St Mark eNEWS for October 14, 2022
Picture by City of Storm Lake
A NOTE FROM PASTOR DAVE
Good morning. With everything that is happening around us, today is the perfect day to pause and take in the gifts God has given to us. Frequently I hear someone make a blank condemnation of social media (and there is a lot of stuff that is not helpful) but it is also a place to share photos, words of encouragement, and to share the beauty that surrounds us here in Western Iowa.
Let's all set aside a few minutes today to simply take in and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us on this mid October day, and give thanks.
I hope you will join us for worship on Sunday at 9:00. Maggie Reyes- Upper Des Moines Opportunities will be with us to share with us about this important ministry and partner in serving the people of Storm Lake. The service will be live-streamed on the St Mark Facebook Page. Here is a link to the service outline, announcements, and ways to get involved in life together at St Mark.
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:
Prayers for Healing-
Ken Russell, 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, Steve Korner, Jane Evans, Evelyn Messenbrink, Alex Kron, Steve Berg, Mark Sorbe, those seeking healing from Coronavirus and their caregivers, all persons seeking healing and wholeness, all persons recovering from Hurricane Ian and other natural disasters.
Prayers of Comfort-
The family of Aaron Cook.
Family of Daniel Richmond - brother of Connie Ellefson
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 and 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 – 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.
LIFE SERVE BLOOD DRIVE - The next Life Serve Blood Drive will
be at St. Mark on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, from 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, 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, November 1, 2022, 12:30-5:30. You can register online or text LIFESERVE to 999-777 to make an appointment to Give Blood. TRUNK OR TREAT -
is coming up on Monday, October 31, from 5:00-7:00. We are looking for persons to “open their trunks” to share “treats” on that evening and for persons to purchase and drop off “treats” here at the church for the kids. If this year is like previous years, the number of kids coming to St Mark from the community keeps growing.
UPPER DES MOINES FOOD SHELF NEEDS OUR HELP - The Upper Des Moines Opportunities Food Shelf staff has said that food is very, very low at 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 welcomed. 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 - 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 at 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.
DID YOU KNOW THAT WIC MEETS AT ST MARK? - WIC is a service offered through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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 in October, WIC will be making St Mark their home for the next several months.
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:
Sunday, October 16
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)
Monday, October 17
9:00 AM – Sew & Do
5:00 PM – Family Access Center-Domestic Assault (Room 128)
6:30 PM – Stephen Ministry (Office Conference Room)
Tuesday, October 18
7:00 PM – NA (Room 128)
Wednesday, October 19
9:00 AM – Naomi Circle (Fellowship Hall)
5:00 PM. – BV County Suicide Prevention
6:00 PM – Confirmation Class
6:00 PM – Vets Together (Room 128)
Thursday, October 20
Friends with Food
12:00 PM – AA (Fellowship Hall)
Sunday, October 23
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)
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.
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.
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 at 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.
