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Youth News
Middle and High School YOUth October 13,
Hayride 4:30-8:30P.M.
Please meet at church at 3:45 to carpool to Stillman Valley.
Games, food, bonfire, music, fun, friends! This event invites churches from all over the area.
We are collecting canned goods for the Rockton Food Pantry. Sign up going on now in Fellowship Hall…we also need adult/drivers. Friends are welcome for this fun, awesome event!
See Melinda Alekna if you have questions.
SAVE THE DATE!
Save the Dates for upcoming Youth Connect events...these are for both middle/high school youth.
October 20, Cropwalk
November 17, Turkey Trot at St. Mark
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Empty Nesters:
Meeting at the Ellenbergers for a fall bonfire! Saturday, October 19 at 6:00 P.M. Bring a dish to pass, beverage and a chair. RSVP to Todd and Betsy Ellenberger, goldengalore@gmail.com.
Also, we are reserving spots at the RALM trivia night, 6:30 P.M. Friday, Nov. 1 at Our Saviors. The cost is $15. RSVP to Dave Blunt dave@stmarklc.com. Come and help the Empty Nesters support RALM and show off our trivia filled minds!
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Thank You:
Thank you for supporting the St. Mark team in the WALK TO END ALZHEIMERS on 9/21. It was a sunny morning at Martin Park where our walkers met for coffee and treats, listened to a short program, and did some warm up exercises before we walked 3 miles along the Rock River. The guitar player singing, "Remember Me," reminded us why we were all there - our compassion reaching out to all families fighting this battle. Your generous contributions and support in our efforts to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease is very much appreciated. Donations can still be made until the end of October. Hope you checked out the Alzheimer's video screen in church last Sunday! - Claire Brown
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Bible studies:
New members are welcome to join the Tuesday 6:00-7:30 P.M. and Wednesdays at 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 is exploring I & II Samuel. Both studies meet at St. Mark.
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Congratulations to ...
We extend our congratulations to Beth Cotter and Christopher Jay who will be united in marriage at St. Mark on Saturday, October 19. Beth is the daughter of Kevin and Jan Cotter.
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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!
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King's Kids & Jubilate:
King's Kids and Jubilate rehearsals have begun. We are looking for more choir members this year. King's Kids is for children in grades 1st-5th, and Jubilate is for children in grades 6th-12th. King's Kids rehearse Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:15 P.M. and Jubilate rehearses on Sundays from 10:45 to 11:45 A.M. We are going to have a great time this year! The first Sunday that the choirs are singing is coming up fast: this Sunday, October 13th!
I'm looking forward to seeing old and new faces at rehearsals!
In Christ,
Kristen Reick
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News from the Council:
- Approved repairs to the roof.
- Spent time on further discussing topics of Council Retreat.
- Pr. Stolberg presented a 5 year plan upgrades to enhance technology, communication and security at St. Mark.
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Deadline for the next MEMOS:
October 21 at NOON.
Thank you.
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Dear St. Mark friends,
There’s an old saying in the church that’s tried and true…and it goes like this: You have to communicate something seven times before half of them will hear it! Therefore, I give myself permission to repeat some very important information…plus include a few new details.
This year’s stewardship theme is, “Involved for Life!” During the first three Sundays of October, we are blessed by the faith stories of three active St. Mark members…each of them sharing how their involvement in the life and mission of St. Mark has influenced and shaped their faith. Tiffanie Ferry spoke of faith, family, and church on October 6; Mike Belk will speak on October 13; and Jimmy Ivacic will be our final speaker on October 20.
In addition, Pastor Scott and I are using the preaching time to further explore the faith implications of our Christian involvement. Our stewardship campaign will culminate on Commitment Sunday, October 20, when “Estimate of Giving Cards” will be distributed, completed, and collected as part of our worship experience. This process will allow us to have full exposure to each of these important messages, inviting the Holy Spirit to shape our discernment and responses.
Our tentative mission budget for 2014 is $685,000…a goal that reflects both our history of strong financial giving and a prayerful vision for growing St. Mark’s mission. Thanks to your generous and consistent support, we trust God will continue to bless us in marvelous ways.
I look forward to seeing you in worship these exciting Sundays of October!
Your partner in ministry,
Pastor Mark Hagen
"Involved for Life!"
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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: Nancy Carter, Maria Taimisto, Shirley Whitehead, Bill Anderson, Sandy Olson, Sheri Anderson, Evelyn Franzen, Keith Haggestad.
Family and friends of St. Mark members: Jim McPherson, Jennifer Brady, Laurie Berkheimer, 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, Chad Swenson, Dan Waterton, Zach Hayes.
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Ladies - "Most Excellent Adventure":
 LADIES the last day to sign up for the “Most Excellent Adventure” to the Fashion Outlets of Chicago is this Sunday, Oct.13. The trip is Thursday, October 24, 8:45 A.M. we will leave by coach bus from St. Mark and return at 5:00 P.M. The cost is just $25 (please make a check payable to St. Mark )and friends are welcome! Sign up in Fellowship Hall, e-mail Melinda Alekna melinda@stmarklc.com, call the church office.
We are collecting donations that day for “Becca’s Closet.” Dresses, shoes, jewelry, small purses, will be donated to a phenomenal ministry, right here in Rockford! Let’s spend the day together, meet some new friends from St. Mark, for fellowship, fashion, fun!
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Alzheimers Caregiver's Group:
The group will meet on October 14 at 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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New Member Orientation:
New member orientation continues on Sunday, October 13 and will continue each Sunday in October. Pastor Mark Hagen will discuss How Lutherans Interpret the Bible on October 13 and Pastor Scott Stolberg will present Lutheran Theology on October 20. Orientation will be held in the Adult Ministry room (across from the nursery) from 10:45-11:45 A.M. New members will be received on Sunday, November 10, at the 9:30 A.M. service. If you are interested in learning more about St. Mark or in becoming a member of St. Mark, please contact Karen Kammer at 815-398-3557 or karen@stmarklc.com.
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Crop Walk:
 This year’s CROP Hunger Walk will be Sunday, October 20. It begins at 711 N. Main St, the Discovery Center’s Riverfront Museum Park. The Rockford area raised $53,000 for local and world hunger needs last year. $13,000 was donated to the Greater Rockford Pantry Coalition.
Outreach has sign up information at the table in Fellowship Hall. The number of hungry and homeless here and worldwide is even greater this year. Pick up a packet, ask people to sponsor you, and join the walkers on Sunday, October 20.
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Your Support of St. Mark:
Envelope Offering for the Month of September
Budget $55,021
Received $56,108
Year to Date
Budget $528,152
Received $516,814
September Attendance:
9/1 276
9/8 374
9/15 317 (includes Sunday school)
9/22 361 (includes Sunday school)
9/29 343 (includes Sunday school)
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ELCA 25th Anniversary Celebration:
Last Sunday evening the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America celebrated 25 years with a worship service. Trinity Lutheran Church was the beautiful back drop for this very memorable event. I was especially proud that twelve of our St. Mark youth were able to experience this worship. It was memorable, meaningful, and especially heart-warming to see Pastor Mark, Pastor Scott and Pastor Don all a part of the service. Twenty-three Lutheran churches participated along with Lutheran High School, well over a hundred singers and musicians. We can be especially proud of our local Lutheran churches who participated and organized this most auspicious event. ELCA blessed! Always being made new, 25 years together
in Christ. Let us continue, "God's Work, Our Hands." St. Mark Lutheran Involved for Life!
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Outreach News and Opportunity:
Outreach is having another "In the Bag" collection of food for the Rock River Valley Food Pantry. All donations are greatly appreciated. Contributions, including monetary donations may be brought to St. Mark on Sunday, October 20. Proverbs 22:9 "Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor."
The final dates to help pass out food products this year at Grace Lutheran Food Pantry are:
October 21, November 18 and 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!
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Primetimers News:
Oct. 17, Thursday 1:00 P.M. Home-made Apple Pie Contest and Auction in Fellowship Hall. Please have your favorite recipe to accompany entry. Make a double recipe to have an extra pie for the Auction. We will have coffee and vanilla ice cream for the ala mode. |
Sunday School News:
Sunday school is still in need of two more teachers 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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The First Tuesday Book Club:
We will meet on November 5, at the home of Trudy Lund, 5647 Inverness Drive. We will be reviewing, Killing Kennedy, by Bill O'Reily. All are welcome, but please RSVP to Trudy at trudyntimm@aol.com or 815-398-7552.
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Parking Lot Update:
Most of you know by know the parking lot and church have been closed for the last few days. Thank you for being patient and understanding as this process has been a little longer than expected. The end result will be well worth it. The parking lot will be ready for us on Sunday!
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