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This section of the webpage is intended to allow me to write a little about what we are teaching at St. Mark's Church, Frankford. I intend to keep it updated with what is happening in our community. There may be comments and/or opinion; but there may also be simple news or deeper reflection on Scripture or something I have been thinking about.
The next three links on our webpage are to Service, Discicpleship, and Praise. We believe at St. Mark's that these three ministries make up the cornerstones of a healthy relationship with God. Praise without service, service without praise, and discipleship without service or praise are hollow. I believe what God has done is given us a vision of healthy balanced life with Christ. The relationship with God cannot be defined by how much Bible you know or how great you sing, but how you live out your faith in balance, one to another, Praise, Service, and Discipleship. That is healthy. Look at the links above to check in on how we are living in balance.
Worship, Discipleship, and Service…
Those that set up the Lectionary validate my synthesis of the Gospel that the Church is called to a balanced life, where service, discipleship, and praise meld together to make life better for all on this earth.
Service is driven home by the ethical statements of John the Baptizer. "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise."
The case for Discipleship is made clearly by John’s statement from the banks of the Jordan, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” This passage truly makes me want to be sure that I know God’s Word.
Finally, we are taught by St. Paul, to worship when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
At St. Mark's Church we work very hard to share the love of Christ with all of God's children. We focus ministry on people who do not belong to other Christian communities. Occasionally, for the obvious reason that we are fun and high functioning, Christians from other denominations want to come and participate. Please know that everyone is equally welcome.
We believe that it is God, and God alone who consecrates Holy Communion. Therefore all who come are not only welcome at the Table, but encouraged to come and participate fully in worship. This is important because their are some denominations that restrict visitors from participating. At St. Mark's we think that is absurd.
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Quote of the week:
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