GIVING THANKS AND SHARING OUR BLESSINGS!

 

Giving Thanks Supper for St. Mark friends and family is Sunday, November 19th. Please join us for a traditional feast that includes turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy and more! There is no cost for the meal, but you can bring a dessert that serves 6-8 people to share with your church family. We will also be collecting for Isaiah 58 and Circle of Concern: Personal Hygiene Products also gratefully accepted. 

CANNED GOODS:Yams, Fruit Cocktail,Pineapple Chunks.Cranberry Sauce,Hearty Soups 

BOXED GOODS  Potatoes (all varieties), Rice,  Baking Items, Meal “Helpers” Instant Oatmeal

Personal Hygiene Products also gratefully accepted.

Worship Prayers November 12

 CENTERING PRAYER God, you do not care for our worship if we do not care for your justice. Jesus, you overturned tables in the temple, angry at how we turned your house of prayer into a marketplace. Holy Spirit, lead us in daily repentance, that our service this day may be a delight to you as we worship in spirit and in truth. Amen. 

 CALL TO WORSHIP Wisdom is radiant and unfading. She is easily discerned by those who love her and is found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her. One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for she will be found sitting at the gate.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Loving God, we confess that we have sinned against you by not honoring you or loving one another. When we ignore injustice in the world our worship brings you no delight. Make haste to help us, that we may stand in right relationship with you and the whole of your creation and sing your praises through the mercy of Christ, our resurrected Savior. (Silent Confession)

† 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. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us

Scripture for Nov. 11 and 12

 Matthew 25:1-13

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (1822)
by William Blake, Tate Gallery.

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

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Daily Prayer for November 10

The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the good news.

Daily Readings for Friday, November 10, 2023

• Morning Psalms 51; 148
• First Reading Ezra 7:27-28, 8:21-36
• Or alternate First Reading Ezra 5:1-17
• Second Reading Revelation 15:1-8
• Gospel Reading Matthew 14:13-21
• Evening Psalms 142; 65

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Loving God, through your Son you have called us to repent of our sin, to believe the good news, and to celebrate the coming of your kingdom. Like Christ‘s first apostles, may we hear his call to discipleship, and, forsaking old ways, proclaim the gospel of new life to a broken world. Great God, you are one God, and you bring together what is scattered and mend what is broken. Unite us with the scattered peoples of the earth that we may be one family of your children. Bind up all our wounds, and heal us in spirit, that we may be renewed as disciples of Jesus Christ, our Master and Savior. God of all who stand in awe of you, make us one with all your saints and with any who are in need. Teach us to befriend the weak, and welcome the outcast, that we may serve the Lord and live to offer him glory. (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.)

Photos from Worship November 5

 

Faith, Hope, and Love

 

I was born with faith; I think we all are. I was lucky to be brought into this world by parents and family who lived their lives in faith, hope, and love, sharing with me these gifts to experience, to enjoy, and to express. My father was an astronomer, and I can still remember as a very young child standing with him in the darkest place we could find and looking up at the night sky. In the comfort and safety of holding his hand, it was like seeing the face of God reflected in creation. When we are given the capacity for awe, to look, to learn, to find and feel the source of love, we know we didn't create it, but we want to pass it on. We believe in it, and wanting to share it makes us who we are, as individuals, and as a species. My childhood was filled with travel, with learning, and with a sense of trust: a trust in each other, as well as a trust in God's concern for our lives, and a desire to be united in that love. As a child in the 1950’s and early 60’s I knew that love, hoped it would always be there, and had faith that it would.

After childhood there was a time when I questioned everything, but being an adolescent and coming of age during the cultural changes of the late 1960’s and 70’s made that seem perfectly natural. While traditional institutions, including religious ones, were being questioned, the lessons of faith that I had learned as a child were being reinforced by growing public concerns for one another, the awareness of our impact on the environment, a focus on spiritual fulfillment, and a connection with the sacred in our lives. I came to believe that we are a species in motion, changing through time, not only compelled to make sense of our universe, but to change our environment to meet our needs and desires, both physically and spiritually. Over the course of time, we have developed technologies with the potential to overwhelm the natural home that we were given, created religions to explain the history of things both seen and unseen, and built a hope that we can use both to continue to exist, and to survive ourselves. Though I was not a member of any congregation, the many years I spent conducting archeological investigations, especially those in Israel, reinforced my belief that we must ask questions in order to find answers, that we can only find truth- scientific or sacred- if we are willing to question the answers we already hold. My “years in the wilderness” were a time of learning, and an affirmation that there has never been a better time, due to the advances in both science and religion, to understand the nature of scripture, the historic context of our beliefs, and the potential to put those convictions into our daily lives.

I returned to organized religion nearly 30 years ago on a date. It wasn’t long after I met Julie Lind (now Julie Lind Northrip!) that she invited me to her Sunday School class at First Presbyterian in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, which was led by a mutual friend. I was delighted, and somewhat amazed, to be with people from a wide variety of background and opinion who could sit around a table and help each other discover the purpose God had for each of us. We were members of that church and grew as a family in it for nearly 10 years before moving to Ballwin and discovering St. Mark. Being a member of St. Mark, the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, and the Presbyterian Church (USA) has been a great joy and blessing for me. To be with others who share the Love of God, who work for better understanding of how to share that love with the rest of the world, who work to alleviate suffering and need, and to find justice for all of God’s children gives meaning and purpose to my faith, hope to my vision of the future, faith that God is love, and that love is our salvation. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!

 

 

John Northrip

9/19/23

Worship Prayers November 5

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

In life and in death, you bless us, O God. When trouble overwhelms, you save us. When sorrow overtakes, you comfort us. When death overcomes, you overcome death and raise us to new life. You promise us joy everlasting and, even now, give us glad hope and glimpses of your realm, which is to come when Christ makes all things new. For calling us your children and bestowing upon us such great love, we give you thanks, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 43)

 

O send out your light and your truth;

let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy hill

and to your dwelling.

Then I will go to the altar of God,

to God my exceeding joy;

and I will praise you with the harp,

O God, my God.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

We acknowledge before you, O God, that we are drawn to false teachings. We succumb to the adoration of this world when we seek to be noticed, crave being honored, and look for the best seats. E ignore the true teach who calls us to lives of humility, kindness, and service toward others. Forgive us. Help us to practice the teaching of Jesus. We long to place our burdens on you, confident you will lighten our journeys. We long to easer the burdens of our friends, families, neighbors, and creatures of earth. Set us on your path, O God. We continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – Heidelberg Catechism Question One

 

Q. What is your only comfort, in life and in death?   

 

A. That I belong--body and soul, in life and in death--not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.  

Scripture for November 4 and 5

 Matthew 23:1-12

A Warning Against Hypocrisy

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

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"Sermon on the Mount" by Carl Bloch

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Daily Prayer for November 3

Daily Readings for Friday, November 3, 2023

• Morning Psalms 84; 148
• First Reading Nehemiah 2:1-20
• Or alternate First Reading Lamentations 4:1-22
• Second Reading Revelation 6:12-7:4
• Gospel Reading Matthew 13:24-30
• Evening Psalms 25; 40

Jesus, Good Shepherd of the sheep, by whom the lost are sought and guided into the fold: Feed us and we shall be satisfied, heal us and we shall be whole, and lead us that we may be with you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Almighty God, by grace alone you call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call. Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. In the beginning you separated light from darkness and placed all your works in our hands. You have given us the light of day that we might see your wonders in all we say and do; you give us the gentle darkness of the night that we might rest from our burdens and be refreshed in body and spirit. Break through the darkness of our sins with the splendor of your mercy and love. Send your light to dispel our fears and anxieties and fill us with hope and joy. Glory, praise, and honor are yours, O God. (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.)

Pastor's Message: Moving from Grievance to Gratitude

 It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of 2023, but I am thankful for all the activities still to come
before we change calendars. There are Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas traditions, and opportunities to connect with friends, family, and loved ones. We celebrate special events as a congregation like All Saint’s Sunday, Stewardship Sunday, Giving Thanks, Jingle Mingle, and so many more. It is a time where we need to be grateful, but that’s easier said than done. 

I don’t watch much network television anymore, and, if someone asks about my favorite shows, I generally talk about programs from the 1980s and 1990s. I still love the comedy series, Seinfeld, and my favorite episode is about a made-up holiday called Festivus. One of the families doesn’t recognize historic celebrations, and they gather for this odd observance. I know I am not doing the episode justice in this description, so you will probably need to (re)watch it on your own. When you do, you’ll see the family patriarch sitting at the head of the table saying, “The tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances.” It’s a wonderfully silly episode, but, as with a lot of comedy, it provides a prophetic word for our day. We are called to live lives of gratitude, but, too often, we slip into the morass of grievance. 

Gratitude feels like a difficult task when we hear so much negativity in the news and experience cruelty in our daily lives. I have good news for you. Nobody can ever take it away from you; the only way to lose it is to forfeit it willingly. William Faulkner writes, "Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: It must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all." We cannot keep it for ourselves or to ourselves. Perhaps, a better way of understanding what this means is to look at the root word of gratitude in Latin; its gratia. It’s grace. If we want to see more gratitude in ourselves and in the world, we need to start with accepting God’s grace and sharing it with our neighbors. The modern world’s currency is grievance, but God’s eternal word for us is grace, and this requires a response. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us” (2 Corinthians 9:11, NRSV.) 

I look forward to worshipping, learning, and celebrating with you over the next two months as we celebrate God’s grace and share God’s love through our gratitude. In Hope and Confidence, Pastor Dave