The
Messenger A MONTLY NEWSLETTER FROM ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SAN ANTONIO JANUARY 2011
VOLUME 100
ISSUE 1
Worship Impacts Mission at St. Mark’s By The Rev. Mike Chalk, Rector
M
ission, defined as the church serving the world, is thought to be an essential aspect of the church. A major reason mission is absolutely necessary to a dynamic church is that mission is a central attribute of God. Throughout the scriptures God is revealed as always moving into and through the world. God continually reaches out to save and sustain the world he has made. Jesus did not remain stationary and require that people come to him for teaching and healing but walked among the roads and city streets to fulfill his mission in the name of God.
Our task at St. Mark’s is to discern where God wants us to move into the world. To participate in mission is to participate in the movement of God’s love toward all people. Worship is a place where we discern and are inspired by the Holy Spirit to go into our neighborhoods to serve in the name of Christ. When worship is genuine, the people of God get caught up in the movement of God’s Spirit that seeks to heal the world’s pain and brokenness. Our worship therefore is offered not only
for the members of the church but for the life of the world. The season of Epiphany, that begins January 6 and ends March 6, has a strong mission focus. Our worship, therefore, for Epiphany will serve the purpose of mission at St. Mark’s. A valuable part of our Book of Common Prayer is An Outline of the Faith commonly called the Catechism. In a question and answer format it reads: (Continued on page 2)