It seems like September has flown by this year. After our first “as normal as normal can be” summer in a few years, it was great to welcome families and students back to worship, Sunday school, and confirmation, and now we are starting to make plans for Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. Please keep the ag workers in your prayers and be extra aware of them on the roads as they are moving their equipment and harvest to and from the fields.
INVITATION TO GENEROSITY- During the month of October, we will be sharing our annual Invitation to Generosity. During the offering time each week in worship we lift up ways in which the sharing of our gifts is making a difference in the life of this congregation and in the lives of people in the communities we are a part of. The sharing of time, abilities, and financial support makes it possible to do the many things that happen within the walls of our church building and in our communities.
An Invitation to Generosity is a time we set aside during the Fall months at St Mark to remind us of what God is doing in and through this community of faith. It is also an invitation to each of us to support the work of this congregation. Our appeals at St Mark are pretty low-key, especially if you have been through stewardship campaigns before. We have found that keeping everyone aware of what is going on, and showing the ways we are making a difference, are the best ways to invite generosity of time, abilities, and financial support.
Just like your household and business, the cost of ministry has risen rapidly during 2022. Gifts during the summer months did not keep up with expenses; however, we are confident that through the gifts offered by each person in this congregation, we will be able to do even more than we are able to do now. We will share more information during the weeks of October.
REFORMATION SUNDAY is October 30th. I hope you will join us for worship at 9:00 and wear red if you have it. Usually, when Reformation Sunday comes around, we celebrate the “Affirmation of Baptism” (Confirmation) of the 8th-grade students. This year, we do not have students in the 8th grade, so we will be sharing what the Reformation was about and how it makes a difference even today.
VETS TOGETHER
We launched a new small group on Wednesday evening at 6:00. Vets Together is an informal time for persons who have served in the US military to get together to be encouraged and to encourage one another. The need for this group has been growing as persons return from military service and look for connections with others who have had similar experiences.
WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND
I hope you will join us for worship this weekend for worship on Sunday. We have a rather interesting reading from chapter 16 (vs. 9-13) of Luke, a parable Jesus shared about a conversation between Abraham and a fellow who had everything good during his life but who at the end of his life realizes that there was so much more he could have done with his life that would make a lasting difference. Here is a link to the bulletin and announcements.
I hope to see you Sunday.
Peace to you,
Pastor Dave
LIFE TOGETHER AT ST MARK You can find us at 1614 West 5th Street, Storm Lake, IA, 50588
Phone: 712-732-5255 Website Facebook
You may log into Saint Mark Wi-Fi / Password- devotion
WORSHIP- We gather together for worship:
In-person in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings at 9:00.
Online live on Sunday at 9:00 on our Facebook Page
Recordings of services may be found on our website and on Facebook.
PRAYERS: We are each invited to keep the following persons in our prayers:
Prayers for Healing-
Don Northrup, Hildy Clewell, Sherry Aryanpur, Sarah Dvergsten, Dick and Eleanor Schemmel, Julie Egland, Val Anderson, Monna Gardalen (sister-in-law of Donna Schulz), Marlon Gasner, Jon Kruse, Kermit Smith, Donna Schulz, Lori Porsch, Steve Korner, Jane Evans, Evelyn Messenbrink, Alex Kron, Steve Berg, Mark Sorbe, those seeking healing from Coronavirus and their caregivers, and all persons seeking healing and wholeness.
Prayers of Comfort-
The family of Aaron Cook.
The family of Brian Borchardt
SIT & KNIT, CROCHET ETC: Do you like to knit or crochet? Are you just obsessed with yarn? We have an opportunity for you to get together with others to talk yarn, work on projects, and just enjoy each other’s company. Sit, Knit, and Crochet Etc. will begin meeting in the church library Thursday, October 6th at 1:00.
ATTENTION ST. MARK BOOK LOVERS Are you interested in reading and discussing books with others? We have a new small group at St Mark to do just that. Our next gathering is on October 30th as we discuss the book Finding Chilka: a Little Girl, an earthquake, and the Making of a Family by Mitch Albom. The discussions will take place right after worship at @10:00. We will meet for about an hour, and anyone is welcome to drop in for whatever books may pique your interest. Attendance every month is not required. Book selection may include many different genres. If you would like to suggest a book for the group to read, please let Cindy Smith know, and she will put it on the monthly schedule. We hope the person suggesting the book will then lead the discussion. If you have questions, please contact Cindy Smith at cgsmith1604@gmail.com.
VETS TOGETHER: This is a new opportunity at St Mark for Veterans of the United States military branches. There is no agenda other than an opportunity for veterans of the United States military services to have a place to be with others who have had similar experiences and who are willing to receive and give encouragement to others. As veterans go through re-entry into civilian life, they may experience short and long-term challenges unique to veterans, such as PTSD; disabilities, reconnecting to family and friends, finding meaningful employment, and other struggles. Vets Together meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM in room 128. The gatherings are open to all community persons.
COLLEGE BOXES: St. Mark Women will again be packing snack boxes for our college students. All items, such as small candy bars, fruit snacks, popcorn packets, and cookies, need to be individually wrapped. No home-baked goodies this year! Please bring your items to the church office. We will be packing and mailing the boxes on Friday, October 5th, at 1:30 pm. It’s a great way to show the kids that we are thinking of them! Please get your college students' current addresses to the church office as soon as you can.
UPPER DES MOINES FOOD SHELF NEEDS OUR HELP- the Upper Des Moines Opportunities Food Shelf staff has said that food is very, very low in the pantry. The following items are very needed: cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, canned fruit & vegetables, beans and rice, spaghetti sauce, and pasta. Other items needed: laundry soap, dish soap, shampoo, and body soap. Hot dogs, turkey, and ham for sandwiches, milk, and juice. Fresh vegetables are welcome. You can drop the food off in the grocery cart by the church office or at Upper Des Moines Opportunities Food Shelf, 620 Michigan Street, in Storm Lake.
WELCA FALL RETREAT 2022: A day of fellowship, conversation, and strengthening of our faith. Included is a tour of the Western Iowa Synod Office in their new location here at St Mark. Bishop Lorna Halaas will provide the Bible Study and lead the conversation. The theme is: God touches us in mysterious ways, and we rejoice in this miracle. The retreat will start at 9:00 AM-3:00 PM Saturday, October 15, 2022, here at St Mark. Every woman in the Western Iowa Synod of the ELCA is invited to attend. To register, please send your full name, address, phone number, email address, and registration fee of $15 to Nancy Peters, 1020 9th St., Sheldon, IA 51201, or contact Nancy at nancyp@nethtc.net.
LIFE SERVE BLOOD DRIVE- Did you know LifeServe Blood Center provides blood products to 157 hospitals, primarily in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota? From Avera St. Anthony’s in O’Neill, NE, to Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, IA, hospitals chooses Life Serve to be their ONLY provider. If you would like to know any other info about donating blood and Life Serve Blood Center, just click on this link, or contact Jane Hartwell in the Church Office. The next Life Serve Blood Drive will be at St. Mark on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, 12:30-5:30. You can register online or text LIFESERVE to 999-777 to make an appointment to Give Blood.
FRIENDS WITH FOOD UPDATE- Would you like to help? Friends with Food is a partnership of St Mark Lutheran Church and SALUD working together to offer a monthly food distribution to those who are permanently or temporarily homebound and with no easy access to transportation. The next food distribution will be Thursday, October 20th, at St. Mark. Please contact Jane Hartwell at 712-732-5255, Di Daniels at 712-299-9863, or Julie Cook Western Iowa Synod Office at 732-4968 if you want to help or know of someone who could use some help with food or have questions.
LIFE SERVE BLOOD DRIVE was held at St. Mark on September 6th. There were 57 appointments, 49 registered, 43 eligible to donate, and 49 units collected. These units can save up to 147 local lives. Thank you to all of those who donated blood. The next blood drive will be on October 4th at St. Mark, 12:30 PM-5:30 PM. ‘TEXT LIFESERVE’ to 999-777 to make an appointment to Give Blood.
PROCLAIM RADIO MINISTRY- Proclaim is a radio ministry of St Mark and is broadcast every Sunday morning at 7:30 AM via FM 101.7 KAYL. The message and music are from the previous weekend. This ministry is one of the ways we reach out to Storm Lake and Western Iowa with the love of Jesus. We invite you to consider supporting this ministry in addition to your regular financial support of St Mark. The cost is $38 per week and can be given online or by check. You can sign-up for a Sunday on the bulletin board sign-up located on the bulletin board near the west entrance to the building. Call Jane Hartwell at 732-5255 if you have questions.
OFFERINGS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT- Thank you for generously sharing your financial support of St Mark. Your financial support makes it possible to fund our ministries as we enter into the new school year. You can financially support the ministry of St Mark by:
Bringing your offering to worship on Sundays and placing it in the offering box at the Welcome center on Sunday mornings. You can also drop it off or mail it to the church office.
You can also give electronically through the Vanco Mobile App. Choose your device's system below. Apple App Store | Google Play Store
TRUNK OR TREAT- is coming up on October 30th. If this year is like previous years, the number of kids coming to St Mark from the community keeps growing. We are looking for persons to “open their trunks” to share the “treats” and for persons to purchase and drop off “treats” here at the church for the kids.
DID YOU KNOW THAT WIC MEETS AT ST MARK?- WIC is a service offered through the United States Department of Agriculture and the Iowa Department of Public Health and Human Services to support the needs of (Women, Infants, and Children). They help with health, nutrition, and other services to those who are eligible. Starting this week, they will be making St Mark their home for the next several months.
THIS WEEK AT ST MARK Sunday, September 18
7:30 AM - Proclaim Radio broadcast on FM101.7
9:00 AM- Worship Service- in-person and streamed live on Facebook
10:00 AM- Fellowship Time (Fellowship Hall)
Sunday School (Sanctuary) starts after students and
leaders have had a chance to eat.
Monday, September 19
9:00AM- Sew & Do
5:00 PM- Family Access Center-Domestic Abuse (Room 128)
Tuesday, September 20
7:00 PM- NA- (Room 128)
Wednesday, September 21
9:30 AM- Naomi Circle
6:00 PM- Confirmation Class
6:00 PM- Vets Together
Thursday, September 22
12:00 PM- AA-(Fellowship Hall)
Sunday, September 25
7:30 AM - Proclaim Radio broadcast on FM101.7
9:00 AM- Worship Service- in-person and streamed live on Facebook
10:00 AM- Fellowship Time (Fellowship Hall)
Sunday School (Sanctuary) starts after students and
leaders have had a chance to eat.
Do you have garden produce
you would like to share?
Would you like some fresh fruit and vegetables grown by your friends at St Mark?
If you have extra garden produce you would like to share, simply drop it off here at St Mark or set it on the garden table in the main hall. AND if you stop by and see some produce you like, please feel free to take some home with you. If we have plenty of extra produce on the third Thursday of the month, we will deliver it to those in need with our regular Friends with Food deliveries.
SIT & KNIT, CROCHET ETC: Do you like to knit or crochet? Are you just obsessed with yarn? We have an opportunity for you to get together with others to talk yarn, work on projects, and just enjoy each other’s company. Sit, Knit, and Crochet Etc. will begin meeting in the church library Thursday, October 6th at 1:00.
ATTENTION ST. MARK BOOK LOVERS Are you interested in reading and discussing books with others? We have a new small group at St Mark to do just that. Our next gathering is on October 30th as we discuss the book Finding Chilka: a Little Girl, an earthquake, and the Making of a Family by Mitch Albom. The discussions will take place right after worship at @10:00. We will meet for about an hour, and anyone is welcome to drop in for whatever books may pique your interest. Attendance every month is not required. Book selection may include many different genres. If you would like to suggest a book for the group to read, please let Cindy Smith know, and she will put it on the monthly schedule. We hope the person suggesting the book will then lead the discussion. If you have questions, please contact Cindy Smith at cgsmith1604@gmail.com.
VETS TOGETHER: This is a new opportunity at St Mark for Veterans of the United States military branches. There is no agenda other than an opportunity for veterans of the United States military services to have a place to be with others who have had similar experiences and who are willing to receive and give encouragement to others. As veterans go through re-entry into civilian life, they may experience short and long-term challenges unique to veterans, such as PTSD; disabilities, reconnecting to family and friends, finding meaningful employment, and other struggles. Vets Together meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM in room 128. The gatherings are open to all community persons.
FRIENDS WITH FOOD UPDATE- Would you like to help? Friends with Food is a partnership of St Mark Lutheran Church and SALUD working together to offer a monthly food distribution to those who are permanently or temporarily homebound and with no easy access to transportation. The next food distribution will be Thursday, October 20th, at St. Mark. Please contact Jane Hartwell at 712-732-5255, Di Daniels at 712-299-9863, or Julie Cook Western Iowa Synod Office at 732-4968 if you want to help or know of someone who could use some help with food or have questions.
