St. Mark is a welcoming community, boldly witnessing Christ s love.

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1 St. Mark Lutheran Church 1614 West 5th Street Storm Lake, IA Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Storm Lake, IA Permit No. 35 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED St. Mark is a welcoming community, boldly witnessing Christ s love. St. Mark Lutheran Church ELCA December 2018 Visit our website -- office@stmarkstormlake.com WORSHIP.LEARNING MISSION COMMUNITY FRIENDSHIP December 1 December2 December 3 December 4 December 5 Saturday Worship at 5:30 p.m. Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m. Pizza after worship Unity Point Hospice Memorial Sew & Do Quilt Sewciety Bible Study Lakeshore, WELL, Christmas Program Practice December 10 Stephen Ministry December 11 Parkinson s Support Group, School Election, LSI Meeting December 12 Bible Study Lakeshore, WELL, Christmas Program Practice, PPC Meeting December 15 Christmas Program, World Hunger December 16 World Hunger December 19 Bible Study Lakeshore, Naomi Circle, WELL December 24 Office Closed December 25 Merry Christmas! Office Closed

2 PASTOR DAVID KEBSCHULL Give thanks with a grateful heart are popular words as they appear on plaques and billboards. Don Moen helped raise the awareness of all of us when he used those words as the opening lyrics from his worship song Give Thanks. While those words are not in scripture, they reflect the opening verse of Psalm 138 when the Psalmist announces I give thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart! This weekend was special at St Mark as we celebrated the Baptism of Rosemary Jean Jorgensen, and we celebrated with Shea Peterson and Jake Eddie as they affirmed their Baptism and shared their faith statements. I was blessed last night and this morning during the children s sermon as little children told me what they were thankful for. As you know well, once we get the kids started sharing what they are thankful, they can go on and on. I hope that this week you are able to do the same. Let your words of thanksgiving flow out of you mouth as you give thanks to God for the main blessing we have received. Just as the Psalmist wrote many centuries ago, give thanks with your whole heart. It may surprise just how many blessings you have been given. This week Leslie and I are giving thanks as we will close on the sale of our house in Cedar Falls, and then close on our house on Renshaw Drive and move in on Friday (the day after Thanksgiving). We would like to thank you for your encouragement and help during this time of transition for our family as we will complete our move to Storm Lake. Our hope and prayer for you, is that you too may give thanks with a grateful heart. Peace to you, Pastor Dave Kebschull

3 PRESIDENT President s Report for December newsletter Even though the needs of many in our community and world are great during the entire year, we all seem to be more aware of this during the holidays. Therefore, if you so choose, I encourage you to consider participating in the many ways St. Mark supports numerous ministries. Some of those include Adopt-a-Family, Upper DesMoines food bank, God s Global Barnyard, and donations for school children. As we enter Advent and Christmas season, let us remember the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Best wishes for a blessed Christmas. In Christ s Love, Kent Smith To help express our thanks and appreciation to Pastor Dave, the Parish Planning Council is asking our St. Mark family members to contribute a gift for him. These monetary gifts will be presented on Christmas Eve. Your gift may be placed in an envelope in the offering or sent to the church office. Be sure to label envelope Pastor s Christmas Gift.

4 PARISH PLANNING COUNCIL MEETING Present: Pastor Dave, Kent Smith, Cindy Smith, Linda Glienke, Joan Christen, Paulette Erlandson, Lisa Mellmann, Megan Peterson, Margaret Stangohr President Kent Smith called the meeting to order and the agenda was approved. The Secretary and Treasurer s reports for October were accepted. In Ongoing Business: Pastor Dave continues to visit with LSI to strengthen our relationship and explore future opportunities. The heating in our church is much improved. The new date base is working well. Jane is doing a great job entering the data. Munching for Missions was discussed as a project we may need to restart. In New Business: Pastor Dave discussed some of the steps involved with the possibility of a preschool & child care housed at St. Mark. This is still in the preliminary stages. Pastor is working with Julie Sievers on reviewing our St. Mark Constitution. More information will be coming in the future. The Stewardship Drive is underway. Pastoral housing for 2019 was discussed and approved. Our annual meeting date will be January 27th following the 9am church service. Delegates will be selected for Synod Assembly. Budget sheets need to be turned into Jane. Board Members gave their reports. Submitted by Joan Christen, Secretary St. Mark Annual Meeting Sunday, January 27, 2019 After the 9:00 am worship service.

5 1) St. Mark has been involved in Stephen Ministry since This one-to-one lay caregiving ministry is named for Stephen, one of the first seven laypeople called by the church to assist the apostles in caring for others. (You can read Stephen s story in Acts 6 and 7.) Stephen Ministry is truly ministry that is, service to others, caring for others in Jesus name, doing the work that God has both called and gifted his children to do. Do you feel a calling to care for others who are hurting? Do you desire the personal joy that comes from sharing Christ s love with people? To learn more about Stephen Ministry, call the church office and they will put you in touch with someone who can tell you more about the program. 2) Thousands of congregations of all types and sizes are using Stephen Ministry. It works in so many different situations because all congregations including ours share two common characteristics: First, there are people who are hurting and who would benefit from one- to-one, Christ-centered care many more people than pastors alone can care for. Second, there are laypeople with the gifts and potential to provide that care if they are trained and empowered to do so. Stephen Ministry brings these two groups of people together in a powerful way. If you feel a calling to be a part of this Program, please let the office of one of the Stephen Ministers know of your interest. 3) Needs for Care that Stephen Ministers Can Meet: *Those grieving the loss of a loved one *People who are currently or recently have been hospitalized *People being treated for cancer *Individuals who are terminally ill STEPHEN MINISTRY *People who are experiencing divorce (before, during, and after) *Parents who have children leaving home for the military, college, marriage, or work in another geographical area

6 STEPHEN MINISTRY *New congregation or community members who are experiencing transition difficulties *Parents and families with children who have disabilities *People recovering at home or in a rehabilitation facility after an illness or injury *Those who are homebound or reside in an assisted living facility or a nursing care center *Family members of someone (nearby or far away) who is homebound or resides in an assisted living facility or a nursing care center *People with a chronic illness or a long-term disability *People facing infertility, adoption, an unplanned pregnancy, or the birth of a child *People who have lost their jobs or experienced a significant financial setback *People experiencing significant job-related stress *Family members of deployed military personnel *People changing their living arrangements in some way, such as moving to a new home, downsizing to a smaller home, or moving into an assisted living facility If you or someone you know could use a Stephen Minister, please contact the church office ( ) and they will put you in touch with a Stephen Leader. 4)Imagine our congregation as a place where nobody has to suffer alone. When someone experiences a crisis, a caring Christian friend comes alongside to help bear the person s burden and offer support for as long as needed. Imagine our congregation as a place where laypeople who have gifts for caring are equipped and empowered to use those gifts in meaningful ministry to others. Imagine our congregation as a caring community that is able to reach out to more and more people and offer them God s love. Together we can make that vision a reality. Come join the Stephen Ministry Team at St. Mark.

7 STEPHEN MINISTRY A Stephen Minister comes alongside a person in the midst of a crisis and then meets with that person regularly to listen, to care, to pray, and to encourage for as long after as needed. In Galatians 6, verse 2, St. Paul writes: Bear one another s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. That s exactly what Stephen Ministers do they bear another s burdens as they walk alongside a hurting person. If you know someone who is hurting or would like to be that person to walk alongside a person in need, please contact a Stephen Minister or call the church office for more information. 6)In order to be the church Jesus calls us to be, to follow his command to love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34), we need to recognize and then meet the needs for care in our congregation and community. Our pastor will always be on the front lines of providing this care but considering the number of people who need care, it s impossible for the pastor(s) to provide all the care to all the people who need it. Stephen Ministry offers a very practical and effective solution: Increase the number of people we can care for by equipping a team of congregation members to provide quality, Christian care. This is what our Stephen Ministers do each week. FRIENDS AT ST. MARK Tatum Shepherd and Bob Carlson. Trunk or Treat time with the Shepherd Family!!!

8 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 12/01 - Laura Kirchner 12/01 - Chyann Smith 12/02 - Paul Bengtson 12/06 - Julie Sievers 12/08 - Jeff Brummer 12/10 - Christina Rice 12/11 - Maddox Brummer-Kolar 12/11 - Mareda Ewalt 12/12 - Todd Nicholson 12/12 - Kari Stuckel 12/13 - Mikayla Nicholson 12/17 - Stacey Albers 12/17 Nancy Ledoux 12/17 - Barb Wagner 12/19 - Matt Adams 12/19 - Vivian Anderson 12/19- Sue Vaudt 12/22 Marcyne Larsen 12/22 - Ray Team 12/23 - Jeanette Waterman 12/24 - Mel Suhr 12/27 Doris Harvey 12/27 - Ron Wagner 12/29 - Carol Northrup 12/29 - Evan Peterson 12/29 - Dennis Rodger 12/30- Tamie Gaes 12/30 - Laura Newhouse 12/30 - Doug Thompson 12/31 - Ellie Johnson HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 12/14 - Les & Deb Wilshusen 12/15 - Steve & Stacey Eddie 12/16 - Nate & Heather Woodley 12/17 - Pete & Nancy Erickson 12/26 - Dave & Norma Williams THANK YOU Thank you to all members of St. Mark for many kindnesses shown since Dave's passing. Whether you provided food, music, sent a card, flowers, prayers for either of us... all acts of kindness were appreciated. Thank you, Pastor Kebschull, for your visits and the beautiful service. I am blessed by my St. Mark family! Deb Mortensen The visits to the hospital by Pastors and many friends were so comforting. Thank you also for providing and serving the lunch after the memorial services for Mel. I so appreciate the prayers, cards, visits, and food given for my family. My church family is so important to me. Carole Suhr A big Thank You to my St. Mark family for remembering me with cards on my 80th birthday. I am enjoying each one! God Bless you all. Ed Quirin Thank you so much for the wonderful goodie box! All the treats are great study snacks. I also loved hearing from home. It makes my day each year to get care packages from you all. Thank you for sending your thoughts and prayers. God s Blessings and love, Chayce Glienke sent to Grandma Linda Glienke: I got the goodie box that your church sent in the mail, and I wanted to thank you all for thinking of me! It is always nice to get things in the mail! I hope everything back home is going well for everyone. Please pass on my thanks to everyone involved in the goodie basket! Jack Glienke

9 The social ministry committee met on November 14 with all members present. Items covered included: Jennifer shared there have been a number of items donated for the elementary school and the nurse expressed her great appreciation for these donations. She did indicate there is a great need for smaller clothing items, such as sweatpants in black or gray or leggings (small or size 6x). Toiletry items are always needed as well. April shared that she took all of the items for the high school age students to the school nurse and she was so appreciative! It was a good variety of items which will all be used. April encouraged continued donations as the need is always great, especially in the winter months. Monetary donations for school items can be given to the church office and committee members will purchase the needed items also. Cindy will set up a table with donation banks for support of ELCA Good Gifts (God s Global Barnyard). Members are encouraged to pick up a bank and save during December and return to the church office. Continued donations for Upper DesMoines food cart. Maxine suggested we try to find ways to focus on the elderly in our community who may be struggling with food needs. Maxine and Cindy will research agencies/organizations that may have more information on how to do this. A cookie baking ministry was discussed and will be organized and implemented after the holidays. We will not meet during December, but will communicate by as needed. Cindy Smith Social Ministry Chair SOCIAL MINISTRY More Trunk or Treat fun with Brigitte Porter and Phyllis Caradine. A lot of fun was had by all.

10 PARISH EDUCATION The Christmas Program will be performed during the Saturday service on Dec. 15, at 5:30 PM. Please plan to attend! Please consider signing up to bring meals, dessert, or help serve or clean up for the WELL activities on Wednesdays. The sign up sheet is on the round table in the narthex. A HUGE thank you to all that have already participated! WELL has been very well attended, and everyone appreciates the meals! Lastly, we still have 3 open seats on Parish Ed Board. If you would like to join us, please speak to Pastor Dave about it! The Parish Ed Board hopes you all have a happy and healthy Holiday Season! Megan Peterson and Kyle Bartz December 3 Sew & Do 9:00 AM December 19 Naomi Circle meets for Bible study at 10:00 AM followed by lunch out. The Bible study is Fear not This Advent season, let s remember that God is at work beyond our ability to imagine. Sarah circle will not meet in December. Do you knit or crochet? Yarn is available in the office to make prayer shawls. All women of St. Mark are invited to participate. Volunteers Needed Someone to serve as chair or co-chair. On a personal note, I will be moving in January. It has been my pleasure to serve as chair of St. Mark Women of the ELCA for the past several years. I hope you will continue to grow in faith, affirm your gifts, support one another in your callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world. and what does the lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 Margaret Stangohr

11 SOCIAL MINISTRY Thank you for your continued support of the food cart for Upper Des Moines. During the month of December the Social Ministry Committee would like to focus on the food needs of the elderly in our community. After visiting with staff at UDSM, they requested the following foods: Cereals - such as cornflakes Oatmeal - regular or instant Canned fruits and vegetables Chicken soup Frozen dinners Eggs Packs of puddings/tapioca/jello As you can see by the list, most foods require little, if any, preparation or can be cooked in a microwave. If you wish to make a monetary donation for this project, please leave at the church office. Thank you in advance for your support. DECEMBER 2018 BOOK NOTES Please check the library table for all the Advent and Christmas books available. Some of our newer ones include: The Gift of Christmas by Debbie Macomber The Noel Diary by Richard Paul Evans Trimmed With Murder by Sally Goldenbaum The Great Christmas Knit-Off by Alexandra Brown A Treasury Of Christmas Miracles by Karen Kingsbury Celebrate Jesus! At Christmas (Family Devotions for Advent through Epiphany) by Kimberly Reese Have a blessed Advent and Christmas! Carole Suhr, librarian

12 Merry Christmas from LSI! The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 As Christmas approaches, we give thanks to you! Every day, as a ministry partner of LSI, you help bring the light of Christ to others. At LSI, we know many people experiencing deep darkness. We know parents who feel hopeless, with little to no resources to raise their young children. We know adults with disabilities who feel voiceless, with no support system or connection to their community. We know teens who are aging out of the foster care system, who fear they will never have a family to love them. The holidays can be an especially difficult time for our most vulnerable neighbors. In the spirit of giving, the spirit of love, and the spirit of working together, let us stand with them and lift them up this Christmas season. If you would like to learn more about how you can support Iowa children and families, contact Deb Whitford, LSI director of philanthropy and church relations, at or Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org. Wishing you a blessed and merry Christmas from LSI! Our Mission: Lutheran Services in Iowa responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service. LSI is an affiliated social ministry partner of the Iowa congregations of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and a member of LSA (Lutheran Services in America). We proudly serve people of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations. Learn more at and Giving Back to Her Community Two years ago, Sarah felt helpless. She struggled with her mental health, there was tension between family members at home, and she couldn t find support or resources that worked with her family s busy schedule. Sarah connected with LSI s Early Childhood Services, and through a local program she received flexible in-home parenting education to help her family thrive. Her LSI parent educator worked with her to learn about money management, healthy communication, and skills for parenting her two young children. Now Sarah feels confident raising her family. She has found a support system and is ready to give back to her community and help other young mothers in need. Whenever she can, she tells other moms about LSI and helps refer them for services. Because she felt empowered by LSI s Early Childhood Services, Sarah is creating a ripple effect across her community. She is passionate about lifting up and strengthening other families in need of the hope and healing she received.