Worship April 11, 2021

10:00 am Sunday Virtual Service 

ORDER OF WORSHIP

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

Breathe in this place, O Lord, by the power of your Holy Spirit. Open our minds, unlock our hearts, and enliven our faith so that we may welcome the risen one among us. Amen.

PRELUDE    O FILII ET FILIA E      Medley 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Peace be with you.

How good and pleasant it is when we live together in unity.

Receive the Holy Spirit.

It is like precious oil on the head, the blessing of the Lord.

Come. Let us worship our risen Savior together.

† HYMN    “The Day of Resurrection ”     Hymnal #233

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

You showed yourself to us, O God, by Word and Spirit, with signs and wonders, in flesh and blood, yet we still struggle to live and believe the good news of Jesus Christ. Have mercy on us; forgive us. Enter into our lives and cast out our fear so that we may come to trust in you and have life in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

 

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST 

The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. 

SCRIPTURE     John 20:19-31 

SERMON      “Holy Skepticism”      Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 

The 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 the saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 

OFFERING SPECIAL MUSIC      Victory      Parker 

Mark Reynoso 

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

† HYMN      “In the Bulb There is a Flower”      Hymnal #250

 † CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION RESPONSE      “Be Joyful”      Kaiser 

POSTLUDE      O Sons and Daughters      Medley 

†You are invited to stand, as you are able. 

Scripture for April 11

 John 20:19-31

Jesus appears to his disciples after he has risen.
In "The life of Jesus of Nazareth: eighty pictures"
 (Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1906).

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. John 20:24 Thomas (Aramaic) and Didymus (Greek) both mean twin.
2. John 20:31 Or may continue to believe

Daily Prayer April 9, 2021

 God is love, and those who abide in love, abide in God, and God abides in them.

Daily Readings for Friday, April 9, 2021

• Morning Psalms 96; 148
• First Reading Daniel 12:1-4, 13
• Second Reading Acts 4:1-12
• Gospel Reading John 16:1-15
• Evening Psalms 49; 138

Eternal God, we praise you for your mighty love given in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and the new life we have received by his resurrection. We thank you for the presence of Christ in our weakness and suffering, the ministry of Word and Sacrament, all who work to help and heal, sacrifices made for our benefit, opportunities for our generous giving. God of grace let our concern for others reflect Christ's self-giving love, not only in our prayers, but also in our practice. We pray for those subjected to tyranny and oppression, wounded and injured people, those who face death, those who may be our enemies. Eternal God, your love is stronger than death, and your passion more fierce than the grave. We rejoice in the lives of those whom you have drawn into your eternal embrace. Keep us in joyful communion with them until we join the saints of every people and nation, gathered before your throne in ceaseless praise. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by 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.)

Prophecy Fulfilled

As we approached Holy Week this year, my mind wandered back to a painting that hangs in the Narthex. I did not know the backstory for the painting but with a little help from my friends, this information that appeared in a March, 1986, St. Mark Newsletter found its way to my inbox.

Charles Long’s Prophecy Fulfilled, a painting in acrylic and oil was presented to St. Mark by Charles on Thursday, March 27, 1986. We are most appreciative of Charles’ talent and generous contribution to St. Mark. 

Prophecy Fulfilled depicts events leading up to and including the Crucifixion. 

Anointing of Jesus at Bethany, Matthew 26:10-13

 Palm Sunday with Christ on the donkey entering Jerusalem, Mark 11:7-10 

The Passover Supper with broken bread and chalice, Matthew 26:17–19 

The washing of the disciples’ feet by Jesus, John 13:1-17 

The betrayal by Judas, Matthew 26:14-16

Joseph of Arimathaea and the three women at the foot of the cross, Mark 15:42-47 

The slain lamb as the sacrificial Lamb of God, John 1:29 

The Cross with blood from the nails and a purple robe at the base, depicting Christ. Matthew 27:27-31

 I did not know Charles Long but we all know his daughter Pat Marshall. During this Holy Week may we all pause and reflect on the events shown in the art work. When we are back in Church, take time to enjoy the painting, a gift of love to share the story with all who enter the Narthex.

Mary Beth Powell, March 27.2021

A Lament for Clean Water

 Oh God, you created for us clean, plentiful water that would rain on our crops, cleanse and hydrate all living creatures.

Now, our water is polluted and many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world die from disease in the water that they drink.

We know that you are faithful to us and supply what we need but it is also our responsibility to protect what you have given us.

Please help those with power to use their resources and influence to help those lacking clean water.

Please hear our prayers as we strive to do what we, people of power are able to do to provide life sustaining clean water for those who lack it.

--Chris Polak

Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash

Easter Worship April 4

 

HE IS RISEN! 

April 4, 2021

 10:00 am Easter Sunday

 Virtual Service 

ORDER OF WORSHIP 

CENTERING PRAYER

 

Heavenly Father, I am full of thanks for a night of rest, for this new day, and all that now awaits me.  I go forward toward encounters with family and friends, work and play, and all that will bring me into contact with strangers, certain that you are with me.  Lead and guide me in the way of a resurrected life.  Help me to see the risen Lord today; in Jesus’ name. Amen

PRELUDE     Easter Hymn      M.C. deJong 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

         Christ is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!

This is the day that the Lord has made;

         let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

         Christ is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!

† HYMN      “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”     Hymnal #232

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

All-knowing, all-powerful God, we confess that, even on this most holy day, we are unable to believe in the victory over death shown to us in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord. We confess our utter dependence on you not only for life but also for faith, hope, and love. Without your astonishing appearance to our ancestors and your stunning presence throughout the ages, we would be lost.  Forgive us and transform us, that in every way our work and prayer will make whole what is broken and give peace on earth.  (Silent Confession)

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 

† SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST 

The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. 

SCRIPTURE     John 20:1-18 

SERMON     “Limping, Looking, and Leaping”      Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Heidelberg Catechism Question One 

Q. What is our chief end? 

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

OFFERING 

SPECIAL MUSIC      Thine is the Glory      Handel/Medley 

Chancel Bells 

† THE DOXOLOGY 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

† HYMN      “Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna”      Hymnal #248 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING 

† BENEDICTION RESPONSE      “Be Joyful”      Kaiser 

POSTLUDE    St Magnus     Peterson 

†You are invited to stand, as you are able. 

Scripture for Easter

Joseph von Führich - 
http://www.aukce-neumann.cz/gallery-cz.html

 John 20:1-18

The Empty Tomb

20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

Lorenzo Monaco,
The Three Marys at the Tomb
 (manuscript illumination of a 1396 antiphonary)^[

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Read full chapter

Daily Prayer April 2, 2021

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

Daily Readings for Friday, April 2, 2021

• Morning Psalms 22; 148
• First Reading Genesis 22:1-14
• Second Reading 1 Peter 1:10-20
• Gospel - morning John 13:36-38
• or Gospel Reading - evening John 19:38-42
• Evening Psalms 105; 130

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.)

He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!

 

We will begin our worship services on Easter Sunday with this familiar call and response. This is a season of celebration as we all make our way to the empty tomb, and we wonder what resurrection means in the age of COVID19. I am in awe of Mary Magdalene who travels to the grave in the early morning hours of that day of days. Seeing the stone rolled away, she returns to the disciples to tell them about this incredible new development. Mary was the first missionary of the resurrection, telling others there was something special going on in the graveyard. She did not completely grasp the significance of the moment on her first visit to the tomb, so, she returns again and soon encounters the risen Jesus. He calls her by name, and through tear-soaked eyes, she recognizes her risen . Jesus tells her she cannot remain at the open tomb holding on to him; she must go and tell the others what she has seen. 

The scripture seems to tell us we must all make our way back to the tomb in our own lives, but we cannot stay there. Jesus is risen, and we still have work to do. This is the greatest story ever told, and we have to share the good news with others; Jesus is alive! I guarantee there is someone in your life who needs to hear this wonderful truth this week. 

I appreciate this prayer from the Church of Scotland and hope it is a blessing to you throughout this Easter season. He is Risen. 

“Lord Jesus Christ, we greet you. The cross has not defeated you, the grave has not kept you silent. At the first dew of the morning, you met our sister, Mary, and called her by name. We are your family and friends, and though numbed by your death and aware of our complicity in it, We come hesitantly but gladly, to confirm the rumor that you are alive. Meet us as you met Mary, with gentleness and resolution. Speak our names quietly in our hearts, that we may proclaim your name boldly on our lips. Amen.” 

Common Order (1994), 440-41. Copyright Panel on Worship, Church of Scotland.

In Hope and Confidence, 

Pastor Dave

Holy Women at Christ's Tomb (c. 1590s) by Annibale Carracci. In Matthew 28:1–10, Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" encounter an angel at the tomb, who tells them that Christ has risen