Saturday, July 20, 2024

Scripture for July 21

 John 6:35–51


35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”

43 “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. 44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’[a] Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

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Friday, July 19, 2024

Daily Prayer July 19


Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.


Daily Readings for Friday, July 19, 2024


Eternal God, Author of our life and End of our pilgrimage: Guide us by your Word and Spirit amid all perils and temptations, that we may not wander from your way, nor stumble in the darkness; but may finish our course in safety, and come to our eternal rest in you. Eternal God, your hand shaped our lives by grace and your hand rescued us from sin by love. May your hand guide us through this day, shielding us from all evil, strengthening us to do justice and love. Enable us, O God, to do all things as unto you; that small things may be filled with greatness, and great things may be crowned with humility. O God, whom we cannot love unless we love our neighbors, remove hate and prejudice from us and from all people, so that your children may be reconciled with those we fear, resent, or threaten; and live together in your peace. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

With God's help and love may your lives be blessed and your labors fruitful as you offer yourselves gladly in the service of our common 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.)

Monday, July 15, 2024

2024 CIRCLE OF CONCERN CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT RESULTS

 


May 20 arrived at Abrdeen Golf Club, Eureka, Missouri with a sold-out event of 144 golfers, 54
volunteers and ideal temperatures with just the right amount of sunshine. The event raised over $37,000 with all proceeds benefiting Circle of Concern, one of several local missions supported by Saint Mark Deacons. 

Saint Mark has served as the event sponsor for the past 18 years and has worked in concert with Circle of Concern staff and volunteers to create goodwill within the community for both entities as well as raise needed funding. 

The following demonstrates the direct impact Saint Mark had on this years’ tournament: 

• Members funded $11,000 in Sponsorships and Auction Items 

• 21 members served as volunteers on the day of the event. 

• 5 members participated as golfers. 

• Members recruited 34 other golfers. 

• 3 members served on the Golf Committee. 

Thank you, Saint Mark members, for sharing your time, talent and resources to make this event a success.

Sunday, July 14, 2024

Worship Prayers July 14

 CENTERING PRAYER


 

Eternal God, you call us to be your children and to follow your way. By the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to follow you in faith, live every day in hope, and generously share your love. Strengthen our hands for building justice and making peace through the righteousness of Christ. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

God has accomplished all things through Christ,

so that we might live as God’s own children.

Let us give thanks to God

and live for the praise of God’s glory.

Let us worship our Lord together.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Holy God, you call us to be your beloved children and to care for one another, yet we fail to love others and ourselves. Helpless and ashamed, we turn our hearts to you. Forgive us and tenderly teach us to stand strong and courageous in the fullness of your love. We continue to pry in the grace and mercy of Christ. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

The Lord gives what is good and makes a pathway for generosity to follow. Let us walk in the righteousness of Christ as we bring our gifts to God.

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray… Thank you for filling us with every spiritual grace that we might be a blessing for others. Consecrate the gifts we offer for the increase of your love. May they bring blessing to others and praise to your glorious name. Amen.

 

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Scripture for July 14

Ephesians 1:3-14


Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he[c] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen,[d] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

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Friday, July 12, 2024

Daily Prayer July 12

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


Daily Readings for Friday, July 12, 2024

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.)

Monday, July 8, 2024

Equal Exchange Coffee

 Organic French Roast coffee bag with bin card

 

In the Narthex on July 14th 

Featuring a St. Mark Favorite – French Roast coffeeThis is an intensely dark and full bodied gem, with tasting notes of dark chocolate, sweet and fruity. Enjoy the chocolaty richness and subtle smoky flavor of this best-selling blend. No added flavoring.  


Through fair trade, small-scale farmers are better able to support their families and stay on their land with better income and support from their co-operatives. St. Mark supports this mission to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just, environmentally sustainable, and to foster mutually beneficial relationships between small farmers and consumers (that’s us!).  

Cash, Credit, Debit, Digital Wallet Payments Accepted 

Sunday, July 7, 2024

Worship Prayers

 CENTERING PRAYER


 

God of grace and mercy, you call us to proclaim your healing and faithfully fulfill your kingdom mission. Let us not count the cost of our wins and losses but keep our eyes fixed on you as we seek your realm of peace. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

God is mighty in word and deed.

God’s mercy is everlasting.

Blessed be the one holy and living God.

Glory to God forever.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Holy God, you call us to proclaim your name boldly, yet we are stubborn and rebellious and do not heed your call. By the power of your Spirit, raise us to new life that we may return to faithful living. We continue to pray in Christ’s name. (Silent Confession)

 

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

Jesus calls us to travel light as we serve the world, for God is our strength and provision. Let us faithfully bring our offerings to God.

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray…Source of every good gift, we praise you because your grace is sufficient. Pour out your Spirit upon these offerings that they may increase your blessing to others, through the grace and mercy of Christ. Amen.