Sunday, January 29, 2023

Do you ever have trouble sleeping? For years, I have had a tendency to awaken during the night, only then to have great difficulty getting back to sleep. I find I am not alone. For some, there are episodic occurrences of nighttime wakefulness: a new infant in the home, an illness of a loved one that requires around the clock care, a situation that evokes deep stress. Others have occupational wakefulness. They have jobs that have them awake when others are sleeping. And of course, there are those of us who for reasons we cannot easily explain develop our own forms of an unwelcome insomnia.  In the early church, there was a belief that the early hours of the morning, especially from we consider to be 3:00-4:00, was a time alive with spiritual activity. Evil could be active in that period, but deep prayer allowed for a healing and blessed experience of the divine. This connects with prayer language in the psalms which read, “My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.”

The Gospel passage for the morning is what we call the Beatitudes, which offer virtues (poor in spirit, meek, mournful) that, contrary to conventional wisdom, are marks of the divine presence. Some have suggested, however, that these beatitudes also teach us that we have the divinely given capacity to lift up every day, overlooked graces, and to name them as them blessed. So for Sunday, we’ll note one of those, the struggle to stay asleep, and title the sermon, “Blessed are the Insomniacs”. The biblical texts are Psalm 134, which will be read by Eleanor Lahr, and Matthew 5: 1-11, to be read by Eric Metzler. The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us musically. We’ll sing hymns, pray, and have a moment for children.

If you have been a part of the St. Mark’s community for years, or if you are just discovering us, we look forward to connecting with you on Sunday. To join the 10:30 service online, visit www.smumc.church, and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Can you remember a time when you surprised yourself, by saying “Yes” to something you had not considered before? Perhaps, it was changing careers, raising children, moving to another state or country, learning a new skill, or embracing a leadership role as a volunteer. Was there someone who helped open you to a new possibility?

In his book, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Invocations and Blessings, John O’Donohue writes “The Greeks believed that time had secret structure. There was the moment of Epiphany when time suddenly opened and something was revealed in luminous clarity… Part of the art of living wisely is to learn to recognize and attend to such profound openings in one’s life.”

In the scripture reading this Sunday (based on Matthew 4: 12-23), Jesus comes upon four fishers by the Sea of Galilee and says to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Something opened inside of them, and they said “Yes”, likely even surprising themselves. What might be opening in our individual lives, or for us as a community of faith? And, how might we attend to that? We will consider that this Sunday. In our time of worship, we will also sing hymns, pray and reflect, and share a Children’s Moment. Kim Van Lue will read our scripture passage. We will also have the blessing of receiving New Members and celebrating a baptism. The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us in music. The sermon is titled “Attending to Profound and Sacred Openings in our Lives”.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream!

Sunday, January 15, 2023

How would you say that faith, wisdom and love, and any virtue for that matter, have taught us to live with the complications of a dream deferred? How do we live in the present with a future of unrealized hopes? As we enter a weekend in which we remember the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, it makes sense that we turn to his memorable, “I Have a Dream” speech. This well-known address was delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In it, he spoke of his dreams for racial justice for current and future generations. While “dreams” often invite our minds to think of a longing for a different future, in this speech, Dr. King also spoke of the “fierce urgency of now.” As he said it, “Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.”

It was a more somber Dr. King who, five years later, in a sermon owned that he, and many others, live with the reality of “unfulfilled dreams”. Citing the biblical David’s failure to build a temple, Schubert’s leaving a symphony unfinished, Gandhi’s dying before people he loved gained independence, Dr. King reflected on his dreams that had yet to come to fruition. How do we deal with our dreams of justice, grace and love that are only partially fulfilled?

Early in Jesus’ ministry as it is described in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus came to his hometown of Nazareth. As was his custom, he went to service at the synagogue. During the service, he stood and read from the scroll that passage from Isaiah which describes a Year of Jubilee, when land reverted to original owners and those imprisoned were allowed to return home. Jesus concluded with, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” At first, the listening crowd was moved by his authenticity and wisdom. However, the more what he was saying began to sink in, so did the favor with which he was viewed. There is always a crisis point when someone, in this case, Jesus, takes a lofty future dream, and declares that the dream is not just for the future. It is for today.

The sermon on Sunday at St. Mark’s is titled, “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” arising from Psalm 118, 1-5; 22-29, which will be read by Ceci Puntarelli, and Luke 4: 14-21, which will be read by Charlie Nelms. We’ll have a moment for children, prayers, hymns, and choral music presented by the Chancel Choir. Together, we’ll reflect on the life and work of Dr. King.

If you have been a part of the St. Mark’s community for years, or if you are just discovering us, we look forward to connecting with you on Sunday. To join the 10:30 service online, visit www.smumc.church, and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Are there baptisms you remember especially well…your own, or perhaps, another’s? I recall a time in my pastoral ministry, as a Baptist, when I was to officiate at the baptism by immersion of a young man. We were borrowing the baptistry of another congregation, since we did not have our own. It may be news to you that those baptismal tanks are often heated…for understandable reasons. But for some reason, on this cold January day, the heating mechanism did not work, and the water was quite cold. I called to give the fellow the bad news, and to see if we could reschedule the baptism. He said, “Why? I can take the cold. I want to be baptized today.” I chose not to explain that my south Mississippi, heat loving roots kept me from seeing this as an option. I just said, “OK”. So we went ahead with the event, and with his teeth and my teeth chattering, we baptized him in the name of the Triune God. And he entered into the memorable, invigorating waters of the community of the baptized. Baptism, when fully embraced, has a way of moving us to our bones.

Do you remember your own baptism? If not, it could be that you were baptized when you were very young…a common practice among Methodists and many other Christians. Perhaps you have not even been baptized. But this Sunday during worship, we will recall the story of the Baptism of Jesus during the ministry of John the Baptist. When John initially paused when he saw Jesus in line, Jesus reassured him that his doing so would be a right thing to do to fulfill all righteousness. We remember this story every year as a way of helping ourselves remember who we are, and who we are called to be.

The sermon is titled, “Remembrance of Baptism: On Not Losing Sight of Why We Are Here,”, arising from Isaiah 42: 1-9, and Matthew 3: 13-17. Claire Schaffer will read the Isaiah passage, and Tom Shafer will read the passage from the Gospel of Matthew. There will be a moment for children, prayers and hymns. The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us musically. We’ll also have a ritual of remembering our own Baptism, or if not baptized, of being offered a blessing.

If you have been a part of the St. Mark’s community for years, or if you are just discovering us, we look forward to connecting with you on Sunday. To join the 10:30 service online, visit www.smumc.church, and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, December 18, 2022

“The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes. But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.” It is one of the most famous and sweetest verses in that lullaby Christmas carol, “Away in A Manger.” An uncertain tradition has it that the German Protestant reformer, Martin Luther, composed this song for his children. What is easier to say is that the sentiment is likely not accurate. The healthiest of babies cry when they are hungry, when they are needing a diaper change, when they are sleepy, and sometimes, it seems, just because it feels good. I’ve often thought what might have happened if Baby Jesus’ family had just gotten him to sleep, finally, when some cow let go with a good and loud, “Mooooo!” I doubt they would have spoken poetic language about the lowing of the livestock.

Such “no crying infant” language rests on an assumption that Jesus lacked the traits of being fully human. But the beginning of John’s Gospel, which has no infancy narrative, says, “In the beginning was the Word….and the Word became flesh.” Theologians have called this “incarnation”, meaning that in Jesus, the Divine expression came with the fullest of human qualities. Jesus grew weary, became angry, got hungry, wanted both companionship and alone time. And in this season, in which we are leaning into Advent practices, one of those practices is the act of embracing humanity, Jesus’ and our own.

Let’s chat about this in worship this Sunday. The sermon is titled, “The Spiritual Practice of Embracing our Humanity: Incarnation”, and arises from John 1: 1-5, 14. The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us musically. There will be a moment for children, prayers and we will sing Christmas carols together.

Sunday, December 11, 2022

It’s no secret this season is full of music. The malls and stores have been playing Christmas music for weeks now. Schools, community organizations and faith communities are having special performances of seasonal music, new and old. And while we don’t see it as often, this is one of the only times of the year that it is customary to have groups of roving singers caroling in hospitals, retirement communities, and even in our neighborhoods. The Advent/Christmas season is, for some, as the song says, the “most wonderful time of the year.” Could it be that the significant emotional power in these days resides largely in the collection of wonderful music that we sing together?

Some of those songs, like Mary’s song in Luke 1: 46-55, speak prophetically of the way the world will change to embrace the way of the Christ. Mary Beth will offer a reflection on this song, and its role in the story of the church. Others are basically lullabies, telling the story of Luke 2: 1-20 in lyrical form. They are sung as if to help an infant or a struggling world find a peaceful silence. Jimmy will reflect on these carols.

On Sunday at St. Mark’s, as we continue our Advent Theme of the “Spiritual Practices of Advent”, we concentrate on the practice of singing together. The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Ackerbergs, will sing “Sweet Was the Song” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem” from Bob Chilcott’s, “On Christmas Night”. Jenna Kuchar and Joseph Canter will present solos in those pieces. The Chancel Ringers will present “Carol of the Bells”. As noted, Mary Beth and Jimmy will each do a reflection on the power of the sacred found in the carols. And we will all sing some of those beloved carols together. There will be a moment for children, and prayers for the congregation and our world.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.

December, 4, 2022

On a Black Friday eve, a number of years back, my oldest son and a group of his friends camped out in a Best Buy parking lot. The goal was to get an incredible deal on a big screen TV, when the doors opened at 5am. The many folks gathered there needed to maintain their place, or be sent to the back of the line. One person who did not stay in line was a guy, with his Bible, who walked up and down the line loudly “preaching” to this captive audience about sin and damnation.

The scripture passage for this Sunday (based on Matthew 3:1-12) takes us into the wilderness with John the Baptist. He could also be a fiery preacher, speaking of wrath and referring to some as a brood of vipers. Yet, as John baptized many, he focused on repentance and growing in right relationship with God and one another. As we are focusing on spiritual practices this Advent season, this week we reflect on “the Spiritual Practice of Hospitality.”

In our time of worship, we will also sing hymns, pray and reflect, and share a Children’s Moment. Lisa and Torry Hamilton will light the Advent Candle. Brenda Bailey Hughes will read our scripture passage, and will share an update from St. Mark’s Refugee Task Force. The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us in music and will share an anthem. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together. The sermon is titled “The Practice of Hospitality: the Grace of Reflection, Repentance & Reconciliation”.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.

To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning, click the link on our website www.smumc.church. The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.

Sunday, November 20, 2022

You may have noticed that there has been just a tad of election talk in these last days, weeks, and months. In the midst of watching election results one evening, a memory came back to me of the one time I won an election. It was in the late 1970’s, and I ran for a student council office. In the days of rotary phones, campaigning was homemade posters on lockers, slogans and a speech before the student body of the Catholic School I attended. I also remember one of the teachers sitting us down, and talking with us about what our faith teaches us about being good leaders.

This Sunday is called Reign of Christ Sunday, and the scripture readings invite us to reflect on how each of us is called to embrace servant leadership. Jesus lived this, and modeled this as the Good Shepherd. That image of shepherd is prominently featured in the Hebrew scriptures, including the reading for this week (based on Jeremiah 23:1-6). In our time of worship, we will also sing hymns, pray and reflect, and share a Children’s Moment. The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us in music and will share an anthem. Annette Lemond will share our scripture reading. The sermon is titled “Shepherd Leadership”.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream. Visit www.smumc.church at 10:30 on Sunday morning, and click on the Livestream banner.

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Clarence Darrow, who in 1925 famously defended in court a Tennessee teacher who had taught Darwin’s evolutionary theory, once testified before congress. He sardonically said, “I’ve never killed anyone, but I have read some obituary notices with great satisfaction.”

As aggressive as Darrow’s statement sounds, it is actually possible to read obituary notices with deep satisfaction. Some are so well written, and some lives so well lived, that these eulogies virtually “sing”. They call to us with the invitation to remember the passion, the creativity, the humility, and the love of those that we are remembering. To deeply recall a life which embraced those virtues, and more, changes who we are, and what we believe about our world.

Sunday at St. Mark’s, we will commemorate All Saint’s Day, a time to remember both those members of the St. Mark’s community we have lost this past year, and those we lovingly remember, whenever we lost them. In the deeper understanding of faith and community, all are saints, which means “holy ones”. All bring their gifts to the world, and all share in the larger story of the life of faith.

The sermon this Sunday is titled “A Call to Remember How to Praise,” arising from Matthew 5: 1-12. The sermon title recalls the line in the hymn, “Rejoice in God’s Saints”, which reads, “A world without saints forgets how to praise.” During the service, we will recite the names of those in the St. Mark’s community whom we have this past year, and light a candle in their memory. We’ll also invite all present to come forward and light a candle in honor of anyone they are remembering. Also during the service the choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will present selections from Gabriel Faure’s Requiem. Jenna Kuchar and Patrick Conklin will present solos. There will be a moment for children, prayers, and hymns.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.

Sunday, October 30, 2022

When I served as a consultant at the Indiana Department of Education, I had opportunities to facilitate retreats with teachers and administrators. One of the connecting activities we sometimes did, early on, is called “Build a Better Bathtub”. In smaller teams, each group would have the task of designing a better bathtub. As none of the educators were bathtub manufactures, they easily embraced many different, creative and even radical ideas. It was an opportunity to envision something new and flex our visioning muscles. This helped pave the way for more important, and sometimes challenging, conversations ahead.

The scripture readings for this Sunday invite us challenge ourselves and envision, in new ways, what it might mean for us to “Put Faith Into Action.” Visioning moves us out of our comfort zones, and may open to us new possibilities of ways we may be called to live as Jesus’ disciples in the world today.

We will be guided by two scripture readings. The first is from the Hebrew scriptures (based on Habakkuk 2:1-3), which will be read by Charlie Nelms. The Gospel passage tells the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus (based on Luke 19:1-10) and will be read by Mark Cox. The sermon title is “Putting Faith Into Action: Expanding our Vision”.

On Sunday, we will also share a Children’s Moment, pray and reflect, and sing hymns accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs. The Chancel Choir will lead us in music. Reverend Peggy Good Hoyle will offer our Pastoral Prayer. Charlie Nelms will share a Stewardship Moment.

To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning,

click the link on our website www.smumc.church.

The service starts at 10:30am. Livestream starts at 10:25am.

Sunday, October 16, 2022

“Then God said, ‘Let’s make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have ‘dominion.’" This has long been the way Genesis 1:26 has been translated. But many have noted that through the generations, dominion over creation has come to be viewed as a “despotism.” Frankly, in this time of climate crisis, given viruses, earthquakes and weather catastrophes, no one can argue that we really are “in charge” of the created order.

More recently, biblical scholars suggest that the word for “dominion” is better understood as “stewardship". Peter Block would say, “Stewardship questions the belief that accountability and control go hand in hand.” We are not in control, but we are accountable. In this season of stewardship at church, we see that to care for creation is the first call for humans to be stewards. We are to know that the responsibility for the care of creation, and the ability to be nurtured by creation, are primary realities for us.

In the Letter of James, we read that if we offer blessings for those in need, but do nothing to actively care for them, our faith is dead. And while that may mean doing something as simple as giving a cup of water to a thirsty soul, it may mean much more. We are presently seeing that the climate crisis places an even greater burden on those with little economic resource.

Katharine Hayhoe, who is both an evangelical Christian and an environmental scientist, says that most people agree that the climate is in crisis, and that humans have contributed to that, and that it will negatively effect “others”. But, she continues, the majority are not convinced that it will affect them. They have, as she says, created a psychological distance from what they see. But stewardship cannot happen at a distance.  We’ll talk about this in service on Sunday, as the sermon is titled “Stewarding the Gifts of the God of Dirt.” The sermon arises from Genesis 1: 26-31, to be read by Claire Carney, and James 2: 8-17, to be read by Cathy McFarland. The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us in music, and we will sing hymns, pray and have a moment for children.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream. To join online, visit www.smumc.church at 10:30 AM, and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, October 9, 2022

My grandfather came to the US, as an immigrant, from Czechoslovakia. In his young life, that region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He grew up as part of a marginalized ethnic community, in an economically poor rural area, and knew hunger. Tending and turning the soil, to grow food, was part of survival. After coming to Chicago, this still stayed with him. He saved money for years, until he could buy a small plot of land. There, he again turned the soil so the roots could grow strong, and be nourished. Then, he sowed and cared for the seed so it could take root.

This Sunday, we return to the Parable of the Sower (based on Mark 4:1-20). New Testament scholar, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine reminds us that parables do not only have one meaning. Rather “they evoke numerous meanings; our job is to sort them out.” What might this parable evoke in us today, as we reflect on stewardship and, specifically, Putting Faith Into Action? The sermon title is “Putting Faith into Action: Turning the Soil”.

On Sunday, we will also share a Children’s Moment, pray and reflect, and sing hymns accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs. The Chancel Choir will share an anthem. Andy Cron and Kevin Theile will offer a Stewardship Moment: Putting Faith Into Action. Laura Baich will read our scripture passage.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.

To join online, visit www.smumc.church at 10:30 AM, and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Have you ever seen a meal transform a community, help to create hope, and lead to a deep sense of wellbeing for all who partook? Perhaps you have heard of the Enemy Kitchen mobile food project and restaurant, the brainchild of Chicago-based artist, Michael Rakowitz. Rakowitz is an Iraqi-American artist who says he works at the “intersection of problem solving and trouble making.” On his food truck, he flies an Iraqi flag and serves Iraqi food. The chefs are Iraqi as well. The four servers on the truck, on the other hand, are all U.S. veterans of the Iraq war. Through this Enemy Kitchen project, Rakowitz has been using Iraqi food and culture to break down cultural barriers for many years. Never underestimate the power of sharing table with another.

In the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, sacred meals are unique ways that God is experienced. But they are also simple meals in which people gather to nourish their bodies and find community together. In the Passover meal the disciples shared with Jesus the night before he was crucified, all the best and worst of human relationships were made plain. And at the center of our faith, is a meal in which we believe that Jesus is present.

Once, during a conversation with the disciples, several of them tried to ask Jesus who would be sitting in the seats of power in his reign. It is as though they wanted to be those who would be served first during the great banquets. But Jesus lets them know that in the reign of God, greatness is determined by a willingness to be servant to all. Notions of hierarchy would be shredded, and the table would be wide, and welcoming to all.

We’ll talk about this in Worship on Sunday, as the sermon is titled, “The Table Will Be Wide.” The sermon arises from Psalm 133 and Mark 10: 35-45, which will be read by Eleanor Lahr. There will be prayers and a moment for children. The Chancel Choir will lead us in hymns, and Stephanie and Patrick Conklin will sing a duet, accompanied by llze Akerbergs. And we will celebrate Holy Communion, as we will observe World Communion Sunday.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream. To join online, visit www.smumc.church at 10:30 AM, and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, September 25, 2022

What have you learned from your engagement with fear? Many know the line, “…the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” It was spoken by President Franklin Roosevelt in his 1933 inauguration, as the nation was struggling to emerge from the Great Depression. The longer quote is “…let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” One could dicker a bit with President Roosevelt, noting that some fears are more “justified” than other fears. Still, it is evident that fear left unaddressed will hurt rather than heal, and stifle rather than nurture the energy and flow of spiritual growth.

The call to address fear in a faithful way is a deep and persistent theme in Holy Scripture. I can still remember the story that my mother told me about my father, and their train trips from South Mississippi to Chicago for his cancer surgeries and treatments. She said that on every trip, he would ask her to read Psalm 34, especially verse 4, which reads, “I sought the Lord, who answered me, and delivered me from all of my fears.” As a child, when I heard that story, I was glad my father found comfort in those words. But I was also shaken to learn that my father, the man who seemed as solid as a rock to me, needed to be assured in the face of something frightening.

What does fear have to teach us in this world that knows both real and imagined terror? In Psalm 91, we read that the people of God are sheltered in the shadow of the Almighty, and are not to fear the terrifying things of the night or of the day. And, in his farewell to his disciples, Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

What, then, are we to do when we are afraid? Let’s chat about this on Sunday morning, as the sermon is titled, “Staring Fear in the Face”. The sermon arises from Psalm 91, and John 14: 15-17 and 25-27, which will be read by Donna Richardson. The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us musically. We will also have a moment for children, and a time of prayer.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream. To join online, visit www.smumc.church at 10:30 AM, and click on the Live Stream banner.

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Can you recall a time when you were on a journey (short or long), and received gift of unexpected grace from someone who crossed your path? The scripture reading, for this Sunday, is often referred to as the Emmaus passage (based on Luke 24:13-23, 27-35). Not long after Jesus’ resurrection, two disciples are walking somewhere between Jerusalem and a place named Emmaus. They are uncertain of their next steps, when they are joined by a fellow traveler, but do not recognize it is Jesus. They offer hospitality to Jesus in sharing a meal, and he gives them an incredible gift of unexpected grace.

The photo on the bulletin is from a journey in 1972. Operation Friendship, a youth travel exchange program (which has been part of St. Mark’s for many decades), made it possible for this first group to travel from here to Scotland. This Sunday, 50 years later, youth from our local OF chapter will share a bit about their travels abroad this past summer, likely with new glimpses of unexpected grace.

In worship, we will also welcome New Members, grateful for the gifts and graces they bring. We will also share a Children’s Moment, pray and reflect, and sing hymns, the Chancel Choir will sing Gustav Holst I Vow To Thee My Country in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, whose funeral is this coming Monday. Steve Hoyle will read the scripture passage. The sermon title is Unexpected Grace From Journeys Shared . After worship, we hope you can stay for Lemonade on the Lawn.

If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream. To join online, visit www.smumc.church at 10:30 AM, and click on the Live Stream banner.