A Publication of St. Mark Lutheran Church
Growing in Faith . . . Sharing God's Grace        April 11, 2014

“But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.” Luke 24:12

You’ve got to love Peter…always determined to see things for himself! I find that to be an endearing quality. There’s something about Peter to which most of us can relate. Like Peter, we encounter those times when the constant mix of hearsay and opinions will not suffice…leaving us to check things out for ourselves and to draw our own conclusions.

That’s the work of faith: not a group decision or an obligatory response, but the active engagement of one’s own heart and mind. Thus, faith is deeply personal…no one can do it for you. That’s why Peter high-tailed it to Jesus’ tomb at the incredible news of the missing body. He had to find out for himself if it was true.

And so, I would like to invite each of you to participate in the events of Holy Week for these very reasons. While we travel the road of faith with many companions, we still walk that path with our own two feet. Worship is an activity among the community of believers, but the work and response of faith belongs to each individual.

Easter is a community celebration for many…it certainly is for the people of St. Mark. What we offer here on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday are multiple opportunities to join Peter in running to the tomb to see for ourselves. Such an invitation is too important and too personal to leave to someone else.

Each of our Holy Week services invite us to look more deeply into the story of our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection…and to be changed by what we see and hear.

Luke tells us that Peter went home that day “amazed.” Prepare to be amazed once again as we make our annual pilgrimage toward the cross and the empty tomb. This is one week where we are all invited to see for ourselves!

I’ll be looking for you on the road…
 


REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS


Our St. Mark members:
 John Carlson, Jim Tooley, Helen Shabez, Joyce Holmberg, Evelyn Franzen, Helen Corbett, Gordy Olson, Elmer Seybold, Sally Karau, John Johnson, Pat Jacobsen, Bill Anderson, Keith Haggestad.

Our condolences to: the Clodius family upon the death of Bob Clodius.

Our condolences to: Michelle Scarpaci and family upon the death of her grandmother, Betty Riggle.

Family and friends of St. Mark members:  Ray Bare, Tom Lee, Sylvia Hagen, Joe Bigley, Glo Dixon, Mary Ann Rondone, Roy Larson,  Brandon Whitehead, Julie Anderson, Jerry Stanley, Larry Hart, Jennifer VanRyswyk, Robert Davis, Randy Toone, Jennifer Brady, John Bauer, Jeff Ahlstrom, Marena Peterson.

Those serving in the military and their families: John Nelson, David Albaugh, Brandon Ballenger, John Bullington, Kevin Cronin, Timothy Folkers, Adam Hendrix, Kellen Hietpas, Philip Light, Patrick Sullivan, Sean Sullivan, Dan Waterton, Zach Hayes, Dean Barron.


NEWS AND EVENTS
 
Welcome Marsha Scott!  Marsha  is our new part-time office receptionist. She is a member of St. Mark and is working Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 – 1:00 P.M.  We want to thank our outgoing morning volunteers: Maureen Hargrove, Betty Lundvall, Susan Lange, Sally Karau, and Judy Haggestad. Betty and Judy will continue to volunteer in the afternoons.  We are very appreciative of everything all of you have done through the many years of volunteering. We will continue to use volunteers as office receptionists in the afternoons from 1:00 – 4:00.
“We give thanks to God always for you.” 1 Thess. 1:2


'Buck-a-Chick' -
This Sunday is the last day Sunday school students are hosting a “Buck-a-Chick” sale in the narthex and lower level. Congregation members may purchase a “Buck-a-Chick” paper that they can decorate for themselves or in honor of a friend or family member. The colorful chicks will be hung in the hallway. Each “Buck-a-Chick” paper signifies a chick that will be provided to families living in poverty. The chicks will soon produce eggs that can be eaten or sold at the marketplace for income, helping a family escape hunger for good. “Buck-a-Chick” is made possible through ELCA Good Gifts. Over $175,000 has been raised to date!  We have reached our goal of $200.  Thank you!!

 

The First Tuesday Book Club  will meet on May 6, 7:00 P.M., at the home of Susan White, 4418 Windswept Way, Loves Park. We’ll review, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski. The book is a subtle and psychologically nuanced portrait of a family caught in the cross currents of profound grief and corrosive envy, and the relationship between man and dog. While we welcome all at the lively book club meetings, please let the hostess know if you can attend by e-mailing Susan at Lpsusanwhite@yahoo.com or leaving a message for her at 815-654-4113. Failure to do so could result in serious consequence of a shortage of dessert! Looking ahead: June 3-The Plum Tree by Marie Mantel.

 

 

New Member Orientation:
This is the last new member orientation class this Sunday April 13, at 10:45 A.M. in the Adult Ministry room which is across from the nursery. New members will be received on Sunday, April 27, at the 9:30 A.M. service. We will be having another new member orientation in the fall. If you would like to be included in the classes, please contact Karen Kammer at 815-398-3557 or karen@stmarklc.com.

 

Easter Lilies:
This Sunday, April 13, is the last day to order an Easter Lily. If you would like to help us decorate the sanctuary, please have your order in. You may take your lily home after the 9:30 and 11:00 service on Easter morning. Lilies are $10. Thank you 

Happy 90th Birthday, Dorothy Nicholas!

An open house will be hosted by her family on Sunday, April 13, from 1:30 – 3:30 P.M. in fellowship Hall. Please join us!

    


OUTREACH

(click on the image to visit Rock House Kids)
The Outreach Committee will be collecting Kid Friendly Food Bag items during Lent to give to Rock House Kids. These items are bagged up and sent home with the children so they will have food on the weekends when they are not in school and the evenings when Rock House is not serving meals.  The "CARE VAN" will be in Fellowship Hall where your donations may be left either on Wednesdays when you come to the Lenten suppers and service or on Sundays during Lent.

ITEMS NEEDED:  

  •  Packages of little boxes of cereal
  • Boxes of breakfast bars or nutrition bars
  • Packages of peanut butter crackers and cheese crackers                   
  • Fruit roll ups, fruit cups, fruit snacks, little boxes of raisins
  • Packages of individual puddings, cookies, or potato chips
  • Capri Sun drinks
All items must be non perishable, need no refrigeration, need no cooking, and must be individually wrapped and sized.

Did you know…

The Outreach Ministry has a bulletin board, to the right of the water fountain…near the narthex.  Volunteers make/serve four meals a year at Carpenter’s Place. St. Mark makes six meals a year for Rock House Kids. Saturday, April 12, there are three volunteer “opportunities.” - Becca’s Closet -Habitat for Humanity -Scavenger Hunt for Carpenter’s Place

 

Habitat for Humanity House of Prayers

We will once again have roof boards to write on for a suggested $5 on April 27 and May 4. You can write a thought, prayers, Bible verses and blessings. The roof boards will be used in the construction of the Thompson family house. To learn how you can help with this year’s house, contact Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries, 815-962-4279, or rockfordarealutheranministries.com.

Mother’s Day Cards

We will have the MELD Mother’s Day cards and note cards for sale Sunday April 27 and May 4. The notecards and Mother’s Day cards, feature local photographer, John Anderson. The proceeds benefit young moms, dads and their children. MELD helps guide families to lead a responsible life by providing shelter, education and life skills training.

 

CROP Hunger Walk Benefit

CROP Benefit Sunday, May 4
The Hope and Anchor Restaurant on North second in Loves Park will host a benefit for CROP once again. If you have lunch or dinner there on Sunday, May 4, a portion of your check will go toward the 2014 Rockford CROP Hunger Walk. Live music will heard from 2:00 – 4:00 and from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Come enjoy great food and fellowship and help our community.

This year's Hunger Walk is Sunday, October 19. 


PRIMETIMERS

April 23, Wednesday at 1:00 P.M. Pastor Jim Roberts presents “Poetry Accompanied with Musical Instruments.” Awaken your body and soul with rhythm and song. “I am the drum, you are the drum, we are the drum. Because the whole world revolves in rhythm, and rhythm is the soul of life, for everything that we do in life is in rhythm” B. Olatunji

Come! Bring your music loving friends and join the Primetimers in Fellowship Hall. Enjoy a cup of coffee and dessert while we listen to Pastor Jim, an avid drummer, a teacher and author. Sign up on Sunday at the Primetimers table.

The new 2014 Primetimers event calendar is available at the Primetimers table – remember to pick one up.

 


YOUTH MINISTRY
 
• Middle School Youth are having a “scavenger hunt” for Carpenter’s Place on Saturday, April 12, at 10:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. Join Melinda Alekna at St. Mark. Bring $5 for lunch after we go on the scavenger hunt. Please e-mail melinda@stmarklc.com or call 815-871-0390. Wear comfy shoes and dress for whatever kind of weather we may have.

 St. Mark Egg Hunt will be Saturday, April 19, at 10:00 A.M. Children up through 4th grades are invited to come find eggs!  Bring a basket, bring a friend, and come on down for the fun, friends, games and picture with the Easter Bunny!

Youth 5th grade through high school are asked to volunteer to hide eggs and lead children’s games. (please come at 9 A.M.) Questions? Please e-mail Melinda @stmarklc.com

YOUth Group meets each Sunday evening at 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Join us for good discussions, food, and a time to just chill with your friends.

Mark your calendar that we will not meet April 20, and May 25.

Mission Trip 2014 – Washington IL

Youth in 8th grade through high school: summer mission trip is June 22-28. We will be travelling to Washington, Il to help after the tornados in November. Cost is $250. Check out the website HopeSwingsWashington.org. Questions, please contact Melinda@stmarklc.com. 


 

MUSIC MINISTRY


King's Kids and Jubilate sing this Sunday (4/13). Jubilate needs to be at church between 7:00 and 7:15. I will be providing breakfast for them. King's Kids needs to be at church around 8:45. We only sing one more Sunday after this Sunday! Mark May 11 on your calendars!

King's Kids has 4 rehearsals left: 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, and 5/7. (Wednesday nights 5:30-6:15)

Jubilate has 3 rehearsals left: 4/20, 4/27, and 5/4. (Sunday mornings 10:45-11:45)

Join us now as we celebrate the Easter season and the coming of summer! Kristen Reick 


CHILDREN'S MINISTRY



Sunday school students will participate in the Palm Processional on Palm Sunday, April 13 at the 9:30 A.M. service. Students will meet their teachers in Fellowship Hall at 9:20 A.M. that morning.

There will be no Sunday school on Easter Sunday, April 20. The last day of Sunday school is May 4. Sunday school attendance awards will be presented at the 9:30 A.M. service on May 11.


CONFIRMATION
 

Maundy Thursday service April 17 – 6:45 P.M.
Good Friday Cantata April 18 – 6:45 P.M.
April 23 – NO Confirmation
April 30 – Confirmation resumes “Saved by Grace through Faith”
May 7 - Confirmation “Sharing Your Faith”
May 14 - Last day of Confirmation - Worship and Party


VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

(click on the logo to register)     Mark your calendars for Vacation Bible School. VBS will take place June 16-20 from 9 A.M. to noon. Our theme is Weird Animals: Where Jesus’ Love is One-of-a-Kind. VBS is for kids who are entering kindergarten through 6th grade in the fall.  You can also to our website  www.stmarklc.com and click on the VBS 2014 icon to register.


Please contact the church office or e-mail jill@stmarklc.com with your updated e-mail address if it has changed. We have had a few people say they haven’t received their “Memo” or “bulletin insert” by e-mail. We want you to be “in the know.” Please let us know if you have a new e-mail, phone, address change, etc. If you want to be current on St. Mark events, etc… please check out the church web-site, read your “Memo’s and bulletin insert.”


 

You’re Invited to the Spring Tea!

Celebrate spring at the St. Mark Ringers’ Spring Tea! Shake off the long winter and break out your spring finery and fancy hats! Invite your girlfriends, your moms and daughters to afternoon tea for some pampering and lots of good conversation. English tea and lovely tea sandwiches followed by bite-sized desserts will tantalize your tastebuds. Special musical entertainment will be provided by the St. Mark Ringers.

Saturday, May 3, 2014, 1:00 P.M to 3:00 P.M
$15.00 per person
Special opportunity – reserve a table for 10 for $135.00
St. Mark Church Fellowship Hall

Purchase your tickets in Fellowship Hall between services on Sundays beginning April 4. A lovely, quilted wall hanging and several splendid baskets will be raffled off at the event. Proceeds benefit the St. Mark Ringers.


Your Support to St. Mark - Month of March

Your Support of St. Mark

Envelope Offering

Budget

Received

Month of March

$72,915

$66,042

Year To Date

$192,843

$172,577


Attendance – Month of March   (includes Sunday School)
3/22   - 288
3/9 - 311
3/16 – 362
3/23 – 305
3/30 – 384
Wednesday Lenten Services - 524



   

Maundy Thursday, April 17 Service at 6:45 P.M.
Good Friday Cantata, April 18 at 6:45 P.M.





 

Deadline for the next MEMOS:  April 21, at NOON.  Please send your information to Jill@stmarklc.com.  Thank you.
 


Sunday Morning Schedules
8:00 A.M. Worship service in the Nave       
9:30 A.M.
Worship service in the Nave       
11:00 A.M.
Worship service in Fellowship Hall  

Pastors    

Rev. Dr. Mark Hagen
Rev. Scott Stolberg
Rev. Donald E. Lavelle 
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