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Miriam Circle:
Miriam Circle Christmas luncheon is December 11, at 12:30, at Ciao Bella, 6500 E. Riverside. Please call Wilma Reinke, at 815-708-8532 or Lis Pearson, at 815-654-1356 if you plan to attend and if you are inviting a guest. Bring a signed Christmas card to pass.
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Join the Bible Studies:
New members are welcome to join the Tuesday 6:00-7:30 P.M. and Wednesday 1:00-2:30 P.M. Bible studies. Please contact Karen Kammer at karen@stmarklc.com if you are interested. The Wednesday study is exploring Exodus and the Tuesday study has begun a new study of Luke. Both studies meet at St. Mark.
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Third Graders:
Third graders are invited to walk through the Bible with Pastor Scott on Sunday, November 24 during Sunday school. The class will begin immediately following our Sunday school worship. This will be an opportunity to ask all of your questions regarding the Bible from Genesis to Revelations. Parents are welcome to attend. Bring your SPARK Bibles.
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Gentlemen SAVE
the Date:
Friday, February 14 - Chicago Auto Show - Bus Trip! Join Pastor Mark and the men of St. Mark as they attend the Chicago auto show. We will travel by executive coach bus from St. Mark. We will leave at 8:00 A.M. and return before dinner time. Cost is just $25 for the bus (30 people max) ... plus your auto show ticket. Sign up starts soon in Fellowship Hall.
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No Bible Study . . .
There will be no women or men's Bible study on Wednesday, November 27.
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SAVE THE DATE
Trivia Night:
Trivia Night Friday, February 21, 2014. St. Mark Youth Ministry will be hosting a fun night of trivia. Save the date, form a team of eight, and get ready for fun, laughter, food, and some questions that will have you guessing!
Here’s a tid-bit of trivia to get you started…
While many believe Hydrox cookies are an Oreo knock-off, Hydrox actually came first—in 1908, four years before the Oreo.
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First Tuesday
Book Club:
The first Tuesday book club will meet at the home of Betty Sparks, at 7:00 P.M. on December 3. Betty’s address is 2913 Troon Court, Rockford. The club will be reviewing Birdsong by Sebastian Faulk. All are welcome at book club meetings however do indicate your intention to attend by contacting Betty at kbsp4968@msn.com or at
815-636-1122.
Jan. 7 – The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
Feb. 4 – Things Fall Apart
by Chinua Achebe
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"New" Christmas Cards:
Do you have some 'new' Christmas cards from years past? Please consider donating for a holiday project that we would use the cards for. There is a basket for this collection in the Fellowship Hall or drop off in the church office. Thank you! Melinda
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Sunday School
Christmas Program:
The Sunday school Christmas program will be presented on Sunday, December 15 at the 9:30 service. A special rehearsal is planned for Saturday, December 14 from 9:00-10:30 A.M.
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Deadline for the next MEMOS:
December 2, at NOON.
Thank you.
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Mark your calendars for the
Holiday Season:
Christmas Eve Services:
4:30 P.M. - Family Worship with King's Kids
8:00 P.M.-Candlelight Service
with Praise Band
10:00 P.M.- Candelight Service with Voices of St Mark
Ephiphany Service
5:00 P.M. January 5, 2014
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Empty Nesters:
The Empty Nesters are assembling Christmas baskets on Friday, December 13. Meet at church at 6:00 P.M. After we are finished we will adjourn to Lucha Cantina at Edgebrook for dinner around 7:00 P.M. RSVP to Dave Blunt at, d.blunt@comcast.net for dinner reservations.
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Lost and Found:
There have been a few items left here at church over the last few months and are in the church office. If you are missing a: purple walking cane, eye glasses and ladies/girls black flats we might have them in the office. Stop in on Sunday and check it out.
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Candles and Crosses:
Please check out our display in Fellowship Hall…
From now through December 8, the youth will be selling two gift items…
We have hand-made cross necklaces that are being sold for $10-$20(depending on the size)
We also have Rockford’s very own “Positivity” Candles…you cannot have possibilities without positivity. A portion of the profits from candle sales will go to the Rock River Valley Food Pantry.
Please stop by the table and check out these beautiful gift ideas. Questions? melinda@stmarklc.com
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Consider a Thanksgiving gift to the ELCA Disaster Response
It is almost Thanksgiving (that means that Christmas is only a few weeks away!) and decorations are filling up the stores. In the church, we are at the end of our liturgical year, and the beginning of the next liturgical year– otherwise known as Advent, the season of holy anticipation. The popular Thanksgiving season and the liturgical season of Advent are wonderful times to reflect on our blessings, and to share those blessings with others.
In the midst of our preparations for all of the holiday’s events we will participate in, it is all too easy to forget those who are facing significant problems this year because of severe weather.
One of the most powerful storms ever recorded, Super Typhoon Haiyan, crashed across the central islands of the Philippines. Your help is needed to make a difference in affected areas. Through partnerships and as a member of ACT Alliance, Lutheran Disaster Response is responding to the most urgent needs of food, water, clothing, shelter, sleeping material and medicine.
Gifts designated to "Pacific Typhoon Response" will be used in full – 100 percent – to help with immediate and long-term need. Your generous offerings of prayer and financial support will help those affected as they journey to recover.
Please consider prayerfully giving to the ELCA Disaster Response fund.
https://community.elca.org/pacifictyphoonresponse
Locally, the people of Washington, Illinois are in need as well. This is a letter to congregations from Bishop Gary Wollershiem.
Dear Rostered Leaders:
In a meeting today with Bishop John Roth from the Central/Southern Illinois Synod, Bishop Roth stated the damage in the Washington, Illinois area is terrible. There is little damage to church buildings, but many lost their homes. Gifts may be sent to the Central/Southern Illinois Synod.
Their address is:
524 S. 5th Street
Springfield, IL 62701-1822
Or you may send gifts to the Lutheran Disaster Response:
Lutheran Disaster Response
39330 Treasury Center
Chicago, IL 60694
Please keep the people of Washington, Illinois area in your prayers.
Thank you for your faithfulness.
In Christ,
Bishop Gary Wollersheim
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. - Colossians 4:2
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Remember in Your Prayers:
When you submit names for the prayer list, please let us know the length of time you would like the individual to be listed.
Our St. Mark Members: Karen Oellig, Bill Anderson, Keith Haggestad.
Our condolences to: Alan and Diane Starbuck upon the death of Alan's mother, Marianne Starbuck.
Our condolences to: Jim and Helen Tooley upon the death of their brother in-law Bob Schlehuber.
Our condolences to: Steve Freeman and family upon the death of Steve's father Roger Freeman.
Family and friends of St. Mark members: Rich Kalnins, Robert Davis, Jennifer VanRyswyk, Bob Taylor, Janet Lavelle, Mike McPherson, Randy Toone, Joe Hanna, Jennifer Brady, Kay Brickey Parisella, John Bauer, Abby Figi, Mark Netherland, Jeff Ahlstrom, Ray Bare, Liesel Landgraf, Margaret Johnsen, Marena Peterson.
Those serving in the military and their families: John Nelson, Dean Barron, David Albaugh, Brandon Ballenger, John Bullington, Kevin Cronin, Timothy Folkers, Kellen Hietpas, Ty Hosler, Philip Light, Sean Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan, Dan Waterton, Zach Hayes.
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SAVE THE DATEs: Synod Ski Day, Monday, January 20, 2014 (click here for the link to the Northern Illinois Synod for more info)
Trivia Night, February 21, 2014
High School YOUth Group meets Sunday nights from 6:30 to 8:15 P.M. Join us in our newly made over YOUth room. Want to be included in "text" reminder of youth events? Please email Melinda@stmarklc.com to be kept in the know.
Alzheimers Caregiver's Group:
The group will meet on December 9 from 4:00 - 5:00 P.M. in Fellowship Hall. We will continue our discussion of, I'm Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer's Care, by John Zeisel, Ph.D. This is an opportunity to share with and support those who currently have or have had family and friends with Alzheimer's Disease.
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Wassail Sunday, December 15:
Primetimers are looking for your HELP. Our 9th year of hosting Wassail Sunday and we are asking the congregation to contribute homemade cookies for this festive occasion. Prepare three dozen cookies from your favorite recipe, place them in a cookie tin, lined with festive paper, and bring them to church early Saturday or Sunday morning, December 14 or 15. Remember to put your name on the lid and bottom of the tin for identification. There will be a sign up sheet at the Primetimers table for those who will bake cookies for this Wassail
tradition. Les Horowitz and Karla Woodworth are coordinating this event. Please contact Les with any questions.
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Outreach News and Opportunity:
The final date to help pass out food products this year at Grace Lutheran Food Pantry is December 16.
Grace Lutheran Church - 343 Grand Ave., Loves Park. Be there by 5:00 P.M. to help out. It takes about 1 hour. There is lifting and carrying food items, and its outside, so dress accordingly!
To all who have indicated an interest in preparing food for Carpenters Place and/or Rock House. Thank you for volunteering. Food is prepared and served to 100 adults at Carpenters Place and for 225 children at Rock House Kids.
Carpenters Place: You need to arrive on the day you serve at Carpenters Place by noon. Serving begins at 12:30. Recipes for each meal are already made up and will be given to you in advance.
The schedule for 2014 is as follows: Wednesdays - Feb. 26, April 23, June 25, Aug. 27, Oct. 22 and Dec. 24. If you have a preference for a certain date let us know as soon as possible.
Rock House Kids: The following months we will be feeding Rock House KIds: March, June, September and December. Actual dates are to be determined but it will be on a Monday - Wednesday schedule and hopefully the second week of each month. We prepare enough food for both days on Monday and deliver it to Rock House at 5:00 P.M. We deliver meal, and they have volunteers who serve meal. Again, if you have a preference for a month, let us know. Beth and John Johnson will be the facilitaters in 2014 for both Rock House and Carpenters Place. You can contact them at 815-332-4570 or johndteach @aol.com.
Got Quarters?
Have you heard of Laundry Love? Two Rockford women, Celeste Boler and Amy Ramos, saw a need-Homeless people lack access to laundry facilities. "There just aren't enough quarters left in the budge to run washing machines at the laundromat." The ladies collect quarters and supplies and help the homeless do their laundry on the third Wednesday of the month. The Wednesday Morning Bible Study Ladies are collecting quarters. In September, they donated $133 to Laundry Love. If you would like to help, collection cans are in the church office. Questions ?? Call Jan Cotter at, 815-332-1626 or
cotterj@pes-sports.com.
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Sunday School News:
There will be no Sunday school on the following Sundays: December 1, December 22 and December 29.
Sunday school students are asked to contribute to the Christmas basket collection by bringing boxes of cereal to Sunday school the weeks of November 24 and December 8. Cereal boxes may also be dropped off during the week in the narthex between November 21 and December 13. They will be included in the Christmas baskets for those in need.
Sunday school needs one more teacher for our first and second grade classroom to teach on an every other week basis. If you are willing to share your love of Jesus with our children, please contact Karen Kammer at karen@stmarklc.com or 815-398-3557.
Sunday school meets weekly at 9:30 A.M. in the lower level. All students must be signed-in to Sunday school by their parent or responsible adult as part of our Safety Policy. Sunday school is available for students 3 years old through 6th grade. Please contact Karen Kammer if you would like to register your child for Sunday school.
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Think Spring!!
Save the date – Think Spring!! The St. Mark Ringers 2014 Spring Tea will be held Saturday May 3 from 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. in Fellowship Hall. Come and enjoy an English tea afternoon and hear the music of the Ringers. Tickets will be available beginning March 23. |
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Summer Intern Application:
We are accepting applications from, sophomore, juniors and seniors in college for the 2014 Summer Intern position! Please click here for the application. The application is also on the website. Please contact Pastor Scott at 815-398-3557.
The application deadline is February 9, 2014
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Rituals or Traditions St. Mark "Christmas Baskets"
What were your family's holiday traditions when you were a child? What rituals or traditions did you continue in your own family? Everyone has them. Maybe you don’t realize it or think of them as such…but we all do. We are all different; everyone’s rituals or traditions are special and unique to their own family.
Here at St. Mark, the Gessner Family has organized the Christmas Basket Collection for over 25 years. “Thank you,” for carrying on that wonderful tradition!
Each Christmas, St. Mark has been distributing Christmas baskets to needy families. This year, the Outreach Committee will continue that tradition. Please pray for this outreach, talk about participating with your family, donate, and consider sharing one of your family's very own rituals or traditions. You may contribute toward this cause during the month of November, through
December 8.
The Sunday school children and their families are asked to donate a box of cereal and write down one of their family's holiday traditions.
Help with assembly and delivery of baskets areneeded as well on December 13 & 14. Please sign upo to volunteer at the display in Fellowship Hall. Contact Melinda Alekna in the church office 815-398-3557 or email
melinda@stmarklc.com
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St. Mark Marriage Retreat:
Plan now to attend St. Mark’s marriage retreat on March 22 and 23, 2014 at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Oregon, Illinois. The retreat will begin at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday and end at 1:00 P.M . on Sunday. We will be utilizing Couple Checkup, a relationship assessment program that is custom tailored to a couple’s relationship and provides couple exercises to build relationship skills. Cost is $186 per couple and includes the cost of the assessment, one night’s lodging, and three meals on-site. There is an additional cost for dinner at a local restaurant on Saturday evening. A non-refundable deposit of $93 is required to secure your reservation and may be dropped off at the church office. Space is limited to twelve couples and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Don’t miss this opportunity to renew your
relationship with the love of your life!
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Valentine Dinner and Dance:
The third annual St. Mark Family and Friends Valentine Dinner and Dance is planned for February 8, 2014 at Forest Hills Country Club. Mark your calendars! Everyone is invited. The food is fabulous, the music divine, and the fellowship is beyond compare. Young, not so young, married or single, members and non-members, everyone is invited to share in this magical evening. Cost is $45 per person. Reservations may be made by contacting Karen Kammer at karen@stmarklc.com or stop by the table in Fellowship Hall to purchase tickets.
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Pastor Scott is one of the "Three Amigos" that will be at Katie's Cup.
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