Daily Encourager – April 16, 2020

The Lord sets the prisoners free; 8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow – Psalm 146:7-9

Back when life was normal, and the church was full of our SMEEP children through the week, one of my favorite blessings was chapel time.  Each week, I would gather with the children in the sanctuary. We would sing songs and I would share a story that helped them understand the gospel. It was one of the highlights of each week. One of the songs that we would sing was one I had sung since I was a child – “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”

It’s such a simple song, but the beauty of the message is the reminds that God’s got us, he’s with us, and just as the psalmist says, he watches overs and upholds even the least fortunate among us.  The great and the small, the little bitty baby, you and me, all of us, God’s got in His capable hands.

The greater truth found in Psalm 146 is that the Lord is a help for all who need it. We have this great call to place our trust in God above any worldly power.  While the world may promise many things, while we have to listen to those leaders in many respects, and while they may be in charge to an extent; even they will answer to God.  Our hope is in the one who was and is and is to come, we place our trust in the God who created the heavens and the earth.  We place our hope in the One who raised Jesus from the dead, and who offers us life abundant and eternal.

The great joy of knowing that God is in control, is that he’s got us in His most capable hands, and that no matter what is going on, we are safe and secure.  We have the Lord, in whom we place our hope, our trust, and our love.  With him even in isolation, we are free. We freely sing with great joy the praises of our God, for he’s got us, the whole world in His hands.   

May the God of joy and love shine brighter than the sun on you today, and I hope you enjoy the beauty that God has created all around you. I miss you all.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 15, 2020

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I  am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
 – John 15:4-5

The late Fred Craddock, preacher and teacher of preaching, tells a story of the early days in his ministry when he was sent to the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee to do the work of a pastor.  In those days it was common, he says, for the Vacation Bible School to last for two weeks. Craddock spoke of one year, in the midst of Vacation Bible School, the material that was sent to them was on Nature and seeing God in creation and in the world. It was all well and good, he said, except he ran out of material by the third day.  The material wasn’t very deep, there wasn’t much there to go on.  Craddock had the group, at the time called Juniors, they were 10-13 year-olds.  So he got this great idea.  Since the theme was on nature, and they were in a rural area, he decided he would send them out.  He told them, I’ll ring the bell once, and you kids go out and find something that reminds you about God.  After you find it, I’ll ring the bell a second time, and you can bring it back and share.

Craddock remarks that after he rang the bell, and they ran off, he initially had no intention to ring the bell the second time. He relented, however, and rang the bell to call them back to the group.  The kids all lined up with something in their hand.  One little boy had a rock in his hand. What does this tell us about God? That God is stout and strong.  Good. 

The next little girl had a flower in her hand. What does this tell us about God? That God is pretty.  Great. 

Another girl had some huckleberries in her hands.  And what do these huckleberries tell us about God? That God feeds the birds of the air, and us.  Excellent. 

Finally, Craddock comes to Jimmy.  He remarks that Jimmy was one of those boys that when he was absent, everyone kind of sighed of relief.  But Jimmy was standing there, and in his hand was the little hand of his young sisters who was in the first grade class. And what does that tell you about God? 

Jimmy thought for a moment, dug his tow in the ground, and said “I don’t know.” His sister snatched her hand away and said, “Jimmy, your silly” and ran off…

Abide, is the word Jesus uses for his disciples, even as he is preparing to leave. Abid is a simple word, it makes for an excellent theme, but what does the word really entail, and further, what does it mean for us as the body of Christ?

What we find, is that to abide with Christ, we have to break free from many of our cultural norms that we have allowed to set in over time.  We have been formed in a society that has led us to believe that everything is about the individual experience.  It’s all about having everything you want, the way you want it.  Yet, even as we begin to get thing when we want the way we want, what we find is that there is an emptiness still inside that needs to be filled. The call of Jesus to abide reminds us that what we are missing is community.  A community that abides what Christ and abides together.

Right now, that seems harder than ever, I have even seen a few remarks that this time is like being a teenager all over again, gas is cheap, but we’re grounded and can’t leave the house. We long for community, for connection, we long to abide.  But even as we are separate, I know we can bear much fruit as we continue to reach out to one another, check on one another, and care for one another. Keep it up, and keep looking for God in the world.

Jimmy came back when the bell rang, and in his hand was the hand of his little sister, and what does this tell us about God?  God wants us to be together, to abide as one body, one people, one communion as we abide in His love, and to go out and find those whom God would have us nurture in this same love.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 14, 2020

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. – Isaiah 30:18

I heard the announcement yesterday, in the evening.  I knew rumors were bouncing around, I knew it was going to be a possibility, but now it is confirmed. Stay at home orders extended until April 30, 2020.  I get it, Lord, we will wait to be safe. We will wait to gather in your house again. We will wait because of our love for neighbor and our desire to keep them well as we would ourselves. 

I know and believe that patience is a virtue, but in that regard I have never been very virtuous.  It’s not a matter of an inability to wait, but once a task gets started I want to see it through.  I have learned to wait on starting a project until I know all contingencies, and have all funds and materials at hand. I have learned to have patience with others when things are out of their or my control.  Yet, even in learning, I still don’t enjoy the waiting.

Isaiah has a word for us, it comes at the end of a section entitled “A Rebellious People.” At the time of his writing, Isaiah was trying to warn, to prepare the people of God for a time when God would leave them to their own devices, that God would allow other nations to come and conquer them, for they had rebelled against God’s word, and against God’s love. Therefore, the Lord will wait to save them.

Yet, in the time of exile, Isaiah give hope to the faithful. For God will delay, but God does not abandon. The Lord waits, but his waiting ends with graciousness. God’s waiting ends with mercy. And, for those who choose to wait on God, a blessing will come.

So, we wait, and we wait a little more, but I will learn, and I hope you will learn with me, that as we wait, we can look forward to the sweet blessings God will bring in grace and mercy to us. 

May such grace be new every morning, and such mercy bring calm each evening as we wait on God’s blessings, Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 13, 2020

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. – Isaiah 49:13

We continue to celebrate the joy of resurrection. I truly hope you each had a very blessed Easter yesterday, and I want to share a little joy with you today.  We are one day closer to the end of this time of separation. It may seem odd to say that, as we do not yet know the exact day, hour, or minute that we will feel as though we can go back to life as usual, however, I know this, each day that passes is one closer to the day when we can gather and celebrate the coming to life again of our nation, our city, and our church.

When Isaiah is writing the words recorded in this chapter, his heart is heavy.  He has seen from the Lord the ways in which the people have been disobedient, they plans of destruction that will come to Jerusalem.  For him, the signs are in place of the Lord’s wrath at the hands of other nations.  However, even though they will be in despair for a while, Isaiah knows that are not without hope.  Isaiah talks of a savior, talks of a time of salvation, and talks of the joy of returning home.

We have learned, in this time of social distancing, that we also are not without hope. Each and every day new messages of hope come to us through neighbors, friends, people checking on us, or sending a simple message.  We know that though we are apart, God is keeping us together. Yes, we do long for the day when we can gather again, but that does not keep our hearts from singing.  Our family very much enjoyed singing the songs of Easter yesterday, and ending the day listening to the song of the gentle rain, are reminder that all things are washed and made new.

God will have compassion on his suffering ones as he has since times of old.  Hang in there, we are comforted, we are loved, God is singing over us songs of joy that will inspire our hearts to join the chorus. 

Hymn writer Charles Wesley gave us these great words of hope that help us rejoice in the victory:

Rejoice the Lord is King / Your Lord and King adore /Mortals give thanks and sing /
And triumph evermore / Lift up your heart / lift up your voice / rejoice again I say rejoice.

This hymn give us plenty to rejoice about, it tells the story of Jesus our savior being the very truth and love of God, that he purged our sin, reigns on high, his kingdom shall not fail, he rules over earth and heaven, and holds the keys of hell and death.  Jesus, the risen, reigning lord is our glorious hope.  Therefore we shall sing and rejoice with all creation, because we have the news life promised in his resurrection.

Have a blessed Easter Monday everybody,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 12, 2020

To join us online for the Easter celebration please go to: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons
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56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

The victory over the grave is the greatest truth that anyone can know.  It is a truth we all need to know, deep down, it needs to mark our souls, because it gives it gives us hope and power.

There is a story little story I love, whose author is unknown that talks about this victory over the grave and what a great truth it is.  The story says:

All over the world, there is a preacher of the old school; he speaks as boldly as ever, even today though. He is not popular, though the world is his parish and he travels every part of the globe and speaks in every language. He visits the poor, calls upon the rich, preaches to people of every religion and no religion and the subject of his sermon is always the same. He is an eloquent preacher, often stirring feelings which no other preacher could, and brings tears to eyes that never weep. His arguments, none are able to refute, nor is there any heart that has remained unmoved by the force of his appeals. He shatters life with his message. Most people hate him, everyone fears him, his name? Death. Every tombstone is his pulpit. Every newspaper prints his text, and someday, every person will become his sermon.

This story especially speaks to me this year, as I think about what has transpired and caused us to celebrate separately.  However, even though we are apart we see the hope of that which has overcome, even the great preacher, death.  For those who have called upon the name of Christ have seen, have believed, have received the victory. 

The fear of death is cancelled in the hope of the resurrection.

Because of this victory, we may no long fear death, but there's a sense in which death still violates us. It still violates our dominion. It still breaks long love relationships. It still leaves unfinished symphonies. It still removes those that are greatly needed. It still pounces on the blushing baby cheek and the aged wrinkled face. It still snatches souls and draws them in.

Death is still an enemy even though we who are Christians have no fear. It's still invades us and can hit us with a tremendous blow. But through the hope of the resurrection, we can proclaim with Isaiah 25:8 which says, he will swallow up death forever.

Death and all of its apparent victories are undone for God's children. What looks like a victory for death, and like a defeat for us; when our bodies die shall be utterly reversed so that death dies in absolute defeat, and our bodies live again in absolute victory." In other words, death is not just defeated from doing any more harm. Everything it's ever done is undone. Death is swallowed up forever.

The Scriptures tell us, "there is no condemnation to them who are in Christ." There is no sin against you, there is no sting against you. God has forgotten it. He's buried it in the seas, removed it as far as the east is from the west.

In the resurrection of Christ, and our resurrection with Christ, even the grand preacher, death is nothing. Today we celebrate that Christ is risen!  Hallelujah! His is risen in deed.

Grace to you and your families on this blessed Easter Sunday,
Pastor Sam

Daily Encourager – April 11, 2020

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…. – Psalm 23:4

The world sits in stunned silence on this day. Jesus has died and is in the grave. 

While we know that this is not the end of the story, it is a part of it.  A part of the storied path to eternal life that we dread the most – death.  We don’t like to talk about death, we avoid death at all costs.  Many of us are listening to the health professionals and are staying in our homes now to avoid the potential of death by world cripling virus.

It’s hard to hear on the news each day the death toll of the coronavirus, but we also know it is not the only cause of death that exists. We also fear cancer, heart attacks, strokes. Murder, traffic accidents, and old age. Yet, if we continued to look around the nation and the world we would even see death claim victims by drug overdose, malnutrition, starvation, and many, many more dreadful things.

We don’t like to talk about death, we remain silent about death, but we know death remains.

On this Holy Saturday, and perhaps especially this year, the words of the Shepherds psalm are ringing in my head, “yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”

Yet, when we follow that verse on through, we hear the resolve, “…I will fear no evil. Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me…” Even if we were set at a table with our enemy, even if we sat at a table with death, we know that goodness and mercy will follow us; that God is with us.

Yes, today the world is in stunned silence, but we have no fear, we believe and know that with the dawn will come a great joy.  We wait in silence, now with anticipation; awaiting the news of resurrection.

May God’s presence be with each of you this day, as you rest, waiting on the joy of Easter morning.  Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – April 10, 2020

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? – Psalm 22:1

Today is Good Friday, the day we recount the story of Jesus death on the cross. The words of this Psalm, that we here repeated from Jesus on the cross, echo in our minds.  Perhaps more this year than other years.  This prayer seems to be on the limps of so many; those who have loved ones struggling for life, those who are caring for patients in hospitals, those who are overrun and barely are holding it together, those who are stir crazy in the house whose only outlet is the news networks that make them fear it is all still getting worse than better.

I could make that list and go on and on. There are so many reason that this year, the prayer prayed by the psalmist, prayed by Jesus on the cross, “my God, my God why have you forsaken me…” is truly felt in our hearts.  However, even on this most solemn of days, we cling to hope. 

If we were to continue to read the entirety of Psalm 22, we would find these great words of hope, that as we cry out for God to remember us, we also sing God’s praises, for we know and trust that God is able and will answer us.  The psalmist praises God by saying: From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28 For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.

What a wonderful hope that “all the families of the nations shall worship before God.  It is a true testament to the faith that we share in this time, it is what gives me hope as prepare messages to preach in front of a camera, that families are coming together, and worshiping God, each in their own home, until God calls us as one big family together again.

May we recount and remember the death of Christ, today, yet, let us continue to look forward to the day of resurrection.  Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

For the video mediation for Good Friday please visit: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons
or view on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stmarkknox/

MEDIC BLOOD DRIVE - APRIL 19, 10:00 -3:00PM

St. Mark Mission is hosting a Blood Drive on Sunday, April 19 from 10:00-3:00PM

The guidelines are: one person at a time, it is appointment only, they will not take walk ups.

If you are able please make an appointment today, this is something that means so much right now.

CLICK HERE to sign up.

Daily Encourager – April 9, 2020

For their sake he remembered his covenant, and showed compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love. – Psalm 106:45

Today is a day of remembrance, the day in which we remember that Jesus Christ gave himself up for the sins of the whole world.  Today we remember how he met with the disciples in the upper room, and there shared a meal.  At the end of the meal Jesus offered his body the bread, and his blood the wine, and asked that every time they ate of it, that they would remember.

Jesus wanted to mark in the minds of his disciples something common, that they would never feel far from Jesus, and the practice of breaking the bread, and sharing the cup of blessing continues today, and when we eat it, we remember the promises made between us and God, God and us. We remember that we are saved by his amazing grace.

God remembers us, as the psalmist say, for our own sake, and shows compassion on us according to an abundant love that we have never deserved.  That’s the beauty of God’s grace.  I love the acronym of G.R.A.C.E. that spells it out as: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.  It shows us that we didn’t earn it, nor did we deserve it, but in the fullness of time, Jesus laid down his life. Christ died for us, while we were yet sinners, and that is the proof of God’s love for us.

Today, if you can, forget about what is going on outside in the world, and for a moment remember that you are here by the grace of God, that you are loved in the grace of God, that you are remembered by God.

In the steadfast love of Christ, may we remember his love shown for us.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

For the video mediation for Maundy Thursday please visit: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons
or view on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stmarkknox/

Daily Encourager – April 8, 2020

Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is at hand; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests. – Zephaniah 1:7

Do you think about all the preparations and plans you would be making if the world hadn’t turned inside out because of the pandemic?  I do.  I find myself thinking about the usual plans to celebrate holy week and Easter, but I’m also thinking about how do those preparations translate to this current way of living?

Some things haven’t changed, the kids decorated Easter Eggs yesterday, and will probably have the adults hide them sometime later this week. We still have the daily chores of laundry, dishes, putting away toys, dishes, dishes (goodness there are a lot of dirty dishes). I’m still working on an Easter sermon to share the joy of resurrection with you.  I’m still overthink my plans, and making things more difficult on myself then they should be.  But I am finding that in the midst of all of this reworking of preparations, God’s already got it planned out.

We know that God works all things to the good of those who love God, who are called to according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).  Yet, God is preparing even more than we realize. In the daily video meditations, I’ve been working my way through the events of Holy Week according to the gospel of Mark, and today’s lesson focuses on the preparation, and Peter. 

What I find intriguing about the way the gospel tells of the preparation is that Jesus sends two disciples to find a man they have never met, carrying a jug of water, and from him, they will find a place already prepared for them.  An upper room already set, ready for them to go and enjoy the Passover meal together.

Long before Jesus ever walks the earth, we know that God was preparing for that time to come, God was preparing the final sacrifice.  The prophets spoke of the one who is coming often. God was making plans, and is even now, though we are unaware. I can’t wait to see what happens when the guests are invited to come out from their dwellings, and into the house of the Lord.  What a day of rejoicing that will be!

Until then, we can rest assured, that God has a plan for us. We can be patient, just like the patience of flower waiting to open into full bloom. So, too, we wait to open up our doors; for when the Son calls us out, we will shine with beautiful brilliance as we celebrate life that can be shared in community once more.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

For the video mediation for Holy Wednesday please visit: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons
or view on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stmarkknox/

Daily Encourager – April 7, 2020

While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me!” – Mark 14:18.

Now, that doesn’t seem like an encouraging verse, you might think.  And you right, it doesn’t sound very encouraging. Yet, here Jesus is at the table with the disciples, calling out the impending denial and betrayal of those same twelve disciples.  It may not seem encouraging, but it is a part of our story.

Jesus was rejected, denied, and betrayed.  All would lead to his eventual death on the cross, but from there we find that it is not only Jesus who dies, but so does our sin, so does our betrayal, our denial, and everything else we have done wrong in life.  Through the death on the cross, everything is forgiven. Through the love of Jesus, shown on the cross, we are made new. 

I want to confess, when all this mess of coronavirus and quarantine started, I was in denial.  I through surly this won’t come here, surly it won’t disrupt life too much, surly we would be back together in church in a week or two.  I kept thinking and planning for Holy Week and Easter as if it were going to happen, as if we were going to be worshiping together. Even after the official words of “close until further notice,” I still didn’t believe it would impact Easter celebrations, surely it wouldn’t, surely it couldn’t.

Obviously, I was in denial. We are spending this week, and the coming Easter apart, it will be different, it will feel strange, it does feel strange, but it doesn’t discredit what we celebrate. And even though we won’t be together Easter still happens.

The church still believes in resurrection. On the other side of this pandemic, the church will again experience and celebrate resurrection. We will gather at the table, confess how we have failed, but know that we are forgiven and freed for joyful obedience through Jesus Christ our Lord. Even now, we are experiencing a new kind of freedom, the freedom to really experience the solemnness of this week.  I’m embracing this time, getting more work done around the house, learning to be a homeschool teacher, finding new way to share the gospel. By the end of this I might be a professional video editor. However, the most important thing I will know is that life, though disrupted, continues.

God is continuing to create something new in us, even if we are in denial, even while we unaware. God create something new in me.  Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

For the video meditaion for Holy Tueday please visit: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons
or view on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stmarkknox/

Daily Encourager – April 6, 2020

Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming. – Mark 13:33

We have no shortage of watching these days.  Many of us turn to the news outlets every day to see what is going on, to heart what new mandates are coming from the CDC, the White House, or even local governments.  We keep a hopeful heart that one day we will hear how this virus is burning out, that the bans on gatherings are lifted, how, though cautious, we can go back to our routines.  Though, through all this, I hope there are some things we find not as necessary, and maybe some things we once took for granted that we will appreciate more.

When Jesus is telling his disciples to be alert, he is speaking of a time when the Lord shall come and reign on earth as it is in heaven.  He tells that no one knows the day or the hour, but we are to be prepared for that moment, and not be asleep in our faith.

One very positive thing I have found in this time is that faith is awakening in many places, and in many people.  People that were once hesitant to share their faith are becoming more bold.  People are sharing that faith is what they are falling back to in this time of uncertainty. My great hope is that these same people will remain this bold in their faith when the time of crisis is over.  That we would continue to see news anchors ask religious leaders to pray on national television, that we would continue to see kind acts across the land, that we would continue to believe in the good that comes from God, and is found in one another.

Yes, now we are watching, we are alert; but, may our prayer be that we will remain so in the time that is still to come when everything seems “normal” again.  I’m reminded of a verse in that very long psalm of delight in God’s Word, Psalm 119.  In it, the psalmists and the congregation sing of God’s instruction and justice, they hear of God’s righteousness and the life that is offered.  Yet, in verse 148 we find the words: I am awake through each watch of the night to meditate on Your promise. The psalmist knew that would be times when faith would seem dark, but even there we must meditate on the promise of God’s salvation.

We do not know the time that we will be saved from our current situation, but we do know it is coming, and praise be to God, for the salvation that comes, we will wait, watch, and remain full of hope in Him.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

For today’s Holy Week meditation, please visit at https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons 
or you can find it on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/stmarkknox/

Virtual Easter Egg Hunt - April 10 - 12

Daily Encourager – April 5, 2020

To view today’s Palm Sunday Worship click here: https://www.stmarkknox.org/sermons

“Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it…” – Mark 11:2

Today, we celebrate the palms, the parade, the time when Jesus along with a great multitude of people are there as Jesus enters into Jerusalem.  It’s one of the high points of the church calendar year, and marks the beginning of Holy Week.

As I think about all that happens this week, I find that we may for once have more in common with Jesus and the disciples than what we realize this week.  Today is marked with the grand parade (and we won’t be doing any of that). However, the rest of the week the disciples are in places away from the crowds, at a home in Bethany, in a private upper room, in the garden of gethsemane.  These places show times of solitude, times of intimate gathering as Jesus gives his disciples their final instruction before Jesus ultimately fulfills the law of God and becomes the sacrificial lamb.

This week, in addition to the daily emails, I am working on some short video devotions to share with you about the events that lead to the Friday we call good.  I hope you will take the opportunity to explore these events with me.  Each day they will be posted on the church website and Facebook page.

On the day we celebrate, today; the day Jesus entered Jerusalem, he sent the disciples ahead of him, into the city, into the crowds, and there they were to find a young colt of a donkey.  This would be the animal, the “ass,” the beast of burden, that Jesus would ride triumphantly into the city as the crowds shouted Hosanna.  I welcome you to shout Hosanna! Shout it in your neighborhoods, and sing to your king, but please do not go into the crowded streets, and keep your “ass” at home. 

Blessings to you and your family on this beautiful Sunday,
Pastor Sam

Daily Encourager – April 4, 2020

The whole earth is at rest and quiet; they break forth into singing. – Isaiah 14:7

Today is Saturday, for those who are much like me, and have found every day just simply runs together.  Today is a day for rest, even if we have been doing that all week, a time to put on some music and just enjoy that we are living.  Today’s encouragement comes from our church musician, reminding us of the joy of singing.

I have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated your daily emails with thoughts to keep my spirits buoyed and reminders to stay focused on the strength of God in trying times. I believe this is a wonderfully insightful way to keep our church family unified in spirit, if we can't be unified in body.

You referenced the Doxology [earlier], and I was (slightly) disappointed that I had figured out that it lasted twenty seconds myself! ( I must be slipping!) But it reminded me of all the singing I have done, aloud and in my head, over the past couple of weeks. How hymns and contemporary songs that fit the moment have come to mind and I find myself humming along.

I know that people in the congregation know that music is important to me, but in reality, it's much more than that. Music has pervaded my life. It is a necessity. As a young kid (and I mean 1st and 2nd grade young), I tried all the sports available to me, and I was terrible at all of them. I quit every one of them. One day, though, my parents took us to hear a piano concert at a local church. I don't even remember who the pianist was, but I was awe-struck. On the way back home, I told my parents that I wanted to play the piano. I'm pretty sure I could hear their eyes rolling up there in the front seat of the car. They talked about it, and then came and talked to me; they were willing to find me a teacher and get a piano, but if I started this, they wouldn't allow me to just quit. They asked me to think about it; when I returned with an answer, I said, "I want to do take lessons." They were true to their word, and they held me to my word! Fortunately for all of us, it was the thing that God had gifted me with ability. I had found my niche.

Today, my mom is lying in a hospital bed at their house, waiting for God's ultimate healing. The dementia has robbed us of her wonderful, loving spirit and beautiful singing. Many days we get very little response from her. Often, however, when we play music on the computer in the room and start to sing along with the voices of the choir, we see her lips moving. Occasionally, I'll even hear the alto line of the hymn coming from her voice.

Music is my life. And right now life is really topsy-turvy, and I lean on it heavily. That's why the Doxology reference was so helpful to me. I connected with that.

It made me think of the singing references in the Psalms, which of course are songs in themselves. Psalm 100:2 comes to mind:  "Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." However, I think Psalm 126 may say more about how I feel, confined and cooped up with this pandemic.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

We are called to carry on; to continue to sow the seeds, even in weeping. But we know our reward will be music: rejoicing and songs of joy. I'm singing them now just in anticipation! – Edward Pierce

I hope you can find your song to sing today, and join us in singing and worshiping tomorrow.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Sam

Daily Encourager – April 3, 2020

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home.
– John 11:20

When we think of Mary and Martha, typically we go to Luke chapter 10.  We read there the story of how Martha is busy with many tasks, because there are a number of guests in their home, and she is trying to do everything she can to offer hospitality to Jesus, and those who are with him.  All the while, Mary, Martha’s sister, is sitting at the feet of Jesus learning from every word he speaks.

This story, however, is not the only that mentions these female disciples, Mary and her sister Martha.  In John’s gospel, we find that Jesus is near Bethany, the home of Mary and Martha, when their brother, Lazarus, dies.  Jesus delays his coming, but when he arrives, he finds the scene of a prolonged funeral.  There are weepers who are crying, Martha hears that Jesus has arrived, and she actively runs out to meet him.

However, in a small porting of that passage we read that Mary stays home. Now, Mary eventually is called out of the house to meet Jesus, and her exchange is much like Martha’s exclaiming to Jesus, “if you had been here, our brother would not have died…” 

We know that Lazarus does not stay dead.  In just a moment, Jesus will have the tomb opened and call Lazarus out, and he will live again.

Right now, we may feel like Lazarus, we have been given the order to stay at home by the governor.  We are realizing that we will not be able to gather at the church for Easter, or any time in the near future.  Yet, in reality we are not Lazarus, we still have life.  Instead, I think we are more like Mary.  We feel the death around us, but we have a hope that our Savior will come. 

Now, I don’t know why Mary stayed in the house when the announcement was made that Jesus had come.  But I imagine it was because of her belief in Jesus that she stayed home.  She knew he would take the pain and the suffering away.  She had a faith that life was about to happen.  She stayed until Jesus called her out, and one day Jesus is going to call us out too.

Until that time, let us stay home like Mary; let us be in prayer, let us study, let us wait with great anticipation for life to begin again. We can and will still connect via the technology that we have, and we will still proclaim the goodness, the greatness of God, and the joy of resurrection on Easter Sunday. 

The church is not dead, and even though our building is empty, the church is alive, and it is working as we do all that we can in faith, in hope, and in love - but the greatest of these is love.  I hope and pray that the love of God might grow in us, and towards others, as we wait with patient hope the days of celebration when we can gather again.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Sam

Daily Encourager – April 2, 2020

May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion. – Psalm 20:2

I hope you will take the time today to read the entirety of Psalm 20. It is a prayer that speaks to us who very much need to hear of a victory right now. 

This psalm was something of a prayer to God on behalf of the Davidic king of Israel. The people of Israel apparently would sing this song as a prayer to God to deliver their king – maybe right before a battle. Their fate was wrapped up with their king’s. If he won, they won. If he lost, they lost. It was in their best interest, for the king to win. So, they would pray to God on behalf and for their leader.

Today, we read this psalm, and while we know that our true king is Jesus, who with God and the Holy Spirit are working for our best interest. We also know that we have those who govern over us, who need protection, who need support, for whom we need to pray.  Beyond them, we pray for those who fight the battle, and we hope with great expectation that one day, and soon, we will see a victory in which we are eagerly awaiting.

The need for support is great on all levels. We all need encouragement, we all need prayer, we are all seeking a victory, and a time in which we no longer have to fear gathering together. We know that from the Lord our help will come, and we pray he will remember us, as has been the prayer from the people of God throughout the centuries.

The reality of the impact caused by this virus, and our time away from one another, is also great.  For many it has meant a time of financial uncertainty, and the church definitely feels this uncertainty.  We have tried to cut back on our spending, on utilities, in ministry areas, in any way that we can, but we still have bills that need to be paid, we still want to offer support to our community, and our staff.  The need for support is great here as well.  As a sign of our worship, we bring our tithes and offerings to the church, many of us do this by placing cash or checks in the offering plate.  However, we aren’t able to gather and do so now.  So, I’m asking for your support as we enter into this new month.

I realize that some of you may be dealing with your own financial burdens because of this time. If this is the case, please know we want you to be able to take care of your needs. However, if you are able to fulfill your commitment, or offer some of your gifts to the church, please know we use these to continue the ministry of this wonderful place, rooting deeper and reaching farther for the glory of God. 

Right now we offer 3 ways to support St. Mark Finacially:

1. You can mail your tithe/offering check to: PO BOX 11007 Knoxville, TN 37939-1007

2. You can give online at: stmarkknox.org, click give then give online, the process is very easy.

3.  Call us. There are times when someone is in the office, and if you would like to drop your check off in person, we will be there to greet you and receive your gift.

Though we are not able to gather in our sanctuary at St. Mark, we know that the Lord God will send help from the sanctuary of your heart, and from the Holy Mountain of Zion.

May we shout for joy over the Lord’s victory, and in the name of our God. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Sam

Daily Encourager – April 1, 2020

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
- Romans 15:13

The words that Paul speaks to the Romans as forever rich.  Even though we are so distant from them now, they speak to us life, truth, and hope even in our current situation.  Romans, I find to be unique in the letters of Paul because it is written to a people who are almost entirely Gentile, yet are very educated as Romans citizens would have been.  We must remember that much of our modern world is based on the society that was developed by the Roman empire. 

So, when Paul is writing to the Romans he is writing both as an educated man, and as someone who has a great understanding of the righteousness of Jesus Christ offered without price.

Therefore, we can look at the hope of which Paul writes, and is offered through the Holy Spirit. We should realize that it this hope that fill us and completes us in God’s joy and peace, but only as we trust Him (or as some translations say: “believe in Him”).  Herein we find is a matter of the heart which requires us to let go of what we know that we are capable of doing, to let God have control and let Him give us the peace that is not based on our ability to strive and overcome, but on God’s ability to save and sustain us. 

I believe it is this sustaining, saving peace that Jesus had as He trusted and was faithful to God the Father that though he would endure the pain and suffering of the cross, God would bring the salvation through such faithfulness.  This is the true fulfillment of the Law, to trust in God no matter the cost and follow Him to the cross, if necessary, and be led beyond into the true hope and power of the Holy Spirit.

We are all learning a new system of trust in these days of isolation.  We are all clinging to something that brings hope.  As the days go on, may we find that our greatest hope is the hope we have already placed in our trust of Jesus Christ, knowing that in him we can let go of fear, for we have no fear, even in death, for in Him is only life and love.

I pray, the love of Christ brings you this great hope today.
Sam

More words of encouragement: in Romans 12:12 it says “be patient in tribulation”. This is certainly a time when we all need patience. With God’s help we can be patient and see this through. – Donna Judd

Daily Encourager – March 31, 2020

My loved ones and friends stand back from my affliction, and my relatives stand at a distance. – Psalm 38:11

I don’t know if I can emphasis enough, the beauty of the psalms.  The psalms are written with every human emotion.  Sure, many are praises to God, but it is amazing the psalms of lamentation, were we see the soul of someone crying out in distress, seemingly depressed because of their condition, living in fear of enemies, and so on.  The psalms give us a glimpse into understanding that the God who created us, gave us these emotions and we can use them to turn to God. 

As I was reading the psalms, I came again to Psalm 38, and like anything else, we tend to read within our current context or frame of mind.  I encourage you to read the entirety of this psalm, as you have time, today.  David is the attributed writer, and he is challenged by a feeling of remembering his sin.  He feels abandoned by God, and feels isolated because of his iniquity.

Some of us may feel isolated right now, and it is possible that in our safer at home mandate, the mind has more time to wonder, to worry, to be concerned with the world, and even more so with self.  Please hear this, God has not abandoned us, and God has not abandoned you.

Even when we are alone, God is with us.  Even when we don’t know it, can’t feel it, even in our doubt and brokenness, God is with us.  That is the beauty of hope, knowing that the God who created the universe chooses, also, to be in the midst of it with us.

So, take a deep breath this morning, and know God is here.  May it give you the strength, the comfort, the peace for today, and even more hope for tomorrow.  Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – March 30, 2020

Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. – Isaiah 53:4-6

In the midst of one of Isaiah’s prophecies of a coming savior, Isaiah sees one who is coming to take away the diseases and the infirmities of the world.  For Isaiah, the disease is people’s disregard for the Lord’s commandments.  Yet, the one who will take them away will do so by taking on the wounds and punishment meant for the afflicted, and it is by his wounds that we are healed.

As we enter a new week of staying at home to keep others safe, and as we hear that these mandates from the government have been extended to the end of April, I am feeling a little more the exile we are experiencing from the church. I miss being with our church, yet I know that this is best to protect us all.

My heart is also sinking as I hear the escalating number of confirmed cases, and even more so with the escalating number of deaths. 

The ones trying to save us, the healthcare professionals, are making due without some much needed supplies. They are working long hard hours, and many of them are now starting to show symptoms of the very disease they have been treating.  They are exemplifying Isaiah’s words of the obedient servant.  Those who have dedicated their lives to working to bring healing to people are experiencing something like they have never seen before, like all of us, each day they are facing new realities, and are doing the very best that they can to bring healing and wholeness to those who they see.

Today, let us join our hearts in prayer for them.  Let us pray that all who serve, in such a time as this, may be protected, may have the supplies they need, may have the God of the universe by their side.   

Lord, we ask your grace, and strength to those who have dedicated their lives for the saving of the lives of others.  We ask that you provisions would make a way from them to be protected. We pray your healing mercy on all, and even more we pray for a path of healing to be complete, that new medicines, vaccines, and treatments would put an end to this virus. in the holy name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

May the God of peace, protect and comfort you today,
Pastor Sam