The Messenger - Celebrate Freedom
Dear Friends,
As I begin another appointment year with you it is gratifying to
see a steady level of worship attendance and a very high level of pledge fulfillment. Thank you for your faithful generosity in presence and gifts! More than this, there is a palpable energy and expectancy about service, outreach, and worship possibilities for St. Mark's. It is inspiring to be in ministry with you!
In the midst of this, I have been told that St. Mark's does not want to grow, and does not want to change.
But I don't believe it. And I don't accept it, because St. Mark's is comprised of good, generous people with open, hospitable, spirit-filled hearts. We know we are called to a great mission, and we seek to embrace that mission in the world of 2014.
What is the great mission? There are three answers to that:
1."Inspiring the world as passionate followers of Jesus Christ so that all may experience the life-giving love of God." (California-Pacific Annual Conference)
2."The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs." (United Methodist Book of Discipline, section 120)
3."[T]he eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"(Matthew 28:16-20)
To help us deal with both the challenges and necessity of our mission, I invite you to be part of a 28-day devotional study called "Remember the Future." The study will begin on August 18 and will be entirely at-home, involving about 10 minutes a day of reading and reflection. For those who are interested, there will be an opportunity to participate in an online forum or a weekly group meeting. More information will be available in coming weeks.
While you have your calendar out, also reserve Saturday, September 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a planning retreat.
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This Sunday, the choir from First United Methodist Church of Pensacola will join the St. Mark's choir in some music of celebration--for we have much to celebrate. We will also share communion together. I hope you'll be here, and invite your family and friends!
Craig
My Journey Continues by Bill Burton
My journey continues. Yesterday, I found that the cancer I have has spread to my brain. The lung treatments apparently have been successful, but now more radiation sessions will be called for; fourteen of them. The VA, El Centro Regional Hospital, Dr. Sol Reisin, and Vantage Oncology teamed up yesterday in a display of cooperation that still has me breathless. I went in for a mid-morning appointmet with the Vantage Oncology radiation center, and by mid-afternoon, through all the other venues, I was getting my first treatment.
We have relocated to Boulevard, Ca., near Golden Acorn Casino, off of I8, at the beginning of May. This to be near Sharon's daughter and husband, who are building a home for us on their property. We miss you all very much, and constantly keep you all in our prayers, as we hope you will for us. The logistics make it unlikely we will be even able to visit in the near future, but please be sure that our hearts are with you always. If all goes well, we'll be attending the small congregation in Jacumba. It's been there many years, and has been a fixture in the area all the while.
Please pass our love along to all, and know we miss you very much.
In love and God's family!
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.
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!
Next Week at a Glance
Sunday, July 6, 2014
8:30 A.M. Pastor's Sunday School/NR
Summer Choir Rehearsal/Sanc
9:30 A.M. Worship
12:00 P.M. Tongan Fellowship Worship
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
7:00 P.M. Faith Circle/Offsite
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
10:00 A.M. Friendship Circle/NR
4:30 P.M. Choral Consortium Mtg/SH
5:30 P.M. Bible Study/NR
Thursday, July 10, 2014
7:00 P.M. Boy Scouts/SH
Sunday, July 13, 2014
7:45 A.M. Pancake Breakfast/SH
8:30 A.M. Pastor's Sunday School/NR
Summer Choir Rehearsal/Sanc
9:00 A.M. Youth Fellowship/Rm 10
9:30 A.M. Worship
10:45 A.M. Mission Meeting/NR
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.
Wesley and Money
John Wesley, throughout his life, was frugal in his handling of money. All the funds he collected in offerings went for two basic things, the poor and publishing handouts inviting people to be saved. He depended on gifts. For most of his pastoral life, he had 'sponsors' who supplied him basic living expenses, including funds for housing, clothing and food.
It was known that he carried just six schillings on his person. These schillings would be payment for pall-bearers in case he should die away from his home in London.
His frugalness was an example used in several sermons regarding the place of money in the Methodist tradition. His many sermons about money include the following statements:
1. Earn all you can, give all you can, save all you can.
2. Do you not know that God entrusted you with that money (all above what buys necessities for your families) to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to help the stranger, the widow, the fatherless; and, indeed, as far as it will go, to relieve the wants of all mankind? How can you, how dare you, defraud the Lord, by applying it to any other purpose?"
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
Weekly Quote:
Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.(Dwight D. Eisenhower)
Our presence in worship on Sunday, June 29 was 206.
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.
To stop the paper Messenger,
contact the church office by email, or phone: 858-273-1480.
Office Closed
The church office will be closed July 4, 2014 in observance of Independence Day.
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 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Psalm 45:10-17
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalm 145:8-14
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost for Sunday, 6 July 2014
Prayer: Thematic
To fulfill the ancient promise of salvation, O God,
you made a covenant with our ancestors
and pledged them descendants more numerous than the stars.
Grant that all people may share in the blessings of your covenant,
accomplished through the death and resurrection of your Son
and sealed by the gift of your Spirit. Amen.
OR
Through dreams and visions, O God,
you broaden the horizon and hope of your people,
that they may discover the meaning of your covenant,
even in the midst of trial and exile.
Increase the number of those who believe in your word
so that all people may joyfully respond to your call
and share in your promises. Amen.
Intercessory
Friends in Christ,
God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers
as dear to us as our own needs.
Loving our neighbors as ourselves,
we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions
on behalf of the church and the world.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Hear our prayers, God of power,
and through the ministry of your Son
free us from the grip of the tomb,
that we may desire you as the fullness of life
and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.
OR
As you heard the prayer of Isaac and Rebekah, O God,
and guided them in the way of your love,
so listen now to those who call upon you.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Move us to praise your gracious will,
for in Christ Jesus you have saved us from the deeds of death
and opened for us the hidden ways of your love.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OR
Lord God, friend of those in need,
your Son Jesus has untied our burdens
and healed our spirits.
We lift up the prayers of our hearts for those still burdened,
those seeking healing,
those in need within the church and the world.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Hear our prayers
that we may love you with our whole being
and willingly share the concerns of our neighbors. Amen.
OR
Creator God,
you call us to love and serve you
with body, mind, and spirit
through loving your creation
and our sisters and brothers.
Open our hearts in compassion
and receive these petitions
on behalf of the needs of the church and the world.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Holy One,
hear our prayers and make us faithful stewards
of the fragile bounty of this earth
so that we may be entrusted with the riches of heaven. Amen.
OR
We praise your abiding guidance, O God,
for you sent us Jesus, our Teacher and Messiah,
to model for us the way of love for the whole universe.
We offer these prayers of love
on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors,
on behalf of your creation and our fellow creatures.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Loving God,
open our ears to hear your word
and draw us closer to you,
that the whole world may be one with you
as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OR
God of mercy and healing,
you who hear the cries of those in need,
receive these petitions of your people
that all who are troubled
may know peace, comfort, and courage.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Life-giving God,
heal our lives,
that we may acknowledge your wonderful deeds
and offer you thanks from generation to generation
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OR
God of salvation,
who sent your Son to seek out and save what is lost,
hear our prayers
on behalf of those who are lost in our day,
receiving these petitions and thanksgivings
with your unending compassion.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Redeeming Sustainer,
visit your people
and pour out your strength and courage upon us,
that we may hurry to make you welcome
not only in our concern for others,
but by serving them
generously and faithfully in your name. Amen.
Scripture (Series 1)
We give you thanks, O God of compassion,
for the salvation you have revealed to the little ones
through Christ Jesus, our wisdom and strength.
Teach us to take up his gentle yoke
and find rest from our burdens and cares. Amen.
Scripture (Series 2)
We rejoice, O Christ,
for in your tender compassion
you shoulder our burdens and ease our heavy hearts.
Give us the strength to carry each other
as you have carried us. Amen.
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Psalm 45:10-17
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalm 145:8-14
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Genesis 24:34 He said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 Yahweh has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys. 36 Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.
42 I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go— 43 behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” 44 and she will tell me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—let her be the woman whom Yahweh has appointed for my master’s son.’ 45 Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels a drink. 47 I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands. 48 I bowed my head, and worshiped Yahweh, and blessed Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter for his son. 49 Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.”
58 They called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?”
She said, “I will go.”
59 They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men. 60 They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring[Genesis 24:60 or, seed] possess the gate of those who hate them.”
61 Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his way. 62 Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he lived in the land of the South. 63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming. 64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel. 65 She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?”
The servant said, “It is my master.”
She took her veil, and covered herself. 66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Psalm 45:10 Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear.
Forget your own people, and also your father’s house.
11 So the king will desire your beauty,
honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift.
The rich among the people entreat your favor.
13 The princess inside is all glorious.
Her clothing is interwoven with gold.
14 She shall be led to the king in embroidered work.
The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you.
15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led.
They shall enter into the king’s palace.
16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers.
You shall make them princes in all the earth.
17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations.
Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever.
Song of Solomon 2: 8 The voice of my beloved!
Behold, he comes,
leaping on the mountains,
skipping on the hills.
9 My beloved is like a roe or a young deer.
Behold, he stands behind our wall!
He looks in at the windows.
He glances through the lattice.
10 My beloved spoke, and said to me,
“Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.
11 For, behold, the winter is past.
The rain is over and gone.
12 The flowers appear on the earth.
The time of the singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree ripens her green figs.
The vines are in blossom.
They give out their fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away.”
Zechariah 9: 9 Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion!
Shout, daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King comes to you!
He is righteous, and having salvation;
lowly, and riding on a donkey,
even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim,
and the horse from Jerusalem;
and the battle bow will be cut off;
and he will speak peace to the nations:
and his dominion will be from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
11 As for you also,
because of the blood of your covenant,
I have set free your prisoners from the pit in which is no water.
12 Turn to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope!
Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.
Psalm 145: 8 Yahweh is gracious, merciful,
slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
9 Yahweh is good to all.
His tender mercies are over all his works.
10 All your works will give thanks to you, Yahweh.
Your saints will extol you.
11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and talk about your power;
12 to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts,
the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Yahweh is faithful in all his words,
and loving in all his deeds.[ Psalm 145:13 Some manuscripts omit these last two lines.]
14 Yahweh upholds all who fall,
and raises up all those who are bowed down.
Romans 7:15 For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do. 16 But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good. 17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good. 19 For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice. 20 But if what I don’t desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present. 22 For I delight in God’s law after the inward man, 23 but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God’s law, but with the flesh, the sin’s law.
Matthew 11:16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions 17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”[Matthew 11:19 NU reads “actions” instead of “children”]
25 At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants. 26 Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
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John Wesley’s Notes-commentary for:
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Verse 34
[34] And he said, I am Abraham's servant.
I am Abraham' servant — Abraham's name, no doubt, was well known among them, and respected; and we may suppose them not altogether ignorant of his state, for Abraham knew theirs, Genesis 22:20.
Verse 45
[45] And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
Before I had done speaking in my heart — Which perhaps he mentions, lest it should be suspected that Rebekah had overheard his prayer, and designedly humoured it; no, saith he, I spake it in my heart, so that none heard it but God, to whom thoughts are words, and from him the answer came.
Verse 61
[61] And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
And her damsels — It seems then, when she went to the well for water, it was not because she had no servants at command, but because she took pleasure in the instances of humanity and industry.
Verse 63
[63] And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
He went out to meditate (or pray) in the field at the even tide — Some think he expected his servants about this time, and went out on purpose to meet them. But it should seem he went out to take the advantage of a silent evening, and a solitary field, for mediation and prayer. Our walks in the field are then truly pleasant, when in them we apply ourselves to meditation and prayer we there have a free and open prospect of the heavens above us, and the earth around us, and the hosts and riches of both, by the view of which we should he led to the contemplation of the Maker and Owner of all. Merciful providences are then doubly comfortable, when they find us in the way of our duty: some think Isaac was now praying for good success in this affair, and meditating upon that which was proper to encourage his hope in God concerning it; and now when he sets himself, as it were, upon his watch-tower, to see what God would answer him, he sees the camels coming.
Verse 64
[64] And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
She lighted off her camel, and took a vail and covered herself — In token of humility, modesty and subjection.
Psalm 45:10-17
Verse 10
[10] Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
Hearken — The prophet having hitherto spoken to the bridegroom, now addresseth his speech to the bride.
O daughter — He speaks like an elder person, and as her spiritual father and counsellor.
Incline — He uses several words, signifying the same thing, to shew his vehement desire of her good.
Forget — Comparatively.
Verse 11
[11] So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
So — So thou shalt be acceptable to thy husband; which will abundantly recompence thee, for the loss of thy father's house.
Thy Lord — As he is thy husband, and also as he is thy king, and God.
Verse 12
[12] And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
The daughter — The people of Tyre; as the daughter of Zion or Jerusalem, are put for their inhabitants: he mentions the Tyrians; because they among others, and before many others, were to be converted to Christ, but they are here put for all the Gentiles, whom that city fitly represents, as being the mart of the nations.
A gift — To testify their homage.
The rich — Of other nations.
Verse 13
[13] The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
Daughter — The spouse; so called, because she was the daughter of one king, and the wife of another.
Within — In her soul.
Her cloathing — She is outwardly adorned with virtuous and honourable actions.
Verse 14
[14] She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
Brought — He alludes to the custom of conducting the bride to the bride-groom's house.
Companions — Her bride-maidens attending upon her.
Verse 16
[16] Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
Instead — Having directed his speech to the bride, he now returns to the bridegroom, as may be gathered both from the Hebrew words, which are of the masculine gender; and from the next verse, which unquestionably belongs unto him, and therefore this cannot be understood of Solomon, and his marriage with Pharaoh's daughter, because he had no children by her, and but very few by all his wives and concubines; and his children were so far from being made Princes in all the earth, that they enjoyed but a small part of their father's dominions, but this was fully accomplished in Christ: who instead of his fathers of the Jewish nation, had a numerous posterity of Christians of all the nations of the earth, which here and elsewhere are called princes and kings, because of their great power with God and with men.
Verse 17
[17] I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
Remembered — As he began the psalm with the celebration of the king's praises, so now he ends with it, and adds this important circumstance, that this nuptial song should not only serve for the present solemnity, but should be remembered and sung in all successive generations.
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Verse 8
[8] The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
The voice — Christ's voice, the word of grace revealed outwardly in the gospel, and inwardly by the Spirit of God.
Leaping — He saith, leaping and skipping, to denote that Christ came readily, and swiftly, with great desire and pleasure and adds, upon the mountains and hills, to signify Christ's resolution to come in spite of all difficulties.
Verse 9
[9] My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.
Like a roe — In swiftness. He is coming to me with all speed and will not tarry a moment beyond the proper season.
He standeth behind — And while he doth for wise reasons forbear to come; he is not far from us. Both this and the following phrases may denote the obscure manner of Christ's manifesting himself to his people, under the law, in comparison of his discoveries in the gospel.
The window — This phrase, and that through the lattess, intimate that the church does indeed see Christ, but, as through a glass, darkly, as it is said even of gospel-revelations, 1 Corinthians 13:12, which was much more true of legal administrations.
Verse 10
[10] My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Spake — Invited me outwardly by his word, and inwardly by his Spirit.
Rise up — Shake off sloth, and disentangle thyself more fully from all the snares of this world.
Come — Unto me, and with me; follow me fully, serve me perfectly, labour for a nearer union, and more satisfying communion with me.
Verse 11
[11] For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
The winter — Spiritual troubles arising from a deep sense of the guilt of sin, the wrath of God, the curse of the law; all which made them afraid to come unto God. But, saith Christ, I have removed these impediments, God is reconciled; therefore cast off all discouragements, and excuses, and come to me.
Verse 12
[12] The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The flowers — The communications of God's grace, the gifts, and graces, and comforts of the Holy Spirit, are vouchsafed unto, and appear in believers, as buds and blossoms do in the spring.
The turtle — This seems particularly to be mentioned because it not only gives notice of the spring, but aptly represents the Spirit of God, which even the Chaldee paraphrast understands by this turtle, which appeared in the shape of a dove, and which worketh a dove-like meekness, and chastity, and faithfulness, in believers.
Verse 13
[13] The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Her figs — Which it shoots forth in the spring.
Zechariah 9:9-12
Verse 9
[9] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Thy king — The Messiah.
He is just — The righteous one, who cometh to fulfil all righteousness.
Having salvation — To bestow on all that believe in him.
Verse 10
[10] And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
I will cut off — When the Messiah comes and sets up his kingdom, he will need no external force. Neither chariot, bow nor sword, brought salvation to him, neither shall they be mentioned in the day of his conquest.
The heathen — The Heathens through him shall be reconciled unto God, and one another, Ephesians 2:17.
From the river — From Euphrates to the utmost end of Canaan, to the Mediterranean sea; a type of all the world, which was in due time to be the inheritance of Christ.
Verse 11
[11] As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.
As for thee — Oh Jerusalem; these words are Christ's words to her.
By the blood — By my blood, in which thy covenant as confirmed; 'tis God's covenant as made by him, 'tis Zion's covenant as made for her, 'tis Christ's also as made in him.
Sent forth — I have delivered the Jews out of Babylon: compared to a pit in which no water was, wherein the Jews must have perished, had not God visited them.
Verse 12
[12] Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;
Turn ye — The prophet exhorts the Jews to hasten to Christ, who is the salvation and high tower of the church.
Prisoners of hope — Captives, yet not without hope.
Even to-day — In this day of lowest distress.
Double — Twice as much good as thou hast suffered evil.
Psalm 145:8-14
Verse 14
[14] The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
All — All that look up to him for help.
Romans 7:15-25a
Verse 16
[16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
It is good — This single word implies all the three that were used before, Romans 7:12, "holy, just, and good."
Verse 17
[17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
It is no more I that can properly be said to do it, but rather sin that dwelleth in me — That makes, as it were, another person, and tyrannizes over me.
Verse 18
[18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
In my flesh — The flesh here signifies the whole man as he is by nature.
Verse 21
[21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
I find then a law — An inward constraining power, flowing from the dictate of corrupt nature.
Verse 22
[22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
For I delight in the law of God — This is more than "I consent to," Romans 7:16. The day of liberty draws near.
The inward man — Called the mind, Romans 7:23,25.
Verse 23
[23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
But I see another law in my members — Another inward constraining power of evil inclinations and bodily appetites.
Warring against the law of my mind — The dictate of my mind, which delights in the law of God.
And captivating me — In spite of all my resistance
Verse 24
[24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Wretched man that I am — The struggle is now come to the height; and the man, finding there is no help in himself, begins almost unawares to pray, Who shall deliver me? He then seeks and looks for deliverance, till God in Christ appears to answer his question. The word which we translate deliver, implies force. And indeed without this there can be no deliverance.
The body of this death — That is, this body of death; this mass of sin, leading to death eternal, and cleaving as close to me as my body to my soul. We may observe, the deliverance is not wrought yet.
Verse 25
[25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord — That is, God will deliver me through Christ. But the apostle, as his frequent manner is, beautifully interweaves his assertion with thanksgiving;' the hymn of praise answering in a manner to the voice of sorrow, "Wretched man that I am!" So then - He here sums up the whole, and concludes what he began, Romans 7:7.
I myself — Or rather that I, the person whom I am personating, till this deliverance is wrought.
Serve the law of God with my mind — My reason and conscience declare for God.
But with my flesh the law of sin — But my corrupt passions and appetites still rebel. The man is now utterly weary of his bondage, and upon the brink of liberty.
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Verse 16
[16] But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
This generation — That is, the men of this age. They are like those froward children of whom their fellows complain, that they will be pleased no way.
Verse 18
[18] For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
John came neither eating nor drinking — In a rigorous austere way, like Elijah.
And they say, He hath a devil — Is melancholy, from the influence of an evil spirit.
Verse 19
[19] The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
The Son of man came eating and drinking — Conversing in a free, familiar way.
Wisdom is justified by her children — That is, my wisdom herein is acknowledged by those who are truly wise.
Verse 25
[25] At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Jesus answering — This word does not always imply, that something had been spoken, to which an answer is now made. It often means no more than the speaking in reference to some action or circumstance preceding. The following words Christ speaks in reference to the case of the cities above mentioned: I thank thee - That is, I acknowledge and joyfully adore the justice and mercy of thy dispensations: Because thou hast hid - That is, because thou hast suffered these things to be hid from men, who are in other respects wise and prudent, while thou hast discovered them to those of the weakest understanding, to them who are only wise to Godward. Luke 10:21.
Verse 27
[27] All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
All things are delivered to me — Our Lord, here addressing himself to his disciples, shows why men, wise in other things, do not know this: namely, because none can know it by natural reason: none but those to whom he revealeth it.
Verse 28
[28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Come to me — Here he shows to whom he is pleased to reveal these things to the weary and heavy laden; ye that labour - After rest in God: and are heavy laden - With the guilt and power of sin: and I will give you rest - I alone (for none else can) will freely give you (what ye cannot purchase) rest from the guilt of sin by justification, and from the power of sin by sanctification.
Verse 29
[29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Take my yoke upon you — Believe in me: receive me as your prophet, priest, and king.
For I am meek and lowly in heart — Meek toward all men, lowly toward God: and ye shall find rest - Whoever therefore does not find rest of soul, is not meek and lowly. The fault is not in the yoke of Christ: but in thee, who hast not taken it upon thee. Nor is it possible for any one to be discontented, but through want of meekness or lowliness.
Verse 30
[30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
For my yoke is easy — Or rather gracious, sweet, benign, delightful: and my burden - Contrary to those of men, is ease, liberty, and honour.
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Malice in the Palace
On Sunday, June 29 in worship, the Children's Choir, under the direction of Frank Williams presented a wonderful short musical entitled "Malice in the Palace." Be sure to let them know how much you enjoyed the musical.39ers Luncheon
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.
College Bound
This year we will again be giving yearly scholarships, instead of scholarships each semester. On July 20 we will be awarding scholarships for the 2014-2015 school year.If you are enrolled at a college or university for this school year, St. Mark's Scholarship forms are available in the church office. The deadline for 2013-2014 applications is July 9.
High Five
High five to all the One Room Sunday School Teachers that have stepped out to bring the Word of God to the children of St. Mark's. Your commitment to building the faith life of these young souls is a blessing to the children, their families, the church and the community around.
Vacation Bible School
July 15-18
6-8 p.m.
Take a chance on some summer fun, register now, adults and children. Enjoy dinner with church family then jump into a playful Bible lesson with art, drama, games, and music. We're Singing the Stories of Jesus. Brochures and registration forms are available in the church office. Have a question? Email Karen at kwscanlon@gmail.com or call the church.
Now, here's a VBS Bible trivia thought: Thirsty, desperate sheep will drink from disease-filled pools without the guidance of their shepherd. Come to VBS for more curious quirks about sheep. Baaa!
The Yard Sale is Coming
Have you thought of the Annual Yard Sale as being a Mission Project?
Think of the people it benefits! The community benefits because they can purchase good clothing and items for their homes at a fraction of the cost elsewhere. Other non- profit agencies such as CCSA, the VA Hospital, and Neighborhood House in Calexico benefit by receiving unsold items for their ministries. We benefit when we donate items by having neater homes, and those who work at the sale benefit from working and having fun together. The church benefits by receiving the funds collected during the sale, which are used to help St. Mark's carry out its ministry
It's a Win-Win-Win-Win event! More information next week!
In Our Prayers
♥ Chris Wright
♥ Karin Backstrom
♥ Emily Sibley
♥ Sharee Coger
♥ Rebecca Lynn
♥ June Laning
♥ Sheryl Goforth
♥ Ed Lail
♥ Lita McDonald
♥ Mike Stephen
♥ Mia Fely
♥ Kathy Dawson
♥ 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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St. Mark's United Methodist Church
3502 Clairemont Drive
San Diego, CA 92117 United States
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