The Parishioner. Preparing For The Future. Volume 22, Issue 7 A Publication of St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church July 2017

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1 The Parishioner Volume 22, Issue 7 A Publication of St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church July 2017 Preparing For The Future As the summer begins remember our church staff in your prayers. What a great blessing they are to our Lord s ministry and to us. Mary Ellen Tack continues to recovery from surgery, Vicki Schiffer s husband Ken continues to be in prayer as he has treatments for cancer, Toni Tassey our bookkeeper is held in love upon the death of her husband John this past month. Also please remember our Council President David Rodgers and Council Vice-President Ron Morrison upon recent deaths in their families. Office hours this summer while our staff and leadership gets back to health and full strength through July will continue to be 9:00 4:00 Tuesday through Friday. The Office will be closed on Monday. Over the summer the Church Council and Leadership Team continue to be meeting as we work on developing a strategic plan for St. Mark s Future and as we strive to update our St. Mark s membership rolls. We want to grow in mission, strengthen the congregation and prepare for the future. Since the beginning of last summer the church council has been reviewing our membership rolls at monthly council meetings. We are seeking to reach as many of our inactive members as possible by phone calls, checking with family members for addresses of those who may be out of state or for whom we have been unable to locate or get a current mailing address or phone number. Some have been inactive many years, some have joined other churches, and some have moved from the area with no forwarding address or contact information available. Where possible we are encouraging every person we are able to contact to have an active relationship with Jesus Christ, if not at St. Mark s than somewhere else. It is our hope to welcome back in active worship and membership as many as possible. Everyone who indicates they wish to continue their membership at St. Mark s active or not will continue to be kept on our baptized membership rolls. As a last resort a letter is being sent to those we are not able to reach or from whom we receive no reply after every reasonable attempt to make a contact indicating that those receiving the letter will be removed from our church rolls in the next 30 days if there is no response. That being said our fervent hope is to connect as many people as possible to an active life of faith with Jesus Christ and the Church. We also want to have an accurate membership listing of the congregation. Belonging to the Body of Christ is a privilege and a call from God to each of us to grow in discipleship (following Jesus). We have each been called by Christ to be part of the Church for a purpose to grow in faith and reach others for Christ. This is the first major updating of our membership in over 40 years and is long overdue. I suspect that when the work is completed in the early part of 2018 the actual size of our congregation will look more like 900 active and inactive members rather than the approximately 1, 350 persons listed as members of the congregation at this time. To move forward we want to have an accurate and current membership roster of our church family. Secondly, the Leadership Team comprised of Council Officers, the Executive Committee, Pastor and ministry committee chairperson have been meeting regularly to develop a strategic plan for St. Mark s future. We are still in the early stages but the meetings have been inspired. Many ideas are being discussed from starting a pre-school, exploring what staffing would be necessary to begin a contemporary service, etc. Why? Because God has a plan for His Church. We meet to listen to the Holy Spirit s guidance in looking to the future. The mission statement of St. Mark s Leadership Team is: To develop a plan moving forward to increase membership, maximize resources to sustain St. Mark s while holding to the mission of St. Mark s to make disciples of Jesus Christ, rooted in God s Word, sharing God s love for all people. Here s where you come in. Share your thoughts and ideas with us over the summer as we begin to work on developing a strategic plan for the future. Survey form are found at key locations entrances to the sanctuary, and Sunday School. Three brief questions invite your thoughts and response. The Parishioner 1

2 What keeps you or brought you to St. Mark s? What is God s will for the future of St. Mark s? How can we best balance the ministry budget? We are also looking to place the survey on our website as well and hope to add text messaging to members who would like to receive them. The Leadership Team meets next on August 2 nd and plans to report to the congregation at the Annual Meeting in November. Your prayers and ideas are appreciated. In Christ, Pastor Al Towberman ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Gluten-free wafers will soon Be Available at All Communion Services. For folks who are allergic to wheat flour, we will soon be making Gluten-free wafers available at the altar rail to better care for and serve all God s People. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A note from Judy Perry Dear Friends at St. Mark s ~ Thanks to everyone who has been remembering my parents and me in prayer. My parent s situation is unchanged, still needing 24/7 care. I have been enjoyin having a home helath aide cover me for two days a week so I can do errands, visitt friends, or go hiking with my sister. My siblings also come for a couple hours at a time to cover in evenings and weekends but they feel uncomfotable with helping with transfers and toiletting (understandable). In April, I had a visit from Ginger Gua, Evergreen s new China Director (she was associate director before). She and her husband (Jianguo) were in Colorado Springs for the Evergreen Board meeting, then came to visit me for 5 days. Our co-worker Rene Strand came from Fargo, ND, to help me host them. I was a bit worried how we would manage 6 people with only one bathroom (and that with no door, only a curtain across..we took the door off so the wheelchair will fit in). Actually it was 7 people! The daughter of a Taiwanese coworker (from 25+ years ago!) a high school senior in Concord, NH, and she had spent her winter break here, and oddly enough, wanted to come again for spring break which was the same time Ginger, Jianguo and Rene were here. I think she enjoyed all the Chinese and the hubbub as Rene and Ginger cooked simple Chinese meals for the guests while I fed my parents and got them settled. I drove the Evergreen guests over to visit a Chinese preofessor at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, and then up to Maine. Unfortunately the weather was foggy. The got to walk on the beach and watch surfers (in wet suits!), but could only see the outline of Nubble Lighthouse! The also enjoyed seeing our neighbor s pig farm since Jianguo worked with Evergreen s agriculture project (pigs) and then had his own pig farm for a few years! I am attending church I grew up in, which is about 5 minutes drive from my home. The average attendance is about 30 people. They had a potluck for Ginger and Jianguo. Ira, a 7 th grader, as a mission project, had raised money for the Yangqu Community Center during Easter and he presented the check for $850 to Ginger! She was so moved by the fact a 7 th grader had been motivated to help the library. Please include Evergreen, Ginger, and my family in your prayers. Judy Perry The Parishioner 2

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4 St. Mark s Staff and Council Officers Sr. Pastor ~ Pastor Towberman awt@stmarksbutler.org Parish Administrator ~ Mary Ellen Tack maryellen.tack@stmarksbutler.org Administrative Assistant ~ Vicki Schiffer vicki.schiffer@stmarksbutler.org Director Children/Youth Ministry ~ Darcie Pomykata youth@stmarksbutler.org Sextons ~ John Lingenfelter / Larry Rettig Aaron Ministers ~ Carol Fleeger / Robert Niggel Director of Music ~ Ralph Christy Jr. Assistant Organist ~ Rebecca Veith Bell Choir Director ~ Rebecca Veith Children/Youth Choir Director ~ Ralph Christy Jr. Children s Hour Director ~ Darcie Pomykata Katie s Kitchen Director ~ Loretta Bachman Council President ~ David Rodgers Council Vise President ~ Ron Morrison Council Secretary ~ April Quinn Treasurer ~ Sherry Young Financial Secretary ~ Toni Tassey Christian Education News Perfect Attendance Program Congratulations to the following students for having perfect attendance in the month of May: Pre-School CJ Quinn 1 st 3 rd Grade Nicole Michel High School Ryan Beunier Buck Holt Emily Deal Josie Reott Trey Sarver Raegen Neff Sydney Reott Ryan Beunier 2017 Confirmands Pentecost Sunday The Parishioner 4

5 Church Camp 2017 The Youth of St. Mark s are going to camp! June 4, 2017 Bible Study: Our Reformation Faith Where: St. Thomas Church Grove, Hooversville, PA When: July 24-27, 2017 Theme: Living Water ~ Living Bread Suggested Donation: $50 (includes meals and activities) Dedication of the NALC Church Camp by Dean Towberman, Monday, July 24 th. This year's camp will include a White-water rafting trip in Ohio Pyle. *Call or Text Darcie to register: (724) First Communion April 13, 2017 Noah Thompson-Hahn and Nicole Michel The Parishioner 5

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7 NALC Bible Bowl Fills Schramm Hall April 30, 2017 Dylan Atkison, Bailey Cypher, Caitlyn Cypher, Nate Deal, Josh Frederick, Buck Holt, Reuben Holt, Jacob Pomykata, Madison Pomykata, Josie Reott, Sydney Reott St. Mark s Lutheran Youth, YOU ALL make us proud! The Parishioner 7

8 Ministry Highlights: ORIGIN OF KATIE S KITCHEN: After Martin Luther married a runaway nun by the name of Katharina Katie Von Bora in 1526, the new couple moved into the old Augustinian monastery in Wittenberg, Germany. Despite their financial hardships, Luther would often have hordes of visitors in the run-down monastery, expecting Katie to house and feed them. Katie s response was to transform every last inch of the monastery grounds into a garden. Katie became famous for her kitchen, garden and brewery, which would feed up to 100 hungry visitors a day. Katie turned a run-down monastery and gardens into perhaps the first community meal. Katie s Kitchen is a free community meal co-sponsored by St. Mark s and Trinity Lutheran Churches and is supported by donations. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated. Meals are served EVERY THURSDAY FROM 5:00-6:00 PM at St. Mark s Lutheran Church. We are honored to fulfill Christ s directive to feed his sheep by providing wholesome, appealing meals at no cost to those in need within the community of Butler. ~~ For information on how YOU can help in the ministry of Katie s Kitchen, contact Loretta Bachman, Director: Thank you Thank you for the beautiful lap quilt received while in the hospital! Lucy Dunbar Evans City St. Mark s Church ~ Thank you for the beautiful blanket. Sincerely, Jim Brewster (still a Lutheran) Thank you so much for the lovely orchid and gray quilt! We are enjoying using it! Sincerely, Beryl Tait I just wanted to thank you so much for the beautiful peach colored rose with the baby s breath upon John s death. We would especially like to thank Pastor Towberman and the Helping Hands Team 1, for the wonderful dinner in the Sunday School class which was beautifully decorated. The Family of John C. Tassey The Parishioner 8

9 St. Mark s Annual Church Picnic August 26, 2017 Join us at the Masonic Shelter in Alameda Park on Saturday, August 26 th from 2:00 7:00 pm It s that time of year again for our Annual Picnic! Come join us for worship, fellowship, food, and fun in the sun! Activites will include Bingo, yard games, swimming and dinner. We will conclude the picnic with worship that will include Holy Communion! Mark your calendar to enjoy all or any part of the day s activities! Bring your favorite picnic dish to share! Watch future Cornerstone Bulletin inserts and August Parishioner for more details! 3T Ladies have made school bags to be filled with supplies by the congregation. The empty bags will be available beginning July 16 th to pick up and fill. These school bags are distributed to centers for the needy children in our community. Thank you all for participating in this service project! The bags should be returned by August 6 th so that we can distribute them to Glade Run and Dunbar Center before school starts. We appreciate all your help with this project. Our goal is to have 100 bags filled to distribute to needy children in our community! Please contact, Ginny for more information. NOMINATING COMMITTEE It is that time of year again to find people to run for Church Council and the Nominating Committee for Please pray that God will raise up the people to do His ministry at St. Mark s, to be the leaders of the church and grow the congregation. If you are interested or can suggest someone, please contact one of the following: Charles Tanner Chair Ron Morrison Liaison Jean Cuny Madaline Golec The Parishioner 9

10 Thank you to all who made our Community Courtyard Festival a BIG SUCCESS! May 20, 2017 Meeting Neighbors The Love of Christ The Parishioner 10

11 July Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 Rev. Ralph Storm 4 th Sunday After Pentecost 8:00 & 10:15 Worship/HC 9:00 New Members Class / Movie Man Named Luther 10:15 Children s Church 9 5 th Sunday After Pentecost 8:00 & 10:15 Worship 9:00 New Members Class / Movie Man Named Luther 10:15 Children s Church 16 6 th Sunday After Pentecost 8:00 & 10:15 Worship/HC 9:00 New Members Class / Movie Man Named Luther 10:15 Children s Church Yva Schoerner 23 7 th Sunday After Pentecost 8:00 & 10:15 Worship 9:00 Movie Man Named Luther 10:15 Children s Church 30 8 th Sunday After Pentecost 8:00 & 10:15 Worship 9:00 Movie Man Named Luther 10:15 Children s Church Saintly Seniors (90 + years young) July Birthdays ~ Velma Wee (07/07) Yva Schoerner (07/16) Ann Salisbury (07/18) 3 9:00 3T Office Closed For Independence Day Ann Salisbury 5 6 1:00 Prayer Shawl 19 5:30 Worship/Music The Parishioner 11 5:00 Katie s Kitchen 13 12:30 Katie s Kitchen Steering Committee 5:00 Katie s Kitchen 6:00 Personnel Comm Youth Camp: Hooversville, PA, :00 Katie s Kitchen 5:00 Katie s Kitchen **Please remember that the Church and Office will be CLOSED July 4 th in observance of INDEPENDENCE DAY.** 7 Velma Wee Pastor Jim Neal 6:00 Worship / HC 8 6:00 Worship / HC 15 6:00 Worship / HC 22 6:00 Worship / HC 29 6:00 Worship / HC

12 July 1, 2017 ~ Guest Pastor, Pastor Jim Neal July 2, 2017 ~ Guest Pastor, Rev. Ralph Storm July 1-2, 2017 ~ Holiday Worship Services Holy Communion Patriotic Music Selection July 4, 2017 ~ Church / Office Closed for INDEPENDENCE DAY July 24-27, 2017 ~ Youth Camp: Hooversville, PA A Congregation of the North American Lutheran Church St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church 201 West Jefferson Street Butler, Pennsylvania Phone: Fax: Website: NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U. S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 92 BUTLER, PA Parish Hours: 8:00 AM -- 5: 00 PM Monday - Friday CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED WORSHIP SERVICES Saturday: 6:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 & 10:15 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM The Parishioner 12