St. Mark's United Methodist Church, San
Diego - The Messenger - Thursday, 28 November 2013 - Meditation for the Week
"Christmas is not just a time for
festivity and merry making. It is more than that. It is a time for the
contemplation of eternal things. The Christmas spirit is a spirit of giving and
forgiving..."--J. C-Penney...!!!
In This Messenger:
Book Study
Finance Update
Photo Directory
Advent Devotions
Christmas at the Bay
39ers Potluck
Progressive Dinner
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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 2: The
Future House of God
1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw
concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of
the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
3
Many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of
the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth
instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into
plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against
nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
Judgment Pronounced on Arrogance
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord!(NRSV)
Psalm 122: Song of Praise
and Prayer for Jerusalem
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2 Our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together.
4 To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 For there the thrones for judgment were
set up,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers.”
8 For the sake of my relatives and
friends
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord
our God,
I will seek your good.(NRSV)
Romans 13: An
Urgent Appeal
11 Besides this, you know what time it
is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is
nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone, the
day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor
of light; 13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and
drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and
jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for
the flesh, to gratify its desires.(NRSV)
Matthew 24: The Necessity for Watchfulness
36 “But about that day and hour no one
knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[a] but only the Father. 37
For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For
as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and
giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew
nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming
of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one
will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken
and one will be left. 42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what
day[b] your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house
had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed
awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also
must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Footnotes:
Matthew 24:36 Other ancient authorities
lack nor the Son
Matthew 24:42 Other ancient authorities
read at what hour(NRSV)
John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary for:
Isaiah 2:1-5
II A prophecy of Christ's kingdom, and
the calling of the Gentiles, ver. 1-5. And rejection of the Jews for their
idolatry and pride, ver. 6-9. The great majesty and power of God, and his
terrors on the wicked; with an exhortation to fear God, and not to trust in
man, ver. 10-22.
Verse 1. The word - Or, the matter or
thing, as this Hebrew word commonly signifies; the prophecy or vision.
Verse 2. In the last days - In the times
of the Messiah. For Christ's institutions were to continue to the end of the
world. The mountain - The temple of the Lord which is upon mount Moriah; which
yet is not to be understood literally of that material temple, but mystically
of the church of God; as appears from the flowing of all nations to it, which
was not to that temple, nor indeed was fulfilled 'till that temple was
destroyed. Exalted - Shall be placed and settled in a most conspicuous and
glorious manner, being advanced above all other churches and kingdoms.
Verse 3. The law - The new law, the
doctrine of the gospel, which is frequently called a law, because it hath the
nature and power of a law, obliging us no less to the belief and practice of
it, than the old law did.
Verse 4. He - Christ shall set up his
authority among all nations, not only giving laws to them, but doing what no
other can do, convincing their consciences, changing their hearts, and ordering
their lives. Rebuke - By his word and Spirit, convincing the world of sin; and
by his judgments upon his implacable enemies, which obstruct the propagation of
the gospel.
Verse 5. The light - Take heed that you
do not reject that light which is so clear that even the blind Gentiles will
discern it.
Psalm 122
PS 122 This psalm seems to have been
wrote for the use of the people, when they came to Jerusalem at the three solemn
feasts. David here shews the joy with which they were to go up to Jerusalem,
ver. 1, 2. The esteem they were to have of it, ver. 3-5. The prayers they were
to make for its welfare, ver, 6-9. A song of degrees of David.
Verse 4. The tribes - Whom God has chosen
to be his people. Unto - Unto the ark, called the testimony, because of the
tables of the covenant laid up in it, which are called God's testimony, and the
tables of the testimony. And this is called the testimony of, or to Israel,
because it was given by God to them. Give thanks - To worship God; this one
eminent part thereof being put for all the rest.
Verse 5. Judgment - The supreme courts of
justice for ecclesiastical and civil affairs. Thrones - The royal throne
allotted by God to David and to his posterity, and the inferior seats of
justice under his authority.
Romans 13:11-14
Verse 11. And do this - Fulfil the law of
love in all the instances above mentioned. Knowing the season - Full of grace,
but hasting away. That it is high time to awake out of sleep - How beautifully
is the metaphor carried on! This life, a night; the resurrection, the day; the
gospel shining on the heart, the dawn of this day; we are to awake out of
sleep; to rise up and throw away our night-clothes, fit only for darkness, and
put on new; and, being soldiers, we are to arm, and prepare for fight, who are
encompassed with so many enemies. The day dawns when we receive faith, and then
sleep gives place. Then it is time to rise, to arm, to walk, to work, lest
sleep steal upon us again. Final salvation, glory, is nearer to us now, than
when we first believed - It is continually advancing, flying forward upon the
swiftest wings of time. And that which remains between the present hour and
eternity is comparatively but a moment.
Verse 13. Banqueting - Luxurious, elegant
feasts.
Verse 14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus
Christ - Herein is contained the whole of our salvation. It is a strong and
beautiful expression for the most intimate union with him, and being clothed
with all the graces which were in him. The apostle does not say, Put on purity
and sobriety, peacefulness and benevolence; but he says all this and a thousand
times more at once, in saying, Put on Christ. And make not provision - To raise
foolish desires, or, when they are raised already, to satisfy them.
Matthew 24:36-44
Verse 36. But of that day - The day of
judgment; Knoweth no man - Not while our Lord was on earth. Yet it might be
afterward revealed to St. John consistently with this.
Verse 37. Luke xvii, 26.
40. One is taken - Into God's immediate
protection: and one is left - To share the common calamities. Our Lord speaks
as having the whole transaction present before his eyes.
Verse 41. Two women shall be grinding -
Which was then a common employment of women.
Verse 42. Ye know not what hour your Lord
cometh - Either to require your soul of you, or to avenge himself of this
nation. Mark xiii, 33; Luke xii, 35; xxi, 34.
---
Office Closed:
The church office will be closed
Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29, in celebration of Thanksgiving.
From the entire staff at St. Mark's, have
a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!
Calling Angels and Shepherds
We invite all children and youth to
participate in this year's Living Nativity on Saturday, December 14, at 5:30
p.m. Simply show up between 4:45 and 5
p.m. on December 14, and the costume mistresses will help your child get into
costume. Please call Karen at 858 272-7357 or email kwscanlon@gmail.com.
Advent Devotionals
This year's adult Advent Devotional
entitled O' Come! is written by our congregation members and are available this
Sunday, December 1, in the back of the church.
Please take one home and journey through
the Scriptures with the prayers and insight of your neighbors.
Family devotionals are also available for
those who wish to celebrate the season as a family with prayers, activities and
entertainment. It's a great way to
engage younger children in celebrating Advent.
Christmas Worship at the Bay
Join us on Sunday, December 15, at 8:30
a.m. for Christmas carols, coffee, donuts, and hot cocoa as we gather for our
first Christmas Worship at the Bay. We will be at Tecolote Shores, just south
of the Hilton Hotel. Bundle up, bring your chair and join us as we celebrate
the season.
Sunday School Christmas
Pajama and Hygiene Collection
Beginning this Sunday, December 1, our
Sunday School classes will begin collecting PJs and hygiene products for
CCSA. All sizes of PJs and hygiene
products are requested by Sunday, December 15 when the church will bless the
donations and the children will caravan their wagons to CCSA.
39'ers Potluck
If you are or ever have been 39, you are
welcome to join the 39'ers for a Christmas potluck in the Social Hall on
Tuesday, December 10, at noon.
Please contact Martha Hilker at
858-273-4393to RSVP and let her know what dish you will be bringing to
share.
Progressive Dinner
The TNT fellowship group will host a
Progressive Dinner on Friday, December 13, starting at 6 p.m., with appetizers
at the Plutchak's home. The Main course will be served in the Social Hall.
Dessert and carol singing will follow at the Hemingway home. All are welcome. Please call Frank and Marie Campilongo, at
858- 278-4287, for menu assignment by December 8.
In Our Prayers:
♥
Severt Land
♥
Joe Ramsey
♥
Donna Guevara
♥
Martha Hilker
♥
Carol Langlois
♥
Wendy Holman
♥
Mary Nemeth
♥
Lisa Denton
♥
Audrey Derwin
♥
Sue & John Kerr
♥
Frank & Carlyn Djie
♥
The Weimers Family
♥
Franki Benson
♥
Nan Mitchell
♥
Gene Hagar
♥
Gwynn Cannon
♥
Dana Robinson
♥
Rod Barrett
♥
Bill Burton
♥
Mitch Boyer
♥
Dean Marshall
♥
Molly and Mack Barrett
♥
Harry Tweedie
♥
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,
November 24 was 184.
Links
St. Mark's Website
Youth News
St. Mark's School
St. Mark's UMW News
Upper Room Daily Devotion
---
Dear Friends,
The Advent season begins this
Sunday. I've heard several people
express surprise that it's time for the holidays again, Craig and in some ways the year has passed
very quickly. But in a larger sense I
think Advent couldn't come soon enough!
Advent is about quiet introspection, and
patient waiting with a sense of expectancy.
The holiday season is about none of these things. We need to spend time with Advent.
One easy way to do this is through daily
reading or devotion. I like the daily
discipline, and find that it helps me keep perspective, and does indeed help me
prepare for Christmas. I don't know what
Christmas is going to look like this year, but I know it will be very
special--and I know all I can really do is wait.
I am reading two books daily during this
season--The St. Mark's 2013 Advent Devotional and 40 Chances: Finding Hope in a
Hungry World. The devotional is written
by people who come to St. Mark's. In
previewing it, I found it quite thoughtful and touching. It will be available after worship this
Sunday.
As you might imagine, 40 Chances is
divided into forty chapters, so I am reading one story a day from Thanksgiving
to Epiphany. It is not exactly a book of
meditations, but it is very much a book about the human condition, especially
among the 870 million people who are persistently, chronically hungry. (This estimate comes from the United
Nations.)
Author Howard Buffett says that the book
is "about celebrating what it means to be human. I have been to some of the poorest, most
difficult places in the world, and, invariably, there will be children smiling
and playing, delighting themselves with a little game they've invented or
turning a bag stuffed with straw into a soccer ball.
"In the poorest village, I have seen
the pride and kindness in the eyes of women who welcome me with a bit of food
or a cup of tea, even though they have so little themselves.
"For every sad story I will relate,
there are twice as many that I hope will make you grateful to be alive and
sharing a world with fine people trying to make a difference...."
Spending time with Advent creates space
for real hope to be born anew in our hearts--if we can only quietly wait, and
notice the love, caring, and extraordinary gifts of our fellow travelers.
See you in church!
Craig
Book Study for Advent
40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry
World
Howard Buffett is a farmer, worldwide
philanthropist, part-time deputy sheriff, and the son of legendary investor
Warren Buffett. His mission, over the
next 40 years, is to utilize all the assets of his foundation to help end world
hunger. This best-selling book tells 40
stories of his on-the-scene work in the most-impoverished parts of the
world. The stories are eye-opening,
moving, and poignant--and they provoke a lot of thought about how real problems
of real people might really be addressed.
The four-week book study meets on Mondays
at 1 p.m. in the New Room, and begins on Monday, December 2. Sign-up is available in the church office.
Books are now also available in the church office. An $18 donation is requested.
From the Finance Committee
At the Conference level of the United
Methodist Church each congregation is given a "Quota and Special
Askings" amount for various special needs within the conference during the
year. These are based on the size of the
congregation, etc. We are experiencing a
shortfall in our Special Sunday askings as we approach year-end. The Finance
Committee wanted to let everyone know where there is a need, and maybe one of
these are a "hole" YOU can fill during this season of Thanksgiving.
Christian Education Sunday $99.00
Ethnic Ministry Local Church Sunday $47.00
Aids Ministry Sunday $29.00
Peace with Justice Sunday $108.00
If you are interested in giving to ANY of
these, please mark your envelope with "Special Asking -__________. You will be filling a "hole" for
someone else! Thank you!
Photo Directory Make Up Day
Due to some photo formatting issues for
some of those who got their pictures taken, along with a group of people who
simply didn't have a picture taken, there will be a photo Make-Up Day. This
will be held immediately after 9:30 worship this Sunday, December 1, on the
grass between the church and the percolator patio, where the pictures have been
taken in the past. So if your name is on
the list below, please plan on coming to the Make-Up Day on Sunday, December 1,
to have your photo taken.
Lisa / Ralph Denton
Alyce Peterson
Jim/Susan/Brian Mugg
Fred/Malinda Brick
Kathryn J Brown
Dick/Rosellen Cline
Shirley Coffey
Ed/Nancy Deitzler
Audrey Derwin
Rev. Craig / Merrie Dorval
Phyllis Drewett
Milly Durfey
John Eveland
Jo Fortune
Bill Galante
Jo Gwynn
Nancy Hedin
Ward/Karin Heinrichs
Herb/Elaine Hilton
Barb/Bob Indseth
Jack/Michelle Innis
Al/Thelma Johannsen
Joan Johnson
Ken/Sandi Johnson
Dick/Karleen Mainland
Art Maatsura
Mary Ness
KrisNeider/Adam Diprofio
Joan Nickle
Robin/Morris Nuspl
Pam Radar
Joe/Sharon Risse
Pam/ Rev. George Rosemier
Mary Sue Smith
Amy Storey
Next Week at a Glance
Sunday, December 1, 2013
8:30 A.M. Pastor's Sunday School/NR
9:30 A.M. Worship
10:45 A.M. Joyful Noise/CR
12:00 P.M. Tongan Fellowship Worship
5:30 P.M. Youth Fellowship/Rm 10
Parent/Youth Mtg/SH
Monday, December 2, 2013
1:00 P.M. Advent Book Study/NR
4:00 P.M. UMW District Mtg/Lib
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
6:00 P.M. Cantamore Rehearsal/Sanc
6:30 P.M.
Tinitus Support Group/Rm 10
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
10:30 A.M. Care Corps/NR
3:00 P.M. UMW Executive Mtg/Lib
5:00 P.M. Peace Ringers/SH
5:30 P.M. Bible Study/NR
6:00 P.M. Glory Ringers/SH
Nominating Committee Mtg
6:30 P.M. Inviting/Welcoming Committee Mtg
Thursday, December 5, 2013
4:30 A.M. Hallelujah/Cherub Choirs/CR
5:15 P.M. Chimes/CH
7:00 P.M. Boy Scouts/SH
Chancel Choir/CR
Friday, December 6, 2013
5:30 P.M. Girls Scouts/SH
Saturday, December 7, 2013
10:00 A.M. Christmas Concert Rehearsal/Sanc
6:00 P.M. Cantamore Concert/Sanc; SH
Sunday, December 8, 2013
7:45 A.M. Pancake Breakfast/SH
8:30 A.M. Pastor's Sunday School/NR
9:30 A.M. Worship
10:45 A.M. Joyful Noise Choir/CR
Worship Committee Mtg/Lib
12:00 P.M. Tongan Fellowship Worship
4:30 P.M. Christmas at St. Mark's Concert
5:30 P.M. Youth Fellowship/Rm 10
6:30 P.M. Post Concert Dinner/SH
*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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St. Mark's United Methodist Church
3502 Clairemont Drive
San Diego, CA 92117 United States
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-Zumwalt, 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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