Construction News 2

Take Note 3

Prayer Requests

St. Mark’s Calendar

4

4

Letters 5

Children’s Ministry 6

Youth Ministry 7

Dedication Sunday 8

Inside this issue:Inside this issue:

July 20, 2011 Issue 180

JULY

Youth mission trip ‘Renewal took place around us and within us’

By Stephan Peck Director of High School Ministry

RENEW defined is: to make new again; to

restore freshness, to give new life to; to reju-

venate; to reestablish; to recreate; to rebuild.

This word: RENEW, is not foreign to us

Americans.

With shows

like Extreme

Home Make-

over, TV channels

devoted to renewal like HGTV, and even the

renewal that is taking place in Cedar Rapids

since the 2008 flood, makes us oh so familiar

with external renewal. But what about our

hearts? What about the renewal that needs

to take place within you, within me, within

our city, within our nation, and within our

world? Renewal takes place because some-

thing is not right, broken, or dead. There is

no one more experienced, devoted, and pas-

sionate about the renewal of our hearts than

Jesus Christ.

As YWAM (Youth With A Mission) pursued

the heart of God on behalf of the High

School Ministry of St. Mark’s (and other

groups), the word that came in power to

them was RENEW!

God is so eager to

share with us

what’s on His

heart through His

Word and His Spirit; all we have to do is turn

our ear and heart to His voice. The amazing

thing about God’s Word is that it’s trustwor-

thy and true. This was our key verse.

“And He who was seated on the throne

[the Almighty God] said, “Behold, I am mak-

ing all things new.” Also He said, “Write this

down, for these words are trustworthy and

true.” —Revelation 21:5

There is no doubt that each person who

went on the mission trip this summer experi-

enced a renewal which reached the inner

Hear more about the trip at the July 24 Mission Forum at 9:45 or 11 a.m.

Please turn to page 5

Page 2

Finishing and flooring proceeding By Tom Brennom

Construction Project Manager Thanks to all of you that took part

of the tours July 10. I think we are all

looking forward to the final touches so

we can start using our new space!

In answer to questions about floor-

ing:

Carpeting will be installed in most

rooms where people will congre-

gate (Fellowship Center, gathering

area outside the new worship cen-

ter, and the two large children's

and youth ministry areas in the

lower level)

Hallways will have carpet on the

main level. Hallways in the lower

level will have vinyl tile.

The new worship center will be

polished, colored concrete.

Ceramic tile is used in the rest-

rooms, kitchen and new south

entry.

The nursery will be mostly vinyl

tile with some carpet in the tod-

dler area. Area rugs will provide

softness where needed.

The two large unfinished rooms in

the lower level will

remain polished

concrete.

Final work is being

completed on the

current lower level so

that it can be avail-

able for Vacation Bi-

ble School.

In the new worship

center, we are finish-

ing work on the sus-

pended wood panels,

organ pipe chambers, window cover-

ings, lighting and speakers. The altar

platform will be built after that.

Cabinets have been installed in the

lower level. Countertops will be added

soon. The lower level is almost

painted. Carpeting will be installed

soon.

Grading around the building is al-

most done to be followed by top soil

and seeding.

Work on the berm and pond will

begin soon.

Some of the next areas to work on

include:

Finishing the remodeling of the

north entry and new stairwell.

Pouring concrete for the new en-

trance by the kitchen and the new

south entry sidewalk.

Installing carpeting in the Children's

Ministry area.

Installing suspended ceilings on the

main level continues

Asphalting the north parking lot

area.

We’re scheduled to start moving

into the lower level Aug. 10; main

level by Aug. 26.

July 10 tours offered a final look at construction before

its completion in August. (Photo by Alan Erickson).

In case you missed it… Our Sunday, July 17 Mission Forum featured missionar-ies Lou and Debbie Aisenbrey, who are associated with Wycliffe Bible Translators. They served 18 years in Senegal Africa (living in Dakar). St. Mark's has included Aisenbreys as one of our supported missions and en-courages further engagement with Lou and Debbie through prayer, correspondence, and contributions.

Also Sunday, a handmade cross was blessed, bearing the inscription: "This cross represents the original outside cross of St. Marks Lutheran Church that was lost during a wind storm in June, 2011. It was handmade from wood of the old cross by Eric Knoll, placed inside the new re-placement cross that was built and erected by the St. Marks men's work group in July, 2011".

Photos by Alan Erickson

Page 3

Help us decorate for VBS July 23-24 Vacation Bible School starts July 24, and we need volun-

teers to help transform the church into a bamboo forest.

We need help Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(bring a sack lunch) and after services Sunday, July 24

from 12:15 to 5 p.m. (pizza provided). For more informa-

tion, contact: dkhagstrom@faith-life.org.

Young singles, engaged, and married people to meet July 26 for bowling

Young singles, engaged and married people will

meet Tuesday, July 26 from 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. for

bowling at Cedar Rapids Bowling Center. Adults only; try

to get a babysitter for the kids. Contact Jessy

at jvera@faith-life.org for more information.

Quilters’ brunch July 27 The St. Mark's Quilters’ brunch will be held on Wednes-

day, July 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Village Inn, 229 Collins

Road NE. Come join in the fun! Contact Kathie Oppedahl if

you have any questions (366-3693).

City-wide prayer at St. Mark’s Aug. 2 St. Mark’s is joining eight other churches in City-Wide

Prayer. The prayer events rotate locations throughout July

and August. The gathering at St. Mark’s will be held from 7

-8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Summer men's study Wednesdays This Crossways study group will discuss

"The Divine Drama," which takes you

on an unforgettable journey through

the Bible's "big story", equipping you to

understand the Bible's key themes and

teachings. Learn how the Bible con-

nects and sets the stage for the life and

mission of Jesus and what it means to

follow him as Lord. Join us each Wednesday at 6 a.m.

Contact Jon Konchar jkonchar@fnbciowa.com for more

information. Books available at the north information

center for $16.50.

Jason Wellnitz, who spent a few weeks this summer helping

to fight hunger and poverty in Mozambique.

Page 4

SUNDAY, JULY 24 All morning School supply tags 8:30 AM VBS training 9:45 AM Men’s Fraternity Children’s Ministry Mission forum 11:00 AM Crossways Mission forum 12:15 PM VBS decorating 6:00 PM Vacation Bible School 6:30 PM Alpha

MONDAY, JULY 25 9:00 AM Vacation Bible School 6:00 PM Vacation Bible School

TUESDAY, JULY 26 9:00 AM Vacation Bible School 6:00 PM Vacation Bible School

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 6:00 AM Crossways 9:00 AM Vacation Bible School 6:00 PM Vacation Bible School

7:30 PM Fan the Flame

THURSDAY, JULY 28 9:00 AM Vacation Bible School 5:30 PM VBS potluck and family night

FRIDAY, JULY 29 12:00 PM VBS undecorating 7:00 PM MS/HS VBS volunteer party SUNDAY, JULY 31 All morning School supply tags 9:45 AM Men’s Fraternity Children’s Ministry Mission forum 11:00 AM Crossways Mission forum 12:15 PM VBS undecorating 6:30 PM Alpha 7:00 PM S’more Crossfire!

For a complete listing of St. Mark’s monthly calendar, go to our web site:

www.faith-life.org.

Selected Items from St. Mark’s Calendar

Hospitalized Zoey Erickson, at Mercy Dolores Nickels, at Mercy Courtney Salsman, at Mercy

Health concerns Carol Kauffman, scheduled for

surgery Friday, July 22. Linda Wood.

Praises Birth of a baby son, Parker Wil-

liam, to Dale and Mackenzie Maxedon on July 2. Birth of a baby daughter, Zoey

Kaylynn, to Robyn and Ryan Erickson on July 14. Birth of a baby son, Nash Brad,

to Michelle and Daniel Amaro on July 15.

Grieving The family of Leonard “Len”

Bjella, former St. Mark’s choir director, who died Tuesday, July 5 in Springville, Mo.

Other Those affected by the storms in

Benton, Tama, and Marshall counties.

Information Update If your phone number or email has

changed, please help update our records by calling the

church office at 447-0100 or emailing Donna Lunstrum at

dlunstrum@faith-life.org.

Modern Rock Pastor Perry and his son, Caleb, introduce the sermon for Sunday, July 3: “Are You Going to Go My Way: The Teachings of Jesus.” The sermon series continues through Sept. 4.(Photo by Alan Erickson)

Page 5

Thanks for inviting us! Thank you so much for inviting us to your church to

worship with you (July 3)! We appreciate your support for

this ministry. As we finish up our year of ministry, your

thoughts and prayers are appreciated! Thanks again and

God bless!

Captive Free Central Plains 2010-2011

Thank you for your gift Thank you for your gift of $750 to Hope4Kids Interna-

tional! Our deep appreciation for your generosity cannot

be overstated.

The mission of Hope4Kids International is to restore

dignity, hope, joy and love to people in need around the

world. With your support, we are providing vital programs

and services in the communities we serve that further this

mission. Together, we are feeding children, providing life-

saving medications, building hospitals, lifting families from

poverty through education and giving them hope for a

brighter future! And, every day, we are striving to help

these communities to become self-sufficient and be faith-

ful stewards of your gifts.

Together, we are making a difference!

Tom Eggum President and Founder

Hope4Kids International

YOUTH MISSION TRIP (cont. from page 1)

depth of each heart, a renewal which will produce life-long

transformation. This renewal came through precious

times of prayer, musical worship, personal times with God,

personal testimonies, times of teaching and through minis-

tering to the people of Louisville, Kentucky.

In the mornings after our time of musical worship and

personal time with God, our team of 36 split into three

teams and went into three low-income areas of Louisville.

We started the day by putting on something called

‘Party in the Park.’ This consisted of drawing in children

from around the neighborhood to a centralized park and

ministering to them and their families through drama,

crafts, bible lessons, games, and relationships. God used

each team powerfully to minister to those He brought to

us, yet at the same time opened many of our eyes to see a

life that is very different from our own.

In the afternoon, each team would go do a variety of

work projects in the community.

It was a great opportunity to bless many ministries by

lifting off of them big projects that have been outstanding

because of the need for additional help.

Projects consisted of home renovations, landscaping,

painting, clean-up projects and more. We quickly discov-

ered how much of a blessing it was to others and to our

team to take care of these projects.

When Jesus walked this earth He was committed to

pouring His life into His disciples and then sending them

out into their surrounding villages and towns to put into

practice what He taught them, modeled to them, and in-

structed them to live out. He does the same today!

Following Jesus would be really easy if we just had to

learn about Him, wouldn’t it? However, when this hap-

pens we miss an opportunity to be involved in what He is

doing all around us, to be involved in the RENEWAL He is

bringing to this world through the magnificent Gospel.

God is moving in Louisville. God is moving in Cedar Rap-

ids. God is moving throughout this world, and He wants

you and me to be deeply involved in His mission, joining

Him and the Body of Christ in bringing RENEWAL to the

world.

It is such a joy to walk away from our mission trip remi-

niscent of the RENEWAL which took place around us and

within us, yet at the same time realizing God’s not done

yet!

Photo by Alan Erickson

Page 6

No Sunday School

July 31 or in August

Fall registration packets

coming soon!

Be watching your mail for Fall Registration materials coming

in August. It’s a very exciting time at St. Mark’s and

EVERYTHING will be new.

New building. New nursery. Updated preschool wing.

Buy a gift card for each of your chil-dren (can be as small as $1 at a fast food place). Take them to spend the gift card. Ask: What did you like about get-ting a gift card? Did you have to pay for the stuff? Who paid for the stuff? Grace (God's kindness and salva-

tion) is God's gift to us. How is God's grace like a gift card? (We can't buy God's grace, it is a gift; Jesus paid the price for our salvation when He died on the cross, we can't earn it.) Salvation is a free gift from God; we can't work for or earn it. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Say a prayer of thanks to God for His grace to us.

Family Devotion

Mark your calendars! Hairy & Company will return to St. Mark’s Aug. 28 to

help celebrate our new space and a new school year!

Fall Registration will officially kick off that day.

Hairy & Company will be appearing for one (maybe

two) shows on the 28th, and we’ll be able to see them

in our big new Children’s Ministry Worship Space on

the lower level of the new building!

The Gift of Grace

Storyteller – do you like to read to children? 15– 20 minute shifts available.

Greeter – help welcome families to the nursery! 15-20 minute shifts!

Dismisser – help parents reconnect with their children! 15-20 minute shifts!

Computer Check-In – run computer and generate labels, help register new families, 20 minute shifts!

Provider – play with the children.

Baby Rocker – rock babies in infant room.

Email children@faith-life.org to get your name on the list!

Volunteer in our nursery!

Page 7

For those impacted by St. Mark’s 6th – 12th Grade Ministry

Middle School Ministry High School Ministry

THANK YOU! Those simple words don’t do justice to the gratitude we feel to those of you who have poured your hearts, time, and souls into leading and impacting our middle school

students with the love of Jesus.

Leader Coaches Byron Allmandinger Joe Kuchera Janette Fiedler Mary Morton Becky Williams Lorie Teut Support Team Lorie Teut Judy Seiwald Kim Hammer Joanne McKillip Sue Pfau Megan Brown Judy Seiwald Meal Team Kari Ryder Bruce Woolf Shari Kuchera Chris Helberg Helen Saunders Jodi Weiss John Mosinski Norbert Neira Marv Prachar Deck Hands Kristine Cross Angie Dahl Lisa Delaney Tracy Dietsch Dana Franck Ginnie Neira Sue Pfau Sharon Prachar Aaron Stecker Amy Steinbach Chris Wedemeier Lyn Wedemeier Worship Music Jessy Vera The Cornerstone Band

Small Group Leaders Tracy Berta Chip Beyer Kelsey Beyer Carol Beyer Lisa Bonorden Ted Brinning Ken Buerger Lorene Buerger Stacie Carpenter Michelle Diestler Todd Diestler Amy Doerrfeld Jonathan Doerrfeld Terese Dummermuth Andy Dunn Liz Gaffney Laura Glanz Mark Gonsoski Clark Harberts Julie Harberts Linnae Hartwig Doug Heisler Greg Helberg Ted Herbst Mike Jones Susan Koch Kevin Kopesky Aly Kratovil Patty Kratovil Susan Lloyd Dawn McGuire Dale Mobley Dan Renner Caitlin Scharper Jamie Scherkenbach Melissa Scherkenbach Nia Schulte Judy Seiwald Chamaine Snell Brenda Stabenow Paul Thompson Sarah Walton Jill Waterhouse

Quake Leaders Lisa Bonorden Megan Brown Sarah Lorenzen Dawn McGuire Kristen Olejniczak Caitlin Scharper Melissa Scherkenbach Nia Schulte Jody Skogen Sarah Walton Scott Bradley Dale Mobley Dan Renner Aaron Stecker Tim Steinbach Faith Statement Mentors David Hagstrom Dana Hagstrom Stephan Peck Jim Seiwald Ann Sindlinger Jonathan Swenson Dale Thompson Joy Thompson Karol White Janette Fiedler Lorie Teut Susan Lloyd Byron Allmandinger Perry Fruhling Joe Kuchera Tech Jan Altorfer Jim Wood Alex Pfau Taylor Chittick Henry Kopesky Gordon Salsman Andy Brown

MISSION TRIP

Join us as the Mission Trip Team shares their

experiences, photos & videos.

Date: July 24 Time: 945 or 11AM

Who: Everyone Where: Fellowship Center