Martin Luther reminds us that God does not need our good works, but our neighbor does (Wingren, Luther on Vocation, 10). Our relationship with God is based completely on God’s work for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Justification by faith completely excludes any kind of dependence on our good works for our salvation. Paul writes in Romans, “For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law”: and also “that God alone is righteous and justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.” We come before God clothed not in our own works or merits, but solely in the works and merits of Christ, which are imputed to us. But having been justified by faith, we are sent by God back into the world, into our vocations, to love and serve our neighbors.
One way that St. Mark loves and serves our neighbors is
through the St. Market. We have an old
kitchen cabinet that has been repurposed to be an outdoor pantry to help our
neighbors in need. The St. Market is located outside by the North facing door
near the kitchen, under the overhang to keep it out of the sun and inclement
weather as best as possible. Last year
during VBS the kids brought in donations to stock our St. Market. We are just about out of those supplies. If you would like to help fill the St.
Market, our neighbors would greatly appreciate it. We have regular folks who come to the St.
Market.
The best items for the St. Market are crackers with peanut
butter or cheese in them, can goods with a pull top (ravioli is popular),
breakfast bars, bottled water, travel deodorant, bars of soap, travel toothbrush and toothpaste, meat sticks (without refrigeration required), and other easy
to carry food items that don’t require cooking or refrigeration. We have designated a spot in the kitchen to
place donations, please look for the sign on the kitchen counter. Thank you for helping to love and serve our
neighbors. See the photos below of the St. Market.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Katrina Steingraeber
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