March 2015 Mission Statement
Here at St. Mark’s
Lutheran Church and
Preschool, we believe
in “Growing God’s
Family”. You will see
this mission state-
ment on our bulle-
tins, business cards,
newsletter and other
printed correspond-
ence. New nametags
are also available.
Growing God’s Family Saint Mark Messenger
Inside this issue:
Recycling 2
Church Council
Treasurer’s Report 3
Birthdays and
Anniversaries
4
LWML 5
News from the Mission
Fiels 6
Rufus 7
January 2017
From the Pastor
Once again we find ourselves entering a new year. As we look back, we may see a year of triumphs and great times/memories. Or we may look back and see a year full of trials and tribulations, and we may have had a year we want to for-get. For most of us, it is probably some of each. When it comes to St. Mark Lutheran Church, we had a year together of being touched by God’s Grace. God continues to bless us, just as He promised to do. As I look back personally, I thank you for your support and all the things you have done to be fruitful in the Lord’s Kingdom and help out here at St. Mark. My family and I also wish to extend our thanks for the Christmas bonus, as well as the presents/cards and holiday cheer. And when we look ahead, we see another year together spreading the Gospel and enjoying God’s Grace. Whatever is ahead of us. God bless. Pastor Erler
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Join the Prayer Chain: Do you need a special prayer? Would you like
to pray for others? Contact:
Lucille McShane at 341-8986
Email Captain: [email protected]
Requests can also be included in the Sunday service
bulletin by calling the Church office at 340-0192. To be
added to the phone or e-mail prayer chain contact
Lucille or Mike.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all
kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind,
be alert and always keep on praying for all the
Lord’s
people.” -Eph 6:18
Other Simple Ways to make a difference: Scrip Next order is January 8, 2017. You can also order online at www.shopwithscrip.com. St. Mark's code is
DCCAD255756L.. Any questions contact Judy Crabb. By purchasing Gift Cards through Scrip, the retailers
give back a percentage. This money goes into an account to be used for youth retreats, conventions and sup-
ports the Lutheran Hour each year. It’s very simple to do!
Feed My People An ongoing food collection for the Hope Center of Edmond. Each month there is a suggested item(s). When
you go shopping simply pick up a little extra and bring it to drop in the basket! Our church refers people to
the Hope Center when they call requesting assistance.
Mite Box Collection Save your change/Mites for the monthly LWML Mite Box Collection. Drop your mites in the giant mite box
in the narthex. All money collected is used for missions projects/grants. Lutheran Women’s Missionary
League has done some amazing things with pennies and dimes!
Best Choise Labels LWML sends inBest Choice Labels. For every 1,000 labels they receive a bonus $30! Easy money for labels
you would otherwise throw away.
Pop Tabs Bring your pop tabs from cans of soda to the jar on the narthex credenza. Tabs are donated to support the
Ronald McDonald House.
Cleaning Teams 1st Sat—Lane, Williams 2nd Sat—Drumm, Brown 3rd Sat— Herrs, Wilson 4th Sat—Over, Rudat 5th Sat—All Teams Questions or concerns, please contact Bob & Julie Drumm 405.330.0109 or 405.694.7478 or [email protected]
Can you help clean the church? We have 4 different teams and each team only cleans once a
month. Each team is made up of at least 2 families. We would like
to add some more people on to our teams. This is a great way to
give of your time to the church. On your assigned weekend you
will clean either Friday or Saturday. We have a checklist that
shows all the items that need to be done and on your team day
you split up the jobs. If you would be interested in helping with
this, please contact Bob or Julie Drumm [email protected]
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Church Counci l . . .
Heath Duncan John Over Mark Williams Trustees Brenda Duncan Julia Wantland Amy Wilson Ministry of Education Rose Lane Communications Director
Bob Lane Russell Wantland Neil Hoecker David Seaman Koey Keylon Russell Rupp Ministry of Elders Natalie Iver Chairman — Child Dev. Ministry Marie Vandiver Financial Secretary — Child Dev. Ministry Julie Drumm and Christine Williams Board Members — Child Dev. Ministry
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
If you are interested in obtaining an updated copy of the Constitution & By-Laws of the Church, you
can find a copy on the credenza in the Welcome
Hall.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Monthly General Fund Giving Target: $26,188.00
November
Total Income $19,051.17
Expenses $21,569.41
Monthly Shortfall - $2,518.24
General Fund Cash Balance 1/1/2016: $66,936.84
YTD General Fund Giving Shortfall: -$10,636.88
Parking Lot Over & Above: -$18,490.00
Air Conditioner Over & Above: -$35,633.22
General Fund Balance: $2,176.74
2016-2017 CONGREGATIONAL OFFICERS
Richard Wilson President Christopher Mowder Vice-President Lynnea Glass Recording Secretary Keith Schreiner Treasurer
Dana Hallenbeck Financial Secretary
January Scriptures
Jan. 1—Numbers 6:22–27; Galatians 3:23–29; Luke 2:21 Jan. 8—Isaiah 42:1–9; Romans 6:1–11; Matthew 3:13–17 Jan. 15—Isaiah 49:1–7; 1 Corinthians 1:1–9; John 1:29–42a Jan. 22— Isaiah 9:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Luke 10:25–37 Jan. 29– Micah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12
Feed My People January
Canned Stew & Chili
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you
did for me.” Mt. 25:40 Any questions, contact
David and Elizabeth Seaman at 749-0314.
Scrip– Order on Jan. 8th
Thank you everyone for your support! Lots of cash and carry cards available for purchase!
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January Michaela Seely 1/14 Violet Iver 1/21 Margarete Blossfeld 1/22 Kayla Koch 1/30 Alexandra Williams 1/30 Ethan Williams 1/30
Celebrate...
Questions about the LCMS?
The LCMS Church information Center is here to help you—the member in the pew, the Church worker in a congregation, or the nonmember with questions about the Church and its ministry —
in any way we can.
Call us 888-THE-LCMS (843-5267)
This toll-free telephone number connects callers to real live peo-
ple who will help you find information.
Click us [email protected]
Sundays at 9:30AM There are 2 Adult Bible
Study classes currently. Pastor Erler will be
teaching a class in the sanctuary—topic is Isaiah
and Chris Mowder teaching about Advent.
Tuesdays at 10AM Join Pastor Erler in the
church library for this weekday bible study class.
Sundays at 4PM Women’s Bible Study
3rd Saturday at 8AM Men’s Study Bring your
breakfast and join in a study with other men.
Contact the office if you
have questions 340-0192.
Please contact the Church office if you are
new to the congregation or do not have
your birthday and anniversary dates on file.
We apologize for any omissions.
VOTERS MEETING
Sunday, January 29th
Immediately
following the 10:45
service.
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St. Mark Cookbook Committee
We will be creating a new St. Mark Lutheran
Church cookbook. If you would like to help
and be on the committee please contact
Sheila Rudat. We will begin accepting recipe
submissions in mid January.
The Youth room is in need of a flat screen TV. If you got a new one for Christmas and would like to donate your old one it would be greatly appreciated
Women’s Bible Study
begins again
Sunday, January 22
4:00 in the Library
All women are
invited!
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From the desk of Sheila Rudat, DCE
Preschool & Mother’s Day Out
Current Student Registration for Summer
and Fall begins January 17th.
New Student Registration February 21st.
For more information contact
Sheila Rudat
A Blessed New Year in the Name of the Root of Jesse! Amen! Praise and Honor be to the Most High God for His continued guidance and keeping us in the Shadow of His Wing! The last month of the year, 2016, was with a mixed blessing. The thrice re-run election was finally carried out in early December, but not without casualties on both sides, the Muslim-dominated party and the Christian-dominated party. We hope and pray that this time they do not nullify the results as they have been doing in the past. We had a visiting professor who came to teach for two weeks, Pr. Jim Dahlke and his wife, Claudia, who came along. I am sure like the students who enjoyed their teaching and compa-ny, they also enjoyed the students and the community. He taught for 60 hours in the two week intensive courses and also preached every day for the mid-day chapel service and also one Sunday in one of the interior villages. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Stu-dents began to write their final exams toward the end of Pr. Dahlke¹s stay and finished them on the last day of the semester. They started their long vacation right after the ex-ams. Classes will resume February 2017. May the King of Kings, who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, make a soft undefiled bed in your heart and home. Amen. Have a blessed and joyous New Year! In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Amen! Sincerely in Christ, Fr. Wokoma. 1 Tim 1:15.
News from the Mission Field
Pr. Dahlke with a cross-section of students.
Pr. Dahlke and his wife Claudia with a Pastoral One Class.
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Rufus December has been a whirlwind of comforting opportunities for Rufus and his team
members. We went through the alphabet of comfort at UCO, OCCC, OCS, ENHS, and
HALO Foster Network, comforting kids of all ages! It was great fun taking a road trip
down to Houston with our Fort Worth friends to participate in United Airline's Flight of
Fantasy. That was followed up by a quick dash to Claremore to comfort members of Re-
deemer Lutheran Church after a fire destroyed much of their church. All this on top of
our regular weekly visiting schedule, plus a new visit to Integrity Senior Care. Big thanks
to all our handlers and to the congregation for keeping Rufus and his team in your pray-
ers this year. We look forward to sharing the peace, comfort, and love of Jesus in 2017!
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Contact Us: If you would like to contact Pastor Erler, please call him at the Church office at 340-0192 or email [email protected]. After hours or in case of an emergency he can be reached on his cell at 205-5551 or at home at 844-4992. To reach our Preschool Director and DCE Sheila Rudat call 217-201-1341 or e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected].
WORSHIP SERVICES Pastor Mark Erler
Sunday Services
Early Service
Traditional 8:15AM
Sunday School 9:30AM
Late Service
Contemporary 10:45AM
Monthly Newsletter Deadline
We encourage everyone to submit contributions for the St. Mark Messen-ger newsletter. If you have a short story, humor, quote, etc…, please sub-mit it along with its credits to the Church office. However, we need all ma-terial by the 18th of every month in order to edit, compile and publish it. Help us make this newsletter a quality product to inform, educate and en-lighten.
St. Mark Lutheran Church & Preschool 1501 N. Bryant Street Edmond, OK 73034 Ph: 405.340.0192 Fax: 405.340.0290
Church Website: www.stmarkedmond.org Pastor Erler E-mail: [email protected] Church E-mail: [email protected]