St. Mark MEMOS 12/6 and December Calendars

Each year at Thanksgiving, my parents would gather us up and travel from Oak Lawn to my Aunt’s house in Des Plaines.

It truly felt like the song, “Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go.” We were bundled up, for what seemed to be a very long car ride. When we arrived, there were lots of relatives, a fire to warm up by, and an abundance of food. If we were lucky, there would be snow to play in after the feast. The Christmas gathering was similar in that all the relatives came to our house on Christmas Day. That was, of course, following a late night, candle lit service the night before. That is my picture-perfect, child hood memory of a wonderful family tradition.

Rituals and traditions . . . they are unique and special to each family. They are those patterns of behavior that occur on a regular basis. They communicate meaning, values, and relationships that exist between people and with God (including God’s created universe). For the Christian community, the way we greet each other each day, the use of table grace, bedtime prayers, regular worship, the blessing of a Christmas tree, birthdays and anniversary celebrations, are all examples of family rituals and traditions that can communicate the good news of Jesus Christ. Rituals make us human; rituals help us heal; they root us; rituals help children feel secure. Rituals and traditions are important details that infuse families with a sense of identity, purpose and meaning. Daily life is filled with moments and messages that shape people’s lives. These forms of communication convey meaning, values, faith, and priorities. Routines, rituals, traditions, signs, and symbols send messages. What patterns does your family consciously want to use and what messages do you want them to convey?

Join us at St. Mark on Friday, December 13, at 6:00 P.M. as we continue a St. Mark tradition: assembling Christmas baskets for families in need. Help deliver baskets on Saturday, December 14, at 9:00 A.M.

I also encourage you this Christmas to talk with your family and friends and ask them about their holiday traditions. Stop by the card table in Fellowship Hall and fill out, “What is your favorite holiday tradition?” It will be fun to read and display them and learn a bit more about our childhood, rituals, and family traditions.

Traditions of the Christmas Tree . . . The evergreen tree symbolizes the ever-present love of God, and the lights on the tree announce the coming of Jesus, the light of the world that has come into the world. The tree itself recalls that the infant Jesus was born into the world to die for the sins of the world on a tree. The tree conveys the message of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Blessings of faith, hope and love,
Melinda Alekna

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: Pastor Mark, Elton Olson, Pat Jacobsen, Ulla Kercher, Jan Stringer, Jane Flanagan, Pat Nolen, Bill Anderson, Keith Haggestad.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Randy Wells. He passed away and had been a visitor here at St. Mark for several years.

Family and friends of St. Mark members: Sue Cross, Rich Kalnins, Robert Davis, Jennifer VanRyswyk, Bob Taylor, Mike McPherson, Randy Toone, Joe Hanna, Jennifer Brady, Kay Brickey Parisella, John Bauer, Abby Figi, Mark Netherland, Jeff Ahlstrom, 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.

Youth News:

Choo, Choo, All Aboard!
(click here for the link to the Chicago Christmas Train)
High school YOUth are travelling to Chicago, Saturday, December 14. We will meet at St. Mark at 9:00 A.M. and will return by 10:00 P.M. Sign up this Sunday in Fellowship Hall or at YOUth group. Cost for the train is $7 and bring spending money for food, etc. We plan to go to the 'bean' at Millenium Park, Michigan Avenue, and ride the 'Christmas Train'. (Check out the Christmas Train, it is all decoreated for the holidays) Want mor information? Call or text Melinda 815-871-0390 or email melinda@stmarklc.com

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

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.

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 9-10:30 a.m. All students are asked to attend. We will have an additional practice on December 8 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. That practice is for first-sixth grade students.

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.

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.

Sunday School News:

There will be no Sunday school on the following Sundays: December 22 and December 29.

Sunday school has collected 31 boxes of cereal! Our goal is 100 boxes of cereal. The cereal will be included in the Christmas baskets for those in need. Students are asked to bring boxes of cereal to Sunday school on December 8. Cereal boxes may also be dropped off during the week in the baskets in the Dnarthex until December 13. Thank you to all of the congregation members who have helped us with our goal. Only 69 more to go!!!!

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.

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

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!

Valentine Dinner and Dance:

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! Please contact Karen Kammer at karen@stmarklc.com or 815-398-3557 for more information.

Advent Devotionals Available:

Free Advent devotionals are available on the table in the narthex. A World Awaits is compiled from the works of C. S. Lewis. Born on November 29, 1898 in Belfast Ireland, Clive Staples Lewis was one of the foremost Christian apologists of the last century, explaining the faith with logic and clarity. A teacher of literature and philosophy at Oxford University as well as Cambridge, Lewis was the author of The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy series, enjoyed by children and adults alike. Excerpts within the devotional are taken from Miracles, The Four Loves, Mere Christianity, Christian Reflections and Letters to Malcolm.