Daily Prayer for Nov. 9

FRIDAY

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

Zephaniah 3:8-13; Revelation 17:1-18; Luke 13:31-35

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.)

Giving Thanks

St. Mark's annual Giving Thanks supper is Sunday, November 18 at 11:30 AM. Please RSVP by
signing your family up to attend at the Fellowship Table in the Narthex.

We will offer a children's menu this year, so please check that off on the sign-up sheet! Please bring a pie or dessert to share with your church family.

We will be collecting non-perishable foods and/or monetary donations for Circle of Concern. (Monetary donations will be used to purchase fresh, perishable foods for Circle Clients.) Hope to see you and your family at the event!

Worship Prayers for Oct. 28

CENTERING PRAYER  “Alas, Lord, we are not worthy that the earth should support us, nor worthy to set our eyes on heaven…But please do not turn thy face from us; look with pity not on us but on thy Son Jesus Christ. Grant that we shall turn to no other God but thee. Grant us to keep thy holy rest by resting from our work, in order to let thee work in us.” Pierre Viret (1511-1571)

     

CALL TO WORSHIP

Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good.

God’s steadfast love endures forever.

All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory,

but by the grace of God we are redeemed.

Let us worship God.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION

   Eternal God, we confess we have failed to seek your will. You write your law in our hearts, but we ignore your holy word. You call us to be reconciled but we continue to live in discord. Forgive us, God of grace. Reform and transform our lives so we may live in the light of the truth that sets us free; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Silent Confession)

SCRIPTURE READING                                                                                 Mark 10:46-52                                                                                                     

   SERMON                                      “First Things First: Courage”

                                                               Dr. Dave Burgess

† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - The Scots Confession Chapter One

   We confess and acknowledge one only God, to whom only we must cleave, whom only we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom only we must put our trust: who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible;  one in substance, and yet distinct in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; by whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and in earth, as well visible as invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by his inscrutable Providence, to such end as his eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice has appointed them, to the manifestation of his own glory.

Scripture for Nov. 4

Mark 12:28-34 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

The First Commandment

28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33 and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.

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 Nov. 2

FRIDAY

The Son of Man must be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Nahum 2:13-3:7; Revelation 13:1-10; Luke 12:13-31

Almighty God, in Jesus Christ you taught us to pray, and to offer our petitions to you in his name. Guide us by your Holy Spirit, that our prayers for others may serve your will and show your steadfast love. Lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace, that we may respect one another in freedom and truth. Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it. Righteous God, you rule the nations. Guard brave men and women who risk themselves in battle for their country. Keep our sons and daughters from hate that hardens, or from scorekeeping with human lives. Though they must be at war, let them live for peace. Encourage them as they encourage one another, and never let hard duty separate them from loyalty to your Son. God of all generations, we praise you for all your servants who, having been faithful to you on earth, now live with you in heaven. Keep us in fellowship with them, until we meet with all your children in the joy of your eternal kingdom. (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.)

Kindness Everywhere

November is always busy at church as we remember loved ones who are now with the Lord on All Saints’ Sunday, dedicate our financial pledges on Celebration Sunday, rejoice for everything God has given us on Giving Thanks Sunday, and delight in the Reign of Christ on the final Sunday of the month. We have a full slate of activities every weekend at St. Mark. The building will also be busy throughout the week with preschool activities, classes, and choir opportunities for all ages. Tuesdays are normally pretty quiet around here, but we will have plenty of our neighbors onsite when Gleason Hall becomes a polling place for the national, statewide, and local election on November 6.

I believe it is so important to take part in this process, and I am thankful to live in a country governed by the will of the people. We will not agree on every candidate, party, or issue, but I believe our strength is in our diversity and not our homogeny. The Presbyterian Church has a Book of Common Worship; we do not have a Book of Common Opinion. God alone is Lord of the Conscience, and reasonable people can reasonably disagree. That’s true in the sanctuary, the session room, and the ballot box.

I am weary of the constant attack ads, the retreat of many into political tribalism, and the complete lack of civility in public discourse. My hope is we can all be salt and light in this challenging season. It’s important to vote our values, but to live out our values in the world is far more needed. I have learned it does no good to be right if we are not righteous; it honors God little to be powerful if we are not kind. I encourage you to begin every November morning singing/reading the words to the timeless hymn, “This is My Father’s World.”

This is my Father’s world:
Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
 God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world,
The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

God is good all the time. May we seek kindness everywhere we go and live out kindness in everything we do.

 In Hope and Confidence, Pastor Dave

Christmas Tea Tickets

The 2018 St. Mark Christmas Tea will be held on Saturday, December 1 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.  Tickets go on sale the weekend of November 10 and 11 after services.  Your ticket to enjoy the Christmas Tea is $25.00 per person (make your check to St. Mark Presbyterian). 

Look for the St. Mark Christmas Tea table outside of Fellowship Hall on Saturday, November 10, and in the Narthex between services/after services on Sunday, November 11.  In addition to highlighting lovely seasonal table settings, tasty savories and sweets will be served by our St. Mark youth.  Come and enjoy entertainment and fellowship in the Narthex.  

This event offers a Silent Auction to benefit Lydia’s House.  Please contact Debbie Cloud, Pat Eisenberg and Marie Holt with any questions.

Worship Oct. 21

CENTERING PRAYER  Eternal One, whose thoughts and ways are not ours, you alone are God, awesome, holy and most high.  School us in the ways of faith and wisdom, that we, like Job, may learn to truly see and hear, and in silent humility and find blessing. Amen. 

     

CALL TO WORSHIP

Welcome!  There are many places you could be this morning, but you have chosen to be here.

        where we learn how to live in God’s Kingdom.

Welcome to this place – full of music, of words, of prayer – yet also filled with vulnerability:

        where we encounter a Wisdom we cannot always understand.

Welcome to God’s House, the most vulnerable place in town:

where we talk about and with God, and are reduced to silence so we may hear the call to discipleship.

Let us worship God together.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Creation’s Heart, we look around and see how we fall short in our attempts at faithfulness.  We often do things, not because it is what you call us to do, but in hopes of earning points with you.  We can become so self-absorbed, we cannot see the suffering and struggles of friends, family, strangers.  We are so desperate to get to the front of the line, we push aside the very ones you seek to honor. 

Forgive us, Holy One.  Remind us that the cup we are offered overflows with grace, that the waters of baptism cleanse and make us new, and that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is the One who calls us to service, standing by our side, as we seek to be faithful disciples.  (Silent Confession)

SCRIPTURE READING                                                    Job 38:1-7, (34-41)

  

† 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 Donna Schiro's sermon "Humbled  by Silence", click here.

  

Scripture for Oct. 28

Mark 10:46-52 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus

46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher,[a] let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Footnotes:

1. Mark 10:51 Aramaic Rabbouni

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 October 26

FRIDAY

God is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for God's good pleasure.

Micah 6:1-8; Revelation 9:13-21; Luke 10:38-42

God our creator, yours is the morning and yours is the evening. Let Christ the sun of righteousness shine forever in our hearts and draw us to that light where you live in radiant glory. O Lord, our creator, by your holy prophet you taught your ancient people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived. We commend our neighborhood to your care, that it might be kept free from social strife and decay. Give us strength of purpose and concern for others, that we may create here a community of justice and peace where your will may be done God of glory, you see how all creation groans in labor as it awaits redemption. As we work for and await your new creation, we trust that you will answer our prayers with grace, and fulfill your promise that all things work together for good for those who love you. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

(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.)