Alternative Giving

 Honoring Family and Friends Through Alternative Giving

Finding the perfect, meaningful gift for someone who has many wonderful possessions is a difficult task! With this in mind, the newly formed Mission Committee at St. Mark created “Christmas Alternatives” in 2001.

Purchasing a gift through Christmas Alternatives honors the recipient and will help lift a family out of poverty. That family will in turn help another community member. Every gift is another word in an ongoing story of hope that will help create a cycle of change for generations to come.

A copy of the “shopping list” is available in this month’s Messenger and on the welcome desk.

Displays will be in the Narthex on December 8, 15, & 22

Worship Prayers December 1

Jeremiah 33:14-16

New International Version

1The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.

15 “‘In those days and at that time
    I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
    he will do what is just and right in the land.
16 In those days Judah will be saved
    and Jerusalem will live in safety.
This is the name by which it[a] will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’

CENTERING PRAYER Holy God, you promised us that the day of salvation is near. Keep us faithful in love and watchful in prayer, so we may stand with confidence and joy at the coming of Christ, our redeemer and Lord. Amen. 

 CALL TO WORSHIP – Advent Wreath Lighting Liturgy 

 PRAYER OF CONFESSION Lord, have mercy on us. We are not ready for your coming. We live in sin, as though there was no justice. We live in fear, as though there were no grace. Forgive us, Lord. Show us your mercy and steadfast love. Lead us in your truth, and teach us your paths, for you are the light of the world and the God of our salvation. (Silent Confession)

Daily Prayer November 29

  

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

Daily Readings for Friday, November 29, 2024

• Morning Psalms 84; 148
• First Reading Zechariah 14:1-11
• Second Reading Romans 15:7-13
• Gospel Reading Luke 19:28-40
• Evening Psalms 25; 40

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.)

Angel Tree

 THE TRADITION CONTINUES …

The Angel Tree will once again be making an appearance in the Narthex. Please select an angel or two to help provide a Merry Christmas for one or more children. This year, Children’s Ministries has selected Isaiah 58 as the recipient, and they have provided a wish list for our Angel Tree. Especially needed are gifts for teens. Please return your gift ($20-25 range) and place it under the tree with the angel attached by December 15th.

Daily Prayer November 22

  

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

Daily Readings for Friday, November 22, 2024

• Morning Psalms 88; 148
• First Reading Malachi 3:1-12
• Second Reading James 5:7-12
• Gospel Reading Luke 18:1-8
• Evening Psalms 6; 20

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.)

Recycle Caps

 Let’s Recycle Together … plastic caps and lids STILL wanted!

This summer, St. Mark donated another ADA picnic table to Mound Ridge made from the plastic lids you donated. Plastic in our world is not going away anytime soon, so let’s keep it out of the landfill and turn it into something with another useful purpose!

Here are the types of lids we need to collect:

· in general: caps/lids from food grade containers and household items 8” in diameter or smaller

· snap-on lids from butter tubs, coffee cans, yogurt, cottage

cheese, ice cream, whipped topping,

· small twist-off caps: medicine, soda, water, sports drinks, milk

· large twist-off caps: detergent caps, peanut butter

· flip-top caps: ketchup, condiments, dressing

· 6 pack beverage holders – the ones with the solid tops (not the old open ring design)

· “to go” container lids with recycle number of 2, 4, or 5

· other caps and lids with the recycle symbol and recycle number of 2, 4, or 5

Please drop off your caps and lids in the collection bin near the Youth table in the Narthex

Worship Prayers November 17

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

Merciful God, you hear our cries and honor our tears. Stir in us such a passion during worship that we might vow to give you our best, for the glory of your name. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

Let our hearts exult in the LORD;

our strength is exalted in God.

Let our mouths be ever fixed in praise;

God gives us the victory.

There is no Holy One like the LORD;

there is no Rock like our God.

Praise the Lord!

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

O God, who is faithful and just, we fail to help those who have little when we have so much. We are boastful and haughty and fail to appreciate everything you give. Our arrogance leads us away from your righteous way. Forgive us, Merciful God, and lead us to a humble path, for Jesus’ sake. (Silent Confession)

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

People of God, the Lord gives us so much. Let us praise the LORD through our gifts for the uplifting of God’s kingdom.

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray…Dear God, we offer these gifts back to you. Multiply them so that they might help build up your kingdom on earth. All glory, praise, and honor are due to you, now and forever. Amen.

 

Scripture for November 17

  

1 Samuel 1:4-20

4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,[a] saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

Read full chapter

Daily Prayer November 15

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, November 15, 2024

• Morning Psalms 130; 148
• First Reading Joel 2:28-3:8
• Second Reading James 1:16-27
• Gospel Reading Luke 16:1-9
• Evening Psalms 32; 139

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.)

Winter Coats

 Many people in our region lack enough warm clothing to stay protected throughout winter.

New and gently used clean winter coats and clothing are needed for men, women, and kids, all sizes, and styles.

Our mission partners will ensure someone in need receives your gift of warmth!