The Parishioner Volume 23, Issue 8 A Publication of St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church August 2018 Lutheran Week in Denver The Holy Spirit I am looking forward to representing you along with Bob Niggel, and Bill Oehlschlager in Colorado this month. Every year, the North American Lutheran Church gathers for Lutheran Week. This year we are meeting in Denver, Colorado, August 13-17. Each year Lutheran Week is a conference gathering for the whole North American Lutheran Church. It is a conference for everyone: lay and ordained, young and old, leaders and seekers. There are also visitors in attendance from other church denominations and traditions. The week is more than a conference, more than a church festival and much more than a business meeting. The NALC Lutheran Week is all of that and much more. What does it mean for us as Christians and for the Church to be living out of the power of the Holy Spirit? This summer, the theme for Lutheran Week is: Holy Spirit: Calling, Gathering, Enlightening, and Sanctifying. Lutherans are often accused of ignoring or minimizing the person and work of the Holy Spirit, focusing more intently on Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior. Our Lutheran focus of 2018-2019 and for Lutheran Week this summer in Denver will give time and attention to the third person of the Holy Trinity and the work of the Holy Spirit. This follows two years in which we have focused our attention on the person and work of Jesus Christ (2016-2017), and in two years from now, in 2020-2021, the work of God the Father. These themes help us to live and grow our church culture out of the third core value of the North American Lutheran Church, that we are Traditionally Grounded. We are grounded in Scripture, the creeds and confessions of the universal and historic Christian Church through the centuries beginning with our belief in the One True God in three persons. Lutheran Week 2018 is built upon the Scriptural verse, Acts 1:8, But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. The work of the Holy Spirit guides the entire week of events, which includes various activities, beginning with a gathering of Youth, the Ventures in Youth Ministry Symposium, the Women of NALC Annual Gathering, and Life-to-Life Discipleship Coaching. Main events Tuesday through Friday include the annual Braaten-Beene Theological lectures, followed by the NALC National Mission Festival and the Annual Convocation. The Parishioner 1
Here in our own congregation at St. Mark s we are striving to be a renewed congregation that is all about Jesus and God s Mission for St. Mark s. As I shared in last week s sermon, renewal comes about by recognizing it is not something we can accomplish. It must be the work of the Holy Spirit and in worship centered in bringing praise to God in response to all that He has done for us in Jesus Christ. It is a spirit of giving and love rather than a what s in it for me. The Rev. Dr. David Luecke, who our St. Mark s leadership team visited in North Royalton, Ohio as we began exploring the feasibility of adding a contemporary worship service, writes about how Christians need to look for the reliable signs of the Holy Spirit s Presence within the Church and within their lives. He quotes Jonathan Edwards at a time of the Great Awakening, that through the work of the Holy Spirit renewed the church in America in the 1730 1740 s. What are the signs of the Holy Spirit s Presence? A new spiritual sense reflected in love of God that does not come from self-interest A new kind of convicted knowing and believing in God A genuine humility A hunger for God and a Christ-like Spirit Christian practice in our words and actions. These are both challenging and exciting days for us to be the church and in learning how to share our Christian witness as we strive to be renewed through the work of the Holy Spirit. The mission field is both within and outside our congregation. With You, Following Christ Jesus, Pastor Al Towberman Martin Luther and The Holy Spirit Martin Luther recognized that affections of the heart and the human will can be transformed by the Spirit of God. These are his words in the Small Catechism where he explains the third article of the Apostles Creed. Luther states: I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, My Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps me with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which through the Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins in me and in all believers, and at the last day will raise me up, and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true. American Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, August 21 st 11:30 am-5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall *Volunteers are needed to help the Red Cross with the August Blood Drive. If you are available to assist, all help is welcome. Any time you can give for this cause is GREATLY appreciated. The Parishioner 2
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 ~ Robert Niggel / Wm. Oehlschlager Director of Music ~ Ralph Christy Jr. Assistant Organist ~ Rebecca Veith Bell Choir Director ~ Rebecca Veith Choir Director ~ Ralph Christy Jr. Children s Hour Director ~ Darcie Pomykata Katie s Kitchen Director ~ Loretta Bachman Council President ~ Elaine Walker Council Vice President ~ Gretchen Pink Council Secretary ~ April Quinn Treasurer ~ Sherry Young Financial Secretary ~ Toni Tassey Nate Deal Begins Basic Training! Nate Deal, one of this year s high school graduates from our congregation has left to begin preparing for a career in the military as he begins basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. We will keep you posted when we have an address for Nate. We hold Nate in our prayers as he begins serving our country in the U.S. Army. Congratulations To Dylan Atkison Congratulations to Dylan Atkison, another of St. Mark s 2018 High School graduates who was the chosen recipient of the Lutheran Scholarship provided for a member of St. Mark s through the Michael and Rose Paal College Scholarship Fund of St. Paul s Lutheran Church in Ellwood City. Dylan begins classes at the University of Pittsburgh this fall. Welcome Sara Noah Pictured left, Sara Noah through Adult Baptism joins St. Mark s and prepares for marriage. We welcome Sara Noah into life in Christ with us at St. Mark s as she and St. Mark s member Chandler Lawhead continue to prepare for their wedding at St. Mark s on November 3, 2018. Sara lives at 1000 Euclid School Road in Butler, PA and works fulltime at Smokey Bones Restaurant in Cranberry. The Parishioner 3
NOMINATING COMMITTEE The Church's Nominating Committee has been meeting to consider candidates for next year s Church Council. We have recognized a few and will be asking for their participation. The Council meets the 2rd Tuesday of the month at 7 PM in the Conference Room at the Church for approximately an hour. The number of positions available this year is more than usual; thus, we are looking for a few more nominees. If you have a desire to serve the Church in this way, we would like to hear from you. Get in touch with Chas Tanner, chairperson 724-283-5251 or one of the others listed below. Thank you! Charles Tanner Chair 724-283-5251 Gretchen Pink Liaison 724-486-3079 Peggy Morrison 724-352-4019 3T Ladies have made school bags to be filled with supplies by the congregation. The empty bags are available 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 the August 5 th so that we can distribute them to Glade Run and The Net Outreach Center before school starts. We appreciate all your help with this project as we reach out to the children in our community! Please contact, Ginny Rettig @ 724-287-2096 for more information. Looking for past issues of the Parishioner? Check out our website! You can download and print the Parishioner, get daily devotional readings, schedules, and other great information. NOW, YOU MAY MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ON-LINE! If you have information that you would like to see on the website, send the office an email. vicki.schiffer@stmarksbutler.org www.stmarksbutler.org The Parishioner 4
Capital Campaign Completed! Digital Sign Fully Funded Thanks to everyone in the congregation who has contributed a love gift to help spread the message of the Gospel outside of our congregation to the community. The $20,000 for the new digital sign has been fully funded by your gifts over and above regular offerings in just two months! St. Mark s Lutheran Church Annual Picnic, August 18 th Get On Board and Catch the Spirit! Chicken, Hot Dogs, drinks and tableware provided. Please bring a dish to share with others. Picnic and Worship Service Alameda Park Masonic Shelter Saturday, August 18 th 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM Enjoy the afternoon of games, fellowship, food, and a Songfest, finishing the time with Worship and Holy Communion! *Assistance will be available to help you transport your goods from your vehicle to the **Bring lawn chairs and shelter if needed. blankets for your relaxation. ************************************************************************************* Name Number attending The Parishioner 5
St. Mark s 2018 VBS The Parishioner 6
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~ Rally Day Weekend ~ September 8 & 9, 2018 Let s Rally Back to Church and Sunday School! Confirmation St. Mark s Children s Hour Wednesdays, 9:30 am 11:30 am September 2018~ May 2019 Call Darcie Pomykata (Director of Children s Hour) for more information. 724-287-6741 / 724-996-9245 St. Mark s offers Children s Hour for all kids ages 2 up to and including Kindergarten. There is a lot of activity on Wednesday mornings at St. Mark s Lutheran Church. Parent Orientation: September 5 th @ 6:00 pm. First Day of class: September 12 th @ 9:30 am. The Parishioner 8
Pictured are some of the attendees at the all-day Summer Church Renewal Conference held at St. Mark s on Saturday, June 23. The regional conference was led by Bill Oehlschlager, Executive Director of Lutheran Lay Renewal of America, and The Rev. Dr. Amy Schifrin, President of the North American Lutheran Seminary. Bill Oehlschlager led two sessions on: Seven Lessons for Living the Spiritual Life and Ten Stops on the Road to Spiritual Transformation. Dr. Amy Schifrin led sessions on: Singing Our Faith and Praying the Psalms. The personal witness about their experience with the living God and His Son along with biblical/practical application insights were inspirational and helpful in taking our next step forward as we strive to move from an institutional church mentality of membership toward a culture of discipleship at St. Mark s. Lutheran Lay Renewal will be returning to St. Mark s on Sunday morning, September 16 th for another presentation hosted by St. Mark s Evangelism Committee, during Sunday School and at the 10:15 morning worship service as Bill Oehlschlager leads a workshop on Learning How To Share Your Faith in Fellowship Hall. Learn How to Share Your Faith in Christ and help our Church grow; plan to attend. Pastor Matthew Vatalare Called and Ordained This past July 9 th Matthew Vatalare, a 2018 graduate of our North American Lutheran Seminary, was ordained to the Office of Word and Sacrament and called to be a pastor in our Mid-Northeast Mission at our newly configured parish that will include Christ Rupp Lutheran Church in Kittanning, St. Mark s Lutheran Church in Adrian; joining in a five church Parish Ministry with Christ and Mt. Union Churches in Elderton and with Salem Lutheran Church in Smicksburg, PA. God s Blessing to Pastor Vatalare who will be living in the parsonage at St. Mark s Adrian and serving the new five-point parish with Pastor Joyce Dix-Weiers. The Parishioner 9
Thank you A Thank You Note from St. Mark s 2018 Domestic Mission Partner Through our Benevolence Ministry in the North American Lutheran Church, every congregation helps to support either a new mission start or an existing mission congregation to help further God s mission for the Church. Our 2018 domestic mission partner is Grace Lutheran Church served by Pastor Ann Miller Smith on Troy Hill in Pittsburgh. The following note of thanks is from Grace Lutheran for our mission support ~~ Dear St. Mark s Congregation ~ Thank you for your generous donation to help us spread the love of Christ on Troy Hill. Sincerely, Grace Lutheran Church Just a note to convey our appreciation to Mary Ellen, John, Larry, Vicki, Darcie and of course, Dr. Towberman for hosting our Lutheran Lay Renewal Summer Conference. The facility was perfect for our sessions and we really enjoyed having such a wonderful kitchen in which to prepare and present our breakfast and lunch. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Our organization sincerely appreciates everything the staff did to make us feel welcome and comfortable. I know the participants definitely enjoyed the day and the setting. Blessings, Karen L. Ferrari Treasurer, LLRA To St. Mark s Congregation ~ Thank you for reaching out to us with a Card of Sympathy. God s love to you, Joseph and Harriet Herring Dear Parishioners of St. Mark s Lutheran Church ~ We would like to thank the St. Mark s Lutheran Church for the donation to the City of Butler in lieu of taxes. Your contribution helps the City of Butler defray costs for local resources such as police, fire, parks, and streets. We appreciate your monetary support for our wonderful community! Sincerely, Benjamin A. Smith Mayor, City of Butler The Bus to the Ark Encounter, September 11-12 is Full! The Parishioner 10
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5 11 th Sunday After Pentecost 8:00 & 10:15 Worship/HC 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Children s Church *School Kits Due 12 Guest Pastor Jim Neal 8:00 & 10:15 Worship 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Children s Church Saintly Seniors (90 + years young) August Birthdays ~ Eleanor Morris (08/27) 6 9:00 3T 13 7 8 1 2 1:00 Prayer Shawl 14 15 16 5:00 Katie s Kitchen 9 5:00 Katie s Kitchen NALC Convocation, Denver, CO 5:00 Katie s Kitchen 3 10 17 4 6:00 Worship / HC 11 Guest Pastor Karl Schoch 6:00 Worship / HC 18 Annual Picnic and Worship/HC at Alameda Park Masonic Shelter 2:00 7:00 6:00 Worship / HC 19 13 th Sunday After Pentecost 20 21 22 23 24 25 8:00 & 10:15 Worship/HC 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Children s Church NOON Blood Drive 26 14 th Sunday After Pentecost 8:00 & 10:15 Worship 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Children s Church 27 7:00 Church Council 28 1:00 Evangelism 29 5:00 Katie s Kitchen 30 31 Eleanor Morris 6:30 Sanctuary Choir The Church and Office will be CLOSED Monday, September 3 rd to spend time with their families over Labor Day Weekend. We will return to our regular hours on Tuesday, September 4 th. ~ Have a safe and enjoyable weekend! ~ The Parishioner 11
August 5, 2018 ~ School Bags due August 11, 2018 ~ Guest Pastor: Karl Schoch August 12. 2018 ~ Guest Pastor: Jim Neal August 13-17, 2018 ~ NALC Convocation, Denver, CO August 18, 2018 ~ Annual Picnic August 21, 2018 ~ Blood Drive A Congregation of the North American Lutheran Church St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church 201 West Jefferson Street Butler, Pennsylvania 16001 Phone: 724-287-6741 Fax: 724-287-6747 Website: www.stmarksbutler.org NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U. S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 92 BUTLER, PA CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED 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 The Parishioner 12