THIS WEEK:
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE at 9:30 am
You do NOT need a Facebook account to view the service!
Download the Sunday bulletin at: www.stmarkhamilton.org/bulletins
TUESDAY MINDFULNESS CLASS at 6:30 pm
Beginners welcome. Located in sanctuary.
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP SERVICE at 6:30 pm
In-person with Holy Communion.
(There will be no Wednesday evening service on December 21 and Dec 28)
THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY at 10:00 am
Drop-ins welcome! Located in the church library (upper level). Bring a Bible.
CONTACT: Carol Kasabach
(There will be no Bible Study on December 29)
THURSDAY CHOIR PRACTICE at 7:00 pm
in the Sanctuary.
Come make a joyful noise with us. All voices welcome!
CONTACT: John Kling
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 PRAYER CONCERNS
Holy God, renew your church and raise up leaders who announce your good news. Grant peace to this congregation in the midst of transition. Guide the work of the candidacy committee. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
If you would like to put a thanksgiving or concern in our prayer chain, you may call the Church Office at 609-585-7087 or reply to this email.
David Bader, Joanne Bicknese, Carol Borden, David Boyer, Lynn Boyer, Harold and Karen Breninghouse, Patricia Breninghouse, Dennis Breza, Brittany, Sherrie Capriotti, Emily Conti, Richard Cook, Denise Darnell’s Aunt Joan, Donald Dickson, Sandra Domboski, Richard Farley, Bob Giaquinto, Walt Gidowski, Ingrid Guendner, Joan Guido, Karen & Tim Gustus, Father of Tim Gustus, Diane Harris, Wayne Herpel, Matthew Hoffman, Jennifer Hoh, The Joukhadarian family, Steve K., Christopher Kapshock, Caroline Keefe, Drew Kieffer, Betty Kling, Erika Kraemer, Jacqueline I. Kroschwitz, John Kroschwitz, Evelyn Kruck, David Loughlin, Josephine Loughlin, Todd Luttman, Emiko Magarifuchi, Roland Majer, Barbara Mazzantenta, Cathy McKenny, Janice Morris, Dave Nay, Kayla & Eric Oberg, David L. Oiler, Mary Oiler, Barbara Osmond, Robert Parker, Louise Prior, Laurel Riemann, Luke Riemann, Mark Riemann, Richard Schappert, Terryann Schappert, Hilda Schintzler, John Smith, Emily Soule, Elwood Tryon, Verda Tryon, Bobby Urban, Carolyn Valenza, Liz Wallace, Magdalena Welker, Brandon Walling, Wyatt Whitehead, David Wilkie, Ken Wilkie,
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 LAY LEADERS
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Christmas Eve 3:00 Service
Lector - Barbara Moonlight
Communion Assistant - Barbara Moonlight
Ushers -
Livestream Operator -
Christmas Eve 8:00 pm Service
Lector - John Hoge
Communion Assistant - John Hoge
Ushers - Michaela Arzt and JoAnne Malta
Livestream Operator -
Christmas Day 9:30 am - Lessons and Carols
Lector - John Hoge
Communion Assistant - John Hoge
Ushers - Mary Hoh and Bobbie Huffman
Livestream Operator - Judy Oiler
Counters - Michaela Arzt and Judy Oiler
Would you like to be a Lector, Communion Assistant, or Usher? CONTACT: John Hoge.
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Thank You!
To the congregation of St.Mark, thank you all for your prayers, cards and offers of food during my convalescence. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt well, but I hope to be back to 100% soon.
Faithfully, Cindy Zuzzio
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 Saint Mark Hamilton will turn 125 in September of 2023!
The first meeting to plan a celebration of this milestone anniversary will take place virtually on January 19, 2023 at 7pm. All who wish to participate in planning are welcome. More information to come.
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Keep scrolling for more news!
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 SOCIAL MINISTRY
"LUNCHES WITH LOVE"
Each week we supply a minimum of 50 bag lunches to HomeFront families. The lunches are packed on Sunday mornings, AFTER the 9:30 AM service. We've got it down to a science so it only takes about 30 minutes! It's a great way to enjoy some fellowship time while doing God's work.
You can support these lunch ministries by making a financial donation to St Mark Lutheran with (note the new wording!) "Lunches w/Love" on the memo line OR by donating any of the following single-serve items:
- snacks -chips, pretzels, popcorn, etc.
- fruit cups
- water bottles
- juice boxes
 If you can help pack lunches or make one of the 2 weekly deliveries, please CONTACT: Karen Breninghouse.
Please drop off ALL food items on the table in fellowship hall. If you have a building key you can drop off donations at any time. Otherwise, to schedule a time to deliver or have donations picked up from your home, please contact Karen Breninghouse or call the church office at 609-585-7087.
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SOCIAL MINISTRY
"DINNERS WITH LOVE"
Each month, on the second Wednesday, we will prepare a meal in the church kitchen and deliver it by 6 pm to the HomeFront tutoring program located at the Lawrence Community Center. Anyone interested in helping with this ministry should contact Karen Breninghouse as it will be an ongoing, monthly project.
NEXT DATE: Wednesday, January 11
ITEMS NEEDED for Dinners with Love:
- Bottles of water, juice or iced tea
- sturdy paper plates
- plastic utensils (forks, spoons & knives)
- plastic cups
- monetary donations to purchase perishable foods
Please drop off ALL food items on the table in fellowship hall. If you have a building key you can drop off donations at any time. Otherwise, to schedule a time to deliver or have donations picked up from your home, please contact Karen Breninghouse or call the church office at 609-585-7087.
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 SOCIAL MINISTRYPERPETUAL GROCERY LIST
St Mark continues to collect food donations for two organizations that serve those who are experiencing food insecurity in the Mercer County area.
__ PEANUT BUTTER
__ JELLY
__ MAC & CHEESE
HomeFront requests these "motel friendly" items:
__ Chef Boyardee foods (flip-top cans)
__ Hormel dinners (or any microwaveable, shelf-stable meals)
__ MAC & CHEESE (cups are better to microwave)
__ TUNA (flip-top can or packets)
__ RAMEN NOODLES
__ individual-size, shelf-stable JUICE or MILK (such as "Parmalat")
Please drop off ALL food items on the table in Fellowship Hall. If you have a building key you can drop off donations at any time. Otherwise, to schedule a time to deliver or have donations picked up from your home, please contact the church office at 609-585-7087.
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 THANK YOU
...for keeping ALL of our church ministries active! Drop off your donation by putting it in our mailbox next to the back doors of the church. (Make sure it's in an envelope.)
Or...
Write a check made payable to "St Mark Lutheran Church" and mail to:
St Mark Lutheran Church, 350 White Horse Ave., Hamilton NJ 08610-1419.
- Set up online bill-pay at your bank. When it asks for an account number, use your unique "Offering Envelope" number that you've been assigned by St Mark. Need a number? Reply to this email or call the office and request a number.
- Donate by credit card via PayPal on our website: www.StMarkHamilton.org, or click here to donate
- Donate your time & talent! We always need folks to mow the lawn, take out trash 2x/week, put the recycling bucket to the curb, help pack lunches on Sundays, plant/weed/harvest the garden, water the plants inside the building, refill the candle oil, lector/read on Sundays, etc.
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STEPS IN THE PASTORAL CALL PROCESS
of the New Jersey Synod, ELCA
The items in Bold print below indicate the steps completed.
Step 1 – What to Do When Your Pastor Resigns
- Notification and consultation with the Bishop-completed.
- Notification of chief lay officer, congregation council-completed
Step 2 – Initial Meeting with the Congregation Council
- Review process- completed
- Interim pastor appointment- Pastor Michael McKillip appointed
- Arrangements for Sunday pastoral supply- Pastor McKillip will take on this role
- Assess current situation- completed
- Certification of parish records; certification of no indebtedness- in progress
- Review expectations regarding role of resigning/retiring pastor-completed
Step 3 – Mission Exploration Process
- Congregational survey, history event, and other ministry events as determined by council and office of the bishop
- Determination of financial readiness and ability to call a pastor
- Completion of Ministry Site Profile
Step 4 – Appointment of a Pastoral Call Committee
- Karen Breninghouse (Chair), Joanne Bicknese, Jody Hodge, John Kroschwitz, Judy Oiler, Terri Clair, and Tim Hoh.
Step 5 – Meeting with Bishop
Step 6 – Pastoral Call Committee Preparation
Step 7 – Pastoral Call Committee Activity
- Candidate identified by Office of the Bishop
- Call committee interview process (2 stages)
- Decision to recommend made by majority plus 1, or decision to begin Step 7 again
Step 8 – Joint Meeting of the Candidate, Council and Call Committee
- Candidate interview
- Decision to recommend made by a two-thirds affirmative vote, or decision to return to Step 5 or 7
Step 9 – Special Congregational Meeting · Sunday, November 27 immediately after the 9:30 AM worship service
- Candidate presented to the congregation
- Candidate leads worship and preaches
- Congregation votes with two-thirds affirmative required for election, or back to Step 5 or 7
Step 10 – Congregation Council Issues Letter of Call
- Candidate has up to two weeks for a decision
- Council prepares for welcoming the new pastor
Please contact St. Mark Congregational Council Members if you have any questions.
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What is the PASTORAL CALL PROCESS and how does that work? [more]
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2022 ST. MARK LUTHERAN CHURCH
CONGREGATION COUNCIL
- Barbara Moonlight [third term ends 1/2024]
- Dolores McKillip [first term ends 1/2024]
- Eileen Mansfield (Secretary) [first term ends 1/2024]
- John Kroschwitz [second term ends 1/2024]
- Kurt Drewes [first term ends 1/2024]
- Michaela Arzt (President-2nd Yr.) [second term ends 1/2023
- Timothy Boyd [appointed 2/8/2022]
- Nancy Trembley (Vice President)
- ??? could this be you?
Church Council meets on the second Tuesday of the month.
Council members are elected for a 2-year term at the Annual Congregational Meeting in January, and may serve a maximum of three (3) consecutive 2-year terms (i.e., 6 years total).
*originally appointed for a partial term, which is exempt from the 6-year total
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