Worship Prayers October 30

PRAYER FOR PREPARATION:  Good and generous God, you have blessed us with favor and counted us as your people.  Freed by your grace, let us extend your generosity to others, sharing our bread with the poor, and pleading the cause of the afflicted, and receiving all who assemble in your name with the warmth of your love and the richness of your hospitality.  Amen.

  

CALL TO WORSHIP

We have gathered in God's holy presence, the One who etches grace on our hearts.

         This is the place where God will transform us into disciples.

We glorify our God, who yearns for justice, not just for a favored few, but for the least of our world.

         This is the place where God will write compassion on our souls.

We give thanks to God for unceasing grace; we remember God's persistence in saving us.

         This is the place where God will breathe the Word into our lives.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                                                                             

Gracious God, we do not always live as a people bound together in your love.  Forgive us, when we do not pray for those who suffer, or care for those who are sick; when we forget to offer words of gratitude for the many gifts in our lives; when we judge others and hold grudges for their mistakes; when we lose the saltiness of your teachings, and the energy you offer us on our spiritual journey.  Even as we are forgiven, help us pray for the forgiveness of others.

  

  

  

SCRIPTURE READING                                                                                                 1 Corinthians 12:26-13:13, p. 174

Christmas Table Top Tour and Tea

Each December the deacons have sponsored a fundraiser for the sole purpose of donating to Lydia’s House. For many years it was a Holiday House Tour that has now evolved into a Christmas Table Top Tour and Tea. The second Tour and Tea will be held on Saturday, December 3, from 2:30-4:00 pm in the Narthex of St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 601 Claymont Dr., Ballwin MO.

 Tour table tops decorated for Christmas and enjoy a light tea of sweets and savories at St. Mark with friends and/or family. Last year, the Narthex was transformed into a beautiful winter and holiday season showcase. Do you enjoy creating a lovely table setting? We are currently accepting table decorators and hostesses. St. Mark provides the table, tablecloth, and refreshments; decorators may create the table top design they wish!

Tickets go on sale the first weekend in November. Tickets are $25.00 per person (make your check to St. Mark Presbyterian). Watch for the tea table to get your ticket after the Saturday, November 5 service, and on Sunday, November 6 between services and after the 10:30 service. Contact Debbie Cloud or the church office 636-394-2233 with any questions.

Youth: Save the Dates

Mark Your Calendars Now!

• November 6: Pajama and Movie Party “The Incredibles” (everyone meet at 4 pm) 
• November 11: LOCK IN Super Hero theme 7PM-7AM
• November 20: Enjoy the Giving Thanks Dinner
• November 27: Hope and Peace in Advent (normal group times) 
• December 3: Help with Table Top Tea 1-5 pm Christmas Party 6:00-8:30 pm 
• December 11: Wrap Angel Tree Gifts 11:30-1 pm 
• January 22: Youth Fundraising Lunch 
• March 4: Trivia Night benefitting the Youth 
• June 3-11: Montreat 2017 
• July 22-30: MISSION TRIP 2017 Details to follow

Daily Prayer Nov. 3

THURSDAY

Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is near.

Zephaniah 3:1-7; Revelation 16:12-21; Luke 13:18-30

Eternal God, you taught us that the night is far spent and the day is at hand. Keep us awake and alert, watching for your kingdom, and make us strong in faith, so that when Christ comes in glory to judge the earth, we may joyfully give him praise; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. God of holiness and light, cleanse our hearts and give a new spirit to all your people, that your saving grace may be professed and proclaimed to the whole world. How great is your love, Lord God, how wide is your mercy! Never let us board up the narrow gate that leads to life with rules or doctrines that you dismiss; but give us a Spirit to welcome all people with affection, so that your church may never exclude secret friends of yours, who are included in the love of Jesus Christ, who came to save us all. Amen. (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.)

Help with Christmas Boutique

Join in on the Fun and Fellowship by helping with the Christmas Boutique 

Tues and Wed Nov. 15 & 16. 

We need people to make soup and/or desserts, lend us card tables, help during the boutique and put a sign in your yard or neighborhood.  It is a great time to fellowship with other members and those who come to visit. Please sign up at the PW table in the Narthex or call Laurie Dolson at (636) 256-2577.  I know you will have a great time! Yard signs are available at the PW table in the Narthex.

 

Operation Christmas Child and Fried Chicken

Join us November 9 at 5:30 PM for a Fried Chicken Potluck Dinner ( Bring a side dish).  Then stay to help us pack Operation Christmas Child boxes.

Children's Ministry at St. Mark Presbyterian has a goal of 250 boxes. The congregation has been most generous in its donations. There are still some items that we could use to complete the boxes. Most needed include: fashion/Barbie dolls, small cars, soap, washcloths, crayons and coloring books. We would also welcome assistance with covering the $7 per box shipping cost. On November 20, St. Mark will deliver all its packed shoebox gifts to the area collection site.  Please see Ellen if you are able to help us with any of the donations. Thank you so much! 

St. Mark Christmas Boutique

St. Mark

     Christmas Boutique

Christmas Decorations and Ornaments

Handmade Holiday Items

Children’s Items

Jewelry - Hand Painted Folk Art Items

Floral Arrangements 

Personalized Items

& Many More Unique Gift Ideas

Also Wonderful Hand-made Items and

Fresh Baked Delicacies 

by the Women in Our Church

Tuesday  ·  November 15  ·  10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday  ·  November 16  ·  10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Join us for lunch or dinner at the

Angel Street Cafe

featuring:

St. Mark’s Famous Chicken Salad

Homemade Soups - Heavenly Desserts

601 Claymont Drive · Ballwin, MO · (636) 394-2233

A Word from the Pastor

BUILDING OUR FUTURE HOPE 

“Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house.” 
1 Peter 2:5 

Since its founding in 1962 St. Mark Presbyterian Church has brought together generations of dedicated members who have embodied their calling to “Love God, Love People, Reach Out.” The people of St. Mark have built this spiritual house through worship, fellowship, and education, and through physical and financial support. 

This will be an exciting year for St. Mark, as we enter the next season of ministry. As we turn the corner to begin this new church year, now is the time to fully realize the future of this congregation. 

In the past year, this church has completed the process of self-examination and completed the Mission Study Report. The Mission Study Report identified the values that shape us as a community:

 “. . . a traditional, friendly church that cultivates our relationship with God as we cultivate our relationships with one another . . . caring for and supporting one another . . . deepening our faith through the active use of time, talents, and treasures.” 

We have also elected a Pastor Nominating Committee, which has earnestly begun their work to bring a new permanent pastor in the coming year. Now it is time for all of us to partner with God in building St. Mark’s ministry so this congregation will continue to flourish and enable a new pastor to succeed. 

I am asking you to join me by making a financial pledge to help realize the opportunity before us as a church. Each of us is a living stone of St. Mark Presbyterian Church. We know that it is more than our presence and our actions that build the church. It is also the financial support that is essential to keep our foundation strong. We want to continue building our spiritual house as we enter this next season of ministry and welcome a new installed pastor. 

Like most nonprofits, most of St. Mark’s contributions come from individuals. Pledged contributions account for about 85% of our church’s budget. And like most nonprofits, people give because of shared values and beliefs. But making a pledge to St. Mark is different than other charitable giving: stewardship is about partnering with God to share a ministry. Charitable giving is done so that others are able to do the work on our behalf. Stewardship is a shared ministry with God – we work with each other, and we work together with God to build a spiritual house right here. 

The sermon series will culminate on November 6, which is also Stewardship Sunday. Bring your pledge card with you to church that day as we will dedicate our pledges and dedicate ourselves to be living stones in the spiritual house that God is building through us. 

Grace & peace 
Rev. Jim Poinsett

Mission Trip to Louisiana Part 2

Colossians 3:17 ESV /

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

The church members who went to Louisiana to work on houses returned safely to St Louis this weekend.  

We were able to complete the work on one house to allow the homeowners to move back into their home in the next few days. They had been living in a motel for over a month. We met the woman whose family has lived in the house since 1962 and she joined us on her day off to work to get the house to be habitable.  After the work at her house was complete, two members of our group stayed an extra day to build a wheelchair accessible ramp at another house.

What we were able to accomplish is just a small drop of what needs to be done in the area, but to these two families it was a huge step towards getting their lives back to some degree of normalcy. For the group from St Mark, we were grateful for the opportunity to serve.  We hope to return to the area in 2017, perhaps with additional volunteers.  For any members interested in supporting this mission now, donations can be sent to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance partner in the area:

GFN Fuller Center

955 S Morrison Blvd

Hammond, LA  70403 

 or website:  http://fullercenter.org/gingerfordnorthshore/

From our St Mark vision statement:  through… joyful work in service to others, we demonstrate the new life given in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men

Click here for more photos.

Worship Prayer Oct. 23

PRAYER FOR PREPARATION:  Holy God, you say “yes” to each one of us, affirming your promises to us.  We thank you for the faith of others that enables our own healing.  Send us such sisters and brothers when we are in need, and help us to be friends who help others in need. Amen.

  

CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Isaiah 43:18-21)

Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old.

         I am about to do a new thing, says our God.

Now it springs forth – do you not perceive it?

         I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

The Lord will provide drink for God’s people.

         The people formed so they might declare God’s praise.

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                                                                             

Holy God, we confess that we do not always love our neighbor.  We confess that we have shunned others.  We confess that forgiveness and acceptance at times are just impossible for us.  Forgive us, O God.  We know that nothing is impossible in you.  We come to you seeking healing and wholeness.  Help us, whenever possible, to live in peace with others, to seek reconciliation and acceptance and forgiveness.

SCRIPTURE READING               Mark 2:1-12, p. 36