Are You Thirsty

In Exodus 17:1-7 the Israelites complained to Moses about the lack of water to drink. They grumbled to Moses asking, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” Moses had done as the Lord had told and so cried out to the Lord, for guidance with the discontented mass. So incensed were these people that Moses feared for his life. God instructed Moses to take some of the elders and go ahead of the people to the rock of Horeb. There he was to strike his staff against the rock and water would pour

forth. Moses struck the rock in the sight of the elders and water gushed. This place he named Massah and Meribah because the Israelites had argued and tested the Lord. They did not believe that God was with them and would care for them. In John 4:5-42 Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at a well drawing water. He asks the woman for water. The woman is taken aback because Jews and Samaritans do not mix. Jesus then tells her that if she knew who was asking for this water, she would have received living water. Still perplexed the woman tells him he has nothing to hold the water. Then on second thought the woman revisits his statement of “living water.” She asks, “Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus responds, “ Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water I will give you will never be thirsty. The water that I give you will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life” Jesus gives living water. As we journey through life we always experience hunger and thirst. We long for fullfillment. Through the fellowship of God and others we quench our thirst. Go to God’s well of fullfillment. God will fill our emptiness.

SCRIPTURES

Exodus 17:1-7

Romans 5:1-11

John 4:5-42

Psalm 95

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are saddened to anounce that Mr. DeLeon Fancher died yesterday. Funeral plans are pending, and I will get this information to you as soon as I am able.

"Remember thy servant, DeLeon, O Lord, according to the favor which thou bearest unto thy people; and grant that increasing in knowledge and love of thee, he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

"Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of all comfort: Deal graciously, we pray thee, with all those who mourn, that casting every care on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord." Amen

+Welcome to St. Mark's St. Stephen’s and All Saint’s 5th and 6th grade classes for worship. We are glad you are worshipping with us today and we look forward to getting to know you better..

Lunch for our children and youth to follow 10:00 am service hosted by All Saint’s.

+ Thank you St. Stephen's for working in our garden this past Saturday. St. Stephen's brought a volunteer work crew to help us establish a new bed in our garden and a compost bin. Calling all St. Mark's gardeners to put on your gardening gloves and start planting soon.

+ Children's Sunday School was taught by Titus Battle.

+ Several of us met at St. Stephen's this past Wednesday to join them for their Lenten Wednesday night dinner and program. We worshipped with them and Deacon Carolyn Foster gave an excellent and inspiring presentation on the history of St. Mark's.

+In the spirit of the season of Lent please put Thursday, April 7th, 6:30 p.m., on your calendar. Plan to attend a Lenten revival enrichment program which is a part of the Red Door Arts series held at St. Andrews. ,

In concert will be Kevin Thomas who is a tenor and singer in the St. Andrew's Choir. Baritone Terrance Brown currently serves on the faculty at the University of North Alabama in Florence. And Terrance's wife, soprano Tiffany Bostic-Brown, is an adjunct faculty member at UNA. This classically trained trio weaves together a collection of African-American Spirituals familiar to southern audiences. They are accompanied on the piano by St. Andrew's organist and choirmaster, Jason Turner.

Come out and support our fellow parishioner singers in concert from North Alabama. There is no charge but donations are accepted. I am sure they would be pleased to see St. Mark's. The program will only last an hour. You will surely receive a blessing.

Heager Hill, Sr. Warden

+St. Mark’s 9 am Lenten program focused on the first goal plan of the vestry. "Ministry to youth and young families" Rev. Sara-Scott led the discussion with those present participating. Handouts were distributed with focus on, How to Plan a Youth Program, Youth Ministry, Program Topics, Charter For Lifelong Christian Formation. Details on these topics can be viewed below. Click each photo to enlarge.

VISITORS

You honor us by your presence in worship today. Let us know if there is anything you need to feel more at home. Also, please fill out a visitor’s card and place it in the alms basin or hand it to the priest. The announcements contain information on upcoming events and activities. We would love to have you join us for any or all of them.

LAY READERS

March 27 Mary Williams

April 3 Titus Battle

April 10 Ellarine Stroud

April 17 Mark Smith

April 24 Marietta Cameron

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The First Sunday In Lent

What Is Lent?

"Lent in the Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

According to the Canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry, where he endured temptation by Satan. Thus, Lent is described as being forty days long. " wikipedia

Matthew 4:1-11
After Jesus was baptized, he was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written,

'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"

Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"

Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

SCRIPTURES

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-11

Psalm 32

WELCOME VISITORS

You honor us by your presence in worship today. Let us know if there is anything you need to feel more at home. Also, please fill out a visitor’s card and place it in the alms basin or hand it to the priest. The announcements contain information on upcoming events and activities. We would love to have you join us for any or all of them.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

+ Chapel services were held for Dr. John H. Finley , brother of Richard Finley March 13, 2011 in Decatur , GA. Graveside services were held Monday, March 14, 2011 at Highland Memorial Cemetery Bessemer, AL. Richard wishes to convey to all of you how much he appreciates your thoughts and prayers.

+Funeral services for Elder Erika M. Wright, who died on March 2, 2011, were held Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at First United Presbyterian Church in Forestdale. Elder Wright was the neice of Dr. Mable Anderson.

+Vestry to meet Sunday, March 20, 2011

+ Mark your calendars for Events with St. Stephen’s
*Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 5:45-7:30 p.m. Lenten Supper at St. Stephen’s.Program: The story of St. Mark’s presented by St. Mark’sAt that time we will invite St. Stephen’s to join us here to take the course, “Just Neighbors.” This is a curriculum designed to educate about poverty and then empower the participants to serve.

*Saturday, March 26, 2011 St. Stephen’s brings an outreach team to St. Mark’s to work on preparing our garden. All St. Mark’s gardeners are invited.

*Sunday, March 27, 2011 St. Stephen’s 5th and 6th grade class visits St. Mark’s for worship. All Saint’s 5th and 6th grade class will also be visiting. Picnic lunch for our children and youth to follow hosted by All Saint’s.

St. Mark’s Lenten Program
9:00a.m.March 27, April 3, April 10.

During these sessions there will be more details regarding three of the vestry’s goals.
1. Ministry to youth and young families
2. Outreach ministry
3. Fund raising

+Children’s Sunday School in March will take place :
March 27th at 10:00 a.m.
Titus Battle will be teaching.

+ Aaron Joseph was acolyte for today's service.

MARCH LAY READERS

March 20 Paul Goldman

March 27 Mary Williams

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This Is My Son, The Beloved

Matthew 17:1-9
Six days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.


As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
SCRIPTURES
Exodus 24:12-18
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
Psalm 99

WELCOME VISITORS
You honor us by your presence in worship today. Let us know if there is anything you need to feel more at home. Also, please fill out a visitor’s card and place it in the alms basin or hand it to the priest. The announcements contain information on upcoming events and activities. We would love to have you join us for any or all of them.

Katie Lott, thanks for being our musician today. Katie is a student at Birmingham Southern College.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank you to Cassandra Joseph and Jalete Nelms for coordinating today’s luncheon and its Mardi Gras theme.

“Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" (in ethnic English tradition, Shrove Tuesday), referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which started on Ash Wednesday. Related popular practices were associated with celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent. Popular practices included wearing masks and costumes, overturning social conventions, dancing, sports competitions, parades, etc. Similar expressions to Mardi Gras appear in other European languages sharing the Christian tradition. In English, the day is called Shrove Tuesday, associated with the religious requirement for confession before Lent begins.” Wikipedia

“Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, is the oldest continual annual Carnival celebration in America, having begun in 1703,[1][2][3] over 15 years before New Orleans was founded (1718).[3]” wikipedia

Ash Wednesday service will take place this Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at noon and at 6:00p.m.

Mark your calendars for Events with St. Stephen’s

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 5:45-7:30 p.m. Lenten Supper at St. Stephen’s.
Program: The story of St. Mark’s presented by St. Mark’s
At that time we will invite St. Stephen’s to join us here to take the course, “Just Neighbors.” This is a curriculum designed to educate about poverty and then empower the participants to serve.

Saturday, March 26, 2011 St. Stephen’s brings an outreach team to St. Mark’s to work on preparing our garden. All St. Mark’s gardeners are invited.

Sunday, March 27, 2011 St. Stephen’s 5th and 6th grade class visits St. Mark’s for worship. All Saint’s 5th and 6th grade class will also be visiting. Picnic lunch for our children and youth to follow hosted by All Saint’s.

St. Mark’s Lenten Program

9:00a.m.
March 27, April 3, April 10.
During these sessions there will be more details regarding three of the vestry’s goals.

1. Ministry to youth and young families

2. Outreach ministry

3. Fund raising

Children’s Sunday School in March will take place :

March 13th and March 27th at 10:00 a.m.

Titus Battle will be teaching.

LAY READERS FOR MARCH 2011
March 13 Mamie Hymes
March 20 Paul Goldman
March 27 Mary Williams

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED

St. Mark’s was the host church for Church Women United (CWU). Parishioner and CWU member, Mary Williams was a gracious hostess to fellow CWU members. A delicious breakfast donated and prepared by Cassandra Joseph with the help of Mary Williams was served to the ladies before the beginning of the World Day of Prayer session.

The service began with the procession song Halle,Halle, Halleluja. Music was provided by Sundra Smith.
World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumentical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year on the first Friday in March.. Each year a different country serves as the writer of the World Day of Prayer worship service.

For 2011, the WDP Committee of Chile developed the theme How many loaves have you? The meaning of this theme is really asking, What are your gifts? What can you share? At this time paper and pencils were distributed. Attendees conversed briefly with each other about their own personal gifts and what they could share. These written comments were collected and later shared with everyone in the next section of the program.

The 2012 WDP will focus on women in the country of Malaysia.

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Why Worry

Matthew 6:24-34
Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-- you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."
SCRIPTURES

Isaiah 49:8-16a

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Matthew 6:24-34

Psalm 131

WELCOME VISITORS

You honor us by your presence in worship today. Let us know if there is anything you need to feel more at home. Also, please fill out a visitor’s card and place it in the alms basin or hand it to the priest. The announcements contain information on upcoming events and activities. We would love to have you join us for any or all of them.
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thanks Christopher Griffin for being our musician today.

Thanks to Sam and Jalete Nelms. For teaching Children’s Sunday School today.

Katherine Files , granddaughter of Heager and Nettie Hill was featured on Daytime Alabama. Katherine is a high school senior at ASFA. As part of her senior course requirements she is to compose and choreograph an original dance composition to be performed in a recital by other students.
Church Women United will meet at St. Mark’s March 4, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. There will be a World Day of Prayer service. Mary Williams extends this invitation to male and female. There is no fee to attend. Sundra Smith will furnish music for the gathering.
Next Sunday, March 6 is our first Sunday luncheon. Cassandra Joseph and Jalete Nelms have chosen a Mardi Gras theme. A sign up sheet has been circulated and you should have received an e-mail. There are suggestions in parentheses but feel free to bring whatever you would like.. When you place your online choice make sure to click “Reply All” so that others will know what you plan to bring and there won’t be an overabundance of one thing.
Ash Wednesday service will take place March 9, 2011 at noon.

We are invited to St. Stephen’s, to tell the story of St. Mark’s. Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 5:45-7:30 p.m. is the date and time. All of us have been invited for one of their Lenten suppers and program. Rides will be arranged for those who will need them. This is an exciting opportunity to share our story and ministry with St. Stephen’s. At that time we will invite St. Stephen’s to join us here to take the course, “Just Neighbors.” This is a curriculum designed to educate about poverty and then empower the participants to serve.

St. Mark’s Lenten program proposed for 9:00a.m. March 27, April 3, April 10. During these sessions there will be more details regarding three of the vestry’s goals.
1. Ministry to youth and young families
2. Outreach ministry
3. Fund raising

LAY READERS FOR MARCH 2011

March 6 Sylvia McClain

March 13 Mamie Hymes

March 20 Paul Goldman

March 27 Mary Williams

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