Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
November 9, 2014
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Our Vision: St. Mark’s seeks to spread God’s Word among ourselves and
in the greater Conshohocken community.
Our Mission: We will equip our members with biblical knowledge and spiritual growth
through worship, education and fellowship, in order to share our faith in Christ through
our words, hospitality and deeds of service in the community.
Worship Assistants
Ministers
Presiding Minister
Organist
Cantor
The People of St. Mark’s
Pastor Bryan Penman
Bob Fidler
Emily Erb
Assisting Minister
Communion Assistant
Reader
Ushers
Acolyte
Nursery
Altar Guild
Counters
Offering Recorder
Fellowship Hour
9:30am
Joe Jacovino
Nate Ramsden
Joe Jacovino
Joanne Copestick and Terry Spence
Garrett Kriebel
The Yakeley Family
Stef Conklin and Lara Hoffman
Susan Jacovino and Matt Fiore
Jeanette Nazaryk
The Ruggiero Family
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508 Harry St, Conshohocken, PA 19428
Church Office 610-828-0581, Fax 610-828-6659
Church Office Hours: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Email [email protected], www.stmarksconshy.org
Council President, Joseph Jacovino
Email [email protected]
Pastor Bryan Penman
E-mail: [email protected]
Cell: 1.540.287.3663
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A Warm Welcome to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
We hope that your worship experience this morning is spiritually enriching and
meaningful.
Children are always welcome to participate in worship. “Little Lutheran Activity
Bags” located in the rear of the sanctuary are designed to make your time in the pew
more meaningful for your family. We hope you will find the age appropriate books and
activities helpful. Should your young child(ren) need a change of scenery, the nursery
provides that space.
Restrooms are located through the back left – exit the sanctuary, go up the stairs,
through the first room to the end of the hallway.
Are you new to St. Mark’s? Our congregation is a member of the Southeastern
Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. If you would
like to receive more information about St. Mark’s, we have several methods where you
can leave your information with us. At the entry ways to the sanctuary, you will find
our guest books in which you can leave your name and contact information, or in the
pews we have blue cards that you can fill and place in the offering plate, or if you like,
you can sign our electronic guest book. We’d be delighted to keep you informed about
the many events and opportunities here at St. Mark’s and hope you will
join us again.
For the electronic book, open your mobile device to the bar code scanner
and take a picture of this square QR code; it will take you to our
electronic guest book.
Cell phones and other electronic devices are welcome to be used to post, tweet and
instagram the Good News you hear today, but we kindly ask you to turn the sound off
on them so that they do not cause a distraction to other worshipers. Thank you.
Our team of ushers is available throughout the service to be of any assistance you
might need.
Assistive Listening devices are available. Please see an usher.
Attendance for November 2nd - 66
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+ GATHERING +
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God
Introduction
Today the prophet, Amos calls for justice to roll down like waters. Paul urges us to encourage
one another with the promised coming of the Lord. Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish
bridesmaids. Surrounded by the faithful of every time and place, we celebrate Christ's coming in
our midst in the word of life and the feast of victory - the marriage feast of the lamb
Prelude
‘Prelude in G Major’
Confession and Forgiveness
P:
In the name of the Father and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C:
Amen.
J.S. Bach
Silence is kept for reflection.
P:
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known and from whom
no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your
Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy
name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C:
Amen.
P:
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if
we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.
Kneel/Stand
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
P:
Most merciful God,
C:
we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We
have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done
and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole
heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your
Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us and lead us, so
that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of
your holy name. Amen
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The minister stands and addresses the congregation.
P:
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us and for his
sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the
Church of Christ and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire
forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of
the Holy Spirit.
C:
Amen
5
Entrance Hymn ELW #715
6
‘Christ Be Our Light’
Greeting
P:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the
Holy Spirit be with you all.
C:
And also with you.
Kyrie
Hymn of Praise
7
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Prayer of the Day
P:
O God of justice and love, you illumine our way through life with the words of
your Son. Give us the light we need and awaken us to the needs of others,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C:
Amen.
+ WORD +
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching and song
Sit
First Reading: Amos 5:18 - 24
In the days of Amos, people thought that the day of the Lord would be a time of great victory, but
Amos announced that it would be a day of darkness, not light. He said liturgy is no substitute
for obedience. The Lord demands justice and righteousness in the community.
18Alas
for you who desire the day of the Lord! Why do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light;
19as if someone fled from a lion and was met by a bear; or went into the house and
rested a hand against the wall and was bitten by a snake.
20Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light and gloom with no brightness in it?
21I hate, I despise your festivals and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept
them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon.
23Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your
harps.
24But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
The word of the Lord.
C:
Thanks be to God.
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Psalmody: Psalm 70
You are my helper and my deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry. (Ps. 70:5)
1Be
pleased, O God, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.
2Let those who seek my life be put to shameand confounded; let those who
take pleasure in my misfortune draw back and be disgraced.
3Let those who say to me "Aha!" and gloat over me turn back because of their shame.
4Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; let those who love your
salvation say forever, "Great is the Lord!"
5But as for me, I am poor and needy; come to me quicky, O God. You are my helper and
my deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry.
Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 25:1 - 13
Some of the Thessalonians are worried that dead Christians will be excluded from the
resurrection to eternal life when Christ comes again. Paul reassures them with the word of hope
that all Christians, living or dead, will be raised into everlasting life with Christ.
13But
we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have
died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14For since we believe
that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those
who have died. 15For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are
alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who
have died. 16For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and
with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will
rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together
with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.
18Therefore encourage one another with these words.
The word of the Lord.
C:
Thanks be to God.
Stand, if able
Gospel Acclamation
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P:
C:
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 25th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Gospel: Matthew 25:1 - 13
Jesus tells a parable about his own second coming, emphasizing the need for readiness at all
times.
Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and
went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3When
the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4but the wise took flasks of oil
with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and
slept. 6But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to
meet him.' 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish
said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9But the wise
replied, 'No! There will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the
dealers and buy some for yourselves.' 10And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom
came and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door
was shut. 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.'
12But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' 13Keep awake therefore, for you
know neither the day nor the hour.
P:
The Gospel of the Lord.
C:
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sit
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Pastor Bryan
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Stand, if able
Hymn of the Day
‘Thy Word’
Chorus
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Verse 1 When I feel afraid and think I've lost my way.
Still, you're there right beside me. Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near; please be near me to the end. Chorus
Verse 2 I will not forget your love for me and yet,
My heart forever is wandering. Jesus by my guide,
And hold me to your side and I will love you to the end. Chorus
Lyrics by Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith.
1984 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
Meadowgreen Music Company (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Apostle Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by
the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered
under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended
into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and
is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of
saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life
everlasting. Amen
The Prayers of the Church
During the prayers we will lift up the names of members, family and friends in their times of
need and in times of joy. If you wish to have someone added, please add them to the list in the
back of the church or you may call the church office during the week. We will carry their names
for four weeks unless otherwise specified.
A:
Together with the whole people of God, giving thanks for God's blessings, we
pray for the church, all in need and God's good creation.
A:
C:
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
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We pray for our family and friends especially for
Don Dunn, Ann Beatty, Katie Gresh, Dottie Woodring,
George and Donna Kobi, Stef Conklin, Joan Metz,
Jenny, Jennifer, Dolores, David, Joe,
Lindsay, Kathleen, John, Angie, Greg
and all those serving overseas
We lift up our Joys and Thanksgivings for
For the birth of Anderson to Courtney and AJ
and the safe return of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither
We pray for those who are grieving
For the families of the children who died during
Halloween from accidents
P:
C:
Receive our prayers and hopes, Good Shepherd and bring us safely into all joy
and peace, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Sharing of the Peace
P:
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C:
And also with you.
The congregation may greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace and use the words -
Peace be with you.
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+ MEAL +
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ
Sit
Stewardship Moment
Introduction of our DOWN, IN and OUT stewardship pledge campaign
Offering
Having heard the good news of Jesus Christ in scripture and song we now respond to the good
news offering our gifts of time, talents and treasures, to support the mission of the church.
Offerings collected go to support the mission of St. Mark's and the wider church supporting
those in need.
Stand, if able
Offertory
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Offertory Prayer
A:
Let us pray. Blessed are you,
C:
O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have
blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service
and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have
made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Dialogue
P:
The Lord be with you.
C:
And also with you.
P:
Lift up your hearts.
C:
We lift them to the Lord.
P:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C:
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Proper Preface
The presiding minister continues:
P:
It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer
thanks . . . . . . we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
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Great Thanksgiving
P:
Holy, mighty and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In
great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and
suffering, who preached good news to the poor and who, on the cross, opened
his arms to all.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread and gave
thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my
body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks and gave it for all to drink,
saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all
people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection and ascension, we await his
coming in glory.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, that by this Holy Communion we may know the
unity we share with all your people in the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our
Lord.
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and
honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
Amen
C:
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
Invitation to Communion
P:
Come to the table prepared for you. Taste the overflowing grace of God.
The bread may be broken for the communion. As Lutherans we invite all people to the Lord’s
Table no matter where you are on your faith journey. This is Christ present for you – freely
offered in bread and wine.
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We will receive Communion in a continuous flow around the rail; the pastor will give you bread
and then to receive the cup you may take an empty cup for poured wine or a cup of grape juice
from the center of the tray. When you have finished communing, you are invited to return to
your seats by the side aisle and join our cantor in singing the communion hymns printed on the
next page.
Lamb of God
Sit
Communion
When giving the bread and cup, the communion ministers say:
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
and each person may respond -- Amen.
17
Communion Hymn ELW #785
18
‘When Peace, Like a River’
Stand, if able
Post Communion Blessing
P:
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in
his grace.
C:
Amen
Post Communion Canticle
Post Communion Prayer
A:
O God, the host at every meal, at this table you spread out a feast for all
peoples, the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Send us from this banquet to
invite others into these good things, to let justice roll down like waters and to
care for the least of our sisters and brothers; through Jesus Christ, our
Sovereign and our Savior.
C:
Amen.
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+ SENDING +
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world
Announcements
- Ways for you to be sent into Mission this week.
Blessing
P:
Almighty God, Father, + Son and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C:
Amen.
Sending Hymn LS #158
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‘Give Me Oil in My Lamp’
Dismissal
A:
Go in peace. Share the good news.
C:
Thanks be to God.
Postlude
‘Choral Song’
Wesley
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2013 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #.46440
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserve
The altar flowers are sponsored by
Helen Heffentreyer
In Loving Memory of
her Husband, H. Russell Heffentreyer, Sr.
and
Parents, Lucy C. & Richard D. Pearson, Jr.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
This Week at St. Mark’s
Monday:
6:00am CNC - Meals on Wheels
5:30pm Music Lessons
7:00pm Boy Scouts
7:30pm Property Team Meeting
Tuesday:
6:00am CNC - Meals on Wheels
10:30am Pastor’s Bible Study
4:00pm Kids Yoga
7:00pm Worship & Music Meeting
7:30pm Cub Scouts
Wednesday:
6:00am CNC - Meals on Wheels
6:00pm Homework Help/Tutoring
Conshohocken Library
7:00pm Yoga
Thursday:
6:00am CNC - Meals on Wheels
6:30pm Dinner Church Service
Friday:
6:00am CNC - Meals on Wheels
6:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous/Al-Anon Meetings
Saturday:
1:00pm Montgomery Youth County Orchestra
Sunday:
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8:30am Faith Formation
9:30am Worship Service - Baptism
10:30am Fellowship Hour
10:30am Understanding Worship
10:30am Altar Guild Training
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, November 26th - 7:00pm
Ministerium Thanksgiving Service
At St. John’s AME
Saturday, December 20th - 7:00pm
Concert in the Sanctuary
Presented by the Montgomery
County Youth Orchestra
Meetings/Events this Week
Monday, November 10th
Property Meeting - 7:30pm
Tuesday, November 11th
Pastor’s Bible Study - 10:30am
Worship & Music Meeting - 7:00pm
Wednesday, November 12th
Homework Help/Tutoring - 6:00pm
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WORSHIP
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
All Plants are $10.00 each
Place your order BEFORE Monday, December 8, 2014
Please complete the form as soon as possible.
I wish to order: ___________ Poinsettia(s)
______ Plant may be given to a Shut In OR _______ I will pick up my plant after the
Christmas Eve Service
WORDING:______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
NAME_______________________________________ PHONE___________________
Please return this form with check payable to: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 508 Harry St,
Conshohocken, PA 19428 or you can place it in the offering plate.
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How we worship God together here at St. Mark’s
Dinner Church
Are your weekends filling up with activities? Penn State have a home game this
weekend?
Don’t forget we offer a midweek worship service on Thursday evenings – we
will even feed you dinner! “Dinner Church” will continue this fall on Thursday
evening at 6:30pm and is over in time for choir at 7:30pm. “Dinner Church” is
a relaxed worship experience that seeks to gather the assembly around a meal,
much in the same way the disciples and Jesus ate and discussed their faith.
Ways you can help support Dinner Church:
MEAL: We are looking for people to volunteer to make dinner (soup or salad)
to feed between 12 and 18 people.
SET-UP/CLEAN-UP: Pastor Bryan is looking for an individual who will be
willing to learn how to set up the projector and laptop for the service while he
will be away in October. Please contact him if you are able to help to receive
instructions.
Below are the dates and folks who have volunteered to make food. If you can
help by making a meal, there is a sign-up board in the McCarney room or you
can contact Terry Spence home 610.539.9337 or cell 610.804.8604
Meal
November 13
November 20
Pastor Bryan
Open
W
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S
H
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Set-Up/
Clean-Up
Open Sponsorship
Sunday, November 30th is available for Altar Flowers. If interested, please
contact Ann Beatty at 215.482.4132 or the church office for details.
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How we form disciples at St. Mark’s
Faith Formation
F
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H
Family Class: 8:45am Upstairs
A multi-generational class for children and families meets upstairs each Sunday
to explore the bible stories from worship in age appropriate ways - we learn
about worship, prayer and song! Join us as we learn about what it means to be
disciples!
Adult Forum: 8:30am Library
We gather for an adult forum in the library at 8:30am prior to worship to
discuss the texts that will be used in worship on that Sunday. It’s an open
forum so no experience necessary and we welcome newcomers to the class.
Understanding Worship:
Join Pastor after worship, on the 17th and 23rd for a short class on our worship
practices. On the 17th, we will explore elements of our worship space and
explore why we have a font, a table, a pulpit and explain some of the imagery
used in the stained glass windows that grace our worship space. On the 23rd,
we will explore the elements of our worship service; hymns, songs, litanys,
scripture readings; learn a bit more about why we order our worship the way
we do. Questions are most welcome and hopefully this will be more of an informal discussion than a formal class. Each session will run about an hour.
F
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Weekly Messages from Pastor Bryan
Each week, Pastor Bryan sends out an email reflecting the upcoming Sunday’s
lessons as well as any immediate events that are taking place. If you wish to
receive a copy of this email, simply go onto St. Mark’s website and at the
bottom of the page, fill out the form with your name and email address and
click submit. You can also offer this to friends and family to receive as well.
For those members that do not have access to a computer, you can call Kathy
at the church office and she will mail out a copy to you.
Call 610.828.0581 with any questions.
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All the ways we serve God with our hands, our feet and our treasures
Fair Trade Coffee
St. Mark’s continues to serve Fair Trade coffee in support of the LWR Coffee
Project. Fair Trade coffee and candy bars are also available for your purchase.
Buying Fair Trade products through St. Mark’s provides an opportunity to
raise funds for our missions and allows us to take advantage of special pricing
and free shipping offers.
Please visit lwrcoffee.com to see what is available and contact Susan Dryburgh
([email protected]) to place your order by TODAY, Sunday,
November 9th. Delivery is expected NEXT Sunday, November 16th.
Payment can be made by cash or check (payable to St. Mark’s). Be sure to
mark on your payment envelope that the funds are for “Fair Trade.”
S
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Sponsored College Student
Please remember our college student. He is a young man we met through our
Aid for Friends program who is beginning his Senior year at Temple. We have
committed to help him with some of his school and living supplies through his
4 years of college. If you would like to make a donation, please place it in an
envelope marked “college student” and place it in the offering plate or send to
the church. We ask that you keep him in your prayers as he continues to
follow his dreams.
Homework Help Program at the Conshohocken Free Library
We are continuing another year of helping school students on Wednesday
evenings from 6-8 p.m. We need at least 2 volunteers each night. The sign up
sheet is now in the back of the church.
Please see Karen Hanna if you have any questions.
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All the ways we serve God with our hands, our feet and our treasures
Stewardship Moment
Since the spring, St. Mark’s has been exploring how God’s love has come
DOWN to us, how we share our time, talent and treasures (IN) and how we
care for our neighbors locally, regionally and around the world (OUT). As we
enter a season of thanksgiving, the Stewardship Team has prepared a
devotional to help individuals and families reflect upon how they have
experienced God’s grace in their lives during the past year, to respond to that
gift by sharing their time, talent and treasures and how we will care for our
neighbors in the coming year. The devotional was sent by e-mail and printed
copies will be available in the rear of the sanctuary. Please submit your
responses by November 23rd either on-line or by returning the printed copy in
the offering plate.
Thank you,
The Stewardship Team (Susan Dryburgh, Don Dunn, Matt Hoffman, Charlotte
Pakan, Pastor Bryan, Nate Ramsden)
S
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Wawa Coupons
We still have Wawa hoagie cards available to purchase to help raise money
for our "college student". To help lessen the burden of the many expenses of
school, the Wawa hoagie cards are for sale for $5. Each card will contribute
$2 towards the collection for our "college student". Enjoy a delicious Shorty
sandwich while helping out! Please join us in the effort to sell 150 Wawa
hoagie cards. We encourage all members to sell cards to their friends, family
and coworkers. They can also make great gifts.
Members of the Social Ministry team will be available in the McCarney
Room after Sunday service for you to purchase the cards. Please look for
either Jennifer Ramsden, Joanne Popowicz, Susan Dryburgh, Sandy Portzer
or Karen Hanna. Please make out any checks to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
Thank you.
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All the ways we serve God with our hands, our feet and our treasures
Colonial Neighborhood Pantry
Please remember to help keep the Colonial Neighborhood pantry shelves full
by dropping any non-perishable items in the baskets in the rear of the church.
There is always a need for healthy children’s snacks (granola bars, crackers,
fruit snacks) and juice boxes at Colonial Neighborhood Council. Please place
your donations in the baskets as you enter the church.
S
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Gravy for Thanksgiving
Reminder, we will also be collecting Gravy jars/cans for CNC’s Thanksgiving
baskets. Please place the gravy in the bin marked ‘CNC’, through NEXT
Sunday, November 16th.
Layette Kits
Earlier in the year we collected items to be put together for Layette Kits to
give to refugee families overseas - we still need some items for these kits for
newborns.
1 newborn sleeping gown
14 pairs of infant socks
40 cloth diapers
12 bars of baby soap.
6 infant sweaters or sweatshirts
Please place these items in the designated box in the “God’s Work – Our
Hands” corner at the rear of the church.
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All the ways we get to know one another & spread the gospel to our neighbors
Fellowship Hour
F
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30
A key component to our fellowship and community at St. Mark’s is the
Fellowship Hour after our worship service. It is an important gathering place
in the McCarney room to renew friendships, meet new faces and to get a little
refreshment after worship. Coffee and snacks are just part of what feeds this
lively time of catching up, making plans and getting to know newcomers. It's
the church in microcosm, with or without caffeine.
We also wish to encourage congregational sharing in support of
the coffee hour. If you would like to host or prepare a coffee
hour, check the sign-up sheet in the McCarney Room. Sundays
November 23rd and 30th are available.
Pastoral Care Visits
If you know that you are going to be away from our worshiping community
for an extended period of time either due to illness or a surgery - Pastor
Bryan is asking that you please call the office and let Kathy know so that we
can schedule home visits for you. 610.828.0581
Trusting in God, Trusting with God
Human beings are relational creatures. We are created
to be in relationship with one another and with God. No
one, no matter how independent or disconnected they
may feel they are, functions completely outside the
context of relationships. From the moment we are born,
we are thrust into relationship with people around us the people who delivered us, the people who will be
taking care of us in a hospital nursery, our family and
God. When we enter this world we do so forming
relationships right from the start.
Relationships, healthy relationships, require a lot of work
and care to continue. In particular, relationships require
trust to grow and become mature. Relationships rooted
in trust can bring out the best in us. Relationships
rooted in anything else can bring out the worst.
Today's readings give us the chance to consider the trust
required in the relationship between God and God's
people. Moreover, we are invited to give thought to the
consequences of replacing trust with something else:
hubris stemming from trust in one's identity or work (in
Amos), or hubris stemming from trust in others to
sustain us rather than God (in Matthew). Paul reminds
us that our relationship with God is cause for joy, even in
the midst of sorrow, since we believe (trust) God's
promise of eternal life through the living Lord Jesus.
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Worship Assistants
November 16, 2014
Assisting Minister
Communion Assistant
Reader
Ushers
Acolyte
Nursery
Altar Guild
Counters
Offering Recorder
Fellowship Hour
9:30am
Erin Fazzari
Joanne Copestick
Harry Spence
Matt Fiore and Brianna Clark
Joanne Popowicz
Sue Inderbitzen
Susan & Joe Dryburgh
Susan Dryburgh and Pam Keebler
Jen Schreiter
The Patruno Family
Lectionary Readings for Sunday, November 16, 2014 Twenty-Thirds Sunday after Pentecost
First Reading - Zephaniah 1:7, 12 - 18
Psalmody - Psalm 90:1 - 12
Second Reading - 1 Thessalonians 5:1 - 11
Gospel - St. Matthew 25:14 - 30
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