Care Givers



FROM THE PASTOR

The 12 Days of Christmas

The twelve days of the Christmas season, also known as Christmastide, are from December 25th to the Twelfth Night of January 5th. For us as Christians this means Christmas is not over on December 26th as you shop for those “after Christmas” bargains. Rather, we continue to celebrate the nativity of our Lord into the New Year.

But wait. There’s more!

The Christmas story continues after Christmastide with the Epiphany season beginning January 6th! This special time of the year concludes on Transfiguration Sunday (February 7th), ushering in Ash Wednesday (February 10th) and the season of Lent. So why bother with the Epiphany season? And what does it have to do with the birth of the Christ child?

The Day of the Epiphany, January 6th, marks the arrival of the Magi to Bethlehem. Having followed the Bethlehem star on their long, arduous journey, we see this scene unfolding in Matthew 2:11…

“On coming to the house, they [Magi] saw the [Christ] child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”

Epiphany reminds us that we too are invited to worship our Lord Jesus, to thank, praise, serve and obey him. The Magi also presented the infant Jesus birthday gifts of gold – a royal present for the King of kings; incense - for the divine son of God; and myrrh – embalming fluid for this one who was born to die that we may live with him now and forever.

This newsletter has come to your home during the ’12 Days of Christmas’, with Epiphany on the horizon. The Magi knew what to give. How about you? What gifts will you offer the Messiah in 2016? Donating all those good clothes you hardly wear to those in need; help the ‘at risk’ and the marginalized; support efforts for clean drinking water in countries without it; advocate for mental health; be a financial steward for your church; visit those in Hospice or in the hospital; present a broken and contrite heart surrendered to the Prince of peace. Each of us has more to offer than we realize or are willing to admit.

Ask the Lord to grant you the wisdom of Solomon and the discernment of the Holy Spirit on what gifts to offer him for the year to come. Think it through, then follow through. Perhaps you too might become a Bethlehem star, navigating people to the one we know as Emmanuel – God with us.

Pastor Will

HELPING HANDS

January 3rd

8:00

Lector Gene Goodwin

Usher Rick Allen

Acolyte Collin Overholt

10:30

Chimer Juli Hamilton

Greeters Dick & Jo Kirkendall

Lector Walt Dunham

Communion Jo Holman &

Kevin Taylor

Nursery Raegan Roehm

Usher Marc Grubaugh

Acolyte Martha Martin

January 10th

8:00

Lector Nancy Muntzinger

Usher Phyllis Kill

Acolyte Katie McVaigh

Communion Warren Bowery &

_____________

10:30

Chimer Sharon Blank

Greeters Jason, Stephanie, Abigail

& Kevin Stechschulte

Lector Randy Thompson

Nursery Shannon Spear

Usher Mark Hurless

Acolyte Connor Johnson

January 17th

8:00

Lector Peggy Pancake

Usher Frank Rohrs

Acolyte Evan Sroufe

January 17th (cont.)

10:30

Chimer Lori Snyder

Greeters Phil &Bonnie McClure

Lector Marcia Weldy

Communion

Nancy Wolverton &

Jason Stechschulte

Nursery Braelynn Spear

Ushers Phil McClure

Acolyte Aidan Ankney

January 24th

8:00

Lector Kurt Muntzinger

Usher Kathy Van Eman

Acolyte Jerica Huebner

Communion ____________ &

____________

10:30

Chimer Marcia Weldy

Greeters Susan McKanna &

Jean Wilson

Lector Stan Weldy

Nursery Meghan Moonshower

Usher Kevin Taylor

Acolyte Kyle Hamilton

January 31st

8:00

Lector Donna Wermer

Usher Wayne Kilton

Acolyte Collin Overholt

Communion ____________ &

____________

10:30

Chimer Hilary Arn

Greeters Craig, Paula, Connor

& Elizabeth Johnson

Lector Judy Sampson

Nursery Jerica Huebner

Usher Roger Overholt

Acolyte Ryan Chen

JANUARY GREETERS

The greeters for the 8:00 a.m. services in January, 2016 are Dennis & Kathy Van Eman.

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Address Notification

Please remember to notify the church office if you have changed your e-mail address or phone number, especially if you have given up your land line and switched to your cell phone. St. Mark’s does not give out or sell member’s addresses/phone numbers. The information is used internally to keep you informed.

January 22nd for the February 2016 Messenger. Submit your items on or before the 22nd. Please have your items written/typed before you bring them.

Meisa

Notes

Of

Thanks

Thank you for your recent donations to the Van Wert Community Cooperative ministry food pantry. The need is great and your help is appreciated.

Thank you to the benefactors of the St Vincent de Paul Society. The overwhelming amount of help we received from a caring church community will help sustain us through the number of families we help with needs throughout this year. Thank you for your generosity to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Without you, we could not accomplish this monumental task. May God bless you and your congregation for your generosity. Dennis Hickey

Treasurer,

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Thank you for your generous donation of $100 to benefit the “Needy Children’s” fund. Your generosity and support of the Lincolnview Local School District is truly appreciated. Sincerely,

Troy Bowersock, Treasurer

Notes

Of

Thanks (cont.)

Thank you for the many kind wishes, cards and beautiful prayer shawl that I have received this past month from St. Mark’s. To lose a child unexpectedly is very difficult, but it is a reminder we must all love and live each day as it might be our last. Best wishes for a blessed holiday season.

Eunice Thompson

Thank you for the prayer shawl I received after my concussion.

Haley Overholt

Thank you: Just want to say a very big thank you for the prayers shawl I received the other week. It has given many comfortable moments to me. Our household is in need of many prayers. Both are 85 and some days are not going so good. So thank for the many hours it took to make it and God bless! Much appreciated.

Mary Williams

Thank you: Please accept our sincere thanks for the $1250 donation that your church has so generously given to The Salvation Army. Please know that it is with thankful hearts that The Salvation Army receives donations from the many supporters of God’s work. Your contribution allows The Salvation Army to help the needy in our community.

Major Arthur Barter

Thank you: We would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to you for your $250 donation to the Van Wert City’s D.A.R.E. Program. It will be applied toward the purchase of D.A.R.E. graduation items such as t-shirts, certificates, pins and other small items to be given to each fifth grader wo graduates from the D.A.R.E. Program, and also to their teachers.

These graduation gifts cannot be purchased with funds from the City of Van Wert or Van Wert City Schools, so donations such as yours are greatly appreciated. Your donation will be very helpful in assuring that all Van Wert City 5th grade D.AR.E. graduates receive recognition for their completing the program.

Sincerely, VW Police Dept.

Joel Hammond-Chief of Police

Greg Blackmore-DARE Officer

Thank you for your donation to the Pregnancy Life Center. This money helped us purchase a new crib/mattress for a client. We appreciate your helping us make a difference.

Trina Langdon, Director

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS & GUIDELINES

The St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Scholarship Committee has made changes and updates to the scholarship application process. Most noteworthy is making scholarships renewable. Scholarship renewals are contingent on funds being available after scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors. It is important to note the scholarships are funded by monies given to the church and specifically designated for college scholarship. No monies are taken from current offerings. Scholarship guidelines and applications can be picked up in the church office and will also be available on the church website. **Deadline for application submission is January 15, 2016.**

FUMC Food Pantry: A reminder that items are collected the 1st Sunday of every month. The next Sunday for collection is Sunday, January 3rd. Some specific items that are always needed are: vegetables, paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, etc.) oil, flour, sugar, spices, etc. Any and all items are greatly appreciated. The Esther Circle delivers in January.

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Synod Assembly on May 19-21, 2016 @ BGSU. We still need one female voting member to join Warren and Susan Bowery and Pastor Will to represent St. Mark’s at the upcoming Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly. The leading issue will be the election of a new bishop for our synod. If you are interested please contact the church office or pastor.

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[pic]Church Cancellation Information Available

Please be advised, you may listen to the following radio/TV stations for any church service or activity cancellations due to severe winter weather conditions or look on our webpage.



WERT radio1220 (Van Wert)

WKSD radio 99.7 (Van Wert)

WTGN radio 97.7 (Ft. Wayne)

WBCL radio 90.3 (Ft. Wayne)

Channel 15 (Ft. Wayne)

Channel 21 (Ft. Wayne)

Channel 33 (Ft. Wayne)

Channel 6 (Van Wert cable)



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Wednesday Evening Cancellations Information

If Van Wert Schools cancel, due to fog, the Wednesday evening youth/kids meetings WILL MEET as planned. If Van Wert Schools cancel or have early dismissal due to ice, snow, etc. then Wednesday evening youth/kids meetings WILL NOT MEET.

Circle Meetings

Ruth-Eunice Circle

Wednesday, January, 13th, 2016, 1:30 p.m.

Meeting depends on weather

Esther Circle

Tue., Jan., 19th, 2016

9:30 a.m.

Nancy Wolverton, hostess

Meet at Vancrest Asstd. Lvg.

Nancy Wolverton, devotions

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Yellow Ribbons: There is a display on the bulletin board next to the main entrance. We would like to include the names of our loved ones who are in military service on this board. Please contact the church office (419-238-6336) to have a name listed on the board. Remember to pray for the safe return of our men and women and an end to the war. With HIM all things are possible!

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Ash Wednesday Services

12:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on February 10th, 2016.

Mid-Week Lenten Services on February 17th & 24th March 2nd, 9th & 16th at 12:00 p.m. & 7:30 with suppers prior to 7:30 services.

March 20th—Palm Sunday

March 24th—Maundy

Thursday Communion at

12:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

March 25th—Good Friday

8:00 PM Tenebrae

Service of Shadows

March 27th—Easter Sunday

Services at 7:00 a.m. and

10:30 a.m. with

Breakfast at 8:15 a.m. &

Sunday School at 9:15.

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From The Financial Secretary: The 2016 Offering Envelopes are now available in the hallway by the nursery. Anyone who doesn’t find their box and desires to have a set, please contact the church office at 419-238-6336 or Elaine Rhoades at 419-238-4688. The envelopes will be out for pick-up through January. Thank you,

Elaine Rhoades

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Noodles are Delivered!: This year we collected a total of 500 bags of noodles for the Salvation Army Christmas Baskets for the needy in Van Wert. Thank you to everyone who participated. Since some of the bags were 8oz. bags and we purchased extra, the 500 will meet their goal of what was needed for all the Christmas Baskets.

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Hospital Reminder

Please call the office with ANY information on hospital emergency visits or admissions.

Church Security

Just a reminder that if you unlock a door to get into the church please be sure to lock it again when you leave or lock it behind you when you enter the building. Doors have been found unlocked or unlatched quite a few times. Please be extra careful to lock anything you have unlocked.

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Preparing for Death: A Resource Guide: Death can be a difficult thing to think about, but being prepared can ease the decision making process during that time. A manual has been prepared by the Health Ministry to assist congregational members in planning for death—their own or that of a loved one. The booklet includes instructions for advance directives, local information, checklist of steps, suggestions for funeral arrangements, forms for biographical information and funeral preferences. Booklets are in the cloak room/ church office.

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CHURCH COUNCIL

2015-2016

OFFICERS

President Kevin Taylor

Vice-President Randy Thompson

Secretary Nancy Wolverton

Treasurer Ronald Staley

Financial Sec. Elaine Rhoades

Asst. Financial Secretary

Kathy Staley

Benevolence Secretary

Dot Burley

Investment Treasurer

Jeff Hanson

COMMITTEES

Finance Jason Stechschulte

Learning George Noggle

Mutual Ministry Kevin Taylor

Outreach Jo Holman

Parish Health _______________

Personnel Lorali Todd

Property Randy Thompson

Scholarship & Memorials

Gary Prill

Service Dennis Wagonrod

Support Neil Korte

Witness Tedd Humbarger

Worship & Music

Warren Bowery

Youth Nancy Wolverton

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St. Mark’s Walking Program: As of December 11th, 2015 the total miles walked are 31,333.07! Our goal is 238,857 to the moon! Only 207,523.93.miles to go! Keep up the great work!

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CHURCH LIBRARY CART: The A.I.M. Committee would like to reintroduce the church library on a smaller scale. We are collecting new or used Christian based reading for all ages, faith based movies and music CD’s. We will place a donation box in the Gathering Room area for collection.

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It is fairly easy to say we believe in Jesus and follow him but do our thoughts and actions reflect that? What is it that we seek? What is most important to us? What impact does the family we grew up in or the current culture play in our priorities? Are we leaving behind the right kind of legacy for those who come after us? Some questions to consider:

What has left you the most disappointed?

What do you sacrifice time and/or money for?

What do you worry about?

What makes you angry?

Where do you go for comfort?

What do you dream of?

Join a small group and start to discover what brings you closer to God and what it is that interferes with that closeness. When God is at the center of our heart we can have a new perspective and renewed joy in our lives. Sign-up today to be part of the small group study. The planned start date is Sunday, January 31, 2016. We will list the time and day available as they are set up, space is limited in some groups. If you are considering it and want more information about being in a small group or being a facilitator please indicate that on the I Worshiped Today or on the church website at and you will be contacted to answer your questions. This is not limited to people who attend St. Mark’s. Friends, neighbors and family are welcome.

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Coffee Hour Workers for January 2016

January 3rd McClure

January 10th Grubaugh

January 17th Hickerson

January 24th Foss

January 31st Miller

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Wednesday Night Meal Helpers January 2016

January 6th

Linda Shupe & Kathy VanEman

January 13th

Joan Holland & Susan Jeffery

January 20th

Rita Adam & Karen Wagonrod

January 27th

Alicia Hickerson & Susan Bowery

Any questions, please contact Alicia Hickerson at

419-771-0795 or ahickerson55@.

Don’t forget anyone involved with Wednesday night youth should attend the meal that starts at 5:55 p.m.

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SPOTLIGHT ON

THE WEB

Did you know that you can give your tithes and offerings online?

This tool is available now on our website:

Click on the “Giving” tab to access the screen shown above for one time giving or set up automatic transfers.

All transactions are conducted using PCI-Level 1 security.

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