MARCH 2025
As we move into the Lenten season, I want to remind us about the love which we have been studying in these past weeks. It is a love that features justice, dignity and our longing for a better, kinder world. Pater Jackson hans Gandalf, the wise wizard in the Hobbit film, says, "Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay, small acts of kindness and love." The Bible says, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us."
Throughout Lent, we will be holding Wednesday evening services at 6:30 PM, alternating between St. John's, Scuylkill Haven and St. Mark's. Each week we will be viewing a short video by Max Lucado, from the book and series " He Chose the Nails," which also involves a Lenten practice. Jennie and I are convinced that this practice will help us find light in the darkness and prepare our hearts for Easter. We recommend that you set aside some time each day to listen to God through Scripture and prayerful reflection, doing these things:
+ Each day, begin with a brief time of silence -- one or two minutes.
+ In God's loving presence, reflect for a few moments on these questions:
Where in my life am I falling short, feeling defeated or growing cold to God?
What new thing do I hope God might do in me?
+ Ask God to speak to you through the Scriptures.
+ Read the Scripture text for today, paying attention to any words, phrases, or verses that stand out. What you are looking for is sometimes called a "watchword" -- anything that sparks a connection between the text and your life. It might be a promise, a word of wisdom, an admonition, a comfort, or an encouragement.
+ Read your watchword again. Then prayerfully reflect on these questions:
What do I sense that God is saying to me?
If I were to take these words seriously, how would I respond?
+ Spend time in silence to listen to God, asking God to make this message clear to you.
+ Use a journal to write down your "watchword," your responses, or any other things you might want to remember.
+ Close your time by asking God to help you hear new words, to think new thoughts, and to live them out.
+ At the end of the week, review your daily reflection and observations. Write your observations in a journal.
Each week we will publish a list of Scripture readings for the week, which will be available at the worship services. Christ demonstrated his love for us on the cross, but his love does not stop there. Every day, he invites us to receive his love anew and to be changed by it. This is the season to discover how we are being changed by Christ's love.
Welcome to the adventure!
Shalom,
Pastor Karl
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 has been made 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.
