The Messenger St. Mark s Evangelical Lutheran Church A Heritage of God s Grace Since 1910 July 2017 Meeting of the Congregation. The Church Council has decided, upon the recommendation of the Call Committee, to invite Lynn Schultz to serve as our pastor, pending a congregation vote of affirmation of this decision. Lynn is a seminary student with the synod s TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) program. We will hold a meeting of the congregation following worship on Sunday, July 2 nd. At that time, we will answer any questions you may have and ask for your approval of the council s decision. If you have any questions about the TEEM program, please visit with any one of the council members. The church office will be closed Tuesday, July 4 th, in observance of Independence Day. Office Hours: Sunday 8-12, Monday-Thursday 8:30-3:00 Email: stmarkselca@msn.com 701-772-4807 www.stmarksgf.org
Education News VBS Maker Fun Factory: Created By God, Built for a Purpose August 6th 9th 6:00 pm to 8:15 pm Come and be a part of this summer s Vacation Bible School. VBS is for all children who were in preschool 5th grade Registration forms are available. Instead of charging a registration fee, we are requesting donations of crayons, markers, colored pencils, adult and children's coloring books for the local Red River Community Action organization. All these items are available at the Dollar Store. A suggested donation of $10 worth of those items is suggested for each child that attends VBS Donations Requested: Please watch for a bulletin board in the narthex with a list of food and craft items needed for VBS. Block Party St. Mark s will be hosting a Neighborhood Block Party on Thursday, August 10 th. Hours will be 4:30-7:00 pm. Please plan to join us for a fun-filled evening of hotdogs, popcorn, root beer floats, bounce houses and games, games and more games! Everything is free! Many volunteers are needed. If you are able to help with set up, clean up, games, food, etc., please sign up on the table in the narthex. Red River Valley Community Action Gift Bags During the month of July, the Sunday School and Mission Committee is requesting donations of 100 toothbrushes for the Community Action gift bags. (The Dollar Store sells a 4-pack of toothbrushes for $1.) Donations can be left on the table/display in the Narthex. Thrivent Insurance has generously donated $500 towards the purchase of gloves, hats, and numerous hygiene items. In the fall, St. Mark's will give RRV Community Action 100 gift bags. The adult bags will be filled with hygiene items, gloves. hats and playing cards or puzzle books. The 50 children's bags will contain hygiene items, gloves, hats, a small toy, crayons and coloring books.
Thank You! To the St. Mark s Members: Tim, Paul, and I want to thank our St. Mark s Church Family for the love, caring, and support you gave to us in various ways at the time of Tom s passing, and which you continue to give to me as I learn to carry on without him. We have been so very blessed by you, and we are most grateful to God for each one of you. Thank you! Sandra Robinson Our Sympathies to Tom & Ann Henderson and their family as they mourn the death of Tom s brother, Bob Henderson. Bob passed away June 13 th, in Waco, TX. Parents of Loss This support group will meet Wednesday, July 12th, at 7:00 pm in the youth room. The Parents of Loss group is for anyone who is experiencing the grief of losing a child or grandchild. Please contact the office if you would like more information. Bethesda Society meets Wednesday, July 12 th, at 2:00 pm at 4000 Valley Square. Men s Group The Men s Group will meet for breakfast on Thursday, July 6 th, at 7:00 a.m. at Grama Butterwicks. All men are invited to attend. No registration is required! This is an informal group that meets the first Thursday of each month for food and conversation. You can still make it to work by 8! J.O.Y. will meet Wednesday, July 19 th, at 11:30 am. Dr. Mark Peterson and Karl Peterson will speak on their Medical Mission Trip to Bolivia. There will be a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex. The deadline to submit information for the July newsletter is July 21 st. God s Work, Our Hands ---------------------------------------- Back Pack Program Our last food packing event for St. Joseph s Back Pack Program will be held Wednesday July 5 th at 6:30 pm. We would appreciate helpers at 1:30 pm that day to help with the set up. There is a sign up sheet on the table in the narthex. Thank you to all who have taken part in this wonderful and needed program! St. Mark s is making a difference in our community. Thank you! Mission Committee Cheryl, Deb, Olive, Miles and Elton
From Your Stewardship Committee - - - Stewardship Nuggets Anyone who spent time talking with Tom Robinson quickly discovered his passion for stewardship, and although most people think about money when they hear the word stewardship, this was not the primary focus of Tom s stewardship mission. He wisely understood that true stewardship was not just about dropping our money in the Sunday offering, but began with fully opening our hearts to the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you were to ask Tom, How are you?, he would reply Grateful!, knowing in his heart that all of his (and our) time, talents, and money are gifts from God. Tom helped remind us that true stewardship was not just about money, but rather nurturing attitudes of the heart attitudes of justice, kindness, and humility. These shape the way we view, use, and give our money and possessions in God s earthly kingdom. Perhaps Tom s greatest stewardship legacy, was his stewardship of attention attention to the Gospel and to others. He always had a positive joyous attitude, a kind word for everyone, and was always first to greet visitors to St. Mark s. His stewardship of attention was the gospel message of love, joy, and care for others. Tom reminded us that as children of God, our call to stewardship extends to everything we do, even the small everyday interactions with friends, neighbors, and strangers. Tom s dedication to St. Mark s and to stewardship was a blessing, and his presence, grace, and wisdom will be missed. Matthew 25:40 The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Stewardship Committee: Brad, Mark, and Patrick =========================================================================== MARK THESE UPCOMING EVENTS ON YOUR CALENDAR: Congregation Meeting Sunday, July 2 nd, at 10:30 am Packing food for St. Joseph s Backpack Program Wednesday, July 5 th, at 6:30 pm Men s Breakfast Thursday, July 6 th, at 7:00 am at Grama Butterwicks Council Tuesday, July 11 th, at 6:30 pm Bethesda Society Wednesday, July 12 th, at 2:00 am at Valley 4000 Parents of Loss Wednesday, July 12 th, at 7:00 pm J.O.Y. Wednesday, July 19 th, at 11:30 am 2017-2018 St. Mark s Council President Miles Rodacker 746-9438 Vice President Iver Buchmann 701-361-6617 Secretary Michele Peterson 701-330-0297 Treasurer Ann Henderson 775-6471 Jeanette Gratton 757-4022 Jerry Bear 701-740-1337 Donna Hubbard 218-230-8533 Ray Mutcher 218-779-2951 Art Ruud 701-330-2122 Dean Spicer 775-9982