Bunko! Bunco!

It's time to play Bunko!! Join us on Saturday night,

September 10 at 6:00, following the 5:00 service. 

Our theme this year is Missouri Sports Teams. Wear your Cardinal, Blues, Mizzou and (maybe Royals gear) and join us for a fun evening. 

What is Bunko? A very easy dice game that we will teach you in five minutes to play. The cost is $3 per person. Sign ups will be in the Narthex just to give us an idea of how many to expect. Join us for fun and fellowship.

Your fellowship committee will furnish drinks and prizes, please bring a finger-type sports-related snack to share. 

Questions, or to sign up, call or email S. Shepherd.

Don't Wait for Pigs to Fly

Don’t wait for pigs to fly! (See Proverbs 6:4)

Please join us as we celebrate the start of a new PW year

at the annual Fall Brunch on Saturday, September 10

at 10:00 a.m. in Gleason Hall.

Presbyterian Women Board members at St. Mark Presbyterian are now calling women of the church.

Make your reservation when you get the call. If you do not get a call soon, please sign up at the PW table or call the church office.

Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study, to support the mission of the church worldwide, to work for justice and peace, and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.Upcoming 

Presbyterian Women Events

September 10 PW Fall Brunch, 10 am

September 21 Third Wednesday/Thursday Circles

September 28 Book Club: 9:30 am Select books for the coming year. Send ideas to Linda Doane.

October 5 Board Meeting 9:30 am

Music Notes

Soli Deo Gloria is the phrase humbly signed at the

end of compositions by master composers such as Bach, Handel, and Haydn.

It means "To God Alone the Glory."

It is a great mantra for choirs, worship leaders and congregants.

When we focus on worshiping and humbly serving God, we listen to God's voice and we hear and see the needs of others.

When we each start to focus on ourselves in worship or the life of the church -- what do I want, what do I like, what do I dislike, where is the praise I deserve --division begins. We forget why we are in church, worshiping.

We forget God.

Soli Deo Gloria -- To God Alone the Glory.

Hymns, Preludes, Choir Anthems, Bell Offertories are for the pleasure of God, not for ourselves. Hopefully we find this music expressive of our faith, calming to our spirit, inspiring to our minds, but ultimately it should all be for the Glory of God Alone.

Soli Deo Gloria.

If someone like Bach can say it, someone like me can try it.

Trying my best to serve God. Marsha Medley

Worship prayers for Aug. 28

PRAYER IN PREPARATION:  May the strength of God pilot us.  May the power of God preserve us.  May the wisdom of God instruct us.  May the hand of God protect us.  May the way of God direct us.  And may the shield of God defend us, now and evermore.  Amen.  
          Patrick of Ireland 

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                                                                          It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.

         It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,

         your faithfulness in the evening.

You Thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me!

         I sing for joy because of what you have done.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                                                                             

God of love, in the wrong we have done and in the good we have not done, we have sinned in ignorance; we have sinned in weakness; we have sinned through our own deliberate fault.  Have mercy on us, O God.  We are truly sorry.  We turn to you now to forgive us and renew our lives through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Click here for Gary's sermon "Blessed are the Persecuted."

  

Operation Christmas Child

Each year our congregation generously donates small toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and other fun items for this mission project. The filled shoeboxes are sent to children in need around the world. Last year we packed 189 boxes which was an increase of 69 boxes from the previous year. This year we have a goal of packing 250 boxes.

How can you help? Here are some items that are “most needed” but feel free to donate other appropriate items. (No breakables, no liquids, no food other than hard candy. No Pokémon, Harry Potter or military related items.)

Small cars like Hot Wheels and Matchbox 

Bar soap

Soccer/Basketballs (We’ll deflate them. Five Below sells them.) 

Washcloths

Hand pumps for balls (Dollar Tree has them.) 

Toothbrushes & toothpaste

Dolls (for girls ages 2-4 and 5-9) 

Water bottles or plastic drinking cups

Toys/puzzles/games for ages 2-4; 5-9; and 10-14 

Empty shoeboxes

Crayons and colored pencils 

Coloring books

Spiral notebooks and/or loose leaf paper 

Pencils, erasers, sharpeners

Donations to cover cost of shipping boxes ($7/box)

We’ll be collecting through early November and packed boxes will be ready for National Collection Week, November 14-21. If you have any questions, please contact J. Northrip. Thank you for your help!

Daily Prayer Sept. 1

THURSDAY

Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving; go into the holy courts with praise; give thanks and call upon God’s name.

Job 16:16-22, 17:1, 13-16; Acts 13:1-12; John 9:1-17

Almighty God, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: Give us faith to perceive his glory, that being strengthened by his grace we may be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory. O God, we pray for all international organizations of goodwill that their efforts may lead to a strengthening of those influences which make for peace. Great sacrifices have been made for war; awaken in us and in all people, O God, the willingness to make great sacrifices for peace, so that the day may be hastened when no nation shall draw the sword against another, and people no longer shall learn to fight. O Lord God, look with mercy on all whose increasing years bring them isolation, distress, or weakness. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers and the willingness to accept help; and, as their strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, make you complete in everything good so that you may do God's will, working among us that which is pleasing in God's sight.

(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.)

God of…Abraham…three traditions…ONE GOD

God of…Abraham…three traditions…ONE GOD

Saturday, September 17 from 9-11 am

Featuring:

MaysaAlbarcha, Father Michael BrunnerandHarveySchneider

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

(Breakfast at 8 AM call 636-394-2233 for reservations)

My name is Maysa Albarcha. I was born in Chesterfield and live down the street from St. Mark Church. I am married and have four children. Interior design is my passion but public speaking has become my life. I have run the Islamic speakers bureau for 12 years in St. Louis. I have provided informative lectures on Islam and tours of the mosque on Weidman for 1000's of people in the St. Louis area. I have also done sensitivity/cultural training for the FBI and law enforcement in several states. I serve as a board member at the mosque on Weidman Road. My goal is to make the city I love a place of tolerance and understanding for people of various faiths and cultures.

Fr. Michael Brunner O.S.B. is the pastor of St. Anselm Parish at Saint Louis Abbey, and teaches Moral Theology (Social Teaching of the Church), the Church and the Poor, and Comparative Religions at St. Louis Priory School, where he was formerly Headmaster. Father Michael grew up in Rochester, NY and was active in Civil Rights causes in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. He graduated from Howard University in Washington DC with a B.A. in Sociology, and converted to Islam, which he studied and practiced for 20 years, being involved with the Islamic Center in Washington. Fr. Michael’s first career was in the hospitality industry, managing hotels in New York, Baltimore, Washington and Miami. Studying the Sufi tradition led to a conversion experience which brought him back to the Church. After working as a Coordinator of Religious Education at a multicultural parish in suburban Washington, Fr. Michael discerned a vocation which brought him to become a Benedictine monk at St. Louis Abbey. He earned an MA with honors in Theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology and was ordained in 2005, the year he became Priory Headmaster. In that capacity he expanded relationships and programs with a lay Benedictine movement in Chile and established relationships and exchanges with several schools in China and Taiwan. He was appointed pastor of Saint Anselm in 2012. His spiritual story is featured in the book Touched by God: Ten Monastic Journeys.

Harvey Schneider has long been active in the St. Louis Jewish and Interfaith communities. He retired as an attorney two years ago after 55 years of active legal practice. He is a past president of Shaare Emeth Congregation (the largest Jewish congregation in St. Louis). In addition, he previously served as president of the Central Agency for Jewish Education and the Interfaith Partnership. He also served on the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Town & Country for 26 years (including 3 years as Chairman of the Commission). Currently he serves on the Boards of the Interfaith Partnership, the American Jewish Committee and the NCCJ, as well as being an honorary director of Shaare Emeth Congregation. Mr. Schneider resides in Town & Country with his wife, Leanne, and is the father of three adult children and grandfather of four grandchildren.

Celebrating the beliefs and traditions of Islam, Judaism, Christianity.

Daily Prayer Aug. 30

TUESDAY

Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, we press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

Job 12:1; 13:3-17, 21-27; Acts 12:1-17; John 8:33-47

Holy God, your Son came into the world to free us all from sin and death. Breathe upon us with the power of your Spirit, that we may be raised to new life in Christ, and serve you in holiness and righteousness all our days. By your power, great God, our Lord healed the sick and gave new hope to the hopeless. Though we cannot command or possess your power, we pray for those who want to be healed. Mend their wounds, soothe fevered brows, and make broken people whole again. Help us to welcome every healing as a sign that, though death is against us, you are for us, and have promised renewed and risen life in Jesus Christ. O God, we pray for the church in the whole world. Sanctify her life, renew her worship, give power to her witnessing, and restore her unity. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of God's Son, Jesus Christ our 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.)

Deacon's Doings

Here’s another perspective on being a deacon from V. Chabot:

I was asked to consider being an elder a few years ago but when I thought about my personality and skill set, I knew I could better serve as a Deacon.

We joined St. Mark 22 years ago after moving here from MI. Initially, I volunteered in the nursery, taught Sunday school and attended mid-week with our children. I also served on the Christian Education committee. That was about all I could handle while working and having small children. 

Fast forward to 2015 when our kids were grown up and I had more free time so it was a natural time to answer the calling. I had been working at the ABC sale each year in the toy room so I decided to take on the tri-chair position under the Deacons. I have met so many great people through this role. Even though I am a long time member of St. Mark, I can now put names with many more faces of people in our church. The best part of the ABC sale is that our profits help serve those in need. I have also delivered flowers, worked at the blood drives and helped make and deliver food for our members who need a warm meal. I also serve on the Membership and Evangelism Committee where it is my job to organize the greeter schedule.

Being a Deacon has been very gratifying and has made me step out of my comfort zone and grow as a person of God.

Worship Prayers from August 21

PRAYER IN PREPARATION:  Gracious God, we turn to you, confident that you will answer our cries and prayers.  We come before you, believing that you will not permit evil and despair to have the last word.  We come in the name of Jesus Christ, in whom you have made known your great love for all the world.  Grant us the power of your Holy Spirit.  Illuminate our hearts and minds and souls that we might sing your praises and declare your needs among the peoples.  Amen. 

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                                                                          

Let us praise God who is our strength in times of trouble.

         Sing and speak of God's great deeds to all the people.

God will not let us be put to shame, nor will God let our enemies triumph over us.

         The Lord listens to the cries of the people.  God is swift to answer those who call.

God is strong and sure to save us.

         Let us praise God who is our strength in times of trouble. 

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                                                                             

   Merciful God, you are our stronghold in times of trouble and we rejoice in your deliverance, which we experience through Jesus.  Yet we still shrink from the storms in our lives.  We hide from the challenges of bold discipleship.  When the winds of change begin to blow, we want to turn around and head back to the past's safe harbor.  When sin's waves crash over the side, we try to wrap ourselves in the cloak of pride thinking we will not get wet.  Forgive us, O God.  Lift us out of sin into the arms of your mercy, help us to walk with you in faith, humility and love.

For the sermon "Do not be afraid", click here.