Book Club 2016-2017 Selections

All are welcome!  Snacks and Enlightened discussions---please join us!

Generally we meet the 4th Wednesday in the month at 9:30am in Room 102

(Many of the book titles are available thru the public library system)

Oct.26: Man called Ove by Fredrik Backman
November: NO MEETING
Dec.14: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Jan.25: My Antonia by Willa Cather
Feb.22: The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
Mar.22: Elephant Company by Vicki Croke
Apr.26: Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
May 24: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
Jun.28: Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
July: NO MEETING
Aug.23: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Sept.27: BOOK SELECTION MEETING

Fall Festival

Another beautiful Fall Festival!  We had pumpkin decorating,

games, bounce houses, Fair Trade Items and Bridge Bread for sale.

 We also had several special invited guests:  Lolly the clown, a Blue Grass Band (Good Turn Daily), Caricaturists, and Louie from the St. Louis Blues Hockey team!

 Although almost everything was free including a drawing for Blues Hockey tickets, the Fellowship Committee had lunch for sale in Gleason Hall where Louie again appeared for some photos.

 Everyone had a great time.  Thanks to everyone who made this happen!  It's a wonderful way to reach out to the community.

Deacon's Doings

DID YOU KNOW on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men: 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. As Christians we should be doing everything we can to help these victims. In St. Louis, Lydia's House works in faith to end domestic violence by being a place of healing and a voice of hope for abused women and their children

 (learn more at https:// www.lydiashouse.org/).

Each December the deacons have sponsored a fundraiser for the sole purpose of donating to Lydia’s House. For many years it was a Holiday House Tour that has now evolved into a Christmas Table Top Tour and Tea. The second Tour and Tea will be held on Saturday, December 3, from 2:30-4:00 pm in the Narthex. Tour table tops decorated for Christmas and enjoy a light tea of sweets and savories at St. Mark with friends and/or family.

Last year, the Narthex was transformed into a beautiful winter and holiday season showcase. Do you enjoy creating a lovely table setting? We are currently accepting table decorators and hostesses. St. Mark provides the table, tablecloth, and refreshments; decorators may create the table top design they wish!

Contact D. Cloud or the church office (636-394-2233) for more information.

Worship Prayer from Oct. 2 World Communion Sunday

INVITATION TO NEW LIFE  This table is for all people.  Christ invited poor and rich, male and female…sinner and saint to his table.  At that table, he invited the ordinary to become extraordinary.  He didn’t demand a profession of faith, or an R.S.V.P. invitation.  He only asked that people come.  So, we too invite all to Christ’s table.  Wherever you come from whoever you are.  However you believe in Jesus Christ.  Wherever you are going.  Come and be fed.  Come and be refreshed.  Come and be filled with new life!  Come.

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                                                                          

From north and south, from east and west, we come:

         God’s people called to the Table where simple grace nourishes us.

From down the street to across town, from single households to apartment dwellers:

         God’s people are called to community, where we live and serve one another.

From every class, every race, every status: from little ones with sippy cups to elders with overflowing hearts:

         God’s people are called to witness to God’s hope, to offer peace to a shattered world.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                                                                             

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you have created a world filled with awe and abundance, and yet we live in the midst of boredom and scarcity.  Forgive us.  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you have entered into our world with grace and truth, and yet we live in the midst of judgment and deception.  Have mercy on us.  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you have touched out world with power and presence, and yet we live in the midst of despair and loneliness.  Grant us your peace.

  

   PRAYER AND 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.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

[Prayer requests may be given to one of the pastors before the service.]

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (responsive)

May the composer of heaven’s music be with you!

         And also with you!

Beloved, God has created you for faithful living.

         We lift our hearts to the One who calls us to be Christ’s Body.

People of God, sing to the One who cleanses us of our fears.

         We will dance with joy to the Table of peace and hope.

(…the prayer continues)

So, with those who trembled at the foot of your holy mountain, and with those who press on to follow you, we join our voices in praise to you:

         Your Word opens our eyes to all creation; your Word is the sweet taste of joy for     hungry hearts; your Word endures through every trial and triumph.  Blessed is your          Word who comes in your name!  Hosanna in the highest!

(…the prayer continues)

As we remember his goodness and gentleness, as we celebrate his life in us, we would speak of that mystery we call faith:

Setting aside all he valued, Christ became our treasure; setting aside his own life, Christ rescued us from sin; setting aside our doubts and fears, we yearn for Christ’s return in glory.

COMMUNION PRAYER IN UNISON

God of tender care: at your table we have celebrated your love for us and for all people.  May we be strengthened by these holy gifts to show your love in our lives and in our care for one another.  Joined with your church around the world we commit ourselves to your coming community, through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen

† SENDING

You are a blessed people.

         We will go to be a blessing in the world.

You are the face of Jesus.

         We will go to be love and compassion to all.

You are the family of God.

         We will go to serve our sisters and brothers wherever we may find them.

Speaker on Bullying—Tina Meier

Did you know 1 out of every 4 students report being bullied during the school year? Join us Wednesday, October 12 from 7-8:30 pm for an important conversation about ending bullying, cyber bullying, and suicide. Click here for more information on Megan Meier Foundation.r 

Come at 6  PM for a potluck dinner.

If you or someone you know is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress please call:

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

The call is free and available 24-hours. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you.

Daily Prayer for October 6

THURSDAY

Walking a labyrinth

I appeal to you, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Hosea 9:1-9; Acts 24:1-23; Luke 7:36-50

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord. Keep the church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace; bring all creation to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Clothe us with the power promised from on high, and send us forth to the ends of the earth as heralds of repentance and witnesses of Jesus Christ, firstborn from the dead. Merciful God, strengthen us in prayer that we may lift up the brokenness of this world for your healing, and share in the saving love of Jesus Christ. We pray for those in positions of authority over others, the lonely and forgotten, children without families or homes, agents of caring and relief. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

May God in endless mercy bring the whole church, the living and departed, to a joyful resurrection in the fulfillment of the eternal kingdom.

(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.)

Children's Christmas Musical

It's "ALL ABOUT THE BABY!" Rehearsals are now underway for the children’s Christmas musical, which will be performed for the congregation the weekend of December 10-11.

Our rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings down-stairs in the choir room from 6:15-6:45 pm. All children age 4 and older are invited to join us as we join together in song to celebrate and share the joyous news of God’s gift of Jesus to mankind.

For additional information, please contact Lisa Marsh or contact the church office 636-394-2233

Music Notes—Why Are We Here?

Marsha Medley

I have a funny, smart six-year old piano student who plays well, once he learns a piece. But,

EVERY TIME, we open the page to a new piece of music, he says ‘I don’t know this.” EVERY TIME! And EVERY TIME, I say “Why are we here at your lesson?” He then says “to learn????” Inwardly, I think, “could we skip this and get to the learning part?”

Contrast this student with an inspirational man in my first choir 30 years ago. Dr. Weber (PHD bacteriology) was a small, quiet, retired, 75-year old. He had never sung in a choir, but decided to give it a try. It was a struggle for him and for the choir, but after awhile he got the hang of it. At the same time he had started taking German at the community college, and was doing independent research on bacteria (for which he later received an Einstein award.) As I got to know him, I thought to myself “I want to be like him when I am 75!” He was a life-long learner before it was a trendy phrase.

So the question is, when you open your hymn book to the “new” hymn (which, by the way, may be 50 to 100 years old), or hear a new way of interpreting scripture, do you want to be like the six-year old and say “I don’t know this” or do you want to be like Dr. Weber and give it your best try, even if it is a struggle? Why ARE we here at church? To learn????

I wish I could tell Dr. Weber how much he impressed and influenced me, in his quiet way of continually learning and embracing life. But he long ago passed on, and all I can do is pass on to you his story. Maybe it will inspire and influence you. To learn.

Trying to serve God the best I can. Marsha Medley

Adult Mission Trip to Louisiana!

Join us in serving our neighbors affected by the extreme summer floods. Plans are in the works for October 23-29; lodging at Living Waters Camp, Hammond, La.

Work through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. All (or no) skill sets welcome. More info to come or contact: Clarice.J.Hutchens@pfizer.com.

Worship Prayers for Sept. 25

PRAYER IN PREPARATION:  O God, help us to cast our vision beyond what we see in front of us. Help us to trust you even when our future seems uncertain.  Remind us that the best is still to come, that you have entrusted to us a future with hope.  Remind us that you are continuing to do something new in our world, and in us.  Amen.

  

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                                                                          

All who dwell in the shelter of the Most High abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

         God is our refuge and our strength, in God, we place our trust.

Come into God's presence with joy and longing.

         God is our hope and our salvation.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                                                                             

God of justice and righteousness, you lift up the lowly and fill the empty, and reach out the poor and brokenhearted.  You call us to lead lives of generous compassion.  Yet often we cannot even see those in need.  In our eagerness for wealth and riches, we have wandered away from you and pierced ourselves with many pains.  When we seek too much for ourselves, when we find priority in power and wealth, when we hold on to those things that hurt others, have mercy on us.  Help us to walk in the ways of justice, to practice kindness, to seek out forgiveness, and to pursue love.

  

SCRIPTURE READING                                                                                                  Luke16:19-31, p. 79