Volume 22, Issue 1 A Publication of St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church January Seeing God Among Us In 2017

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1 The Parishioner Volume 22, Issue 1 A Publication of St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church January 2017 Seeing God Among Us In 2017 Ready or not the New Year is here! Someone was telling me they could hardly wait for 2016 to come to an end it had been a bad year. I know others who have enjoyed a very happy, healthy and prosperous None of us knows what the New Year is going to bring. I have a question for you: How will you make the New Year Good regardless of the circumstances? Deep down do you really expect 2017 to be more of the same or a year that, deep down, you expect to see God at work in your life and in the church? Join me in being thankful for the opportunity to enter a New Year of God s Grace in our lives. We all need it more than we know. I need to give myself and others the opportunity for a new beginning and let the past be the past. How about you??? The truth is most of us come to a New Year with mixed emotions. I m thankful for the opportunities it brings, but also a little apprehensive about the unknown and what challenges it will present. What plans do you have for your life in the New Year and even more important what plans does God for you in 2017? Of all the resolutions that will be made, of all the good intentions we may have to do better and improve certain areas of our lives should be the desire to improve our relationships with one another. This is not always easy since such a commitment is not always reciprocated. Jesus tells us to love one another as I love you. Especially may we have more love to give to those around us or in our lives who need it most and who are least loveable. This is godly work that has the power to change lives and raise others up. We may not always see the fruits of such love in this lifetime but God promises we will see the results of such efforts in heaven. And the most important resolution for each of us as followers of Jesus is this one: God, do with me as you will in Put the control of your life and of our church in the New Year in God s Hands. Trust in God s plan for the future. Then He will supply you strength to carry your load, wisdom to deal with whatever problems occur, and grace to enrich every experience that He can and will find a way to use for the good. And always remember Martin Luther s advice to put the most charitable construction on my neighbor s actions. Focus on God and others you will be blest. And for every member of St. Mark s out of Love for Christ and your neighbor a very important resolution should be: If in town on Saturday night or Sunday morning, my commitment as a Christian in 2017 will find me among the worshipping People of God at St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church in praise of my God for the gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, and in gratitude that Jesus is both my Savior and my Friend. Christ s Peace, Love and Joy in the New Year, Pastor Al Towberman The Parishioner 1

2 New Year and Epiphany Worship Services New Year s Day Sunday, January 1, :15 am Holy Communion The Epiphany of Our Lord Sunday, January 8, :00 am and 10:15 am Holy Communion ~ Frankincense and Myrrh will be incensed for the Epiphany Celebration ~ 2017 Church Council Installed ~ Sunday School 9:00 am Second Sunday after Epiphany Sunday, January 15, 2017 ~ Christmas decorations taken down after Sunday s Service **Thanks to everyone who helped decorate the Sanctuary and Chapel for the Glory of God this Christmas.** The Parishioner 2

3 Serving Christ Together Ministers: St. Mark s Staff and Council Officers The People of St. Mark s Senior Pastor Pastor Towberman awt@stmarksbutler.org Parish Administrator Mary Ellen Tack maryellen.tack@stmarksbutler.org Administrative Assistant Vicki Schiffer vicki.schiffer@stmarksbutler.org Dir. Children/Youth Ministry Darcie Pomykata youth@stmarksbutler.org Dean Towberman Leads NALC Mission District March for Life On Friday, January 27, 2017 National Mall, Washington, D.C. Sextons Aaron Ministers Director of Music Assistant Organist Bell Choir Director Youth Choir Director Children s Hour Director Katie s Kitchen Director Council President Council Vice President Council Secretary Treasurer Financial Secretary John Lingenfelter / Larry Rettig Carol Fleeger / Robert Niggel Ralph Christy Jr. Rebecca Veith Rebecca Veith Ralph Christy Jr. Darcie Pomykata Loretta Bachman David Rodgers Reuben Pink Karen Grossman Sherry Young Toni Tassey This January, once again, we will be taking part in the March for Life in Washington, D.C. The March for Life is the largest Christian Pro-Life Rally in the world. The Nation s Capital is filled with young people, people of all ages and denominations, people filled with God s love - close to a million people coming together to worship, gathering at the National Mall in peace and prayer and then marching to the Supreme Court to stand up for Life. Because, you see, we hold a Biblical view of life ( Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you Jeremiah 1:4; For it was You who formed my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother s womb. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13-14). Therefore we believe that life begins at conception. Join Pro-Life Americans in the Nation s Capital to be a voice for the Voiceless *For bus information contact: Ed Hoyt Jesus tells us that He is The Way. Together we walk in faith on His way. The NALC Walk of Faith regularly shares words, thoughts, and meditations on how we can walk with Jesus and one another down His road. Download NALC Walk of Faith from the App Store or Google Play Store. It's entirely free and inspiring. The Parishioner 3

4 Annual Meeting Our Annual Congregation Meeting was held on Sunday, December 4 th with 171 voting members present. Thanks everyone for a good turnout and discussion. The 2017 church year budget was approved and the following were elected to the Church Council: Ron Morrison, April Quinn, Gretchen Pink, Bob Scott, and Nominating Committee: Jean Cuny and Buck Holt. St. Mark s 2017 Church year Council will be installed at the 10:15 am Epiphany Festival Service on January 8, Reformation Notes Martin Luther 2017 will mark the 500 th Anniversary Year of the Protestant Reformation led by Martin Luther. Throughout the year there will be many special events leading up to great anniversary celebration in Germany on October 31, 2017 of God s Renewal of the Church through the leadership and faithfulness of Martin Luther. This month a quick first biographical insight into the life of the man responsible for returning the Church s message to be centered in God s Grace and around the Authority of the Scripture. Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Saxony (Germany). He was the first-born son of a tin miner and ore smelter, Hans Luther and his wife Margarette. Hans, sent his oldest son Martin to school at the age of 7, wanting him to eventually become a lawyer, and hoping to keep him out of mining. Martin was the only one of his siblings that his family could afford to send to school, so there were great hopes for his success. The family was deeply religious. Luther had been baptized on Saint Martin s Day, the day after his birth. In school Martin was a good student and continued along the course of study to become a lawyer until one fateful night in July of In the midst of a terrible thunderstorm as lightning bolts struck close to him Luther experienced a call from God. In typical practice for a faithful Roman Catholic of the day, Luther prayed to a saint, Saint Anne, and promised God that he would study for the priesthood if he survived the storm. Luther became a monk and dedicated his life to God. He studied to become a Doctor of Theology and teacher. In his theological and Biblical studies he began questioning some of the practices of the church that conflicted with the teaching of the Bible. Through his faithful service of Christ, the message of the Church, the Good News of the Gospel, once again became centered around God s Love and Grace rather than judgment and human attempts to earn one s salvation. The Parishioner 4

5 Eve Bible Study Eve Bible Study will have its meeting on Tuesday, January 24 th at 3:00 pm in the Church Lounge. The study that day will be Keep Watch from the study book "Mark, Follow Me. If you would like more information, please contact Anne (724) Helping Hands Ministry Helping Hands has been a ministry at St. Mark s since This ministry helps care for families by preparing a luncheon after a funeral or memorial service for the family of a member of St. Mark s Lutheran Church. In a time of grief, the family and friends are served a nice meal in order to help take the burden off of the family and give them time to be together around the table for fellowship before having to go on their way. Helping Hands served many meals to grieving families in This is a ministry that is always on call and are blessed to be able to serve families in their time of need. The members of each team are slowly declining in number. They would welcome new members to their team! **If you would like to take part in this ministry that touches many lives, please contact Paula (724) ** From the St. Mark s Staff Thank you so very much for your thoughtfulness shown through out the Christmas Season. Your generosity during such a busy season has been so appreciated and made us all feel so special. We pray you all have a Blessed 2017!! The Parishioner 5

6 St. Mark s Lutheran Church Confirmation Class Schedule January February 2017 Teachers: Pastor Al Towberman, Wendy Holt, Chris Deal Sermon notes are taken the first Sunday of the month unless otherwise indicated January 8 January 22 4:30 6:00 PM Sunday Afternoon Welcome back from Christmas Vacation! We begin the second half of the Confirmation Year. *Take Sermon notes this Weekend *Written Test on The Ten Commandments so Study your review material, have the 10 Commandments Memorized New Student Books will be given out: The Sacraments. Introduction of The Sacraments Lesson 1, pages 4-7 4:30 6:00 PM Sunday Afternoon Authorization +The Sacraments Lesson 2, pages Friday-Saturday-Sunday, January 27-29, 2017 Confirmation Class Youth attend Youth Quake in Pittsburgh as they deepen and claim their faith in Jesus at the Youth Gathering with some Lutheran Youth attending. This year s theme is Found. We will focus on God s devoted search to find all of us who have strayed so He can bring us back Home. Participation in Youth Quake is a priority for our SMLC Confirmation Class. We will leave the church at 5:00 PM Friday. February 5 *Take Sermon Notes Sunday Morning at Church 4:30 6:00 PM Sunday Afternoon Promise and Faith +The Sacraments, Lessons 3 & 4, pages Practice for Youth Sunday February 12 Youth Sunday Confirmation Class & Youth Group leads 10:15 Sunday Service The Parishioner 6

7 Christian Education News Perfect Attendance Program Congratulations to the following students for having perfect attendance in the month of November: PreSchool CJ Quinn 4 th & 6 th Grade High School Greg Wilbert Ryan Beunier Emily Deal Bible Bowl 2017 April 30 ST. MARK S! Bible Bowl Team practice begins! January, 10, :00 pm Make this the year you join the Team! Book of study is Daniel and Jonah. Sunday School Sunday School 2 nd quarter begins January 1, Here we are again at the beginning of another new year and whether or not you are a person to make New Year s resolutions, this time of year may provide you with a few extra moments to look over the activities that fill your days and re-prioritize going forward into I always find this process difficult, my days are filled with too many things that I gotta do gotta go to work. Gotta get kids to practice. Gotta get homework done. Gotta get groceries and put food on the table. On and on the list goes until pretty soon you let out a big sigh and reprioritizing goes out the window, including new habits or opportunities being added into your schedules. It is just too over-whelming and the old routine carries you on once again. Having an intimate relationship with this struggle, I have found that when I want to make a change I have to think in a different way. Instead of looking at change as something I gotta do, think of it as a new opportunity, an opportunity to be healthier, stronger, happier, or whatever fresh new habit you are hoping to experience. Think of attending church or Sunday school as one of those new opportunities, or as a chance to participate in the worship of your loving, heavenly Father. Don t go into this New Year with attending church as something you gotta do, instead, spend an hour in the sanctuary to sit quietly away from the demands of your weekly schedule, stand in worship with us listening for God s message to you, bow your head in prayer with fellow Christians, join your voice with others in songs of praise, and partake in communion to be reminded of the promise of the forgiveness of sins conveyed to us in the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ an opportunity to grow your relationship with God, receive support from fellow Christians, and provide encouragement to the people of your community. The Christian Education Department invites you in! And asks you to invite a friend in, too! Our theme for the month of January is Bring a friend to church and/or Sunday school. Use the enclosed coupons to share the invitation with others. Give yourself and your friends, neighbors, co-workers a new opportunity. Give the gift of worship in 2017! For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Matthew 18:20 Joyful New Year blessings, Wendy Holt, Christian-Ed Chairperson The Parishioner 7

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9 YOUTH QUAKE ZONE 2017: FOUND Each year St. Mark s takes youth and advisors to the faith building Pittsburgh Youth Quake attended by some Lutheran Youth. This year s theme, Found focuses on God s seeking each of us. He is our Good Shepherd Friend and Leader. We also ask ourselves how youth can reach other youth for Christ. Pittsburgh Quake Zone, January A transformational weekend for grades 6-12 where lives will be renewed and faith will become real. Brian Wallace is the speaker for the weekend and 100 White Flags will be the musicians. Participants will have the opportunity to: Praise and worship God Make new friends Develop healthy relationships with other Christian youth Grow deeper in faith through focused workshops Discuss issues of importance and interest Learn about and confront the global problem of world hunger Package life-saving meals. Look for more information about Youth Quake coming soon Please keep all the Youth, the chaperones, the speakers, and the leaders in your prayers! The First Christmas ~Children s Christmas Pageant A great big THANK YOU to everyone that helped, participated, and attended the NEW Old Fashioned Children s Christmas Program! The program could not have happened without each and every one of your contributions. Through your efforts our children experienced an important Christmas tradition, the only reason for the season, the story of Jesus birth. Christmas morning peace and joy to you all! Wendy Holt, Christian-Ed Chairperson The Parishioner 9

10 Many changes were made in Why not come in and see the new look? We have also added interesting books for your enjoyment ~ great reading for the winter months. If there are any shut-ins who would like books delivered to them, just notify the church office or call Sally Dear St. Mark s Church Family ~ I want to thank the pastor for visiting me in the hospital and to thank my church family for all their prayers. All your beautiful cards and inspiring words of support have helped me to be strong and work hard on my recovery. I want to thank the Women of the Church for the beautiful quilt Leila Protzman brought to my home. When I cover up with it, I sense the love and inspiration that went into the making of it and it gives me comfort knowing how much you all care about all of us when we are in need of comfort. I thank God for my Church Family for all their love and support. God has truly blessed me. May God bless each and every one of you. Thank you, Lois Staff Dear Women of St. Mark s Lutheran Church ~ Thank you for the beautiful quilt that Leila Protzman delivered to my home during my recovery from my hip replacement this past September. I want to thank all of you for using your time and talent to create something for those who need encouragement when struggling with health issues. The love and blessings of prayers and encouragement are a true blessing. You are all God s Angel s here on earth to remind us thru these beautiful quilts that we are never truly alone. May God Bless all of you for your outpouring of love and support to others. I am truly blessed by your love for others and on this date, I have well enough to drive to Saturday night Church and deliver this card. Thank you, Lois Staff Thank you Ginny & 3T Ladies ~ Thank you so much for the beautiful quilt. It is a very thoughtful gift and will keep us warm on the cold winter evenings. You are all a blessing to many folks. Virginia ~ God Bless You, Ken and Vicki Schiffer Sorry it has taken me so long to write a note of thanks for the beautiful quilt. It certainly was special and very beautiful. It is on my bed and I thank you, Karen and Phyllis, each time I get into bed. You have a very special ministry in giving out the quilts and to think of how many lives you have touched. To all three of you ~ many, many thanks. I really appreciate all of you. In Christian Love, Emma I would like to thank all the ladies involved that make all the beautiful quilts for everyone! And thank everyone so much for thinking of me! Dear 3T Ladies ~ God Bless, Bonnie Jardin Thank you! What a beautiful gift of love our lap blanket is. We love the scriptures and feel they were just meant for us. It is truly a God-felt ministry and we thank you so much! Love in Christ, Bob and Nancy The Parishioner 10

11 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Baptism of our Lord :30 Children s Hour :15 Worship/HC 9:00 Sunday School 1:00 Evangelism 8 Epiphany 8:00 & 10:15 Worship/HC 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Council Installation 10:15 Children s Church 11:15 Youth Choir 15 Decorations Down 8:00 & 10:15 Worship/HC 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Children s Church 11:15 Youth Choir 9 Church and Office Closed *Cornerstone articles due 5:00 Church Closed 16 *Cornerstone articles due 5:00 Church Closed 6:30 Bell Choir 10 6:30 Bell Choir 7:00 Bible Bowl Practice 7:00 Church Council 17 6:30 Bell Choir 6:30 Sanctuary Choir 11 9:30 Children s Hour 1:00 Prayer Shawl 6:30 Sanctuary Choir 18 9:30 Children s Hour 5:30 Worship & Music 7:00 Sanctuary Choir 5:00 Katie s Kitchen 12 5:00 Katie s Kitchen 5:30 Personnel 19 5:00 Katie s Kitchen 5:00 Church Closed 13 Parishioner articles due 5:00 Church Closed 20 5:00 Church Closed 6:00 Worship / HC 14 6:00 Worship / HC 21 6:00 Worship / HC :00 & 10:15 Worship 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Children s Church 11:15 Youth Choir 29 *Cornerstone articles due 5:00 Church Closed 30 3:00 Eve Bible Study 6:30 Bell Choir 7:00 Bible Bowl Practice 31 9:30 Children s Hour 6:30 Sanctuary Choir 5:00 Katie s Kitchen Youth Quake 5 pm Friday 3 pm Sunday 5:00 Church Closed 6:00 Worship / HC 8:00 & 10:15 Worship 9:00 Sunday School 11:15 Youth Choir *Cornerstone articles due The Parishioner 11

12 January 1, 2017 ~ Baptism of Our Lord January 8, 2017 ~ Epiphany & Council Installation January 10, 2017 ~ Bible Bowl Practice begins January 15, 2017 ~ Decorations taken down January 24, 2017 ~ Bible Bowl Practice January 27, 2017 ~ March For Life: Washington, D.C. January 27 29, 2017 ~ Youth Quake: Pittsburgh, PA A Congregation of the North American Lutheran Church St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church 201 West Jefferson Street Butler, Pennsylvania Phone: Fax: Website: Parish Hours: 8:00 AM -- 5: 00 PM Monday - Friday WORSHIP SERVICES Saturday: 6:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 & 10:15 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U. S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 92 BUTLER, PA The Parishioner 12

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14 Naughty or Nice. Santa visits Katie s Kitchen The Parishioner 14