Comfort at Night

St. Mark Presbyterian Church

Years ago, I had an extremely rare, long, and painful illness, which was difficult to diagnose. This
illness attacked all parts of my body. I was weak and felt very sick. It attacked my eyes, ears, nose and lungs. I had trouble standing and walking. I could no longer use my hands to write. In fact, for one of my surgeries I had to mark an “X,” because I could not write my name. My fingers on one hand turned almost black.

Nighttime was the worst for the pain, but nighttime turned out to be the best for me. One night I heard a voice, the voice of an angel. The angel said, “You are going to be okay. It’s going to take time, but you will get back to normal.” Although it sounds crazy, I knew that voice was not in my head.

Weeks later, again in the quiet of the night, I heard the voice of God say to me, “I sent you an angel because I knew you needed it at that time.”

During my illness, it did not matter to me what the doctors said. I KNEW I was going to get back to normal. It was just going to take time. God had told me that.

When I look back at those years in my life, I don’t regret it. Those were the times that God comforted me.

Psalm 23 4, 6: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. … Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

K. Emge

Stephen Ministry the "After" People

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Stephen Ministers are committed Christian people who...

•     express God's care through their lives to others;
•     receive 50 hours of initial training in important caring ministry skills and concepts;
•     are commissioned as Stephen Ministers after completing their initial training;
•     visit another person regularly and dependably and offer Christian support and care;
•     participate in regular support and supervision under guidance of trained Stephen Leaders
•     are committed to preserving the confidential nature of the caring relationship;
•     serve for at least two years;
•     receive continuing education and skill building throughout their years of service.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another." Ephesians 4:2

Call the church office 636-394-2233 if you need a Stephen Minister to talk to or if you would like to become one.  Click here for more information.

Lectionary for March 8

St. Mark Presbyterian Church

GOSPEL JOHN 2:13-22

¹³The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. ¹⁵Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” ¹⁷His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” ¹⁸The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” ¹⁹Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” ²⁰The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” ²¹But he was speaking of the temple of his body. ²²After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

From the Lectionary, click here for more

Worship was cancelled last week (March 1) due to weather.  Come back next week for the prayers and sermon preached on March 8, 2015.

Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week March 2 to 6

The National Weather Service, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and local emergency managers are promoting Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 2-6, to

help Missourians be prepared for dangerous tornadoes, severe storms, lightning and flooding.

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Tips from SEMA. Severe storms can strike anywhere in Missouri with devastating results; therefore some simple advance planning and preparation can mean the difference between life and death. Planning should start with closely following weather updates (even if it interferes with your favorite local television programs) anytime severe weather is in the forecast. The safest shelter location is the basement or an interior room in the lowest level of a building. Other safe locations for businesses and schools include interior stairways and tornado safe rooms.  Here are some simple tips for awareness:

·     Tornado watch means watch the sky. A tornado may form during a thunderstorm.

·     Tornado warning means seek shelter immediately.

·     The safest shelter location is an interior room without windows on the lowest floor.

·     Do not seek shelter in a cafeteria, gymnasium or other large open room because the roof might collapse.

·     Immediately leave a mobile home to seek shelter in a nearby building.

·     Overpasses are not safe. Their under-the-girder-type construction can cause a dangerous wind tunnel effect.

·     If you are driving, stop and take shelter in a nearby building.

·     If you are driving in a rural area, drive away from the tornado to the closest building. If you cannot get away, seek shelter in a roadside ditch. Protect yourself from flying debris by covering your head with your arms, a coat or a blanket. Be prepared to move quickly in case the ditch fills with water.

·     Never drive into standing water. It can take less than six inches of fast moving water to make a slow moving car float. Once floating, a vehicle can overturn and sink.

Easter Experience Part 2

Click here, if the video above does not appear.  This is a longer video ( 8 minutes) than what was shown a few weeks ago.  This one focuses on the music, but has graphic images from the film.

1 Corinthians 15: 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?

We're no longer slaves to death.  Its sting had been taken away, the fear and hopelessness of loss no longer controls us -- we know that we have been given life eternal.  This is Jesus' gift to us at Easter----because He rose from the dead, we will one day enter into glory and worship Him in heaven, eternally. What does that mean for us here, now, on earth?  We are free to fearlessly pursue the work of the Lord.  Be steadfast, immovable.  Fear nothing but your loving Lord God.

From the Ministry Devotional of The Easter Experience which the youth at St. Mark Presbyterian are studying.

Prayer, Meditation and Listening

World Day of Prayer, March 6, 2015

Why do we pray?  To give thanks? To express concerns? To ask for support? To affirm our faith? To ask for guidance? To celebrate? To express joy? To confess our failings?

"Can you comment on how praying makes you feel?" This question was asked of several Stephen Ministers (2002).  Here is what they wrote:

• Prayer takes the burdens of the day off my shoulder.  Praying is my method of turning over to God those items that I routinely take responsibility for or try to control.   Through prayer, I recognize that God, not me, is in control.  The net result is a feeling of calm and peace.  That serenity enables me to go forward with my day.
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• One thing it does is to help me get rid of worries when I turn them over to God in prayer.  It also gives me a feeling of being constructive when I pray for someone else that I can't help in any other way.  It gives me a sense of peace, too.  Prayer is powerful.
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• Prayer helps me to feel more CONNECTED to God the Father, to the Spirit within me, and to those I pray for.  It also helps me focus, prioritize, be calmer.
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• Thanks for your question.  It gave me a chance to reflect what effect prayer has on me.  Praying for me gives a more intense feeling of being connected with God.  The bond is stronger because we are communicating.  If I go to Him because I'm hurt, I feel calmer and the pain is not as intense.  If I have a joy to share, my joyous feeling is intensified.  Since I've increased my prayer life, life's rougher roads are easier to handle and the happy times are more joyful.
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• How nice to be asked for an opinion!  Prayer usually has a calming effect for me.  It's also my way of acknowledging that there are many things that are out of my control, and my way of "turning them over".  Do I always do this and say to God, "Thy will be done"-- no,  I'm afraid I often try to direct the answer.  Perhaps when I'm 110 I'll do better.
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• Prayer is my direct line to God and I know he listens to my joys, and concerns; and many times I can acknowledge that many things are out of my control and turn them over to Him.  I am comforted and at peace.

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.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Written by St. Mark Stephen Ministers for World Day of Prayer.  Reprinted from St. Mark Presbyterian's 2002 Lenten Devotional.

A World Worth Saving Chapter 3

"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink"  Matthew 25:35

Chapter 3  Feeding Others and Starving Our Guilt

There is so much need in our world!  We experience appeals for help in dollars and service every day.  "For Jesus, guilt is not part of the equation.  Grace, forgiveness and joy are the formula." (A World Worth Saving, p. 49.)

We should give with a compassionate heart rather than from a feeling of guilt.  I think that if we are intentional and pray to establish a deeper connection to what we can do and then take deliberate action to support those charities and/or causes we can be at peace.  Our actions of compassion are our way of showing God's love for our world. "Because Christ transforms our lives, our priorities shift.  We focus on God's expectation that we show mercy and justice for all creation.  Jesus teaches us about God's love and calls us to re-orient our lives of God and neighbor." (A World Worth Saving, p. 52)

Come tonight to St. Mark Presbyterian at 6:15 in Fellowship Hall to continue the discussion on Chapter 3.

St. Mark Presbyterian's Adult Education Committee

Be Still

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”

I think most of us can identify with this passage. Our over-scheduled, overly stressed days leave little or no “downtime.” So how are we to “be still” and know God? And just what is really meant by “be still?” Is it to be quiet or to be physically still? Is it to stop fighting or to let go as the Hebrew word Rapah for “be still” is interpreted?

Maybe it can be all or any of these. To know God does require us to openly accept Him. We need to quiet our thoughts so that we can do this. When we are physically busy and not “still” it is often hard to focus our thoughts.

Sometimes when I realize that things are moving too fast or I feel overwhelmed, I consciously repeat to myself “Be still and know that I am God.” I feel my breathing slow down and I am reminded to be open to listening to Him instead of everything else around me. I may not be able to stop my physical activity but I can “be still” and focus on God in the midst of noise, busyness, and daily obligations.

I can “still” my thoughts at my desk, with three or four people working and talking in our small, crowded (and often stressful) office. I can “be still” while washing dishes and preparing dinner, with the TV on in the background and the sounds of dogs and girls coming in and out of the kitchen. It doesn’t have to be a period of deep reflection; simply a time to slow down my thoughts and acknowledge the presence of God in my life; a time to be open to hearing Him.

Now this doesn’t come naturally! Every day is busy and crazy. Sometimes I have to consciously remind myself to quiet my thoughts and other times I am reminded by what I hear. One of my favorite songs on the radio is “Need You Now” by Plumb. One verse speaks to me and reminds me to try and turn off the confusion. It also reminds me that I am not the only one who struggles to do so! “I’m trying to hear that still, small voice. I’m trying to hear above the noise.”

This Lent I am trying, despite all the worldly noise and chaos, to be still and closer to God. I know there will be times when I could do better, but I will try. God wants us to be close to Him. He wants us to know that He will provide us strength and comfort. Try to be still. Try to let go and be open to God.

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Written for St. Mark Presbyterian in 2015 by Julie N.

11th Annual Circle of Concern / St Mark Charity Golf Tournament

When:
Monday, September 14, 2015


Where:
The Country Club at the Legends, Eureka, Missouri 63025

Why:
Go Orange for Circle.  Orange is the color of hunger awareness, and the Circle of Concern Charity Golf Tournament is a featured event in Circle's September campaign to raise awareness of hunger in West St. Louis County.

NEEDED:  Sponsors and Donations

Stay tuned as more blog entries will provide information on this rewarding charity event in the weeks and months to come.  All proceeds go to Circle of Concern Food Pantry.  Fun, fellowship and funds for food!

Click here to go to the Circle of Concern Web Page

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-for-athletes-20-motivational-scriptures/#ixzz3SydhJoKb

Worship from February 22

WORSHIP MARCH 1 HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER.

PRAYER IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP:  Almighty God, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world.  May your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, shine with the radiance of his glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

  

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:      For You created our inmost beings; You knit us together in our mother’s wombs.

People:      We will praise You because we are fearfully and wonderfully made;

Leader:      Your works are wonderful, we know that full well.

People:      How precious to us are Your thoughts, O God!

Leader:      Give us Your thoughts as we open ourselves to You.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Adapted from Psalm 139:1-4, 23-24)

O Lord, you have searched us and known us.  You know when we sit down and rise; You perceive our thoughts from afar.  You discern our going out and our lying down; You are familiar with all our ways.  Before a word is on our tongues You know it completely, O Lord.

Search us, O God, and know our hearts; test us and know our anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in us and lead us in the way everlasting.

For Pastor Steve's sermon on Feb. 22, Click here.