August 2017
Pastor s Point of View - Pastor Mark Hollinger I recently came across someone out in public that I knew, but I couldn t recall their name or from where I knew them. Have you ever had that happen to you? Of course you have, unless you have eidetic or photographic memory. It s quite embarrassing talking with someone and hoping they don t realize that although they know you, you re stuck and can t remember their name or their connection with you. You re worried they will figure out you don t know who they are even though they seem very familiar with you. I think that sometimes that s where we can get with God. It s not that God forgets our name or who we are or where we are or what s going on in our lives, but we have trouble remembering and knowing God. Our relationship with God is as dependent on presence and connection as with any other relationship. Why do we forget the names of people we know who approach us in the grocery? It s because we haven t seen them or talked with them for awhile. It may be that we ignored a relationship that we shouldn t have ignored. Usually, it means that this person is not a part of our inner circle of close friends or familiar acquaintances. However, when it comes to God, we need to come to God daily for guidance, support, comfort and strength. We know this but in our busyness and focus on doing the next thing, we forget to have time with God. We are less than we ought to be as a result. Since May, we have had a St. Marks Breakthrough Prayer Team meeting with the purpose of helping St. Marks become a more prayer focused church. We have done several things. We have initiated a St. Marks 800 prayer movement. Everyone is encouraged to secure this prayer, carry it with them, in time memorize it, and recite it at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. every day. All church teams and church gatherings are being asked to start their meetings or gatherings with this 800 prayer, and we are using it in both our worship services every Sunday. We have different monthly prayer themes for our personal prayers taken from the language of our 800 prayer. This past month the theme was discover and now in August the theme is courage. We have had some prayer walking experiences in and around the church by staff and some small groups. We encourage our ministry teams and Sunday school classes to consider prayer walking the church and/or neighborhood. Recently, we constructed four prayer stations around the church; and we invite anybody to make use of them. One is posted on the north lawn at the alley exit to Lima Avenue, another in the meditation garden on the north lawn, another at the south outside stairway entry to the church sanctuary and then the fourth one is just east of the entrance of the DOCK. Each station has its own theme and posted prayer. As you take time to recite the prayer, we ask you to deposit a squashed marble in the plate. Continued....
Pastor s Point of View - Pastor Mark Hollinger Psalm 91 is one of three Psalms known as a trust or confidence Psalm. It begins with these words, You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust. The writer of the Psalm has great confidence of God s providence and protection in their life. It s a powerful Psalm of God standing with us and over us to help us in times of danger and harm. But it starts with an understanding that God is the one in whom I trust. I know that those whom I trust are the people in my life that I know very well. I know their character, how they talk, where they grew up, where they live, how they live and so much more. Trust is something that happens over time and familiarity. As your pastor, I invite you to a more focused and intentional prayer life. I pray that you will be a part of St. Marks breakthrough prayer movement. Transform campaign update: As of June 30, 2017, we have $756,035 pledged and have received $499,054. 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. UMW St. Marks Collects the Following for Charity 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] Donations are designated to Transform/ Capital Campaign.
St. Marks Transform Capital Campaign Update This past week, our capital campaign hit the $500,000 mark in donations received. Presently, Tim Bechtol, our architect, is generating some additional components to our present drawings that do not alter the floor plans or layout but help to harmonize the outside of the elevator addition with the church s bell tower. Upon completion of that, we will submit our drawings to various local construction companies to secure their bids. We also need to secure estimates for a structural and electrical engineers report. Once we have all of this, we will know what our construction costs will be for the elevator addition; and we will release that information to the congregation. We will also investigate the possibility of securing a short-term loan for the elevator addition based on the balance needed from the money in hand and the money needed. St. Marks is not well situated financially to burden a loan and so our hope is to secure the remaining pledges as soon as possible in lieu of a loan. The staff and I appreciate your generosity, faithfulness and patience as we are now halfway through our capital campaign.
800 PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION What is 800 Prayer of Illumination? The 800 in 800 Prayer of Illumination, stands for 800 S. Main St. which is the address for St. Marks. We are asking that you pray for your church. The theme for our prayers for the month of August is COURAGE. Please see the scripture below followed by St. Marks 800 Prayer of Illumination. We are asking that you pray the prayer below at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. along with additional personal prayers that you would like to lift to God. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) Jesus, We believe that You have great plans for our church, and we seek to discover Your will for us. Renew our hearts so that we are open to the things You want to do through St. Marks. Help us to love with one heart, think with one mind, and speak with one voice as we share You with everyone. Give us the courage to face the things that scare us and the boldness to overcome them. Thank you for sending Your Spirit to empower us. Amen. When should we pray? 8:00 a.m., 8:00 p.m., during worship, church-related meetings, small group, music rehearsals, leadership board, trustees, Sunday school, youth meetings, etc. If you would like to have this prayer downloaded to your phone, text Dave Charles at 419-581-1139. Experiencing grief? GriefShare is a support group coming to St. Marks. It is open to anyone who is grieving the death of a family member or friend. No matter what the circumstances, grief recovery is a painful process. GriefShare combines watching video seminars featuring Christian experts on grief and recovery from a biblical perspective; group discussion; and personal study and reflection with a workbook used through the week. This is a 14 week study open to adults with a recent or past loss. The sessions begin Wednesday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration is suggested so adequate material can be ordered. Call the church office at 419-422-4236 or Linda Colwell at 419-423-3951 for more information and registration. Visit GriefShare.org. Join us in September for our Journey from Mourning to Joy.
Mobile Food Pantry August 12 First Presbyterian Church 2330 S. Main St. August 26 Findlay Evangelical Free Church 2515 Heatherwood Dr. PRAYER EMPHASIS August 6 Grace and Truth Community Church August s Operation Christmas Child collection is school supplies. Ideas for donations: pens, pencils, crayons, markers, glue sticks, scissors, colored pencils, small notebooks, calculators, rulers, etc. Items can be placed in the bins located by the Connection Centers at both the sanctuary & the DOCK. August 13 Higher Ground Ministries Christian Center August 20 Hope Temple August 27 Unity Christian Ministries
Worship Gatherings August Sermons August 6 Youth Sunday Sermon Series Fearless Living August 13 Living in High Anxiety Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 56:3-4 August 20 Fear of Others Psalm 27:1, 14; Matthew 5:43-44 August 27 Friendless and Alone Genesis 2:15-18; Psalm 139:5, 8-10; John 13:34 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Please prayerfully consider how you might help with the Habitat build this year. St. Marks UMC will be doing the siding and exterior trim for the Apostle Build which will be on Saturday, September 16. There are signups at the Connection Centers. You can sign up from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. or for the whole day. No experience is required but you must be 18 years of age or older. There will be a light breakfast and a lunch provided. We will also need a few volunteers to serve lunch and clean up from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and someone to provide a devotion before we begin our day at 8:00 a.m. There is also a signup for food donations at the back of the church/dock. You can also help by keeping the build in your prayers. A Cross-Generational, Family-Friendly Summer School Experience! Join us this summer for an exciting, cross-generational Sunday school experience for preschoolers through seniors! THE EPIC STORY Gather to share snacks and build community at your table Experience God's epic story through drama or readers' theater Live into the story by participating in fun, hands-on experiences Reflect, sing, and praise God together The Epic Story starts at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The final class will be on August 13 and then regular Sunday School Classes will resume on August 20. *Please note that this Sunday school offering is for all families and all ages. It will take the place of our traditional age-graded classes over the summer.
August Sunday School Offerings Sunday School Classes & Teachers Builders Charles Bishop God s Urgent Call August - Calls in the New Testament Covenant Barbara Hochstettler The Epic Story Starting August 20-2 Timothy Founders John Richter & Mike Noggle God s Urgent Call August - Calls in the New Testament (Option to attend The Epic Story) Searching for Philos John Carson The Epic Story Starting August 20 - God in Work and Business - Andy Stanley Video Series Soul Seekers The Epic Story Study as of August 20 - To Be Determined NOTE: The Epic Story s last Sunday will be August 13, 2017. Regular Sunday School Classes will resume for the Covenant, Searching for Philos, and Soul Seekers on August 20. Memorials In Memory of Deb Christy By Louis & Ervin Meyer By Gary & Mary Wilson In Memory of Bob & Felda Hochstettler By Mark & Kay Hochstettler In Memory of Nancy Harden By Timothy & Cynthia Adams By David & Cheri Bracy By Al & Colene Feller By Gerald Harden By Gary & Cathy Harrison By Dan Hogue By Marge Mize By Robert & Phyllis Rinehammer By Linda Whetstone By Charles & Mariann Younger
St. Marks United Methodist Church Leadership Board Agenda Location: Fellowship Hall 06/25/17 6:30 p.m. Open with 800 Prayer Agape. Thank you cards for Softball Team Notes for Camp Found kids & Leaders Basket for Willie for 8/6 Dave Charles recognition for Licensed Local Pastor completion August 6 after second service Book Study Next meeting. Session 4. Chapter 4-6. DJ will lead Key Metrics Traditions down 11%, Gathering unchanged Sunday School - Adult no change, youth is down slightly Small Groups - groups taking some time off for summer New Members Financials staying in black. Replacement hiring is increasing wage costs. Building Campaign - at about $500k. Getting new drawings to update bids to get updated dollars. Tim Bechtol is working on updating building drawings. Looking for having drawings mid-august. Team Reports Pastor Concerns - video, Facebook page - Go Live? Staffing Concerns - Willie is doing well. Praises! Ed (new custodian) had 30 day review - it was very good. Liaisons - Softball Tournament this weekend will wrap up season. DJ and Kim getting with Dave on outreach plans. Facilities - Trustees getting task lists. Need to get Task Lists distributed to everyone on Trustees Team. Pastor Mark will have Barb distribute. New Business Trial to use Facebook Go Live to post sermon. DJ to try it September 10 - Refuel starting up September 27 - GriefShare will start July 30 - Prayer stations will be made available around the church. Half barrels and structured prayers at each station. Prayer results will be shared as part of Trivia Trinkets Dave Charles on Ministry track of United Methodist church. Needs approval for housing exemption. Allows for tax exemption up to $50k for housing upkeep and maintenance. Motion for $50k housing exclusion tax exemption for Dave by Ken Miller, second by DJ. Passed unanimously. Dave Charles pension plan will add to salary. Discussions being held. Hancock County hosting Special Olympics Ohio Softball Tournament August 26. Next meeting August 22, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
ST. MARKS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2017 FINANCIAL UPDATE AS OF 6/30/2017 1. 2017 ACTUAL GENERAL GIVING VERSUS 2017 GENERAL ACTUAL EXPENSES Year To Date 6/30/2017 Actual General Giving Received through 6/30/17 $252,952 Actual General Expenses Paid through 6/30/17 ($244,274) Subtotal YTD Actual General Giving More Than Actual General Expenses Paid through 6/30/17 $8,678 Unpaid Apportionment Payments Due to West Ohio Conference as of 6/30/17 (6 mos. X $1,283) ($7,698) YTD Actual General Giving More than Actual General Expenses Paid through 6/30/17 $980 Total 2017 General Operating Budget is $570,335. $10,761 is needed weekly to cover operating expenses. The average weekly General giving through 6/30/17 is $9,729. This was short by $1,032 as of 6/30/17. * Total 2017 West Ohio Conference Apportionment Commitment at 30% is $21,400. 2. 2017 ACTUAL MISSION GIVING VERSUS 2017 MISSION BUDGET NEEDS Year To Date 6/30/2017 Actual Mission Giving Received through 6/30/17 $13,545 Mission Giving Required for 2017 Mission Budget Needs through 6/30/17 $13,780 YTD Actual Mission Giving Less Than 2017 Mission Budget Needs ($235) Total 2017 Mission Budget is $28,000. $530 is needed weekly and $7,000 is needed per quarter. Q1 2017 Payments $5,600; Q2 2017 Payments $7,800