Sunday, September 22, 2024

Every Friday afternoon in my late teens, the local newspaper would print a religion section, and in it, there was an article published by a specific religious group in town. In this document, the writer would engage in an argumentative discourse detailing the spiritually fatal doctrinal mistakes of other groups, including Baptist churches like mine. I was in a spiritually intense period of life, which I now realize was a prelude to my becoming aware of my call to ministry. My response back then was to become highly engaged in analyzing the errors of this religious group, and in cementing my view that my own church had it right. It took many years before I realized that spiritual growth meant more than discovering “accurate” truths about God. It included, among other things, developing a deep understanding of the value, gifts and graces, and strengths of other people, those who were “neighbors” we are called to love.

Jesus’ disciples were called to make this same discovery. Once on a preaching mission, they encountered someone who was “casting our demons” in Jesus’ name. The disciples were disconcerted by this, because the exorcist did not identify as one of the disciples. They then demanded that this upstart cease and desist his spiritual ministry. When Jesus heard this, he urged his disciples to know that those who were not against them, were in fact not to be feared. In fact, Jesus concluded, “Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose their reward.” Sometimes, in their hard journey of discipleship, Jesus was saying, these very disciples would need a kindness, an act of hospitality, a cup of cold water. And quite often, they would be surprised who it was who offered them that grace.

We’ll talk about all of this as we discuss our own calls to discipleship in the Sunday worship at St. Mark’s. The sermon is titled, “Surprising Sources of Refreshing Water,” and arises from Psalm 19:7-14, which will be read by Avery Shackleford, and Mark 9:38-41, which will be read by Gwyn Richards. The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us musically. We’ll have a moment for mission, a time for children, prayers and congregational singing.

If this Sunday will be your first time at St. Mark’s, or if you have been a part of our community for a long time, we’ll look forward to seeing you in the sanctuary at 10:30. If you are connecting online, visit www.smumc.church and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, September 15, 2024

Nearly twenty years ago, Lillian Daniel was the pastor of a small United Church of Christ congregation just north Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut. She developed a growing sense that the congregation was growing hungry for the practice of testimony, though no one knew exactly what to call it. So they began asking individuals, one per week, to tell in worship how they experienced God in the world. They had wide latitude on what they could say, but they did need to say how their faith impacted what they were sharing. The practice was so warmly received that when she transferred to a larger church in Illinois, she invited folks there to offer testimony as well. They, too, embraced it. Once, she said, one of the lay leaders spoke. He was quite experienced in public speaking, but when he began to talk about how being a lay leader had enriched his faith, he began to weep. He turned around and said to Lillian, “Wow, this is really different from other kinds of speaking, isn’t it?” Lillian said that as he continued, “the tears accompanied him as he told a beautiful story that trumped any sermon I could give.” What does faithful speech entail for us today?

The biblical witness speaks to this. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus seeks to elicit faithful speech from the disciples. After inquiring what others are saying about who they think Jesus is, he asks, “And who do you say that I am?” Peter responds, “You are the Messiah.” Peter would soon learn that true testimony would be a mark of the living church.

We’ll discuss this in worship on Sunday, as the sermon is titled, “Bearing the Light in Unbearable Times.” The sermon arises from James 3:1-12, which will be read by Rick Scheid, and Mark 8:27-38. The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will sing, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.” Lois Leong will present “Plink, Plank, Plunk” as a solo bells piece. We’ll have a moment for children, and sing and pray together. Make your plans to join us for breakfast sponsored by the St. Mark’s Library Team.

If you have a long-attended St. Mark’s, or are joining us for the first time, we will look forward to seeing you in the sanctuary at 10:30. If you are connecting online, visit www.smumc.church and click on the Live Stream Banner.

Sunday, September 8, 2024

I love Mary Oliver’s poetry for many reasons, not the least of which is that she loved dogs. In the collection, Dog Songs, the poet lyrically unpacks that love. In one of her poems, she muses, “A dog can never tell you what she knows from the smells of the world, but you know, watching her, that you know almost nothing.” In other words, dogs know plenty. In another poem, when the household dog has conned an unsuspecting human into offering a second breakfast, she humorously writes, “Be prepared. A dog is adorable and noble. A dog is a true and loving friend. A dog is also a hedonist.”

Dogs and people have long sought creative ways to get that for which they long. That said, those of us who love dogs, and people, have a major hitch with something Jesus once said. A woman who was not Jewish came to Jesus, the Jewish rabbi, and asked for help healing her daughter from an oppressive spirit. But Jesus hesitated, speaking on the assumption that his mission was to the people of Israel. He said, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and give it to the dogs.” But not to be so easily put away, the mother replied, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” These abrupt words of Jesus are met with the fierce determination of a prophetic mother who would not be deterred from seeking her child’s blessing. He received these words, and changed his way of responding to the woman. Sometimes a solitary and determined voice is what is needed to shift worlds of understanding.

This passage raises many questions for us and invites us to consider what we shall do with the earnest and compelling voices that reach out to us. The sermon on Sunday is titled, “Breaking the Ropes That Hold Us.” It arises from James 2: 1-10, which will be read by Jerry Burton, and Mark 7: 24-37, which will be read by Laura Baich. The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong will lead us musically. We’ll pray, sing and have a time for children.

If this is your first time at St. Marks, or whether you have long been a part of our church community, we look forward to connecting with you this Sunday. Join us at 10:30 in the sanctuary, or if you are connecting online, visit www.smumc.church, and click the live stream banner.

Sunday, September 1, 2024

In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses tries to prepare the people of Israel to enter the land that the LORD, the God of their ancestors, had promised them. Yet, Moses will never enter the land of promise.

On April 3, 1968, in Memphis, TN, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. told an overflowing crowd of those supporting striking sanitation workers - “I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But, I want you to know, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!” Less than 24 hours after these prophetic words, Dr. King was assassinated by James Earl Ray. Moses, Dr. King, and others who followed them, may also not have seen their “promised land”. Yet they paved the path and the way for those who followed. They were part of building a foundation that holds us up still. They were followed by pastors and others from St. Mark’s and the greater community, who were part of the March on Washington and Selma. Today, those of all ages, backgrounds and stories strengthen our foundation here. What are the next chapters, of our story, that we will write?

We will explore this in worship on Sunday. We will also share a Children’s Moment, pray and reflect, and sing hymns. The Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong, will lead us in music. Lisa Kurz will share our first scripture reading, based on Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9, and Eleanor Lahr will share our second scripture reading based on 1 Corinthians 3:1-9. The sermon is titled “Unwrapping the Gift of Story.”

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.

To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning, click the link on our website www.smumc.church. The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.

Sunday, August 25, 2024

Rollie Martinson, Professor Emeritus at Luther Seminary, tells of a conversation he had with fellow he met on an airplane flight. After Rollie told the fellow traveler that he was a pastor type, the conversation quickly turned to church attendance. The man said, “It’s funny. We’ve gone to church all our lives, but six weeks ago, we just quit.” He said after returning home from worship one day, they asked themselves whether the worship and church connection made any difference in their real lives. They discovered, he said, that their experience at church had little impact on their lives, and so they quit.

We’ve all heard the numbers. Church attendance and membership is down. Church closures are up. One source suggests that approximately forty million people have stopped going to church in the last twenty-five years. Some of the reasons include lack of engagement, as was the case with the family mentioned above. Other reasons include greater affluence, higher focus on children’s activities, online options, and a greater emphasis on self-directed spirituality.

Clearly societal changes are behind some of this shifting. But it’s also true that this isn’t an altogether new phenomenon. In the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, we read that some of Jesus' followers decided, when things had gotten difficult, that they had to turn back. Jesus said to the remaining ones, "Do you also wish to go away?" Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” In other words, something in their deep connection with this upstart rabbi was compelling to them, and shaped their faith decisions.

What might this mean for us in the time and in the place in which we live? We’ll chat about this on Sunday, as the sermon is titled, “The Power of Connection in the Life of Faith.” The sermon arises from Psalm 34, which will be read by the Brass family, and John 6: 56-69, which will be read by Jonathan Michelsen. We’ll be led musically by the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong. We’ll have a moment for children, sing, and pray together. After worship, we’ll join together for our annual church picnic.

If this will be your first time at St. Mark’s, or if you have long connected here, we look forward to seeing you in the sanctuary at 10:30. If you will be joining online, visit www.smumc.church and click on the online banner.

Sunday, August 18, 2024

Do you know how to fix things? I confess, when things break at the house, I’m not especially useful. A clogged drain does not respond in a happy way when I read a poem to it. Most of the time, a car that won’t start doesn’t suddenly turn over when you pray for it. When the refrigerator stops working, it does not really help it to say to it, “Tell me how you feel about that.” Thankfully, there are those who through aptitude, training and practice have a developed knowledge that helps all the people like me.

What then, do we do, when our hearts are broken, and our relationships are strained? What can we do when our culture is so broken that we feel our ability to relate to each other is damaged? Can we trust our impulses to help when we are not sure what to do with our own rage and despair? How do we fix that? Can our wisdom help us in the midst of these challenges?

Long ago, Jesus told a story about a farmer. This farmer noticed that, right there among the good wheat, were weeds that to the casual observer looked like exactly like the wheat. But to the farmer’s wizened eye, it was apparent that among the wheat an invasive plant was growing. Those who helped the farmer offered to pull up the bad weeds. But the farmer said, basically, “No. Let’s wait until the harvest. Trying to pull the weeds now would do damage the good wheat.”

Jesus told stories like this one so we would see a sacred wisdom that would guide us. In service on Sunday, we’ll talk about that wisdom. The sermon is titled, “How Do We Fix This: The Way of Wisdom.” It arises from I Kings 3: 3-14, and Matthew 13: 24-30, which will be read by Maria Schmidt. We’ll be led musically by the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong. We’ll sing, pray and have a time for children.

If this is your first time to visit St. Mark’s, or of you are a seasoned member of our church, we’ll look forward to connecting with you. Services begin at 10:30 in the sanctuary. If you are joining online, visit www.smumc.church, and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, August 11, 2024

We are looking forward to the Blessing of the Backpacks and School Year this Sunday! The start of a school year can bring new opportunities, friendships, adventures, and ways to care for each other and our world. It can also bring some nervousness, excitement, challenges, fun, new and renewed friendships and invitations to try something that opens a new perspective.

This Sunday brings me back to memories of my years as a teacher. I was fortunate to teach in a number of settings, and with learners from preschool and elementary school, to undergrads in college. I learned from them all, and particularly with a multi-age class of 5th & 6th graders in the late 1980’s. Most of the students were around 11 or 12 years old then, and they asked the best questions.

In our scripture passage this Sunday (from Luke 2:41-52), Jesus is said to be 12-years-old. He, and his family, were taking a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, with many others, for the Festival of the Passover. Instead of staying with his parents and relatives, Jesus remains in Jerusalem in the Temple with the teachers, sitting among them, listening to them and asking them profound questions.

This Sunday, we celebrate and recognize teachers and learners (of all ages), bus drivers and administrators, helpers in the office and those who bandage scraped knees with care, counselors and custodians, parents, grandparents and volunteers, and all who care for children and youth, and those who support adult learners.

During the Children’s Moment time, we will offer a special blessing for students, of all ages, who are starting a new year in learning environments (public, private or homeschool), and for all who teach, guide, support them, and learn from them. You are invited to bring your backpack, another school item- or just bring yourself to worship on Sunday (in-person or on livestream).

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.

To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning, click the link on our website www.smumc.church. The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.

Sunday, August 4, 2024

St. Mark’s is delighted to welcome Rev. Mary Ann Moman to our worship service this Sunday, August 4. Mary Ann served as pastor of St. Mark’s from 1998-2000. This Sunday, in her sermon, she will invite us to consider what it means for us, as a congregation, who have in our previous seventy years as a congregation, to follow Jesus now.

Mary Ann writes, "This week we look at the story of the people following Jesus in the boats. Are they looking for bread that fills their stomachs or the bread that is Jesus? Jesus announces, "I am the bread of life." He has just fed 5000 people. Unlike the barley loaves they ate, Jesus talks about bread that endures. Is it possible to never go hungry?”

Mary Ann’s sermon is titled, “Back in the Boat: Another Seventy Years”. It arises from Psalm 78: 23-29, to be read by Liz McDaniel, and Mark 6: 25-35, to be read by Tory Puntarelli. We will be led musically by the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa, and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs. Tenor soloist Patrick Conklin will sing “Come To Me”, by Dan Forrest. There will be a moment for children and a time of prayer, and we will celebrate Holy Communion together.

If this is your first time at St. Mark’s, or if you have a long connection with us, we look forward to connecting with you at 10:30 Sunday morning in the sanctuary. If you are joining online, visit www.smumc.church and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Do you believe in the power of stories? If so, how should a good story end? Arthur Frank, author of The Wounded Storyteller, believes that seriously ill individuals are wounded in body and soul, and need to become storytellers to recover the voices deep challenge can take away. He names three different types of stories we tell when in crisis. Restitution stories anticipate getting better, concentrating on the techniques and practices that help us improve. In chaos narratives, the problem seems to go on indefinitely, with little respite or resolution. Quest stories are about finding whatever insight allows for us to become new people in light of our new circumstances. The “ending” of each of the stories can vary greatly, but are influenced by the overall hope of the story.

In Mark 16, there is a different ending following the resurrection of Jesus than is found in the other three gospels. Mark’s ending is so abrupt that later manuscripts, sometimes incorporated into translations, show several different attempts to “finish the story.” But in the best manuscripts of Mark’s Gospel, the passage ends in verse 8, with the earliest witnesses to the empty tomb running away in excitement and fear. What are we to make of such a sudden ending that includes none of the “follow up” material of the other gospels? Could it be that we, the church are to compose our own ending of the story?

We’ll talk about this in Worship Sunday, as the sermon is titled, “After All, Tomorrow is Another Day.” It arises from Psalm 15: 1-9, to be read by Deb Smith. Mark 16: 1-8, to be read by Eric Metzler. We’ll have a moment for mission about an Eagle Scout project intended to support a local food pantry. The Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us musically. We’ll sing together, pray and have a moment for children.

If this will be your first time at St. Mark’s, or you have long been connected to our church, we look forward to connecting with you. Join us in the sanctuary at 10:30, or online by visiting www.smumc.church, and click on the Live Stream Banner.

Sunday, July 14, 2024

We've had some pretty serious storms recently. When have you experienced a storm, literal or spiritual, that you found really challenging? What was especially difficult? How did you find your way through?

Deep in the history of the Methodist movement comes a narrative from John Wesley himself. He had boarded a ship bound for America that was staffed by a group of Moravian Christians. Wesley noted their positive and resilient spirit. But during one particular testy time in the voyage, a storm arose, he writes, and I quote, “the sea broke over, split the main-sail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks, as if the great deep had already swallowed us up.” During all of this, Wesley observed the steadiness of the Moravians, as they continued to sing through the travail. His English colleagues, unlike the Moravians, were terribly distressed. Later Wesley asked one of the Moravians, “Were you not afraid?” They replied, “Thank God, no.” This stalwart faith impressed Wesley.

In the Gospels, we read a story of Jesus on a boat with his disciples on the sea of Galilee. A storm arose, and the disciples were quite frightened. They awakened a sleeping Jesus, saying, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus’ response was, Mark tells us, to rebuke the winds, and to say, “Be silent! Be still!” The seas calmed, and Jesus asked the disciples why they were afraid.

In our worship service on Sunday, the sermon continues the series, “And God said, ‘Let There Be Stories.” This week’s sermon is titled, “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night.” It arises from Psalm 42:1-8; 11, which will be read by Mary Beth Hannah-Hansen, and Mark 4:35-41, which will be read by Kristen Hess. Our Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa, and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs will sing “On Eagle’s Wings.” We’ll sing together, pray and have a time for children.

If this will be your first time at St. Mark’s, or you have long been connected to our church, we look forward to connecting with you. Join us in the sanctuary, or on livestream on Sunday at 10:30. To join online, visit www.smumc.church, and click on the Live Stream Banner.

Sunday, July 7, 2024

In the fall of 2019, a San Francisco couple named Medha and Vivek, recent MBA graduates from The Wharton School, developed an experience they call “Stories Over Meals.” Each month, they gather a group of individuals from varied backgrounds, identities and life experiences over a meal. At the meals, they always begin with a story prompt question. Previous prompts have included, “What would the current you tell the younger you?” and “How do you address your fears?” What story prompt would intrigue you at such a gathering?

Stories and Meals. It is an ancient pairing. In the Christian story, Jesus spent the last evening with the disciples celebrating the Seder meal. All the Gospels, with variations, tell the story of this meal, complete with warnings of betrayal and promises of divine presence in the breaking of bread.

We also remember that this “last supper” was itself an enactment of a more ancient meal, the Passover, which itself is rich with story. Toward the beginning of the meal, it is tradition, even now, for a child to ask the question, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” This query leads to the telling of the story of the Passover, and how the children of Israel were delivered from bondage. The storytelling includes even the food, as yeast-free (unleavened) bread is eaten to symbolize the haste with which God’s people were to begin their journey.

This is the storied background for the first sermon in the July series “And God said, ‘Let There Be Story.’” The sermon for this week, arising from Matthew 26: 17-30, is titled “Once Upon a Time: Once Upon a Meal.” The Gospel text will be read by Maria Schmidt. We will be led musically by the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Gabriel Fanelli. Stephanie and Patrick Conklin will sing At the Table of the Lord by Jay Althouse. We will, as always, have a moment for children. We will, appropriately, celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together.

If this is your first time at St. Mark’s, or if you are a long-standing part of our community, we look forward to connecting with you at this service, which begins at 10:30 in the sanctuary. To join online, visit www.smumc.church and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, June 30, 2024

Ned Steele, who served as a pastor at St. Mark’s from 2009-2015, is preaching in our worship this Sunday. He writes, “This Sunday's message is about hope. I want to suggest that hope is a gift we are given in our lives. This hope must be returned by us in as many ways as we are able, as often as we are able. And, if you have ever wished for a mash-up of the 15th chapter of the Book of Romans and Kool and The Gang's song ‘’Celebration,’ well then, this would be your Sunday!”

We are looking forward to hearing Ned’s sermon, “All that is Given.” The lessons from the Scriptures this Sunday are Romans 15: 1-6, 13, which will be read by Kristen Hess, and Matthew 6: 25-33, which Sue Sgambelluri will read. There will be a Moment for Mission brought by the United Women in Faith. We’ll be led musically by the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong. The choir will offer the introit, “As We Sing of Hope and Joy,” and for the anthem, will sing “Holy Spirit, Hope and Healer.” We’ll also have a moment for children.



If you are new to St. Mark’s, or are a long time part of our community, we look forward to connecting with you. Worship begins at 10:30 in the sanctuary. To join online, visit www.smumc.church, and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, June 23, 2024

Our theme for Vacation Bible School, this week, has been Celebrating and Nurturing Community. When you hear the word “community”, what comes to mind? It may be where you live in a town, or a neighborhood, an apartment building, a dorm, or somewhere else. It may also be a school, a place you work, a team, a church, a group of friends, or a volunteer group.

In Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School, this week, we discovered that on the

St. Mark’s property, our community includes cool people to know (of all ages, backgrounds and talents), animals (including groundhogs, rabbits, foxes, deer, various birds, bugs and more), and trees and plants of all kinds. How might each of us, do our part, to nurture and celebrate our community? For, even the small things we do makes a difference.

In our Scripture passage this week, based on John 6:1-13, a huge crowd of people are following Jesus, and are in need of nourishment. Jesus asks his followers where they can find food for all of the people. Andrew finds a boy who has just a few loaves of bread and some fish, but says it is not come close to the amount of food they would need to feed thousands of people. However, Jesus asks everyone to sit down, gives thanks, and tells his disciples to distribute the food. After everyone had eaten, there were 12 baskets of bread left over.

Dr. Wilma Ann Bailey, one of my seminary professors years ago, notes that the church can sometimes be divided. Some people see themselves as activists, while others name themselves as focused on the spiritual. Dr. Bailey notes that these divisions should not exist. ”Those on the front lines of social justice must be spiritually empowered to do that work, lest they limit themselves to what appears humanly possible. Those who are spiritually focused need to be reminded that Jesus commands disciples to actively follow him.”

We will explore our next steps together this Sunday in worship. Children and youth will be participating in worship leadership. There will not be regular Sunday School this week. We will share a Children’s Moment, pray and reflect, and sing hymns. The Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong, will lead us in music. Lois will also share a Bell Solo and Olive Sullivan will offer the Prelude. Children and Youth will help share our scripture passage. The sermon is titled “Celebrating and Nurturing Community”.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.

To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning, click the link on our website www.smumc.church

The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Do you remember a story, perhaps your own, in which faith seemed too small and insignificant for the challenge at hand? The first time I planted a garden, which I hoped would be full of beans and peas, corn and okra (yes, okra), I held the seeds in my hand and wondered how things so small could potentially produce large plants and tasty vegetables. Back then, I remembered that my grandfather, an avid gardener, showed me seeds for mustard plants. I wasn’t very impressed, because I wasn’t a fan of mustard or other greens. But he told me that Jesus had said these were the smallest of all seeds, yet were capable producing big plants. He said that was a lesson for our faith.

In the years and the decades that have followed, like many of you, I have had several challenging crises of faith. During each crisis, faith seemed tiny, flimsy, or even nonexistent. But if the parables of Jesus about seed and soil teach us anything, they help us know that there is a rhythm to the ways God moves in the world and in our lives. Sometimes, faith really is like a seed, and if treated with care, it can grow into something capable of giving shelter and nourishment to our hopeful souls and beloved communities.

Sometimes, during the crises, I wished that God could be more explicit. I suspect Jesus’ disciples felt something similar, because Jesus taught in parables rather than directly answering questions. These parables function as metaphors, but “metaphor” is a linguistic word, and may not seem helpful to someone struggling. It was the poet Jan Richardson who helped me see parables, especially this one, in a more dynamic way. She says, developing the theme, that we could better conceive of the “emptiness” we experience during crises as “dreams of the branches the seed contains.”

The sermon Sunday at St. Mark’s flows from that understanding of the biblical passages. The sermon, “The Mustard Seed Parable: A Dream of What Can Happen,” arises from Joel 2: 23-29, which will be read by Kathy Scheid, and Mark 4: 26-34, which will be read by Jonathan Michaelsen. The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong, will lead us musically. We’ll sing, pray and have a time for children.

If you are new to St. Mark’s, or you have been connected with our church for a long time, we look forward to seeing you in the sanctuary at 10:30. If you choose to join online, visit www.smumc.church and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, June 9, 2024

My grandfather, with whom I spent many of my daytime hours when I was a little fellow, had a well-honed habit of quoting scripture to me (and to anyone else who would listen.). One of his favorites was Proverbs 18:24b, which in the King James reads, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” More contemporary translations have it, “closer than your nearest kin.” When my grandfather spoke it, he heard the passage saying that the “friend” was God, and I understand that interpretation. Most students of the passage, however, hear it as saying that in the community of faith, there are earthly relationships that are more powerful even than “family”. Have you had the experience that some of your most profound connections are with people that are not, in the strict sense, family?

Once when Jesus was in an intense time of his ministry, he was teaching some demanding things. Someone came to Jesus during these moments and said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” Jesus responded, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He then follows that with “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” In this little question and response, Jesus moves to define what his ministry would impact the way we carry relationships. To be a follower of Jesus means that all our connections must be seen through the prism of that faith commitment. Our deep family, Jesus would say, are those who do the will of God.

In a day in which we see considerable strife around us, these words call us to reflect on what it means to be in relationship with others. The sermon at St. Mark’s on Sunday is titled, “Who Are My Siblings: A Reflection on Community in Christ.” The sermon flows from Psalm 133, which will be read by Amy Thomas, and Mark 3: 31-35, which will be read by Chris Hitchcock. During the service, we’ll also recognize graduates of high school and college who have connection with us. We will be led musically in the service by the Chancel Choir, which is led by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Lois Leong. We’ll sing together and have a moment for children.

We look forward to joining with us, either in the sanctuary at 10:30, or online. To do the latter, visit www.smumc.church, and click on the Live Stream banner.