FROM THEPASTOR

When you receive this newsletter many are enjoying the 159th Van Wert County Fair. There are a variety of features around the fairgrounds that are appreciated from year to year. Walking the midway, observing displays, strolling through the animal barns, the shows, talking with friends you haven’t seen in a while, and those tasty ‘low cholesterol’ deep fried elephant ears and funnel cakes.

Perhaps one feature in particular that strikes your fancy is the most obvious - the county fair’s connection with agriculture. Large and small animals, canned fruits and veggies, 4-H projects, plant arrangements, and pies to name a few. These are illustrative of our roots with creation.

“In the beginning God created…” states the creation account in the opening words of the Bible. Our God is the genesis of creation who separates light from darkness, night from day,

“and it was good.” He is your creator and mine. He is the very same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The very same God who is embodied in Jesus Christ, fully human/fully divine. “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9).

Because of who we are, and in spite of who we are, Jesus loves you, died for you, and lives for you. It is in Christ that “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14) and therefore a fresh start, a new beginning daily. “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). There’s that creation theme again! Take on the newness of each day, and its challenges, clothed in the newness received from Jesus.

Hope you are enjoying the 159th edition of the Van Wert County Fair. Thank you to those who devoted their time, help, and participation. And congrats to all who earned awards and recognition for your hard work.

We are people of wheat and wine (holy communion), water (baptism) and the word (scripture) serving in God’s world. Pastor Will

HELPINGHANDS

September 6 th 8:00

Lector Rachel RohrsUsher Frank RohrsAcolyte Paige Moonshower

10:30Chimer Sharon BlankLector Walt PolingUsher Marc GrubaughGreeters Dottie ZabickiAcolyte Ryan ChenCommunion Jason Stechschulte,George Noggle & Tedd Humbarger

September 13 th 9:30

Chimer Monica CampbellLector Frank RohrsUsher Mark HurlessGreeters Brenda WurstAcolyte Collin Overholt

September 20 tht 8:00

Lector Barb ClarkUsher Kathy Van EmanAcolyte Kendall Rauch

10:30Chimer Juli HamiltonLector Carole MotyckaNursery Paige Moonshower

Usher Phil McClureGreeters Karl & Nancy GriblerAcolyte Kiersten RoehmCommunion George Noggle &

Tedd Humbarger

September 27 th 8:00

Lector Bill KuhlmanUsher Wayne KiltonAcolyte Paige MoonshowerCommunionWarren Bowery &

_______________10:30

Chimer Lori SnyderLector Kevin TaylorNursery Juli HamiltonUsher Kevin TaylorGreeters Shelley DunhamAcolyte Brad Korte

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SEPTEMBER greeters for 8:00 a.m.

services are Brenda Wurst & Barb Clark.

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Need A Ride to Church? Call Milo Wyandt during September at 419-238-3584 for a

ride on Sunday morning.

Notes Of

ThanksThank you: I want to thank the Lord for my 27th

great-grandchild born July 21st

—Chloe Marlene Conrad. Also thank you to all of my St. Mark’s family and Pastor Will for all the prayers and cards as I continue my battle with cancer.

Treva Hillery~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congratulations to Brad and Nicole Baer

on the birth of a daughter, Lacey Lynne

on July 27th, 2015. Proud grandparents are Lynn & Sharon

Baer.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congratulations to Rustin & Megan Adam

on the birth of a daughter, Ellie Grace

on July 20, 2015. Proud grandparents are Ryan & Arnelle

Adam and proud great-grandmother is Rita

Adam.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: Somewhere in the back of your mind you know there is a Prayer Shawl

Ministry going on within the church involving people who enjoy knitting and crocheting the beautiful shawls as well as sharing them with those in need of a reminder of love. What you don’t know is in your own way you too can be a minister of this ministry. This summer we sang a hymn titled “There is a Balm in Gilead.” It talks about being a balm for a sin sick soul. In its own way a prayer shawl can be a balm to someone who is going through a really tough time in their life. If you know of someone who needs to be wrapped in love, who needs to know that someone else cares, then you are invited to share a prayer shawl with that person. The shawls are located in a marked closet in the short hallway outside the gathering area. We do ask that you stop by the church office and tell Meisa, or leave a note for her, telling her whom you are taking the shawl to. In this way you can help us keep track of who has received them. Thank you for taking part in this ministry.

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.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Church Pantry Garden

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDAlthough this is not an ideal year for gardens, our Food Pantry garden is producing pretty well. To date we have harvested 42 gallon bags of green lettuce; about 22 pounds of red beets; 72 pounds of green beans, on cabbage and 191 tomatoes. We still could use some people to take care of the garden and harvest produce during the rest of the season. You can sign up near the nursery or at www.stmarkslutheranvw.com/a

nnouncements. All help is greatly appreciated.

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE A WALK? DID YOU KNOW the Pregnancy Life Center offers a free abstinence based program (P.I.N.K.) to the local schools geared towards middle school-aged girls? This program reaches approximately 82 girls a month? Program topics hit on things that are relevant to teen girls such as self-esteem, modesty, per pressure, mean girls, and more. Your support of the Walk For Life will help with this vital outreach program. Please consider asking your friends and family to support by pledging and then come take a walk on Sunday, September 13 at 2:00 in Fountain Park. Call Sharon Blank if you have questions. 419-238-2808.Support “Kids Against Hunger—Rice Kits” 2015: On Saturday, September 26th

we will be putting 20,000 meals together again this year. We need

your help! We will have 2 shifts: of 9:00 AM to 10:30 am AND 10:30 am TO 12:00 NOON. Even if you could come for an hour or less, any help wound be appreciated. Please sign-up on the I Worshiped Today and mark whenever you can help.

We also need some strong arms to help unload the truck, which arrives at 8:00 AM. We also need some people to help put labels on bags and other work. This is a fun project, but takes many helpers to do it. Those of you who have done it before, know the job, and those who have not done it, will have fun learning. So find it in your heart, to help feed hungry people “here and around the corner”. If you are coming at 8:00 to help unload, please mark that on the I Worshiped Today as well or sign up at www.stmarkslutheranvw.com/announcements.

. Joan Holland

FUMC Food Pantry: A reminder that items are collected the 1 st Sunday of

every month. The next Sunday for collection is

Sunday, September 6th.

Some specific items that are always needed are: fruits, vegetables, paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, etc.) Oil, flour, SUGAR, SPICES, CEREAL, box meals, canned meats, etc. Any and all items are greatly appreciated. The Esther Circle delivers in September.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Circle Meetings

Esther Circle: Tues., Sept. 8th, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

Jo Kirkendall, HostessVicki Johnston, program

Ruth-Eunice Circle: Wed., Sept. 9th, 2015 at 1:30 a.m.

Meet at Pizza Hut at 11:30 AM followed by going to the church to assemble layettes for L.W.R.

Rally Day at St. Mark’sMark Your Calendars!

Sunday, September 13th,

20159:30 a.m. – one worship service

10:45 a.m. – Lunch begins in the fellowship hall.

11:30 a.m. – Sr. High Youth will be hosting games: bouncy

house, and new inflatables, corn hole, bingo under the tent and

more.

Bring your family and friends for food, fun & fellowship!!

Please bring a hot or cold covered dish.

Meat and table service provided.Please sign up on the I

Worshiped Today if you plan to attend.

Please note that the parking lot between the church and Collins Fine Foods will be blocked off for this day’s events.

Parking is available in the Jefferson Street lot, and the

north parking lot on Sycamore Street.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2015-2016 SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERSNURSERY/BEGINNERS

Shannon SpearLisa Knoch

PRIMARY

Grades 1 & 2 Amy Bilimek

INTERMEDIATEGrades 3—5

Jeannie DitmyerMIDDLE SCHOOL

Grades 6—8Anna BashWednesday EveningCatechismGrades 6—7

Kevin & Kathy TaylorCatechism—Grade 8

Pastor Will HaggisHIGH SCHOOL

Grades 9—12__________ADULT CLASSES

Post-High OnwardEric Overholt

Pastor Will~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hospital ReminderPlease call the office with ANY information on hospital visits or

admissions.

Sunday School News

Refreshments are

from 9-9:15 in the gathering area only. Sunday School is from 9:15-10:15 and Choir is from 10:00 to 10:25 Children 2nd grade and under are to be picked up in their Sunday School room or the choir room Any children not picked up at designated times will be taken to the Nursery.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Church CancellationInformation

AvailablePlease 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

www.stmarkslutheranvw.comWERT 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)www.vwindependent.com

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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.

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ACTS OF THE CHURCH

BaptismKira Michelle Poling

Sunday, August 30, 2015

WeddingDale & Nickole (Lay) KosanSaturday, August 22, 2015

Upcoming September

EventsSeptember 7tht—Labor Day –

Office Closed

September 13th—Rally Day here at St. Mark’s 9:30 service only – dinner to follow.

September 16th—WednesdayYouth & Kids Meetings & suppers begin

September 20th—Sunday School Begins

September 26th—Rice Kits Assembled in Fellowship Hall

RALLY DAY CORN-HOLE TOURNAMENT

A Rally Day Corn-Hole Tournament will be held on September 13, 2015 on the lawn at St. Mark’s immediately following lunch.

It will be open to men and women and children ages 10 and up. Teams

will consist of 2 players per team.

Sign-up sheet will be on bulletin board near the Gathering Area from August 14th through

September 7th or you can sign up online at www.stmarksluthranvw.com/announcements.Be sure to join in the fun

on Rally Day!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RALLY DAY White Elephant Prize

Donations WelcomedWe are asking for White

Elephant Prize donations for Rally Day for our games and bingo contestants. If you are able to donate a White Elephant Prize, please sign the I Worshiped Today sheet or contact the office at 419-238-6336. Thank you~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SPOTLIGHT ON THE WEB: Did you know that you can view St. Mark’s newsletter from your computer or mobile devices? Go to www.stmarkslutheranvw.com, click on the “Newsletter” link under the “News” tab. If you prefer this delivery method, please notify the office to remove your name from the mailing list, by simply completing the online form on the right side of the newsletter web page.

SUPPER HELP: The Wednesday night youth suppers are September

through April. If anyone is interested in helping or

becoming part of the kitchen committee please contact Deb Miller at 567-259-3264 or 419-203-1313 or at ldmiller54@yahoo.com. or at www.stmarkslutheranvw.com/announcements. Thanks again to everyone who helped and God bless.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Crestview Bible Board Needs Volunteers: Our community is blessed to be able to hold Bible classes for our children. Because of this wonderful opportunity we seek volunteers to walk our children to these classes. If anyone is interested and willing to volunteer or if they have questions, please call Diane Perry at 419-622-6561 or Brenda DeLong at 419-238-6048. Please prayerfully consider walking our children to these classes. Crestview holds classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Volunteers are able to decide if they would like to walk for 1, 2 or even more classes if available. If you can’t commit weekly, we can always use substitutes for occasional days. Thank you,

Brenda DeLong,Chairman Crestview Bible Board~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GYMANFA GANU—Welsh Festival of Song: Celebrate 100 years at Salem Presbyterian Church in Venedocia, Ohio on Sunday, September 6th, 2015. There will be a light supper from 4-6 PM and then the Festival of Song begins at 7:00 PM. For more information call Kathy McCollow at 419-667-3570.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COFFEE HOUR HELPERS

The Sunday morning coffee hours will begin again on September 20th. We are in need of additional volunteers to help. If interested or you have questions, please call Marc Grubaugh at 419-203-3889.

Congregation Meeting Results

On Sunday, August 23, 2015 immediately following the 10:30 service, there was a Called Congregational Meeting to vote on if St. Mark’s was to sell or not sell the property that currently is used for our food pantry garden. The vote came in at 63 votes for yes and 5 no to sell the property.

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A Stephen Ministry Introductory Training Workshop on Christ-centered care is coming to our region in northwest Ohio. On Saturday, October 10th, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the workshop will be composed of three sessions: Session 1 – Ministering To Those Experiencing Grief; Session 2 – An Introduction to Stephen Ministry; Session 3 – How To Care In A Distinctively Christian Way. This event will be held at:

College First Church of God1100 North Main StreetFindlay, Ohio

For more information contact Pastor Will and also go to www.stephenministries.org . The workshop cost of $15 per person is covered by St. Mark’s.

Since 1975, more than 12,000 churches from 170 denominations have trained over 600,000 laypeople. Millions of hurting people have benefited from their care.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September 22 nd for the October 2015 Messenger. Submit your items on or before the 22nd. Please have your items written/typed before you bring them.

Meisa

SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2015