st. mark lutheran church...
TRANSCRIPT
St. Mark Lutheran Church
CrossBeams A publication of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Mount Prospect, Illinois
August 2014 Volume 53 Issue 8
We were about to start our Council meeting when a stranger came through our door. He introduced himself by saying, “I’m homeless and I’m hungry.” Then he asked, “Can you give me something to eat?”
Stop there, just for a minute. Close your eyes and think about that man—what he may have looked like, how he may have sounded, where he may have come from, why he had
chosen just then to come through our doors, how much courage it must have taken for him to be vulnerable with strangers. I don’t know what your experience is with that kind of encounter, but unfortunately, here at church, it’s all too common. Folks in need come to our
door for help—sometimes we can give it, sometimes we can’t. But that night we had food and he ate; he finished and left. The incident left me feeling oddly unsettled, but I couldn’t put my finger on why.
Then, during our meeting, I remembered something that happened when I was a child, the story of another hungry man. He came knocking at the door of our modest Chicago home in
our middle class neighborhood; when Dad answered the door, the man asked for a meal. I remember my brother and me being curious and my mother being vaguely frightened. Dad told us to stay in the house, asked my mother to put together a plate, and went out to talk
with the man. He told the man that he’d provide the meal, and, in exchange for it, could the man help him break down some tree limbs for fireplace wood? The man agreed, he and Dad did the work, and then the two men talked over the promised meal. When the man was
finished eating, Dad and he shook hands, and the man left. When Dad came inside to dinner, I remember Mom’s distress; she asked something like,
“Why’d you make him work like that? Couldn’t you see that he was hungry?” And I remember the gist of Dad’s answer: “We all need to feel like we have something to give. His self-respect needed to be fed, too.”
Our newly adopted mission statement, “To nourish God’s people in body, mind and Spirit,” originally read, “To feed…” As we discussed what that might mean, we agreed that ‘feeding’
wasn’t enough, it’s temporary. But nourishing…that means we’re interested in the person’s well-being for both today and tomorrow. And the phrase ‘body, mind and Spirit’ takes into account the whole person, his/her physical, mental and Spiritual well-being.
And therein lays my dissatisfaction when the homeless man came to St. Mark’s door. I
heeded only part of our mission goal—I fed his body, but left nourishing the rest undone. Our relationship with Journeys/PADS still has much to teach us about caring for the whole person. As we grow in mission, we’ll make some mistakes along the way, as I did, but,
hopefully, we’ll also learn from them as I did. And we’ll remember who it was that taught us to ‘nourish’ those who came to him to be fed--Jesus.
See you in the pew.
Pr. Linnea
Notes from the Vicar
It’s hard to believe that a year has gone by since I began my
internship here at St. Mark. As I sit here writing this, I’m having a little trouble grasping the concept that, in a few short days, I will say my last goodbyes and move into the next phase of my life and my journey
in Ministry. This place, and the people who work, worship, and serve God here, have become part of the fabric of my life and my wife’s life. I can’t really envision what my life is going to look like when St. Mark
is no longer a central part of it. It’s going to be a bit odd for me, since most vicars finishing internships are heading back to Seminary for another year, whereas I am diving headlong into the wide, oh-so-fun world of “ESTABLISHING A CAREER” or however you want to phrase
it. It’s not something I, or anyone, really, knows how to handle entirely effectively. But, ah well, God will keep giving me nudges and pokes and eventually I’ll end up where I can do some good.
They say that one of the last things we’re supposed to learn how to do on an internship is
say goodbye. That leaving a congregation is just as much a ministry skill as preaching, leading confirmation, or visiting a hospital patient. I’m not exactly convinced, though, that saying goodbye is a skill we can learn. Yes, I’ve gotten all the notes on what to do and not
do, why it’s important to make a clean break, all that good stuff, but knowing all that doesn’t exactly make it any more predictable. Saying goodbye seems more like something you just have to experience, and hopefully it makes enough of an impression that you’re slightly more
ready for the next one.
I sincerely hope that my time at St. Mark has been as positive an experience for all of you as it has been for me. This wasn’t the easiest year for me and Jenn, and I know that
sometimes my ministry suffered because of it, but I still hope that I’ve left the fine folk of St. Mark with some good ideas to chew over and some good experiences. It’s been a year of unpredictable changes and learning how to adjust plans on the fly. My internship took on a
somewhat different shape in its second half, but I think that was ultimately a very positive thing for me, because it really highlighted for me just how much youth ministry means to me. Working with the youth at St. Mark, from preschool all the way through high school, was
extremely gratifying, and I hope mutually beneficial for myself and the kids. This isn’t to say that my involvement with the rest of St. Mark’s congregation was any less wonderful or gratifying, of course. I don’t think there was a single thing I did that I didn’t feel was a really
positive experience.
I’m skirting the edge of maudlin with this article, but I don’t exactly see a lot of point in trying to be formal and composed when that’s not how I feel about this whole thing. There isn’t really enough space here to fully express all my emotion and gratitude about the last
year; the best I can hope for is to offer up a few small snippets of what I’m feeling and hope the parts that are left unsaid are nonetheless understood. You guys are, fundamentally, a great group of people. Not perfect, of course, but neither am I, or anyone else, so that’s
kinda moot. But, you folk are caring, compassionate, curious, insightful, and welcoming. Keep seeking out new ways to be involved in the community and the world, and keep doing your best to welcome and nurture everyone who walks in the door, and I know St. Mark will
continue to be a great example of the Community of Christ. I’ll be keeping everyone here in my prayers for years to come, and no matter how things shake out, please know and remember that God loves you, loves your ministry, and is always there for you.
Thank you, everyone, for allowing me to be a part of your community and letting me experiment, occasionally screw up, and occasionally be (I hope!) awesome as your Vicar. And on that note, I’m out. Peace.
Yours in Christ, Vicar Niles Eastman
CrossBeams August 2014
Thoughts from the Loft
“What a fellowship, what a joy divine Leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” ELW #774 vs. 1
Yes, it is true that this hymn is in our hymnal. Its familiar tune may not be
identified as “Lutheran”, but its text nonetheless keeps pace with a classic Lutheran theology of peace at the Cross. We lean on the shoulders of God
especially when times are tough. It is there that we find safety and relief. Christian unity is found both in struggles and joys. May we “lean” everyday in
the arms of God’s mercy, always reminded that our Song together is in perfect union with the angels in heaven. How wonderful that is! Let us greet our Lord
and Savior everyday with that Song.
In Christ, Tim
Churches’ Shopping Cart Brigade Collects Food In July 4th Parade Members and friends of St. Mark Lutheran Church and St. Raymond Catholic Church collected 399 food items from the crowd attending the 2014 Mount Prospect July 4th parade. The Shopping Cart Brigade, a project of the St. Mark and St. Raymond Ecumenical Ministry, performed simple choreography while pushing shopping carts on loan from Mariano's Fresh Market in Arlington Heights. The food items, plus cash donations of more than $40, were presented to the Mount Prospect Food Pantry in Village Hall on Monday, July 7. One of the goals of the Ecumenical Ministry of St. Mark Lutheran Church and St. Raymond Catholic Church is to help those in need, including those outside of their church boundaries. Both churches thank Mariano's Fresh Market for the loan of the carts, and thank the volunteers from both churches who helped in various ways: providing vehicles, goods, time; pushing carts; taking inventory and delivering the food. Also special thanks to the people along the parade route who showed such kindness and generosity.
CrossBeams August 2014
What’s
Happening in Youth & Family
Ministry?
Someone once told me that once you are
at July 4th, summer is almost over. As a kid that was so untrue. Well, at least it
seemed that way – summer went on forever! But as an adult, for every year
that passes, time seems to go faster and faster. So now it is August, the back-to-school sales are in full gear and we, at St.
Mark, are preparing for the upcoming program year for WOW, FaithWalk and
SHINE! Here is a preview of what is coming for
these programs: In WOW (our Children’s Christian Ed program on Wednesday for
Preschool through 5th grade), we will again be using the Holy Moly curriculum. We will gather at 5:00 pm and watch the
video story and then break into our age-appropriate groups and retell the story
and do a craft or activity for that story. Dinner will be served from 6-6:30 pm for both the WOW and FaithWalk kids and
families. Children’s Choir will practice from 6:15-6:30 pm on these nights. In
FaithWalk (our Confirmation program on Wednesday for 6, 7 & 8th graders), we will be focusing on being Lutheran and check
out Luther’s small catechism – Lord’s Prayer, 10 commandments and Apostle’s
Creed – as well as learn about Holy Communion and Baptism. Classes will be from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm each Wednesday
night. In SHINE! (our high school group that meets on Sunday nights), we will be
alternating our weekly time together with social activities, service projects and bible study. As always, we will start with a light
meal and fellowship. SHINE! meets from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm on Sundays.
Now that summer is winding down and
you are starting to prepare yourselves for
the fall activities, I am looking for many hands to help with Youth Ministry in the
Fall. We need volunteers to help with WOW (children’s Christian Education) as
teachers, assistants and dinner helpers. Teacher & assistant time commitment is about an hour either weekly or alternating
weeks. Dinner helpers are needed: meal preparers, table parents (talks with &
helps kids at the dinner table) and clean-up (dishwashing and putting things away). The time commitment for dinner helpers is
also about an hour weekly or alternating weeks. At FaithWalk (confirmation), we
are looking for 3-4 volunteers to alternate as guides. FaithWalk guides work in
teams of 2, with responsibility for the small group time. Experience not necessary – we will train you. Time
commitment is an hour and ½ every other week. At SHINE! (High School Youth
Group), I will be responsible for planning the lessons/activities but I could use another adult in attendance at all
meetings, as per St. Mark’s Child Protection Policy.
Please prayerfully consider how you can use your talents to engage the youth of
St. Mark. All are welcome to volunteer – you do not need to have children in a
program. You just need to have a passion for helping kids learn about God’s love. Interested? Sign-up on the Connection
Card at worship, contact me in the church office by phone (847-253-0631) or by
email [email protected]. Hey Youth - Summer, 2015 is looking to
be a busy one. The ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, MI is July 15-19, TeenServe
mission trip in early June (June 7-13) and Leadership Lab in late July(July 27-Aug 1). Mark your calendars NOW as you will not
want to miss out on any of these opportunities!! More info to come about
registration and fundraising. Peace be with you!
Jill Galyon, Interim Youth Coordinator
About a St. Mark Intern (Vicar)
Many have heard this information announced, but as others have not... St. Mark will not have an intern for the 2014-2015 academic year.
There is only one reason for this: there were not enough interns to go around for all the churches who wanted one!
St. Mark is what the seminary calls a 'restricted site', that is we are open only to students who have restricted their choice of assignment
to the Chicago area. For the most part, this also means that the receiving church does not provide housing for the intern and
her/his family. If you have questions or comments about internship, Pr. Linnea will be glad to answer them.
Fellowship Activities
St. Mark goes to Ravinia on August 17! Come sit on the lawn to hear the
music of ABBA. We will all carpool together on the 17th from the St. Mark
parking lot, meeting at 5:00 pm. Please bring your own main course
and beverage and something to share - (by last names) A-G appetizers, H-R
side dishes, and S-Z desserts. If you have not already paid for your ticket,
please see Rachel Potter on or before the 17th with your $27/ticket . Still
interested in getting tickets: contact
Ravinia directly 847-266-5100 or online at www.ravinia.org for Lawn
tickets, then join us to carpool.
September 14
Come to worship and stay after to
find out about all the ministries we
have here at St. Mark! From signing
up for choir or a Bible study, to
learning about our youth programs
and more, there is something for
everyone at St. Mark! Bring your
appetite to the final Summer BBQ, as
well.
Fellowship Committee: Rachel Scott Potter, Kirsten LoRusso, Jennifer Lenius, Kim Perlich, Jan Scott, and Jan Serafini.
Referrals Rewarded
St. Mark members who refer a
student to the St. Mark Preschool
and Enrichment Center, who remains
for 30 days or longer, will receive a
$25 gasoline gift card. Please notify
the Preschool office of the student
you are referring at: 847-253-0631
ext. 19
Holy Family / St. Mark
Appreciation Luncheon
Please join us at Greek Isles
restaurant in Chicago on August 22 to welcome the Holy Family School teachers and staff. This will be our 12th St. Mark Appreciation luncheon, and we would love to have more of our congregation attend. The luncheon is our expression of gratitude and support for the extraordinary work teachers and staff do at this unique school.
Please contact Linda Ernst (847-431-1612) if you are able to join us. We will meet at the church parking lot and ride together to the restaurant. Cost is $19.95 per person.
CrossBeams August 2014
CALENDAR
Sunday, August 3 Lutheran World Relief collection begins
Tuesday, August 5 Summer Bible Study Day
“Of Many Generations” Great Room
Thursday, August 14, 9:30am Church Women United Volunteer Day
WINGS Donation Center
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + Lutheran World Relief
Service Program
Women of St. Mark are asking for the help of our entire congregation in the collection of items needed to prepare SCHOOL KITS AND HEALTH KITS for LWR. As stores seem to be placing school supplies on sale earlier each year, we are providing this list of items that will be needed so you can take advantage of sale prices this summer.
PLEASE NOTE WE CAN ONLY USE THE EXACT ITEMS THAT ARE REQUESTED BY LWR.
Beginning the first Sunday in August, all donations can be placed in the collection boxes located in the narthex. All items must be in by September 21.
HEALTH KIT ITEMS Bath Towels (dark color recommended) Bath size bars of soap Hair combs with wide teeth Tooth Brushes
Nail clippers with file attached
SCHOOL KIT ITEMS 70 sheet spiral notebooks of ruled paper Blunt scissors 12 inch ruler with centimeters on the other edge Pencil sharpeners Boxes of 16 or 24 crayons Unsharpened Pencils #2 Ballpoint pens (no gel ink)
We are able to purchase some of these items in bulk at a more reasonable cost. If you prefer to contribute funds toward the purchase of these items, please place your gift in a pew envelope marked for WELCA Kits.
Church Women United
Volunteer Day As a continuation of the CWU May Friendship Day theme, “Through
God Our Hands Can Serve”, we will hold a Volunteer Day activity on Thursday, August 14. From 9:30am-1pm we will help WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger) fill back packs for their Back to School Program.
Please contact Gail Radtke, 847-255-2977, as soon as you know you will be coming. For security reasons, she can then give you the exact address.
If you cannot attend but would like to donate cash or items, call Gail for details. Their request list is VERY different from the Lutheran World Relief list!
Tuesday, August 5 Summer Bible Study Day
“Of Many Generations” Registration/coffee begins at
8:30am Study begins at 9, concludes by
2:30 Cost, $8 -- includes lunch
Contact Gail Radtke by July 28 847-255-2977
A New Way to Serve Lay assisting ministers in worship have always been a part of the worship life of congregations world-wide. With a few short training sessions and no other special talent (singing NOT required), you could be one of them! Prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to be an active member of the worship team, please
indicate your interest on the Connection Card, or call
(847-253-0631) or email ([email protected]) the church office. Other Opportunities to Serve
Become an active member of the worship team by serving as a greeter, acolyte, reader, or communion assistant. If you are interested in any of these positions on the worship team, please
indicate your interest on the Connection Card, or call (847-253-0631) or
email ([email protected]) the church office. The altar guild is also looking for assistance. Anyone in middle school through adult looking for a “behind the scenes” worship team
experience, please indicate your interest on the Connection Card, or call
(847-253-0631) or email ([email protected]) the church office.
St. Mark Memory Patio Thanks to all who have placed a brick order!! These
bricks will be installed in early August. The Memory Patio will be dedicated on Sunday, August 10 following
the 10 am Worship Service. Please plan on staying for
this brief blessing.
The Patio is now a living part of St. Mark. Bricks can still be purchased, as this project will be on-going, now
and for years to come.
To learn more about the project and order a brick, go to http://www.bricksrus.com/order/stmark.
Save The Date
“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate
who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — one
church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. On Sunday,
Sept. 7, 2014, the nearly 10,000 congregations of this church gather
to serve communities in ways that share the love of God with all of
God’s people.
Whether it’s 30,000 young people doing community volunteer work at
an ELCA Youth Gathering, the passionate volunteers of the ELCA
homeless ministry network or the devoted members of our
congregations who fight for peace and justice in their communities
every day, we are a church that boldly does God’s work of restoring
and reconciling communities.
- See more at: http://www.elca.org/dayofservice#sthash.RyAHR2wB.dpuf
More information to come on how St. Mark will be participating in this
great day of service.
PEW ENVELOPE
Recently there have been inquiries about envelopes for
memorials and also for altar flowers. St. Mark no longer has separate envelopes for these different occasions. However, in
the pew, you will find the Pew Envelope (as seen here on the left). You can use this envelope for regular offering as well as
special offerings and occasions. This envelope can be used for Flowers, memorials, special giving, holiday gifts, and any other
reason you may want to give an offering. Simply check the ‘Special Offering’ box, include your name and what the offering
is for, and place it in the offering plate. The counters will make sure to get these envelopes to the Church Office so that you get
credit for your gift on your Giving Statement. If you are using
this envelope for Altar Flowers, check the ‘Special Offering’ box, include your name and ‘Altar Flowers’ on the front and give the
reason for the flowers on the back of the envelope, i.e., in honor of our anniversary, in memory of my aunt, in honor of
Mary’s 75th birthday, etc. You can always bring your special or Altar Flower giving to the Church office as well.
Thank you….
A thank you to St. Mark:
From the Lunds, Carl and Joanne, who received altar flowers in celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary: "What a delightful surprise! The flowers are
truly lovely." and thanks to Alveyn Roberts for delivering them!
From Jan Schulz: “Thank you for the Sermons and bulletins that keep me in touch when I can’t be there (at church).”
From Leslie Goldberg: “Thanks, Your Kindness brightened my day. Thank you for
the beautiful flowers. It was very thoughtful.”
OFFICE CLOSURE
The Church office will be closed on Tuesday, August 5th. The Staff will
be participating in the WELCA Bible Study Day.
Guest Column You are invited to submit an article for the next
issue! [we may have to edit for space and/or
content]
2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 6 pm Basketball
2
3 8 am Chapel Service 10 am Worship 6 pm Basketball 7 pm SHINE! At Capannari’s
4 12 pm Basketball 6 pm Basketball 7 pm Youth & Family
5 8 am WELCA Bible Study Day
6 9 am Volleyball 5 pm Children’s Choir
7 12 pm Basketball 6 pm Basketball
8
9 9 am Hukporti Vow Renewal
10 8 am Chapel Service 10 am Worship 11:15 am Patio Dedication 11:30 am Madden Court of Honor 6 pm Basketball
11 12 pm Basketball 1 pm Book Club 6 pm Summer Supper 7 pm Mary Circle
12 9 am Ruth Circle 7:30 pm Basketball
13 9 am Volleyball 5 pm Children’s Choir
14 12 pm Basketball 6 pm Basketball
15
16
17 8 am Chapel Service 10 am Worship 6 pm Ravinia Outing
18 12 pm Basketball 6 pm Basketball
19 7 pm Council Meeting 7:30 pm Basketball
20 9 am Volleyball 5 pm Children’s Choir
21 12 pm Basketball 6 pm Basketball
22
23
24 8 am Chapel Service 10 am Worship
25 12 pm Basketball
26 6 pm Basketball
27 9 am Volleyball
28 12 pm Basketball 6 pm Basketball
29
30
31 8 am Chapel Service 10 am Worship
St. Mark Lutheran Church 200 South Wille Street
Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056-3121
August 2014
St. Mark Lutheran Church
847/253-0631 Fax 847/253-5387
Staff
Pastor Linnea Wilson [email protected] Music Director Timothy Spelbring [email protected] Parish Administrator Nancy Hundley [email protected]
Office Administrator Jill Galyon [email protected] Preschool Director Barb Zediker [email protected]
Sunday Worship Chapel Service ~ 8 am Worship Service ~ 10 am
Fellowship/Education Hour 9 am
Office Hours
Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Friday 8:30 am – 12 pm noon
The mission statement of the people of St. Mark: To nourish God’s people in body, mind and Spirit.