THE MARKER. Broken Cups. But this precious treasure this light and power that now shine within

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1 THE MARKER St. Mark s Lutheran Church April Putnam Blvd. Pleasant Hill, CA Dear St. Mark s Friends and Family, please enjoy this reading from Joni Eareckson Tada Pastor Marv Broken Cups But this precious treasure this light and power that now shine within us is held in a perishable container that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own. 2 Corinthians 4:7, TLB I was spring-cleaning with a friend the other day. While reaching into the recesses of the cupboard, she accidentally dropped a cup. It didn t shatter, but the fall to the counter was enough to cause a crack. I wondered whether to save it, but in the end I decided to trash it. God, on the other hand, saves broken cups. In fact, broken vessels are often his most useful tools. The verse for today reads like his fix-it manual. It tells us God pours his treasure into fragile vessels that are prone to shatter. That way everyone will know God is doing the living in us. A broken neck has taught me this. But so has a broken heart. At times, whether in my paralysis pain or emotional pain, I have gone to God and sighed, I give up. I can t do anything right. I have no idea how to pull myself out of this mess. The world would say, Yep, you re useless. The devil would say, Told you so. But God says, I ve been waiting for you to come to Me in your brokenness. Here, let Me heal you. You need My help; for without Me, you can do nothing. What s more, Psalm 51:17 tells us God will only use a life that is broken: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Don t be ashamed of being shattered. God is looking for broken vessels like you through whom he can showcase his splendor. Remember, when it comes to God s grace, even broken cups can be filled to overflowing. Thank you, God, for not throwing away my broken life but treasuring it and redeeming it. Use my brokenness to help others.

2 Council News: Highlights from the February meeting New members and their families have been paired with congregational sponsors. A series of new member events are under way. New members will be formally welcomed into the congregation on Easter Sunday. The council is interested in ideas from the congregation for organizations to support with our quarterly endowment fund distributions. These should be organizations promoting social welfare at the local, regional, national or international level. The groups should fit with St. Mark s mission to use the gifts God has given us to make a difference in the world in which we live, and the ELCA mission to do God s work of restoring and reconciling communities in Jesus name throughout the world. Please contact any member of St. Marks council with your ideas. February Financials Monthly Budget YTD Actual YTD Budget Giving 19,567 15,341 33,712 30,682 Monthly Outreach Giving Total Expenses 13,568 15,341 27,495 15,341 Current financial statements and council minutes are available in the binder on the shelf in the back of the sanctuary.

3 Sharing Social Ministry Outreach Emphasis for April: Youth Homes was created to provide a loving and safe environment to help foster healing and give hope to broken and abandoned hearts. It is our goal to empower and equip the foster youth in our care with all the necessary tools to realize their highest potential. Sometimes it just takes consistency, patience, boundary setting and positive affirmation all the basic parenting skills normal kids receive. Youth Homes remains committed to providing all of these things and more! ~From Youth Homes brochure We hope to have a representative of this organization as our guest on April 17th to facilitate the Adult Forum. Please help those who help others! Get involved, come to the Forum, advocate, volunteer, donate to their thrift shop in Pleasant Hill (and shop 15 Vivian Dr.), or assist with monetary gifts. If you chose the latter, issue your check to St. Mark s, designate Youth Homes. More Social Ministry news: The Campbell Soup Label program is to be discontinued as of July If you still have some labels, please bring them to church a.s.a.p. so that they may be forwarded to the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Arizona before the deadline. Lutheran Social Services will hold a Fundraiser at the Concord Hilton on April 7th. 11:30am 1:00pm luncheon with New York Times bestselling author, Vanessa Diffenbaugh. All proceeds go towards supporting former foster youth. Tickets are: $50 Call LSS (925) for reservation. See page 7 for details. Your suggestions are needed: Which non-profit agency should benefit from St. Mark s endowment fund income? Let the church office know.

4 Martha Circle Bible Study Tuesday, April 5, :30 p.m. In the April session of the Bible study, the theme verses are Philippians 4: In exploring the text, we encounter some of the best-known passages from Philippians. We will also reflect on past sessions, to respond to God and to witness to one another. Please join us in the meeting room. All are welcome. Please remember to bring your Bibles with you. Bible study leader: Connie G. Refreshments: Valerie C. The council of St. Mark s Lutheran Church is working on filling the nursery attendant position vacated by our last nursery attendant, Gabriella Soto. We will be advertising in the local area. If anyone in the congregation knows someone who might be interested in the position please direct them to contact council members Chris Farnitano or Marian Bachofer or contact Karen Klingelhafer in the St. Mark s Office or officeadmin@sm-lc.net. The position is for 10:00am noon, Sundays, as well as on Wednesday nights for Advent and Lent mid-week services. The pay is $24/Sunday ($12/hour). The nursery attendant is expected to engage in play, change diapers as required and clean toys and straighten Nursery as needed. Our nursery is for children up to 5 years old. References and fingerprint check will be required.

5 Puppets of Praise Love to greet people and help with refreshments? The Puppets are looking for two people per showtime to serve refreshments to attendees. Commitment is setup, cleanup and serving of refreshments during intermission for one show. Please contact Mark Pitzlin if you are interested (925) or Martinez, CA 94533

6 From the Call Committee We have met again with our synod representative and are awaiting our 3 rd Slate of possible candidates, which we hope to receive in April. A copy of our completed Congregational Profile available for review in the narthex and in the office. As always, please continue to keep the work of the call committee in your daily prayers. Please pray for the members of our committee and the potential candidates. The synod has provided the following estimated timeline for congregations in the call process: Activity Time to Accomplish Our Progress Nominate & Elect Call Committee 3-6 weeks Complete Call Committee Forms Congregational Profile 3-6 months or more Complete Call Committee Receives Names & Profiles of Candidates Call Committee Pre-Screens Candidates Call Committee Interviews Candidates Call Committee Decides on Final Candidate Congregation Meets Final Candidate Congregation Votes on Final Candidate Candidate Discerns Sense of Call and Accepts Candidate Concludes Ministry in Current Setting Candidate Moves & New Pastor Begins Ministry Total Estimated Call Process Timeline 1-2 months Awaiting Slate weeks 2 weeks - 3 months 2 weeks - 1 month 2 weeks - 1 month 1 month 1 week - 1 month 4-6 weeks 2-4 weeks months Call Committee Members Mike Doyle mikedoyle01@gmail.com h c Lisa Farnitano lisa.farnitano@gmail.com h c Brian Marrs brian.marrs@sbcglobal.net h w Olivia Mendez-Alm omendez@hnu.edu c w John Valmores valmoresjohn@gmail.com c Mona Varner c w Rosalie Zablocki

7 Community News

8 3051 Putnam Blvd. Pleasant Hill, CA (925) Community News: Mt. Cross Family Camp Memorial Work Weekend When: Friday-Sunday, May 22-24, 2015 Arrival & Departure: 6 PM Friday- 5 PM Sunday Interim Pastor: Marv Abrahamson (218) pastor@sm-lc.net Office Administrator: Karen Klingelhafer Directors of 2 nd Service Music: Sherry & Mike Doyle Choir Director/Organist: Joyce Porter Pianist: Lisa Farnitano Who: Families & Individuals Join us this Memorial Day Weekend as we prepare our facilities for the upcoming summer season! Families participate in various work projects appropriate to skill level, enjoy evening activities, and conclude the weekend with our Memorial Day BBQ (tickets included in registration price). Program: Children s Program & Evening Family Activities Lodging & Meals: Included Registration: Feb 10th - May 10th Ages 12 to Adult- $15 Ages 4 to 11- $6 Late Registration: May 11th - 24th Ages 12 to Adult- $20 Ages 4 to 11- $10 We pray for Tom; Ed; Jan; Sean; Lupe s wife Judy; Geoff s family; Lee; friends of the Waids). If you would like to be included in the prayer chain or if you have a prayer request, you can the office at: officeadmin@sm-lc.net