A MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT

OF ST. MARK'S

CONSISTORY

 

August/September 

2025

 

John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world."

 

It's summertime.  The time of warm weather, vacations, swimming, time outside, and just a more laid-back atmosphere.  But is it for everyone?  Most of my newsletters have been about the church and what your role is as a member of St. Mark's.  Now I ask you, what is your role as a community member, a neighbor, a person living in this world?

 

Throughout the day we are bombarded with negative news about what is happening in the world.  Whether it be political, weather-related, or war news.  I feel I can be overwhelmed and refuse to look at social media and the news to give myself a break.

 

The Bible verse above tells us that we will have tribulation here on earth.  This is so secret, and we know that God is still with us during these times and I believe fighting even harder for us.  But what should we as Christians be doing during these times?  If you were in church on July 13, Janet Lewis preached a very good sermon on WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR?  If you were not there or did not watch it, I ask that you take time to do so.

 

The basis of her sermon was the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan.  I've heard it many times throughout my life and the meaning of it was always helping others.  This time I walked away with so much more.  Not just to help others but who those others are.  It is not up to us to decide who should be helped and who should not.  We are all GOD'S children and therefore we all deserved to be helped.

 

So, I ask you not to turn off the news or social media or any other platform that is used.  It is important that we know what is going on in the world.  I ask you to turn off the labels that are used.  Jesus did not use labels.  He helped the women at the well, ate with a tax collector, and told stories like the Good Samaritan to teach us to not label people but to help them and be there for them.

 

Being a member of St. Mark's UCC we have several easy paths to help people provided to us.  Whether it be through One Great Hour of Sharing, Disaster Relief, or the special collections we do as a church to help our community. I ask you to choose one and not worry about the label someone might have placed on the person receiving it but just know they are a child of God and therefore deserve help.

 

1 John 3:17  "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"

 

Blessings from your Consistory President

Heather Stone

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

you are always welcome here."

 

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS

INTRODUCTION

As the days grow shorter, we enter a period of waiting and preparation.  This is the season of Advent in which we await the coming birth of Jesus.  Advent is also the first season of the liturgical year and is a joyous and hopeful season in the church year.  The season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day.  The actual season of Advent can last from 22-28 days.  When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is the last Sunday of Advent.

 

The word advent comes from the Latin term "adventus" meaning "arrival" or "coming," particularly the coming of something having great importance.  Advent is both a time of joy-filled celebration of the birth of the Lord and a preparatory period for meditation.

 

Although not specifically mentioned in the Bible, Advent is inspired by scripture.  The prophet Isaiah mentioned numerous times the prophecy of the birth of Jesus.

 

ISAIAH 7:14 (NIV)

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

 

ISAIAH 9:6-7 (NIV)

"For unto us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this."

 

ISAIAH 11:1 (NIV)

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit."

 

 

Isaiah foretold the birth of Jesus centuries before it occurred.

THE ORIGINS OF ADVENT

It is believed that Advent began sometime after the 4th Century as a time of preparation for Epiphany.  Epiphany celebrates the visit of the wise men.

Later in the 6th Century, Advent came to be associated with the coming of Jesus.

By the Middle Ages, four Sundays had become the standard of the Advent season.

ADVENT SYMBOLS AND CUSTOMS

Perhaps one of the most important Advent symbols and customs is the Advent Wreath.  The Advent Wreath is a common symbol of the liturgical season.  Lighting an Advent Wreath is a custom that began in sixteenth-century Germany.  The Advent Wreath is a circle of evergreen branches or garland with four or five candles arranged on the wreath.  During the season of Advent, a candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent service.  The traditional Advent Wreath consists of three dark blue candles and one pink candle set in the wreath.  Often a single, larger white candle is placed in the center of the wreath.

The color of the Advent candles serve as a way to light the way to the birth of Jesus.

THE THEMES OF THE FOUR SUNDAYS OF ADVENT

The first dark blue candle on the Advent Wreath symbolizes HOPE -- the first Sunday of Advent leads us to anticipation of the birth of Jesus.  Sometimes called the "Prophecy Candle" this candle reminds us of Isaiah's foretelling the birth of the Christ Child and that all of the promises God gave us in the Old Testament would be fulfilled the Christ Child's birth.

The second dark blue candle on the Advent Wreath symbolizes PEACE -- the second Sunday of Advent.  It is sometimes referred to as the "Bethlehem Candle" and reminds us of the journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem before she gave birth to the Christ Child.  The candle also reminds us that after division, destruction, abd dispersion of the kingdom in the Old Testament, there might be peace on Earth.

The third candle (pink) of Advent symbolizes JOY -- the third Sunday of Advent.  Sometimes the candle is referred to as the "Shepherd's Candle."  As we approach Christmas, our joys grows and takes us back to the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who travelled to see the Christ Child inthe town of Bethlehem.

The fourth candle (dark blue) symbolizes LOVE -- the fourth Sunday of Advent.  The candle is sometimes referred to as the "Angel's Candle."  The candle represents the ultimate love of God that he might send his only Son for us and leads us to eagerly await the New Kingdom of God on Earth.  It also reminds us  of the message of the angels on the first Christmas -- "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men."

The white candle in the middle of the Advent Wreath is lit on Christmas Eve.  It is called the "Christ Candle."  The candle represents the life of Christ and symbolizes purity.