Daily Prayer for June 17

SATURDAY

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Song of Solomon 5:10-16, 7:1-2 (3-5), 6-7a (9), 8:6-7; 2 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 20:1-8

God, our creator, you have given us work to do and call us to use our talents for the good of all. Guide us as we work, and teach us to live in the Spirit who made us your sons and daughters, in the love that made us sisters and brothers. Remember, O God, your church. Unite it in the truth of your Word and empower it in ministry to the world. Remember the world of nations. By your Spirit renew the face of the earth; let peace and justice prevail. Remember our family and friends. Bless them and watch over them; be gracious to them and give them peace. Remember the sick and the suffering, the aged and the dying. Encourage them and give them hope. Rejoicing in the communion of saints, we remember with thanksgiving all your faithful servants, whom you have called from this life. We are grateful that for them death is no more, nor is there sorrow, crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away. (Add your prayers.) Amen

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Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

(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.)

Ballwin Days Parade

Each year our Children's Ministry promotes St. Mark Presbyterian's Vacation Bible School at the Ballwin Days Parade.  It's a fun event, but is also a great way to promote this ministry.

Save the Date!! St. Mark Presbyterian Church Vacation Bible School will be July 17 – July 21, 2017
VBS program will be held 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon
Click Here to Register for Vacation Bible School

Go-getters Outing

Hi GO Getter Ladies,

By popular request, we have decided to go to Cardinal Nation at Ballpark Village on June 20, 2017.  Please NOTE, this is a CHANGE from our normal 2nd Tuesday.  We are going on the THIRD Tuesday this month because the Cardinals have a doubleheader on the 13th.  Therefore, the date is JUNE 20, 2017. The bus will leave the church promptly at 11:30 AM 

Please let us know if you plan to attend by responding to this email, or contacting S. Tharp, N. Sutch  or J.Graves.  Please invite a friend and join us for food, fun and fellowship. 

For those of you inquiring, the bus will let us out at the restaurant door.  There is very little walking required for this outing. 

Click here for other Go-getter outings and parties.

ABC (Rummage) Sale Is Coming

Your help is needed to make this event a grand success for our Deacons and their missions. The chairpersons for each department are anxious to work with you to make this fun for one and all - and to show the community that our sale is the best one ever!

Your help is needed for: setting up (Saturday, July 22, 9:00a.m.), collecting and sorting (Sunday, July 23 through Thursday, July 27, and/or assisting the days of the sale, July 28 and 29, including the "take -down" starting at noon on Saturday, July 29.

Please contact C. Bartell, V. Chabot or B. Pierce if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. Interested in providing or serving some of the food for the workers? Contact M. Holt.

Remember, we are anxious to have your terrific donations, but we are unable to accept any of the following: cribs, high chairs, car seats, encyclopedias, magazines, sofas, loveseats, mattresses, entertainment centers, televisions, computers, monitors, keyboards, cords for computers, cell phones, or Christmas trees. Sorry!

 Thanks in advance for anything you can do to help!

 Becky, Vicki, Cindy

Worship Prayer for June 11

PRAYER IN PREPARATION:  Abba, Father, Creator – we call you by many names, but the names we choose show our relationship with you.  Spirit of Life, Wind and Breath among us, we feel you move through us, guiding us, inspiring us to share your love with others.  Jesus, the Christ, Savior of us all, we desire to walk in your ways and to love one another as you first loved us.  Triune God, we desire to relate to you and to each other more fully.  Continue to call us, equip us, and send us into this world and beyond.  Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP

We meet in the name of God, Creator of the universe, mother and father of all.

         The love of God is with us.

We meet in the name of Jesus, Word made flesh, lover of all.

         The grace of Christ is with us.

We meet in the name of the Holy Spirit, sustainer and giver of life, inspirer of all.

         The communion of the Spirit is with us.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Amazing God, we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.  You call us to be faithful disciples.  But we do not always exhibit your grace.  We are divided in our devotion to you.  Forgive us, Triune God.  Open our hearts.  Appear to us in forms we cannot deny.  Challenge us in ways we cannot avoid.  Lead us in paths from which we cannot turn back.  Be present here, befriend us here, renew us here.  Make us new creations who may perfectly love and serve you.

   SCRIPTURE                                                                                                               Matthew 28:16-20, p. 34

Daily Prayer June 10

SATURDAY

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Deuteronomy 29:2-15; 2 Corinthians 0:1-15; Luke 18:15-30

God, our creator, you have given us work to do and call us to use our talents for the good of all. Guide us as we work, and teach us to live in the Spirit who made us your sons and daughters, in the love that made us sisters and brothers. Remember, O God, your church. Unite it in the truth of your Word and empower it in ministry to the world. Remember the world of nations. By your Spirit renew the face of the earth; let peace and justice prevail. Remember our family and friends. Bless them and watch over them; be gracious to them and give them peace. Remember the sick and the suffering, the aged and the dying. Encourage them and give them hope. Rejoicing in the communion of saints, we remember with thanksgiving all your faithful servants, whom you have called from this life. We are grateful that for them death is no more, nor is there sorrow, crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

(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.)

Photos of Montreat

Deacon's Doings

Thank you to Joyce Blackwell for sharing her thoughts this month: The current Board of Deacons is blessed to be among great role models at St. Mark. Did you know that approximately three quarters of St. Mark’s adult members have been ordained as deacons? WOW! It is so obvious and logical that last year's Mission Study Report included this summary sentence: "We believe in caring for and supporting one another, and deepening our faith through the active use of our time, talents, and treasures.”

During a lunch meeting a few weeks ago, a friend/former business colleague and I were comparing notes on being empty nesters and retirees. We laughed a bit about how our calendars were much fuller than we had anticipated. He observed that I was very content about how I was spending my time and asked me why. I’ve thought about this a good bit over the last four years of being a deacon. My love language is “acts of service”. I like being active: doing & serving. Being part of the “ordered ministry of service” as a deacon has helped me more clearly hear, feel, and understand what our Triune God is calling me to do.

The Mission Study Report also clearly noted “… congregants have expressed an eagerness to do more “hands on” work as well as check writing; as a more authentic expression of their faith and to make more of an impact on their immediate community.” This bodes well for our future as we transition into a new season of ministry as well as develop and execute a unified vision for our next 50 years. I’m excited for our future “doings”? How about you???

Worship Prayers for June 4

PRAYER IN PREPARATION-  Holy Spirit of God, flickering over our heads, illuminating our faces, inspiring our thoughts, give us now words of joy and praise.  Come to us Spirit of God, so that in this time of Pentecost, the sparkling light of faith, the rushing wind of hope, and the joyful sound of praise may echo around the world, may echo in the church, and find their response in us.  Fill us with your power, for the sake of your kingdom.  Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP

In the beginning God created the heavens and earth

         The Spirit of God swept over the face of the waters.

When the day of Pentecost had come, a mighty wind came upon the disciples.

         We are filled with vision, and inspired to dream dreams.

When God sends forth the Spirit, all creation comes into being.

         Bless the Lord, O my soul.  Praise the Spirit of God.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy Spirit, how we need you!  Our vision is dim, our dreams too small.  Come, inspire and direct us.  We have ceased to be amazed, or filled with excitement.  Come kindle the fire within us.  Come, heal and strengthen us.  Fill this place with songs of hope and joy.  Fuel our lives with power and grace.  Let flames of passion dance in our lives.  Create your church again, we pray.  Renew this world that it may glow with the light of your glory, and show forth your saving love.

   SCRIPTURE                                                                                                                         Acts 2:1-21, p. 119

Children's Ministries Events

Children’s Ministries welcomes you to join us for the following events:

BALLWIN DAYS PARADE
June 9 Float Decorating & Barbecue

VBS PREPARATION DINNER DATES 5:30 PM
June 14 Pulled Pork

June 28 Hamburgers/Hot Dogs

Join your St. Mark family as the Children’s Ministries Committee prepares for VBS. This may entail painting, cutting, assembling crafts, ironing decals, etc. All dinners are casual with the main course provided. Please bring a side dish. (A freewill offering is collected to offset the expense of the main course.)

BE A SUPER HERO FOR VBS 2017

Please mark your calendars and join us for these events. Parents and siblings are ALWAYS welcome. For additional information, contact E. Oglesby or Ellen Hynes.