"No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey,
you are always welcome here."
"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 in September
9:00 AM
Nursery through Elementary School-Age Children
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
DECEMBER 3, 2023
First Sunday of Advent
Worship 10:30 AM
"Sign of Things to Come"
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Advent Candle Lighting Service
"Preparing Our Hearts"
by Ruth Elaine Schram
The Candle of Hope
GOSPEL READING
Luke 21:25-36
PLEASE NOTE:
THIS WEEK'S SERVICE (12/3/2023 WILL NOT BE LIVE STREAMED OR RECORDED.)
LIVE STREAMING AND RECORDED SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.
GOD BLESS!
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
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
NOVEMBER 2023
Hello St. Mark's Community and Friends,
"Come, Ye Thankful People Come" rang out during worship as we celebrated Harvest Home. Now we journey into November, and the decorations remind us that the Thanksgiving holiday is coming.
It seems diffiocult to give thanks. Our country is struggling with social, racial, and political divisions. Our press and media and social media seem to believe that the more sensational and hate-filled the content becomes, the better it is.
We crave change. I know that seems strange, as most of the time we crave stability. But, deep down, I pray that we recognize that this world can be better. As individuals, it feels overwhelming. But when we unite under the gospel of good news of our Saviour Jesus Christ, we can show our communities and the world that there is a better way. A most excellent way.
"I am the way" Jesus says to us. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." The "truth" is not coming to you from the news, or the internet, or at the breakfast table with your friends.
Jesus challenges us to respond to hate not with hate but with love. Jesus challenges us to love our neighbor as much as ourselves. Jesus challenges us to see all of God's children as beloved and worthy of God's love and of ours.
Our country right now is feeding on anger, and violence, and misinformation that is disguised as the truth. Be awake. Be careful about what you read, and what you believe. Respond in love. Make this world kinder. And remember that "Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
Blessings,
Pastor Kevin
I am always available by phone or text at 610-334-5130. My email is kevin24@ptd.net. My two amazing office administrators Jean Maffeo and Brenda Ellex usually know where I am before I do. If you would like a visit or would like to share some time together, just tell me and I will be there for you.
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.
OUR IN-CHURCH MINISTRIES
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 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,
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.