Table of Contents
Celebrations of Life - February
Birthdays
2 - Jackie Wright
4 - Roger Potter
5 - Eileen Bendschneider
7 - Kathryn Killenbec
9 - Walter Helm
9 - Gerald Reinman
9 - Raymond Bauch
11 - Joshua Coyle
12 - james Pluta
12 - James Meyers
12 - TJ Eilinger II
16 - June Schneider
17 - Dylan Monk
19 - William Spillane
20 - Christine Cooper
20 - Carl Goodberlet
20 - David Harris
21 - Alexander Krause
28 - Myra Bauch
28 - Krystal Briggs
Anniversaries
14 - Larry and Barb Mack
19 - Jim and Kay Killenbec
19 - Mike and Vickie Mille
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Worship at St. Mark
Elder for February - Dave Harris
Ushers: TBD
Acolytes:
February
4 Kyle Fleig
11 Kelly Lovejoy
18 James Briggs
25 Peter Lovejoy
Lectors:
February
4 Margie Heiss
11 Carolyn Krause
18 Richard Krause
25 Juanita Laube
Communion Helpers:
February
4 Marlene Hampson
11 Norma Helm
18 Marilyn Ryan
25 Ruth Davis
Greeters:
February
4 Corby Broadwell
11 Barb Done
18 Paxton Maffett
25 June Schneider
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Pastor
Monuments & Footsteps
Aside from the strategic planning committee, I have had the opportunity to watch our building plans unfold on an almost daily basis. The details and planning are a tremendous task, and we eagerly anticipate returning. A question to consider is this: Are we doing something monumental or is this one of many footsteps of faith?
As I understand it, a monument is a marker often found in graveyards. It’s an impressive object with a clear message: “At least I got this far.” I prefer to see the church as a ‘footprint.’ A footprint is a different kind of marker that communicates this message: “This is where I was most recently on this journey.” Both monuments and footsteps communicate something about the people who leave them.
The difference between the two is simply distinguishing between the Means and the End. Our goal is not simply to return to 18 Victor Mendon Road, put all the old stuff back in the church and continue doing things the same way. This would be a monumental view of St. Mark-one in which the facility itself equals “mission accomplished.” Our vision is to “Welcome and Equip people for Christian Life…” If we are to accomplish this, we must be willing to take risks to bring people to Jesus Christ that those who are lost might be found. (Luke 19:10) I am concerned about a number of things at St. Mark, such as absent teens, the spiritual health of members, and stewardship of our lives in a facility that will challenge us with new opportunities and require us trust God in our giving in ways never seen before in our church. If we would tackle issues like these, we must think anew. The definition of Insanity is “doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.” We cannot do the same things over and over again. A new era is beginning for us.
Soon, we will walk into Phase I of our ministry expansion. My prayer is that we will see our new facility as a Means to ministry rather than and End. As we turn our focus outward to our communities and work intentionally to fulfill our vision and share Christ, I look forward to the ‘problem’ of outgrowing our new building and taking one more intrepid footstep in our journey of faith.
Pastor Smith
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Elders
Happy new year, and by now we bet you are remembering to write 2007 on checks at least 75% of the time! 2006 certainly went by fast and as I think back, after the highlight of the beginning of “phase I”, I think the gaining of over 10 new members really stands out in my mind. There are many other things that I remember, but it would fill up over half of the newsletter!
The focus now, however, is on the new year! Shortly, we will be in what is essentially a new facility! It will certainly allow us to do many of the good things we currently do more comfortably. The challenge will be to figure out how we can do the current ministries better, and to figure out what other ministries the facility might allow us to enter into. Then too, we have to be careful not to get tied to the facility. We have to understand that the “new” facility is not just a “phase” we are going through. There are people in our church, in our community, and in our world who are hurting in one way or another and need our help, and need to know that Jesus is there to help them too.
In 2007 we will begin looking into an organized way of searching for strategies that St. Mark can implement to better serve the Lord here and in the world. In the meantime, each individual and each group can be looking for more and better ways to do that right now. Through prayer, and with God’s guidance, we can come up with plans to share His incredible love for us, and share the message of salvation to those inside and outside the walls of the “new” St. Mark Lutheran Church.
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Vice President
Update On the Phase 1 Renovation Project:
As all of you can tell from the weekly progress pictures or from taking a guided tour with Pastor inside our Church, you can tell we have made great progress on the Phase 1 Renovation work. We are at about 11 weeks into the construction with about 9 more weeks to go, according to the current schedule. As it stands right now the entire new Entry Way is enclosed and the outside is now being sided. Inside the church, the internal wiring, plumbing and mechanical duct work is being completed before, they start installing the dry wall next week. The contractor has just framed in the new stain glass window location in the now front of the church and that really is going to be spectacular when it is complete. Guenther and I are continuing to work very closely with the engineers LaBella Associates and the contractor’s J.C. Pilato’s representatives to keep the project going full steam. Everything is moving along on schedule and it is pretty exciting to see the progress they have made. In the Crossroad article for March we will outline the plans for moving back in and the tentative schedule of events. And if you have any questions please let Guenther or I know thanks.
SMP (Strategic Ministry Planning):
As we spoke last week at the Sunday after church “Continuing Congregational Meeting” we are delaying anymore discussion on the Strategic Ministry Planning (SMP) that we talked about and handed out pamphlets on, until after Easter (after we are moved back into our newly renovated Church. But in the meantime the Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) will continue to study the issues that face St. Mark and working with the results of the Harvester Program and other efforts in the past to help St. Mark start planning for the future.
Finance Committee:
The finance committee is working hard at putting together the end of the year 2006 final costs and assets, and will present the information to the Church Council and the to the Congregation at the 1st Quarter Congregational meeting. In addition to this, the Finance Committee is simultaneously working on a “Standard Operational Procedure” (SOP) for all committees (Elders, Stewardship, Evangelism, Trustee’s, and Christian Ed, including Ladies Aid, Men of Integrity, Choir and Youth Group, to provide better guidance on how income and expenditures paper trails will be established and maintained. This again is to satisfy regulations around our Federal Tax ID for being a Non Profit Organization. We hope to have this presented to the Church Council and then to the Congregation by the 1st Quarter Congregational Meeting.
Trustee’s Committee:
The Trustee’s Committee is still looking for a Chairperson, and I am still temporarily the acting Chairman of the Trustee’s Committee until a new one has been chosen. The Trustee’s meet once a month to discuss the insurance, maintenance, and upkeep issues dealing with the two church properties. The main issue that the Trustee’s are discussing now is what things will need to be done different after we move back into the newly renovated facility, as it relates to janitorial care, and maintenance of the newly renovated facility. We will keep you informed as we move forward.
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President
We are truly blessed.
To be present and to be active in the exciting goings-on of St. Mark today is an inspiration and testament to the power of the Holy Spirit.
We have been “playing” to a nearly packed house at the Community Center for most of December, and saw about 100 people in attendance this past Sunday for our “Sanctity of Human Life” Sunday service, which was led by Vicar Zuber of Epiphany in Avon. That’s right, he is the same Clayton Zuber we know from his days at St. Mark! His journey in the DELTO Program has been most gratifying for him, as it has been for us to watch as a son of St. Mark continues on this path of service. A number of us were able to be present at Clayton’s installation as Vicar of Epiphany. As a reminder, it should be noted that a special, designated fund has been set up to receive donations made to assist Clayton in financing his studies.
Much of our attention is directed toward the Phase 1 Building Project and the direct, timely communication with the congregation through the ever-changing progress photos on display, through one-on-one conversations, and through the on-going, continuing congregational meetings which have been extremely well attended throughout the process. This format has afforded all of us the means to share information, to discuss questions and plans, and to receive updates on what’s happening on a weekly basis. It’s hard to believe that we expect to be back at St. Mark in 10 weeks. There is much to complete in the mean- time, but we have been blessed with a good team.
It was announced recently that Thrivent is again in 2007 sponsoring another Habitat for Humanity house in Rochester. This is a great outreach avenue for St. Mark and, as I can attest from my personal experience this past summer, it makes you feel really good in the process. We will be preparing sign-ups and other info for this project as soon as specific dates and related info are known.
You will note that Jenna Smith has agreed to be the Education Chair, and with thanks Council welcome her in this most important role. Please let her know if you are able to help.
This year promises to continue the feeling of excitement for St. Mark. Keep on praying and join us at the Community Center to see how we continue to be blessed even as we worship in “temporary” surroundings. We are most thankful for the visitors who have joined us there.
God’s Blessings,
Guenther Heiss
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Evangelism
Then do your thing motivated out of the peace, hope, and joy possible because of our Savior!
What is Evangelism at St. Mark?
Is Evangelism at St. Mark a program or a process? Is it outreach focused or internally focused? Is it every individual sharing the love of Christ in his or her own way with one other individual? Can it be measured? Perhaps it is some of all the above.
Here is a partial list of: Evangelism activities that go on at St. Mark. They appear to fall into all of the above categories.
> Conducting adult learning seminars for members, the community and other churches.
> Maintaining a prayer circle
> Supporting Benincasa
> Supporting Community Lutheran
> Accepting eight new members
> Supporting the Delto program
> Involvement in Campus Ministry
> Providing LWML leadership
> Book Discussion group
> District cash donations for evangelism
> Support for Pioneer Camp
> Scrap Booking
> Women’s seminars
> Involvement in Cell Groups
> Game night for the community
> Donations for the local food pantry
> Leadership role in Thrivent programs
> Support for home remodeling through Men of Integrity
> Support for family that lost everything in house fire
> Significant contributions of time and money to Habitat for Humanity
> Major church building remodeling to appeal to unchurched
> Long Range Planning activity
> Developing assistance for families of developmentally disabled children
> Many, many unreported acts of Christian love from individual members
Here are some additional outreach activities we can all help with right now.
1. Leverage communications about our building improvements. Invite others to join us and suggest added outreach efforts that are possible with a renovated facility.
2. Promote Evangelism as a one-on-one strategy
3. Communicate more about Evangelism within the greater Lutheran Church
4. Identify evangelism objectives from every program or activity undertaken
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Social Ministry
One of our St. Mark neighbors in the hamlet of Mendon is Camp Good Days and Special Times located at 1332 Pittsford Mendon Road. As one approaches the four corners of Mendon from the north on the east side of Route 64, there is a colorful horse statue at the driveway entrance to the headquarters of Camp Good Days and Special Times. Last December Maralyn Harris, a member of the Social Ministry Committee, volunteered to handle our program of Christmas gifts for children who would appreciate a special gift. She was referred to Camp Good Days, and the office staff was happy to give her sixteen names of children living in difficult circumstances. Under their program of “Sharing and Caring” the agency staff works with children ages 5 to 18 years who have lost a loved one due to violence. Our members were generous in buying the items requested by each child. Maralyn took the requested gifts to Camp Good Days, and the staff appreciated our participation. Later, Maralyn received a letter thanking the members of St. Mark for their thoughtfulness. Camp Good Days operates other support programs such as a “Sharing and Caring” program for adults over 18 years of age who have lost a loved one due to violence; and an Oncology support group for adult women and men who have been diagnosed with cancer as well as a program for children with cancer. During the summer a camp is operated on Keuka Lake for participants in their programs.
One more BIG Thank You to all who supported the above request for gifts, and also to those who gave generously to the request last December for cash donations to support the Honeoye Falls FISH (Friends in Service Here) programs. The cash donations were matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and a check for $750 was sent to the FISH organization. We are grateful to Richard Krause for receiving the donations and handling the details related to the Thrivent Matching Fund Program. Thank you to everyone for sharing your blessings and love to these worthwhile programs.
Mary Ann Gollin
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Prayer Post
I build great homes
--GOD --
As we renovate our church, let us keep in mind “In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a Holy Temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His spirit.” Eph. 2:21-22
*Borrowed from God Speaks
Sincerely, Your Prayer Ministry
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Lutheran Hour Ministries
Lutheran Hour
Rochester -- WLGZ 990-AM - Sundays at 8:00 a.m.
Speaker: Rev. Ken Klaus
February 4 "Growing Up"
When we’re young, we’re in a hurry to grow up; when we’re old, we long for the good old days. Today’s Lutheran Hour message says that when it comes to Christian living, we can be both.
(1 Corinthians 14:20)
February 11 "Pitiful People"
Should Christians, as the world sees us, be pitied for our beliefs? St. Paul supplies the answer: ‘Only if the resurrection of the Savior is not true.’ (1 Corinthians 15:19-20)
February 18 "Who Are Those Guys?"
Would you like to know the facts about the last days of your life? Jesus knew. The Lutheran Hour message speaks of a Savior who, even knowing what awaited Him, went forward to save us. (Luke 9:30-31)
February 25 "From the Heart"
Guest Speaker: Rev. John Busch (Romans 10:8-13)
Woman to Woman
WLTI 105.9-FM - Sundays at 6:00 AM.
Speaker: Phyllis Wallace
February 4: "Turn the Annoy into Enjoy"
Are there things about your spouse that really annoy you? Don’t let irritating and annoying habits separate you and your husband. Stop trying to fix your husband and learn how to bring back the romance in your relationship.
February 11: "Love Extravagantly"
How do you make the modern marriage work? What is a “modern” marriage, anyway? Marita Littauer and Chuck Noon answer these questions with a lesson in extravagant love.
February 18: "Out of the Depths"
Do you regret any of the decisions you’ve made in your life? Carrying around guilt from nagging mistakes can feel like being locked in a prison. Liz Curtis Higgs carried around those chains of guilt for years. Hear her story and find the key to unlocking these chains.
February 25: "Surviving Myself"
Acclaimed actress Jennifer O’Neill tells her personal and compelling story of poor choices and tragedy in search of love and acceptance.
March 4: "Stress Junkie"
Are you addicted to stress? You might be if you're like a lot of women who are juggling a spouse, kids, job, and a hundred other things! Learn how to break free from the habit of stress and start having fun again.
On-Line Daily Devotions Wired for the Word
http://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions.asp
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St. Mark Lutheran Church
Pastor………………………………………… the Rev. Brian K. Smith
President………………………………………………Guenther Heiss
Vice President…………………………………………….Robert Haag
Head Elder…………………………………………… .Roger Lehman
Elders…………………David Hampson, David Harris, Mike Monnat
Treasurer……………………………………….……..Scott Stranford
Financial Secretary……………………………………….Sue Eilinger
Recording Secretary……………………………………Debbie Harris
Education………………………………………...… …….Jenna Smith
Evangelism………………………………………… ....Richard Krause
Stewardship………………………………………… .…Kay Killenbec
Trustees………………………………………… … ……Robert Haag
Organist………………………………………… … … Monica Smith
Choir Director…………………………………………Roger Lehman
Altar Care………………………………………… … … .Sue Eilinger
Sunday School Superintendent………………………… .Gail Maffett
Head Usher………………………………………… … … .Josh Coyle
Small Group Mendon……………………………………David Harris
Small Group Honeoye Falls……………………the Rev. Gerhard Pera
Social Ministry………………………………………Mary Ann Gollin
Ladies Aid………………………………………… … …Noreta Bailey
WebMaster……………………………………....Christopher Monnat
St. Mark Lutheran Church
18 Victor-Mendon Road
P. O. Box 239
Mendon, New York 14506
Telephone: 585-624-1766
Fax: 585-624-2217
Email:
WebSite:
http://www.stmarkmendon.org
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