Scripture for September 23

James 3:13-4:3 New International Version (NIV)

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Submit Yourselves to God

4 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

James 4:7-8a New International Version (NIV)

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. 

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblical

Photo by Nikki Douglas

Daily Prayer for Sept. 21

FRIDAY

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

Esther 1:1-4, 10-19; Acts 17:1-15; John 12:36b-43

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.)

Discover St. Mark: a Sunday in Photos

On Sunday, Sept 9th, we had our first annual Discover Sunday.  It was an opportunity for committees to share with the congregation and visitors what they do.

Scouts

Fellowship Committee

Choir

Caregiving Committee

Mission Money: Receiving and Giving

Mission Committee

Monetary donations that are given to our core mission partners are sourced from Session allocated funds, designated donations from St. Mark members, along with the majority of funds being generated through fundraisers such as The ABC Sale, Christmas Alternatives, Christmas Tea for Lydia's House, Circle of Concern Golf Tournament, PW Christmas Boutique.

This financial support is in addition to ongoing hands-on volunteer activities and in-kind gifts collected during back to school drives, Thanksgiving food drive, Children's/Youth Ministries Christmas gift drives for designated mission partners, and ongoing food pantry donations to name a few. A list of our core local and international mission partners are listed below. To ensure that we are good stewards of the resources we share with our mission partners, there is a direct connection between St. Mark and each of our core mission partners.

Local Mission Partners: BBJ, Lydia’s House, Circle of Concern. Mound Ridge, Isaiah 58, Peace Meal, Lafayette Industries, Presbyterian Children Homes & Services, U-Kirk

International Mission Partners: Marion Medical Mission, PCUSA Mission Co-Workers, Medical Benevolence Foundation, Haiti-Mark Hare, Partners for Just Trade, Peru-Jed Koball, PCUSA Nicaragua PG2 Scholarship Fund

If you have any questions or suggestions about St. Mark Mission activities-or-want to get involved, please contact C. Polak, C. Hutchens or J. Blackwell, Committee Co-Chairs or call the church office 636-394-2233

Worship Prayers for Sept. 9

CENTERING PRAYER  Generous God, you are my maker and I trust in you.  Surround me with your favor today that I may hear the cry of those in need and share my resources with the poor; in the excellent name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord.  Amen.

     

CALL TO WORSHIP

Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good.

        God’s steadfast love endures forever.

Be strong; do not fear!  God is with us.

        The Lord will come to save us.

Let us worship our God together.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of favor, we have not been true to you.  You have chosen the poor in the world, but we have dishonored them.  You plead the cause of the afflicted, but we crush them.  We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.  We have favored the rich and despised the poor.  We have dismissed the needy with empty words.  Soften our hearts and make straight our ways. Heal our unbelief and turn us back to you.  (Silent Confession)

SCRIPTURE READING                                                  James 2:1-10; 14-17

  

† 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 "All My Favorites", click here.

Scripture for Sept. 16

James 3:1-12 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Photo by Vince Fleming on Unsplash

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,[a] for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature,[b] and is itself set on fire by hell.[c] 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters,[d] this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters,[e] yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Footnotes:

1. James 3:1 Gk brothers
2. James 3:6 Or wheel of birth
3. James 3:6 Gk Gehenna
4. James 3:10 Gk My brothers
5. James 3:12 Gk my 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 for Sept. 14

FRIDAY

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

Job 29:1; 31:24-40; Acts 15:12-21; John 11:30-44

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.)

Presbyterian Women's Brunch

 The Board of Presbyterian Women at St. Mark hosted a brunch for all St. Mark Presbyterian Women. The theme this year was "Stick Your Neck Out!" featuring giraffes.

 It's a wonderful opportunity to socialize, meet new people and introduce the ladies to the programs offered by Presbyterian Women with a little entertainment!  There will be an "Angels, Miracles and Stained Glass" outing on Nov. 1, Christmas Boutique on Nov. 13-14, the Annual Tea on January 30 with the Women's Retreat on March 8-9.  Monthly events are Circles, Book Club and Chair Exercise.

 We had Peach Mango Aperitif, Fresh fruit and Sausage, Egg, Cheese Strata with Giraffe sugar cookies.

Members of Judith Circle pose with Giraffe

Deacons' Doings

As the saying goes, it takes a village. On Saturday evening and Sunday morning we come together at St. Mark to worship. While listening to the sermon, singing a hymn or sharing the peace have you ever thought about what happens in the background to help worship to run smoothly?

The Worship Support Committee is a deacon led committee comprised of both deacons and members of St. Mark congregation. Together this group supports worship by ensuring greeters are present in the Narthex on Sunday morning, ensuring recruitment, coordination and training of ushers and coordinating liturgists. The Worship Support Committee also provides physical care of the Sanctuary and Narthex including the table, pulpit, font, paraments, candles and pew racks. For special services and seasons, the physical care team works with direction from pastoral staff and music ministry to prepare the Sanctuary to reflect the importance of such special times.

Going back to my questions: Have you ever been curious of when and why paraments are changed? Have you ever considered what it is like to be a greeter or usher? Have you ever wondered how liturgists are assigned? I was curious of all these things! To my surprise, I am learning that anyone from St. Mark congregation can volunteer to be involved in these areas of worship support! Really, anyone!

Currently, the Worship Support Committee is interested in forming another usher team. We are looking for “warm” individuals who are willing to support worship through distribution of bulletins, collecting the offering and begin an overall welcoming presence at St. Mark. If you are interested in learning more about ushering, please contact P. Eisenberg or N. Douglas, Worship Support Deacon

Worship for Sept. 2

CENTERING PRAYER  “Day by day we are given not what we want but what we need. Sometimes it is feast and sometimes…swept crumbs, but by faith we believe it is enough.” – Barbara Brown Taylor

CALL TO WORSHIP*

Summer wanes and the autumn draws close.

        Lord, help us to be ready for opportunities of service.
We have felt the refreshment of time-away.
        Lord, give us spirits of joy for the times ahead.
Come, let us celebrate God’s eternal presence and love.
        Let us open our spirits to receive God’s direction for our lives.  AMEN.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Loving, righteous God, our hearts are defiled with the wickedness you hate.  You call us to yourself, but we continually go our own way.  We forget your living Word and cling to dead traditions.  We deceive ourselves and abandon your commandments.  As hypocrites, we honor you with our lips while our hearts are far from you.  Cleanse our hearts from evil intentions; cleanse our tongues from evil words so our worship may be pure and undefiled, and we may live with you in love for others.  (Silent Confession)

SCRIPTURE READING                                                          James 1:17-27

   SERMON                                                 “In One Ear”

Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess

† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH –  Westminster Confession of Faith Shorter Catechism Question One

        What is our chief end?

        Our chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy God forever.