Information

FROM PASTOR CHIP

I love to read and encounter new perspectives and ideas for living. Right now, I am reading Simple Church by Eric Geiger on my Kindle. Geiger has an interesting idea about the church in the Twenty-first Century. He writes:

Simple is in. People are hungry for simple because the world has become much more complex. The significance [for us] is that, in general, simple churches are growing and vibrant. Churches with a simple process for reaching and maturing people are expanding the kingdom. Church leaders who have designed a simple biblical process to make disciples are effectively advancing the movement of the gospel. Simple churches are making a big impact.75d7ffe4B002EJ29IQ

Here at St. Mark’s we reach and mature people (make disciples by expanding faith) in a variety of ways. Worship and Sunday School are two. We can add the WELCA Bible studies, the Men in Mission Bible study, Lectionary Lunches, youth group, service projects, confirmation studies, pocket journals, prayer tower, Sharron Fund… the list can go on. We have intentionally chosen to focus our ministries (to simplify what we do) with our mission statement. While we have great latitude in how we address each of the six categories (caring, helping, reaching out, interceding, serving and teaching), we have set some boundaries to insure we don’t spread ourselves too thin and end up doing nothing of significance.

As we begin the season of Lent, I ask all St. Mark’s disciples to reflect on the question Why are we here? This reflection can be both personal and corporate, that is, why are we here as a congregation? What does God want us to do individually and together to expand the kingdom? One temptation might be to engage in a flurry of activity—but that will probably be counterproductive. Another approach might be to consider what we are doing well that is making a difference for others, and seek ways to do that better and more often. Of course, there may be new ways to reach our communities with God’s love and we will certainly want to see if they match who we are. And some of the things we have done in the past may find different expressions that engage a new generation in more relevant ways.

To help us share our reflections, I will have a “discussion board” outside my office during Lent. Please add your thoughts and ideas by using the sticky notes provided there. And take time to look at what others have written. Remember, everyone brings something to the table—and each voice helps us hear God’s call to fill our communities with God’s love as we expand faith.

Pastor Chip

· Bible Study- discussed dreams for St. Mark’s for the next decade. Began working on a covenant for our work together.

· Received report that pledges are running at a level consistent with last year.

· Affirmed that St. Mark’s will make a donation to the DC West Post Prom celebration.

· Received Pastor Chip’s working concerns (priorities) for January through June.

· Affirmed further development of Angel Food Ministries in partnership with an Elkhorn congregation.

· Will establish a Worship Task Force to examine needs and resources to insure the continuation of quality worship at St. Mark’s.

· Affirmed the development of a mentoring program to expand the leadership base in the congregation.

· Will start taping worship services as soon as possible for those unable to attend.

VBS 2010

I am looking for adults and teenagers to help with planning Vacation Bible
School ‘10’. I would like to form a panel that will help brainstorm ideas
for improvement and organization. I have had so much fun over the years
working with the children during this special week. Please contact me if
you would like to be a part of excitement. I would like to have a meeting
sometime in mid. February.

Faith Circle continues to have their on-going projects, one being their Project Warmth. With the very cold weather we are experiencing, there is a greater need than ever for coats, boots, and any and all warm clothing. The first week in January, a very large delivery was made to the Siena/Francis House, and the words of thanks warmed our hearts. Winter is not over, so please check your closets for clean, gently used coats, gloves, hats, scarves, boots, sweatshirts, etc., bring them and place them in the trunk in the Fellowship Hall and we will see that someone in need will get them. Or, if you know of anyone in need, please feel free to check the trunk yourself and share.

Faith Circle meets on the first Tuesday of every month, September through June in the Fellowship Hall. We would welcome visitors to our meetings with the hope they will join us as members for Bible study, fellowship and light lunch. We are so open to visitors that all they have to do is call Jan in the office and she will give them a member's telephone number, and we will be happy to pick them up and accompany them to the meeting.

The Friendship Circle is gearing up for our "Spread the Love" Lunch and Auction on Valentine's Day. Hopefully you've marked your calendars for Sunday, Feb. l4th and we'll see you there. We are finalizing many live auction items as well as silent auction items.
Anyone who came last year can tell you that it's not to be missed. We are thrilled to again have George Conrad as our auctioneer. We intend to indeed "spread the love" with the funds raised at this event. God gives us all that we need to do the work that he calls us to do. Help us do God's work by supporting this event. Later this month, we will be collecting our towel sets (washcloth and bath towel) and duffle bags for the Child Saving Institute.

“But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. . . .”

THANK YOU for your POWER of giving. The Joy Circle assembled twenty (20) layettes for Lutheran World Relief. What does this mean? It means 10 sweaters, 40 onesies®, 40 sleepers, 40 blankets, 80 diapers, 40 wash clothes, 20 bars of soap and 40 diaper pins. Many families will see and feel Christ's love expressed by the POWERful giving hands of St. Mark's. Again, thank you.

Funds raised by the women of St. Marks go to support many programs sponsored by the NE Synod of the ELCA. Also thru our community outreach we make donations help fund many Service Organization in our surrounding area.

We want to thank the members of St. Marks for their continued support in helping make these donations possible.

Campus Ministries-UNL, UNK & UNO $300.00

NE Lutheran Outdoor Ministries 200.00(In memory of Rev. Lawrence Sundell)

Volunteer opportunities at Lutheran Family Services, Fremont: English Language Learners (ELL) classes at the Family Boutique will start June 4^th – August 7^th, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to provide child care. If interested, please call Liz Johnson #941-0075!

The St. Mark’s Quilters did not meet over the Christmas holiday and then we didn’t meet due to snowstorms, so, hopefully, we will meet on February 24 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

We welcome each one of you to join us. If you are a newcomer, please bring a large-eyed needle and a scissors, and a pair of helpful hands.

Thrivent Financial members invited to join in $3 million Helping Haiti effort

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members who want to make a financial contribution to support disaster response efforts in Haiti can have their donations to one of four Lutheran relief agencies multiplied by the fraternal benefit society. To participate, visit www.thrivent.com/helpinghaiti and make a contribution to one of the following:

Thrivent Financial will add $1 to every $2 its members donate, up to a total Thrivent Financial contribution of $1 million. That means a potential of $3 million or more to support relief efforts: $2 million + from its members and $1 million added by Thrivent Financial.

For questions or alternative ways to donate through this program, please call 800-236-3736. When promoted, say “directory” and enter ext. 83003.

If you have changed your phone number, be it to cancel your land line number and just use your cell phone number, please contact the church with that information. Correct phone numbers help in contacting individuals when needed.

Adult Childcare Givers Needed in the Nursery during the 10:30 a.m. worship on Sundays. If you are willing to care for little ones, please call Jan in the Church Office. The Nursery will be staffed again beginning September 6^th.

Faith Circle has decided to continue their clothes drive for the less fortunate. During the winter we had a wonderful response to our "Project Warmth", with two large deliveries to the Open Door Mission, two to the Cristo Rey and one to First Lutheran Church in downtown Omaha. Now we are simply requesting all types of clothing. We will continue to make occasional deliveries to Cristo Rey, but have added the COPE organization in Elkhorn.

As always, we are asking for gently used, clean and in good repair garments. There is such a need at this time in all communities, and we feel blessed to be able to share with those who have needs that are temporarily greater than their resources.

Worship Services

Campus Ministries-UNL, UNK & UNO $300.00

NE Lutheran Outdoor Ministries 200.00(In memory of Rev. Lawrence Sundell)