Scripture for August 12

Creation of Adam, fresco painted by Michelangelo (1475-1564),
Sistine Chapel Ceiling (1508-1512) Rome, Vatican

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Rules for the New Life

25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up,[a] as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.[b] 5 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us[c] and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 4:29 Other ancient authorities read building up faith
2. Ephesians 4:32 Other ancient authorities read us
3. Ephesians 5:2 Other ancient authorities read you

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Daily Prayer August 10

FRIDAY

God is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for God's good pleasure.

Judges 9:1-16, 19-21; Acts 4:13-31; John 2:1-12

God our creator, yours is the morning and yours is the evening. Let Christ the sun of righteousness shine forever in our hearts and draw us to that light where you live in radiant glory. O Lord, our creator, by your holy prophet you taught your ancient people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived. We commend our neighborhood to your care, that it might be kept free from social strife and decay. Give us strength of purpose and concern for others, that we may create here a community of justice and peace where your will may be done God of glory, you see how all creation groans in labor as it awaits redemption. As we work for and await your new creation, we trust that you will answer our prayers with grace, and fulfill your promise that all things work together for good for those who love you. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

(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.)

Upcoming Presbyterian Women Events

Upcoming PW* Events * Presbyterian Women

August 16 Ruth Circle 9:30 AM Library

August 22 Book Club, 9:30 AM Bear Town by Fredrik Backman
PW Board Meeting, 11:30 AM

August 23 PW Board Members will begin making calls about the Brunch.

PW Annual Fall Brunch Saturday, September 8 10:00 AM. If you have been told "Giraffe’s Can’t Dance", come see for yourself! The PW Board invites you to be our guests for a get together with fellowship, delicious food, entertainment and reflection. This is a time to catch up with friends and make new ones. As always, we guarantee smiles and a few laughs along the way.

Statement of Faith by Confirmand, Part 10

Faith Statement

I believe that God is the creator of the world. I believe that Jesus and the Holy Spirit make all the good stuff happen in the world (like miracles). I believe that the mission of the church is to pray to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and to get closer to God. I would like to be a member of the church because I want to get closer to God and really connect with God. I imagine heaven being like everything is right and no one is left behind.

Grant H.

Worship Prayers July 29

CENTERING PRAYER  Praise to you, O God most holy, Uncreated Light.  I am thankful that in you there is no night.  Let my morning prayer rise to you as blooming flowers turn to meet the sun. May I meet the adventure of this day open to the opportunities you give me to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ.  May I be so filled with the Holy Spirit that peace and compassion radiate from me to bless others so that they are touched by your glory.  Enrich my senses with the beauty of your world, my mind with wonder at your ways, and my spirit with gratitude for all that you prepare for the redemption of creation through Jesus Christ the Son.  Pierce my heart with love, especially for those in any kind of need, so that I am moved to help where I can and moved to cry out for help if the need is greater than I can answer.  Spare others the consequences of my sin, and help me to be reconciled with those I have harmed in the past.  Make me slow to anger, quick to forgive, and quicker still to confess my faults.  In all things, let me trust in you.  Let me finish the day as I begin it, in your care—in your gentle, merciful, loving hands, beloved and blessed triune God, whom I would worship and adore now and forever.  Amen.

       

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 14)

Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God."

         They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.

The LORD looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.

         They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one.

         O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!

When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

         Come!  Let us worship our God together!

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of wonder, Lord of King David and of the Son, the Messiah, David’s greater son, we confess our sins and pray for your help so that we can truly repent and turn from evil. Deliver us from the temptation to hide from you, to lie to you, or to excuse ourselves because of the harm we have done to others.  Forgive us for the curse we have brought upon the earth.

Restore your creation to full health and feed the multitudes from the abundance of your merciful power.  Grow in us a deeper desire to love Christ with the fullness of your love, and to glorify him, along with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. (Silent Confession)

SCRIPTURE READING                                                                       Samuel 11:1-15

  

† 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.

For the sermon by Rev. Miriam Foltz, click here.

  

Scripture for Aug. 5

Christ with the Eucharist, Vicente Juan Masip, 16th century. John 6:24-35 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which[a]comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  Footnotes: John 6:33 Or he who New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Daily Prayer for August 3

FRIDAY

Judges 5:1-18; Acts 2:1-21; Matthew 28:1-10

You, O Lord, are full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger, and rich in kindness.

God our creator, you made all things in your wisdom, and in your love you save us. We pray for the whole creation. Overthrow evil powers, right what is wrong, feed and satisfy those who thirst for justice, so that all your children may freely enjoy the earth you have made, and joyfully sing your praises. Take all our doubts and uncertainties, O God, and fill us with such faith that we may be confident of your love and loyal in the service of him who died and yet lives for us, Jesus Christ the Lord. Merciful God, you bear the pain of the world. Look with compassion on those who are sick; cheer them by your word, and bring healing as a sign of your grace. God of comfort, stand with those who sorrow; that they may be sure that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, shall separate them from your love. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

As God's own, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, and patience, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, and crown all these things with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

(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.)

Music Notes

Thank You to all our summer musicians, youth, adult, singers, and instrumentalists who have
provided Inspirational Music for our Worship Service. This is a fun time of year for me as I get to work with a wide variety of musicians, and to get to know people a little better. You, the congregation, get the opportunity to be still and listen to God’s voice through beautiful and inspiring music. And God gets to enjoy us as we worship together! Win-win-win! But we are not done yet!

Give-It-A-Try Bell Choir will meet Wednesday, August 8 at 6:15 PM for about 45 minutes to learn a simple piece to play on Sunday, August 19 in worship. This is for current, former, and wanna-give-it-atry bell players. (YOUTH (grade 5 and up) and ADULTS. Basic note reading skills are needed-- quarter notes, half notes, whole notes. (We will give the trickier parts to the experienced players). I do need to know how many will be there in order to pick music, so PLEASE let me know by August 1 if you want to come. mmedley@discoverstmark.org .

More Bells News. Thanks to a generous donation from an appreciative congregant, the Bells will go off to be refurbished on Monday, August 13, and are scheduled to be returned the week of August 27. Breaking springs, out-of-whack tension, etc. etc. have made the bells challenging this year, so it is time for a major overhaul. This refurbishment should make them easier to play and allow us many more years of providing beautiful music in worship.

Chancel Choir will have their first rehearsal on Wednesday, August 29 at 7 PM to get a headstart on our September music and the Christmas Cantata. Talks are underway for organizing a social hour after rehearsal (starting at 8 PM). Maybe wine and cheese? Dessert?? We can catch up and get reacquainted as we start the new choir year.

Page Turners Needed! When I play difficult Preludes, I often struggle with page turns. Have you ever wanted to get up close to the organ to see how it works? Then this is an opportunity for you. If you are interested in turning pages for me on the Prelude, contact me at mmedley@discoverstmark.org.  Youth (5 foot tall or more) and adults are welcome. You do not have to read music, just watch for my nod, and be ready to turn.

Soli Deo Gloria
Marsha Medley

Statement of Faith by Confirmand, Part 9

 Faith Statement

I believe in God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that is in every single one of us. God has the eternal power and makes the good in all of us. For in the Bible, it tells the stories of Jesus Christ and his good doings. The Bible teaches me how to follow and worship Jesus Christ, my father.

In the church’s name, it is a place to worship and gather to pray under God. Church is like a family to me, praying and helping everyone and everything in this world. I believe that worshiping not only in church but every day is the best way to connect with God.

I believe that God created everyone equal and that wrong doings and sins should be a forgiven. God teaches me that a sin does not define who you are but it teaches you right from wrong. I believe that in this life, following Jesus Christ helps others to connect with each other and come together.

To me, hope means trusting, looking for and desiring Jesus Christ in your life. Jesus has helped me to get through difficult times like when my dad was diagnosed with a rare disease. I have hope in Jesus Christ that he will help me worship him.

I believe in resurrection of the body and the Church. I believe that after death I will be able to sit with Jesus Christ and be able to worship with him.

Elizabeth P.

Stephen Ministry Programs

The Stephen Ministry Program is a service under the St. Mark Board of Deacons. What is a Stephen
Minister? What do they do? Do you know? We are the people who quietly walk with you through difficult times. We offer one-on-one confidential care to anyone who wishes to receive it. We deliver prayer shawls to many people in the congregation to help comfort and remind them how much God loves them. Did you know the Stephen Ministers have offered cancer support to the congregation and the community?

We also have GriefShare. This is a support program for anyone who has lost a loved one. We know what you are going through and want to help. Don’t go through the grieving process alone. We have a new session starting September 11. Call Debbie Hames for information.

Currently we have ten active Stephen Ministers and would like to add more. Is this a ministry that is calling to you? Are you a good listener and want to help people? Consider joining us. We will be starting a new training session this fall. Call Jean Steward for information,