Scripture February 11 and 12

 Mark 7:24-30

Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith

Etching by Pietro del Po, 
The Canaanite (or Syrophoenician)
woman asks Christ to cure,
ca. 1650.

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[a] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

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Daily Prayer February 10

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord. I know them and they follow me; and I give them eternal life.

Daily Readings for Friday, February 10, 2023

• Morning Psalms 51; 148
• First Reading Isaiah 61:1-9
• Second Reading 2 Timothy 3:1-17
• Gospel Reading Mark 10:32-45
• Evening Psalms 142; 65

God of our forebears, as your chosen servant Abraham was given faith to obey your call and go out into the unknown, so may your church be granted such faith that we may follow you with courage for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. God of love, as you have given your life to us, so may we live according to your holy will revealed in Jesus Christ. Make us bold to share your life, and show your love, in the power of your Holy Spirit. Mighty God, sovereign over the nations, direct those who make, administer, and judge our laws; the President of the United States and others in authority among us; that, guided by your wisdom, they may lead us in the way of righteousness. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

(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.)

Weekly Questions and Thoughts Chapter Six:

Jesus returns home in this week’s reading, but it is not a happy homecoming. There are several unexpected events in Chapter Six. Here are a few questions to consider:

 a. It’s been said, “You can never go home again.” What does that mean to you, and have you experienced it in your life? What do you think it means for Jesus coming back to Nazareth and being rejected by his people?

 b. Jesus commissions the 12 disciples to go out on their own to proclaim the message of repentance and to heal the sick. Why do you think this is an important development in the larger story? 

c. We hear the gruesome tale of John the Baptist’s death at the hands of King Herod. Why do you think the ruler allowed this to happen? Does this speak to the danger of “speaking truth to power?”

 d. We’ve likely heard the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 men with five loaves and two fish, and it’s easy to discount the magnitude of this miracle. What does this story say about Jesus’ love for hungry people’s souls and bodies? What is this story leading us to do today?

 e. There’s an earlier account of Jesus calming the sea with the simple words, “Peace. Be still.” In this week’s reading, we hear about Jesus walking on the water. Why do you think there are so many stories on the water? Where do we turn with our fears, worries, and doubts? 

Upcoming Mission Events

 EQUAL EXCHANGE / FAIRLY TRADED (YUM!)

Coffee, Chocolate and Oil! 

February 12 in the Narthex:  St. Mark supports this mission to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sustainable, and to foster mutually beneficial relationships between small farmers and consumers (that’s us!). Credit and Debit cards accepted. 

SAVE THE DATE! DISCOVER MISSION SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2023 

YOUTH SPONSORED SOUPER BOWL OF CARING

 February 11 - 12 Help Tackle Hunger by bringing your non-perishable food item/s or $ to church. Vote for your favorite Super Bowl team by dropping your donation on your team’s side! All proceeds benefit our local St. Mark mission partners.

Worship Prayers for February 5, 2023

 CENTERING PRAYER (A Scout’s Prayer)

 

Our Father, make us Trustworthy, for there are those who trust us. Make us Loyal, for through loyalty we reach our highest ideals. Teach us to be Helpful, for through helpfulness do we forget our selfness. Make us Friendly, for there are so many who need a friend. Train us in Courtesy, for courtesy is the carpet on life’s floor. Make us Kind for kindness is the oil in the cogs of life’s machinery. Insist upon our Obedience, for victory comes only to the one who obeys. Make us Cheerful, for cheerfulness is the green grass among the rocks in the path of life.
Train us in Thrift, for thrifty habits brighten our future. Make us Brave; brave in the dark and brave in the light; but save us from becoming fakers in bravery. Help us to be Clean – clean in thoughts, in speech, and in deed. And may we remember that our bodies are Thy holy temples, and that any abuse thereof is to tamper with Thy Great Plans. Above all, O God, help us to be Reverent toward all things which Thou hast made for our enjoyment when we are in Thy great out-of-doors, among the trees, along the streams, and on the hillsides. May we know it was Thee who made the waters to flow, the trees to reach heavenward, the mountains to endure to all ages. In all these things we ask that Thou wilt help us. And may we never forget the Scout Oath to which we all have pledged ourselves, so that through Thy help we may live these points of our Scout Law. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

We gather to hear God’s Word to us.

Speak to us, O Lord, of those who lived for you.

We eagerly wait to be inspired.

Show us, O Lord, examples we are to follow.

We offer ourselves to be molded by your Spirit.

That we may be your people in word and deed.

Come! Let us worship our God together!

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Merciful God, we have not turned from the ways of evil to follow where you rightly lead us, nor have we been faithful in nurturing those trusted in our care. We confess our shortcomings and ask your forgiveness and beg to be renewed in energy and enthusiasm for the building of your kingdom on earth. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – WCF SC Q1

 

 

OFFERING

 

Our giving and forgiving God gives us everything we need for abundant life. Let us, with grateful hearts, return a portion to the Lord through our tithes, offerings, and gifts. Please pray with me…

 

Accept O Lord, these gifts as sign and seal of our commitment to the mission of establishing your kingdom on earth. Be with us as we work to shape the character of your children, your church, and your world on the model of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

For the complete bulletin, click here

 

Scripture for February 4 and 5

 Mark 6:6-13

By Domenico Ghirlandaio - Web Gallery of Art:  
Image  Info about artwork, Public Domain,
 https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6636269

6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

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Daily Prayer February 3

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a humble spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Daily Readings for Friday, February 3, 2023

• Morning Psalms 84; 148
• First Reading Isaiah 55:1-13
• Second Reading Galatians 5:16-24
• Gospel Reading Mark 9:2-13
• Evening Psalms 25; 40

Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ and make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our daily lives, make us attentive to your voice and alert to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else. O God, you are infinite, eternal and unchangeable, glorious in holiness, full of love and compassion, abundant in grace and truth. Your works everywhere praise you, and your glory is revealed in Jesus Christ our Savior. Therefore we praise you, blessed and holy Trinity, one God, forever and ever. Eternal God, send your Holy

Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

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

(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.)

Weekly Questions and Thoughts Chapter Five

:

We’re going “there and back again” in this week’s readings. Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee at the beginning of the chapter and returns after that work is done. Here are a few questions to consider as you read through Chapter Five.

• Have you ever considered how much Jesus travels in the gospels? Why do you think he’s always on the move? Do you believe God is still moving? Where do you see the Lord at work this week? 

• The good religious folks did their best to steer clear of the Gentiles. They were considered unclean after all. Why do you believe Jesus made a beeline to these areas and these people? What does this example say to us and leaving our comfort zones? 

• The legion of unclean spirits clearly knew about Jesus and his power over them? Why do you think Mark emphasized the demons understanding this while the disciples were largely clueless?

 • Jesus comes back to a more familiar setting for the second half of this chapter. He restores a girl to life and heals a woman. Many of Jesus’ miracles occur while he is on his way to do something else. What does this truth say to you today? Is God ever too busy to heal, comfort, lead you? 

• At the end of the chapter, the mourners laugh at Jesus’ words this seemingly deceased girl is not dead but sleeping. How would you react if you were present in the story and heard these words? How would you react in the present day?

Chili cookout 2023

It was wonderful to bring back the fun, the food, and especially the fellowship of today's St. Mark Chili Cook-off, everything was tasty, and congratulations #3 on taking home the trophy!

 

UPCOMING 2023 BLOOD DRIVES

St. Mark & the American Red Cross are pleased to announce the 2023 Blood Drive schedule as follows: 

– February 26

 – April 23 

– August 20

 – October 22 

For years St. Mark has participated in this very valuable community service. For donors who regularly give blood, please add this schedule to your 2023 calendar. For members & community residents who have been thinking about giving for the first time, let year 2023 be the beginning of a new habit in your life.

 A member of your community may be the one who receives your blood because of cancer, transplant surgery, other life-saving surgeries, genetic blood disorders, various illnesses & a multitude of various accidents. BE THE ONE WHO BRINGS HOPE & HEALING TO THOSE PATIENTS IN NEED. 

The Deacon’s Health & Wellness Committee looks forward to seeing our past donors & renewing old friendships & hopefully meeting new donors & making new friendships in this coming new year.