A Letter from Pastor Stan

March 11, 2020 

Grace, Peace and Blessings from our Lord Jesus Christ.  If you are like me you are stressed and confused about life as we now live it with the Coronavirus.  Do we self-quarantine at home, do we load up on essentials and food, do we watch and read all the latest news about the virus?  I cannot answer these questions and others for you, I do know you will do what you think is in your best interest to stay healthy. 

One question that has been discussed daily for the last week or more is do we curtain worship and other activities at St. Mark’s. We did have worship this last Sunday but with the latest guidelines it has been decided to cancel worship for the next two Sundays, March 22nd and March 29th.  The Food Pantry will be operating three days a week from 1 pm till 2 pm. Food will be pre-bagged and handed out to folks from tables outside. These follow the guidelines of the Federal Government and the Maryland Food Bank. Micah’s Backpacks are continuing. Both the Food Bank and Micah’s Backpacks need volunteers, if you can help please call the church office or Julie Stouffer. We have also postponed the performance of the ‘Celtic Revival’ till September.  

After prayer and discussions we will open the church on Wednesdays from 6 pm till 8 pm for Prayer and Reflection.  Those who attend will be asked to not sit near anyone else and there will be hand sanitizer on each pew. It is difficult to leave the church out of the present situation so this is an attempt to allow folks to come into the Sanctuary to find peace and God’s presence. There will be Scripture Reading and Prayer and a short Reflection during this time. I am also working on Livestreaming a Sunday Service each week on YouTube and our Web Site. Details will follow.  

We have also postponed the performance of the ‘Celtic Revival’ till September. 

You will be hearing more as we live in these uncertain times. I also will be sending weekly email and letters with a devotional theme along with some postings on the Web Site and on YouTube and Facebook. I know how important the St. Mark community is to all of us and I and the church leaders are working to ensure we all stay in touch. Please call each other as I will be doing, send cards to our homebound and nursing home residents and of course pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us in this time and give us peace and hope. I know God is with us and will continue to ensure us or His presence.  

Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. All of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. -1 Peter 5, selected verses 
 
Please reach out if you need to talk or a visit, you can call the church office which remains open or my cell number 856-685-4268. You can also email me at revstan@stmarkslc.org. Know each of you are in my prayers and I am here to help in any way possible. Together in faith we will move beyond this time of uncertainty with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

With Prayers for Peace and Health, 

Pastor Stan