Volume 21, Issue 7 A Publication of St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church July 2016

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1 The Parishioner Volume 21, Issue 7 A Publication of St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church July 2016 America s Future and Our Religious Values The life of a country is much more than its material development and Its power in the world a nation needs a soul. - Pope John Paul II At weekend services on July 2-3, 2016 we will be holding our country and government in prayer as we celebrate our nation s independence. Former organist, Karen Krenitsky will be with us offering a special medley of patriotic/religious music as we celebrate both our physical and spiritual freedoms. Our Lutheran confessions remind us that we are citizens of two realms, the heavenly kingdom by virtue of our faith and trust in Jesus Christ; and our earthly kingdom by virtue of our U.S. citizenship. Our first allegiance must always be to our God and the Kingdom of Heaven. At the same time we Christians believe God intends to work through and judges the nations of the world. Thereby we have Christian responsibility in our citizenship to our country as well. I was reminded of the importance of the tension that needs to exist between our citizenship in the Kingdom of God and our American citizenship when I read the shocking headline in the religious section of the Washington Post Newspaper on May 13 th. The title of the article: People are Seriously Wondering Whether God Is Punishing Us With The 2016 Election. In the article, Russell Moore, who represents the Southern Baptist Convention as a lobbyist on Capitol Hill asks whether God is sending us a message? With voters facing a choice between two presidential candidates that most people strongly dislike and don t trust, according to the polls. Moore says that much to his surprise the primary question he is being asked is not what he had expected What do we do in terms of voting in November? No. Instead, he says, People are asking me, Does this mean that America is under the judgment of God? Taking a different point of view in the article, The Rev. Amy Butler of historic Riverside Church in Manhattan says, I don t think God has anything to do with our poor choice of godly, trustworthy presidential candidates. Years and decades of injustice and a crumbling education system have led to where we are now. It may soon be the end our country, but if it is, it will be our fault not God s judgment. Does God have a place in our nation s politics? Probably most citizens don t even remotely consider that God is sending us a message as we approach the presidential election and struggle with our nation s divisive rhetoric, social crisis, the drug epidemic, racial injustice, etc. How do we talk about God in government in our politically correct culture? Is God a hands on God with expectations of the nations of the world? How do we separate church and state in a pluralistic society without taking God out of the moral and political fabric of our nation? How do we respond faithfully as Christians if we believe that we are a nation under God? These are HUGH questions going forward for us as Christians who love both our country and our God. May God Bless Us and May God Bless America, Pastor Al Towberman The Parishioner 1

2 New Offering Envelopes To Be Continued In 2017 What do you do with your offering envelopes when they are mailed to you quarterly? Perhaps you place them by your check book or on your dresser or some other prominent place as a reminder to make your tithe to the church when you receive your paycheck or social security check. Perhaps you throw them in the waste can thinking: the church is always asking for money. Perhaps you think the church doesn t need my money and the booklet of new quarterly envelopes just gets lost in one of your piles of clutter. Perhaps you get angry and say to yourself, My money is mine and God has nothing to do with it. How dare the church expect me to give an offering. And you decide to withdraw your membership from the church. After reviewing the pluses and minuses of the new envelopes the church council voted to continue the new envelope service in For the most part the mailing of the offering envelopes to every household on a quarterly basis has received a positive response. This past January we began mailing offering envelopes to all 743 households/persons on our congregation s membership roles. It is true, we do need more money! Our $550,000+ annual operating budget is running about $10,000 a month short. We don t have as many wealthy members of the congregation as in past years or as many members as in years past. More than half of our membership didn t pick-up the old boxed envelopes we placed out on the tables at the beginning of each New Year. That was a problem but an even greater concern has been whether many on our membership rolls have an active and committed relationship to Jesus Christ. Mailing the offering envelopes to every household says that each of us has a responsibility to use faithfully the financial resources that God has entrusted to us. As has been often said, everything we have in this life is only on loan to us. How does God want each of us to use what is God s in a responsible way? What is your responsibility for the ministry of St. Mark s? Even if you throw your offering envelopes in the trash (And I hope you don t!) if you want the church to be here for you and your family when there is illness, a baptism, funeral, a first communion and confirmation, to have a significant presence in the community and to be successful you need to contribute regularly and generously. We have to grow our giving base if St. Mark s is going to be able to continue the level of ministry and staffing we have enjoyed in the past. If you want St. Mark s to be here tomorrow you need to give today. Most of all I hope the quarterly mailing of envelopes to you and every house hold in the congregation pricks your conscience with a desire to give out of love for the Lord and all that He has done and is doing for us. Remember Psalm 96 verses 8-9 we read/intoned in our worship services several weeks ago? Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the Lord in holiness, tremble before him, all the earth! Think about it; Pray about it. -Pastor Towberman The Parishioner 2

3 St. Mark s Staff and Council Officers Notes from the Perch Sr. Pastor ~ Pastor Towberman awt@stmarksbutler.org Parish Administrator ~ Mary Ellen Tack maryellen.tack@stmarksbutler.org Administrative Assistant ~ Vicki Schiffer vicki.schiffer@stmarksbutler.org Director Children/Youth Ministry ~ Darcie Pomykata youth@stmarksbutler.org Sextons ~ John Lingenfelter / Larry Rettig Aaron Ministers ~ Carol Fleeger / Robert Niggel Director of Music ~ Ralph Christy Jr. Assistant Organist ~ Rebecca Veith Bell Choir Director ~ Rebecca Veith Children/Youth Choir Director ~ Ralph Christy Jr. Children s Hour Director ~ Darcie Pomykata Katie s Kitchen Director ~ Loretta Bachman Council President ~ David Rodgers Council Secretary ~ Karen Grossman Treasurer ~ Sherry Young Financial Secretary ~ Toni Tassey Missionary ~ Judy Perry The Sanctuary Choir Recently, The Sanctuary Choir ended their season with a dinner at Cooper s Station Restaurant. Thanks were given to our Reception Coordinators Carol Scott, Anne Ferguson, and Mary Kruger; Music Librarians Anne Ferguson and Mary Kruger; Secretary Anne Ferguson; Assistant Directors Anne Ferguson and Carol Scott; Carpenter Ed Hoehn; Anthem suggestions Ron Morrison; Shadow Boxes Aimee Lohner; Treasurers to our Adopted Child Joanne Lewis and Melissa Somerville; Photographer and Reporter Melissa Somerville and to our summer vocalists. The evening ended with a tribute to Karen Krenitsky. We presented Karen with a Memory Book filled with photos and messages from the choir and a beautiful water color painting. KAREN, WE WILL ALL MISS YOU! The Parishioner 3

4 Pre-school Age 2- Kindergarten Primary Classes Grades 1 3 Grades 4-6 Confirmation Class Secondary Classes Grades 9 & up Adult Classes The Seekers Class Family Bible Class Good News Bible Class Disciples of Christ Christian Education News ~~~~~~~~~~ Sunday School Year We thank God for the blessings of our Sunday School Teachers! Darcie Pomykata, Shirley Bilowich Kathy Beunier, Tracy Patton Sherry Montag, David Rodgers Pastor Towberman Wendy Holt Chris & Spring Deal Heather Michel Don Cavalero Vonnie Neigh, Leila Protzman Perfect Attendance Program Congratulations to the following students for having perfect attendance in the month of May: Pre K K Tristan Clark, Dulcinea Clark 1 st 3 rd Grade 4 th 6 th Grade Nicole Michel Anthony Leitem Greg Wilbert Jacob Pomykata High School Mackenzi Edwards Buck Holt Confirmation Class Ryan Beunier Perfect Attendance! Ryan Beunier, Anthony Leitem, and Greg Wilbert. CONGRATULATIONS! The Parishioner 4

5 Youth Camp 2016 The Youth of St. Mark s are going to camp! Where: St. Thomas Church Grove, Hooversville, PA When: July 26-28, 2016 Theme: Being Rooted in Christ Suggested Donation: $40 (includes meals and activities) This year's camp will include a trip to the Johnstown Flood National Park and the Johnstown Flood Museum. Plans are being made to have showers available this year for camp along with an afternoon at a lake for swimming. *Call or Text Darcie to register: (724) Congratulations! Jonathan Mosley, on your High School Graduation! Jonathan will be continuing his education at Hiram G. Andrews in Johnstown, PA to study Architectural Drafting and Design. Alexis Leech won the Class AAA girls 400 meters during the WPIAL Team Track and Field Championships. Congratulations, Alexis!! The Parishioner 5

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7 C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S AWANA Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed as taken from II Timothy 2:15 Emily Conroe received the Awana Citation Award. This award is the highest honor given to an Awana member that has completed 10 years of academic book studies, including memorizing, reciting, and explaining passages of scripture. The student has read all 66 books of the Bible, submit a written summary for each book, completed community services and outreach projects. Emily s name has been added to the Wall of Accomplishments for Citation Award Recipients in the Awana Headquarters in Chicago, IL. Emily s parents are Mark & Lynne Niggel Conroe and grandparents are Robert & Vera Niggel. The Children and Youth Choir finished a great season. Recently, the choir had a full morning with singing in their choir robes, at the Butler VA Hospital. The kids were well received. After singing at the VA, the choir sang at the 10:15 AM service with the rousing song Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus. The morning ended with Miss Karen and Mr. Ralph taking the youngsters to Mac s Café for lunch. Everyone had a fun and talkative time. The choir is looking forward to our next season. The Children and Youth Choir The Parishioner 7

8 Thank you Dear Ladies of St. Mark s ~ I just want to say thank you for the thoughtful Get Well card. I am doing well. I am waiting for my radiation and chemotherapy to begin in approximately two weeks. I do have a favor to ask ~ I enjoy reading the devotions in the booklet (Our Daily Bread), could you please send me the booklet beginning in June? I would be so thankful. Thanks again for the loving card. Thank you so much for the beautiful quilt. I have it on my bed and it looks great. It was so nice of you to think of me. Take care, Julie Osche Dear Vicki and Mary Ellen ~ Thank you so much for sending me the CD; also for sending me Our Daily Bread. I m just not able to get to church on Sundays. God s Blessing be to both of you for the work you do for St. Mark s. Thank you. Allene Luppe Sunday School Teachers ~ Thank you for your kind gift of a JoAnn Fabrics gift card and bird lantern. Once again, you have given a gift that is greatly appreciated and will be lovingly used, but being inspired by each of you is more than gift enough and I look forward to more Sunday School seasons ahead. Joyfully thanking God for each of you, Wendy Holt Dear Ginny and 3T Ladies ~ Wow, I knew that you were special all these years, but when I received one of your beautiful quilts, it overwhelmed me with feelings of love, kindness, caring, and your love for all of God s children. Ginny, you brought me to tears of joy when I took the quilt out of the bag. Not only was it beautiful, but the material used was the same material I had used to make a lap robe for a friend who went to be with the Lord six years ago. I cannot put into words how deeply this has touched me. Wherever I am planted, this quilt will go and remind me of you. Thank you so very much for your gracious hearts and labor of love. A Sister in Christ, Diana Hall Dear Ushers, Here are the two web site links for the two clearances that need completed: Criminal: Child Abuse: You may also contact Darcie Pomykata, Youth Director text/call (724) for assistance in completing the forms. Darcie has graciously volunteered to assist us with this process. The forms can either be completed online or printed off and mailed to the address in the instructions for each form. Please follow the instructions for each form in detail as you go thru the process. The fee charged for the processing of these forms will be reimbursed by the Church and a copy of these clearances must be kept in the Church Office. Thank you and God Bless, Reuben Pink, Head Usher The Parishioner 8

9 St. Mark s Annual Church Picnic August 27, 2016 What s The Catch? Join us at the Masonic Shelter in Alameda Park on Saturday, August 27 th from 2:00 7:00 pm Bring a friend and join us for great food, fun, and fellowship. Finish out the day with a Worship Service including Holy Communion!! Mark your calendar to enjoy all or any part of the day s activities! Saturday night Worship service will be at the park. Watch future Cornerstone Bulletin inserts and August Parishioner for more details! 3T Ladies have made school bags to be filled with supplies by the congregation. The empty bags will be available beginning July 16 th to pick up and fill. These school bags are distributed to centers for the needy children in our community. Thank you all for participating in this service project! The bags should be returned by August 7 th so that we can distribute them to Glade Run and Dunbar Center before school starts. We appreciate all your help with this project. Our goal is to have 100 bags filled to distribute to needy children in our community! Please contact, Ginny for more information. NOMINATING COMMITTEE It is that time of year again to find people to run for Church Council and the Nominating Committee for Please pray that God will raise up the people to do His ministry at St. Mark s, to be the leaders of the church and grow the congregation. If you are interested or can suggest someone, please contact one of the following: April Quinn Chair David Rodgers Liaison Vic Leithold Vera Niggel The Parishioner 9

10 Summer Reading Check out the many books offered in our Church Library for your summer reading! Take time to sit under a shade tree or by the pool, relax, and enjoy your time reading! When signing out the Library Books, always use first and last names and phone numbers, please. Books are checked out for two weeks at a time. Brothers and Sisters, We do have a vacancy on our Church Council. St. Mark s Constitution states if a vacancy exists, the Church Council shall appoint an individual to serve until the new Church Council takes office. Such appointee(s) shall not be eligible for election on the next ballot (2017). You need to be a member, 18 years or older, communed in the last two years and contributed to the church. If you feel called to serve, please call or Diana Hall at / dorishall@zoominternet.net; David Rodgers at , or any Church Council Member before July 31. The names will be submitted, voted on, and installed at the August Council Meeting, August 23. The Lord Be With You. Diana Hall, Pres. Thank you for your note, Shirley M. Mottern. Have a blessed day and days to come! **Please remember that the Church and Office will be CLOSED July 4 th in observance of INDEPENDENCE DAY.** Pastor Jim Neal will be bringing God s Word to us while Pastor Towberman is away for NALC Convocation, and a time of rest and vacation August Introducing our new Council President As we are saddened to hear that Diana Hall is stepping down from being President of Council to care for her health, we are delighted to have David Rodgers step up from Vice President into the position of President. We pray for Diana as she takes care of herself at this time. David has been a member of St. Mark s for 7 years. He also teaches 4 th 6 th grade Sunday School. He loves spending time with family, as well as hunting, fishing, and golf. He and his wife, Stacey have 2 beautiful children: Evan (7 years old) and Elise (2 years old). David is an Educational Consultant in Beaver County helping students with disabilities transition successfully from High School into adult life as he helps them connect with appropriate agencies and services according to their needs, also incorporating their activities while in High School. The Parishioner 10

11 July 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday th Sunday After Pentecost 8:00 & 10:15 Worship/HC 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Children s Church 10 8:00 & 10:15 Worship 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Children s Church 4 11 Office Closed For Independence Day 9:00 3T NatioNal Cheer Up The lonely Day 5 1:30 Evangelism Committee NALC Youth NY Mission Trip: July th Sunday After Pentecost :00 St. Mark s vs Lutherlyn 1 1:00 Prayer Shawl 7 5:00 Katie s Kitchen 14 5:00 Katie s Kitchen NALC Youth NY Mission Trip 9 6:00 Worship / HC 16 6:00 Worship / HC 23 8:00 & 10:15 Worship/HC 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Children s Church th Sunday After Pentecost 25 5:30 Worship/Music Mtg Youth Camp: Hooversville, PA 5:00 Katie s Kitchen 29 6:00 Worship / HC 30 8:00 & 10:15 Worship 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Children s Church 5:00 Katie s Kitchen 6:00 Worship / HC th Sunday After Pentecost 8:00 & 10:15 Worship 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Children s Church The United States is the only country with a known birthday. ~ James G. Blaine The Parishioner 11

12 July 2-3, 2016 ~ Holiday Worship Services Holy Communion Patriotic Music Selection July 4, 2016 ~ Church / Office Closed for INDEPENDENCE DAY July 8-12, 2016 ~ Youth NY Mission Trip July 26-28, 2016 ~ Youth Camp: Hooversville, PA A Congregation of the North American Lutheran Church St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church 201 West Jefferson Street Butler, Pennsylvania Phone: Fax: Website: NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U. S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 92 BUTLER, PA Parish Hours: 8:00 AM -- 5: 00 PM Monday - Friday CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED WORSHIP SERVICES Saturday: 6:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 & 10:15 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM The Parishioner 12