Moving Upward Together: Day 13

 

Day 13, Children's Activity Bags – Dale Weir 

“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14.) 

Have you ever noticed the children's activity bags in the narthex before the service? For small children who may fidget, the bags can be a parent's prayerful answer to being able to sit in church and listen to the sermon, with a child who is occupied rather than a child who is bored. When it's time for the Children's Sermon, the young ones race to the front of the sanctuary to "claim" their spot to listen to the word of God and the activity bags get left behind to be gathered up by parents and ushers, refilled and reset for the next set of children who might become bored waiting for "Their Special Godly Time". May parents never be afraid to bring their children into the St Mark sanctuary. The little ones learn by watching their parents and, like little sponges, they absorb much more than any of us realize. May we always find ways to help everyone around us listen to God's message 

“Father God, you welcome all the little ones into your presence and into your kingdom. Help me to know I am a child of God, and your promise is for me. Amen.”

Moving Upward Together: Day 12

 

Day 12, Narthex Door – Pastor Dave 

I recently led a devotion for the church session on Psalm 84. In this chapter, the psalmist writes about longing to be in God’s House. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God” (Psalm 84:1-2, NRSV.) I asked the elders when they felt like this? For some, attending worship is habit. For others, it’s a deep need to rediscover a long-forgotten hope. Many come to church to connect with friends. There’s never a wrong reason to enter into the House of God. I reminded the session of our time apart during the global pandemic. It’s hard to believe it’s already been five years. 

Do you remember a longing to get back into the sanctuary? I know many of us ached for the time when we could join together in worship. I think this resembles the kind of longing the psalmist felt when writing today’s reading. There is a longing in all of us to experience the unending love of the Divine. 

There is a scripture verse painted above the narthex doors. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1, NRSV.) It’s not just another beautiful psalm, it is an invitation to welcome this time in church with delight. Routines can become habits, and habits can devolve into ruts. Let us commit never to fall into this dead-end grind where church isn’t special. I love the open doors we have here at St. Mark, and I am thankful for the standing reminder to enter God’s gates with thanksgiving in our hearts. What excites you about coming to in-person or online worship? What gives you hope and joy? 

“Welcoming God, we thank you for the open doors you place before us. May we enter this and every day with hopeful anticipation of what you plan to reveal to us. Renew in us a longing spirit for corporate worship. We pray this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Three-In-One. Amen.”

Moving Upward Together: Day 11

 

Day 11, A Room for Rest – Jaclyn Morgan 

Almost 40 years ago, St. Mark hosted a Teen Center for the middle school age kids in the area.  We had over 100 kids, playing basketball, dancing to a DJ, and being social. With that many kids 12 and 13 years old being “social” there was weekly heart break from being shunned, feeling anxious about their looks, and of course arguments. As chaperones, we witnessed a scene almost weekly: a young lady running out of Gleason Hall with friends following in her wake. Sometimes she was sad, other times angry or humiliated. She ran to the restroom where her friends would try to console her, explain themselves, provide comfort, let her vent. When the tears stopped, the comb and fresh make up came out to prepare her to face "the public".

 If this restroom could talk, it would tell you it was a place of sanctuary, providing shelter from the emotional storms of adolescence. It was also a place of reconciliation and a place to freshen up before leaving to face the chaos of the Teen Center. This wasn't just one girl, but one each week. There was so much emotion and comfort in this small "Ladies Rest Room".

 “Oh, God, may St. Mark always be a place of sanctuary for those whose life has been turned upside down in turmoil. May it be a place where we can find answers, comfort and the courage to face others who may have even caused the turmoil."

Moving Upward Together : Day 10

 

Day 10, Pipe Organ – Dale Weir 

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises” (Psalm 98:4) 

In the joyful din of coffee and conversation, an inviting note arises every Sunday morning throughout the narthex. Listen. Do you hear the gorgeous sounds of our pipe organ leading us in song each week? We not only have a fabulous organ; our sanctuary was designed to showcase this musical instrument with the room's acoustics. Our sanctuary is noted throughout the St. Louis region for both our organ and the acoustical resonance of our sanctuary.  We have had groups "borrow" our space for concerts in the past, due to the acoustics. May we never take for granted the beauty of music in our world and how we can share it with others. 

“Creating God, we thank you for the beautiful music all around us. You give us the beauty of organs, pianos, bells, and voices, and you also provide the songs of birds, crickets, and the wind blowing through the trees. Still our busy minds and help us to hear your Word through the music all around us. Amen.”

Moving Upward Together: Day 9

 

Day 9, The Heart of the Church – Pastor Dave

 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, NRSV.) 

Located in the heart of our campus is one of most overlooked and underutilized spaces in the church. The small courtyard between the pastors’ hallway and Gleason Hall is an absolute gem. It is used for the petting zoo during the Jerusalem Festival, a tool showcase at the ABC Sale, and a spot for quiet meditation throughout the year. I appreciate it every day as it pours light into my office. I use the space to read on cool summer mornings and warm autumn afternoons. It brings to mind the old hymn, “There is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God.” 

There are times I get so caught up in my day-to-day responsibilities that I forget to look out at the light, to appreciate the beauty of this little space, to rest in the beauty of God’s creation. I know I am not alone. It’s easy to lose sight of the things that matter as we race on the hamster wheel of life. There is no formal invitation; all it takes is the light streaming into our rooms inviting us to open up our hearts. Jesus sought out restful moments whenever he could. He climbed mountains, went on solitary walks, and even took a nap in the middle of violent storm. Jesus knew he could not be his best if he did not take time to rest. Where is the LORD inviting you to go today? What does God want you to see with new eyes? What bit of light will you discover?

“Source of Light, we thank you for the work you laid before us today. Help us to find moments to appreciate the beauty of your creation and to rest in your love. Amen.”

Worship Prayers for May 4

CENTERING PRAYER 

Great Creator and Sustainer, we love to hear the story of how you created the universe. We thank you for the beauty of our part of the earth, and especially for animals you have helped us bring back from the brink of extinction to fill our landscape again in recent decades: the wild turkey, bald eagle, trumpeter swan, fisher, timber wolf, peregrine falcon, and sandhill crane. As Christ arose on Easter, help us resurrect the harmony you intended for all you have made. Amen. 

CALL TO WORSHIP 

In the beginning, the Spirit of God moved over the waters, and God said “Unbind creation and let her out!” and God declared it to be Good. God said, “let there be light” and called the light “Day” and the darkness “Night.” and God declared that the difference was Good. God spoke the word to call the land from the water, pulling the waters down to the depths and raising hills above the waters, and in God’s eyes they were Good. God’s word called to life the soybean and the milking cow, the robin and the earthworm, the honey bee and the gray wolf, the microbe and the muskie, and God’s heart saw them to be Good. Then God spoke a final time, making creatures who carry the divine image: us. Forming humans by holy word, male and female together, to tend and steward all that God had made. And God declared that it is all Very Good. On the seventh day, God rested. And on this seventh day, we come to worship and remember our role as partners in creation

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

Our beautiful blue and green home is an awesome, awesome gift. Yet we trade clean air for the power of convenience, clean water for easy waste disposal, and wilderness for elbowroom. We marvel more at our inventions than over your creations. Share your wisdom and teach us how to protect the best, and restore the rest of your rivers and mountains, seas and prairies, wetlands and forests. Guide us in living sustainably, being satisfied that “enough” is enough of a feast, and not consuming more than we need. Guide us to repair and replace your Very Good: our habitat, climate, and food web. Send your spirit over the waters again; stir us to action, justice, and wise choices. We pray we can be a part of bringing back creation to glory and peace. Amen.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Affirmation of Faith written by 2009 Eco Stewards For the Faith and Environment Conference, Montreat, NC 

I believe in God, the Creator and Lord of all that is. In your hand is the life of everything-- of trees and plants, animals and insects-- and the breath of every human being. I believe in Jesus the Christ, the Redeemer of all that we have damaged, our broken souls and our broken world, who offers new life when we love our neighbors, neighbors sun and soil, water and air. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Sustainer of this community and future generations, and the source of hope and courage to care about creation, especially when sustainability seems hopeless. We promise to work together and with God, to be stewards of this gift, our home. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

Holy One, our God, receive our thanksgiving for the wonders and beauty of nature. Creator God: Renew the earth. Open our eyes to the intricacies and diversity among all living beings. Creator God: Renew the earth. Remind us of our interconnectedness with each other and every created thing. Creator God: Renew the earth. Forgive our actions and inactions that have harmed the earth and its creatures. Creator God: Renew the earth. Grant us courage and hope in the face of climate change and climate injustice. Creator God: Renew the earth. Strengthen us to participate in the mending of all that has been harmed on earth. Creator God: Renew the earth. Graciously accept this prayer through Jesus Christ, your Son, by whom all things on earth were created and in whom all creation holds together. We ask all of this and more in the name of Jesus who taught the disciples to pray saying:

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Special version from the NEW ZEALAND PRAYER BOOK) 

Eternal Spirit, Earth-Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all. Loving God, in whom is heaven. The hallowing of your name echoes through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the earth! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.

Moving Upward Together: Day 8

 

Day 8, Stained Glass Window – Dale Weir

 “They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ He looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full” (Matthew 14:18-20) 

I had to drop by church one day when my son, Nathan, was with me. As I took care of business, he wandered around the church. When I was done, I found him in the sanctuary studying the stained-glass window.  As we left, he detoured to Howard Gleason's office and asked how many fish were in the window?  I was amazed to realize he had been counting the fish in the window. I don't remember the number he came up with, but I still remember Howard telling him, he didn't know.  Whenever I see the stained-glass window, I try to count all the fish in remembrance of Nathan. May we always have so many "fish" that we cannot keep their number straight.

 “Feeding God, we thank you for our daily bread and the innumerable blessings you pour into our lives daily. Help us to recognize these gifts and the countless ways you feed our bodies, minds, and souls. Amen.”

Moving Together Upward : Day 7

 

Day 7, Playing It Forward – Pastor Dave

 “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14, NRSV.) 

I received a phone call several years ago from a family I did not know. Roger and Donna Stork were longtime church members, but they moved to Colorado long before I began my tenure at St. Mark. They wanted to give a substantial financial gift to our community of faith, and they wanted some options. After mentioning a few possibilities, I brought up the need for a new playground for the preschool and community. They loved the idea of “playing it forward” and agreed to fund the entire project. Their only request was they didn’t want any plaque with their name on it. It is said the sign of a life well-lived is to plant trees whose shade you will never rest under. I love the sound of preschoolers climbing, sliding, leaping, and laughing on our playground. It’s a spot that is also used by many children in our neighborhood and beyond. This lasting gift is a blessing to so many, and it reinforces the truth that St. Mark loves children. I am so thankful for all those who pay (and play) it forward. It blesses many who we will never meet, and I believe this is the mark of a healthy church. 

“Loving God, we celebrate the play of children in our care. May we hear their laughter and know it is pleasing to you. Help us to consider those who will come after us in this life. Amen.”

Moving Upward Together: Day 6

 Day 6, End of Life – Dale Weir 

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3) 

When my parent’s died in California, their remains were cremated and mailed to me in St Louis, for internment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.  Not wanting the cremains to sit on my doorstep till I got home or wanting them to be delivered to my office where someone would “toss” them into the mail room, I asked the church secretaries if the cremains could be sent to me in care of St Mark.  They graciously agreed.  When the cremains arrived they were treated with dignity and kept safely in the office closet until I could retrieve them.  May St Mark always be a place of refuge for all, a place where dignity and respect are highlighted. Where caring staff care for us through all stages of our lives. 

“Lord, in life and in death, we are yours. May we live this day fully knowing your love is eternal. Amen.” 

Moving Upward Together: Days 4 and 5

 

Day 4, Church Sign – Pastor Dave 

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35, NRSV.) 

When I arrived at St. Mark eight years ago, I knew there were a few improvements we needed to make. We could delay some of these, but one project could not wait. The old church sign had yellowed with age and was on its last legs. It did not represent well the vibrancy of the inside of the building, and it was time to replace it. I am so thankful for Hudson family and their gift to provide a new vibrant sign to welcome people to participate in the life and ministry of St. Mark. It no longer blends into the neighborhood but stands out with its information. 

A new sign is great, but it is only as good as the thing it represents. Jesus tells his disciples that others will know they follow him by the way they love one another. It’s not the t-shirts we wear, the jewelry we display, or the bumper stickers on our car. The sign cannot (and should not) do our work for us. The reason St. Mark grew in the past is the same reason the Lord continues to add to our numbers. This is a place of welcome. People know they are loved when they walk through these doors. More than that, they know they are loved when we exhibit the fruits of the Spirit outside the church walls. The best church sign in the world is the faithfulness of her members. May we all commit to live our lives in such a way that it draws others to the love of God in Jesus Christ.

 “Calling God, in the Great Commission, you instruct us to go out into the world and make disciples. Help us to live out our faith fully throughout the week. May others know we follow you by our love. Amen.”

 Day 5, Breaking Bread, Building Community: The Kitchen at St. Mark – Pastor MP 

“Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people" (Acts 2:46- 47a.)

 The kitchen at St. Mark is more than a place where food is prepared, it is a space where love is shared, where hands work together, and where hearts are drawn closer to God and one another. Every meal prepared, every cup of coffee poured, and every dish washed is an act of hospitality, a reflection of Christ’s love in action.   

Throughout the year, our kitchen is alive with activity. Volunteers gather to prepare for Giving Thanks, ensuring that all who come feel the warmth of fellowship and the abundance of God’s blessings. Youth meetings begin with shared meals that nourish not just the body but also friendships and faith. Sunday mornings start with coffee and conversation, simple moments that strengthen the bonds of our church family.   And then there’s Breakfast with Santa, a meal that reaches beyond our congregation to share God’s love with our neighbors. Families from the community gather for pancakes and laughter, experiencing the joy of the season through the generosity of a church that welcomes them with open arms.   

Ministry happens not just at the table, but in the work behind the scenes, the chopping, stirring, serving, and even the scrubbing of dishes. In these moments, we learn what it means to serve with humility and love. The kitchen becomes a holy space, where we practice gratitude, hospitality, and the simple but powerful act of breaking bread together.   

“Lord, bless the hands that prepare, serve, and clean up. May our kitchen always be a place of joy, nourishment, and love, where all are welcomed in Your name. Amen.”