This Week's / Recent Announcements

  !!!

Whom have YOU invited to join us at
St. Mark's ?

--------------------------

Adult Forum

Beginning this week, our Adult Forum sessions will consist of an introduction to and a discussion of the Sunday scripture readings. Those appointed for next Sunday, November 23, are:

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 100,
Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46

(The Adult Forum meets on Wednesdays from 11:00-11:50 and on Sundays from 9:30 until 10:10.)

--------------------------

St. Mark's 2009 Stewardship Campaign

We are asked to use our abundant gifts with which we have been blessed to do God’s work in this world. We are expected to grow those gifts and use them wisely as we attend to the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves. During this Stewardship campaign, may we give in worship and appreciation to God for our many blessings and as a statement of our faith that He will continue to provide for our own needs. Please submit your pledge by November 30, 2008 to allow it to be included with others as an offering during the worship service on that day.

Jim Rudd
Stewardship Chairperson

--------------------------

Rector's Continuing Education

All clergy in the Episcopal Church are expected to do two weeks of continuing education each year. This coming week, Mike will be fulfilling part of that requirement by participating in the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. He will be out of the office from this Wednesday afternoon until the following Wednesday (November 26).

If you have any pastoral needs during this time (or on any Thursdays throughout the year) please contact our Deacon, Mary Slenski. Her home phone number is 429-5513. For any other issues, needs or concerns, please contact one of our Wardens, Tony Rubino or Jim Rudd. Our secretary, Rachel Huffman, is in the church office Monday through Friday from 8:30 until 12:30.

--------------------------

Prayer List

**Most of the Names on our Prayer List have been there for several months. If you want to keep someone’s name on the list, please notify the Secretary by Tuesday, November 25th. Thank you.**

--------------------------

Now available are the 2009 Episcopal Kalendar Church Year Guide for only $2.00 each. If you would like to purchase a calendar, they are located in the church office.

--------------------------

Service of Prayer and Remembrance

This afternoon, Sunday, November 16
4:00 pm
Here at St. Mark’s

This service celebrates The Lesser Feast of All Faithful Departed which sets aside a particular time to remember the saints who are close to us. It’s one thing to hear of saints from years and ages gone by and we remember by name those close to us who died in the last year in the All Saint’s necrology. It’s another when it’s someone we knew personally, when there is or was an emotional attachment. Time goes by but they are still part of our lives. The words of Scripture and our tradition, voiced as a conversation with God in the office of Evening Prayer, allow us to express that emotional reality while we who still walk this earth, live without their daily presence but still in the hope of that same resurrection.

--------------------------

Please plan to join the other members of our church, together with members of Faith Lutheran,
Community United Methodist,
and St. Mark’s Lutheran
for a Service of Thanksgiving.

It will take place on Wednesday, November 21st at 7:00 pm at
Community United Methodist Church
339 Meyer Ave and Burkhardt.

--------------------------

St. Mark's 2008 Fundraising Campaign

Contributions continue to come in. Since our letters of May and early September, we have received $7,295 from eleven contributors. This breaks down to $3,570 for the Capital Improvement fund, $825 for Buildings and Grounds, $2,300 for general expenses, $300 for Habitat for Humanity, and $300 for Seminary Support. Your Vestry thanks the providers of these donations for their extra giving.

--------------------------

Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed...

Coffee Hour Hosts 
needed for Future Weeks!

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet & greet your church family members. If you would like more information on how to host a coffee hour please ask any Vestry Member. The sign up sheet is located on the bulletin board outside the church office.

--------------------------

ST. MARK'S SOFTBALL

Thanks to all the St. Mark's supporters who helped to make our season a big success.  We had a 7-6 winning record in the regular season and ended tournament play with a record of 2-2.

--------------------------

Regular Office Hours for the Church Office

Monday - Friday:  8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

--------------------------

Help Needed with Lawn Mowing

We need volunteers to agree to mow our church lawn during one or more weeks from spring until fall.

If you are will to give a few hours to this important chore, please select a week (or weeks) from the list on the bulletin board just outside the church office.

One of our “veterans” will be in contact with you to provide complete information.

Many Thanks!!!

--------------------------

There are openings for Altar Flowers on the sign-up sheet outside the church office. The beautiful arrangements are only $30.00.

Thanks!

--------------------------

Sanctuary Lamp

The candle in the Sanctuary Lamp represents the everlasting glow of God’s light upon us all. We celebrate the memory of those who have died and the blessing of those we care about. A signup sheet is available on the bulletin board outside the church office. Due to a price increase the Sanctuary Candle will now cost $7.00 for a two week period instead of $6.00.

--------------------------

New Choir Director Named!

St. Mark’s is pleased to announce that our very own Christine Browning will be directing the choir for at least one year while she is student teaching.  Congratulations Christine!  St. Mark's is very fortunate to have such talent right in our own congregation!

--------------------------

The THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH is our regular monthly

“Hunger Sunday”

Please remember to bring in non-perishable food items to be donated to the Food Pantry at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Dayton.

Items Needed Pantry:  Canned Fruit, Creamed Corn Peas, Cooking Oil, Sugar, Saltine Crackers, Bar Soap, Canned Meat, Canned Soup, Pork & Beans, Mac & Cheese, Manwich Sauce, Shampoo, Toilet Paper.

Thank you for your generosity!

--------------------------

Starting Sunday, October 1, 2006 there has been a bin to collect items for Care House. This project will take place on the FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH  Please remember to bring in you donation. 

CARE HOUSE WISH LIST

· Juice boxes

· Snack foods (individually wrapped, please)

· Board games (preschool through adolescence)

· Hand-held electronic games (preschool through adolescence)

· Gel pens and stickers

· Sports items (baseballs and baseball gloves, footballs and soccer balls)

· Paper Products (napkins, plates and towels)

· Personal care items (combs, hairbrushes, lotion, mouthwash, Q-tips, shampoo, soap, tissues, toothbrushes and toothpaste)

· Stuffed animals (new please)*

· Plastic storage tubs (new please)

*As part of The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, CARE House is unable to accept used stuffed animals due to our infection control policy.

--------------------------

Ways you can help St. Mark’s recycle:

·  Once you receive your lion’s tale place your personalized envelope in the recycle folder. This helps save money on envelopes, labels, and stamps. 

·  The Kemp School computer lab is supported in part by donations of used printer cartridges. If you have any used ink cartridges please bring them into the church office. Drop box is located on the bookshelf.

·  The Seamen’s Church Institute of New York and New Jersey is collecting and distributing 2008 calendars to seafarers. Episcopalians are encouraged to save 2008 calendars they received in the mail or from local business. Ruby Webster will be collecting these calendars (pocket to wall size) until the middle of January. The calendar donation basket is located on the church office bookshelf.

--------------------------

Our On-Line Directory is Here!

Click on the Olan Mills logo below to get started to see the latest photos and names of St. Mark's parishioners.

(For security purposes the site is password protected.  The password will be announced at our Sunday Services or it may be obtained via. e-mail from St. Mark's Webmaster.)

--------------------------

Don’t panic!!!

Everyone can have a chance to help will the Coffee Hour, Lawn Mowing, Altar Flowers, or Sanctuary Candle. 
Please do not push and shove!
There are plenty of openings just waiting to be filled.

--------------------------

You already know this, because you are HERE!

But just because you are not able to make it to church doesn’t mean that you can’t share in at least part of our Sunday celebration!

Our webmaster, Dave Reuter, posts on our web site each week the scripture readings for the Sunday, the homily and the announcements. Also, if you would like some music to accompany your private worship time, you can visit http://www.cyberhymnal.org/ which allows you to choose, listen to, and learn about over 5400 hymns.

--------------------------

The Baptismal Covenant

(The Book of Common Prayer, pages 304-5)

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

--------------------------

It is said that music is the universal language for all people. Well, today, United Way is “preaching to the choir.” We believe St. Mark’s Episcopal and United Way have a common melody: 

>>> We care what happens to children and youth

>>> We promote strengthening individuals and families

>>> We respect dignity and independence for the elderly

>>> We support quality programs and services to meet needs

Please support the United Way campaign.

--------------------------

St. Mark’s Focused Outreach Opportunities

>> Kemp School Community Project <<

>> Canterbury Court <<

>> CARE House <<

Contact Father Mike or Jim Rudd to learn how you can get involved! Together we can make a difference.

--------------------------

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself; and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart fro that desire. And I known that, if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

--------------------------

St. Mark’s Youth Program meets in the Youth Room from 9:30 until 10:15 to discuss the role of faith in the lives of our young adults. The leaders are T. J. and Jenna Walch.

4th and 6th Grades meet from 9:30 until 10:15 for this year’s series, “This is the Church.” The leader is Laura Nancarrow.

2nd and 3rd Grades meet from 9:30 until 10:15 for this year’s series. The leader is Carol Nancarrow.

Kindergarten – 1st Grade meets from 9:30 until 10:20 to share a time of learning about the Bible and the life of the Church. Janet Reuter and Kendall Rubino are the leaders.

--------------------------

Need to know what's happening this month or next at St Mark's???  Then click HERE!
--------------------------

Weekly Scripture Readings

The Revised Common Lectionary, which lists all of the upcoming reading for the year is now listed on our web site.  From the Main Menu, go to Schedules, Scripture Readings, and then select the appropriate year of interest.  ...Or simply click HERE!

-------------------------- 

Good News

The 2006 Sign up sheets for the Sanctuary Candle is on the bulletin board outside the church office. If you sign up for the candle it covers two Sundays for only $6.00.

--------------------------

Building and Grounds Information !!!

When you leave our buildings during the week, please be sure to close windows and doors and turn off the lights.

We have had several occasions lately when we have come in early in the morning to find stairway lights on, the breezeway lights on, a window open, and even the church office door open.

Thank you for your increased awareness of our need to keep our facilities -- and the people who use them -- secure!

--------------------------

The Parish Resource Center is now...

NEW SOURCE

St. Mark's is a long-time member of the New Source (formerly The Parish Resource Center), which provides a wonderful variety of books, videos, puppets, costumes, banners and many other items - plus friendly, helpful professional assistance - to all of our members.

The Center has recently moved and is now located on Salem Avenue just north of Cornell Avenue.  Visit them on their new web site at www.nstcm.org/.

--------------------------

 

> Providing food for a family who lost their home and possessions in a fire

> Providing needed medication to a woman who was injured by her abusive husband

> Providing diapers for a "special-needs" child whose mother could not afford them

> Assisting a family who could not afford the cost of a funeral for their infant daughter.

Thank you, and may God bless you for your generosity!

Interested in Scouting?

If you're a girl, age 9-11 or in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade. You can become a Junior Girl Scout. Troop #2302 meets at St. Mark's on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The first meeting of the next membership year is September 20th. If you're interested, phone Jackie Skiple at 427-1303 or email skiples@sbcglobal.net for registration information. Don't delay. Troop size is limited.

The lamp hanging in the sanctuary will need donors to keep it burning. The cost for each candle will be $6 for a two week period. Also, more than one person/family can sign-up for a candle. Each week the bulletin will announce from whom the candle was given and why. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board outside the church office.

We have been blessed with a wonderful group of infants and toddlers in our parish. Several of them participate each week in a special Sunday School program in our Nursery during the first part of the 10:30 service. To continue this, we need a few adults in the parish to volunteer, perhaps just once every month or two, to assist Judy Kreutzer and Sandy Bultman in the Nursery.

Please consider signing-up for this important, and fun, form of ministry on the list posted outside the Nursery.