Happy St. Patrick s Day IRISH BLESSING May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
ST. MARK S MESSENGER from the Pastor March 2019 Valley, Nebraska www.stmarksvalleyne.com 402.359.2315 It always seems to me that the season of Lent arrives so quickly. Does it seem so to you? In no time at all, we will be having our Mardi Parti on Fat Tuesday, March 5th! We will be helping to support our Youth s work trip to Chicago this summer by eating lots of pancakes, sausages and goodies on that Tuesday-traditionally called Mardi Gras, before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday the following day-when we receive ashes on our foreheads and are reminded that we are dust. Lent is traditionally 40 day period of time that commemorates Jesus time in the desert-where he was driven by the Holy Spirit for a time of preparation and also temptation by Satan. Of course, we do not and cannot attempt to duplicate Christ s experience. But, it is widely believed that times of doing without help us to focus on Christ and our relationship with him. I would not dispute or argue that. Many of us are trying to find a balance between the demands of life in the 21 st century, and a simpler existence. Our attention is often pulled every which way by an almost up to the nano-second 24 hour news cycle, by family activities, by obligations at work and church, and also trying to make time for fun, relaxing activities. We wind up feeling guilty in one way or another, for our lack of focus or attention on things or people we know are important. This is the crush of our lives in the modern world. I do not believe that we can go back, but many of us, to simplify our lives, have spent money on books about de-cluttering, and minimalism. There are many benefits to be found there, to be sure. A sense of clarity and meaning is sought among all the things and stuff that we have bought believing that they would bring us
a modicum of help or joy. Often these material things have simply added to the chaos of our lives and so the movement to declutter, to find what truly brings joy, and to get rid of the rest. I understand that. I need to do more of that myself. It seems to me that Lent s purpose is much the same, in that it is meant to help us focus on our relationship with the Lord. Now, it can be just one more to do on your long list of obligations, or it can give you an opportunity to pare down the size of that list and to make time a little extra time in your life for God. Many people like to focus on giving things up if so, I have a long list of creative ideas that you might want to try that I published in this newsletter last year. If you would like a copy of that list I will have some copies of it on the Welcome Desk. That list suggests giving up something like Facebook for Lent, to make extra time to pray, read or study. This year, as we begin our Lenten pilgrimage towards the cross, I wonder if we mightn t think about adding, instead of subtracting? Perhaps we should ask God what we should pick up, instead of what to give up? What would it look like to add a 15-minute prayer time every morning to your routine? (One where you actually get out of bed and have a special place to pray). Or what if you added more giving to those in need, in our communities or the world? What about adding an hour tutoring or mentoring a child who needs it, adding a family devotional time, or giving a bit more money or help to COPE? Maybe God is encouraging you to journal or write a prayer a day? Or, perhaps God might be encouraging you to get outside at least 15 minutes a day, for walking, or meditating? The transition from Winter to Spring can provide us with many beautiful and tangible reminders of the significance of hope and rebirth in our Christian faith. Perhaps God will lead you to something that will add to your life and may benefit someone else s. Whatever God leads you to add, or to give up, may this next 6 weeks journey be a time of added trust and faith for you, a rich time that leads you ever closer to our Lord. I pray that for us all! Lenten Blessings! Pastor Barbara from the PMA...
Arsenal of Prayer After a long day and night of church activities, a friend asked me if I had another prayer in my prayer arsenal in order to offer grace for our meal. And I did, but it caused me to wonder about what one s capacity is for praying. Is there a limit? Does God have us on a quota system that we dare not exceed? No and no. An arsenal is considered to be a store of resources. In weaponry, it is stock piles of guns, ammunition, personnel and combat resources to defend one s property. An arsenal of prayer has similar characteristics, but with one difference. All other arsenals are subject to decreasing supply and apt to be depleted by use. Prayer on the other hand, can only increase with use. In our prayer arsenal we have weapons of scripture, ammunition of words from our heart to express ourselves. We have our brothers and sisters in Christ to create a team of support when we need them and we combat hardship, health concerns and heartbreak on a regular basis. God wants us to pray unceasing. Even your sighs are prayers. You can do this! Karen. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME Remember to spring forward on March 10 th!
LENTEN THEMES The theme for the Lenten meditations will be Luther s Small Catechism. Listed below are the dates and the meditation topic for that evening from the catechism. The Lenten services begin at 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday March 6 Confession Wednesday March 13 The Ten Commandments Wednesday March 20 The Apostle s Creed Wednesday March 27 The Lord s Prayer Wednesday April 3 Baptism Wednesday April 10 Communion LENTEN SUPPERS On the Wednesdays in Lent, Suppers will be provided by the following groups. The suppers will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. followed at 7 p.m. by Lenten Worship. A free-will offering will be accepted. Wednesday, Mar. 13 Church Council Wednesday, Mar. 20 Choir Wednesday, Mar. 27 Christian Education Wednesday, Apr. 3 WELCA Wednesday, April 10 Men In Mission HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Day/Date Time Theme Palm Sunday April 14 8:15 & 10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Worship/ Communion Maundy Thursday April 18 Good Friday April 19 Easter Sunday April 21 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Worship/Communion 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Worship 8:15 & 10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship/ Communion
This is a synopsis of the Council meeting held on January 29, 2019. - Officers were elected for 2019: Harlan Dreessen, President; Dean Harrifeld, Vice President. Jan Reis was appointed as Secretary/Treasurer. - The Council volunteered to serve as liaison on the various Committees: Evangelism Sharon Wilson; Discipleship Recognition Fund Karen Frost; Stewardship Kim Shunk; Christian Education Barb Kahlandt; Property Jeff Richmond and Gunther Bengston; Worship and Music Joyce Snide; Administrative Working Group Dean Harrifeld and C.O.P.E. Barb Kahlandt. - New signatures on the bank accounts will be Harlan Dreessen, Dean Harrifeld and Jan Reis. - Acolyte Training will be held on Sunday, February 3 at 9:30 a.m. - The First Communion Retreat will also be on Sunday, February 3 at 11:30 a.m. The material being used is called A Place for You. - The Christian Education Committee is still seeking a new Youth Leader. The ad for a Youth Leader has been placed in the bulletins and newsletters. - At this time 4 youth have signed up to go on the Nebraska Synod Mission Trip to Chicago. A fund raiser on Fat Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday) will be held on March 5 th (see the February newsletter for more information). - In February the Sunday School children will make Valentine Day Cards and take them to the residents at Orchard Gardens and sing them some songs. - During Lenten Worship services this year we will use the music that Cal Peacock and Danny Stewart wrote several years ago. The theme for Lent will be the Small Catechism. - The C.O.P.E. Goff Day will be on May 3 rd. - The building that C.O.P.E has been renting has been sold and they are looking for another location. The C.O.P.E. offices will move temporarily to Peace Presbyterian Church in Elkhorn. - It is time for committees/groups to sign up to help with Lenten meals. At this point the Council will do March 13 and WELCA will do April 3. The dates available are March 20, 27
and April 10. Please let Jan know what date your committee/group would like to reserve. DECEMBER MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT December Budget = $19,887 December Expenses = $17,143 December Giving = $30,207 YEAR TO DATE FINANCIAL REPORT January December Budget = $238,886 January December Expenses = $222,016 January December Giving = $206,662 End of year 2017 Balance in Savings = $50,144 End of December 2018 Balance in Savings = $37,471 End of December 2018 Balance in Checking = $30,362 End of December 2018 Worship Enhancement Total = $9,383 \ A PRAYER FOR ST MARK'S COUNCIL Loving Lord, give courage to our council to believe that you have an important mission for our congregation at this time. Help us look beyond our own walls and reach out to others. Amen. PRAYER GARDEN BRICKS New bricks will be installed in the Prayer Garden in April. Deadline to order a brick is March 31. Order forms are available at the front desk. Please turn order form(s) in to Jan. Thanks,
For several years now, Toni Peacock has been faithfully creating the beautiful baptismal banners that are given to the child at the time of their baptism. Toni would like to move on to another ministry and, therefore, we are seeking someone who would like to take over the making of the baptismal banners. If you are interested and would like more information, contact Toni Peacock at 402-505-8167. If you decided this is the ministry for you, please call Jan in the church office. Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries in March Happy belated 20 th Wedding Anniversary to Ryan and Kris King on January 2 nd! The C.O.P.E.Food Pantry welcomes all donations but the items below are in short supply. Salad dressing Syrup Crackers Ketchup Jello Pudding Tuna helper
MARCH NEWS FOR WOMEN OF ST. MARK S FAITH CIRCLE NEWS Faith Circle will meet on Tuesday, March 5, at 1:00 p.m. Come join us for Bible Study, fellowship and food. FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE NEWS Our next meeting will be on Monday, March 4 th with Linda Ryan leading our study Life Lessons from Matthew ( Lesson 5) and Sharon Wilson serving as our Hostess. All the WELCA Circles will be serving the Lenten Meal on Wednesday. April 3 rd The Midland Conference s Spring Gathering will be at Redeemer in Hooper on April 6 th. T(e theme for the Gatherings this year is Fashion & Faith. JOY/PEACE CIRCLE NEWS Joy/Peace Circle meets on the first Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Sunday School office. All are welcome.
February/March Soldier Group 2019 SGT Cloyce Underwood *US Army* Location: Poland Attn: Any Soldier Representing: 16 Males A Co, 3-66, AR BN, 1 ABCT, 1 ID, Team Trzebien APO AE 09008 Hello, My name is SGT Underwood and my platoon is composed of 16 tankers. We live in tents and have stand up bathrooms. We DO NOT have a microwave, frig, or freezer. Our requested items are scarce as our store is always out of everything. My platoon appreciates everything that is sent to us and thanks you for your support. We are requesting: Shampoo..Deodorant..Razors..Toothpaste.. Toothbrushes..Foot Powder..Snacks And Note Taking Materials Pack & Pray Sunday, March 31st Postage funds are always appreciated. ***Please pray for our soldiers and their families***
Thank You Mary Ann and John Niemoth are finishing up their last week in Tanzania on Sunday before heading back to Nebraska. They wanted to say thanks for your prayers and support for the Bibles delivered to Kyarasa Primary School and to Samanga Primary Schools. They visited with the Nebraska Safari Group that left later Monday, which had their challenges getting back to Nebraska. Your prayers are appreciated for our planes to arrive safely later on Monday evening. Our trip was full of blessings from our Lord and enjoyed by all the children and parents of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! They were part of six church services with a WELCOME AND FAREWELL from Nebraska. WOW! Dear St. Mark s Family and Friends, Thank you so very much for all the prayers, cards and words of care and concern during my recent surgery and doctor appointments. I know the prayers are what kept me calm through it all and God answered the prayers with good test results. A very special thank you to Pastor Barbara for all of her prayers, support and praying with me prior to surgery. You are all so very precious to me. Your sister in Christ, Jan Reis