Red Tent: Naomi and Ruth

In ancient times the Red Tent was a safe and sacred space where women gathered to experience, share, celebrate and mourn the rhythms of life of a woman.

Today, our Red Tent gathering at St. Mark Presbyterian is a safe and sacred space for all who gather.

Join us in Fellowship Hall 9:30-10:30 am as we study Girlfriends: Exploring Women’s Relationships in the Bible by Barbara Essex.  Today's topic will be Ruth and Naomi

Ruth 1:16-18New International Version (NIV)

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

You Only Die Once---Bodacious living in the Present

Tonight April 13 will be Part III of Gary Ferbet's series on "You Only Die Once" in Fellowship Hall at 6:15 at St. Mark Presbyterian Church.

Part I was about funeral planning and planning the final stage of life.  See Gary or the church office if you'd like copies of the hand-outs.

Part II was about saying good-bye.  The good-bye process is normal.   Reminiscing about life is a gift and can be part of a faith journey ritual to impart family values.  Often bringing cherished items will prompt stories and memories. When talking, remember to sit at eye level, refrain from giving advice.  Long silences and touch can be healing.

Part III will be "Bodacious Living in the Present".  For more information, click here.

Gary suggested we read Marge Jenkins book You Only Die Once for more on this topic (click here to order the book from Amazon or to read more about it.).

Foreign Missions: Peru

The Presbyterian Hunger Program(PHP) addresses International Hunger Concerns. Joining Hands(JH) is their initiative that mobilizes people in focused campaigns to tackle systemic causes of hunger both overseas and in the United States. Three issue table groups were recently formed: food and land, trade justice or resource extraction, and climate. We invite you all to join our global efforts to fight injustices that create and maintain systems of poverty. The Food and Land Joining Hands partners working on Food and Land Issues are seeing dramatic shifts in farming and agriculture from the privatization of seeds to massive land. The Trade Justice purports that current trade agreements are not transparent and provide more power to corporations than to sovereign nations. The climate table addresses impact of climate change on environmental degradation and people.

The goals of the JH issue tables are to educate ourselves on global issues, connect with people impacted by these issues, and network to address these issues and take action. Each table will engage in monthly activities ranging from calls, webinars, conversations about books or documentaries related to our work, etc.

The next Joining Hand’s Resource Extractives and Climate/Environment call is on Wednesday, April 13, 2:00 PM. The topic is “MINING IN PERU AND CONNECTIONS WITH MISSOURI” with the following agenda:

The Rev. Jed Koball will present the perspective from Peru. He is the Mission Co-Worker and Companionship Facilitator for the Joining Hands Peru Partnership. He will provide the Mining Policies and Impact of Mining in La Oroya and other places.

Jed Koball speaking at St. Mark Presbyterian

Panelists provide connections between Missouri and Peru:

Mrs. Leslie Warden: former resident of Herculaneum, MO was involved in the lawsuit vs. EPA regarding changing ambient air standards.

Dr. Lisa Martino Taylor: Assoc. Professor of Sociology, Meramac Community College will demonstrate the connection between the Herculaneum advocacy and La Oriya.

Dr. Fernando Serrano: Professor at St. Louis University School of Public Health. He performed the first independent health study in La Oroya which demonstrated the human health contamination from mining. 

Dr. Clarice Hutchens: Pfizer; will explore the possibilities of bio-remediating contaminated soil in La Oroya so crops and livestock may flourish once again.

Please contact Clarice, if you can join us. We hope you will bring your presence, knowledge, and wisdom to the table! Save the Dates:

May 28—Mark Hare, Mission Co-worker in Haiti will present at Saturday evening worship followed by a personal presentation and potluck. Mark works with Jenny in areas of health, agriculture, and reforestation.

July 9-17th--Mission Delegation to Nicaragua

Worship Prayers from April 3

PRAYER IN PREPARATION:  Almighty God, we rejoice in the gift of new life made possible through Jesus’ resurrection.  You are the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who live in fear. For you no door is locked.  Draw us beyond our doubts and into the presence of the risen Christ, that we may know the blessings of his peace within us and the breadth of his Spirit upon us. Amen.

 CALL TO WORSHIP

We gather in the name of the risen Lord.

         In us, among us, the peace of Jesus.

We gather as sisters and brothers of the resurrected one.

         In us, among us, the presence of Jesus.

We gather to share our faith and to worship God.

         In us, among us, God’s light and love.

We gather to proclaim the good news of Easter.

         Christ is risen! Alleluia!

 PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Living God, when our spirit is filled with Easter joy and happiness, we are tempted by complacency and indifference.  We have been blind to your vision of a renewed world and deaf to your call of discipleship.  We confess our temptation to rush past Easter, moving on to the next task, diminishing the power of your love, which raised Christ from the dead. Forgive us, O God.  Draw us beyond our doubts, until we see the risen Christ and touch his wounds where they bleed in others.

Golf, Golf, Golf

ONE MORE MONTH – MAY 9

If you provided your support to the Circle Of Concern Charity Golf Tournament as a Sponsor, Player, Donator, and/or Volunteer in the past, we hope you do so again this year.  Please don’t wait to the last minute and register today.  Brochures are available at the welcome desk in the Narthex.  This year there is a dinner only option.  Show up and eat with your favorite golfer and take part in the silent auction.  We would love for your to be one of our 5 Sponsors; but at least be a Hole Sponsor for $100 and your name will be listed on one of the holes.  Remember your cash donation will allow Circle of Concern to purchase items that cannot be generated through dry donations; i.e. dairy products, meat, frozen food, vegetables, and fruit to name a few.  Please visit http://www.discoverstmark.org/about-us/deacon-ministries/circle-of-concern/circle-of-concern-st-mark-charity-golf-tournament for more information on registration, sponsors, donations, payment, etc.

2 Corinthians 9:7 - Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

All Church Mound Ridge Retreat

All Church Earth Day Retreat

Mound Ridge Retreat and Mission Center
Saturday, April 23; noon– Sunday, April 24; 1:30 PM return

31 Agape Lane Cook Station, MO 65449

Saturday April 25 noon (lunch included) -Sunday, April 24 1:30 pm return

$60 adults, Call Katie for youth and family rates.

Price includes 3 meals and 1 nightlodging.

(Scholarships are always available)

Saturday outdoor yoga, camp breakfast, morning worship, eco-work, labyrinth, hiking, praying in color, dinner, evening worship, campfire, games, fellowship

For more information, contact Pastor Susan or Deacon Amy Shelton.
Download a copy of the Registration Form here.

If you can’t attend for the weekend, you are invited for:
Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday, April 24, 9:30 AM
With Baptism and The Lord’s Supper
Reserve your seat on the church bus (departs 7:45 AM) or join in the caravan leaving from the St. Mark parking lot.

Operation Christmas Child Presentation

Focus on Love, Neighbors, and Forgiveness

Saturday, Apr 23 2016, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

First Baptist Church of Ferguson 333 N. Florissant
Ferguson, MO 63135

Hear Alex Nsengimana share his powerful testimony of his escape from the genocide in Rwanda. He tells his remarkable story of receiving a shoebox gift from Operation Christmas Child that helped bring him to a strong faith in Jesus and led to the desire to return to Rwanda to plant a church and minister to the people who killed his family. The presentation is organized by the St. Louis Area Team for Operation Christmas Child. It is free and all are welcome to attend.  Contact Julie Northrip if interested in attending.

Click here for a video about Alex.

Worship Prayers for March 12, 13

PRAYER IN PREPARATION:  Creator God, you have formed us as your own, so whether we are weeping or laughing, dreaming or shouting for joy, we are always coming home to you. Break open the Scripture through the power of your Holy Spirit, O God. Let your word, sung and proclaimed, pour out until its fragrance fills this house and our lives. Then, anointed with your word, send us out to share the good news we have received. Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP

God is about to do a new thing.

         We will not stop looking for the newness God has for us.

There is water in the desert. There are roads in the wilderness.

         We will quicken our pace to follow Jesus wherever he leads.

Whatever obstacles we put in the path, God will make a way to our hearts.

         God makes a way for us to be made whole; we will move onward with joy and hope.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Steadfast God, throughout the ages you have cared for your people.  You lead us through the wilderness of despair into a land flowing with joy and hope.  You transform our tears into laughter, our sorrow into joy.  Yet we fail to trust you – our fears overwhelm us, our tears drown our hope.  Forgive us, O God – when we criticize others, when we are afraid of tomorrow, when we lose hope in your goodness.  Give us generous spirits, that we may trust in your goodness.  Give us generous hearts, that we may pour out all we have.  Teach us to live in expectant joy, as we anticipate your transforming grace.

Scripture for Worship April 3

John 20: 19-31

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe^[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

April Youth Events

St. Mark Presbyterian Youth Group meets on Sundays from 11:30-1:00 and Bible Study meets on Wednesdays from 6:15-7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

April 3: Smart Choices Part III with Scott Collier DEA agent

April 5: Town Hall Discussion with the Mission Study Team 7 pm

April 6: Feasting on the Word & Garden Prep

April 10: Creation Prayer Stations

April 13: Feasting on the Word & Garden Prep

April 17: MISSION: Hat Day & Cardinals Game ($20.72 per ticket sponsored by Children's Ministries)

April 20: Feasting on the Word & Garden Prep

April 22-24: Earth Day Retreat at Mound Ridge

April 27: NO BIBLE STUDY

April 30: Youth Mission Trip  June 3-11 we will be serving in Charleston, South Carolina working on flood clean up, homeless ministry, and home repair. $200 NON-Refundable deposit is due April 30. Registration forms can be found in Katie’s office or outside her office on the bulletin board.

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who participated, donated, and especially to Pastor Jim for being an excellent emcee and to the Youth Committee that worked so incredibly hard to make the night a great success! With 12 tables and 36 auction items, we raised over $5000 that will help pay for our Mission Trip to Charleston, South Carolina, Triennium, and local mission projects like The Bridge and Project Linus.