“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”- Philippians 1:3-6 (NRSV)
I hope that each of you are having a great Thanksgiving weekend. One of the beautiful things about the way we celebrate Thanksgiving in the US is that many of us get 4 days away from work to celebrate and give thanks with family and friends, and many of us begin the season of Advent by decorating our homes.
This weekend we begin the Season of Advent at St Mark. This morning the decorating crew of Rick, Paulette, and Carole began the season by decorating the sanctuary and narthex areas. On Sunday you will be able to pick up: an Advent Calendar to open each day; a Global Barnyard coin box to put your coins in to help purchase needed livestock and plants in countries where ELCA World Hunger is helping people; and there are also Advent Study Guides for those who are looking for a way to mark the days of Advent in a deeper way. There will also be an Advent Study with me at the east end of the Fellowship Hall on the first three Sundays of Advent this year.
WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND
I hope to see you in worship on Sunday 9:00 as we celebrate Christ the King. Here is a link to the service outline and announcements for this weekend. There is a lot happening at St Mark and lots of ways for you to be more involved in the life here in the church building and as we reach out to more and more people.
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: Bruce Strand, Royce Larsen, Bob Rohlfson, Marilyn Jones, Larry Wells, Ken Russell, Don Northrup, Hildy Clewell, 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.
Day of Remembrance for LGBTQ+ Persons- this weekend we are especially mindful of the persons killed and wounded in Colorado Springs, CO, and for all persons who are acted against violently due to their sexual identity
WEAR BLACK THIS WEEKEND AT ST MARK
This Sunday, November 27th, all persons attending worship at St Mark are invited to wear black as a sign of solidarity with persons identifying as LGBTQ+ and their family members. In every country, gender-based violence is a tragic reality. Last Sunday 5 persons were killed in Colorado Springs, CO, and 17 others injured. While many public events take place, this violence is frequently hidden, and victims are often silent, fearing stigma and further violence. We all have a responsibility to speak out against violence, to ensure that women and men, boys and girls, including people who are transgender, and people who are gender non-conforming, are safe from rape and violence in homes and schools, at work and in society, and in our churches. #ThursdaysinBlack is a global ecumenical campaign of the World Council of Churches. In 2019, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted a social policy resolution calling upon all people across all expressions of the church to join by wearing black on Thursdays, and actively participating in various reflection and action items. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and National Bishop Susan Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada both serve as Ambassadors for the #ThursdaysinBlackcampaign.
ADVENT AT ST MARK- There are a number of Advent resources at the Welcome Center for everyone to take home to help celebrate this special season (November 27 through December 23). There are Advent Study Guides and Advent Calendars available to take home to use this Advent, and each Sunday morning following worship there will be an Advent Study with Pastor Dave at the east end of the Fellowship Hall.
FINANCIAL PLEDGE CARDS FOR 2023
As of the printing of this bulletin we have received $160,???? In pledges of financial support for 2023. We hope that more pledge cards will be received over the next two weeks. The information received so far is helping the Congregation Council to make plans for 2023. We want to thank everyone for your generous support of St Mark.
KNIT, CROCHET, ETC- Will meet this next Thursday, December 1, 1:00 PM in the Library. A time to get together and work on your favorite craft and enjoy each other’s company.
SCARF AND MITTEN TREE-
The St. Mark Women (WELCA) are asking for mittens, hats, scarves and gloves for the mitten tree. You are invited to get your needles out and start knitting, crocheting , and/or buying some. These items will go to supply Upper Des Moines Opportunities as they do their best to help keep people warm this winter. Last year the tree was overflowing, but don’t worry, there is aways room to gather and give more at St Mark.
GIVING TUESDAY- is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. It’s a simple idea: whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building the better world we all want to live in.This year - Celebrate Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, November 29th with a gift to: the Western Iowa Synod and St Mark. You can go to wisynod.org/give or stmarkstormlake.com/give
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 @$8800
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES-
Methodist Manor- The residents of Methodist Manor are in need of persons to visit. Training will be available to prepare volunteers for the conversations. If you are interested, please contact Maxine Lampe 712-732-1058, or Pat Cowan 712-299-3120.
St Mark Worship Tech- we are in need of at least 2 more persons (families) to serve one Sunday a month as worship tech. If you think you are interested, you are invited to sit back at the console on a Sunday morning and watch/help the persons working on that weekend. Contact Pastor Dave if you are interested.
VETS TOGETHER- Is an opportunity 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 veteran go through re-entry into civilian life they may experience shorter and long term challenges such as: PTSD; disability; reconnecting to family and friends; finding meaningful employment, and other challenges. Vets together meets on Wednesday evenings 6:00 PM in room 128. The gatherings are open to all community persons, pleas share this opportunity as you have opportunity. ATTENTION ST. MARK BOOK LOVERS –The next book discussion will be next Sunday, December 4after worship service. If you have questions, please contact Cindy Smith at cgsmith1604@gmail.com.
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. 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 732-5255 if you have questions.
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. You are welcome to drop off an offering at the Church office or send it in the mail. Go to the St Mark Give Page where there are links and instructions for sharing your gifts. You can:
Give via EFT, banking cards, and credit cards. Make a one time, or set up ongoing gifts.
FRIENDS WITH FOOD-
A big thank you goes out to everyone who helped package and deliver food on November 17. 98 households in Storm Lake and nearby areas. Friends with Food is a partnership of St Mark Lutheran Church, SALUD, and other community persons who work together to offer a monthly food distribution to those who are permanently or temporarily homebound and without easy access to transportation. Volunteers are always needed. If you would like to help, or if you know of someone who could use some food, please contact Jane Hartwell 712-732-5255, Di Daniels 712-299-9863 or Julie Cook- Western Iowa Synod Office 732-4968.
TIME TO ORDER POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS AT ST MARK
The displaying of poinsettias at Christmas time has a long tradition at St Mark. If you would like to order one to be displayed at the Christmas Eve services, please fill out an order form and turn it into the office. The forms are available in the church office and at the welcome center. Each poinsettia is $35.00 and can be taken home following the services. Orders need to be received in the Church Office by December 12.
AN ANGEL’S TOUCH-
There will be a fundraiser at St. Mark Lutheran Church on December 10th, 9:00AM- 1:00PM. The mission statement of An Angel’s Touch is to improve the lives of the elderly, children and those with special needs, who are impoverished, distressed and underserved, or under privileged, by giving one small gift at a time, with heartful love and caring. An Angel’s Touch (a nonprofit charitable organization) was created, in memory of Ron and Janette Willer of Schaller, IA, to continue to forward the love and kindness they shared for others. Selling cookies, candies and An Angel’s Touch Coffee (personal containers are encouraged).
ADOPT A FAMILY: St. Mark will again participate in the Adopt a Family Christmas program with Upper Des Moines Opportunities. Five families have been selected and information about them and gift wishes will be in the church welcome center beginning this Sunday, November 27th. Please select which gifts you would like to donate and return the package to church no later than December 12th. Please wrap each gift and mark with family number, sex and age of person. If you would like to make a monetary donation or give a gift card, please leave it in the church office by December 9th. Any questions can be directed to Lori Porsch (299-3129). Thanks for helping make some families' Christmas a lot brighter!
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, 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. LIFE SERVE BLOOD DRIVE –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, just click on this link, or contact Jane Hartwell in the Church Office.
THIS WEEK AT ST MARK
Sunday, November 27
7:30AM - Proclaim Radio broadcast on FM101.7
9:00AM- Worship Service- in-person and streamed live
on Facebook
10:00AM- Fellowship Time (Fellowship Hall)
10:00AM@- Adult Advent Study
Monday, November 28
8:00AM-6:00PM New Opportunities (Women, Infants & Children)
5:00PM- Family Access Center-Domestic Assault
(Room 128)
Tuesday, November 29
8:00AM-6:00PM New Opportunities (Women, Infants & Children)
7:00PM- NA- (Room 128)
Wednesday, November 30
6:00PM- Vets Together (Room 128)
6:00 PM- Confirmation Class
Thursday, December 1
8:00AM-6:00PM- WIC- New Opportunities
12:00PM – AA-(Fellowship Hall)
Sunday, December 4
7:30AM - Proclaim Radio broadcast on FM101.7
9:00AM- Worship Service- in-person and streamed live
on Facebook
10:00AM- Fellowship Time (Fellowship Hall)
10:00AM@- Sunday School Christmas Rehearsal.
(Sanctuary)
10:00AM@- Adult Advent Study. (Fellowship Hall)
10:00AM@ Book Discussion (Library)
Join friends from the Storm Lake area for a "Blue Christmas Service" on December 13, 6:30M. It is a time to gather together to acknowledge the losses we have experienced, and grief we experience as we enter into the holidays and new year. The service itself is rather solemn for listening and pondering. There will be piano music and readings, along with a time to light candles to acknowledge our grief and losses. The service is @40-45 minutes long.
