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“Wow, the fields are so green!”
Last month, my parents were visiting, when they commented on the local corn crop. “Ours is dried already, but your fields are green and the stalks are so tall!” God has blessed us with rain, and I’m sure the crops will turn out well, but there’s a message in those fields for us.
In a recent Sunday children’s message, the kids took small corn kernels and compared them to an 11-foot stalk with two ears. Each kernel starts out small, but God’s intent is that every one should grow. There are many facets of growth: being planted in good soil, having good sunlight, plenty of rain, a strong stalk, and leaves that catch the sunlight. As Clayton Zuber taught me, each ear produces an even number of rows, and there is one strand of silk for each kernel of corn. There is no chance occurrence, it is growth by God’s design.
If you are in the body of Christ, you’re already in good soil. Are you exposing yourself to the light of Christ on a daily basis or is the church lector the only voice that speaks Scripture to your heart? A strong stalk exists to support the leaves & the ear so it may bear fruit – do you only ‘plant yourself’ in the pew on Sunday with no leaves of faith-support in the form of personal growth through prayer, devotion, a study group, or service? Don’t be satisfied as a small kernel when God intends you to grow and the fields are green! Maybe you are growing, and it’s time to share it with me or the church so others may be encouraged by your stories. Please tell me your stories, really!
God grows his kingdom through us, even in the midst of personal struggles or church controversies. He sees us through to make us stronger (see Romans 8 & 2 Corinthians 12) that we might bear fruit. That’s the point of a corn stalk-to grow corn-right? In the end, growth is God’s doing-not ours-even when it is a building project we undertake:
I planted, and Apollos watered, but God made it grow.
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is important because bonlyn God makes it grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have the same
goal, and each will receive a reward for his own work. We are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field. You are God’s building.
1 Corinthian 3:6-9 (God’s Word Translation)
We are right to be excited about the future, but not about the building as a goal to arrive at. These changes are one step that allows us to better participate with God in growth with new opportunities, because the fields are green!
Pastor Smith
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Are you ready?
The re-occurring theme and words heard in sermons, announcements, and meetings since early summer include: changes, opportunities, challenges, mission, unknowns, vision, focus, goals.
While the context in which these words are used was most often in reference to the future at St. Mark, to each of us, putting these words together can spell different things. To some, it means unfamiliar territory, or adjustment needed; to others, they spell out excitement and eagerness to move on. The common factor is that we are all different, and because of that, we react differently to the challenges and opportunities presented by God.
What is clear is that we as the family of St. Mark are on a course that promises good things, even better than where we have been.
It also means that lots of energy is visible when speaking with one another and with people outside St. Mark about the near-term Phase 1 Building Program, about our various Outreach efforts, about our Pastor’s engaging sermons, about our Education Programs, about Ladies Aid, and about our Faith.
These are exciting times!
The new officers and Council need your help and prayers as we embark on this part of the continuing journey at St. Mark. There is plenty of work to go around and more active help is needed to ensure the work is done well and in a timely manner. Everything we do is full-filling and it makes one feel good!! That can’t be said about most work, can it?
This Summer saw St. Mark volunteer work crews assist Flower City Habitat for Humanity as part of the Thrivent Builds program, a 4-year commitment on the part of Thrivent. What great response from Thrivent to this need for affordable housing. This represents a $105 million financial, volunteer, and advocacy alliance designed to increase Habitat’s capacity to build more housing. To all of you who worked with us, a big thank you. For those who were unable to help this year, wait until next year. Imagine working on construction of a new home on previously, very troubled Fulton Avenue in Rochester, and a group of people walking by, announce “thank God for the work you are doing.” That’s a big part of what makes such work really special.
Please note that Thrivent Builds Giving supplements financial gifts from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans by contributing 50 cents for every dollar given to Habitat, up to a maximum annual supplement of $300. per Thrivent member. That’s a big deal !!!
Blessings and Gifts from the heart.
For the 25 people, who were in attendance at the moving September 11 program when the Reverend, Capt. Alex Knowles visited with us to recount his months at Ground-Zero and subsequent 12 month tour in Iraq, it was an emotional presentation. The dedication and willingness of those called to help at that time now 5 years ago, is almost incomprehensible. The photos of the World Trade Center and of Iraq were heart wrenching, but the presence of God was evident through-out. Rev. Knowles continues to give from the heart as a Chaplain in the New York Army National Guard, and we thank God for his presence.
It is known and well understood that people will give and work for things that touch the heart. As we strive to welcome and equip, St. Mark’s Leadership pledges to work hard to remain focused on our Vision and to stay on track as defined by our Mission. If we are able to do this, by the grace of God all of our hearts will be opened further. This in turn will allow us to share and celebrate all the little things we are doing. The sum of all those little things is also a big deal!!
Help is needed.
The Board of Trustees is in need of additional members. Please evaluate how you can make time available to be of assistance to help keep the House of the Lord looking its best. See anyone on the Council to learn more about this.
Feel the Power.
Check out Bob Haag’s hi-octane report on the Phase 1 Update.
This has to fully charge the batteries and make us all ready to take on the work associated with this big, “small project.” There’s a lot to be done and to be decided upon before the first shovelful of dirt is turned, but we continue to move forward with the sustained blessing of the St. Mark family.
Keep the Strategic Planning Committee in your prayers, and get ready to sign up quickly and eagerly for the various Work Teams, who will be charged with carrying out many behind-the-scenes work projects once the final OK is requested, and final go-ahead is given.
Respectfully,
Guenther Heiss
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Update On The Phase 1 Church Expansion Project
First of all I want to say how excited I am that we are preceding with the planned Phase 1 Expansion of the St. Mark Church Facility. This vote of confidence is a giant step forward for St. Mark and a real show of faith that we can collectively pull together to make this expansion plan a reality. As Guenther mentioned at the Congregational Meeting, the Strategic Planning Committee has spent a lot of time and effort working with LaBella Associates to develop the plans and drawings for the proposed expansion. We are nearing the completion of the Design Phase and I wanted to share with you what the Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) will be working on in the month of October:
- The SPC will review the 90% Design drawing with labella Associates on Thursday September 21, 2006.
- LaBella Associates will complete the Design drawings and Bid package for the three contractors chosen to bid on the project on or about September 29, 2006.
- The SPC will review the final bid package with LaBella Associates during the first week in October. (Meeting not set up yet)
- The SPC and LaBella will hold a Pre-Bid Meeting with the three selected Contractors to review the project before bidding is done on the project on or about October 4, 2006.
- Bids will be received, opened and evaluated on or about October 24, 2006.
- Guenther Heiss will finalize the LCEF loan application and submit it by mid October to LCEF. And Guenther will also work with Juanita Laube and Mr. Duffy (attorney) to prepare and submit the necessary paperwork to the NYS Supreme Court for obtaining a mortgage on the church’s non profit assets, in parallel with the LCEF loan application.
- Guenther Heiss will also finalize the location and cost for St. Mark Church temporary use to hold church services for the 4 months or so, while the church expansion work is going on.
- R. Haag will put together a listing and timing of things that will have to be moved from St. Mark, so as to provide the Contractor with the space they need to do all the Phase 1 expansion work. (This will be based on the selected contractor’ schedule that will be submitted with the bids on October 24, 2006 and the actual relocation of most of the stuff will not happen until early November).
- A Congregational meeting will be held on Sunday October 29, 2006 or before as required to inform the congregation on the total cost and other items mentioned above.
If you have any questions or comments, please see me or any of the SPC team members, thanks.
Sincerely Yours’
Robert A. Haag
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Social Ministry
Greetings and peace to all,
When there is a prayer request, either Praise or Pleas, I can be reached at 624-9814 or my cell, 704-9814. The request will immediately be prayed about and delivered to Pastor. We have a list of gracious people who form our Prayer Circle. After the Pastor has been notified, the first person on the list will be called. They, in turn, will call the next person on the list. This will continue until we have reached full circle. The last person calling me will let me know that the circle is completed.
You will notice that the list consists mostly of women. Where are the more men?
Present day disciples of prayer are needed. Gentlemen, won’t you consider joining OUR St. Mark Prayer Circle? The bond of prayer is strengthened for us and those we pray for when we unite.
Our prayer warriors are:
Ginnie Knopp (Jim will take messages when I am not available or leave message on tape.)
Mary Ann Gollin 624-2702
Carolyn Krause 294-0432
Debbie Lehman 229-2643
Marilyn Ryan 924-5574
Marlene Hampson 249-9483
Kathy Stranford 398-0096
Sally Hacker 624-1039
Maralyn Harris 226-2217
Clayton and Gayla Zuber 624-4647
Your prayer requests will be followed up so that all the honor, praise and thanks is rightfully presented as our sacrifice of love to our most caring Father, who himself intercedes for us unceasingly.
With sincerity,
Ginnie
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Trustees
A word from the Trustees
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart”
Proverbs 3-5
This is a very good assessment of your Trustees actions as we in a group continue to care for each other, the Lord’s House and the property…
We “Trust” you are aware of the work we have completed.
We “Trust” we have carried out your direction to your satisfaction.
We “Trust” you will understand the need for additional ACTIVE Trustees.
We “Trust” each of you realize - though we are talented and committed - some projects 3 or 4 people can not do alone.
Several of you will be asked to serve as active Trustees or better yet you will volunteer. I have 2 years left on my elected term, I however have chosen to give up the status of Head Trustee. I will continue to “Trust in the Lord with all my heart” and carry out the duties as directed.
All Praise and Glory to God!!
Effie
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Ladies Aid
Chicken Bar-B-Que
Saturday, October 14th
4pm - till sold out
$7.50 Adults $3.00 Children 5-10 Free children under 5
Menu - 1/2 chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, squash, biscuits, cole slaw, cranberry sauce, rolls, pie and beverage.
Take-outs available
Bazaar and Baked goods sale
Proceeds to benefit
St. Mark’s Kitchen
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Posted on
Sunday, October 1, 2006
by Chris Monnat