Scripture for April 9 and 10

 Luke 19:28-40

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[a]

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

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Daily prayer April 8

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.

Daily Readings for Friday, April 8, 2022

• Morning Psalms 22; 148
• First Reading Exodus 9:13-35
• Second Reading 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
• Gospel Reading Mark 10:32-45
• Evening Psalms 105; 130

Eternal God, Author of our life and End of our pilgrimage: Guide us by your Word and Spirit amid all perils and temptations, that we may not wander from your way, nor stumble in the darkness; but may finish our course in safety, and come to our eternal rest in you. Eternal God, your hand shaped our lives by grace and your hand rescued us from sin by love. May your hand guide us through this day, shielding us from all evil, strengthening us to do justice and love. Enable us, O God, to do all things as unto you; that small things may be filled with greatness, and great things may be crowned with humility. O God, whom we cannot love unless we love our neighbors, remove hate and prejudice from us and from all people, so that your children may be reconciled with those we fear, resent, or threaten; and live together in your peace. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

With God's help and love may your lives be blessed and your labors fruitful as you offer yourselves gladly in the service of our common Lord.

(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.)

There is a Strength

 Psalm 118: 19-29

Luke 23: 1-25

There is a poem about prayer by Helen Lowrie Marshall.  In it, she refers to the strength, peace and joy that comes through prayer.  Prayer give you power.  When you take things to the Lord regularly, you are renewed and empowered.  You have the confidence and faith to tackle any problem knowing you have the poser of the lord behind you.  Prayer dresses you in the armor of the Lord to do his Battle.

Prayer also brings you peace.  With the Lord steering the ship, there is not as much to worry about.  The seas of life are calm and your life is put in a better order.  It is easier to see the horizon and to face the future when you are calm about the present.  Having the peace of Christ allows you to know the future will be good and right, even though there may be problems you are addressing today.

Finally, giving your thoughts to God gives you a great sense of joy.  You are lifted above and beyond the troubles of the world.  god doesn't answer every prayer, but He listens to all of them.  Knowing that He is listening brings you profound joy.  You are never alone.  No matter what the situation, there is someone to talk to and share your problems with.  this peace and joy helps to provide the strength that is gained from prayer.

In our busy world we don't always have time to take a moment to pray.  We get in bed at night too tired to thank God for our day.  We eat dinner in shifts because of our busy schedules and don't take time to say grace.  It only takes a moment, but we seem even too busy for that.  We can gain so much by prayer.  It's so simple, so why can't we find time to do it?  Try and make this Lent a time for more prayer in your life and in your family.  Take the time.  You'll see with prayer that you will have strength, peace and you, and a refreshed, renewed, body made whole.  God bless you.

Dear God,

We pray to You today.  We pray because we know You listen.  You listen and give us strength, peace and joy.  Help us to slow down and talk with You at every turn of our day. Amen.

Kathy Klos

Reprinted from 1998 Lenten Devotional with permission.

PROPERTY COMMITTEE and TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE: Annual Report excerpts

 The Property Committee is responsible for maintaining or replacing, if necessary, all items pertaining to the physical buildings of St. Mark Presbyterian Church. The following was accomplished by the Property Committee in the past year: 

• Routine management of the maintenance for: Furnaces and air conditioners, Snow removal, Parking lot, Lawn irrigation, Elevator, Fire/smoke alarm, Emergency lights and fire extinguishers,Kitchen equipment, Preschoo, Lawn & trees, Church van, Water and sewers

 • Add a drainage system to move rain water and sump discharge away from the education wing

 • Resurface the rear parking lot as part of a multi-year program

 • Replaced sound baffles in Gleason Hall • Power washed exterior of pre-school area • Replaced the preschool area water heater

 • Added equipment to prevent high humidity in the Fellowship Hall 

Numerous other jobs were accomplished through the dedication of the Property Committee members as there is no paid maintenance person. 

 Respectfully submitted, Doug Anderson, Chair 

 The purpose of the Technology Committee is to operate and maintain video and sound systems used in services, provide and maintain the phone system, multi-media systems, and information technology systems. The committee retains IT contractors for the higher-level technical support of the church’s IT systems and the church website. The committee also sets policy for use of all these systems. 

2020 started with the Technology Committee helping with pre-recorded services that were premiered on Sunday morning. By midyear, services had moved to in-person in the Sanctuary. In-person services allowed a shift to live streaming instead of a pre-recorded service. The shift to live services allowed all members of the committee to be available for recording. 

A detailed script was created and multiple members of the committee were trained on how to produce the live stream feed. The sound desk internet connection was upgraded and X-Keys keyboards were added to facilitate the switch to live stream. TV screens were added to the Narthex for dissemination of information to the Congregation. Additionally, the youth have helped support our streaming efforts on Sunday mornings. We look forward to their continued support. 

Respectfully submitted, Greg Reiter, Chair

23rd Psalm: My Neighbors

 

The Lord is my neighbors 

I have no complaints 

We all pay dues

To mow the common field 

And hang out by the pool

Life is good

We are fair 

For the sake

Of our community. 

We watch out

For each other 

And live alert

Not in fear

Our security lights

And cameras

Give comfort.

Each summer we get 

Together and party 

We remind each other

To use sunscreen

And our cups overflow 

Let goodness and 

Kindness surround me

All the days

Of my life

While  I live

In my home

Among theirs for

Many long years. 

John Northrip

Photo by Bill Nino on Unsplash

While studying the Psalms in Sunday School Class, Pastor Dave Burgess, encouraged us to think about other ways of stating the 23rd Psalm since most of us don't really have shepherds in our lives.   We are grateful for all who agreed to share their thoughts.

LENTEN WATER CHALLENGE

 

Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kills more people annually than all forms of violence, including war. In the world, 663 million people do not have access to clean water. About half of the world’s population who lack clean water live in Africa. 

Marion Medical Mission has played an active role in the fight against dirty water. Since 1990, they have built over 31,000 wells in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia providing over four million people with a sustainable source of safe drinking water. 

For the past 20 years, St. Mark has supported Marion Medical Mission through our Christmas Alternatives Gift Fair. During the past 4 years, St. Mark member donations have funded the construction of more than 30 wells. You are encouraged to drink only clean tap water for the 40 days of Lent. Giving up the morning trip to Starbucks or the evening glass of wine might be a tall task for some, but it will help us comprehend how much money we spend on beverages. Moreover, we can use the money we save to support more wells in Africa. 

We are blessed to have clean water in our community, and this challenge helps us to understand the needs of those who have less, and support groups who are working to provide living water for all God’s children.

Order of Worship April 3, 2022

 CENTERING PRAYER (St. Augustine of Hippo)

“Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of thy brightness. Fill us with holy love, and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom. All our desire is known unto thee, therefore perfect what thou hast begun, and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. We seek thy face, turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied, and our peace shall be perfect.”

 

PRELUDE (Sunday Worship) Little Prelude and Fugue in A minor Bach (1685-1750) 

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 126)

 

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter and shouts of joy.

We rejoiced: “The Lord has done great things for us.”

May those who go out weeping, earing the seed for sowing,

come home with joy, carrying their sheaves.

Come! Let us worship our God together!

 

 

† HYMN      “Fairest Lord Jesus”      Hymnal #630

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Purifying God, we grow comfortable with the way things are in our lives, in the church, and in the world. We do not always welcome the new life you offer in Christ, for you overturn our notions of power and protocol. Sure of our own righteousness, we are critical of others. Wanting to control our assets, we hoard the gifts you give us. Forgive us, we pray, for seeking our gain at the expense of others. Help us bend our lives toward your own life of self-giving and sacrifice. Fill our lives, our homes, our churches, and the whole world, with the abundant love of Christ until you make all things new. We continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

 

 

ASSURANCE OF GRACE

 † SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

 †GLORIA PATRI Hymnal #581 

TIME WITH CHILDREN (Sunday Worship) (Children 5th grade and younger may leave to attend Sunday School) 

SCRIPTURE John 12:1-8 

SERMON “Life Is a Part of Death” Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess 

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

Q. What is our chief end? A. Our chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy God forever. 

OFFERING When I Am Lifted Up Courtney 

Chancel Choir 

† THE DOXOLOGY Hymnal #606 

† HYMN   “We Gather Here in Jesus’ Name”    Hymnal #510 

THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION 

Invitation to the Table 

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer  

Words of Institution    

Sharing of the Bread & Cup    

Prayer After Communion 

† CHARGE AND BLESSING

 † BENEDICTION “Shalom, chaverim” (Sunday Worship) 

POSTLUDE (Sunday Worship) Intonatio Sexti Toni Scherer (1631-1712) 

† You are invited to stand, as you are able 

Scripture for April 2 and 3

 John 12:1-8

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

By James Tissot -
Online Collection of Brooklyn Museum;
 Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2007, 

12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”

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Daily Prayer April 1

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a humble spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Daily Readings for Friday, April 1, 2022

• Morning Psalms 22; 148
• First Reading Exodus 2:1-22
• Second Reading 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3
• Gospel Reading Mark 9:2-13
• Evening Psalms 105; 130

Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ and make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our daily lives, make us attentive to your voice and alert to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else. O God, you are infinite, eternal and unchangeable, glorious in holiness, full of love and compassion, abundant in grace and truth. Your works everywhere praise you, and your glory is revealed in Jesus Christ our Savior.

Therefore we praise you, blessed and holy Trinity, one God, forever and ever. Eternal God, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through him.

(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.)