the vineyard press - s3. · pdf fileproclaiming christ’s abundant love i am the vine,...

All About Lent (Including

the Fish Thing) 2

St. Mark’s Hosts at Hesed House March 11, Free “Take Charge of Your Health Workshop”

3

Upcoming in Our Wor-ship Life, Last Call for Germany/Reformation Trip, Adult Fellowship

4

New Full-Time Pastor and the Budget 5

Spring Confirmation Retreat, VBS, Basement Transformation, Youth Group Fund Raiser

6

Enhancing Our Worship

Life 7

Calendar 8-9

Financial News and Updates 10

Walking to Jerusalem 11

500th Anniversary of the Reformation

12-13

Pastoral Acts, Electronic Giving 14

Server Schedule 15

March 2017 Volume 17, Issue 3

THE V INEYARD PRESS

St Mark’s Lutheran Church Procl aiming Chris t’s Abund ant Love I am the v ine, you ar e th e branches.

(John 15:5)

In This Issue Ash Wednesday is March 1

We will gather for worship at 11:00 a.m. and at 7:00 p.m. This is a change fr om previous years!

Both services will include the Imposition of Ashes and Communion. There will be a children’s message at 7:00 p.m.

It is good and beneficial to gather for these ancient time of reflection, repentance and renewal.

40 Days of Giving

The connection between faith, worship and justice was central for Martin Luther. His concern for the poor and his sharp rebuke of economic injustice helps us today see the many ways our faith calls us to strive for justice in our world. In this, the 500th year since the Reformation, Luther’s call for economic justice is more pressing than ever. Over our five weeks of study, we will uncover how our Lutheran faith shapes our perspective and role in the economy. Each week, we will look at one key aspect of the economy and explore questions related to economic justice:

A “Household” Economy

The word “economy” comes from the ancient Greek word oikonomia, which literally means “management of the household.” Thinking of the world as a “household” lifts up the ways we are connected to each other, and oikonomia implies a form of stewardship, managing resources that ultimately are not our own.

[continued on page 2]

Adult Lenten Study: Tuesday

Mornings and Wednesday Evenings

The Lenten Study for this year is the ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving (see article at left). We will meet for five sessions, starting March 7 and 8. Sign up at the Welcome Center!

There will be two study sessions:

Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. (the usual Adult Study time), starting March 7.

Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m., starting March 8. On Wednesday nights, adults will be joining Faith and Daily Life students for supper and worship.

6:00 p.m. Supper in the lower level Fellowship Hall.

6:30 p.m. Move to a classroom for learning time.

7:30 - 7:50 p.m. Worship time with everyone in the Sanctuary.

Come at 5:45 p.m. to color on Wednesdays! We will have large 36”x 24” Stations of the Cross coloring pages for adults as well as FDL students to color. There will be opportunities to color before and after dinner. The posters will be displayed in the narthex as they are completed.

All About Lent (Including the Fish Thing)

Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar. The word Lent itself is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words lencten, meaning "Spring," and lenctentid, which literally means "Springtide" and also was the word for March, the month in which the majority of Lent falls.

Like all Christian holy days and holidays, Lent has changed over the years, but for centuries its purpose has been self-examination and penitence, demonstrated by self-denial, in preparation for Easter. Lent dates to the earliest days of the church (Irenaus of Lyons (c.130—c.200) mentioned it), but it seems to lasted only two or three days at that point.

Counting the Days

Lent became more regularized after the legalization of Christianity in A.D. 313, and, based on the writings of some of the early church fathers, was becoming standardized at 40 days. Of course, the number 40 has always had special spiritual significance regarding preparation.

On Mount Sinai, preparing to receive the Ten Commandments, "Moses stayed there with the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights, without eating any food or drinking any water" (Exodus 34:28). Elijah walked "40 days and 40 nights" to the mountain of the Lord, Mount Horeb (Mount

Sinai) (I Kings 19:8). And finally, Jesus fasted and prayed for "40 days and 40 nights" in the desert before beginning his public ministry (Matthew 4:2).

How exactly the churches counted those 40 days varied depending on location. In the East, people only fasted on weekdays. The western church's fasting included Saturdays, so Lent was one week shorter.

Ash Wednesday

Until the 600s, Lent began on Quadragesima (Fortieth) Sunday (i.e., the fortieth Sunday before Easter), but Pope Gregory the Great (c.540-604) moved it to a Wednesday, now called Ash Wednesday, to make Lent 40 days long (not counting Sundays). Gregory is also credited with the ceremony that gives the day its name. As Christians came to the church for forgiveness, Gregory marked their foreheads with ashes reminding them of the biblical symbol of repentance (sackcloth and ashes) and mortality: "You are dust, and to dust you will return" (Genesis 3:19).

Fasting and Fish

The rules of fasting varied. Some areas of the Church abstained from all forms of meat and animal products throughout Lent, while others made exceptions for food like fish, which was not considered meat. (Bear in mind that many people could not afford to eat meat at any time of year, and giving up cheese would have been much more of a hardship.) Fish, now sometimes thought to be a requirement, was actually a loophole.

Pope Gregory, writing to St. Augustine of Canterbury, issued the following rule: "We abstain from flesh, meat, and from all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese and eggs." The general rule was for a person to have one meal a day, in the evening or at 3:00 p.m.

Lenten fasting rules evolved. Eventually, a smaller meal was allowed during the day to help people keep up their strength for manual labor. Eating fish was generally allowed, and later eating meat was also allowed except on Ash Wednesday and Fridays — the start of the fish-on-Friday “requirement.” Dispensations were given for eating dairy products if a pious work was performed, and eventually the dairy rule was relaxed totally. And finally, in 1966, the Roman Catholic church reduced fast days to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday only.

Although the practices have evolved over the centuries, Lent continues to provide a disciplined focus as we look forward to the great Festival of the Resurrection at Easter. Primary sources:

Ted Olsen, “The Beginning of Lent,” Christianity Today, August 2008, http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2008/august/beginning-of-lent.html

Fr. William Saunders, “History of Lent,” reprinted with permission from Arlington Catholic Herald, 2002, Catholic Education Resource Center, http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/history-of-lent.html

An Economy of Grace

Grace frees us to love and serve our neighbors; merit makes us focus on ourselves — whether we are doing enough to earn our life with God in heaven.

Livelihood and Vocation

Our work can be a way we express our deepest values and where our freedom and dignity are protected. Work is a way we participate in God’s gracious and creative care for the world.

A Just World (Where All Are Fed)

As Christians, we are called to respond to our neighbors in need. However, we are also called to recognize and name the economic injustices that create need in our communities.

A Sustainable Future

Growth can have many great effects — more jobs, more affordable goods and more improved technologies. But it can also have startling negative consequences when the good of the whole of creation is not taken into account.

Sign up for daily 40 Days of Giving devotions (or download a flip calendar) at ELCA.org/40days.

[40 Days of Giving, Continued]

http://www.elca.org/40days

Free “Take Charge of Your Health” Workshop

Do you suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, or another chronic illness? Researched and developed by Stanford University, “Take Charge of Your Health” will help you find practical ways to deal with pain, fatigue and many other issues. Discover better nutrition and exercise choices, understand new treatment options and learn better ways to talk with your doctor and family about your health.

Thursdays, March 2 through April 6, 2016

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

Community Room

To register for this free six-week program, call 877-737-4636

Presence Mercy Medical Center, Presence Saint Joseph Hospital, and The Agency on Aging are working together to give you the tools you need to live better.

St. Mark’s Hosts at Hesed House on March 11

If you are looking for a family or individual activity that truly shows the meaning of being the hands and feet of Christ, you can’t do better than serving at PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) at Hesed House in Aurora. Serving our brothers and sisters in Christ is truly a response to Christ’s call to love one another. We also know that most people, especially families, end up at Hesed House because after losing a job and losing their home, they have no family or anyone to help support them. Hesed House is there to be that support and help them through this difficult time, to provide hope and help them get back on their feet.

St. Mark’s volunteers are part of over 4,000 volunteers serving our neighbors in need. We help prepare dinner for about 200 men, women and children. We pray before serving a nourishing meal. We provide smiles and friendly conversation. If someone needs to talk, we are there to listen. We open lockers as needed, help pass out basic healthcare items in the PADS “store” and offer a bingo game to help pass the evening in a fun way. Guests win needed items like umbrellas, rain ponchos, backpacks, warm hats, gloves, socks and warm winter clothing.

After dinner, some volunteers make sandwiches and pack lunches for guests to take with them when leaving the next morning. We make meal plates for those coming in late because of work obligations. By around 9:00 to 9:30 p.m. the kitchen has been cleaned, and most volunteers are able to leave. Only a few people are needed to stay until the next shift begins at 11:00 p.m.

Not everyone is able to volunteer at Hesed House, but there are many other ways to support it. Those experiencing homelessness need and appreciate your prayers. And there is always a large bin in the narthex for your donations. Throughout the year we collect lightly used twin size sheets, bath towels and washcloths and hotel size toiletries. We also appreciate nonperishable food items at any time. Many of us helped by donating on Souper Bowl Sunday. Part of this money goes to Rejoice Lutheran Church, our PADS partner, a much smaller congregation than ours, to help them buy perishable items like bread, eggs, milk and orange juice for the morning meal.

Sign up at the Welcome Center to be a host on March 11. There you will also find an updated brochure with more details about PADS and a list of food item being collected. The only place that carries large boxes of rice is Sam’s Club. Many people shop at Gordon Food Service (GFS) because they do not require a membership and they do not charge tax if you say you are buying items for St. Mark’s. If you would like to donate but would rather not lug those seven-pound cans, you may donate money and others will do the shopping.

St. Mark’s BeFriender Ministry

BeFrienders provide pastoral care for people in all kinds of difficult and transitional situations. They are trained volunteers who extend the care of a faith community.

St. Mark’s BeFrienders will complement the outreach and care ministries we have in place by providing more people trained to extend pastoral care.

St. Mark’s BeFriender Ministry is directed by four guiding principles. Below is an explanation of principles 3 and 4.

Principle 3. Nonjudgmental presence: BeFr ienders provide a sacred and safe space for someone to talk about their experiences, thoughts, and feelings without being judged or criticized.

Principle 4. Active listening: The value and healing potential of having one’s story heard is profound. BeFrienders actively listen by using communication skills that create an environment of respect and dignity.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a BeFriender Minister, please speak to one of our Befriender Ministry leaders — Jean Clementz, Dave Gibson, or Becky Mueller — and sign up at the Welcome Center.

Adult Fellowship Ash Wednesday Lunch

The Adult Fellowship will meet for lunch on Wednesday, March 1, after the 11:00 a.m. Ash Wednesday service. Our reservation is at 12:30 pm at Harner’s Bakery, 10 W. State St. in North Aurora. Please sign up at the Welcome Center in the narthex — everyone is welcome. For more information, call Arlene Flynn at 892-8214.

Adult Fellowship Fermilab Tour

The Adult Fellowship will have a two-hour private tour of Fermilab on Thursday, March 23, at 10:00 a.m. There is no charge, since we have a volunteer docent, Don Cossairt. The tour will be followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m. at Country House restaurant in Geneva. (We will order off the regular menu.) We will meet at the church at 9:00 a.m. to carpool since parking at Fermilab is limited. The signup sheet will be at the Welcome Center the first Sunday after Ash Wednesday, March 5. Note: This is the fourth Thursday in March, but not the last Thursday! Contact Claudia Cossairt at 630-897-1635 or [email protected] with questions.

Date Activity Hosts

March 01 Ash Wednesday Worship

Arlene Flynn

March 23 Fermilab Tour Claudia Cossairt

April 26 (Note change of day to Wednesday)

Race Relations Panel Chuck & Karen Lorence

May 25 Holocaust Museum Marge Gugerty

June 22 Railroad Museum Bob Mulford

July NO MEETING

August 24 Tall Ship Chuck & Karen Lorence

September 28 I & M Mule Pull Roger & Peggy Shields

October 26 Reformation Film Clare Toynton and Roald & Laurel Haase

November 16 Food Pantry Al Bergh

December Christmas Party at Fireside Grille

Barb Veeder, Marge Gugerty & Claudia Cossairt

Adult Fellowship 2017 Schedule

Last Call for Germany/Reformation Trip

So far 33 people are going on this summer’s trip to Germany, and there are still places if anyone is considering joining us. We have 40 seats reserved on the airplane, but will need to release the seats we are not using soon.

The price per person is at $4,592. At 35 people it is reduced to $4,445, and at 40 people to $4,353. Yes, it is a lot of money, but it is a once in a lifetime trip on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The price includes two meals a day, transportation, 4-star hotels, airfare, admission to historic sites, tour manager and guides. It also includes a small donation to the historic churches that we visit and in which the choir performs, which helps keep these places open and staffed.

Please consider joining us. You will be traveling with fellow church members and immersing yourself in the sites and sounds of the reformation. Please contact Kristin Young if you are interested.

Upcoming in Our Worship Life

The Season of Lent begins on March 1, Ash Wednesday. This is a 40-day period (excluding Sundays, since Sundays are always a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus) that provides a disciplined focus as we look forward to the great Festival of the Resurrection at Easter. Upcoming Scripture readings include:

March 1 – Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; II Corinthians 5:20-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

March 4/5 – Lent I

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

March 11/12 – Lent II

Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17

March 18/19 – Lent III

Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42

March 25/26 – Lent IV

I Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

Are You Receiving Emails from St. Mark’s?

The visioning process indicated a strong desire for more communication related to congregational activities, oppor-tunities, needs, and decisions. One way we do this is week-ly email updates about upcoming events. Provide your email address and stay in the loop!

You may use the sign-in sheet in the Welcome Notebooks on the pews or contact the church office. Please indicate whether you also want to have the V ineyard emailed to you. Thank you for staying connected!

Thank You to . . .

Melissa Seaton, IndiVISUAL Design Works, for designing this year’s annual report free of charge.

Thank You from . . .

Lutheran Disaster Response for our gift of $785 to aid the survivors of Hurricane Matthew.

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church —

Our Purpose and Principles

Purpose:

Principles:

† Following faithfully where Jesus and the Spirit lead.

† Giving unselfishly for the sake of God’s work.

† Caring for each other as Christ cares for us.

† Serving compassionately in response to our neighbors in need.

† Welcoming and accepting all people into fellowship.

† Engaging with the community to enhance wellbeing.

Call Committee Update

The Call Committee has met and elected Robert Rodriguez chair. They will meet with Pastor Sarah Stumme, Associate to the Bishop, in late February to discuss next steps.

The New Full-Time Pastor and

Our Budget’s Bottom Line

Don Friend, Congregation President

At the Annual Meeting in January, we discussed how calling a pastor with four to nine years of experience would affect our budget. As you read in the February V ineyard, there are a number of factors involved in compensation. The two most important are Synod guidelines for salaries, based on years of experience, and insurance costs.

The numbers below show two different scenarios that the council has looked at to estimate how our budget would change. Of course, all numbers are hypothetical until we find the right candidate. At that point, there will be a congregational meeting where actual numbers will be presented with a modified budget.

Note: All scenarios assume a Synod-guideline salary and take into account that we would no longer be paying an interim pastor.

Scenario 1: St. Mark’s calls a full-time pastor with four years of experience, starting in September 2017, who needs insurance for him/herself only:

Impact on 2017 Budget

2017 Budget $ 857,768

Additional Cost $ 16,014

New 2017 Budget $ 873,782


2018 Budget $ 857,768 (Assume same as 2017)


New 2018 Budget $ 906,752

Scenario 2: St. Mark’s calls a full-time pastor with nine years of experience, starting in September 2017, who needs insurance for his/her family:


2017 Budget $ 857,768


New 2017 Budget $ 877,238


2018 Budget $ 857,768 (Assume same as 2017)


New 2018 Budget $ 917,320

If you have concerns or questions, please contact any member of the church council.

Youth Group Raising Funds for Mission Trip

Sixteen of our high school youth will be traveling to Red Lake Reservation in Northern Minnesota for the annual mission trip July 8-15. During our time at Red Lake Reservation, youth group members will be running a children’s day camp, painting houses and engaging with the local community in other various ways. In addition to service, the teens will participate in morning devotions, nightly worship and small church group time each day at the mission site.

We will be hosting a fundraiser through March to help raise money for the mission trip, and we are asking for your support! Look for the “giving trees” in the narthex. Thank you!

Thank You for the Basement Transformation!

Our basement Fellowship Hall, back hallway and Luther Room (Youth Group room) have had a transformation! Fifteen teens and five adults worked all day on Saturday, February 11, to help paint all three areas. Greg Reiseck, Matt Greising, Anna Themanson, Rick Reiseck and Amy Peterson did an great job of prepping the rooms on Thursday and Friday so that the teens could come in and start rolling on Saturday. Because we had so much help, they got everything done in record time.

This is the first step in our plans to re-invent the basement space to be more engaging and useful for our youth and families. Vibrant Faith has taught us how important it is to reach kids through multiple formats in order to aid in their faith formation, and this new space will provide areas to watch videos, do interactive large group activities, host game nights and much more. Stay tuned for more information as we begin to move forward with next steps, which will include technology upgrades, more seating, a prayer wall and more.

Thanks again to everyone for helped paint and prep the rooms — this was a HUGE undertaking and it went quickly and smoothly thanks to all of you. Be sure to take a trip downstairs to check out the progress!

YOU Are the Key to an

Amazing VBS!

This summer's Vacation Bible School will be in late July, and plans are already underway. The "Maker Fun Factory" will create a world where curious kids become hands-on inventors who discover they're lovingly crafted by God. Kids will get to create their own snacks, help choose their games, try hands-on science experiments and so much more. The first VBS planning meeting will be on Tuesday, February 28, at 6:30 p.m. We will begin discussions of T-shirts, crafts, take-homes, registration, etc. There are opportunities for all types of people to join in: crafty people, organizers, technical folks, teachers, musicians and more! Please let Kari Reiseck know if you can join this very important team.

Spring Confirmation Retreat

2017

Confirmation students will return to LOMC this April for the Spring Confirmation retreat Friday, April 21 through Sunday, April 23. The cost is $120 for the weekend, and that includes food, lodging and all activities. Students had a wonderful time last year and even told their parents about how AMAZING the trip was and how much they enjoyed it and bonded with the other kids. Activities will include morning prayer/bible study, ropes course/team building, zip line (the Midwest’s largest), GaGa court, human foosball and much more. It’s highly recommended for all confirmation students!

Look for a sign up at the Welcome Center in coming weeks. Male and female chaperones will be needed!

Enhancing Our Worship Life

Approximately every 25 to 30 years in the history of the Lutheran Church in America, a new worship book has been produced. Over the history of St. Mark’s, we have seen a red Service Book and Hymnal (SBH) and a green Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW). In 2006, the ELCA introduced a new primary worship book called Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW).

ELW includes ten musical settings of the liturgy for the Service of Holy Communion, three of which were previously published in the Lutheran Book of Worship. Also included are: Service of the Word, Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Night Prayer along with the liturgies for Holy Baptism, Marriage, Burial, Individual Confession and proper services for Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and the Triduum – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. There’s more: It also includes Martin Luther’s Small Catechism and the entire Book of Psalms.

The ELW worship book provides many other resources:

The entire Church Year calendar and principal festivals with all of the appointed readings, Prayers of the Day, and Prayers for Worship

An extensive collection of other prayers to enhance worship, such as prayers for before worship

A total of 893 hymns — many old and well-known and some newer and well-loved, along with a source index to find hymns by topic, title and metrical setting

At the last Congregation Council meeting, on the recommendation of the pastors, the Council voted to buy the Evangelical Lutheran Worship book. Why, after 10 years without them, are we now planning to buy hymnals? There are several reasons:

At present, any service or devotion, no matter how small, needs to be prepared and copied for the group. The ELW provides ready access to liturgies, prayers and psalms — no advance preparation time and expense needed.

While the ELW is more than a hymnal — it’s also a worship book and a theological textbook — it is especially useful in helping us to sing in harmony (or just sing in tune), and it offers a balanced thematic diet of songs of praise and lament, songs of Jesus’ Baptism, Crucifixion and Resurrection, and songs of thanksgiving and celebration throughout the whole Church Year.

While we will continue to have printed worship bulletins with the liturgy, we’ll use our ELWs for hymns and some other expressions of our worship life, which will save paper and again save preparation time.

We will be able to follow the Baptismal liturgy, and others, and have the opportunity to consider their words and promises.

We will have resources for our meditation before worship and at other times.

During the months of March and April, you’re invited to consider purchasing one or more books, at $25 each, in

memory of a loved one, in honor of someone or in celebration of an event or meaningful time. A bookplate will be placed in each book donated with the dedication information. (Please see the form at the end of this article.)

As you consider your possible investment of $25, please know you are contributing to the enhancement of the worship life of all of us. Dedication of the books is anticipated to be later in May.

You may use the form below or the form that will be at the Welcome Center. Please make checks out to St. Mark’s with “ELW” in the memo line.

If you have questions, please share them! Thank you for your willingness to enhance the worship life of St. Mark’s!

Pastor Olson, Interim

ORDER FORM FOR EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN WORSHIP BOOK

Please order ____ book[s] at $25.00 each:

In Memory of _________________________________________________

In Honor of ___________________________________________________

In Celebration of _______________________________________________

Name _______________________________________________________

Contact

Information___________________________________________________

Amount Enclosed ______________________________________________

Sun Mon Tue Wed

1 Ash Wednesday

9:30a Bread Wrappers

11:00a Imposition of Ashes

12:30 Adult Fellowship lunch

1:00p Office Volunteers

7:00p Imposition of Ashes

5 First Sunday in Lent

9:00a Worship

9:00a Sunday School

Coffee Sales

10:30a Worship

3:00p Festival Choir Rehearsal

3:00p Fox Valley Youth Ensemble

6

9:00a Lydia’s Piecemakers & Knit Pickers

7:00p Naomi Circle

7:30p Fox Valley Festival Chorus

7

9:30a CDC Kids Music

10:00a Lenten Adult Study

1:00p Staff Meeting

7:00p Glory Ringers: H.S & Adults

8

9:30a Bread Wrappers, WVMTA meeting


5:00p Roaring Ringers grades 3

5:30p FDL, grades 1-5 & HS

5:30p Joyous Praise Bells grades 6

6:00p Confirmation

6:00p Adult Lenten Study & Supper

7:30p Lenten Worship

12 Second Sunday in Lent

9:00a Worship

9:00a Sunday School

10:30a Worship

11:45a Council Meeting

3:00p Aim Honor Recital

13

9:30a Faith Circle—Joann Feltz

6:00p Sanctuary Arts & Banners


14



1:00p Staff Meeting

7:00p Glory Ringers: H.S. & Adults

15






6:00p Confirmation



19 Third Sunday in Lent 9:00a Worship

9:00a Sunday School

Blood Pressure Screening

Coffee Sales

10:30a Worship

11:45a New Member Class

3:00p Festival Choir Rehearsal

20 9:30a Ruth Circle


21



1:00p Staff Meeting

4:00p Thrivent—Your Legacy: Family, Church & Charity


22






6:00p Confirmation



26 Fourth Sunday in Lent

9:00a Worship

9:00a Sunday School

10:30a Worship

27

9:00a Lydia’s Piecemakers & Knit Pickers


28



1:00p Staff Meeting


29



No FDL or Confirmation

TBA Adult Lenten Study & Supper

7:00p Hope Circle

March CalendarSt. Mark's Lutheran Church

Phone: (630) 897-6891 Fax: (630) 897-4842 Web: www.stmarksaurora.net

Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Ash Wednesday


11:00a Imposition of Ashes

12:30 Adult Fellowship lunch


7:00p Imposition of Ashes

2

9:30a Take Charge of Your Health

4:30p CDC After School Music

7:00p Lion’s Voice Choir Rehearsal

3

5:00p Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Set Up

6:30p Al-Anon

4

First Saturday in Lent

Coffee Sales

8:00a Pinewood Derby

5:00p Worship

9:30a Bread Wrappers, WVMTA meeting


5:00p Roaring Ringers grades 3-5


5:30p Joyous Praise Bells grades 6-8



9




10

6:30p Al-Anon

11 Second Saturday in Lent

11:00a Michael Hunger—Eagle Scout

Court of Honor

5:00p Worship

St. Mark’s hosts at Hesed House








16




17

6:30p Al-Anon

18 Third Saturday in Lent

5:00p Worship

Blood Pressure Screening








23


10:00a Adult Fellowship - Fermilab Tour



24

6:30p Al-Anon

25 Fourth Saturday in Lent

5:00p Worship



No FDL or Confirmation

TBA Adult Lenten Study & Supper

30



7:00p Lions Voice Choir Rehearsal

31

6:30p Al-Anon

March Calendar

Thrivent Choice

Eligible Thrivent Financial members can use the Thrivent Choice grant program to direct their “Choice Dollars” to St. Mark’s or to another participating nonprofit organization or congregation. Last month, Thrivent deposited $572 in our account, thanks to Caryl Farnum, Martha Hosler-Fitzgerald, George Huensch, Carol Jensen, Jens Jensen and Sheryl Murphy.

These gifts help St. Mark’s in its ministries — thank you for directing your Thrivent Choice Dollars here!

January Budget Recap

Monthly Budget Goal $ 71,480.67

Monthly Offering Information

Envelopes—General Fund $ 74,844.69

Miscellaneous (Includes Child Care Center) $ 452.06

Other (loose, Sunday School, interest) $ 351.29

Total General Fund Income $ 75,648.04

Monthly Surplus/Shortfall $ 4,167.37

Summary Information as of 1/31/17

Annual Budget $857,768.00

Percent of Year Completed 8.3%

Offerings/Commitments Received, Year to Date $ 75,658.04

Actual Expenses, Year to Date $ 68,002.30

Actual Expense Shortfall/Surplus, Year to Date $ 7,655.74

Budget Shortfall/Surplus, Year to Date $ 4,177.37

Capital Campaign

Additional mortgage principal payments, 2016 gifts $ 90,000.00

Additional mortgage principal payments, January gifts $ 39,796.48

Mortgage Balance as of 1/31/1

Balance Due on Church (not including CDC) $2,249,912.35

Capital Campaign Update

Thank you to all who have provided support for Sharing Our Faith – Securing Our Future. St. Mark’s ministries to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ are increasing as we decrease the debt load. All gifts are appreciated and welcome!

As of mid-February, we have given a total of $160,001.13 toward the goal of $800,000. Of that total, a total of $14,421.78 has been set aside in the 10% Community Outreach Fund to benefit the work beginning with Emmanuel House and McCleery School. The difference between 10% of the total received to date and the amount allocated to ministries reflects the expenses for the Capital Campaign, which has been significantly under budget.

As of February 15, 2017, the balance of the mortgage is at $2,249,912.35. Over the last 18 months, we have reduced the balance by approximately $150,000. We give thanks to God!

If I can be of assistance to you or someone you know, please contact me: 630-897-6891, X-23 or [email protected].

Jean Clementz, RN

Presence Mercy Medical Center

Faith Community Nurse at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

How can you make a walking program part of your life? By getting friends and family to join you and by finding new ways to put steps in your day.

Ask family members, friends, and coworkers to join you. Set goals together. Walk a dog every day.

Plan family outings around walks together. Being physically active with kids sets an example they'll follow as they grow older.

Schedule walks on your daily calendar.

Buy a pedometer or other step counter. Wear it every day. Set a goal for increasing the number of steps each day. A good long-term goal is 10,000 steps a day.

Go out for a walk first, before watching TV or going out to eat. Walk during TV commercials.

At work, get up and move around once an hour.

Walk a lap around the store before you start shopping.

Park your car farther away from work or other places you're going.

Walk around your neighborhood, park, or shopping mall.

Be safe:

Know your surroundings. Walk in a well-lighted, safe place.

Carry a cell phone for emergencies.

Wear comfortable shoes and socks that cushion your feet.

Pay attention to your walking surface. Use sidewalks and paths.

If the weather is bad, take comfortable shoes to the mall and walk several laps inside.

Drink plenty of water. Take a water bottle with you when you walk.

Source: Mayoclinic.com

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." II Corinthians 5:7

Nursing the Spirit

Breaking News: St. Mark’s, Aurora, Walks to

Jerusalem During Lent

This Lent, let’s do something together, as a congregation, that will benefit our minds, bodies, and spirits by Walking to Jerusalem. Don’t worry — you won’t get wet! We will all track our steps and contribute to our progress as we make our way to our destination, Jerusalem. Be sure to log your steps each week at the Welcome Center, and keep track of our progress on the map on the Health and Wellness bulletin board in the narthex.

Materials about this walking program, a devotional, and “passport” to keep track of your progress will be available after services on Feb. 25/26 and at the Welcome Center.

This challenge is for members of all ages! Include time spent with your track, soccer, baseball, or tennis team. Don’t forget time spent in PE, gymnastics, or dance classes or other activities you participate in.

Key points:

Before you start, talk with your health care provider if you are over 40 years old or have been inactive.

Start with a short-term goal. For example, increase the time you walk by 5-10 minutes each week or your number of steps by 300 to 500 each day.

After you've made walking a habit, set a longer-term goal. You may want to set a goal of walking for at least 30 minutes a day or 10,000 steps a day. Try to walk five days a week or more.

You can wear a pedometer or other step counter to track your daily steps.

To stay motivated, find a walking partner.

Why walk to Jerusalem? It’s good for your health! Walking can help you:

Lower (LDL) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol)

Raise (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol)

Lower your blood pressure

Reduce your risk of or manage type 2 diabetes

Manage your weight

Improve your mood

Improve your balance

Build muscle strength including your heart muscle

Prevent osteoporosis

Increase your energy level

Improve your sleep

500th Anniv ersary of the Re for mati on

Want to get new Reformation information every day? Follow Road to the Reformation on Facebook to get little-known insights into Luther's everyday life and to track where Luther was day by day 500 years ago!

Find Road to the Reformation on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RoadtotheReformation)

Lutheran 101

What does it mean to be Lutheran? For many in the ELCA who’ve grown up Lutheran, religious identity is intertwined with a sense of family and cultural traditions: beer and brats for some, lefse and lutefisk for others, familiar liturgy and hymns for all. But the shape of Lutheranism is changing. While the majority of Lutherans worldwide still live in Northern Europe, Lutheranism is growing rapidly in other parts of the world, according to the Lutheran World Federation. Today there are almost as many Lutherans in Asia and the Middle East (7.4 million) as there are in North America (8.1 million), and there are more Lutherans in Africa (15 million) than there are in Germany (13 million).

So what does it mean to be Lutheran, beyond cultural heritage or geographical location?

During the 16th century, Martin Luther challenged the teachings, practices and structures of the Roman Catholic Church. He insisted that the central message of Christianity is the good news that sinners become reconciled to God by grace through faith because of the saving work of Jesus Christ.

It’s important to remember that Luther didn’t intend to start a new church. He wanted to reform the existing church so the gospel message was communicated clearly and so the life of the church reflected that gospel center. Lutherans organized into a separate church only after the Roman Catholic Church repeatedly rejected Luther’s views.

“Lutheran” as insult

The word “Lutheran” actually began as an insult used by Luther’s opponents. Luther later tried to discourage his supporters from calling themselves Lutherans since they really follow Jesus Christ, not Martin Luther.

“What is Luther?” he once wrote. “After all, the teaching is not mine. Neither was I crucified for anyone.”

It was the gospel message that remained central for Luther, not his leadership. In a sermon preached in Wittenberg shortly after his return from Wartburg Castle, Luther insisted: “I simply taught, preached and wrote God’s Word. I did nothing; the Word did everything.”

If not “Lutheran,” how did Luther and his supporters identify themselves and their reform movement? They tended to use the term “evangelical,” which means simply gospel or good news.

As “evangelical” Christians, they understood themselves in light of the gospel, in contrast to “papal” Christians whose identity was rooted in their relationship with church structures and authority centered in Rome, especially the pope.

One important result of this commitment to communicating the gospel clearly was that Lutherans quickly translated the Scriptures and the worship service from the church’s official language, Latin, into the language used by the people.

While Luther’s ideas and writings were at the heart and core of this evangelical reform movement, Luther worked collaboratively with other pastors and teachers. His views also received support from civic leaders within the German territories who were interested in promoting a Christian church that was German, not Roman.

As the evangelical reform movement grew, certain writings were adopted as essential statements of Lutheranism. One of the most influential documents is

the Augsburg Confession, which was written by Luther’s colleague Philipp Melanchthon and presented at a meeting with the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1530. It was signed by seven territorial rulers and by the mayor and council of two cities.

In 1580, after both Luther’s and Melanchthon’s deaths, evangelical leaders gathered the statements of faith they considered normative for Lutheran Christians and published them as The Book of Concord. This collection was signed by 51 territorial rulers and by 35 city councils.

This act of signing one’s name to a statement of faith is called confessional subscription. The phrase may sound odd, but actually the idea of a magazine or newspaper subscription is a helpful comparison. There are many, many periodicals available. The ones we subscribe to are those we want to receive and to be engaged with regularly. To this day, Lutheran pastors and other rostered leaders promise to preach, teach and fulfill their duties in accordance with the Lutheran confessions.

From “Lutheranism 101,” by Kathryn Kleinhans, McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission, Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, Living Lutheran, May 15, 2007.

Five Important Things the Lutheran Reformers Wrote (or

Translated) and Why They're Still Important Today

1. The Augsburg Confession

In 1530, the Holy Roman Emperor called the Lutheran reformers to the city of Augsburg, Germany, to defend their teachings. The document they presented became known as the Augsburg Confession. It is mentioned in every Lutheran congregation's constitution to this day. The Augsburg Confession shows how the reformers talked about God's love for sinners. It also depicts how Lutherans organized themselves to make sure God's promises can be proclaimed.

2. The Small and Large Catechisms

Martin Luther led a team of people to see how well congregations were doing making sure people got the good news of Jesus. They found that many Christians in their territories didn't know the most basic parts of the faith. Luther wrote the Small Catechism so families would have a handy summary of the Christian faith. He wrote the Large Catechism so pastors could learn to preach so that people would have faith.

3. Luther's "September Testament"

In Luther's time, most people never read the Bible because most copies were written in Latin, a language that no one spoke and few Germans could even read. Luther changed this by translating the New Testament into German. The first edition became known as the "September Testament" because it was printed in September 1522. By translating Scripture into German, Luther returned the New Testament to the language of the people, a process that continues today. No matter what language someone speaks, God's Word can still proclaim freedom in Christ to them.

4. The Formula of Concord

After Luther died, his German followers argued about what his teachings really meant. For the next 30 years, they fought about how God's law works, whether we have free will, and what happens in the Lord's Supper. They managed to settle these issues and published their agreement: The Formula of Concord. Along with the Augsburg Confession, the Formula of Concord helps the church's preachers and teachers know how to do their work so people can hear what Christ has done for them.

5. Sermons

Perhaps the most important work the Lutheran reformers did was to change what pastors preached. Martin Luther argued that God’s Word had been held captive by bad preaching. By changing preaching to focus on proclaiming the Gospel, Luther and the other reformers hoped to make sure God’s promises could be freed to inspire people of faith. When that happened, people could actually trust Jesus as their Savior.

From The Lutheran Handbook, Augsberg Fortress Press, 2005.

Council Highlights

We have had many visitors of all ages attending worship since Christmas.

Building boiler pump is being replaced for $988.

Education wing floor tile needs to be replaced and sub-flooring may also need repair.

Money still will be allocated for capital reserve at the end of the year, even though it is not a budgeted line item in this year’s budget.

Pastor Olson gave notice that his last day at St. Mark’s would be November 30 or before if a second full-time Pastor begins prior to November 30.

The search for new treasurer for the Child Development Center continues.

Paul Pavesich is the new chair of the Columbarium Board.

The council supports the purchase of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) hymnals.

The worship team received a third quote for a multi-media/video system for $17,401. The worship team met during the council meeting to discuss the three quotes they received.

Women’s Wellness weekend is scheduled for April 29.

Vacation Bible School planning has begun. This year’s theme is “Maker Fun Factory.”

Youth Group was granted permission to open an Instagram and Twitter account to communicate with each other.

The council approved the Pillowcase Dress ministry’s request to have a pancake breakfast fundraiser.

Pas to r al A c t s Baptisms

Graham Francis Hetrick, February 12

Evalee DruAnn Zulkowski, February 12

Graveside Service

Patricia K. Larson. February 17

Need to Get the Word Out?

Articles for the weekly Courier are due each Monday by noon for the following weekend’s issue.

Articles for the March Vineyard are due by noon on Febru-ary 15. Early submissions are always welcome!

Please email articles for the Vineyard and Courier to Sue Zillman at [email protected], or place handwritten articles in Sue’s mailbox. If you have any questions, please email or call Deb Arcilla at: (630) 897-6891 ext. 27.

S t. M a r k ’ s S ta f f

Pastor Patricia Geiseman Pastor

Ext. 15 [email protected]

Pastor Paul Olson Interim Pastor


Kristin Young Director of Worship & the Arts


Kari Reiseck Director of Youth and Family Ministry


Sue Hilderbrand Director of Bell Choir


Sue Zillman Interim Communications Coordinator


Deb Arcilla Office Manager


John Themanson Finance Administrator


Al Lettow Facility Manager


Jean Clementz Faith Community Nurse


Jim Erickson Financial Secretary

(630) 897-0291 [email protected]

Colette Patterson - Moon Director, Child Development Center


Terese Ruppel Nursery Coordinator


C o u n c i l M e m b e r s

Don Friend Council President


Preston Runyan Treasurer


Rick Jansen Property


Jeanne Flynn Member


Julie Simpson Member


Lindsay Meyer Member


Heather Rehg Member


Carol Reiseck Member

630-554-4255 [email protected]

Considering Electronic Giving?

Electronic giving is a convenience for us when we’re on vacation, can’t find our envelopes or just don’t want to write checks. It’s also helpful for St. Mark’s — electronic giving is consistent, making our income more predicable and our finances easier to manage.

When you sign up for electronic giving, the amount that you wish to commit to the work of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church is automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account on either a weekly or monthly basis. The amount that you designate for electronic giving can either be your full pledge or only a part of your pledge. If you sign up for the weekly option, the amount you designate will be withdrawn every Thursday. If you sign up for the monthly option, the amount will be withdrawn on the first Thursday of the month.

If you are considering electronic giving or have questions, feel free to contact Jim Erickson, Financial Secretary, at: [email protected] or 630-897-0291.

Hospital Stays

Under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), hospitals are restricted in their ability to disclose patient information, and the pastor or church office may not be notified that a parishioner has been admitted to the hospital. If you or a family member are hospitalized or ill and you would like the pastor to know, please inform the church office directly at 630-897-6891.

mailto:[email protected]

Servers for Worship

March 4 & 5 Saturday, 5:00pm Sunday, 9:00am Sunday, 10:30am

Acolytes G. O’Reilly, L. Dodson, O. King Madeline Drafall

Adult Worship Assistants Bob Johnson Greg Jackman -

A/V Desk Kasey Minard Scott Thompson Jill Fox

Altar Care Don Bryant Team A Team A

Bread Baker Pam Krasinski Pam Krasinski Pam Krasinski

Hospitality Team Don Bryant, Terry & Pam O’Connell Team A - Mark Perry Team A - Debbie Steinheimer

Reader Bob Johnson Team A Team A

Welcome Center Hosts TBA Team A Team A

March 11 & 12

Acolytes TBA TBA Jillian Bantz, David Simpson

Adult Worship Assistants Bob Johnson Anna Themanson -

A/V Desk Kathy Walz Fred Krueger Taty Smith

Altar Care Erik Egeland Team B Team B

Bread Baker Matt Greising Matt Greising Matt Greising

Hospitality Team K. Minard, M. Hicks, S. Johnson Team B - Bruce Wood Team B - Youth Group

Reader Erik Egeland Team B Team B

Welcome Center Hosts TBA Team B Team B

March 18 & 19

Acolytes TBA Michelle Gorney, Grace O’Reilly TBA


A/V Desk Nancy Clark Dan Hawks Melvin Smith

Altar Care Sheila Johnson Team C Team C

Bread Baker Susan Manning Susan Manning Susan Manning

Hospitality Team Jens Jensen, Shell & Lynida Tomlin Team C - John & Terry Thorsen Team C - Gordon Olp

Reader Miriam Hicks Team C Team C

Welcome Center Hosts TBA Team C Team C

March 25 & 26

Acolytes TBA TBA


A/V Desk Sheila Johnson Matt Greising Mark Hipp

Altar Care Don Bryant Team D Team D

Bread Baker Jens Jensen Jens Jensen Jens Jensen

Hospitality Team Virgil Ostreng, Dave & Nancy Clark Team D - John & Terry Thorsen Team D

Reader Kathy Walz Team D Team D

Welcome Center Hosts TBA Team D Team D

Non-profit Org.

U.S. Postage PAID Aurora, Illinois

Permit No. 32

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church is

a member congregation of

the Evangelical Lutheran Church

in America.

www.stmarksaurora.net

www.facebook.com/stmarksaurora

St. Mark's Lutheran Church 27 South Edgelawn Drive Aurora, IL 60506

Phone: (630) 897-6891 Fax: (630) 897-4842 Web: www.stmarksaurora.net

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