Table of Contents
Celebrations of Life
March Birthdays
5 - Christopher Pluta
5 - Heather Werner
9 - Caroline Pluta
9 - Nina Smith
10 - Dave Hampson
15 - Ronald Hacker
17 - William Rau
19 - Noreta Bailey
20 - Dale Lovejoy
21 - Dalton Laube
22 - Shawn Lovejoy
23 - Sue Henry
25 - Alva Schumacher
26 - Kathie Monnat
28 - Sarah Pluta
29 - Marilyn Waterstram
29 - Ann Louise Pera
31 - Debra Lehman
Anniversaries
24 James and Carolyn Demko
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Worship at St. Mark
Elder: Mike Monnat
Ushers: Jim Meyers and Barb Done
Acolytes:
March
4 TJ Eilinger
11 Eddie Lovejoy
18 Kyle Fleig
25 Kelly Lovejoy
Lectors:
March
4 Deb Lehman
11 Vickie Miller
18 Pastor Pera
25 Marilyn Ryan
Communion Helpers:
March
4 Linn Griffo
11 Mary Ann Gollin
18 Barb Done
25 Marlene Hampson
Greeters:
March
4 Kathy Stranford
11 Effie Steingasser
18 Corby Broadwell
25 Barb Done
Special Services:
March 7, 14, 21, 28 Lent Services at Community Center
6pm Light Meal
7pm Program
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Elders
5..4..3..2…………….! The excitement is beginning to mount as the move back is getting closer and closer! I’ve been thinking (which is always dangerous
. We are so used to setting up for church…maybe when we are back in our “new” church, we should have everyone come a half hour early , go downstairs, set up and take down some tables, move around a few chairs, pass out some hymnals, and then head back upstairs to church!
One thing that the elders are really planning is training for all ushers, greeters, acolytes, and altar care helpers. All of those positions will be affected in some way by the modifications to the sanctuary, and we will need to coordinate the necessary changes in procedures. The date for the training session will be announced when we have a better idea of the completion date of the project. If you don’t already serve in one of those capacities and would like to, please contact Pastor Smith or one of the elders.
The elders would also like to thank all of those people who have helped and continue to help in the set up and take down process at the community center. It’s amazing how fast that happens. We would also like to thank those involved in communion preparation, in coffee “time”, in mail delivery, in updating the “construction” scrapbook, and in all the other things that go into making our worship experience at the community center truly uplifting and inspiring.
As we enter into Lent, we would encourage all of you to attend the services and programs that will be offered. It once again is a great opportunity to remember and celebrate all that our Lord Jesus has done for us. God’s blessings to you all in this Lenten and Easter season!
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President
It’s Lent and we are preparing our hearts for the most important time of the Church Year and
at the same time, are working overtime as we close in on completion of our Phase 1 Project.
Busy, busy, busy!
As the choir filed in Tuesday evening for its weekly practice at our house during
the Phase 1 renovation, we looked at the latest pictures from some of the on-going work at
St. Mark. Wow; there were at least 7 different trades working at church on Tuesday. Busy,
busy, busy.
With all this work, it’s a natural feeling to be overwhelmed at times, but we also
know that there’s more to do, and we need to be ready. It would be wonderful if there were a
“magic energy bar” available that would give us more hours in a day, make us more willing to
chair a committee, make us have more treasures available, and in general allow us to live
our lives better. I guess that magic is the Word and what the Holy Spirit can do to our
hearts if they are ready to receive. Please open your hearts to the next step.
So, as we move into Lent and get ready to move back into St. Mark, please consider
the blessings you have received, the blessings St. Mark corporately has received, and what
we can do to show and touch others as we live our lives. The things we can do if they are
from the heart are boundless.
Please prayerfully consider helping by volunteering to work together on any of the
committees of St. Mark that you read and hear about.
We can never be too busy to do the Lord’s work.
Respectfully submitted,
Guenther Heiss
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Phase 1 Renovation Project
Update On the Phase 1 Renovation Project (By R. Haag, Project Manager for St. Mark):
In my daily trip to the Church today, Monday February 19, 2007, to monitor the progress and work of the Phase 1 Renovation, I could tell things are really taking shape. The metal pan stairs were being installed in the new entry way and the new recessed lighting in the basement Fellowship hall were turned on for the first time and they really looked spectacular. There is about 5 or 6 weeks left before the Phase 1 Renovation is suppose to be complete. Between now and the substantial completion of work, there will be very noticeable changes happening every day.
As it stands now, we don’t know if the Contractor will make the “Substantial Completion” date of Friday March 23, or if he will need until March 30, to complete everything. We will have a much better idea on where the Contractor stands in regard to completion by Sunday March 4, and a definite completion date by Sunday March 11. So as soon as we know we will definitely communicate it to the Congregation. If we see that everything will be done by Friday March 30, (including the organ re-installation) we can rally the Congregation for Saturday March 31, and Sunday afternoon, April 1, to move things back in that weekend and still be able to hold Easter Service in the newly renovated facility. So stay tuned and be ready.
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Strategic Planning Committee
The Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) met on Saturday February 3, 2007 at the Parish House to continue its effort to look at the long term needs of St. Mark, along with discussing the status and additional planning that is required to finish the Phase 1 Renovation to the Church. The main issue that was discussed and communicated to both the Church Council and the Congregation after that meeting was the possibility of the Phase 1 Renovation work not being done in time for St. Mark Congregation to hold the Easter Services at the newly renovated facility, but knowing that every effort will be made to try and make that date.
Please Note: The next meeting for the Strategic Planning Committee will be held on Saturday March 3, 2007 at 9:00 AM, at the Parish House.
(By R. Haag, Chairman of SPC)
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Finance Committee
The Finance Committee did not meet in February due to bad weather and R. Haag getting sick, but the Finance Committee is continuing to work on putting together the end of the year 2006 final costs and assets, that will present the information to the Church Council and the to the Congregation by the 1st Quarter Congregational meeting. And in addition to this, the Finance Committee is still working on a new “Financial Operational Procedure” 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. A draft of this Financial Operating Procedure will be presented to the Church Council at their March meeting, and then to the Congregation by the 1st Quarter Congregational Meeting.
Please Note: The next meeting for the Finance Committee will be held on Monday March 5, 2007 at 7:00 PM, at the Parish House.
(By R. Haag Chairman of Finance Committee)
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Trustee’s Committee
The Trustee’s Committee did not meet during February, except for a short meeting after the Sunday church service on February 4, 2007 to pass a resolution needed for the finalization of the LCEF Loan documentation, which was passed by the Trustee’s. As stated previously 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 continuing to discuss 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.
Please Note: The next meeting for the Trustees will be held on Thursday March 8, 2007 at 7:00 PM, at the Parish House.
(By R. Haag, Temporary Chairman of Trustee’s Committee)
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Nominating Committee For June 2007 Elections
Nominating Committee For June 2007 Elections (By R. Haag, N. C. Facilitator)
R. Haag acting on behalf of the Church Council, is in the process of looking for volunteers from the Congregation, to form a “Nominating Committee” for the upcoming elections that need to be held by the end of the second quarter 2007 (end of June 2007). According to the Constitution and By Laws there needs to be at least 5 voting members of the Congregation, from which a Chairperson is selected from its own number. Pastor Smith is already volunteered to be on the Nominating Committee, so there is only a need for four other members. R. Haag is hoping to have the Nominating Committee selected by, no later than mid March, from which time, the new Nominating Committee will have until the end of May to obtain names for the positions open this year, which are as follows:
- 2 Elders (with the Pastors Approval)
- 2 Trustees
- Treasurer (Current Treasurer is eligible to run a second term)
- Financial Secretary (Current Financial Secretary is eligible to run a second term)
- Church Council Secretary
- Chairperson of Evangelism
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Evangelism
The last Evangelism article listed many of the outreach activities that we are involved in as individuals as we are motivated to use our time and abilities to serve others. This is a desirable expression of our thankfulness for our Lord’s acceptance and blessings to us …
But what do we do as a Congregation to reach out to others with Christian concern and care? Also, what additional opportunities will we have with a remodeled facility?
This question has been asked many times. But could we simply plan to do the same old things we did before, only better?
For example, our worship has been a high point but now can we do it better with new facilities, equipment and resources? Educational seminars have been successful before but with a more pleasant facility can we be more effective and offer more? Fellowship has been strength but with an improved kitchen, new seating and tables, a pleasant room, new audio/visual equipment can’t we offer more opportunities to members and non-members? Singing has always been an inspiration. Can we use the new surroundings to offer a different musical opportunity along with game night or Sunday evenings with a different worship setting?
Your ideas would be appreciated. However, your individual outreach efforts and your involvement in congregation outreach is crucial as an expression of what a Christian faith means to you and to us as an assembly of faithful Christians.
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Social Ministry
Each winter there is a special connection between the women of St. Mark, Mendon and Lydia and Tom Berrong in Angel Fire, New Mexico. Would you believe that this connection has to do with cold weather and warm clothing? For a number of years we have collected mittens, scarves, gloves and hats for the children and adults in the area around Cimarron and Moreno Valley, NM. These recipients are served as a result of an outreach program sponsored by the Berrong’s church, Christ Our Savior Lutheran. Monthly food is distributed to these families under a program called Angel Fire Lutheran Mission Service (ALMS), and our clothing donations are given as special gifts during the cold weather. Collecting the clothing for Angel Fire has been a worthwhile project, and this year the response was overwhelming. Two boxes were packed and sent off with our love (thanks to June Schneider who arranged the shipping.)
An E mail arrived from Lydia and Tom “thanking all the women for the two huge boxes of hats, gloves, scarves, mittens and slippers that you sent for the needy folks in the Moreno Valley and Cimarron. This year, in particular, with the extreme cold and greater amounts of snow, the recipients were so grateful for the warm clothing.” They delivered the clothing along with ALMS food to families in Angel Fire and other parts of Moreno Valley. The children were especially excited about the gifts, and they took extras for their friends.
Lydia and Tom sent along this message “Thank you again for your generous gifts to those in need in northern New Mexico.”
Mary Ann Gollin
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Prayer Post
Following our Prayer breakfast, this seemed like a good reminder.
I'm just a prayer away.
---GOD*---
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. James 5:16 NLT
*Borrowed from God Speaks
Sincerely, Your Prayer Ministry
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