Recently I’ve seen a noticeable increase in communication from Huntsville City Schools. The beginning of the academic year is almost upon us. Parents are picking up school supplies, students are cramming in those last moments of summer freedom, teachers are preparing rooms, administrators and support staff are getting everything organized. There’s a lot of preparation to be done before school starts.
That’s true in the Church as well, and not just around Christian Education. Rally Day is almost upon us, and you’ve probably seen a lot of information about some of the things happening at St. Mark’s. There are opportunities for learning at every age, from our regular Sunday School classes to special events like our upcoming workshop with Jamie Bruesehoff. There are fellowship opportunities like our potluck picnic at Ditto Landing and our night at the Huntsville City Football Club. Our music ensembles are returning to weekly rehearsals this month in anticipation of blessing our worship. There are multiple ways to engage in food and outreach ministries. And there are so very many meetings.
All of this is good, but the list of activities isn’t the point. Rather, this is the fruit that has grown from the grace we have received. This is how we respond to the goodness God has shown us. The Church is, as our children sang many times during Day Camp, “alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic.” The programming year isn’t really a fresh start so much as a continuation of what the church does all year long, sometimes in big, visible ways and other times in quiet faithfulness.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Every class and event and rehearsal and meeting is an act of love; not busyness for its own sake, but practice in pursuing the reign and rule of God.
The day is swiftly approaching. The beginning of school. The start of the church programming year. The promised day of the Lord’s coming. May we be prepared to bear good fruit for each day as it arrives.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Will Starkweather
Last modified: July 24, 2026