Worship Services
February 2012 ASH WEDNESDAY LENT Lent starts with Ash Wednesday on February 22nd. Watch the bulletins for more information.Holy Motion We like to move it, move it, move it! The liturgical dance ministry of St. Mark’s is back in motion after taking the summer off. We look forward to presenting a message through music, sign language and dance. We also look forward to having others join us. All are welcome! We meet at 6:30pm on Wednesday evenings at the church. For more information contact Karen King, PMA at 359-5964 or 660-1637."LYON's News"
Saturday February 11th @
6:30pm will be the "Sweet Heart" dinner. Tickets will be for
sale in the narthex. Sweet Heart Dinner sponsored by the LYONs Group
Saturday, February 11th 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall
MENU Salad Spaghetti and meat balls Lasagna Chicken Alfredo Rolls/bread Cheese cakeProceeds will go to assist the youth with the expense of their trip to the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans in July. New Members. New Members. St. Mark’s will receive new members and offer an orientation lunch on Sunday, January 29th. If you are interested in joining the congregation, please let us know in the office. Our newest members are: The following New Members who were welcomed into the St. Mark's family of faith on Sunday, January 29th: Kevin, Shelah, Courtney, Shelby and Kaleb Fenner; Regina, Greyson and Hadley Peters; Kory and Reagan Roanhouse Shunk; and David, Kara, Evan and Rysdon Tomlinson. New members added to St. Mark's family of faith prior to January 2012: Larry and Kim Creighton; Harlan and Teri Dreessen; Darin and Susan Egr, and Alexis, Madison, and Oliver; Pat and Kim Gehrman and Emily; Dan Josoff; Lacey Knoell and Dylan Barnhart; Barb Munson; and Wynona E. Risk If interested in becoming a member of St. Mark's please let the Church office know and Pastor Chip will make contact when he can. In this transition period, we do not want you to feel we are not here for you. His phone number is listed on the first page. Our Prayer Shawl cupboard is nearly empty! Please help us fill our shelves again so when we get a call for a need we have one to give out. This article from the "Upper Room" was sent to us by Susan Renner. WRAPPED IN PRAYER Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to god. (Philippians 4:6 (NRSV) Knitting brings me a sense of peace and renewal. Even though I only know one basic stitch, I can knit any number of pieces, especially scarves. Though the particular pieces vary, the stitch I use doesn't. Once I have the number of stitches set on my needle, I can just knit way without having to think about what I am doing. At our church, a group of women gets together once a month to knit. These women taught me how to make a prayer shawl—which has quickly turned out to be my favorite piece to knit. As we knit the shawls, we pray for those who will receive them. When they wrap themselves in the prayer shawl, they wrap themselves in our prayer and care. I give thanks for the person who began this prayer shawl ministry because it helps all of us to something good for others. My knitting also takes me out of the world's hectic pace and into a time of peace, where my strength is renewed by God's Spirit working among us. Please call Lorrie Denker (402-359-5290) or Eileen Bills (402-359-5563) if you have any questions. Thanks so much Puppet News
Lutheran Men in Mission Men in Mission will meet Sunday, January 15th, at 6:30 p.m. All men of St. Mark's are invited to attend for Bible study and fellowship.VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Volunteer opportunities at Lutheran Family Services, Fremont: English Language Learners (ELL) classes at the Family Boutique will start June 4th – August 7th, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to provide child care. If interested, please call Liz Johnson #941-0075! Hospice Volunteer Education: February, 2012 Hospice Volunteers are needed to provide companionship and support for individuals living with terminal illnesses and their families. Volunteer education sponsored by Alegent Hospice, Methodist Hospice, VNA Hospice, and Hospice House—The Josie Harper Residence will take place in February.
Please call one of the agencies below to request an application. Space is limited. Cindy Calhoun, VNA Hospice 930-4261; Sara Branstetter, Methodist Hospice 354-3200; Mary Pendell, Alegent Hospice 898-8150; or Lydia Aurand, Hospice House 343-8600. ST. MARK’S PRAYER TEAM The Prayer Team continues to be an avenue for fielding individual prayer concerns. On the third Sunday of each month, there are one or two prayer team members at the altar rail to hear the prayer concerns. You are welcome to come up before or after you commune. All prayers are confidential. If climbing the steps is difficult for you, please let an usher know so that they can direct a team member to come to you. We currently have 11 members on the Prayer Team and would welcome those who wish to join us. This ministry is truly one from the heart, sharing concerns, joys and sorrows with each other. For more information, please contact Jan in the office or Karen King. Worship Enrichment Task Force A task force will begin a structured look at our worship practices and needs this month. We are using a design by Herb Miller, a church consultant who has worked with congregations and judicatories in increasing worship participation. This group has been asked by the council to engage in this process to strengthen St. Mark’s practices in attracting, retaining and spiritually enriching larger numbers of people in weekly worship. The process involves nine-months of work in discussing and planning ways to strengthen the effectiveness of our worship services. Please keep the task force in your prayers as they seek to expand faith in our communities through worship. THIRD GRADE FAMILY
MINI-RETREAT NOON -2:P.M.
2011 Year End Church Loan Information Ø St. Mark’s expansion completed in 2001 at a total cost of $803,484. At that time, the St. Mark's family assumed a mortgage of $495,000. Ø Financing with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans at an interest rate of 7.375% for a term of 15 years subsequently refinancing in 2003 at an interest rate of 6.0% for a term of 10 years. Ø During 2011, the St. Mark’s family paid $53,016, in principal and interest, to the financial lender. Ø Principal balance effective December 31, 2011 is $51,264.75. Ø Final payment is January 2013. Thank you St. Mark's family for your generous giving, which enables St. Mark's to pay our financial obligations that includes operating expenses, mortgage, mission support and local benevolences. In God's service, Bev Griffin Treasurer
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FROM PASTOR CHIP Transaction. It is an exchange between people where each person expects to get something out of the interaction. When I go to the grocery store, I expect to get a bag of groceries and the grocer expects to get an appropriate amount of money. When a new store opened in Omaha, they were giving away food items if you told them you saw the “Facebook Deal” of the day. It felt funny, because no money changed hands and the shopper left with groceries. It was still a transaction, because the grocer wanted people in the store and was hoping to win a degree of loyalty in exchange for a “free” meal. It is human nature to believe that there is no such thing as a free lunch. And it seems that we often have difficulty as human beings giving something without expecting something in return. At least, it’s hard to be given something without suspecting the motives of the giver. In a month when we celebrate romantic love, at the very least, it is appropriate to think of the transactional nature of most relationships. It is rare for someone to stay in a relationship when there is not some sense of mutuality—or at least the possibility of authentic give and take between both parties. Of course, there are examples of self-sacrifice for the good of another, but these are the exception, not the rule. A transactional approach to love is quite prevalent in our world today. But then again, Jesus did tell his disciples “There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.” (John 15:13). It is to that kind of love, a non-transactional type of self-sacrifice, that we are called as followers of Jesus. Now we don’t do that lightly. We value the life God has given us, so that we might invest it in expanding faith in God’s kingdom. And because life is valuable, when we sacrifice so that others might have God’s blessing, it can be intimidating to them. Love focused totally on the other person is scary. They might suspect our motives, or feel that they are inferior, no matter how we try to communicate otherwise. The apostle Paul knew the power of love. He wrote about it in 1 Corinthians 13, a letter to a church fragmented with conflict, steeped in self-absorption. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
As we join the people around us celebrating St. Valentine’s Day, we also reflect on our call to love others as Christ has loved us. May we boldly love those who think they are unlovable, so that perhaps by God’s grace, they may see themselves from God’s perspective. Pastor Chip COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS This is a synopsis of the Council meeting held on January 3, 2012. - Opened with Council visioning. In this month's visioning the Council affirmed the following disciples at St. Mark's: Danny and Connie Stewart and their welcoming of Quee and Se'Ven; Quee for making a new life for herself and her son; and all those who participated in or worked behind the scenes to make the Christmas Eve Services so meaningful. - New Council Officers: President – Debbie Hascall, Vice President –Danny Stewart; Treasurer – Bev Griffin; and Secretary – Jan Reis. - The following Council Members are liaisons to these committees: Sharon Wilson – Evangelism; Rod Marshall – Property; Bev Griffin and Jan Reis – Stewardship/Finance; Linda Ryan – Chris Ed; Debbie Hascall – Puppets; Karen Authier – Event Coordinator; and Danny Stewart – Music and Worship. - Lenten Experience Team is headed up by Barb Kahlandt. The team is developing the Lenten experience for this year. - Pastor will attend a Convo at Lutheran Seminary of February 1, 2 and 3. - Names were suggested to serve on the Ministry Development Task Force. - The Annual Meeting will be held on October 14, 2012. There will be only one service at 9:00 a.m.; no Sunday School that day; and a meal following the service. - The Council will move their meeting to the third Tuesday of the month beginning in February. - Synod Assembly will be held May 31, June 1 and 2 in Elkhorn at Bethany Lutheran. A new bishop will be elected at this assembly. Mike Sip and Linda Ryan will be going as the voting member from St. Mark's. A youth will be asked to attend as well. The voting members are encouraged to attend the Cluster Meeting on Saturday, February 4 at 10 a.m. at First Lutheran in Fremont. - The Council affirmed the great job that Brett and Melissa Welding are doing as Youth and Family Coordinators.
FEBRUARY NEWS FOR THE WOMEN OF ST. MARK'S FAITH CIRCLE NEWS Faith Circle's next meeting will be Tuesday, February 7th, at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please join us! FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE NEWS It's not easy to admit when we're guilty but we found out in our January study that "YES, we have neglected the Holy Spirit". On the up side, we know how to neglect Him no more ....throw open every door and invite Him in. God's house is not a building.....it's a human heart!!!! We are to surrender our heart to God and as his disciples transform our behavior to be in the image of Jesus. WOW....such goals in just an evening's study. Come and join us Monday, Feb. 6th @7pm when we will discuss an EXTREME MAKEOVER! What??? That's right .....Jesus accepts us as we are but He has no intention of leaving us that way. The Friendship Circle is making plans for our 3rd annual auction..this year entitled. "Melting Hearts...Puddles of Love Auction". We hope everyone can join us for the fun! That's Sunday, Feb. 19th..right after 10:30 service. We also will be setting up the display on Feb. 15th for the Child Saving Institute. Each year we collect towel sets (bath towel and washcloth) for the shelters. They ask that they be bright..fun...colors. We also collect duffel bags (not backpacks) that they can put their belongings in. That project will go through April 1st. Our January bingo team had about 30 players at Valhaven this month and Sandy Critel treated the group to Village Inn pies...thanks Sandy!!! Thanks to the 15 ladies who each baked 2 dozen bars to be served at the fire department event on Jan. 28th. This chili cookoff will benefit both the Valley and Waterloo departments. God works through each of those special individuals who volunteer their time and talents for this important job. It made perfect sense to come looking for help with dessert in the Lutheran's kitchen.....Bars-R-Us!!!!! JOY CIRCLE NEWS “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of JOY." Hebrews 1:9 Thank you St. Mark's family for your contributions and prayers for the Lutheran World Relief Baby Care Kits outreach. Currently there are hearts and hands surging and stitching Onesies® and sleepers, kit assembly will not take place until completion of the sewing project. Check future newsletters for actual count of kits. The Joy Circle meets Sunday, February 5, at 9:15 a.m., in the Sunday school office. Study leader is Kay Becker. ☺☺Come Fellowship with Us☺☺ PEACE CIRCLE NEWS Peace Circle members enjoyed a lovely evening at the home of Karen Authier in January. Thank you very much Karen.
The next circle meeting will be Tuesday, February 14th, at 7 p.m. with our continuing study of "Wicked Women of the Bible".
Food Pantry Needs: Cereals, canned vegetables and canned fruit. Project Child begins on February 15th and will run through April 1st. This has been a community outreach project of ours for several years. The need continues to be there so we will again collect duffel bags and towel sets (bath size and washcloth only). The towels should be fun bright colors. These items are used in the shelters run by the Child Saving Institute in Omaha. If you wish to help but not do the shopping....we'd be glad to do it for you. Just contact Jan in the office or Barb Kahlandt about a monetary contribution. ST. MARK’S QUILTERS The St. Mark's Quilters had their first meeting of 2012 on January 25 in the Fellowship Hall. We welcome anyone who wishes to come and help us tie quilts. There are a couple of items we are running low of for quilting. We could use spools of thread – or parts of spools, and we will need more batting to put between the fronts and backs of quilts. Even parts of rolls would be helpful. Our next quilting session will be on Wednesday afternoon, February 29, from 1:00to 4:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Come and give us a try!! PARISH CARE What is PC? Politically correct? Prime cut? Pork cutlet? In this instance we refer to PC as Parish Care. St. Mark’s is blessed to have a Parish Care Team that was formed to help extend care to our congregation as it has grown. We have grown, through the grace of God, to the extent that one person can’t possibly make all home and hospital visits as they occur. Called pastors can do lots of things, but even they can’t be in two places at once! Since last September, a handful of faithful members have been serving in this capacity. The P C Team will continue to make home visits, bring communion after services and make follow-up phone calls when needed. We are asking for your help in three ways.
PRAYER GARDEN BRICKS New bricks will be installed in the Prayer Garden in October. Deadline to order a brick is September 30. Order forms are available at the front desk. Please turn order form(s) in to Jan. Thanks, GeneTHE SHERRON COMMUNITY FUND Over the years, money has been given to St. Mark's for the specific purpose of helping children and families in the community overcome financial struggle. The majority of these funds had been given by Sherron Growcock and family with specification that focus be given to children and families of single or no-parent households. To fulfill these wishes and to continue the growth and administration of this fund, The Sherron Community Fund Committee has been formed. The purpose of the Sherron Community Fund Committee is to: 1. Monitor this fund, including any future donations. 2. Efficiently and equitably distribute funds to individuals in need based upon the following prioritization. a. Nature and urgency of need. b. Amount requested. c. Relationship to St. Mark's church family. d. Resident of area served by St. Mark's church. e. Family Status. While effort will be made to fulfill the desires of initial benefactor to serve the needs of children of one or no-parent households in this community by following the above prioritization as a guideline, all reasonable requests will be considered by the Sherron Community Fund . The Sherron Fund has paid out $1,717.70 from January 1, 2011 through November 18, 2011. If you would like to donate money to the Sherron Fund, please indicate that on the memo of your check and make the check out to St. Mark's Lutheran Church. We have a need for empty Pringles cans to pack homemade cookies into. They are then sent (every 2 wks.) to our 2 soldiers, Jason & Justin Foster. Please leave them on the shelf above the coat racks with KAHLANDT on the outside and we will pick them up each week. Thanks for your help!!!!! Barb & Joan Kahlandt ALL CLOTHING DRIVE Faith Circle has decided to continue their clothes drive for the less fortunate. During the winter we had a wonderful response to our "Project Warmth", with two large deliveries to the Open Door Mission, two to the Cristo Rey and one to First Lutheran Church in downtown Omaha. Now we are simply requesting all types of clothing. We will continue to make occasional deliveries to Cristo Rey, but have added the COPE organization in Elkhorn. As always, we are asking for gently used, clean and in good repair garments. There is such a need at this time in all communities, and we feel blessed to be able to share with those who have needs that are temporarily greater than their resources. The trunk for collection is in the Fellowship Hall.
IMPORTANT USED CLOTHING CHANGES Once again, thank you for your participation in this project and we sincerely hope you will continue your participation with our new procedure. Lutheran Technology There is a new website by and for Lutherans. LivingLutheran.com features stories, blogs and all things Lutheran. Check it out for inspiration, encouragement and good old Lutheran common sense.
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