Pastor s Point of View - Pastor Mark Hollinger

Transcription

1 April 2017

2 Pastor s Point of View - Pastor Mark Hollinger Easter is about to charge into our lives. Spring is about to charge into our living. It s not without reason that Easter falls into the days of spring. Spring is all about new life and our world coming into bloom and color (this is particularly true in Ohio). I meet every month with area Methodist clergy, and we just got done reading a book that challenged me about life in community and our own spiritual growth. The last chapter talked about our lives being seasonal. This was not a new metaphor for me to consider; but when it came to spring, the author talked about the muck and messiness of spring. Farmers know all about spring rains that can make it problematic to get into the fields. I had never really thought about the messiness of April showers. I knew full well the need of spring rains to bring about new life but had missed the reality of spring s messiness and mud to make that happen. I am, at my core, a city boy. This was a bit of an Aha moment for me. New life always involves messiness because new life brings about change and change is always difficult and messy. We just had several new births in the church. In those instances I always wait a day to go see the baby and the proud parents. I want to give mom at least a day to recover and adjust. New life is messy and wearing on the body and any new mother doesn t need their pastor showing up right away to congratulate her on her efforts. Any change in our lives can be just as messy and difficult. We ve been traveling through Lent with the gospel of Luke. Through the eyes of Luke, we have seen the dramatic ministry of Jesus to the outcasts. During Jesus earthly ministry, Jesus encountered people who were ill, downtrodden, or stereotyped as sinners beyond God s redemptive work and consideration. Whether through Jesus teachings or Jesus encounters with outcasts, the people could see the heart of God when it came to those who were considered marginalized or of little worth. People were changed and redeemed by Jesus. In that change, they went on to a new way of living. Before Jesus, their lives we re messy, disordered, filled with illness, pain, isolation and emptiness. Continued...

3 Pastor s Point of View - Pastor Mark Hollinger Jesus brought them new life that redeemed them from messy living to blessed living. This is the Easter story. Easter is our annual reminder that God can do wonderful and mighty things in our lives. As I proclaim every Easter, the worst thing is never the last thing. But remember, every Sunday is considered Easter in the Christian church. So our Easter moments are not just isolated to an annual event that comes in spring after Lent. Our God of resurrection and new life is a 24-hour-7-days-a-week-365-days-a-year resurrecting God. So, if you are in a place of change and you are experiencing muck and messiness or confusion and isolation, hold on and keep reaching out to Jesus. The change of new life is coming it is about to spring forth! I (the Lord your God) am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 Transform campaign update: As of February 28, 2017, we have $757,695 pledged and have received $440,891. We are on our way. Any money designated will be directed toward: Church Expansion Fund. This is marked on your envelopes. You can also donate online on the St. Marks website. 1. Go to stmarksfindlay.org 2. Click on the ONLINE GIVING tab 3. In the ONLINE GIVING box, click on the myowngiving.com link Donations are designated to Transform/ Capital Campaign. St. Marks Collects the Following for Charity UMW [Yvonne Miller] Campbell Soup labels, including the UPC symbol. Box Tops for Education. Chopin Hall [Carlton Rule] Food [no glass], bath soap, toilet tissue, paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc. Used clothing can be dropped off at Chopin Hall [Mon. & Wed. a.m. and Tues. & Thurs. p.m. at back door] WTGN Radio-97.7 Lima [Garth Beatty]

4 Memorials In Memory of Diane Hogue By Larry & Pam Hogue By Ronald & Debra Hogue In Memory of Kay Scoby By Robert & Frances Poe Be sure to mark your calendars for: Seder (Passover) Meal - Thursday, April 13 7:00 p.m. at the DOCK In Memory of Art & David Whetstone By The Whetstone Family Community Cross Walk - Friday, April 14 6:00 p.m. - Meet at University of Findlay Ritz Auditorium Good Friday Service - Friday, April 14 St. Marks will be fielding a coed softball team again this year. More information will follow. If you're interested, contact Holley Hannah at :00 p.m. - University of Findlay Ritz Auditorium Prayer Emphasis April 2 Upper Room Church of God April 9 College First Church of God April 16 Cross Point Church of God April 23 The Catalyst Church April 30 First Christian Church

5 SAVE THE DATE...Backyard Mission Trip is Saturday, April 22, Start making plans with your small group, Sunday school classes, family and friends. Anyone interested can sign up, and you will be added to a team. The sign up lists are posted at the Connection Centers. The Backyard Mission Trip is a community wide event supported by churches and some of our civic organizations here in our community. It is a day set aside to do things right here in "our own backyard." The projects are "light" in nature such as yard work, painting and easy home repairs. We are hoping to employ 2,000 volunteers with over 200 projects. If you know someone who could receive this help from the Backyard Mission Trip or have other questions, contact Jessna Jarrett at We will meet at the Cube on April 22 at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast, a short worship celebration will follow at 7:30 a.m. and then we will travel to our work sites. Good Deeds with Good Will Sharing Good News" Come Discover St. Marks If you have been attending St. Marks and are interested in learning more about St. Marks or the opportunity to become a member, join us for Discover St. Marks on April 9 at 12:30 p.m. in the DOCK following our second service. Come have some pizza, chips and drinks on us. Classes will start up on April 23 and run through May 28. There are six sessions. Volunteers Needed! Set up April 23, 24 & 25 Sorting donations & pricing donations the sale (Thurs PM; Fri. AM) Tear down 12:00 PM) Go to and click on the News/Events tab to sign up. April 27 & 28 Donations accepted at the DOCK as follows: Sunday, April 23, 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM Monday & Tuesday, April 24 & 25, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Evening drop-offs by appointment Donations will not be accepted after TUESDAY. NO LONGER ACCEPTED: TV s, computer monitors, non-working/broken items, mattresses, pianos

6 Worship Gatherings Sermon Series The Gospel of the Outcasts, Luke s Gospel April 2 Homeless Beggars Luke 18:35-43 April 9 The Thief on the Cross Luke 23:32-34; EASTER April 16 The Worst Thing is Never the Last Thing Luke 24:1-11 (Selected Verses) The Gospel of the Outcasts, Luke s Gospel April 23 Afraid and Confused Luke 24:13-21; Sermon April 30 Standing in the Middle 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 RADIATE DATES... DATES TO SAVE AND REMEMBER: HIGH SCHOOL- APRIL 9-13 HIGH SCHOOL ONLY SPRING BREAK MISSION TRIP ALL RADIATE- Mobile Food Pantry April 8 First Presbyterian Church 2330 S. Main St., Findlay IMPORTANT REMINDERS Did you want to order an Easter Lily(ies)? Have you signed up for the Seder Meal on Maundy Thursday, April 13? Check out the bulletin inserts this Sunday, April 2! Your lily form must be submitted this Sunday. The Seder Meal insert must be completed by April 9. APRIL 6 KB CONCERT IN LIMA MAY 14 SPECIAL OLYMPICS QUALIFIERS BLUFFTON JUNE SPECIAL OLYMPICS STATE GAMES COLUMBUS JULY MATTHEW 25 MINISTRIES CINCY AND THE CENTRAL YOUTH EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

7 April Sunday School Offerings Sunday School Classes & Teachers Builders Charles Bishop & Yvonne Miller God Loves Us April - God s Caring, Saving, and Upholding Love May - God s Pervasive and Sustaining Love Covenant Barbara Hochstettler April - The 5 T s 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus Founders John Richter & Mike Noggle God Loves Us April - God s Caring, Saving, and Upholding Love May - God s Pervasive and Sustaining Love Searching for Philos John Carson April - Andy Stanley Video Series Soul Seekers Tim Bechtol & Michelle Gibbs April - New Testament Unit: A King Like No Other May - Special Topic Unit: Following God s Design United Methodist Women Wednesday, April 5, 2017 Combined Meeting Fellowship Hall at 7:00 p.m. Hostess Lydia Circle Program Luanne Circle Doak Clements Program/Speaker Doak is from Focus on Friends, 509 Trenton Avenue, and is the Recovery Home Coordinator for the Women s Recovery House on West Hardin Street. The house is a Level II facility accredited by Ohio Recovery Housing. Doak has over 14 years of experience in non-profit work in Findlay and Hancock County. Her experience also includes teaching, substitute teaching and contracted skills assessment and testing. All women of the church are invited to attend. If you have questions or would like further information, please contact Diane Hite at or dihite@woh.rr.com. Contributions in the offering envelope marked in your numbered envelope boxes as MY EASTER OFFERING will be designated for the Habitat September build.

8 The Giving Tree is back. St Marks is going to partner with Habitat for Humanity for the Apostle Build this fall. It is scheduled for Sept With an Apostle Build, the churches here in our community come together to build a Habitat House. It is the idea of going out into our community to serve others the way Jesus' apostles served. It's a way that churches can share God's love to those in our community by building houses. Each church makes a financial contribution of $7,000 and will help with the build for one day. We are using the Giving Tree as a fundraiser for the Habitat build. There will be a tree in both the DOCK and the back of the sanctuary. There will be special envelopes on the trees that you can pull off and put in it whatever amount your heart desires. Then place the envelope in the offering plate. We will be doing this now through the end of summer. This is one way to help with the build if you are not able to do the physical work but still want to contribute. This month we are collecting HYGIENE & PERSONAL CARE items. Please donate the following into the bins at each Connection Center: Toothbrushes, deodorant, bar soap, wash cloths, lip balm, band aids, fingernail care, combs, brushes, etc. **NO LIQUIDS** April Collection: Hygiene/Personal Care Items A fundraiser, entitled Driven to Give, will take place on May 6 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Reineke Ford and will support Habitat for Humanity s September Apostle Build. Come test drive a car and earn $20 for Habitat for Humanity. If you bring a friend(s) and they test drive a car, they too will earn $20 for Habitat for Humanity. There will be no pressure or expectation for you to buy a car. Be sure to mark your calendar for this fundraising event.

9 St. Marks United Methodist Church Leadership Board Agenda Location: Fellowship Hall 03/28/2017, 6:30 PM Attendance: Mark H., Keith K., Mike I., Jeff J., David A., Denny J., Lisa C., Marv M., Garth B., Linda H., Jeff H. Welcome: Denny opened with a prayer. Agape plan Easter baskets for Recovery Houses 8 cards and baskets 4 for Men s house, 4 for Women s house. Board members threw money into the hat for chocolate & baskets. Future Agape ideas discussed: Crossing members who are working hard planning Lisa to get 11 thank-you cards. Prayer requests, God Sightings were discussed and prayed over. Leadership Training takeaways Millennials (Jeff Hauenstein / Linda Huffman) - still wanting to know how to get them involved at church. Thinking about doing a video introduction to the church and how to put that on the website. ABC s of Church Finance (Garth Beatty) - advice to use a church-knowledgeable insurance company (which we have). Book Study Becoming a Contagious Christian Ch. 1 3: People matter to God, the cost/benefits of evangelism, and the formula for evangelism. Discussion topics Dave Charles will be a licensed local Pastor by the end of August. This means the West Ohio Conference cannot move him without his consent. At next Leadership Board we MUST have 9 or more present. Habitat they haven t decided the site of the build for St. Marks yet. The Giving Tree has raised about $2,000 of the $7,000 goal. Softball Findlay Church League increased fees for churches, so St. Marks softball team moved to the McComb league. They need more players. St. Marks was invited by West Ohio Conference to participate in an Urban Ministry training in Columbus. The Board didn t know how much it would apply to our church and our city. Key Metrics (compared to last year) Attendance 1 st service (down 20% - last year saw Easter around this time), Attendance 2 nd service (down 5%) Adult Sunday School (no change), Youth Sunday School (up 19%) Youth (%), Radiate (no record from this time last year), Spark (unchanged) Adult Small Groups (unchanged) New members starting April 23, could have as many as 16 Cash Collected (month) / Cash spent (month) - don t have exact numbers, but we are doing well.

10 St. Marks United Methodist Church Leadership Board Agenda Location: Fellowship Hall 03/28/2017, 6:30 PM Team Reports: Pastor Concerns - Vacation coverage in May: Dave Charles, Michelle Shiparski, and Cliff Hite will do sermons. Staffing Concerns - Pastor and Staff are determining plan and schedule for a new Worship Director. Everything is still up in the air. Liaison or Committee concerns/progress - HR liaison: the Board members will need to complete the 2017 Clergy Evaluation. Be looking for it in your . Building Concerns - Capital campaign at $450K. The team will seek bids when we hit $600K. New Business: Ken Miller will lead the book Study: Do the Participant s Guide Session 2, and then read in the book Contagious Christian only Chapter 9. The Participant s guide skips Chapters 4, 5, and 6 but will get to them later. Back Yard Mission Trip coming up on Saturday, April 22 this is a great form of evangelism!!!! Next Meeting: April 25, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. We must have a quorum (9 or more Board members) because there will be a Charge Conference.

11 From Your St. Marks Staff: HAPPY EASTER TO EACH OF YOU!