The Messenger
Dear Friends,
Recently I read an article in New World Outlook, the mission magazine of the United Methodist Church. This article was written by our sponsored young adult missionary, Laura Wise. In her article she tells the story of a second-generation Tongan American young adult, Sinaitakala (Kala) Salakielu's journey from a member in the UMC in Honolulu to a seminary student at Claremont School of Theology. Kala's educational journey began at the invitation of a Myungim Kim, a member of the UM Global Ministries staff, to attend a gathering of young adults at Exploration 2013, in Denver Colorado. This time of learning sharing among people of many different cultures reignited Salakielu's passion for work within the Pacific Islander Ministry Plan.As I read the article I was struck by the way God called Kala to further her journey as a Christian; first as a member of the church, second through an invitation to see the larger church in action and third stepping forward with the support and encouragement of others. Sinaitakala was brought up in the church, but it was through the invitation and support of others that she discerned God's call in her life and is moving forward to ordained ministry. With the help of others Kala was able to see a how God had moved and continues to move in her life.
This Sunday in worship St. Mark's will celebrate 19 students from our congregation as they continue their education pursuits. Not all of these students are young adults but all have discerned a call through the encouragement of others, and all are moving to pursue a vocation that God has planned for them. I invite you to come and celebrate the journey of these 19 students and to consider how you can encourage them in their endeavors.
See you in church,
Jeri
An Invitation From Craig:
Remember the Future: A Leadership Devotion
How can we faithfully and constructively confront the challenges facing St. Mark's? As we head into the fall, I invite you to be part of a church-wide daily devotion called Remember the Future. Based in scripture and the tradition of the church, this devotion challenges us to be in unifying, renewing, outward-focused, and future-oriented conversation as we seek direction for St. Mark's. The devotion will take about 10 minutes a day, and there will be opportunities to meet weekly or participate online for those who are interested. The daily study begins Monday, August 18 and runs through Sunday, September 14, and books will be available starting on August 3.
July 27, 2014
All Church Picnic
Everyone is invited to the South Clairemont Recreation Center following Worship on Sunday, July 27 for an Old Fashion Picnic on the lawn. Bring a chair or a blanket; some shade will be available so bring sunscreen or a sun-brella just in case. We will barbecue hamburgers and hotdogs, provide water and lemonade, a bounce house and lawn games for kids of all ages. Please bring a dish to share and get ready for some fun!
Sign-ups are requested so we know how many hotdogs and hamburgers to prepare.
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 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
Monday, July 21, 2014
4:30 P.M. CCSA Board Meeting/NR
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
6:00 P.M. Foundation Committee Mtg
7:00 P.M. Trustees/Lib
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
5:30 P.M. Bible Study/NR
Thursday, July 24, 2014
7:00 P.M. Boy Scouts/Rm 10
Thursday, July 25, 2014
11:00 A.M. Sciumbatio Memorial/Reception
7:00 P.M. Tongan Missionale/SH
Sunday, July 27, 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
10:45 A.M. Blood Pressure Screening/NR
11:00 A.M. All Church Picnic/Park
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.
Notes on the Wesleyan Quadrilateral
The phrase which has relatively recently come into use to describe the principal factors that John Wesley believed illuminate the core of the Christian faith for the believer. Wesley did not formulate the succinct statement now commonly referred to as the Wesley Quadrilateral. However, the term itself was coined by 20th century American Methodist scholar Albert C. Outler.
Built on the Anglican theological tradition of (1) Scripture, (2) Tradition, and (3) Reason, Wesley added a fourth emphasis, (4) Experience. For United Methodists, Scripture is considered the primary source and standard for Christian doctrine; Tradition is experience and the witness of development and growth of the faith through the past centuries and in many nations and cultures; Through Reason the individual Christian brings to bear on the Christian faith discerning and cogent thought. Experience is the individual's understanding and appropriating of the faith in the light of his or her own life. These four elements taken together bring the individual Christian to a mature and fulfilling understanding of the Christian faith and the required response of worship and service.
Apart from scripture, experience is the strongest proof of Christianity. "What the scriptures promise, I enjoy", Wesley stated. Wesley insisted that we cannot have reasonable assurance of something unless we have experienced it personally. John Wesley was assured of both justification and sanctification because he had experienced them in his own life. What Christianity promised was accomplished in his soul. Furthermore, Christianity (considered as an inward principle) is the completion of all those promises. Although traditional proof is complex, for Wesley, experience is simple: "One thing I know; I was blind, but now I see." Although tradition establishes the evidence a long way off, experience makes it present to all persons.
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
Compassion and Prayer for Unaccompanied Migrant Children
Saturday, July 19, 2014 - 9 AM
St. Mark's United Methodist Church
Come to St. Mark's UMC as we engage scripture and interfaith prayers to express compassion for refugee children at the border.
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.
The Yard Sale is Coming Very Soon!
By now we hope you have a large container of items you want to donate to the Yard Sale. Plan to bring your donations to the Social Hall door on the south parking lot between 9 AM and 7:30 PM Mon - Wed. (July 28-30). If you need to have large items picked up, notify the church office. If you will not be in the area during the collection days, you can deliver them any time to the new storage unit near the gate in the south parking lot. If you are donating jewelry, please bring it on Sunday to the Yard Sale sign-up table, or during the week to the office.
Have you let us know when you are available to help before or during the sale? Check in at the Yard Sale table on Sunday morning. There are jobs for every age and every energy level. There are sitting jobs and moving jobs. Let us help you be part of this fun event!
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 28:10-19a
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Genesis 28:10-12 Jacob left Beersheba and went to Haran. He came to a certain place and camped for the night since the sun had set. He took one of the stones there, set it under his head and lay down to sleep. And he dreamed: A stairway was set on the ground and it reached all the way to the sky; angels of God were going up and going down on it.
13-15 Then God was right before him, saying, “I am God, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. I’m giving the ground on which you are sleeping to you and to your descendants. Your descendants will be as the dust of the Earth; they’ll stretch from west to east and from north to south. All the families of the Earth will bless themselves in you and your descendants. Yes. I’ll stay with you, I’ll protect you wherever you go, and I’ll bring you back to this very ground. I’ll stick with you until I’ve done everything I promised you.”
16-17 Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, “God is in this place—truly. And I didn’t even know it!” He was terrified. He whispered in awe, “Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God’s House. This is the Gate of Heaven.”
18-19 Jacob was up first thing in the morning. He took the stone he had used for his pillow and stood it up as a memorial pillar and poured oil over it. He christened the place Bethel (God’s House). The name of the town had been Luz until then.
Psalm 139: A David Psalm
1-6 God, investigate my life;
get all the facts firsthand.
I’m an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I’m never out of your sight.
You know everything I’m going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you’re there,
then up ahead and you’re there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can’t take it all in!
7-12 Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.
23-24 Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life.
Romans 8: 12-14 So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!
15-17 This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!
18-21 That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.
22-25 All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
Matthew 13: 24-26 He told another story. “God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the thistles showed up, too.
27 “The farmhands came to the farmer and said, ‘Master, that was clean seed you planted, wasn’t it? Where did these thistles come from?’
28 “He answered, ‘Some enemy did this.’
“The farmhands asked, ‘Should we weed out the thistles?’
29-30 “He said, ‘No, if you weed the thistles, you’ll pull up the wheat, too. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I’ll instruct the harvesters to pull up the thistles and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it in the barn.’”
The Curtain of History
36 Jesus dismissed the congregation and went into the house. His disciples came in and said, “Explain to us that story of the thistles in the field.”
37-39 So he explained. “The farmer who sows the pure seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the pure seeds are subjects of the kingdom, the thistles are subjects of the Devil, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, the curtain of history. The harvest hands are angels.
40-43 “The picture of thistles pulled up and burned is a scene from the final act. The Son of Man will send his angels, weed out the thistles from his kingdom, pitch them in the trash, and be done with them. They are going to complain to high heaven, but nobody is going to listen. At the same time, ripe, holy lives will mature and adorn the kingdom of their Father.
“Are you listening to this? Really listening?
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John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary:
Genesis 28:10-19a
Verse 11
[11] And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
The stones for his pillow, and the heavens for his canopy! Yet his comfort in the divine blessing, and his confidence in the divine protection, made him easy, even when he lay thus exposed: being sure that his God made him to dwell in safety, he could lie down and sleep upon a stone.
Verse 12
[12] And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Behold a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached heaven, the angels ascending and descending on it, and the Lord stood above it — This might represent 1. The providence of God, by which there is a constant correspondence kept up between heaven and earth. The counsels of heaven are executed on earth, and the affairs of this earth are all known in heaven. Providence doth his work gradually and by steps; angels are employed as ministering spirits to serve all the designs of providence, and the wisdom of God is at the upper end of the ladder, directing all the motions of second causes to his glory. The angels are active spirits, continually ascending and descending; they rest not day nor night. They ascend to give account of what they have done, and to receive orders; and desend to execute the orders they have received. This vision gave seasonable comfort to Jacob, letting him know that he had both a good guide and good guard; that though he was to wander from his father's house, yet he was the care of Providence, and the charge of the holy angels. 2. The mediation of Christ. He is this ladder: the foot on earth in his human nature, the top in heaven in his divine nature; or the former is his humiliation, the latter is his exaltation. All the intercourse between heaven and earth since the fall is by this ladder. Christ is the way: all God's favours come to us, and all our services come to him, by Christ. If God dwell with us, and we with him, it is by Christ: we have no way of getting to heaven but by this ladder; for the kind offices the angels do us, are all owing to Christ, who hath reconciled things on earth and things in heaven, Colossians 1:20.
Verse 14
[14] And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
In thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed — Christ is the great blessing of the world: all that are blessed, whatever family they are of, are blessed in him, and none of any family are excluded from blessedness in him, but those that exclude themselves.
Verse 15
[15] And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
Behold I am with thee — Wherever we are, we are safe, if we have God's favourable presence with us. He knew not, but God foresaw what hardships he would meet with in his uncle's service, and therefore promiseth to preserve him in all places. God knows how to give his people graces and comforts accommodated to the events that shall be, as well as to those that are. He was now going as an exile into a place far distant, but God promiseth him to bring him again to this land. He seemed to be forsaken of all his friends, but God gives him this assurance, I will not leave thee.
Verse 16
[16] And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not — God's manifestations of himself to his people carry their own evidence along with them. God can give undeniable demonstrations of his presence, such as give abundant satisfaction to the souls of the faithful, that God is with them of a truth; satisfaction not communicable to others, but convincing to themselves. We sometimes meet with God there, where we little thought of meeting with him. He is there where we did not think he had been, is found there where we asked not for him.
Verse 17
[17] And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
He was afraid — So far was he from being puffed up. The more we see of God, the more cause we see for holy trembling and blushing before him. Those whom God is pleased to manifest himself to, are laid and kept very low in their own eyes, and see cause to fear even the Lord and his goodness, Hosea 3:5.
And said, How dreadful is this place! — That is, the appearance of God in this place is to be thought of, but with a holy awe and reverence; I shall have a respect for this place, and remember it by this token as long as I live. Not that he thought the place itself any nearer the divine visions than any other places; but what he saw there at this time was, as it were, the house of God, the residence of the Divine Majesty, and the gate of heaven, that is, the general rendezvous of the inhabitants of the upper world; as the meetings of a city were in their gates; or, the angels ascending and descending were like travellers passing and repassing through the gates of a city.
Verse 18
[18] And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
He set up the stone for a pillar — To mark the place again, if he came back, and erect a lasting monument of God's favour to him: and because he had not time now to build an altar here, as Abraham did in the places where God appeared to him, Genesis 12:7, he therefore poured oil on the top of this stone, which probably was the ceremony then used in dedicating their altars, as an earnest of his building an altar when he should have conveniencies for it, as afterwards he did, in gratitude to God, Genesis 35:7. Grants of mercy call for our returns of duty and the sweet communion we have with God ought ever to be remembered.
Verse 19
[19] And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
It had been called Luz, an almond-tree, but he will have it henceforth called Beth-el, the house of God. This gracious appearance of God to him made it more remarkable than all the almond-trees that flourished there.
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Verse 2
[2] Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Afar off — Thou knowest what my thoughts will be in such and such circumstances, long before I know it, yea from all eternity.
Verse 3
[3] Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
Compassest — Thou discernest every step I take. It is a metaphor from soldiers besieging their enemies, and setting watches round about them.
Verse 5
[5] Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Beset me — With thy all-seeing providence.
And laid — Thou keepest me, as it were with a strong hand, in thy sight and under thy power.
Verse 6
[6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
I cannot — Apprehend in what manner thou dost so presently know all things.
Verse 8
[8] If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Hell — If I could hide myself in the lowest parts of the earth.
Verse 9
[9] If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
The wings — If I should flee from east to west: for the sea being the western border of Canaan, is often put for the west in scripture. And wings are poetically ascribed to the morning here, as they are elsewhere to the sun, and to the winds.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19
Verse 13
[13] Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
The conclusion — The sum of all that hath been said or written by wise men.
Fear God — Which is put here, for all the inward worship of God, reverence, and love, and trust, and a devotedness of heart to serve and please him.
The whole — It is his whole work and business, his whole perfection and happiness; it is the sum of what he need either know, or do, or enjoy.
Romans 8:12-25
Verse 12
[12] Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
We are not debtors to the flesh — We ought not to follow it.
Verse 13
[13] For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
The deeds of the flesh — Not only evil actions, but evil desires, tempers, thoughts.
If ye mortify — Kill, destroy these.
Ye shall live — The life of faith more abundantly here, and hereafter the life of glory.
Verse 14
[14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God — In all the ways of righteousness.
They are the sons of God — Here St. Paul enters upon the description of those blessings which he comprises, Romans 8:30, in the word glorified; though, indeed, he does not describe mere glory, but that which is still mingled with the cross. The sum is, through sufferings to glory.
Verse 15
[15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
For ye — Who are real Christians.
Have not received the spirit of bondage — The Holy Ghost was not properly a spirit of bondage, even in the time of the Old Testament. Yet there was something of bondage remaining even in those who then had received the Spirit.
Again — As the Jews did before.
We — All and every believer.
Cry — The word denotes a vehement speaking, with desire, confidence, constancy.
Abba, Father — The latter word explains the former. By using both the Syriac and the Greek word, St. Paul seems to point out the joint cry both of the Jewish and gentile believers. The spirit of bondage here seems directly to mean, those operations of the Holy Spirit by which the soul, on its first conviction, feels itself in bondage to sin, to the world, to Satan, and obnoxious to the wrath of God. This, therefore, and the Spirit of adoption, are one and the same Spirit, only manifesting itself in various operations, according to the various circumstances of the persons.
Verse 16
[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
The same Spirit beareth witness with our spirit — With the spirit of every true believer, by a testimony distinct from that of his own spirit, or the testimony of a good conscience. Happy they who enjoy this clear and constant.
Verse 17
[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Joint heirs — That we may know it is a great inheritance which God will give us for he hath given a great one to his Son.
If we suffer with him — Willingly and cheerfully, for righteousness' sake. This is a new proposition, referring to what follows.
Verse 18
[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
For I reckon — This verse gives the reason why he but now mentioned sufferings and glory. When that glory "shall be revealed in us," then the sons of God will be revealed also.
Verse 19
[19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
For the earnest expectation — The word denotes a lively hope of something drawing near, and a vehement longing after it.
Of the creation — Of all visible creatures, believers excepted, who are spoken of apart; each kind, according as it is capable. All these have been sufferers through sin; and to all these (the finally impenitent excepted) shall refreshment redound from the glory of the children of God. Upright heathens are by no means to be excluded from this earnest expectation: nay, perhaps something of it may at some times be found even in the vainest of men; who (although in the hurry of life they mistake vanity for liberty, and partly stifle. partly dissemble, their groans, yet) in their sober, quiet, sleepless, afflicted hours, pour forth many sighs in the ear of God.
Verse 20
[20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
The creation was made subject to vanity — Abuse, misery, and corruption.
By him who subjected it — Namely, God, Genesis 3:17; 5:29. Adam only made it liable to the sentence which God pronounced; yet not without hope.
Verse 21
[21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
The creation itself shall be delivered — Destruction is not deliverance: therefore whatsoever is destroyed, or ceases to be, is not delivered at all. Will, then, any part of the creation be destroyed? Into the glorious liberty - The excellent state wherein they were created.
Verse 22
[22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
For the whole creation groaneth together — With joint groans, as it were with one voice.
And travaileth — Literally, is in the pains of childbirth, to be delivered of the burden of the curse.
Until now — To this very hour; and so on till the time of deliverance.
Verse 23
[23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
And even we, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit — That is, the Spirit, who is the first-fruits of our inheritance.
The adoption — Persons who had been privately adopted among the Romans were often brought forth into the forum, and there publicly owned as their sons by those who adopted them. So at the general resurrection, when the body itself is redeemed from death, the sons of God shall be publicly owned by him in the great assembly of men and angels.
The redemption of our body — From corruption to glory and immortality.
Verse 24
[24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
For we are saved by hope — Our salvation is now only in hope. We do not yet possess this full salvation.
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Verse 24
[24] Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
He proposed another parable — in which he farther explains the case of unfruitful hearers. The kingdom of heaven (as has been observed before) sometimes signifies eternal glory: sometimes the way to it, inward religion; sometimes, as here, the Gospel dispensation: the phrase is likewise used for a person or thing relating to any one of those: so in this place it means, Christ preaching the Gospel, who is like a man sowing good seed - The expression, is like, both here and in several other places, only means, that the thing spoken of may be illustrated by the following similitude.
Who sowed good seed in his field — God sowed nothing but good in his whole creation. Christ sowed only the good seed of truth in his Church.
Verse 25
[25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
But while men slept — They ought to have watched: the Lord of the field sleepeth not.
His enemy came and sowed darnel — This is very like wheat, and commonly grows among wheat rather than among other grain: but tares or vetches are of the pulse kind, and bear no resemblance to wheat.
Verse 26
[26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
When the blade was sprung up, then appeared the darnel — It was not discerned before: it seldom appears, as soon as the good seed is sown: all at first appears to be peace, and love, and joy.
Verse 27
[27] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
Didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? Whence then hath it darnel? — Not from the parent of good. Even the heathen could say, "No evil can from thee proceed: 'Tis only suffer'd, not decreed: As darkness is not from the sun, Nor mount the shades, till he is gone."
Verse 28
[28] He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
He said, An enemy hath done this — A plain answer to the great question concerning the origin of evil. God made men (as he did angels) intelligent creatures, and consequently free either to choose good or evil: but he implanted no evil in the human soul: An enemy (with man's concurrence) hath done this. Darnel, in the Church, is properly outside Christians, such as have the form of godliness, without the power. Open sinners, such as have neither the form nor the power, are not so properly darnel, as thistles and brambles: these ought to be rooted up without delay, and not suffered in the Christian community. Whereas should fallible men attempt to gather up the darnel, they would often root up the wheat with them.
Verse 38
[38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
The good seed are the children of the kingdom — That is, the children of God, the righteous.
Verse 41
[41] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
They shall gather all things that offend — Whatever had hindered or grieved the children of God; whatever things or persons had hindered the good seed which Christ had sown from taking root or bearing fruit. The Greek word is, All scandals.
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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.
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.
'Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food, or thirsty and give you something to drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.'(Matthew 25:37b - 40)
Your Help Is Needed!
St. Mark's is working with CCSA to bring hydration to those who wait in line for their commodities on the fourth Thursday of each month. We are looking for people who would like to serve water bottles to CCSA clients on a monthly basis. St. Mark's will provide the water bottles and carts to transport the water; water bearers will distribute them from 7:00 - 10:00 AM. The sign-up sheet is in the office. And please do not forget your food donations to CCSA on the First Sunday of each month. Collection bins are now located in the Sanctuary at the altar railing.
A Celebration of Life Service
A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Pete Sciumbato on Friday, July 25 at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow in the Social Hall. All are welcome to attend.
Condolences
Prayers for the family and friends of Nancy Hedin who passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2014.
In Our Prayers
♥ Reba and Clark Lovrien
♥ Phyllis Mosher
♥ Tom Nehring
♥ Michelle Innis
♥ Mary Lowe
♥ Zoena Nicola
♥ Carmina Santos
♥ Rachel Caldwell
♥ Roger Silliman
♥ 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
Our presence in worship on Sunday, July 13 was 192.
Links
St. Mark's Website
Youth News
St. Mark's School
St. Mark's UMW News
Upper Room Daily Devotion
The United Methodist Church
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
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