Scripture for Sept. 8

Warning against Partiality

Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash

2 My brothers and sisters,[a] do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?[b] 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,”[c] 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.[d] Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?

8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For the one who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith without Works Is Dead

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters,[e] if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

Footnotes:

1. James 2:1 Gk My brothers
2. James 2:1 Or hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ without acts of favoritism
3. James 2:3 Gk Sit under my footstool
4. James 2:5 Gk brothers
5. James 2:14 Gk brothers

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Daily Prayer Sept. 7

FRIDAY

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Job 19:1-7, 14-27; Acts 13:13-25; John 9:18-41
O God, whose presence is veiled from our eyes: Grant that when we do not recognize you, our hearts may burn within us, and when feeling is lost, we may cling in faith to your Word and the power of bread broken. Eternal God of unchanging power and light, look with mercy on your whole church. Bring to completion your saving work, so that the whole world may see the fallen lifted up, the old made new, and all things brought to perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. God of grace and hope, we thank you for life, love, and good memories, for the gift of age, and for the wisdom that comes from experience. We bless you for your constant presence, for with you there is fullness of joy. Give us the courage and faith to accept life as it comes, confident that the future is yours and that we belong to you forever. (Add your prayers.) Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.



(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.)

Journey of Discovery

“Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy” (Proverbs 3:13-18, NRSV.)

We recently took trip to Virginia to spend time with my brother’s family and visit some of the historic sites in the Commonwealth. It was a whirlwind as we toured Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Monticello, and Charlottesville. Our family drank long and deep from the cup of American history, and everyone enjoyed their time. Virginians are proud of their past, but they take particular pride in Thomas Jefferson. He had many accomplishments, but I was particularly interested in the Louisiana Purchase and the subsequent commissioning of the Corp of Discovery. Lewis and Clark’s journey into the unknown included hardships, disasters, joy, and help from unexpected places. In short, it was a lot like life.

We might think we already know everything that is essential and that there is nothing new under the sun. However, we are charged with finding wisdom and understanding along life’s journey, and this requires learning something new every day. St. Mark is starting a new tradition called Discover Sunday on September 9. We will have tables set up around the Narthex in between the two services promoting all the things we do throughout the year. It’s an opportunity to learn about mission, education, worship, fellowship, family ministry, and so much more. St. Mark is very active in our neighborhood and the world, but we only get a glimpse of the much larger picture in our worship services. This is a great opportunity to invite friends to church as we all discover St. Mark together. I pray you will make it a point to join in our congregation’s mission and ministry in the coming year. God is doing great things all around us! Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

In Hope and Confidence, Pastor Dave

GriefShare Class Begins September 11

Stephen Ministry will be facilitating GRIEFSHARE at St. Mark beginning Tuesday, September 11. This is a support group for anyone experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one. It is a 13 week course that allows one to attend one, a few or all sessions. It will meet for 13 weeks from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in Rooms 17-19. If you are experiencing grief, we hope you will join us in a Christian support setting that will help you learn coping strategies to help make life easier. If you would like more information, please call the church office (636-394-2233) D. Hames or B. Lienemann.

Worship Prayers for Aug. 26

CENTERING PRAYER  Living God, give me strength for this day.  Let your truth surround me, your righteousness defend me, your gospel guide me, your trustworthiness shield me, and your salvation protect me, that in every trial I may stand by the power of your Spirit and live by your holy Word. Amen.

     

CALL TO WORSHIP

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

        My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh sing         for joy to the living God.

Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.

        Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

O LORD of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Watchful God, you know our plight.  We are offended by your call to discipleship, and we have not believed your words.  Complaining, we have betrayed your love.  We are weak, estranged, wandering, and lost.  Seeking to stand in our own strength, we fall. Strangers to your holiness, we wander.  Defenseless against evil within and without, we are lost.  Shine your light in our darkness, and guide us back to our place in you.  We continue to pray in Jesus' name.  (Silent Confession)

SCRIPTURE READING                                                    Ephesians 6:10-20

  

† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  Amen.

For the sermon "Till the Fight is Done", click here.

Scripture for Sept. 2

The first page of James in Minuscule 319,
a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament.

James 1:17-27 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[a] 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Hearing and Doing the Word

19 You must understand this, my beloved:[b] let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves[c] in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.

26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Footnotes:

1. James 1:17 Other ancient authorities read variation due to a shadow of turning
2. James 1:19 Gk my beloved brothers
3. James 1:23 Gk at the face of his birth

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo :

Daily Prayer August 31

FRIDAY

You, O Lord, are full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger, and rich in kindness.

Job 9:1-15, 32-35; Acts 10:34-48; John 7:37-52

God our creator, you made all things in your wisdom, and in your love you save us. We pray for the whole creation. Overthrow evil powers, right what is wrong, feed and satisfy those who thirst for justice, so that all your children may freely enjoy the earth you have made, and joyfully sing your praises. Take all our doubts and uncertainties, O God, and fill us with such faith that we may be confident of your love and loyal in the service of him who died and yet lives for us, Jesus Christ the Lord. Merciful God, you bear the pain of the world. Look with compassion on those who are sick; cheer them by your word, and bring healing as a sign of your grace. God of comfort, stand with those who sorrow; that they may be sure that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, shall separate them from your love. (Add your prayers,) Amen.

As God's own, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, and patience, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, and crown all these things with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

(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.)

Thank You! Thank You, St. Mark Congregation

Once again the ABC sale is just a memory. The racks and hangers have been put away, awaiting the gathering, sorting and selling of treasures next year. It took so many of you contributing goods, time and talent to make the 2018 all-church rummage sale a grand success!

The total reached nearly $12,000. What is important about that figure is that it will enable the Board of Deacons to reach out into the community with a helping hand and to hopefully make a difference in so many of the lives of our neighbors. The deacons will deliberate carefully in order to make meaningful choices.

In addition to the cash that was received and that will go right back out into our area, real goods were donated to a variety of places. During the week of the sale, a trailer from Remains sat outside in the back parking lot, ready to accept recyclable goods. After the sale, trucks pulled up to the front of the church, two from the Salvation Army and one from the Kidney Foundation to load unsold items from all departments except for clothing. The clothing went out the door by the kitchen into the truck from Isaiah 58. The loading was done by department workers and a “Takedown” committee, along with hardworking Boy Scouts and their leaders from the St. Mark troop. (We promised them many more spaghetti supper tickets would be sold next year!) Boxes of books were taken to the Veterans Administration to share at the hospital there. Suits, shirts, pants and suitcases were donated to the parole system so that those going out to find jobs would have interview clothing that they needed.

Organizations within the church benefit, too. The Christmas Boutique, the Claymont Preschool at St. Mark, the Fellowship Committee, Presbyterian Women, the Property Committee and Children’s Ministry all received items that they needed.

The sale actually continues year-round in yet another way. J. Morgan faithfully lists some unique treasures on EBay in the months to come in order to make additional funds for the Deacons to delegate. She takes on the task of monitoring this, shipping items all over in order to make the ABC event even better.

There are so many of you to thank, and we inevitably find that we have left someone out. The problem is that this all happens so quickly in the space of one week, and we often don’t have time to jot your name down or to have a sign-in sheet at a key place. Therefore we are not including a list with this article. Please know that we are grateful for each and every one of you, and we hope that you know that! By name we do need to thank Carol Pfeil, Jim Brewer and the Burgess family for all that they did during the week of the sale. And all of the rest of you (nearly 100) can feel certain that you have made a difference as you were doing God’s work. We pray that you will continue to help us next year; see you August 2, 3, 2019 - and the intense week before!

With love, C. Bartell, V. Chabot, B. Pierce

Statement of Faith by Confirmand, Part 13

I believe in God, my Creator, my Protector, my Father. I believe in Jesus, God’s son who died for my sins. I believe in the Holy Spirit, who was sent by God to lead me to truth and understanding. I will rely on the Bible, which is God’s word, as a guide for the way I live my life. I will rely on my Church for knowledge, for support, for reassurance. I will do my best to remember to pray to God; I will rely on prayer to help me make important decisions, to help me cope and understand difficult issues, and to give myself hope. I will do my best to use Jesus as an example in my actions and words; I will try to be accepting of people different than myself, forgiving of those who hurt me, and helpful to others.

Jame W.

Discover St. Mark Sunday

St. Mark will host the inaugural Discover Sunday on September 9th. Various groups will have information tables introducing their ministries and mission. It is a fantastic way to learn more about how St. Mark serves our neighbors both near and far. This is a great Sunday to invite a friend to join you at church. The event will run from 9:30-10:30 and from 11:30-Noon.

Our worship schedule will return to Saturday 5 PM, Sunday 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM.