A MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT

OF ST. MARK'S

CONSISTORY

 

NOVEMBER 2024

 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

 

As Christians we go through each day knowing God has a plan for us and a path to follow to make those plans happen.  At the same time, we as Christians go through each day questioning God's plans and His path.  We consistently throw kinks into God's plans by thinking we have a better way of doing things and a better path to take to have our plans met.

 

God knows that we are going to question the path and spometimes not end up where we are supposed to be according to His plan.  At the same time GOD NEVER leaves our side and continues to be with us for when we are ready to turn to Him for support and guidance.  God provided us with the ability to think and make decisions and choices for ouraelves.

 

As humans trying to interpret God's plan for our selves as individuals and choose the right path ro take is hard and scary, but with prayer and trust it can be done.  It is even harder to do when we are talking about the plans for Our church.  I always laugh at myself when I am having several conversations with myself on the path God wants me to take as a person when I know the only conversation I need to have is with God.  With the church you have every member having those conversations with themselves, their family, their church family and with God.  As hunabs it is hard to always agree not only on what direction to take our church but what path we should take to get there.

 

On October 20, St. Mark's held a congregational meeting where plans for the future of our church were discussed.  We listened to what those plans were, and we prayed about them as we listened to the plans being told to us.  The plans were maintenance items that need to be done and plans that would help beautify our church and make it more welcoming.  The congregation then voted and approved those plans.

 

As brothers and sisters of God's church, I know this is a scary and unknown time for our church.  No member takes these projects lightly and without questioning.  Spending money is always hard and even harder when the future is uncertain.  We as Christians need to continue to pray and support the church while questioning as we take these next steps for St. Mark's.  Always remember, God Is Still Speaking and we just need to listen to Him and trust Him.  God has plans for St. Mark's!

 

Heather Stone, Consistory President

"No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey,

you are always welcome here."

 

ST. MARK'S

UNITED CHURCH

OF

CHRIST

30 Pottsville Street

Cressona, PA  17929

570-385-0242

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Resuming on September 8, 2024

9:00 AM

Nursery through Elementary School-Age Children

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

Harvest Home

"Risk and Restoration"

Collection of Food Goods for Food Pantry

Worship     10:30 AM

Gospel Reading

Mark 12:38-44

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

The Widow's Offering

 

Click here for LIVE Worship Services
Sunday morning 10:30 am

 

Click on LIVE link above for the Fireman's Memorial Service

on Sunday, August 20th at 6pm

 

Click here for recordings of past worship services

PLEASE NOTE:

The KID'S KORNER has been moved to a separate page.  In the MENU, please click on KID'S KORNER and it will take you to the new page.  

CLICK ON "ABOUT US"

IN THE MENU.

Our faith is over 2,000 years old, but our thinking is not.

FROM

THE

PASTOR

OCTOBER 2024

At the current time St. Mark's does not have a full-time pastor.  Pastor Kevin's last service with St. Mark's was September 15, 2024.  The transition team, consisting of members of both St. Mark's and St. John's, have completed the short profile for a new pastor.  The profile has been submitted to the Penn Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ and will  eventually be available online for perspective candidates for pastor.  In the meantime, worship services are being conducted by the church's former pastor (1986--2006) Karl W. Jones and lay minister Jennie Strauch. 

OUTREACH

MINISTRIES

GO OUTSIDE THE WALLS

AND SERVE ALL PEOPLE

"Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit."

"TAKE ACTION, FOR IT IS YOUR DUTY, AND WE ARE WITH YOU; BE STRONG, AND DO IT."

EZRA 10:4 

Hello!  We are excited to describe to you the scope of our outreach ministry. The above commission and scripture embody St. Mark's role in its benevolent mission outreach. More details about our mission outreach can be found on the Ministries Page 0f this website. Without your support of the benevolent ministries of St. Mark's, none of this would be possible. Thank you again for allowing us to serve others!

 27%

LOCAL OUTREACH

St. Mark's plays an important role in providing assistance to those in need in the community of Cressona and the surrounding area.  In addition, the church is a member of the Schuylkill Haven and Vicinity Council of Churches that provides assistance to residents in the borough of Schuylkill Haven as well as the surrounding areas. 

Funds from St. Mark's 2021 Lenten and Easter Offerings support Locust Lake Ministries, the Lancaster Seminary Scholarship Fund, and the Council of Churches Utility Fund.

This year income from St. Mark's Advent/Christmas Offerings was designated for the Pottsville Soup Kitchen.

Through the end of 2021, St. Mark's has contributed over $2,284.00 to these benevolent ministries.

 73%

WIDER CHURCH OUTREACH

As a member church of the United Church of Christ, St. Mark's supports the work of the national church and its special and emergency offerings to help  those in need.  Also, the local church provides financial support to a variety of nondenominational assistance efforts. 

The ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Offering is received during the Lenten season.  OGHS  supports partners in countries with ministries that fund health, education and agricultural development,    emergency relief   and refugee ministries, both as a domestic and as an international response.

At Pentecost, St. Mark's participates in the STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH  Offering.

On World Communion Sunday in October, the church receives the NEIGHBORS IN NEED Offering.

In December, St. Mark's also participates in THE CHRISTMAS FUND, providing financial support to retired clergy.  A percentage of the church's Advent/Christmas Offerings is designated for THE CHRISTMAS FUND.

In addition, monies are received for GOD IS STILL SPEAKING  as well as other special offerings of the wider church outreach.

Through Church World Service, the church has participated in the Blanket Program and the Emergency Bucket Program.

Through the end of 2021,  St. Mark's has contributed over $4,822.00 to these special offerings and programs.

OUR CORE VALUES

01)

WE BELIEVE IN THE TRIUNE GOD.

Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.

02)

WE BELIEVE THAT EACH PERSON IS UNIQUE AND VALUABLE.

It is the will of God that every person belong to a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved.

03)

WE BELIEVE THAT THE UCC IS CALLED TO BE A PROPHETIC CHURCH.

As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and comfort the afflicted.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

OUR IN-CHURCH MINISTRIES

EDUCATION MINISTRY

St. Mark's Education Ministry is a ministry dedicated to developing one's faith by helping others understand the Bible, by showing its relationship to everyday living, by encouraging loving relationships between all peoples, and by teaching the importance of stewardship and instilling Christian values. We would love for you to visit our ministry and see what it is all about. More details about our Education Ministry can be found on the Ministries Page of this website.

MUSIC MINISTRY

Music has been a part of St. Mark's worship since the formation of the church in 1876. Our services provide a wide variety of sacred music from classical to traditional to contemporary music. Throughout the year the choirs (vocal and handbell), guest instrumentalists, as well as our pipe organ and piano, enrich the worship experience.  More details about our Music Ministry can be found on the Ministries Page of this website,

​​​​​​​WORSHIP MINISTRY

The Worship Ministry of St. Mark's is overseen by the Worship Committee consisting of lay people and the  pastor.  The committee assists the pastor and the director of music in planning the regular Sunday services as well as special services during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Encouraging each person to be a part of the worship experience according to their gifts is a priority in St. Mark's family.  More details of the Worship Ministry can be found on the Ministries Page of this website.

CONTACT US

Phone: 570-385-0242
Address: 30 Pottsville Street

Cressona, PA  17929
The church office hours are 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
E-mail: stmarkscressona@gmail.com

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