rejection, jealousy and exploitation.  We will look beyond the notoriety at these women of exceptional boldness, courage, determination, and independence.  Here is a list of the first few topics.

Nov. 7	Eve: Willful or Wise?
Nov.21	Lot’s Wife: Homicide or Suicide?
Dec.12	Rebekah:  Deceptive or Direct?
Jan. 9	Tamar: Parasite or Persistent?

 The video we saw Nov. 7 was "Brave" by Sara Bareilles.  Click here to see it (after the ad)

Daughters of God Luncheon Part II

The Daughters of God Luncheon at St. Mark Presbyterian Church had a program which continued the theme of "Recycle, Reuse, Reduce." After an introduction by Sally (and a reminder not to eat the hand lotion), Bertha read a presentation written by Becky P. who could not attend the luncheon.  After the presentation, Dale took the stage to have the audience help her prepare a list of re-sale shops for clothing, building supplies, furniture, baby and children's clothes and "gear". 

Then, Sally began the fashion show with a crepe, "bear" back dress with a plunging neckline.

Daughter's of God Luncheon, Part One

The Daughters of God Luncheon held at St. Mark Presbyterian Church a few weeks ago had the theme of Recycle, Reuse, Reduce.  We were asked to wear clothes we got from the ABC Rummage sale, someone else's closet or a re-sale shop.  The committee also asked everyone to clean out their party supplies and donate napkins, plates, cups left over from another occasion.

 The Fellowship Committee first had this idea a few years ago when Jean (pictured above) was trying to talk people into buying this dress because she thought it was wonderful.  The seed was planted for a luncheon in which everyone wore something re-cycled.

Red Tent Gathering

 In ancient times the Red Tent was a safe and sacred space where only women gathered to experience, share, celebrate, and mourn the rhythms of life of a woman.  As we meet biblical women in this sacred space we are able to bridge the generations and discover that we women today share similar stories and choices.

Recycling God's Love

 Last year's Daughters of God luncheon, gave us a preview to this year's theme. (Click here)  We were told at that time, to be on the look out for an outfit to wear from the church rummage sale.

This year's luncheon sponsored by the Fellowship Committee will be on Saturday May 11, but signs advertising it have already started appearing.  They are asking for donations of paper and plastic products such as plates, napkins, cups and utensils that might have been leftover from a holiday, party, retirement or other occasions.  A wicker basket (see photo) for donations is in the Narthex.

The program this year will include a very stylish fashion show.  Attire will be something you have purchased second hand, someone has give you or something in your closet that is well worn and probably needs to be recycled.

Circles at the End of the Year

 Many of the Presbyterian Women Circles at St. Mark Presbyterian Church have a special meeting at the end of the programming year in May.  Hannah Circle wears hats and tells jokes, but most of the circles have a dinner or lunch.  Martha Circle had a picnic at the Weirs.  Rachel Circle went out to lunch at Sisters Tea House in Fenton which is in the old Navaho Hotel.

These photos are from Judith Circle which had a pot luck supper at one of the member's homes.  With only divine guidance, we had one fruit salad, one bean salad, one green salad, one couscous salad, cheese crackers, rolls, meatballs and dessert.  We could not have planned it any better.

Hannah Circle Laughs

 The Presbyterian Women began the year celebrating the fashions of the past 50 years---a nod to our 50th Anniversary Celebration.  But, the Hannah Circle at St. Mark Presbyterian Church ended the year in similar fashion---wearing hats.

 Actually, they've ended the program year in this way since the Presbyterian Women studied Ecclesiastes one year.

 Ecclesiastes 3: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. . . a time to weep, and a time to laugh. . ."

Daughters of God: Sowing Seeds in the Garden of Joy

Pastor Susan opened our luncheon in prayer at St. Mark Presbyterian.

 We remembered stories about one of our friends Do:  her class, her courage after a stroke, her determination to fix fudge for the holidays, her love of bridge, her friendship.

Daughters of God: Garden Party Luncheon

 Several years ago, the Fellowship Committee at church decide to hold "Daughters of God" luncheons instead of Mother-Daughter Banquets since all women are "daughters of God"

 This year's theme was a Garden Party Luncheon and as usual, the committee did not disappoint us.

We were asked to wear floral bright colors.