God with us! know of someone who is interested in joining St. Marks, please let Karen or me know

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1 THE MARKER St. Mark s Lutheran Church January Putnam Blvd. Pleasant Hill, CA God with us! On Hurricane Lamps and New Members, I m repeating this for those who couldn t attend any or all of the four Sunday s of Advent. St. Marks received a special gift from God this year; gaily wrapped in bright Christmas gift paper. Along with the gift came four clues, one for each Advent Sunday. The children heard and pondered these clues, Sunday after Sunday. What was the gift inside the box? They guessed and guessed and couldn t quite get it! The first clue was I have a chimney but I m not made of bricks. Hmmmm. The second clue was, I m made of cloth, but you cannot wear me. Double Hmmmm. The last two clues were as obvious as the first two were confusing. You can hang me up or you can put me down, and, If you set me on a hill I can be seen from miles around. So, what was the gift from God in the gift box? The answer is in the title of this little article God s love for us at Christmas, the light of the world, Immanuel, God with us! Which brings me to thoughts of New Members at St. Marks. A few folks desire joining the church, and the brief ceremony will occur at both worship hours on January 11th. Which happens to also be the occasion of the St. Marks annual meeting between services. So, if you know of someone who is interested in joining St. Marks, please let Karen or me know right away so we can contact them and include them as New Members. Thanks! And keep your little light shining! Pr. Marv Abrahamson

2 Council News: Highlights from the December meeting Council Highlights December The Social Ministry Committee has selected the ministries to support in our proposed outreach for The formation of a new Christian Education Committee was discussed. With the addition of Alec and Anna Doyle as Sunday school teachers, the council felt it was important to form such a committee, to provide support to the Sunday School while broadening the scope to include all ages in Christian Education. Pastor Marv and Guy Erickson will be working to put this in motion. The Council selected the ministry of Pillars of Hope in Antioch as recipients of our first two quarters of distribution from our Endowment Fund. Pillars of Hope works with victims of human trafficking in the Bay Area. The Council declined to participate as host church for Taize services this coming year. The Annual Meeting Part II was scheduled for January 11, 2015 between services. Pastor Marv and council members will be reviewing the list of inactive members, to determine their interest in continuing as St. Mark s members. The Council voted to have any funds over $10,000 remaining in the checking account at the end of 2014 deposited in a Reserve Savings Fund, as part of our contingency planning. Connie Geranen received thanks for completing her term on the Council. Her input will be missed. November Financials Monthly Budget YTD Actual YTD Budget Giving 17,965 16, , ,463 Monthly Outreach Giving 390 4,814 Total Expenses 16, ,193 Current financial statements and council minutes are available in the binder on the shelf in the back of the sanctuary.

3 Sharing Social Ministry What is the San Francisco Night Ministry? As you did it to one of the least of these you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 It is a ministry which provides compassionate, non-judgmental pastoral care to people in San Francisco. Ordained clergy listen, comfort, and counsel people in distress. Trained volunteer counselors are available via telephone to those who call for support. The Night Ministry also celebrates two open air worship services with Holy Communion each Sunday to which everyone is welcome. How can we support this ministry here in Pleasant Hill? Come to the Forum on January 18 th at 9:45am to hear more. Pr. Lyle Beckman, the Night Minister (and our Interim Pastor 7 + years ago), will be the presenter and will suggest how we can make this ministry continue with our prayers and gifts. Bring socks, scarves, hats, gloves, coats, etc. They will be distributed to those in need. Monetary gifts are welcome as well. Issue your check to St. Mark s, designate: Night Ministry. Thank you to all who contributed to our food drive in December.

4 From the Call Committee The call committee continues to meet regularly and work on the creation of our congregational profile. We would also like to ask that all of you keep the work of the call committee in your prayers. 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 Current 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 2-4 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 Rosalie Zablocki Don t forget Congregational Meeting on January 11th at 9:40am The annual report will be presented and we will welcome new members!

5 Leaders Mark Pitzlin (Education & Seniors) Chris Johnson (Youth/Sunday School) Teachers/Outreach to Youth: Anna and Alec Doyle Council Liaison: Joyce Porter At the 12/30 meeting, this committee identified two areas in our community that need to be served. We are surrounded by preschools and senior homes. The committee is excited about the opportunities to bring the Gospel to these groups and get them familiar and involved with St. Mark s. Children: Sunday school here at St. Mark s during the late worship at 10:30am on Sundays. Parent s Night Out activities, once a quarter?, which can be advertised at the local preschools, by Anna and Alec and through members in general. This will help get the word out about our Sunday school and provide an easy way to invite people to St. Mark s. Seniors: Mark and a friend are excited about going to some of the local senior centers and providing a Sunday school type experience (using the same curriculum as for the kids) for the seniors at the senior centers, then once a month bringing them to St. Mark s to interact with our kids Sunday school. Outreach to seniors by advertising Crafty Days (Wednesdays at St. Mark s, when the Crafty Ladies meet). Discussions have started with some local senior centers and they are interested in St. Mark s coming in and offering Sunday school to their residents. Contact Mark (925) or markpitzlin@comcast.net or Chris Johnson (925) or the office: or officeadmin@sm-lc.net

6 3051 Putnam Blvd. Pleasant Hill, CA (925) Interim Pastor: Marv Abrahamson (218) Office Administrator: Karen Klingelhafer Directors of 2 nd Service Music: Sherry & Mike Doyle Choir Director/Organist: Joyce Porter Pianist: Lisa Farnitano Transforming Life and Faith Martha Circle Tuesday, January 6th 1:30pm In the January Bible study we see that even people nurtured in the ways of faith remain capable of sin. We will read about King David s multiple sins against both God and his human subjects and about the dynamics that led him to repent and renew his dedication to God s will. We will also think about times we have needed to turn back to God. Please join us. All are welcome. Bible study leader: Connie G. Refreshments: TBD We pray for Bob, the husband of Sherris; Will Egle and his sister Roberta; Brent Egle; Sue Hertless; Ellen Stevahn; Jan Chilimidos; Greg Valentino; Sean Doyle; the cousin of Laurie; Judy, wife of Lupe; Geoff s family; Lee Larson; 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