The Messenger
Dear Friends,
"If there's not a tech glitch, your church is not cool."(James Wang)I like summer. Not the weather so much as the cultural-wide license to simply be much more relaxed. The iconic image is sitting on the beach reading a lightweight novel. I enjoy relaxing more when I know it's something a lot of other people are doing-indeed, expected to do.
Summer can be a significant time in our lives because of this relaxation. Or more precisely, because of the realities, truths and dreams that relaxation exposes. It is powerful to be free enough from day-to-day stress to be able to see the big picture of our lives.
When we are relaxing and beginning to see and think about this big picture a number of questions will pop up. The most life-affirming one will be something like, "Is what I think really matters to me really what matters to me?" Or, "is the way I am living consistent with who I really am?" Or, "do I truly know that who I really am is who God wants me to be?"
It is such a good thing to have the perspective to consider this question for a while.
I hope you're having a good, relaxing summer-and that some enlivening affirmation comes your way!
See you in church!
Craig
Mission Impossible
The Missions Committee has been hard at work this past year providing assistance to various agencies and programs. We would like to thank you for your continued support in the many ways you give; donating items, serving, financial contributions, and prayers. Without your assistance these agencies would be less than they are:
Laura Wise - Young Adult Missionary - $2500
Linda Vista UMC - Local District Support - $2500
Metro/Good Neighbor Center - Community Resource- $1000
CCSA - Feeding the needy in Clairemont and Pacific Beach - $1000
Joint Commission/Mexico - International Ministry Support -
$1000
Sierra Service Project (SSP) - Youth Mission Work - $500
Campus Ministries - Sharing and Caring for College Students $1000
As we look forward to the coming months we will be seeking ways to enhance our outreach to these and other vital ministries in our world. If you would like more information on these mission fields please contact Carol Brown, Missions Chairperson. And don't forget to mark your calendar for IMPACT SUNDAY - October 19. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
Back Packs
Each year the Christian Community Service Agency assists low-income children with backpacks and essential school supplies. This year they hope to distribute 200 backpacks to children in grades K - 9 within our community.
CCSA will distribute backpacks through its daily emergency services program at the Clairemont Service Center during the period Monday, August 18 thru Friday, September 5, 2014.
CCSA is asking that each of their member churches join in this effort by agreeing to provide fully packed backpacks to be distributed. A list of age appropriate supplies to be included in the backpacks is available to help supporters meet the needs of the children CCSA will be serving.
St. Mark's goal is to deliver 50 backpacks to CCSA. Please bring backpacks and supplies to the church office by Sunday, July 20. Wednesday July 23 a group of volunteers will be stuffing the backpacks which will be blessed during the Children's Time on July 27.
Memorial Garden Plaques
Are you aware that there is a dedicated Memorial Garden area at St. Mark's? It is the outside upper terrace in front of the church, including the walled deck with trees and plants, and the Memorial Wall. The posts of the Wall hold memorial plaques, dedicated to deceased loved ones as a way to memories of them alive. An accompanying book of biographies with a page for each of those identified by the plaques is inside the narthex near the Memorial Wall.
Each year we offer the ordering of bronze plaques for deceased former pastors, members, constituents and their immediate families. Plaques may be ordered with either one name (minimum donation of $500) or two names (minimum donation of $750), with the costs covering purchase of the plaques, their installation and dedication, and maintenance of the Memorial Garden.
If you would like to dedicate a plaque, please obtain a Memorial Garden Wall brochure from the church office. The brochure provided much more information, and includes an order form. Orders and payments must be received by August 24 to be included in this year's All Saints Sunday dedication on November 2. If you have further questions, please contact Ron or Donna Newby (858-278-4482) or other members of the St. mark's Memorials Committee.
Next Week at a Glance
Sunday, July 13, 2014
7:45 A.M. Pancake Breakfast/SH
8:30 A.M. Pastor's Sunday School/NR
Summer Choir Rehearsal/Sanc
9:30 A.M. Worship
11:00 A.M. Missions Committee Mtg/Lib
12:00 P.M. Tongan Fellowship Worship
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
6:00 P.M. VBS/SH
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
9:00 A.M. Chapel Time/Sanc
9:30 A.M. Carol's Writing Group/CR
5:30 P.M. Bible Study/NR
6:00 P.M. VBS
Thursday, July 17, 2014
9:00 A.M. Chapel Time/Sanc
9:30 A.M. Ties of Love/SH
6:00 P.M. VBS
7:00 P.M. Boy Scouts/Rm 10
Friday, July 18, 2014
6:00 P.M. VBS
Sunday, July 20, 2014
8:30 A.M. Pastor's Sunday School/NR
Summer Choir Rehearsal/Sanc
9:00 A.M. Youth Fellowship/Rm 10
9:30 A.M. Worship
11:00 A.M. New Member Conversation/NR
Worship Committee/Lib
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.
John Wesley Moments
Bill Galante, Lay Servant writes John Wesley Moments which contains materials taken from John Wesley's journal and other writings, as well as personal accounts of travels to Wesley's world in the UK and elsewhere.
John Wesley - thoughts on turning 73
Journal Entry - June 28, 1776 - while in Scarborough. (Yes, that's the one, where the annual Faire is held.)
I am seventy-three years old, and far abler to preach than I was at three-and-twenty. What natural means has God used to produce so wonderful an effect?
1. Continual exercise and change of air, by traveling above four thousand miles in a year:
2. Constant rising at four:
3. The ability, if ever I want, to sleep immediately:
4. The never losing a night's sleep in my life:
5. Two violent fevers, and two deep consumptions. These, it is true, were rough medicines; but they were of admirable service; causing my flesh to come again, as the flesh of a little child. May I add, lastly, evenness of temper? I feel and grieve; but, by the grace of God, I fret at nothing. But still "the help that is done upon the earth, He doeth it himself." And this He doeth in answers to many prayers.
Staff Office Hours
Rev. Craig Dorval
Senior Minister
Monday - Thursday
10:30 A.M. - 6:30 P.M.
Rev. Jeri Newell-Davis
Associate Minister
Tuesday - Friday
9 A.M. - 3 P.M.
Rev. George Rosemier
Minister of Visitation
Wednesday 11 A.M. - noon
Spencer Topham
Youth Director
Tuesdays: 2 pm - 6 pm
Wednesdays: 9 am - 1 pm
Thursdays: 9 am - 11 am
Fridays: 9 am - 1 pm
1st, 2nd & 3rd Sundays: 9 am - 11 am
Malinda Whiteley,
Church Secretary
Monday - Friday
8 A.M. - 3 P.M.
About Us
St. Mark's United Methodist Church
3502 Clairemont Drive
San Diego, California 92117
(858)273-1480
To contact any member of our staff, visit our staff information page.
Rev. Craig Dorval, Senior Minister
Rev. Jeri Newell-Davis, Associate Minister
Rev. George Rosemier, Minister of Visitation
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
Quote for the Week:
"Try as hard as we may for perfection, the net result of our labors is an amazing variety of imperfectness. We are surprised at our own versatility in being able to fail in so many different ways."(Samuel McChord Crothers)
Our presence in worship on Sunday, July 6 was 259.
St. Mark's: Facebook
Find daily meditations, photos, conversations, and more. Just click on the above link.
Click here to listen to Sunday's sermon
The newsletter can also be found on our website.
Vacation Bible School
July 15-18
6-8 p.m.
Have you marked your calendars, people of St. Mark's? (And bring your neighbors and friends.) VBS crew is ready to receive you! Adults, you'll enjoy lesson and art with Ed Deitzler, Bill Galante, Rev. George & Dr. Pam Rosemier, and Rev. Mary Alice McKinney. The children will partake of drama, art, and games. All of us will sing the stories of Jesus. Please remember, your dinner is prepared for you, too. Questions? Call the church office or email Karen at kwscanlon@gmail.com.
A little VBS trivia? Did you know that Moses first gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments by speech? (A couple of sets of tablets came later.) Join us at VBS for some happy evening activity.
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:
Genesis 25:19-34
Psalm 119:105-112
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Genesis 25: Jacob and Esau
19-20 This is the family tree of Isaac son of Abraham: Abraham had Isaac. Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan Aram. She was the sister of Laban the Aramean.
21-23 Isaac prayed hard to God for his wife because she was barren. God answered his prayer and Rebekah became pregnant. But the children tumbled and kicked inside her so much that she said, “If this is the way it’s going to be, why go on living?” She went to God to find out what was going on. God told her,
Two nations are in your womb,
two peoples butting heads while still in your body.
One people will overpower the other,
and the older will serve the younger.
24-26 When her time to give birth came, sure enough, there were twins in her womb. The first came out reddish, as if snugly wrapped in a hairy blanket; they named him Esau (Hairy). His brother followed, his fist clutched tight to Esau’s heel; they named him Jacob (Heel). Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.
27-28 The boys grew up. Esau became an expert hunter, an outdoorsman. Jacob was a quiet man preferring life indoors among the tents. Isaac loved Esau because he loved his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29-30 One day Jacob was cooking a stew. Esau came in from the field, starved. Esau said to Jacob, “Give me some of that red stew—I’m starved!” That’s how he came to be called Edom (Red).
31 Jacob said, “Make me a trade: my stew for your rights as the firstborn.”
32 Esau said, “I’m starving! What good is a birthright if I’m dead?”
33-34 Jacob said, “First, swear to me.” And he did it. On oath Esau traded away his rights as the firstborn. Jacob gave him bread and the stew of lentils. He ate and drank, got up and left. That’s how Esau shrugged off his rights as the firstborn.
Psalm 119: 105-112 By your words I can see where I’m going;
they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back
from living by your righteous order.
Everything’s falling apart on me, God;
put me together again with your Word.
Festoon me with your finest sayings, God;
teach me your holy rules.
My life is as close as my own hands,
but I don’t forget what you have revealed.
The wicked do their best to throw me off track,
but I don’t swerve an inch from your course.
I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever—
what a gift! And how happy it makes me!
I concentrate on doing exactly what you say—
I always have and always will.
Romans 8: The Solution Is Life on God’s Terms
1-2 With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
3-4 God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn’t deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that.
The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn’t deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us.
5-8 Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn’t pleased at being ignored.
9-11 But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God’s terms. It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s!
Matthew 13: A Harvest Story
1-3 At about that same time Jesus left the house and sat on the beach. In no time at all a crowd gathered along the shoreline, forcing him to get into a boat. Using the boat as a pulpit, he addressed his congregation, telling stories.
3-8 “What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.
9 “Are you listening to this? Really listening?” The Meaning of the Harvest Story
18-19 “Study this story of the farmer planting seed. When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.
20-21 “The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.
22 “The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.
23 “The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”
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John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary:
Genesis 25:19-34
Verse 20
[20] And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
And Isaac was forty years old — Not much is related concerning Isaac, but what had reference to his father, while he lived, and to his sons afterward; for Isaac seems not to have been a man of action, nor much tried, but to have spent his day, in quietness and silence.
Verse 21
[21] And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife — Though God had promised to multiply his family, he prayed for it; for God's promises must not supersede but encourage our prayers, and be improved as the ground of our faith. Though he had prayed for this mercy many years, and it was not granted, yet he did not leave off praying for it.
Verse 22
[22] And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
The children struggled within her — The commotion was altogether extra-ordinary, and made her very uneasy: If it be so, or, since it is so, why am I thus? - Before the want of children was her trouble, now the struggle of the children is no less so.
And she went to enquire of the Lord — Some think Melchizedek was now consulted as an oracle, or perhaps some Urim or Teraphim were now used to enquire of God by, as afterwards in the breast-plate of judgment. The word and prayer, by which we now enquire of the Lord, give great relief to those that are upon any account perplexed: it is a mighty ease to spread our case before the Lord, and ask council at his mouth.
Verse 23
[23] And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
Two nations are in thy womb — She was now big not only with two children, but two nations, which should not only in their manners greatly differ from each other, but in their interest contend with each other, and the issue of the contest should be that the elder should serve the younger, which was fulfilled in the subjection of the Edomites for many ages to the house of David.
Verse 25
[25] And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
Esau when he was born was red and hairy, as if he had been already a grown man, whence he had his name Esau, made, reared already. This was an indication of a very strong constitution, and gave cause to expect that he would be a very robust, daring, active man. But Jacob was smooth and tender as other children.
Verse 26
[26] And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
His hand took hold on Esau's heel — This signified, 1. Jacob's pursuit of the birth-right and blessing; from the first he reached forth to have catched hold of it, and if possible to have prevented his brother. 2. His prevailing for it at last: that in process of time he should gain his point. This passage is referred to Hosea 12:3, and from hence he had his name Jacob, a supplanter.
Verse 27
[27] And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
Esau was an hunter — And a man that knew how to live by his wits, for he was a cunning hunter.
A man of the field — All for the game, and never so well but as when he was in pursuit of it.
And Jacob was a plain man — An honest man, that dealt fairly.
And dwelt in tents — Either, 1. As a shepherd, loving that safe and silent employment of keeping sheep, to which also he bred up his children, Genesis 46:34. Or, 2. As a student, he frequented the tents of Melchizedek or Heber, as some understand it, to be taught by them divine things.
Verse 28
[28] And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
And Isaac loved Esau — Isaac though he was not a stirring man himself, yet he loved to have his son active. Esau knew how to please him, and shewed a great respect for him, by treating him often with venison, which won upon him more than one would have thought. But Rebekah loved him whom God loved.
Verse 29
[29] And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
Sod — That is, boiled.
Verse 30
[30] And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
Edom — That is, red.
Verse 31
[31] And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
Sell me this day thy birth-right — He cannot be excused in taking advantage of Esau's necessity, yet neither can Esau be excused who is profane, Hebrews 12:16, because for one morsel of meat he sold his birth-right. The birth-right was typical of spiritual privileges, those of the church of the first-born: Esau was now tried how he would value those, and he shews himself sensible only of present grievances: may he but get relief against them, he cares not for his birth-right. If we look on Esau's birth-right as only a temporal advantage, what he said had something of truth in it, that our worldly enjoyments, even those we are most fond of, will stand us in no stead in a dying hour. They will not put by the stroke of death, nor ease the pangs, nor remove the sting. But being of a spiritual nature, his undervaluing it, was the greatest profaneness imaginable. It is egregious folly to part with our interest in God, and Christ, and heaven, for the riches, honours, and pleasures of this world.
Verse 34
[34] Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
He did eat and drink, and rise up and went his way — Without any serious reflections upon the ill bargain he had made, or any shew of regret.
Thus Esau despised his birth-right — He used no means to get the bargain revoked, made no appeal to his father about it but the bargain which his necessity had made, (supposing it were so) his profaneness confirmed, and by his subsequent neglect and contempt, he put the bargain past recall.
Psalm 119:105-112
Verse 108
[108] Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
Offerings — The sacrifices of prayer and praise.
Verse 109
[109] My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
Is — Exposed to perpetual danger.
Romans 8:1-11
Verse 1
[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
There is therefore now no condemnation — Either for things present or past. Now he comes to deliverance and liberty. The apostle here resumes the thread of his discourse, which was interrupted, Romans 7:7.
Verse 2
[2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
The law of the Spirit — That is, the gospel.
Hath freed me from the law of sin and death — That is, the Mosaic dispensation.
Verse 3
[3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
For what the law — Of Moses.
Could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh — Incapable of conquering our evil nature. If it could, God needed not to have sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh - We with our sinful flesh were devoted to death. But God sending his own Son, in the likeness of that flesh, though pure from sin, condemned that sin which was in our flesh; gave sentence, that sin should be destroyed, and the believer wholly delivered from it.
Verse 4
[4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
That the righteousness of the law — The holiness it required, described, Romans 8:11.
Might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit — Who are guided in all our thoughts, words, and actions, not by corrupt nature, but by the Spirit of God. From this place St. Paul describes primarily the state of believers, and that of unbelievers only to illustrate this.
Verse 5
[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
They that are after the flesh — Who remain under the guidance of corrupt nature.
Mind the things of the flesh — Have their thoughts and affections fixed on such things as gratify corrupt nature; namely, on things visible and temporal; on things of the earth, on pleasure, (of sense or imagination,) praise, or riches.
But they who are after the Spirit — Who are under his guidance.
Mind the things of the Spirit — Think of, relish, love things invisible, eternal; the things which the Spirit hath revealed, which he works in us, moves us to, and promises to give us.
Verse 6
[6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
For to be carnally minded — That is, to mind the things of the flesh.
Is death — The sure mark of spiritual death, and the way to death everlasting.
But to be spiritually minded — That is, to mind the things of the Spirit.
Is life — A sure mark of spiritual life, and the way to life everlasting. And attended with peace - The peace of God, which is the foretaste of life everlasting; and peace with God, opposite to the enmity mentioned in the next verse.
Verse 7
[7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Enmity against God — His existence, power, and providence.
Verse 8
[8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
They who are in the flesh — Under the government of it.
Verse 9
[9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
In the Spirit — Under his government.
If any man have not the Spirit of Christ — Dwelling and governing in him.
He is none of his — He is not a member of Christ; not a Christian; not in a state of salvation. A plain, express declaration, which admits of no exception. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!
Verse 10
[10] And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Now if Christ be in you — Where the Spirit of Christ is, there is Christ.
The body indeed is dead — Devoted to death.
Because of sin — Heretofore committed.
But the Spirit is life — Already truly alive.
Because of righteousness — Now attained. From Romans 8:13, St. Paul, having finished what he had begun, Romans 6:1, describes purely the state of believers.
Matthew 13:1-9,18-23
Verse 2
[2] And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
He went into the vessel — Which constantly waited upon him, while he was on the sea coast.
Verse 3
[3] And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
In parables — The word is here taken in its proper sense, for apt similes or comparisons. This way of speaking, extremely common in the eastern countries, drew and fixed the attention of many, and occasioned the truths delivered to sink the deeper into humble and serious hearers. At the same time, by an awful mixture of justice and mercy, it hid them from the proud and careless. In this chapter our Lord delivers seven parables; directing the four former (as being of general concern) to all the people; the three latter to his disciples.
Behold the sower — How exquisitely proper is this parable to be an introduction to all the rest! In this our Lord answers a very obvious and a very important question. The same sower, Christ, and the same preachers sent by him, always sow the same seed: why has it not always the same effect? He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!
Verse 4
[4] And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
And while he sowed, some seeds fell by the highway side, and the birds came and devoured them — It is observable, that our Lord points out the grand hinderances of our bearing fruit, in the same order as they occur. The first danger is, that the birds will devour the seed. If it escape this, there is then another danger, namely, lest it be scorched, and wither away. It is long after this that the thorns spring up and choke the good seed. A vast majority of those who hear the word of God, receive the seed as by the highway side. Of those who do not lose it by the birds, yet many receive it as on stony places. Many of them who receive it in a better soil, yet suffer the thorns to grow up, and choke it: so that few even of these endure to the end, and bear fruit unto perfection: yet in all these cases, it is not the will of God that hinders, but their own voluntary perverseness.
Verse 8
[8] But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Good ground — Soft, not like that by the highway side; deep, not like the stony ground; purged, not full of thorns.
Verse 19
[19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
When any one heareth the word, and considereth it not — The first and most general cause of unfruitfulness.
The wicked one cometh — Either inwardly; filling the mind with thoughts of other things; or by his agent. Such are all they that introduce other subjects, when men should be considering what they have heard.
Verse 20
[20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
The seed sown on stony places, therefore sprang up soon, because it did not sink deep, Matthew 13:5.
He receiveth it with joy — Perhaps with transport, with ecstacy: struck with the beauty of truth, and drawn by the preventing grace of God.
Verse 21
[21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Yet hath he not root in himself — No deep work of grace: no change in the ground of his heart. Nay, he has no deep conviction; and without this, good desires soon wither away.
He is offended — He finds a thousand plausible pretences for leaving so narrow and rugged a way.
Verse 22
[22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
He that received the seed among the thorns, is he that heareth the word and considereth it — In spite of Satan and his agents: yea, hath root in himself is deeply convinced, and in a great measure inwardly changed; so that he will not draw back, even when tribulation or persecution ariseth. And yet even in him, together with the good seed, the thorns spring up, Matthew 13:7. (perhaps unperceived at first) till they gradually choke it, destroy all its life and power, and it becometh unfruitful. Cares are thorns to the poor: wealth to the rich; the desire of other things to all.
The deceitfulness of riches — Deceitful indeed! for they smile, and betray: kiss, and smite into hell. They put out the eyes, harden the heart, steal away all the life of God; fill the soul with pride, anger, love of the world; make men enemies to the whole cross of Christ! And all the while are eagerly desired, and vehemently pursued, even by those who believe there is a God!
Verse 23
[23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty — That is, in various proportions; some abundantly more than others.
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TNT Picnic and Band Concert
Join TNT for a picnic and a band concert on Sunday, July 20 at 4:30 p.m. at Standly Park (University City). Roadhouse will play jazz, swing, and classics with University City High School's Jazz Combo.Bring your own lunch. Drinks, chips and watermelon will be provided. Also, bring your own lawn chair or blanket.
Look for the TNT sign. Call Jeannine Lacy at 858-453-4075 for more information.
Order Up
Thank you to the faithful men who whip up breakfast for the church on the second Sunday of each month. Their commitment to feeding body and soul has been a mainstay at St. Mark's for many years. Their work is deeply appreciated and their sharing of the funds received to help support the Sierra Service Project is very generous. If you haven't had breakfast with this group yet your chance comes up again this Sunday, July 13. See you at the table.
39ers Luncheon
July 22, 11 A.M.
The back room is reserved at Country Waffles on 5252 Blaboa Ave (on the east side of the AT&T building just before Genesee Ave). Everyone who has ever been 39 is most welcome to join in the fun and enjoy the food and fellowship.
Please call Don or Arlene Hess at 619-275-0075 or arlenehess@gmail.com to rsvp.
The Yard Sale is Coming
July 28-31 are very important dates! Those are the days we will be receiving and pricing items for the Yard Sale Aug. 1 - 2. Please stop at the sign-up table on the patio on Sunday mornings in July to let us know which day or days you will be available to assist for an hour or more. We will be working from 9 AM until 7:30 PM . Mon. through Wed., and 9-3 pm. Thursday. From 4-7 PM on Thurs. the sale will be open to all St. Mark's people, including Nursery School families. On Fri. and Sat., the sale will be open from 8 AM to 2 PM. Check your calendars and write in "Work at Yard Sale" where ever you can! You'll be glad you did!
Office Volunteers
There are several shifts in the church office available. Shifts are from 9 a.m. to noon or noon to 3 p.m. Openings are Monday shifts, Wednesday afternoon shift, Thursday afternoon. If you enjoy volunteering in an office environment, please call Malinda Whiteley at 858-273-1480. No experience needed.
Thank You
From RoseMarie Pierce
Thank you for all the expressions of concern, prayers, and love during my recent bout with breast cancer. Also thanks to all who came to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life to be part of Rosie's Friends Survivor Relay team. I sincerely appreciate all of your support and friendship and I feel truly blessed to belong to the wonderful family of St. Mark's UMC.
Summer Youth Program
Spencer Topham, Youth Director
We are about to start some great summer programming for the youth!
Besides, I'm partial to frozen yogurt on hot days so hanging out with me might mean you get some too.
Make sure to catch me on the patio to pick up a copy of our summer info packet. It contains a copy of our medical release form that I will need to have on hand before you can join us for all the fun.
See you in the summer!
In Our Prayers
♥ Malinda Whiteley
♥ Phyllis Mosher
♥ Pete Sciumbiato
♥ Michelle Innis
♥ Mary Lowe
♥ Zoena Nicola
♥ Carmina Santos
♥ Rachel Caldwell
♥ Roger Silliman
♥ June Laning
♥ Ed Lail
♥ Mia Fely
♥ Mindy Eubanks Stalnaker
♥ George Riley
♥ Dick Robinson
♥ Harry Meyer
♥ Lois and Joe Ramsey
♥ Lorretta Schaffer
♥ Renae Pierce
♥ Franki Benson
♥ Gene Hagar
♥ Dana Robinson
♥ Rod Barrett
♥ Mitch Boyer
♥ Margaret Westfall
♥ Bill Burton
We Remember Our Military Personnel, including:
♥ Kris Brendal, Army
♥ Robert S. Chisholm, Navy
♥ Craig Clemans, Marines
♥ Paul Clemans, Air Force
♥ Blake Cross, 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
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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Saint Mark's United Methodist Church
3502 Clairemont Drive
San Diego, CA 92117 United States
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