Today is Veterans Day. We honor and give thanks for those who have served in the military to secure freedom, justice, peace and security for our country and other nations. Remembering the sacrifices they have made on our behalf, we pray for their families, their congregations, federal chaplains, and organizations that support and care for returning veterans. -(ELCA Prayer Ventures)
Friends,
My father owned and operated a Clover Farm grocery store in Tama, Iowa. My dad, uncle, older sister, and I worked there. As well as number of young men that we called carry-out boys. I remember the day when one young man who worked for my dad told me that he was going to be a soldier in the Army and was going to some place called called Vietnam.
In my 8 or 9 year old mind, I knew nothing about what was going on in Vietnam and why US military was there. I only thought of the John Wayne movies I watched on Sunday afternoons, and shows like "The Rat Patrol" and "Combat". I definitely had an image in my mind of what soldiers and war was about...... however, a few years later my friend came back from Vietnam and he was visibly changed, and definitely no longer fit the image that I had created in my pre-teen mind.
At the time I didn't know what happened to him, I just knew he wasn't the same young man I looked up to 3 or 4 years before. My dad and others said things that seemed to suggest that it was his fault or he was sick, but as I would learn over the past 50 years, there was much much more going on than I had ever imagined, and much more than I will ever know.
I hope that you will join us for worship on Sunday at 9:00 as we recognize and give thanks for those persons who have served in the military. Every veteran I have ever talked to has been changed by their experience in the military. I know there are very strong opinions about the military, especially when people politicize it, forgetting that soldiers are there to protect every American citizen, not just those of like mind. Frequently in the midst of strong opinions and conversation we lose sight of the people. The persons who served, and the sacrifices of their family members. Especially when some do not come home, or as my mother told me about the young man who worked in my dad's store "he came home, but not all of him."
INVITATION TO GENEROSITY
Earlier this month we sent a letter to St Mark members and community inviting each of us to consider our personal financial support of St Mark in 2023. Filling out a pledge cards helps us to plan our giving, and it helps the leaders of St Mark to make plans for 2023. We will be dedicating all of the pledge cars we have received during worship on November 20th, Christ the King Sunday.
The reason we as a church talk about generosity so much during November is because at the heart of a generous giver is GRATITUDE. During the month of November we are reminded all month about the importance of gratitude. Gratitude for what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Gratitude for all that we have, our abilities, resources, family and friends. And gratitude that literally changes how we look at ourselves and the world around us.
I hope to see you in worship on Sunday 9:00. Here is alink to the worship service outline, and announcements for this weekend. There is a lot happening and lots of ways for you to be more involved in the life the St Mark community.
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
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
PRAYERS: We are each invited to keep the following persons in our prayers. You may submit a prayer request here.
We are each invited to keep the following persons in our prayers: Maryland Jones, Larry Wells, Ken Russell, Don Northrup, Hildy Clewell, Eleanor Schemmel, Julie Egland, Val Anderson, Marlon Gasner, Jon Kruse, Kermit Smith, Donna Schulz, Steve Korner, Jane Evans, Evelyn Messenbrink, Alex Kron, Steve Berg, Mark Sorbe, and all persons seeking healing and wholeness.
HONORING VETERANS TODAY- Today in our worship we honor veterans. Veterans Day is the official U.S. holiday celebrated on Nov 11 honoring U.S. Armed Forces, also known as veterans. This day coincides with Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also marks the end of WWI. (The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918) Unlike Memorial Day which remembers people who gave their lives while in service, Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. Veterans Day is not a Church festival, but it is recognized by most people of faith as an opportunity to say thanks for significant community service. Additionally, this day gives a chance to focus attention on the needs of veterans.
INVITATION TO GENEROSITY – Pledges may sent be to the church office, placed in the offering boxes, or dropped off. You may also go to the GIVE tab on the homepage to share your plan to support the ministry of St Mark in 2023. Our goal is to receive all pledge cards by November 15, and to dedicate them on Christ the King Sunday, November 20.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES: VISIT RESIDENTS AT METHODIST MANOR – Methodist Manor is in need of persons to visit residents. Training will be available to prepare volunteers for the conversations. If you are interested,please contact Maxine Lampe at 712-732-1058 or Pat Cowan at 712-299-3120.
VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH MOCK JOB INTERVIEWS – Kayla Hernandez, Vrenda Love, IJAG instructor for 9th and 10th-grade students are requesting community members to assist with their mock job interviews which will be held all day Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 14 and 15 at the high school. A script is provided and a rubric to assess the student's performance. Please call Di Daniels, 712 299 9863 for details and times.
VOLUNTEERS TO READ TO YOUNG CHILDREN – Yoanna Rosas, the Spanish Immersion teacher at the new Early Childhood Center, is asking for community volunteers to come and read to students individually. There is a need for both Spanish and English readers. Please call Yoanna at 712 299 8624 or Di Daniels, 712 299 9863, for scheduling. and read to students, individually. There is a need for both Spanish and English readers. Please call Yoanna at 712 299 8624 or Di Daniels, 712 299 9863, for scheduling.
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. Please share this opportunity with friends.
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.
ATTENTION ST. MARK BOOK LOVERS – Book discussion will continue right after worship at 10:00 this Sunday, November 13 in the Library. We will discuss The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. “Grounded in meticulous research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus's life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring, unforgettable account of one woman's bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her while living in a time, place, and culture devised to silence her.” December 4th will be the next book discussion. If you have questions, please contact Cindy Smith at cgsmith1604@gmail.com
LIFE SERVE BLOOD DRIVE – Results from the blood drive at St. Mark on November 1 are 57 appointments, 49 registered, 37 eligible, 42 units collected, and 4 first-time donors!! The next Life Serve Blood Drive will be Tuesday, December 6 at St. Mark, 12:30-5:30. You can register online or text LIFESERVE to 999-777 to make an appointment to Give Blood. If you would like to know any other info about donating blood and Life Serve Blood Center, contact Jane Hartwell in the Church Office.
UPPER DES MOINES FOOD SHELF NEEDS OUR HELP – the Upper Des Moines Opportunities Food Shelf staff has stated that any food is welcomed at the pantry. The following items are very low and needed at this time: cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, canned fruit & vegetables, beans and rice, spaghetti sauce, and pasta. Other items needed: laundry soap, dish soap, shampoo, body soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, and paper towels. 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.
FRIENDS WITH FOOD UPDATE – 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 packing and distribution will be this coming Thursday, November 17. More volunteers are needed. If you would like to help or know of someone who could use some help with food, please contact Jane Hartwell at 712-732-5255, Di Daniels at 712-299-9863, or Julie Cook- Western Iowa Synod Office at 732-4968.
FURNACE(S) REPLACEMENT TIME- the two furnaces that heat and cool the Fellowship Hall will be replaced in the next several weeks. The Congregation Council extends an invitation to anyone interested in sharing a gift to help pay for the replacements, above and beyond your regular offering. Simply notate that the gift is for the FURNACE REPLACEMENT FUND. The total replacement cost is anticipated to cost at $8800.
OFFERINGS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT – We are grateful for all financial gifts as they provide the needed support for the ministries of this congregation. If you have a financial gift, you would like to share this morning, you may place it in the offering box found at the welcome center. We are in the process of revising the St Mark Give Page where there are links and instructions for sharing your gifts. You can:
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Designate St Mark with the link above.
Sunday, November 13
7:30 AM – Proclaim Radio broadcast on FM101.7
9:00 AM – Worship Service- in-person and streamed live on FB
10:00 AM – Fellowship Time (Fellowship Hall)
– Book Discussion (Library)
Monday, November 14
5:00 PM – Family Access Center-Domestic Assault (Room 128)
Tuesday, November 15
7:00 PM – NA - (Room 128)
Wednesday, November 16
9:30 AM – Naomi Circle (Fellowship Hall)
5:00 PM – Buena Vista Suicide Prevention (Fellowship Hall)
6:00 PM – Confirmation Class
6:00 PM – Vets Together (Room 128)
Thursday, November 17
Time TBA – Friends with Food
10:00 AM – Western Iowa Synod First Call Pastors
to 2:00 PM (Room 128)
12:00 PM – AA (Fellowship Hall)
6:00 PM – Unity Dinner (Fellowship Hall)
Sunday, November 20. "Christ the King"
7:30 AM – Proclaim Radio broadcast on FM101.7
9:00 AM – Worship Service- in-person and streamed live on FB
10:00 AM – Fellowship Time (Fellowship Hall)
– Sunday School (Sanctuary)
ATTENTION ST. MARK BOOK LOVERS – Book discussion will continue right after worship at 10:00 this Sunday, November 13 in the Library. We will discuss The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. “Grounded in meticulous research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus's life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring, unforgettable account of one woman's bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her while living in a time, place, and culture devised to silence her.” December 4th will be the next book discussion. If you have questions, please contact Cindy Smith at cgsmith1604@gmail.com
