ST. MARK S MESSENGER. from the Pastor

Transcription

1 ST. MARK S MESSENGER from the Pastor September 2018 Valley, Nebraska Labor Day and our Vocations As Fall approaches and Summer sighs to a close we fold ourselves back into our vocations whether we are students who go back to school, or whether we just push the reset button on our schedules and focus again on our professions, hobbies, or our jobs whether we are paid for doing them or not. This is the time of year that I think of school, though I no longer go, I know my grandkids do. But, Fall always puts us back on a schedule. Maybe it is a football schedule, or a work schedule all these things; work, hobbies, schedules all remind me of our vocations. Martin Luther had a lot to say about our vocations-or the place and the work and the way we live out our callings to be Christians in the world. Here is a quote or two I found interesting: Though we may speak of serving God in our vocations, we do not, strictly serve God. God always serves us. Rather, we are to serve our neighbors the actual human beings whom God brings into our lives as we carry out our daily callings. We fulfill the Second Commandment when we love our neighbors as ourselves in/through our vocation. We love them not just by internal feelings or by isolated acts of virtue, but in the entire course of ordinary life, which becomes the realm of faith working through love. Thanks, Luther. You might use the word role interchangeably with the word vocation. We think of a vocation as a calling or a job, but we have vocations as a spouse, as a parent, as a child, as a grandparent, as an employer or employee, as church members and in any way that we use the gifts God has given us for the benefit of

2 others (our neighbors) we would call that a role,or a vocation that God has given us in the world. In all of our roles, we ask for God s grace and help to live out our vocations to love and serve our neighbors. On September 2, the Sunday before Labor Day, we will be bringing up a special offering to the altar to thank God for our roles, for our various vocations (roles, hobbies, jobs) by which we serve one another or others in the world. On that day we ask that you bring a small symbol or token of a vocation of yours to be put in a laundry basket before the service and offered to God at the altar during our offering of tithes and gifts. Think! What might be a good symbol of one of your vocations? Could it be a whistle, if you are a coach, or a pair of scissors, if you are a barber or stylist? How about a pair of garden gloves, a crochet hook or knitting needles? Kids might bring a school book or ipad, or notebook. What is something you do that is used to bless others? A mixing spoon, for a cook, or car keys for those who drive others? Be creative and think of all the ways you are blessed to bless others in your roles/vocations in life! As you leave the church sanctuary on that day, you will have your hands blessed and anointed in recognition of your work to serve others in the world, in all your various capacities. Your hands will be blessed so you may continue to be a blessing as you serve others and live out the 2 nd Commandment in your lives. God is hidden in our vocation. God is hidden in our neighbor. Blessings, Pastor Barbara from the PMA What I Did This Summer For years, the first assignment for school students was to share what they had done during the summer break. It was a way for teachers to incorporate personal experience into writing or oral presentation. September always takes me to a back to school mentality and so I share what I did this summer. In June I had the opportunity to dine out with other members of St. Mark s from the WELCA Friendship Circle. We

3 are a diverse fun group that have formed a sisterhood. We pray together and play together. July was absorbed by Vacation Bible School preparation and participation. Oh, the hours spent decorating and making props and oh, the energy spent during that intensive week of word and music. A new sisterhood was formed with men, women and youth from neighboring congregations. Back to back activities in August proved to make for nonstop fellowship. Preparing the St. Mark s float for the Back to Valley Days parade was lots of fun, but not nearly as much as the day of the parade. How exciting to walk the parade route and be greeted by members of the congregation and some of the new friends made at Vacation Bible School! The next day was a fast turnaround to prepare for the outdoor Pet Blessing Service. It was a beautiful day filled with beautiful pets and people with beautiful hearts. This last week was preparation and the presentation of the WELCA Salad Luncheon. Because of the generous hearts, hands and pocketbooks, we will be able to fund significant ministries this coming year. So, in the afterglow of my summer activities, I can attest to several things. First, these activities are work, a lot of work. Second, whether meant purely for fellowship, Christian education, evangelism or to fund ministries, these activities are worth the effort. I am blessed by the many new people that God has brought into my life through these activities. I am blessed by getting to know the people in this congregation even better. God s work may not be easy, but it is certainly rewarding. A summer well spent. Karen A PRAYER FOR ST MARK'S COUNCIL God who provides, speak to those you are calling to leadership. Guide them in the way you wish St. Mark's to go.. Amen.

4 The Church Council meetings have been moved to the 4 th Tuesday of each month in order to get the Financial Reports from the Accountant prior to the meetings. Because of this change, Council Highlights will always be a month late. That means that the August 28 th Council Highlights will appear in the October newsletter so that the newsletter will not be delayed further. The same goes for the Monthly Financial Reports. The July Financial Reports will be published in the October newsletter as well. The Council Highlights and Monthly Financial Reports will appear in the announcements as usual on Sunday mornings. Thank You We want to express our gratitude for the cards, gifts, visits and words of comfort at the loss of our husband, father and son-in-law, Lester E. L. Johnson. We feel truly blessed by all of your support. God s peace, Alice Ann Johnson Paxton Hannah Vernabelle Adans Thank you Pastor Barbara for your prayers and anointing before surgery and staying with Toni during. Also you and Bob for bringing us communion and visiting with us at our hone. Carmen for sharing breakfast with us after Hilary s farewell. Lori for arranging and delivering Food for Friends and Carmen and Cheryl for the lovely meal. Also all the cards and get well wishes I ve gotten! I am so blessed to call you Family! Cal Peacock & Toni, too

5 Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries in September Happy 30 th Wedding Anniversary to Wayne and Melinda Kahlandt on the 24 th ; 5 th Wedding Anniversary to Dan and Becky Pittman on the 27 th ; and 50 th Wedding Anniversary to Bob and Judy Stubblefield on the 28 th! ADULT CHOIR BEGINS In September at 7:30 p.m. Watch the bulletins for starting date. Anyone who wishes to praise the Lord with music is invited to join this group of adults and sing in the choir. Rehearsals are every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Please come and share your talent! The COPE pantry is currently running low on the following items: Pancake Mix & Pancake Syrup Ketchup Ranch Dressing Jelly or Jam Instant Box Potatoes Spaghetti O s Paper Towels Toilet Paper Kleenex Laundry Detergent Cereal **Special note...cope is helping approx. 40 families per week with grocery items. Thank you for your support of this outreach program. It is so appreciated by those in need.

6 SEPTEMBER NEWS FOR WOMEN OF ST. MARK S FAITH CIRCLE NEWS Faith Circle members will reconvene on Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 for their monthly Bible Study and meeting. Carmen Dau will lead the study on Repentance-- pondering how repentance shapes our relationship with God. Refreshments will be provided by Ann Crabtree. Anyone is welcome to join us! Faith meets the first Tuesday of every month at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We welcome new member Karen Authier to our group. FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE NEWS Our first meeting for the fall will be on Tuesday, Sept.4 th at 6:30 due to the Labor Day Holiday on Monday. Karen King will lead the first lesson of our new Bible Study Life Lessons from Matthew by Max Lucado and Sandy Critel will serve as Hostess. Please join us for an evening of fellowship and study. JOY/PEACE CIRCLE NEWS Joy/Peace Circle will meet on Sunday, September 9th at 9:30 a.m. in the Sunday School Office. PRAYER GARDEN BRICKS New bricks will be installed in the Prayer Garden in October. Deadline to order a brick is September 30. Order forms are available at the front desk. Please turn order form(s) in to Jan.

7 August/September Soldier Group *2018* Sgt Jabari R. Moore *US Marines* Location: On Ship Attn: Any Marine Representing: 10 Males 5 Females USS ESSEX MAINT ADMIN VMM-166 UNIT FPO AP VMM-166 SeaElk are from southern California. We are a Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron that supports ground troops and their assets to get to and from their destinations quickly and effectively. We consist of many different Marines who continually make an effort to ensure that the personnel we work with travel as safely as possible. My marines and I ensure that the maintenance done on our aircraft are documented accurately and in compliance with aircraft repair activities. We have a working micro and frig. We have limited access to the ship store and are requesting the following items for both male and female marines in the group. Thanks for your support!!! We are requesting: Shampoo/ Conditioner/ Body Wash/ Deodorant/ Toothpaste/ Toothbrushes/Razors/ Shaving Gel/ Laundry Pods/ Snacks/ Micro Meals/ Micro Snacks Pack & Pray Sunday, Sept. 9:20 am. Postage funds are always appreciated. ***Please pray for our soldiers and their families.***

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