Seventh Sunday after Pentecost July 27, 2014 139 th year July 27, A.D. 2014 SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Welcome Visitors! We have a gift mug for you available at all three of our entrances. Please pick one up after the service. We are glad to have you in worship today. May God bless you with His love and grace. Board of Evangelism In Your Prayers This Week Please Remember: We Celebrate Marjorie Wicker s 100 th Birthday on Wednesday, July 23 rd, 2014 Bob & Darlene Asbury s 55 th Wedding Anniversary on Friday, July 25 th, 2014 Bill & Linda Stegmann s 40 th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday, July 27 th, 2014 Marlin Brockmeyer Linda Foote Elijah Rabacchi Marcus Delre Debra Guebert Gloria Moore Julie Netherton Helen Braun Lynette Tillock John T. Foote Emma Ritter LuAnn Hartmann Connie Kirkland George Salger Continuing Concerns Eileen Clements David Jensen (Karen Chamness brother) Caniella Patterson & newborn child, Gabriel (Emma Ritter s cousin) Shannon Hohgrefe (Stephanie Diercks Brother) Kara Bartee (Nancy Higley s daughter) Tiffany Troue Denyer Ronald Ohlau (Linda Mulholland s step-father) Andy Schorr (Carol Mayer s brother) Anita Shafer (Mary Reith s mother) Daniel Bell (Lisa Greatting s Brother) Robert Holley (Norlyn & Jane Kingsten s grandson) Drew Stallman (Linda Foote s Grandson) Kevin Dukes (Donna & Pr. Al s relatives) Laverna Castens Delores Doss Norma Wolters Thelma Weaver Onieda Mahnken Shelly Fedderke Care Center Residents Evangeline Wahlmann Clarence & Judy Clasen Adeline Bauer Delores Heck Clara Biermann Rev. Wally Dressler Luella Muench Mildred Eggemeyer Doris Salger Charlotte Knop Receiving Ministry At Home Jewell Rubach Marjorie Wicker Norma Rodewald Page -2-
Military Personnel & Their Families Richard Thompson, Kevin Kahre, Ethan Pierce, Matt Kraus, Casey Vallett, Tim Eichenseer, Bill Ingles, Andrew Grab, Bryan Gramenz, Cory Jeffers, Denny Ernsting, Heather Lee, Christina Willard-Cavan Mission Prayers Remember God s work through the Synod s service opportunities as you pray that the Lord would raise up more of His children to serve the Church as pastors, deaconesses, Lutheran educators, missionaries and other church workers. We respect the privacy of our members and friends and will not pray for you publicly unless it is requested and we know we have your permission. Pastor Al on Vacation Pastor Al is on vacation July 29 - August 4. If you need pastoral care during these days, please call the church office 618-965-3192 or Pastor Bedard (985) 791-4447. Cookbooks Cookbooks are still available for sale in the fellowship hall at each church service and also in the church office during work hours. The cost for each cookbook is $17. Farmers and any others: Fresh produce is welcome at the food pantry at Peace Lutheran Church. Call Julie @ 301-6561 for details. Bible Studies Wednesday, 10:00 am, Church Office Meeting Room. Bible Hour: Sundays 10:15 a.m.: Family Bible Study Fellowship Hall Studying the Gospel of Matthew Exploring Faith and Life Adult Special Needs Sunday School Class Bible Readings from (Lutheran Service Book) Daily Lectionary (pg. 299-304) Sunday, July 27 1 Samuel 12:1-25; Acts 22:30 23:11 Monday, July 28 1 Samuel 13:1-18; Acts 23:12-35 Tuesday, July 29 1 Samuel 14:47 15:9; Acts 24:1-23 Wednesday, July 30 1 Samuel 15:10-35; Acts 24:24 25:12 Thursday, July 31 1 Samuel 16:1-23; Acts 25:13-27 Friday, Aug. 1 1 Samuel 17:1-19; Acts 26:1-23 Saturday, Aug. 2 1 Samuel 17:20-47; Acts 26:24 27:8 Recycle Recycle your metals for St. Mark s general fund to help pay all the bills at the church and school. We can recycle any metal item, such as: Cans, Buckets, Air Conditioners, Electric Appliances (no glass tubes), Pots, pans, Motors, etc. Call for info or pickup (Mike Vallett 618-317-1058 or Jim Pierce 618-615-0650). Special Blessing Gift Offerings A letter was sent out in June along with a special envelope (Special Blessing Gift) to help meet the expenses of our summer expense obligations. Many of you have already made donations and we would like to thank you for your generous giving. So far we have received $3,995 from these envelopes. If you have not made use of this envelope yet, please prayerfully consider helping the church meet their obligations as the church s fiscal year comes to a close at the end of July. Dinner Auction The Fourth Annual Dinner Auction will be April 11, 2015. The date had to be changed due to a scheduling conflict with the legion. Thanks! Page -3- Page -4-
Our Stewardship of Time, Talents and Treasures July 26-27 Organist: Carol Lowe Altar Guild: Debra Mevert, Julie Tiemann Acolytes: (6pm) Emily Brown; (9am) Jared Phillips Greeters: (6pm) Klay & Julie Tiemann (9am) Darl & Janet Bollman Elders: (6pm) Dale Rice, Steve Smith (9am) Bruce Uchtman August 2-3 Organist: Janet Wicker Altar Guild: Julie Tiemann, Kim Ruebke Acolytes: (6pm) ; (9am) Christopher Taylor Greeters: (6pm) Omer & Shirley Hornbostel (9am) Donna Janneke, Ron Schwarz Elders: (6pm) Chris Valleroy (9am) Jim Zobel, Dale Rice Altar Flowers & Bulletins: In Honor of the 100 th Birthday of Marjorie Wicker with the love of her family. Worship Attendance: 7/19-20 Sat - 78 Sun - 121 Weekly Total - 199 Communed - 70 Christian Education Attendance: Sun. 19 Wed. 7 Contributions Congregational Offerings 7/19-20..................... $ 8,152.70 Simply Giving Electronic Offerings....................... 609.00 School Deposits........................... 0.00 Total Deposits................................... $ 8,761.70 Year-to-date Income and Expenses (August 2013 July 2014) as of June 30, 2014 Congregational Offerings.................................. $ 438,619.89 School Deposits......................................... 200,921.04 Total Deposits................................... $ 639,540.93 Church & Office Expenses................................. $ 151,249.41 School Expenses......................................... 526,916.33 Parish Property Expenses.................................. 41,678.84 Total Expenses.................................. $ 719,844.58 Deposits minus Expenses................................. $ -80,303.65 **June Total Deposits were $38,193.42 & June Total Expenses were $64,620.19. St. Mark's Lutheran 140th Anniversary Pictorial Directory! Please celebrate the 140 th Anniversary of St. Mark s Church by joining us in our pictorial directory. There are still openings and a successful directory includes every one of you. This includes all church members and also all school families. The dates available are 7/31, 8/1 & 8/2/14. (Please note that new day has been opened as we get closer to filling our original portrait dates.) We are participating in two programs: 1. Friends and Family - anyone and everyone is welcome, not just church or school families, and everyone participating will receive one free 8x10 per session (only SML School and Church members will be placed in the directory) 2. Feed the Need - anyone bringing non-perishable food items to their photography session will receive a $5 off coupon and all items will be donated to our local food pantry. Bags will be available in the Narthex for use or bring your own. In addition, anyone registering on line with an email address will also receive another $10 coupon for additional savings. You will receive a confirmation email (and a reminder email 3-5 days before your appt.) with the link "special online offer" at the bottom for your $10 coupon from Barb Heck s personal email which is heck_girl@yahoo.com Please print and bring that coupon with you. By taking advantage of these summer months, those choosing to order additional prints, will receive 20% discount in addition to any coupons. There is no obligation to order additional prints. The link for registration can be found on our church website at stmarksteeleville.com. When available, registration will also be offered at church services or you can contact Bruce Uchtman at 618-443-7475 or Barb Heck at 618-521-9788 to also register. Our directory will consist of advertisement pages. Anyone interested in including their business card or sponsoring a 1/4 or 1/2 page can contact Bruce or Barb or Jana Young at 618-967-1149. Prices are $25, $40 and $60 respectively. Volunteers are needed to greet and sign in those being photographed. A sign up sheet can be found in the Narthex if you can help in this small way. Please show your support to St Mark's Church and School by joining in this pictorial. Hope to see you there! Page -5- Page -6-
Christ Our Savior Lutheran High School 618-853-7300 www.coslhs.org Special Dinner: St. Mark's, Steeleville is hosting a special celebration dinner today, from 11am to 1 pm for 2010 COS graduate, Stefan Gramenz, who is going to seminary. Mostaccioli and salad will be served. Opening Worship: COS will have a worship service to open its school year, Sunday afternoon, August 17 at 2 pm at St. Peter's in Evansville. New teacher, Jessica Koch will be commissioned and installed as part of the service. Join us as we start the year in proper context, giving glory to God. An ice cream social will follow at St. John's in Ruma. Promote COS: Christ Our Savior is increasing its social media presence and would like for you to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We are posting information, inspiration, and photos of what's going on daily. Check us out and share with your friends. Facebook: Christ Our Savior Lutheran High School Instagram: COSLHS Twitter: COSLHS Late Summer Volunteers: If you would like to help COS prepare for the start of the school year with on or off campus projects please call the schools office. COS is seeking a part-time science teacher for the 2014-2015 school year to teach Biology, Physics and Chemistry. Resumes are to be submitted to 810 Soldiers Way, Evansville, IL 62242. The Garms Family Thanks You Dear St. Mark, Thank you for having us at your church on July 12 & 13! We had so much fun sharing the gifts and talents God has given us during both services. It was wonderful to meet you all and make new friends. Thank you, Pastor Al, for giving us the opportunity to bless others. Thank you also, Pastor & Donna, for the meal on Saturday night. It was great to catch up with you. We pray God would richly bless you all as you serve Him and those around you! Joy in the Journey with Jesus, The Garms Family Peace Meal from Peacemaker Ministries Agonizing for Peace... Like a Gladiator Paul's letter to the Ephesians focuses heavily on peacemaking. The first three chapters provide a glorious description of God's plan of salvation. In the fourth chapter, Paul begins to explain how we should respond to what Christ has done for us. Note carefully what Paul places at the top of his list of practical applications of the gospel: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:1-3). The Greek word that is translated "make every effort" in this passage means to strive eagerly, earnestly, and diligently. It is a word that a trainer of gladiators might have used when he sent men to fight to the death in the Coliseum: "Make every effort to stay alive today!" So too must a Christian agonize for peace and unity. Obviously, token efforts and halfhearted attempts at reconciliation fall far short of what Paul had in mind. Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 66. Food for Thought Are you struck by the call to agonize for peace and unity--like a gladiator? Do you know who agonizes for peace and unity like a gladiator? Christ Jesus! Before you get down on yourself by thinking, "Wow, I should really be agonizing more about my peacemaking...", hear the good news: Christ himself is a "peacemaking gladiator." When you "fight" for reconciliation, even in a seemingly lost cause, you're fighting back to back with the greatest warrior who ever lived--the Lord himself. The battle may turn out differently than you expect or prefer, but take comfort in this: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Ps. 51:17). Fight the good fight of reconciliation with the Lord, not you, in the lead. Follow his lead, leaving the results in his hands, and you will see that, far from despising your efforts, the Lord will accept them as a sacrifice--and he will honor them, in his own way, in his own time. Page -7- Page -8-
2014 Panther Baseball There will be a meeting on August 3, at 7:00 pm for all boys interested in playing baseball this fall for the St. Mark s Panther Baseball Team. Practices will begin on August 4 from 3:30-5:30 pm. The upcoming season, practices, games and expectations will be discussed at the meeting. All players needs physical done before they can practice or play in games. If you have any questions or concerns or cannot make the meeting, please contact Coach Zobel (965-9585). Dinner in Celebration of Our Own Seminarian St. Mark's will have one of its members attending Concordia Seminary. A St. Mark's School graduate, Stefan Gramenz, son of Virgil and Karen (St. Mark's 1st grade teacher) Gramenz will be a seminarian this fall at Concordia Fort Wayne. Stefan will be dedicating his life to the service of our Lord as a pastor. Help us celebrate and support his decision, as he begins his studies, by coming to a spaghetti dinner at St. Mark's School on July 27 from 11 AM - 1 PM. In agreement with the family's request, any free will offerings (checks may be made to "Concordia Theological Seminary - Fort Wayne) will be designated to support the Seminary and not directly Stefan. Any donation of dessert will be appreciated. Preparing for Worship The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 13 (3 August 2014) Isaiah 55:1 5; Romans 9:1 5 (6 13); Matthew 14:13 21 Christ Jesus, the Living Bread from Heaven, Feeds the Children of God By the Gospel of the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever (Rom. 9:5), we are the children of God (Rom. 9:8), not because of works but because of him who calls (Rom. 9:11). Therefore, listen diligently and hear, that your soul may live. By His sacrificial death in His flesh and blood, He has made an everlasting covenant for us. Since He now calls us to Himself, we come to Him and eat what is good, and delight in rich food (Is. 55:2 3). He has come with divine compassion to save us from sin and death and to feed us with Himself. As our Lord Jesus once took bread, said a blessing, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds (Matt. 14:18 19), He also now takes bread, blesses it by His Word to be His very body, and distributes it to His Church by the hand of His called and ordained servants. Just as they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces, there is more than enough for His whole Church to eat and to be satisfied (Matt. 14:20). Page -9- Page -10-
Weekly Calendar Sat., July 26.... 8:00 AM Clean-Up Day at St. Mark s School.... 6:00 PM Worship with Communion Sun., July 27.... 9:00 AM Worship Service... 10:15 AM Bible Class Mon., July 28.... 1:00 PM Manor at Craig Farms.... 2:00 PM Three Springs Nursing Home.... 7:00 PM Annual Fund Committee Tues., July 29 Wed., July 30... 10:00 AM Bible Class Thurs., July 31 Fri., August 1 Sat., August 2.... 6:00 PM Worship Service Sun., August 3.... 9:00 AM Worship with Communion... 10:15 AM Bible Class Roof Fund Envelopes The school roof repairs have been completed. The Board of Stewardship has placed ROOF FUND envelopes in the pews and at each church entrance. To date $29,863.10 has been collected for the school roof fund and the rest will be borrowed from the School Building Fund until donations are made to repay the loan. Prayerfully consider giving a special gift or gifts toward this Fund by using the envelopes. Electronic Giving/Offerings Electronic giving is a wonderful opportunity for these hectic summer months. This convenience automatically debits your account to make your offering (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly) as well as provide consistent income for the church. Please contact Misty at the church office for a form. St. Mark's Lutheran Church St. Mark s Lutheran School 105 North Garfield Street 504 North James Street Steeleville, Illinois 62288-1345 Steeleville, IL 62288-1433 Church Office: 618-965-3192 School Office: 618-965-3838 Fax: 618-965-2232 Fax: 618-965-3060 stmarks.steeleville@gmail.com stmarkssm@egyptian.net www.stmarksteeleville.com Dr. Alan Wendel Janneke, Senior Pastor School Contacts Cell: 618-317-4416 pr.owl.j@gmail.com Rev. Kelly Bedard Pastoral Assistant Cell: (985) 791-4447 Sandra Fortner, School Secretary bedard.kelly@gmail.com Cell: 618-615-7466 Misty Smith, Church Secretary Cell 618-317-6319 The Mission Statement of St. Mark's Lutheran Church Our mission is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through worship, education, outreach, fellowship and service. Worship Schedule Saturday evening 6:00 p.m.; Sunday morning 9:00 a.m.; Next Handicap Accessible Service August 14 th, 10:00 a.m. Next Contemporary Service August 17 th, 9:00 a.m. Blended Contemporary/Traditional Service August 10 th, 9:00 a.m. Holy Communion is celebrated every weekend, the first, third and fifth Sundays of the month at the 9:00 a.m. service and at the 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening service before the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Because those who eat and drink our Lord's body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the sacrament, are asked first to speak with the pastor or an elder. Page -11- Page -12-