THE GOOD NEWS OF ST. MARK
February 2013
www.thewelcomeplace.net
610-626-5295
Interim Pastor, Arlene K. Greenwald - 610-213-9600 - [email protected]
WORSHIP - TWO OPPORTUNITIES EVERY SUNDAY!
Worship hours
Sunday morning at 8:30 am - Contemporary Service with Communion
Sunday morning at 11:00 am - Festival Service with Communion
ANNUAL MEETING
On January 27, our annual meeting and a breakfast will be held upstairs at 9:30 am. The meeting will
be preceded and followed by our worship services at their regular times - 8:30 and 11 am. If you are a lay
leader, please prepare a brief report about the activities of your ministry or committee or area of activity
during 2012. Your report will help us prepare our 2012 Annual Report and also plan for 2013. All reports
should be given to Madeline Brown or sent to her via e-mail at [email protected] no later than
Sunday, January 13.
Please plan to attend this meeting on January 27 so that you can be better informed of ongoing
changes as we continue our period of transition.
RENEWAL OF MARRIAGE VOWS
Whether you have been married for a short time or a long time, renewing your wedding vows is a wonderful
way to affirm that commitment you made when you were first married. All married couples are invited to
renew their wedding vows on Sunday, February 10, at 10 am. While the service only lasts about 15 minutes,
the impression it makes may well be the best part of your observance of Valentine's Day.
ALTAR FLOWERS, PERPETUAL CANDLE, CELEBRATE AND CHILDREN’S BULLETINS
Please sign up in the Narthex to dedicate altar flowers ($30 a week), the perpetual candle ($5) and our Celebrate
and children’s bulletins ($15 a week for both). The dedication information is printed in our weekly Bulletin
Insert.
ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP
St. Mark's observance of Lent begins with a 7 pm service on Ash Wednesday, February 13. Each of us has been
marked with the cross of Christ in our baptism. During the service, which includes a message and Holy
Communion, those who wish to do so may also receive ashes. Ash Wednesday reminds all of us that we are
dust and that to dust we shall return. Yet, thankfully, our faith promises that nothing, not even death, can
separate us from God's love. Won't you gather for this powerful service at St. Mark? Consider inviting a friend
or relative who may not have a church home. Lent is a 40 day period, observed by Christians ever since the 4th
century, focusing on Christ's journey to the cross. Instead of giving up something for Lent, why not add to your
devotional and worship life by taking advantage of this additional opportunity for worship and those which
The M ission of St. M ark Lutheran Church is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through W ord and action.
THE GOOD NEWS OF ST. MARK
February 2013
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follow. This year, our Director of Music, Faith Woodward, choir and guest instrumentalists/soloists will enrich
our Ash Wednesday worship.
A Meal Before the Ashes
While we are not celebrating Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday") at St. Mark this year, we are offering an opportunity
for you to break bread with your brothers and sisters in Christ before our Ash Wednesday service on February
13. The dinner will be hoagies, salad and chips at a cost of $5 for adults and $3 for kids ($2 more at the door).
Please sign up in the Narthex if you will attend. We will gather for fellowship/set-up beginning at 5:30 pm with
the meal being served from 6:00 to 6:30 pm. At approximately 6:50 pm, after everyone has helped to clean
up, a fire will be created to burn the sins which have been written privately by attendees on slips of paper. This
will serve as a wonderful preparation for a deeply meaningful Ash Wednesday worship experience.
Gifts of Praise
Gifts of Praise will lead our worship on Sunday, February 24. Come out and participate this special worship.
Lenten Services
Beginning Wednesday, February 20, at 7 pm, we gather for Lenten worship and Bible study. Please join us.
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Christian School for Ages 2 through Kindergarten
Our in-house registration for the 2013-2014 school year is going well and we will hold open registration for
the public on Saturday, February 2 from 10 am to noon. The Christian School staff continues to be thankful
for all of the support and prayers that are given to us by the congregation. They are a big part of our success.
Congratulations to Kathy Cosentino and our entire school staff for once again having a successful,
deficiency-free inspection by the State.
Art Judges Needed
Come check out the art show, presented by the Kindergarten Class of St. Mark's Christian School, right in our
social hall at St. Mark and have something to say that will be appreciated! Our fifth annual Kindergarten Art
Show is scheduled for Friday, March 1 from 6:30 to 8 pm. We need your help to select the best works in over
ten categories. Judging will take place on Sunday, February 24, following/before all services. This is also your
chance to beat the crowds (we are not exaggerating) of proud parents, grandparents and relatives. Can't get
downstairs? Winning art work will be presented in the Narthex on Sunday, March 3. Come see why so many
parents continually rave about, and recommend, our Christian School!
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND PRAYER
Bible Study Opportunities
Wednesday evening Bible Study continues at St. Mark at 7 pm. This is a wonderful time to gather for
fellowship and the study of God’s Word.
Additionally, a weekly Bible study continues to be offered on Fridays at Holy Spirit Lutheran, Secane. The
study begins at 12:30, with several participants gathering at noon, bringing their lunch with them.
You Can Experience the Power of Prayer at St. Mark
None can know the power of prayer except those who learned it from experience, according to Martin Luther.
St. Mark offers you several ways to see for yourself. To join a weekly e-mail prayer chain, simply e-mail Darlene
Klingerman at [email protected]. You can have your prayer requests added to this list by
writing them in the book in the Narthex or placing a prayer card in the offering. In addition, you may want to
come to our monthly prayer gathering at St. Mark. The date is Thursday, February 7 at 7:00. Come and join
the group - praying out loud or silently with others is a unique way to be drawn closer to the living God.
YOUTH
Souper Bowl Donations for World Hunger (ELCA)
On Sunday, February 3, our youth will be at the entrance to the Sanctuary with large soup kettles. This will
be a special opportunity for all to donate to the ELCA World Hunger program.
The M ission of St. M ark Lutheran Church is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through W ord and action.
THE GOOD NEWS OF ST. MARK
February 2013
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Harvey Cedars
Sunday, February 3 is the final registration date for the March 1-3, 2013 Harvey Cedars retreat. All paperwork
and payments are due on or before that date.
FOOD, FELLOWSHIP AND FUN
Adults Only Dinner
The Adults Only Dinner will be held on Friday, February 1 at 6 pm. The cost of the dinner is $7. Please join
in the fun.
AROUND ST. MARK
Call Process
The church council leadership will give call process updates to the congregation on a regular basis on Sunday
mornings. They will speak of the process but not of names or places they visit. Please pray for the Call
Committee that God's Holy Spirit may guide and direct each member of the committee when speaking to
pastoral candidates for St. Mark.
Senior Social Group
The Senior Social Group will meet, at Holy Spirit, at noon on Thursday, February 21.
Christmas Tree
Thank you to all who put up, and took down, our Christmas tree. It was one of our prettiest in years.
FROM INTERIM PASTOR ARLENE GREENWALD
Dear friends of St. Mark;
Lent is one the most meditative season in the church year. For six weeks, we prepare ourselves for Easter
by recalling why Christ's death and resurrection were necessary — sin. Lent is meant to be a time of reflection
and introspection. It is a time to remember that repentance is the most vital part of the Christian's life, as
repentance and faith are essentially synonymous. Traditionally, the most jubilant word of the Church —
Alleluia, which means "Praise the LORD!" — is not used during Lent. The most boisterous liturgical song, the
Gloria in Excelsis (meaning "Glory to God in the highest!") is put away for six weeks. In Lent, there are more
periods of silence during worship. Many hymns are written in a minor key. This is all meant to symbolically
capture the solemnity of the season.
However, solemn is not synonymous with sad. Solemn means: serious, sober, earnest. Lent is serious, but
it is not predominantly sad. You see that in the historic title for the Fourth Sunday in Lent: Laetare. That Latin
word is a command meaning Rejoice! The Church thought it wise to stick a reminder right in the middle of
Lent, helping us recall what Lent is all about - our Saviour gladly and willing suffered for our sins, that we
might live. And the reason we know we will live is because Lent doesn't end with Good Friday, but with the
resurrection of Easter. And so we embrace the wisdom of the Church fathers: Laetare! Rejoice!
Sometimes, we can treat Lent like it were one big long Good Friday, with a nonstop focus of on the dour
details of Christ's torture and death. Such things are certainly the proper focus of the final portion of Holy
Week, but they are not meant to be the focus of all of Lent. You might consider taking on a ministry or new
Bible class or spend time in scripture and prayer to your Lord. Whatever you decide for Lent may it be renewing
and strengthening to you.
So - may Lent be serious. Be sober. Be solemn. But do not be sad. Rejoice! What Christ endures he does so
gladly. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross
(Hebrews 12:2). In response to Christ's serious love, may our love, our faith, and our repentance be equally
serious.
Peace, Pastor Greenwald
Adaptation from Amazing Lutheran Church, South Carolina news article on Lent
The M ission of St. M ark Lutheran Church is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through W ord and action.