December 2018

Dec. Events

Finance and Stewardship Update

T hank you to all who have made a 2019 pledge. To date, St. Mark’s has received pledges totaling $288,721 to support ministries planned for 2019. We know that pledges will continue to be made during the next few weeks. If you have not yet made a financial commitment to St. Mark’s for 2019, and are planning to do so, we invite you to make your pledge soon. You may bring your commitment card to church on any Sunday, or mail it to the church office. Additional commitment cards are available at the church. Having an estimate of giving is a tremendous help as future minis-tries are planned. You are an important part of the work that God is doing in and through our church, in our community, and in the world. Your gifts help to change the lives of children, youth, and adults, reach out to those in need and share God’s love.

The Executive Council is continuing to monitor the church’s financial situa-tion. Although we have made some payments toward our conference ap-portionment giving, we have approximately $50,000 left unpaid on our yearly commitment. Our apportionments total almost $80,000 a year. These funds support a number of important ministries, including UMCOR and Iowa campus ministries.

A couple of months ago we asked each of you to consider making an extra financial contribution to St. Mark’s – a “13th month” gift. We are thankful to those that have responded to this ask. There is still time to make a 13th month contribution. Every gift, of any amount, will help as we attempt to faithfully finance the ministries of St. Mark’s and finish the year in good financial standing.

As we move forward, we invite you to join us in praying for our church and its ministries, in celebrating the ministry happening inside of and beyond these walls, and in remaining faithful with your financial gifts.

1 UMM

4 Grayye Matters

11 Executive Council

16 Christmas

Xtravagannnnnza!

19 UMW

24 Christmas Eve

25 Christmas Day

31 New Year’s Eve

See inside for more

details.

ST. MARK’S MATTERS

LET’S TIE FLEECE BLANKETS!

The weather has turned cold and snowy. Time to cuddle under a nice warm

blanket. Unfortunately, there are many in our area who do not have the

comfort of a warm blanket. We received a VERY GENEROUS donation of

printed fleece to make 20 blankets. We need your donation to purchase the

coordinating solid colored fleece. Just mark fleece on your check or on the

envelope you place in the offering plate. Also needed is adult print with

coordinating plain fleece. Two-yard pieces of fleece make a nice size blanket.

Between worship services (9:45 hour) on Sunday, December 2, 9 and 16 we

will be tying fleece blankets. Please stop by a table in Fellowship Hall and tie a few knots.

The smiles on the faces of the recipients warms my heart. As they wrap the blanket around them, I picture God

wrapping his arms around them with love and comfort.

I am announcing to the Friends and Folks of St. Mark’s my

retirement as church gardener at the end of this year. This

does not mean I won’t return, as there are some unfinished

projects.

It has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience. All of

the comments and compliments were my rewards.

God’s Blessings - Phyllis Lindemann

Dear St. Mark’s Church, I am writing to let you know the end of my em-ployment has come and I am retiring. I appreciat-ed working here over the past 5 years. I will miss everybody very much and will cherish the memo-ries I had here forever. I cannot thank the church enough for their support of me over the years. I hope my replacement will do a good job for you. If you have any questions after I leave, please feel free to contact me - I’m sure you have my number! P.S. Best job ever! Best Wishes! Jim Armbruster

Third Graders Work Toward Bible Black Belt

Since they received their bibles in September, our Third Graders – Chase, Chelsea, and Shania – have been learn-

ing to use them through a curriculum entitled “Bible Black Belts”. Each child works through different lessons de-

signed to get them into their Bibles and develop a love for God’s word. They earn different level “belts” for each

lesson, just as they would in a martial arts dojo (or place of learning). Along the way they have earned yellow,

orange, blue, and other belts.

On Sunday, November 25, Chase reached the highest level of this Bible learning, and Pastor Sean presented him

with his black belt in the 10:45 worship service. We hope you will all celebrate with Chase and continue to sup-

port and encourage the other third graders as they move through their levels. When you run into our third grad-

ers at St. Mark’s, ask them about their Bibles – they love to share what they have learned!

2019 FINANCIAL NEWS

At its November 20th meeting, the Executive Council voted to separate conference apportionments from the general ministry budget. This action will allow people to designate financial gifts to be used specifically to pay ap-portionments. Financial gifts made to the general budget will not be used to pay conference apportionments.

Christmas Music Wanted! The 3:00 PM service on Christmas Eve, December 24th will feature music from children and youth from St. Mark’s congregation and others. If you know of a young person who would like to play an instrument or sing at this service, please contact Rob (youthdirector@stmarks-umc.net) so we can put their name in the bulletin.

Christmas Xtravagannnnnza!!!

J oin the fun, worshipful and uplifting story of Jesus’ birth with this year’s Christmas Xtravagannnnnza!!! right here at St. Mark’s on Sun-day, December 16th at 2:00 PM. There will be music from the choir, children, bells and more! There will also be a time to gather as a community and enjoy treats provided by the families of our Youth!

Come one, come all!

Larry and Jane Kies

S t. Mark’s Mission Committee is pleased to announce, after consultation with the General Board of Global Minis-tries, that we have established an official Covenant Relation-ship with Jane and Larry Kies. Jane and Larry, who are both from Iowa, are currently serving at Africa University in Muta-re, Zimbabwe. Larry is Technical Advisor to the Africa Uni-versity Farm and Jane teaches English to students from non-English speaking countries. Our Covenant Relationship com-mits us to an annual donation of $2,500 to support them. All Christmas Eve offerings will be designated for this support. For more information about them, see these links:

https://www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary-Profiles/Kies-Larry

https://www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary-Profiles/Kies-Jane

Grayye Matters is a book group

that meets at 9:30am the first

Tuesday of every month. This

month we’ll be meeting on

Dec. 4 in the Fireside Room at

St. Mark’s. Bring a favorite

Christmas book to share.

Contact Barb Fisher-Krueger for

more information.

Good Lunch Bunch

Will not meet in December

The Executive Council approved the following action at their November meeting:

October financial picture shows a difference in income versus expenses of a negative $7,710. Thus no apportionment payment will be made in November.

Enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Wesley Center to share the position of Fa-cilities Manager and Custodian effective November 26, 2018. The employee will be hired by the Wesley Center with his services subcontracted (20 hours per week) to St. Mark's at an an-nual cost of $29,565. (St. Mark's current custodian Jim Armbruster is retiring.)

A separate pass through account will be set up for apportionment payments removing this

payment from the operating budget. Those wishing to support apportionment payments

may designate all or a portion of their Estimate of Giving to paying conference apportion-

ments by contacting Financial Secretary Ed Pierson in writing via email:

e.pierson2325@gmail.com or by writing to: Ed Pierson 2054 Hannah Jo Ct., Iowa City, IA

52240.

Next meeting of the Executive Council will be Tuesday, December 11th at 6:30 PM. Everyone

is invited and encouraged to attend.

8:30 AM 10:45 AM

Lead Usher 12/2: Ed Krogh 12/9: Ed Krogh 12/16: Cindy George 12/23: Randy Krutzfield 12/30: Bob Kesselring Ushers 12/2: Bill & Janice Thorne, Bob & Diane DeWitt 12/9: Pam & Tony Freund, Lavon & Nancy Rutt 12/16: Jeff & Dianne Wasson, Jeremy & Ann Showers 12/23: Barb Fisher-Krueger, Randy Krutzfield, Tom Shepherd & Mary Brown 12/30: Pam Bleckwenn, Carolyn Brown, Ed & Suzanne Krogh Greeters 12/2: Mary Curtis & Kathy Harrison 12/9: Barb Fisher-Krueger, Eleanor Carthey 12/16: Traci Huffman, Judy Pierson 12/23: Chuck & Phyllis Lindemann 12/30: Tom Shepherd & Mary Brown Reader 12/2: Angie Bywater 12/9: Rose Hanson 12/16: Dennis Preslicka 12/23: Chris McMorris 12/30: Tom Shepherd A/V 12/2: Derek Lewis 12/9: Cory & Kaitlynn Berwald 12/16: Derek Lewis 12/23: Cory & Kaitlynn Berwald 12/30: Derek Lewis Communion

12/2: Chuck & Phyllis Lindemann, Diane & Kaitlynn Berwald, Pam & Tony Freund 12/9: Angie Bywater, Barb Fisher-Krueger, Rose Hanson, Chris McMorris, Tom Shepherd & Mary Brown 12/16: Judy Pierson, Dennis Preslicka, Barb Smith, Janet Soboroff, Jerry & Patti Mitchell 12/23: Diane & Kaitlynn Berwald, Pam & Tony Freund, Chuck & Phyllis Lindemann

Lead Usher 12/2: Bob Kesselring 12/9: Laura Lage 12/16: Laura Lage 12/23: Bob Kesselring 12/30: Bob Kesselring Ushers 12/2: Laura Lage, Phillip Mitchell 12/9: Carol Reddick, Amy Chastain 12/16: Shirley Green, Sue Brenneman 12/23: Steve & Karen Laughlin 12/30: Carol Reddick, Laura Lage Greeters 12/2: Marsha Lowe 12/9: Phillip Mitchell 12/16: Steve & Karen Laughlin 12/23: Marsha Lowe 12/30: Phillip Mitchell Reader 12/2: Jenni Bounds 12/9: Lowell Fenner 12/16: Rebecca Carver 12/23: Peg Horn 12/30: Steve Laughlin AV 12/2: Amy Chastain 12/9: Josh Cheatum 12/16: Josh Cheatum 12/23: 12/30: Communion 12/2: Sue Brenneman, Carol Reddick 12/9: Sarah & Cora Beland 12/16: Peg Horn, Marsha Lowe 12/23: Laura Lage, Brenda Mayer 12/30: Karen & Steve Laughlin

THANKS FOR SERVING! IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SERVE ON ASSIGNED DATES, KINDLY FIND A REPLACEMENT AND INFORM THE CHURCH OFFICE.

WORSHIP SERVANTS

2 Karen Nobbs

3 Diane Thayer

5 Gene Matthews

7 Barb Stannard

8 Jeanne Bennett, Jacob Parker, Kaylee Paulsen, Austin Rindels, Elaine Warth

9 Cindy McDowell

11 Brian Bates

13 Jacob Dykes

14 Keelan France

15 Laine Forbes

16 Sammy Greving, Torsten Opitz

18 Gwen Hoffmann

19 Andre Magalhaes, Jackson Mueller, Barb McCormick

20 Barb Nelson, Joshua Kohler

21 Angela Bywater

22 Annika Rutt, Amy Chastain

23 Randy Pogemiller

24 April Schnoebelen

28 Jesse Kane

29 Nicole Kohler

30 Maddy Lewis

31 Joyce Kofron

WORSHIP SERVANTS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE 2018

1st Service 3:00pm

Greeters: Jeremy & Ann Showers

Ushers: Bob Kesselring (Lead), Tony & Pam Freund, Jeff & Dianne Wasson

Reader: Tony Freund

A/V: Cory & Kaitlynn Berwald

2nd Service 5:00pm

Greeters: Mary Curtis & Kathy Harrison

Ushers: Dennis Preslicka (Lead), Bill & Janice Thorne, Ed & Suzanne Krogh

Reader: Bill Thorne

A/V: Derek Lewis

3rd Service 7:00pm

Greeters: Bob & Maggie Elliott

Ushers: Laura Lage (Lead), Bob & Diane De Witt, Sue Brenneman, Judy Pierson

Reader: Sally Hoelscher

A/V:

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

H

app

y

Birth

day!

United Methodist Women

Wed., Dec. 19th

6:30pm

Carols, Cookies, and Cocoa

Enjoy the Christmas spirit and share your favorite treat. Please bring a sample to share. It will be a tasting delight!

United Methodist Men Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the first Saturday of every month at 7:30 a.m. for good food and great fellow-ship with St. Mark’s United Methodist Men! We are here in a ministry of service and presence in furtherance of the missions and outreach of the United Methodist Church. The next meetings will be on December 1, Jan. 5, and Feb. 2. The UMM will be meeting on Saturday morning, December 1st in the Fellowship Hall for our regular monthly meeting. This is a change of plans due to the unfortunate cancella-tion of the Gifts for Parents program for this year. This month our program will be a round table discussion on the REAL meaning of Thanksgiving. The three topics will be personal Thanksgiving, St. Mark’s Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving in our nation and world. A hearty breakfast will be served at 7:30am, followed by our program at 8:00am.

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (319)337-7201

office@stmarks-umc.net stmarks-umc.net

ALL ARE WELCOME

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church

2675 E. Washington Street

Iowa City, IA 52245