Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Ezra 6:1-22; Revelation 17:1-14; Matthew 14:22-36
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. 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. 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. Almighty God, by the love of Jesus Christ you draw people to faith, and welcome them into the church family. May we show your joy by embracing new brothers and sisters, who with us believe and with us will work to serve you. Keep us close together in your Spirit, breaking bread in faith and love, one with Jesus Christ our Lord and Master. (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.)
When we at St. Mark think about BRO, we think of the women like Shirley Boeker and Louise Grothe and all the others who for decades have helped collect, sort, and distribute toys to children in need across our area. The organization’s origin and history though, does not start with spreading holiday cheer to children.
Years ago, I stumbled upon a reference to The Board of Religious Organizations of St. Louis while working at the Old Courthouse downtown. I knew that many organizations used space in the former courthouse during the 1930s but was still surprised to learn that BRO occupied two different rooms for their toy storage and workshop. I didn’t know the organization was that old and so did some further research on when and why they began.
During World War I women from religious organizations (Protestant, Jewish, and Catholic) formed a woman’s committee of the Missouri Council of National Defense to combine their efforts and help in winning the war. They organized a war savings campaign and sold approximately 1 million dollars in war saving stamps. Most of these were sold from the “Little White House” they set up near the main post office downtown. The women established Red Cross units in many houses of worship. They also raised funds for French and Belgian orphans and participated in the “sewing of the comforts committee”.
After the armistice was signed, the women wondered what would become of their active and successful organization. At a preliminary meeting to discuss their future, more than 500 women gathered. Eleven religious bodies, Protestant, Jewish, and also the Ethical Society, were included. The Board of Religious Organizations was created and their purpose as a social service organization was outlined in their constitution.
“The aim of this association shall be to stimulate the activities of the various religious organizations and their members, to coordinate their work and to unify their efforts in behalf of a better city and the community welfare. The association shall stand solely for the spirit of service and cooperation. Creed and doctrine shall play no part in its management or its work.”
They organized themselves into denominational units that were represented in different departments of work. In the early years after the war their focus was on Americanization, child welfare, community service, family welfare, institutions, protection and delinquency, publication, social hygiene, and social legislation.
“Americanization” was a term that became popular after the war. The women of the Board of Religious Organizations enrolled in training courses so they could teach English in their own homes to immigrant women and help them in other capacities. It is interesting to note that even in 1924 their efforts were acknowledged in a social services journal that stated, “The contacts that have been made have proved helpful not only to the foreign women and their families, but to the many benighted Americans who had no idea of the problems which our immigrants face or the conditions under which they are living.”
These women recognized that millions of dollars were invested in church and religious buildings that were used just a few times a week. They advocated for greater use of these buildings for various social service programs. The Board was aware that their efforts might conflict with the pastor or other “leading members of a church” but they told their members to continue working to secure use of church buildings, for their programs were essential. During the early years of the Board of Religious Organization, the women realized that some of their programs needed to be more active than others and so they prioritized their work. One of their most important early committees dealt with social legislation. They had great success in working on behalf of child welfare measures and the public schools of St. Louis.
In 1924 the Board of Religious Organization acknowledged the importance of a trained and paid staff in enlisting and training volunteers for social service. They knew they had much work to accomplish before their organization’s programs were fully successful, but they had confidence that they would continue to strengthen their efforts to do all possible for the betterment of the St. Louis community.
References:
Mangold, George B. “The Board of Religious Organizations of St. Louis: A Co-operative Venture of Women’s Groups in Social Service” in The Journal of Social Forces, Vol. 2., No. 3 (Mar., 1924), pp.422-424
Stevens, Walter Barlow. Centennial History of Missouri, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1921.
“Thirty-Fifth Anniversary Celebration of the St. Louis Ethical Society” The Standard, volume 8, number 3, 1921, pages 85-86.
Written and Prepared by Julie Northrip in recognition of BRO's many years of service. Click here for some of the ways St. Mark Presbyterian has contributed to BRO.
Christmas Decorations and Ornaments - Handmade
Holiday Items - Children’s Items - Jewelry Hand
Painted Folk Art Items - Floral Arrangements -
Personalized Items - Cookbooks & Many More
Unique Gift Ideas. Also Wonderful Hand-made
Items and Fresh Baked Delicacies by the Women in
our church.
Tuesday, November 14 from 10:30 to 7:30 and
Wednesday, November 15 from 10:00 to 2:00.
Don’t
forget to join us for lunch or dinner at the Angel Street
Café featuring St. Mark’s Famous Chicken Salad,
Homemade Soups, Salads and Heavenly Desserts.
Let’s Have A Christmas Tea! All for a Very Good
Cause!
In December, the Deacons at St. Mark Presbyterian will again sponsor a
fundraiser for the sole purpose of donating to Lydia’s
House. The St. Mark Christmas Tea will be held at 601 Claymont Dr. Ballwin, MO on
December 2 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM in the Narthex.
Tickets will be sold after services on November 11-12,
and we anticipate selling out. (Any remaining tickets
will be sold at the Boutique on November 14-15.)
Tickets are $25.00 per person.
For quite a few years it was a Holiday House Tour
that then evolved into a Christmas Tabletop Tourand Tea. This year, the fundraiser was renamed St.
Mark Christmas Tea. It is the third annual Tea, and
the Narthex will be transformed into a beautiful winter
and holiday season showcase! It’s a sight to behold!
In St. Louis, Lydia's House works in faith to end
domestic violence by being a place of healing and a
voice of hope for abused women and their children.
Did you know on average, nearly 20 people per
minute are physically abused by an intimate partner
in the United States? During one year, this equates to
more than 10 million women and men: 1 in 3 women
and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of]
physical violence by an intimate partner within their
lifetime. Learn more at https://www.lydiashouse.org/).
At St. Mark Presbyterian, this fundraiser has grown to be a multigenerational
outreach to our congregation and our
community. Deacons may organize the event, but
the participation of other ministries makes it happen.
Presbyterian Women offer their talents in developing
very tasty savories, and Choir women have joined in
the sweets area! St. Mark Youth continues to serve
all guests with great courtesy dressed in those “fun to
see” Christmas clothing! And as Katie Sternhagen
stated, they are learning how to “wait tables!”
How are funds raised for Lydia’s House? Any items
remaining from the PW Holiday Boutique can be
purchased at the Christmas Tea. Then, the Silent
Auction provides the best fundraising opportunity.
Donations are gathered, and tickets to the event are
sold. The event features local high school vocal
entertainment performing while tea is served; a speaker at each Tea shares her thoughts about
the season; and this year, Lydia’s House chaplain
will come again and speak for a few moments
about their goals.
Questions? Contact D. Cloud or call the church office 636-394-2233
CENTERING PRAYER - “O most holy Christ, draw me, weak as I am, after Yourself, for if You do not draw us we cannot follow You. Strengthen my spirit, that it may be willing. If the flesh is weak, let Your grace precede us; come between and follow, for without we cannot go for Your sake to cruel death. Give me a fearless heart, a right faith, a firm hope, a perfect love, that for Your sake I may lay down my life with patience and joy. Amen.”
(words from prison by Czech reformer Jan Hus, before being burned at the stake July 6, 1415)
CALL TO WORSHIP
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
In you, we come home—to rest, to wrestle, to love, to be loved. We dwell in you.
Before the mountains were born, before you delivered the whole world, from everlasting past to everlasting future, you are God.
In you, we are home—we dream, we flourish, we fade, we rejoice. We dwell in you.
Come, let us worship the Lord.
SCRIPTURE Ephesians 4:1-6
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
We resist being your prisoners, O Christ:we have not always led lives worthy of our calling,but have, all too often, sought to go our own way,and so we have fractured your Church when we seek to reform it. Hear us as we own and confessour self-importance and severity,our impatience,our shunning of one another in conceit,and our reluctance to be bound by unity or peace.Silence
We resist oneness, O Spirit:we too often struggle against the fervent hopeyou express in continually calling us,and so we have fractured your Church when we seek to reform it.Hear us as we own and confessour refusal to share our Savior,our insistence on a tailor-made faith,and our fantasy that baptism is our experience rather than your gift.Silence
We resist giving ourselves to you, God of all:we too often see you only in ourselvesrather than above us and everyone,working through us and everyone,present in us and everyone,and so we have fractured your Church when we seek to reform it. Hear us as we own and confessour selfish insistence at exclusivityand our rejection of your glorious family.Silence
Triune God, forgive our resistance,break down our divisions,and scatter our fears.Make us truly one, even as you are one.Hear as we continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)
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 from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
[Prayer requests may be given to one of the pastors before the service.]
† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Heidelberg Catechism
Q. 1. 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 Matthew 22:34-46
For Pastor Dave's sermon "Renewed: Time", click here if video doesn't appear.
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Lamentations 5:1-22; Revelation 7:(4-8) 9-17; Matthew 13:31-35
God, our creator, you have given us work to do and call us to use our talents for the good of all. Guide us as we work, and teach us to live in the Spirit who made us your sons and daughters, in the love that made us sisters and brothers. Remember, O God, your church. Unite it in the truth of your Word and empower it in ministry to the world. Remember the world of nations. By your Spirit renew the face of the earth; let peace and justice prevail. Remember our family and friends. Bless them and watch over them; be gracious to them and give them peace. Remember the sick and the suffering, the aged and the dying. Encourage them and give them hope. Rejoicing in the communion of saints, we remember with thanksgiving all your faithful servants, whom you have called from this life. We are grateful that for them death is no more, nor is there sorrow, crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away. (Add your prayers.) Amen.
Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
(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.)
Here is the video from yesterday's Membership Exploration class in Gleason Hall at St. Mark Presbyterian Church. We had a good talk on the Bible, the history of the Christian Church, and the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. We will meet two more Sundays, and everyone is welcome to join us! Click here if the video doesn't appear.
GIVE THANKS THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS TO BE THANKFUL… PLEASE JOIN US IN OUR CELEBRATION OF FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FOOD
Sunday, November 19
11:30 AM in Gleason Hall
St. Mark Presbyterian Church
601 Claymont, Ballwin MO
Your reservation is very important!
Sign ups begin November 1 at the Fellowship Table in the Narthex or call the church office 636-394-2233.
An offering of canned goods for the Circle of Concern will be received.
Sunday, Nov. 5 at 4 PM will be the Installment of Pastor Dave as our Senior Pastor. All are welcome. We are grateful for the work of our Pastor Nominating Committee. Reflecting back to June 10, when we were introduced to Pastor Dave. . .
On June 10, 2017 our Pastor Nominating Committee outlined the process they went through in selecting Pastor Dave Burgess. We are thankful for their insight and discernment in their choice of candidate. Below are the notes from the chair of the committee M. Caplinger. (double click to enlarge the photos)
Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy invites you to share in the Worship of God and the Installation of the Presbytery of The Reverend Dr. J. David Burgess as Pastor of St. Mark Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 5, 2017 4:00 PM at St. Mark Presbyterian Church
A reception for Rev. Dr. Burgess will be held at the church immediately following the service.
“Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if
it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will
keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.
Whoever serves me, the Father will honor”
(John 12:24-26, NRSV.)
Pumpkins are everywhere. The grocery stores are full of big ones for carving and small ones for baking.
Every store in the city has them on display, and there are patches a plenty out in the country. They fill
our pies, breads, and grande lattes. They are the signs of the season and symbols of abundance, reminding
us during this harvest time that our cornucopias are full and our horns “runneth over.” I am haunted by
pumpkins.
Of course, we have the obligatory set of misshaped decorative orange spheres in front of our house here in
Ballwin, but we are going to be careful this October. A year ago, a couple of decorative gourds fell off our
front porch wall in Joplin and landed in the flower bed below. We did not think too much of it until we
noticed something unusual happening in the late Spring. Long vines appeared out of nowhere in our yard.
They sprang up quickly and spread out even faster. It didn’t take long to realize we had an unexpected
pumpkin patch in our front yard. Last year’s leftovers became this year’s bounty. Forgotten seeds found the
rich soil, and the harvest was abundant.
We gleaned a couple of valuable lessons from this misadventure in horticulture. First, we have to pay better
attention to what’s going on in our flower beds. Second, the things we plant, though often unseen, continue
to grow through short cold days and long dark nights. All it takes is good seed and rich soil.
Beyond the pies and spiced lattes, pumpkins remind us there is abundance all around. As they grow, they
show there is more than enough to go around. The minor deeds from a year ago grow into the bounteous
gifts of today. All we need is good seed and rich soil.
Harvest time is also stewardship season here in the church. It is an opportunity to take stock, individually
and collectively, of all the abundance around us. The Lord is constantly moving and providing good gifts,
but we rarely have the vision to see it all. Stewardship is a time to breathe deeply, take stock, and thank God
as we return a portion with full hearts. The good things of this year may quickly be forgotten if we are not
careful. Perhaps, this is the lesson of the forgotten flower bed pumpkin seed. We give today, because we
trust God will multiply the offering moving forward.
We will have our stewardship celebration here at St. Mark on Saturday, November 11 and Sunday,
November 12. The soil is good, and the time is right. What are we willing to plant today for next year’s
harvest?
