Congratulations Lili!

Congratulations, Lili H,, on completion of the Girl Scout Gold Award. As part of earning the award, comparable to the Boy Scout Eagle Award, Lili wrote and illustrated a book for Claymont Preschool at St. Mark. The book, “My First Day at Claymont Preschool”,  features a mouse, Edgar, who is wondering what his day will be like when he is at preschool. 

Parents and children can read the book together, or download the ebook, which will help with separation anxiety which both may be experiencing as children begin preschool. It is designed to generate discussion about some of the fun activities that children can expect during their day, what is appropriate to wear and bring, and how we learn about sharing and making friends. Lili received her early childhood education at Claymont Preschool, and we were delighted when she chose this as her Gold Award project. 

She received input from the Preschool Committee as well as teachers. We are very proud of Lili and her achievement.

For more about Claymont Preschool, click here.  If you would like a copy of the book, please contact Lynne Dauve:  (636) 394-2233 ext. 116  ldauve@discoverstmark.org

Daily Prayer June 22

WEDNESDAY June 22, 2016

Numbers 16:36-50; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 20:1-16

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a humble spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ and make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our daily lives, make us attentive to your voice and alert to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else. O God, you are infinite, eternal and unchangeable, glorious in holiness, full of love and compassion, abundant in grace and truth. Your works everywhere praise you, and your glory is revealed in Jesus Christ our Savior. Therefore we praise you, blessed and holy Trinity, one God, forever and ever. Eternal God, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through him.

(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.)  These daily prayers can be found at the Welcome Center each week.

How can you help the Deacons?

As Christians, we care for all of God’s creatures. Christian charity is a cornerstone of our beliefs and through deacon-supported missions you can help the needy in our congregation, community and even the world. 

Did you know that you can:

• Serve a meal to the homeless (volunteer for Peace Meals)
• Provide job opportunities for the homeless (buy Bridge Bread)
• Feed those in need and provide resources that empower individuals to become self-sufficient (donate to Circle of Concern and Golf Tournament)
• Provide clean water around the globe (donate shoes to Shoeman Water Project)
• Stock Isaiah 58’s Thrift Store (donations in Clothing Shed)
• Help transitioning domestic abuse victims to start their new safe independent living (participate in Christmas Table Top Tour & Tea –proceeds to go Lydia’s House)
• Clean out your closets and help the Deacons provide monetary support to local mission (ABC Sale)
• Provide home cooked Sunday dinners and desserts to college students (UKIRK food donations)
• Support fellow St. Mark members through caring cards (sign cards on Sunday mornings), cooking/delivering meals (Caregiving Committee), and even providing/delivering flowers to our shut-in members (Flower Committee)

Want to know more? Ask a deacon! Interested in becoming a deacon? Contact Amy Shelton – she can answer any questions/concerns you may have.

Worship Prayers June 12, 2016

PRAYER IN PREPARATION:  Gracious God, draw near to us with compassion, touch us with healing, and speak to us with love, so that we may arise and live to spread the good news of your saving power: through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord, O my Soul!

         I will praise the Lord as long as I live.

Sing praises to God,

         who made heaven and earth,

who is faithful forever,

         who gives justice to the oppressed,

who gives food to the hungry,

         who sets the prisoners free,

who watches over the stranger,

         who cares for widows and orphans.

The Lord will reign forever.

         Praise the Lord! 

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of the prophet, we confess that we have failed to heed your word.  You have the power to help and heal, yet we cling to our own provisions.  You are able to raise up to new life, yet we fail to trust what you can do.  Forgive us, God of grace.  Change our hearts and lives and challenge us to expect great things.  From your mighty acts of mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Mission Study Team Update

May 27th, June 6, 10, and 13th
The Mission Study Team convened to engage in the beginning of writing the report.  Numerous documents, web sites, notes, etc.; was reviewed, sorted, analyzed, for inclusion into the report.  The writing team devoted hours in making this report their priority in meeting the timeline establish for Session to have during their June meeting.

THE REPORT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE SOON....

Lamentations 3:25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

Youth Mission Trip

 After a long bus trip, the youth of St. Mark Presbyterian with Susan Hayes and Katie Sternhagen, arrived in Charleston, SC.  On Sunday June 5, they attended worship at  James Island Presbyterian Church.

Each day began with a study of The Beatitudes, then the group visited various historic places, worked at a food pantry and had communion on the beach.

Food Pantry Shenanigans

Ft. Sumter

They also visited Emmanuel AME church where they remembered the victims of the shooting on June 17, 2015.  Click here for more information

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10

Daily Prayer June 16

THURSDAY

Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is near.

Numbers 12:1-16; Romans 2:12-24; Matthew 18:10-20

Eternal God, you taught us that the night is far spent and the day is at hand. Keep us awake and alert, watching for your kingdom, and make us strong in faith, so that when Christ comes in glory to judge the earth, we may joyfully give him praise; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. God of holiness and light, cleanse our hearts and give a new spirit to all your people, that your saving grace may be professed and proclaimed to the whole world. How great is your love, Lord God, how wide is your mercy! Never let us board up the narrow gate that leads to life with rules or doctrines that you dismiss; but give us a Spirit to welcome all people with affection, so that your church may never exclude secret friends of yours, who are included in the love of Jesus Christ, who came to save us all. Amen. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord be kind and gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

(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.)  These prayers can also be found on the web site.  click here.

Children's Ministry Summer Programs

 

We kicked off the St. Mark Presbyterian Summer Program with a float in Ballwin Days parade promoting Vacation Bible School.

• June 17 will be an out-door movie night at 7:30 Click here for details.
• June 20 is the deadline for Early Bird Discount for VBS.  Click here for details.
• June 29 6 PM is the Mid-week Potluckwith Pulled pork. Click here for details.
• June 30 is the deadline for registration.  Click here for details.
• July 11-15 is Vacation Bible School with the theme "Surf Shack".  See below on how you can help.  Click here for details

Items requested: Small water or soda bottles with screw on top and an authentic surfboard or pool surf boards.

Click here for ways youth and adults can volunteer to help---Feel the wave of God's amazing love!

Daily Prayer June 14

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever.

Numbers 11:1-23; Romans 1:16-25; Matthew 17:22-27

Eternal God, through long generations you prepared a way for the coming of your Son, and by your Spirit you still bring light to illumine our paths. Renew us in faith and hope that we may welcome Christ to rule our thoughts and claim our love, as Lord of lords and King of kings, to whom be glory always. Fill your church with the power that flows from Christ‘s coming, that, in the midst of the sinful world, this may signal the beginning of a renewed humanity, risen to new life with Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. We thank you, O God, that you call all people to worship you and to serve your purpose in this world. We praise you for the gift of faith we have received in Jesus Christ. We praise you also for diverse faith among the peoples of the earth. Help us all to celebrate your goodness, act upon your truth, and demonstrate your righteousness. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, make you complete in everything good so that you may do God's will, working among us that which is pleasing in God's sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever!

(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.)  Paper copies of Daily Prayer can be found on the Welcome Table.

Mission Workers in Dominican Republic and Haiti

 On Saturday, May 28, 2016, St. Mark Presbyterian was privileged to host Mark Hare and his two daughters.  First, Mark preached "Eden Restored", then we had a pot luck dinner in Gleason Hall followed by Mark's presentation which highlighted both his mission and the work of his wife Jenny Bent in Haiti and Dominican Republic.

 Mark's wife Jenny, originally from Nicaragua, is a mission worker with Evangelical Dominican Church working in Batey 7, where Haitian sugar cane workers live in Dominican Republic.  In Batey 7, 30% of the people cannot read or write, 48% of children under 5 have no birth certificate, 36% of children have not been vaccinated, 21% go on to high school and 85 % of adolescents have no access to legal documents.

Mark's ministry, supported by St. Mark Presbyterian and the Presbyterian Mission Agency, is with Farmer's Movement of Papaye (MPP) a grassroots movement throughout Haiti whose goal is to help small farmers improve their living conditions and increase food production.

 They have focused on involving families by encouraging them to growing their own food in recycled tires and planting of Moringa, a native plant which can be eaten or ground into a powder and made into a tea.  It increase birth weight of babies, increases milk production in mothers who are breast feeding and combats malnutrition in young children.  It grows well in that climate.

Genesis 2:8-10New International Version (NIV)

8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.