Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church in San Diego’s Newsletter –
Thursday, 9 January 2014 – The Messenger
"It gives me a deep, comforting sense that 'things seen are
temporal and things unseen are eternal'" (Helen Keller)
In This Messenger
Welcome
Pancake Breakfast
Thank you!
Food Collection
January Concert
Save the Date
New Meeting Date
Join Our Mailing List
The newsletter can also be found on our website.
Pastors Sunday School
We will study the lectionary texts, which follow the church
calendar. It's an informal study, always
open to all, at 8:30 a.m. in the New Room, just behind the church office.
Below are the lectionary reading for this week:
Isaiah The Servant, a Light to the Nations
42: Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my
soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth
justice to the nations.
2 He will not cry or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in
the street;
3 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning
wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully
bring forth justice.
4 He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has
established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands
wait for his teaching.
5 Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the
heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the
earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those
who walk in it:
6 I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by
the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,[a]
a light to the
nations,
7 to open the eyes
that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those
who sit in darkness.
8 I am the Lord, that is my name;
my glory I give to no
other,
nor my praise to
idols.
9 See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now
declare;
before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.
Footnotes:
a. Isaiah 42:6 Meaning of Heb uncertain
Psalm 29: The Voice of God in a Great Storm
A Psalm of David.
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,[a]
ascribe to the Lord
glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
worship the Lord in
holy splendor.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory
thunders,
the Lord, over mighty
waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord
is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks the
cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a
young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
the Lord shakes the
wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,[b]
and strips the forest
bare;
and in his temple all
say, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits
enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his
people with peace!
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 29:1 Heb sons of gods
b. Psalm 29:9 Or causes the deer to calve
Acts 10: Gentiles Hear the Good News
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that
God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does
what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the
people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That
message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that
John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and
with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by
the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in
Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but
God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the
people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank
with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the
people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living
and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes
in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Matthew 3: The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be
baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be
baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be
so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then
he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the
water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said,
“This is my Son, the Beloved,[a] with whom I am well pleased.”
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 3:17 Or my beloved Son
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John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary:
Isaiah 42:1-9
XLII The person and office of Christ appointed by the Father,
ver. 1-9. A new song to God for his gospel, among the Gentiles, ver. 10-16. The
idolatry of the Heathen, and obstinacy of the Jews, ver. 17-25.
Verse 1. Behold - The prophet having given one eminent instance
of God's certain fore-knowledge, in the deliverance of the Jews by Cyrus, now
adds another more eminent example of it, by foretelling the coming of the
Messiah. This place therefore is expressly interpreted of Christ, Matt. xii,
18, &c. And to him, and to him only, all the particulars following, truly
and evidently belong. Whom - Whom I will enable to do and suffer all those
things which belong to his office. Elect - Chosen by me to this great work.
Delighteth - Both for himself and for all his people, being fully satisfied
with that sacrifice, which he shall offer up to me. Bring forth - Shall publish
or shew, as this word is translated, Matt. xii, 18. Judgment - The law, and
will, and counsel of God, concerning man's salvation. Gentiles - Not only to
the Jews, but to the Heathen nations.
Verse 2. Cry - In a way of contention, or ostentation. Lift -
His voice. Heard - As contentious and vain-glorious persons frequently do.
Verse 3. Break - Christ will not deal rigorously with those that
come to him, but he will use all gentleness, cherishing the smallest beginnings
of grace, comforting and healing wounded consciences. Quench - That wick of a
candle which is almost extinct, he will not quench, but revive and kindle it
again. Judgment - The law of God, or the doctrine of the gospel, which he will
bring forth, unto, with, or according to truth, that is, truly and faithfully.
Verse 4. 'Till - 'Till he has established his law or doctrine,
among the nations of the earth. Isles - The countries remote from Judea, shall
gladly receive his doctrine.
Verse 5. He - This description of God's infinite power, is
seasonably added, to give them assurance of the certain accomplishment of his
promises.
Verse 6. Called thee - To declare my righteousness, or
faithfulness. With-hold - Will give thee counsel and strength for the work.
Give thee - To be the mediator in whom my covenant of grace is confirmed with
mankind. The people - Of all people, not only of Jews but Gentiles. A light -
To enlighten them with true and saving knowledge.
Verse 8. The Lord - Hebrew. Jehovah: who have all being in and
of myself, and give being to all my creatures. The everlasting, and
unchangeable, and omnipotent God, who therefore both can, and will fulfil all
my promises.
Verse 9. I tell you - That when they come to pass, you may know
that I am God, and that this is my work.
Psalm 29
PS 29 It is probable David wrote this psalm, during a storm of
thunder, lightning, and rain; as that he wrote the eighth in a moon- shining
night, and the nineteenth in a sun-shining morning. He calls on the great to
give glory to God, ver. 1, 2. Observes his power in thunder and lightning, Ver.
3-9. His dominion over the world and care over the church, ver. 10, 11. A psalm
of David.
Verse 1. Ye - Ye potentates and rulers of the earth. Glory - By
an humble and thankful acknowledgment of it.
Verse 2. Give, &c. - The honour which he deserves: own him
as the Almighty, and the only true God. Holiness - Or, in his holy and
beautiful house.
Verse 3. The waters - Above in the clouds, which are called
waters, Gen. i, 7 chap. xviii, 11. The Divine power displays itself in those
high places, which are far above the reach of all earthly potentates. Many -
Upon the clouds, in which there are vast treasures of water, and upon which God
is said to sit or ride, chap. xviii, 10, 11; civ, 3.
Verse 5. Lebanon - A place famous for strong and lofty cedars.
Verse 6. Them - The cedars; which being broken by the thunder,
the parts of them are suddenly and violently hurled hither and thither. Sirion
- An high mountain beyond Jordan joining to Lebanon. Lebanon and Sirion are
said to skip or leap, both here, and chap. cxiv, 4, by a poetical hyperbole.
Verse 7. The flames - The lightnings.
Verse 8. Kadesh - An eminent wilderness, vast and terrible, and
well known to the Israelites, and wherein possibly they had seen, and observed
some such effects of thunder.
Verse 9. To calve - Through the terror it causes, which hastens
the birth. He names the hinds, because they bring forth their young with
difficulty, Job xxxix, 1, 2. Discovereth - Hebrew. maketh bare, of its trees,
which it breaks or strips of their leaves. Glory - Having shewed the terrible
effects of God's power in other places, he now shews the blessed privilege of
God's people, that are praising God in his temple, when the rest of the world
are trembling under the tokens of his displeasure.
Verse 10. The flood - The most violent waters, which sometimes
fall from the clouds upon the earth. These are fitly mentioned, as being many
times the companions of great thunders. And this may be alleged as another
reason, why God's people praised him in his temple, because as he sends
terrible tempests and thunders, so he also restrains and over-rules them.
Sitteth - He doth sit, and will sit as king for ever, sending such tempests
when it pleaseth him.
Acts 10:34-43
Verse 34. I perceive of a truth - More clearly than ever, from
such a concurrence of circumstances. That God is not a respecter of persons -
Is not partial in his love. The words mean, in a particular sense, that he does
not confine his love to one nation; in a general, that he is loving to every
man, and willeth all men should be saved.
Verse 35. But in every nation he that feareth God and worketh
righteousness - He that, first, reverences God, as great, wise, good, the
cause, end, and governor of all things; and secondly, from this awful regard to
him, not only avoids all known evil, but endeavours, according to the best
light he has, to do all things well; is accepted of him - Through Christ,
though he knows him not. The assertion is express, and admits of no exception.
He is in the favour of God, whether enjoying his written word and ordinances or
not. Nevertheless the addition of these is an unspeakable blessing to those who
were before in some measure accepted. Otherwise God would never have sent an
angel from heaven to direct Cornelius to St. Peter.
Verse 36. This is the word which God sent - When he sent his Son
into the world, preaching - Proclaiming by him-peace between God and man,
whether Jew or Gentile, by the God-man. He is Lord of both; yea, Lord of and
over all.
Verse 37. Ye know the word which was published - You know the
facts in general, the meaning of which I shall now more particularly explain
and confirm to you. The baptism which John preached - To which he invited them
by his preaching, in token of their repentance. This began in Galilee, which is
near Cesarea.
Verse 38. How God anointed Jesus - Particularly at his baptism,
thereby inaugurating him to his office: with the Holy Ghost and with power - It
is worthy our remark, that frequently when the Holy Ghost is mentioned there is
added a word particularly adapted to the present circumstance. So the deacons
were to be full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, chap. vi, 3. Barnabas was full of
the Holy Ghost and faith, chap. xi, 24. The disciples were filled with joy, and
with the Holy Ghost, chap. xiii, 52. And here, where his mighty works are
mentioned, Christ himself is said to be anointed with the Holy Ghost and with
power. For God was with him-He speaks sparingly here of the majesty of Christ,
as considering the state of his hearers.
Verse 41. Not now to all the people - As before his death; to us
who did eat and drink with him - That is, conversed familiarly and continually
with him, in the time of his ministry.
Verse 42. It is he who is ordained by God the Judge of the
living and the dead - Of all men, whether they are alive at his coming, or had
died before it. This was declaring to them, in the strongest terms, how
entirely their happiness depended on a timely and humble subjection to him who
was to be their final Judge.
Verse 43. To him give all the prophets witness - Speaking to
heathens he does not quote any in particular; that every one who believeth in
him - Whether he be Jew or Gentile; receiveth remission of sins - Though he had
not before either feared God, or worked righteousness.
Matthew 3:13-17
Verse 13. Mark i, 9; Luke iii, 21
Verse 15. It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness - It
becometh every messenger of God to observe all his righteous ordinances. But
the particular meaning of our Lord seems to be, that it becometh us to do (me
to receive baptism, and you to administer it) in order to fulfil, that is, that
I may fully perform every part of the righteous law of God, and the commission
he hath given me.
Verse 16. And Jesus being baptized - Let our Lord's submitting
to baptism teach us a holy exactness in the observance of those institutions
which owe their obligation merely to a Divine command. Surely thus it becometh
all his followers to fulfil all righteousness. Jesus had no sin to wash away.
And yet he was baptized. And God owned his ordinance, so as to make it the
season of pouring forth the Holy Spirit upon him. And where can we expect this
sacred effusion, but in an humble attendance on Divine appointments? Lo, the
heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God - St. Luke adds, in a bodily
form - Probably in a glorious appearance of fire, perhaps in the shape of a
dove, descending with a hovering motion, till it rested upon him. This was a
visible token of those secret operations of the blessed Spirit, by which he was
anointed in a peculiar manner; and abundantly fitted for his public work.
Verse 17. And lo, a voice - We have here a glorious
manifestation of the ever - blessed Trinity: the Father speaking from heaven,
the Son spoken to, the Holy Ghost descending upon him. In whom I delight - What
an encomium is this! How poor to this are all other kinds of praise! To be the
pleasure, the delight of God, this is praise indeed: this is true glory: this
is the highest, the brightest light, that virtue can appear in.
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Souper Bowl
On Sunday, February 2, we will be collecting canned soup, dry
soup mixes and crackers to donate to the Christian Community Service Center and
to the Good Neighbor Center. When you go shopping this week, please pick up an
extra can or two of soup (regular or family size) to donate to those less
fortunate and bring them to church by February 2.
January Concert
Bring your friends to the San Diego Martin Luther King, Jr.
Choir concert on Sunday, January 19, 4:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary.
Come enjoy these talented and enthusiastic singers. The Youth
will serve dinner following the concert.
Women's Retreat
Save the Date
April 4-6, 2014, St. Mark's women and their friends will once
again gather at Pine Valley Bible Camp to relax, rest, refresh and
restore. Registration will begin on
Sunday, February 9. Cost is $150 and
installment payments are accepted.
Carol's Writing Group
Founded by Carol Hemingway some years previously, it has
continued on in her memory! It is a
great opportunity for anyone at any experience level to meet once a month for a
period of approximately 1 ½ hours to share written stores, gain confidence in
each person's ability and experience a truly great fellowship. We know there are many in our congregation
that has so much to offer and we wish to extend a SPECIAL invitation to join
us. We meet the THIRD Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the choir
room. The first meeting of 2013 will be
Wednesday, January 15.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Karen Scanlon, Bob McMeekin, Dr. Pam
Rosemier, and Ed Deitzler for recently completing the Advanced Lay Servant
Course. We are proud to recognize them
as Certified Lay Servants of the church!
Thank You
By Gene Hagar
My sincere thanks to everyone for the prayers, cards, and phone
calls during my surgery and recovery. A
special thanks to Rev. Jeri for her uplifting visits. I'm hone now and trying
to get my strength back. I hope to see
you in church soon.
In Our Prayers
♥ Elizabeth Branscom
♥ Craig McKinnis
♥ Beth Eller Teske
♥ Sandi Johnson
♥ Audrey Derwin
♥ Don Hess
♥ Joe Ramsey
♥ Sue & John Kerr
♥ Frank & Carlyn
Djie
♥ Franki Benson
♥ Marisa, Mitch
Boyer's
♥ Gene Hagar
♥ Gwynn Cannon
♥ Dana Robinson
♥ Rod Barrett
♥ Bill Burton
♥ Mitch Boyer
♥ Molly and Mack Barrett
♥ Margaret Westfall
We Remember Our Military Personnel, including
♥ Kris Brendal, Army
♥ Robert S. Chisholm,
Navy
♥ Craig Clemans, Marines
♥ Paul Clemans, Air Force
♥ Blake Cross, Navy
♥ Robert Davis, Navy
♥ Brandon Dempster, Navy
♥ Samuel England, Navy
♥ Lenny Hezelett, Navy
♥ Michael Hunter, Navy
♥ Brady Jackson, Army
♥ Jeremy Munson, Navy
♥ Daniel Ness, Army
♥ Milo Riegle, Marines
♥ Casper Stalnaker, Navy
♥ Nathan Streeter, Army
♥ Robert Tarango, Navy
Our presence in worship on Sunday, January 5 was 216.
Links
St. Mark's Website
Youth News
St. Mark's School
St. Mark's UMW News
Upper Room Daily Devotion
The United Methodist Church
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It's time to feel good.
Last Sunday was a great day in San Diego sports. The
Craig Chargers won their playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals,
and the San Diego State Aztecs won their game against Kansas, a perpetual
basketball powerhouse. The Aztecs are
now ranked number 13 in the nation, and they were not expected to do well this
season. Just two weeks ago, few thought
the Chargers had a chance of even making the playoffs, not to mention defeat a
team like the Bengals.
Sports are important for us right now, because they unite us and
give us hope. In a world in which
division seems to get sharper-edged by the day, and in which hope has become
something people see in pharmaceutical ads, anything that brings us together to
cheer and talk with each other is nothing but a very good thing.
Rich or poor, old or young, liberal or conservative, Christian
or atheist--we can all admire the incredible skill of Phillip Rivers as he
passes a ball 30 yards or more with incredible accuracy. We can all join in the joy of a college team
passionately working together out of loyalty to their coaches and fans--and
beating the odds most everyone has stacked against them. We can all simply be proud of our city and
the teams that represent it on the national sporting stage.
As we start the year, let's do that. Let's enjoy it, and let's look forward to a
very good 2014.
See you in church.
Craig
Holiday Hours
The church office will close on Monday, January 20 in observance
of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Welcome New Members
This Sunday, January 12, we will be welcoming the following new
St. Mark's members:
Bill Baer
Sue Baer
Christi Buckel
Brad Davidson
Terry Hoy
Nancy Hoy
Mack McKinney
MaryAlice McKinney
Pam Rader
Jack Rader
Nita Rippetoe
Blood Pressure Clinic
Remember the monthly blood pressure clinic is scheduled for the
last Sunday of each month. Please be
sure to mark your calendars and get checked on Sunday, January 26 at 10:45 a.m.
in the New Room.
Pancake Breakfast
Please plan to have a delicious pancake breakfast here at St.
Mark's this Sunday, before worship and help raise funds for St. Mark's
youth! The menu will be pancakes, fruit,
coffee, and orange juice. Breakfast
starts at 7:45 a.m. with the last serving at 9:15 a.m. so everyone can get to
worship at 9:30 a.m. Breakfast is only
$3.50 and there are special prices for families and children.
Thank You Costume Mistress Extraordinaire
Sherry Miller!
The thing about Sherry Miller is that she is always in the
background when an event takes place where costuming is used. She
"hides" in closets, costume tubs, and behind her sewing machine at
home. Forming, creating, and bringing to life a camel. When the usual camel
costume was unavailable for Living Nativity, Sherry quietly gathered her wits
and goods to make the handsome camel we saw again last Sunday.
Please, everyone, a round of applause for Sherry's service to
St. Mark's. She serves in humility, and gives generously of her talents and
time. Someday, Sherry, you'll have a real crown with lots of pretty jewels.
Storefront Youth Shelter
Sign-ups for 2014 is now available in the church office. St. Mark's provides monthly dinners for 25
youth who are staying at Storefront. For
more information contact the church office at 858-273-1480.
January Birthday List
Jan. 2nd: Luke Bonenberger, Ross Fledderjohn, Billie Jean Jones;
3rd: Mack Barrett,Kris Nieder; 4th:
Carter Brownsberger,Elliott Carroll,Malinda Whiteley 5th: Carol Coleman,
Andrew Stewart; 6th: Keira McMullen, Diana Plutchak, Joan Williams; 8th: Holly
Churchill, Jacob Bradley; 10th: Taniela Alatini, Alyssa Cook; 11th: Scot
McKibbin; 12th: Jack Carpenter, Stan Watson; 13th: Gloria Hopkins, Ron Hess,
Thelma Johannesen, Carla Jones, Jonathan Watson; Jan. 15th: Sandra Douglass,
Christopher Hinkle; 16th: Osaiasi Alatini, Tevita Alatini, Liz Cotton; 18th:
Sione Moa; 20th: Emily Culp; 21st: Vaiolupe Tu'avao; 22nd: Liz Inderlied,
Margaret Westfall; 23rd: Kristen Hess, Debbie Zeller; 24th: Frank FitzMaurice;
25th: Clayton Constable, Brian Mugg, Joseph Murphy , Ron Newby, Linda Saylor;
26th: Christopher Kerr; 28th : Wilfred Madriaga; 29th: Janice Wiemers; 30th:
Rachel Bonenberger, Bradley Cannon IV, Jillisa Dickerson, Sue Fledderjohn,
Koniseti Tu'avao; 31st: Soane Alatini, Donna Newby.
If your birthday is not listed and you would like it to be,
please contact the church office at 858-273-1480.
Next Week at a Glance
Sunday, January 12, 2014
8:30 A.M. Pancake
Breakfast/SH
9:00 A.M. Youth
Fellowship/Rm 10
9:30 A.M. Worship
10:45 A.M. Joyful Noise
Choir/CR
12:00 P.M. Tongan
Fellowship Worship
Monday, January 13, 2014
6:00 P.M. Carillon
Bells/SH
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
6:30 P.M. NAMI Family to
Family/SH
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
9:30 A.M. Carol's
Writing Group/CR
5:00 P.M. Peace
Ringers/SH
5:30 P.M. Bible Study/NR
6:00 P.M. Glory
Ringers/SH
6:30 P.M.
Welcoming/Inviting
7:00 P.M. Finance
Meeting/Lib
Thursday, January 16, 2014
4:30 P.M. Hallelujah and
Cherub Choirs/CR
5:20 P.M. Chimes/SH
7:00 P.M. Chancel
Choir/CR
Boy
Scouts/SH
Friday, January 17, 2014
11:00 A.M. Lindsey's
Showcase/SH
Sunday, January 19, 2014
8:30 A.M. Pastor's
Sunday School/NR
9:00 A.M. Youth
Fellowship/Rm 10
9:30 A.M. Worship
10:45 A.M. Joyful Noise Choir/CR
12:00 P.M. Tongan Fellowship Worship
*If you have any questions or would like to add an event to the
church calendar, please contact Malinda Whiteley, Church Secretary at
858-273-1480 ext.10 or smumcsdoffice@gmail.com.
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About Us:
St. Mark's United Methodist Church
3502 Clairemont Drive
San Diego, California 92117
(858)273-1480
Rev. Craig Dorval, Senior Minister
Rev. Jeri Newell-Davis, Associate Minister
M'Lu Colbourn, Director of St. Mark's Preschool
Frank Williams, Music Director
Craig McIlwain, Organist
Jo Anne Hammond, Director, Carillon Bells
Robin Haber, Director, Glory Ringers and Peace Ringers
Christina Peer, Director, Chimes
Cheryl Eubanks, Children's Choir Accompanist
Spencer Topham, Youth Director
Marya Chuong, Website
Malinda Whiteley, Church Secretary
Angel Cardenas, Church Custodian
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