Worship: August 4, 2024
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture: John 6:24-35
Sermon: “Is It Bread?”
What do you expect Jesus will do for you? Do your expectations match with what Jesus is actually doing for you? How do we get our expectations to align with what Jesus is doing? Come to Jesus! We worship Him this Sunday at 11:00 am.
Getting Ready
It is hard to believe that another school year is about to start. Soon, kids and parents both will be working to get back into this rhythm of life, establishing their routines to help things run as smoothly as possible when it comes to getting ready for and off to school. Teachers will be met, school clothes will be bought, just the right outfit will be laid out for the first day, school supplies will be purchased, and backpacks will be loaded with fresh supplies. It can be an exciting time, full of anticipation, and adventure.
In the book of Nehemiah, we find God’s people working to rebuild the wall around the city of Jerusalem. They know it is going to take a great deal of effort, but they are willing to do what needs to be done. It was not an easy job, not something that any one of them could undertake alone, but together they were able to accomplish their task.
In many ways this is where we find ourselves right now at St. Mark’s. We are facing the task of rebuilding, of doing a new thing in a familiar place. But it is not something that can be done by any one person, nor is it something that only a handful of people can do. It is the kind of job that that will require us all to work together to share the Gospel of Jesus with those we encounter in the neighborhoods surrounding St. Mark’s UMC.
So now, as the summer passes into fall, as the temperatures begin to drop, God beckons us to come, to worship, and to serve. This is a new season, with new opportunities, here at St. Mark’s UMC. I would invite you to join us or re-join us as we begin this adventure together.
Grace & Peace,
Blake
Worship: July 28, 2024
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47; Luke 11:1-4
Sermon: “Livin’ On A Prayer”
What do our prayers show us about our faith? Do we pray? Do we expect God to answer our prayers? Where can we find hope that actually God hears and answers our prayers? There is hope in Jesus! We worship Christ Jesus this Sunday at 11:00 am. Come and worship with us.
Worship: July 21, 2024
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47; Luke 19:1-10
Sermon: “Life Together 3 – Dinner with Friends”
Everyone needs to eat. Meals are part of our lives every day. So why is eating together a special part of Christian life? What makes eating with Jesus different from an ordinary meal? Come and see! Join us this Sunday for worship and a meal. We start at 11:00 am.
Worship: July 14, 2024
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47
Sermon: “Life Together, Part Two”
Why attend a church? What is the value of or purpose in having a church community? Can’t I learn from Jesus on my own? We invite you to consider these questions with us. Our service begins at 11:00 am.
Worship: July 7, 2024
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 with Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18
Sermon: “Life Together” (Part One)
What is a church? Should we be going to a church? If so, why? What is the purpose of a church? This week we begin exploring these questions. We invite you to explore along with us. Our worship service begins at 11:00 am.
A Little About Me
I am a native of west Texas and grew up in the Midland area. I attended school in the Greenwood school district and graduated from Greenwood High School in 1994. Growing up, my family were members of the Greenwood United Methodist Church. I received my calling to ministry at the high school One Way camp at Ceta Canyon when I was 16.
I served in youth ministry for 20+ years, beginning at the age of 20 at Trinity UMC in Snyder, TX during the summer of 1996. After moving to Canyon to attend West Texas A&M in the fall of 1996, I served at San Jacinto UMC in Amarillo, followed by a stint at FUMC – Stanton. After marrying Veronica (Roni) in 1998, we continued serving various United Methodist churches in the west Texas area in the youth ministry. We served in Abernathy, Colorado City, Sweetwater, and San Angelo. In 2008 we moved to Quitman, TX in east Texas to serve as the youth minister at First UMC. It was during this time that I knew God was calling and moving me toward full-time pastoral ministry.
I was licensed as a local pastor in 2013 and received my first appointment to Higgins UMC in Higgins, TX in the northeast Panhandle. Our family served and lived there for seven years (2013-2020) working and ministering to the people of that small, rural community. In 2020, I was appointed to St. Luke’s UMC in Midland as the associate pastor. We have been back in Midland for four years now.
I am a graduate of the Course of Study program (basic and advanced) through Duke Divinity School and I was ordained as an elder in full connection on May 19, 2024 at the final annual conference of the Northwest Texas Conference. My biggest desire when it comes to ministry is to help people know and experience the love, grace, and forgiveness of God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My hope is to be able to find new ways of sharing the Gospel in our ever-changing world, ways that will help people to know God’s grace and mercy, especially as it is experienced in and through the community of believers we call the church.
– Pastor Blake
Photo taken by Jamie Montgomery of the NWTX Conference of the UMC