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Dear Saint Mark Family,
I pray you are prospering in every way and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.
I want to begin by inviting each of you to come and join the Children Ministry’s leaders, volunteers, and me this Sunday, April 30, at 9:45am, as we pray for the children and families with young children who are not here as yet. We will gather on the playground between the education wing and Wade Hall, or in the two classrooms on the 1st floor closest to the playground if it rains.
I know it may seem strange that we will pray for those who are not here as yet, but in reality we pray that way all the time. We pray to God for what we do not have or for what we need, and then we trust God to provide and to meet our needs. I need us to pray for children and young families with children because we need them, and we need more of them.
I am looking forward to the day when our hallways and classrooms will be filled with children and families with young children - children crying, children running in the chapel and sanctuary during worship, children shouting out questions in the middle of the sermon that stun everyone, children laughing out loudly, children singing in their own choir, and so much more. I am looking forward to the time when we will have to make decisions about finding more spaces for our children to gather because they are overflowing in the classrooms and others spaces they are already using. (I know nobody likes problems, but there are some things others perceive as problems that I see as wonderful opportunities.)
I am looking forward to all of these and more, and I know we need to start praying and start doing our part. Let us meet this Sunday to pray for God’s favor for what we need.
The past two Sundays I have had the opportunity to talk with first time guests worshippers, visiting from different countries. One couple was from London, visiting for a family member’s wedding, and another gentleman was from Greece, attending a work-related conference in Midtown. All of them shared how warm and welcoming Saint Mark was to them. They expressed they felt the warmth and love of the congregation, which was different for them, and they were really impressed that the ushers and members of the congregation came over and greeted them and talked with them.
Saint Mark this is who you are, and I want to thank you for being this radically hospitable and loving congregation, who are intentional about welcoming the stranger with the goodwill of Christ. Thank you.
Finally, I want to thank you for all your prayers and support over the months, and especially the last 3 days as I prepared to defend my doctoral dissertation and submit all my work. I was successful in completing everything, and I am now done. Praise be to God! I am truly thankful for the kind emails and prayers and check ins. I am grateful for each of you.
Saint Mark, may you truly continue to prosper in all the ways and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.
God’s unfailing love,
Pastor Carolyn.
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