Dear St. Mark Church Family,
Maybe I'm wrong, but weren't we told years ago that the invention of the cell phone and the computer would save
us time? Yea right!
This last weekend I went
to a youth leadership training event to learn about the younger generation. A presenter told us about a world wide convention
recently held in Singapore for those who work in the area of marketing technology. One of the speakers at the convention
shared a very surprising and provocative statement. He said "what young people are going to want in the future
is freedom from technology." He told us about a company named Freedom Inc. which
has developed software that once you download it to your computer, it will disconnect your computer from the internet for
8 hours and there is nothing you can do about it.
Marriot has developed what they call a "black whole" hotel.
When you stay there, there is no phone service, no cell phone service and no internet connection.
People will
not be able to reach you so long as you remain a guest.
Perhaps what we need in this fast paced world of ours is a place to slow down, to take a breather from the rat race of our
everyday lives, and to just be still and know that God is God. Historically Lent, the 40 days before Easter, beginning Ash
Wednesday, has been a time to examine our lives, to quiet our minds, to seek the face of God, to slow down and for a
few precious moments, to just let our spirits breeeeeeeeeath.
Beginning Ash Wednesday (February 22, at 10 AM and 7 PM) we will begin a 6 Lenten worship series designed to help
us do just that. The style and order of service we will use is called Taizé which originated in a student community
in France in the 1940s.
Taizé " is a meditative prayer service that incorporates simple, repetitive
song and chant, scripture readings, and periods of group silence in a setting of peace and soft light that fosters communion
with God. Through Taizé, participants can worship in a community setting, yet remain open to the voice of God and discover
the prayer within themselves."
I hope you will come and experience it for yourself.
On Good Friday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 there will be a children's activity at church for ages preschool
through (about) third grade. We will begin with an outdoor Easter egg hunt (if the weather allows) share
an Easter craft, sing some songs, and hear the story of Holy week and of Easter. Please sign up in the narthex
so we know how many children to prepare for. As always, friends are welcome and invited.
Lenten offering folders
will be available to be picked up on the welcome desk in the church narthex beginning Sunday February 12th.
No need to look for your name, simply take one.
Your brother
in Christ,
Pastor
Jay
