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Welcome Advent
June 20, 2012 Issue 202
Vacation Bible School is coming! By Lynne Kendrick
Remember the
Pandamania from
last summer? VBS
was a TOTAL BLAST,
and our church was
turned into a tropical
forest with Panda bears
everywhere! Looking at
these pictures and remem-
bering all the fun we had
makes me excited for VBS
this summer. It will be a
high-flying adventure the
week of July 22-26. Our theme this year is
“Sky,” so imagine flying the friendly skies
where kids learn to trust God! We’re all get-
ting ready for a soaring good time!
VBS is the perfect time to make new
friends and learn that “Everything is possible
with God!” Each day, kids and adults partici-
pate in small groups, called “crews,” where
they’ll meet a new Bible Buddy and learn a
new Bible Point to help grow closer to God.
We’ll explore Bible truths with memory
verses. You and your kids will discover that
with God, the sky’s the limit!
Sky provides amazing Bible learning ex-
periences involving our eyes, ears, hands
and even our taste buds! Our flight crews
will visit stations like Imagination Station, All
-Star Games, Wild Blue Bible Adventures,
Skydive Diner and the always-favorite Chad-
der’s Sky High Movie (newly animated this
year). These activities help faith flow into
real life. We’ll also
be collecting school
supplies for Fami-
lies Helping Fami-
lies. Get ready for a
high-flying adven-
ture!
Register your
children, ages 3 through 5th
grade (as of fall 2012) for
crew placement today!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
IS JULY 12 Go to our web
site, www.faith-life.org,
and click on the VBS logo to register or pick
up a form in The Crossings. There are two
sessions to choose from. The morning ses-
sion is 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through
Thursday. The evening session is 6 p.m. to
8:40 p.m., Sunday through Wednesday. A
family celebration
follows on Friday,
July 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Do you love
God? Do you love
kids? VBS makes it
easy to be a volun-
teer with little or no preparation! Just show
up and let God bless your day! (We provide
training and materials.) We are especially in
need of volunteers during the evening ses-
sion. Check out the volunteer board in The
Crossings to see where you can help or visit
www.faith-life.org and click on the VBS logo
to sign up online. To learn more, contact
Lynne at [email protected] or call 447-0100.
“I think creatively exploring one psalm each week will be meaningful and memorable!”
— Sarah Bartlett “I’m excited about the scavenger hunt that I wrote about. I hope people will take advantage of it. It should be a blast for the whole family.
—Jessy Vera “It’s a great tool to help families succeed at experiencing God’s Word together—and enjoy doing it.”
— Stephan Peck
See What Everyone’s Talking About...page 2
Page 2
Our summer sermon series covers the worship book of
the people of Israel - the Psalms. We will cover 10 of the
best loved psalms in our sermon series, plus invite the
congregation to read through the entire book of Psalms
over the summer.
Join us this Sunday as we look at Psalm 23 and “Trust
the Shepherd.”
Several staff members have prepared creative devo-
tions for all of us to enjoy all summer long. Each day
there'll be a fun, creative, connecting activity for families
and friends to do. Be sure to get your devotion pad after
worship on Sunday. Then let the fun and learning begin.
Families will be encouraged to post artistic expressions
of their interaction with the Psalms on St. Mark's Face-
book page. We invite the whole congregation to grow in
their "FaceTime" with God as we go deeper into the
Psalms.
Don’t miss our June 24 FaceTime “Trust”
ARC Family Fun Night Thank you to all who baked and
volunteered for the evening of the
Arc Family Fun night June 6! We
had a record number of guests and
volunteers and fun was had by
everyone! There were 175 guests
and 50 or more volunteers.
Blood drive success The June 1 blood drive was a huge
success. We had more than 50
people sign up, and we were able
to donate 40 units of blood to the
Red Cross. That’s a record for St.
Mark’s. Thanks to all those that
helped save lives by giving blood.
Forum held on Brazil trip
Did you miss the June 17 forum on
our upcoming mission trip to Bra-
zil. Look for a brochure at our in-
formation centers.
Missions Update
Page 3
Dementia/Alzheimer's group Find fellowship, advice and information on dealing with
dementia or Alzheimer's at an informal support group
June 24 at 9:45 a.m. in Anchor Room. Please let us know if
you’d like someone to sit with your loved one so you can
attend group meetings. Contact Melissa at
S'more Crossfire! Join us at the cross behind St. Mark's June 24 for a time of
worship and prayer beginning at 7:00 p.m. We will pray for
St. Mark’s Children’s Ministry and Care Team, then enjoy
s'mores and fellowship around the fire pit.
Marion K-9 unit at 50+ potluck Join us for the 50+ potluck meal at 11:30 a.m. Thursday,
June 28 in The Crossings. Marion police officer Jeff Hartwig
and K-9 dog, Rico, will present our program. Please bring a
covered dish and your own table service.
I Am Second Find the hope, peace, and fulfillment that others have
found. Be Second. Join us at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 8 and
Aug. 12 in the Legacy Room.
Join 50+ for a catered meal July 8 Join the next 50+ catered meal on Sunday, July 8 at 11:30
a.m. in The Crossings. The cost will be $8.50 per per-
son. Call Sharon Staton at 447-9130 for reservations.
Promise Keepers Area men are invited to this year’s Promise Keepers con-
ference Friday and Saturday, July 13-14 at the UNI Dome
in Cedar Falls. For more information, contact Gene Wolter
at [email protected] (or 378-8076).
Pre-baptism class July 14 Our next pre-baptism class is scheduled for
Saturday, July 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the church
library. Call 447-0100 to register.
Praise in the Park Iowa 2012 "Feed the 5,000" is the theme of this Christian concert
event July 13 at the Kernels stadium in Cedar Rapids. Mer-
cyMe will headline the event that features a food drive,
blood drive and bone marrow testing drive. Learn more at
www.praiseintheparkiowa.org.
Christian book club to meet The Christian Book Club will meet Monday,
July 16 at 9:30 a.m. at one of our mem-
ber’s homes. We will be reading “The Har-
binger” by Jonathan Cahn. Please join our
next discussion. For more information,
contact [email protected].
Church Council to meet July 16 The next meeting of the Church Council will be 4 p.m.
Monday, July 16. To contact the council, send an email to:
Join 50+ at the Old Creamery Theatre The 50+ group is heading to Old Creamery in Amana to
watch “A Second Helping: The Church Basement Ladies
Sequel” on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 3:00 p.m. Registration and
payment of $23 per person must be received by July
17. Carpool arrangements will be made and we plan to
eat at the Ox Yoke Inn after the show (each person pays
for their meal). Please call Sharon Staton at 447-9130 if
you have any questions or would like to sign up.
Page 4
Wednesday, June 27 6:30 PM Alpha
7:00 PM Crossways
7:30 PM Fan the Flame
Thursday, June 28 11:30 AM 50+ Potluck
5:30 PM Capital Appeal Team
6:30 PM “Welcome to St. Mark’s” Class
Sunday, July 1 8:15 AM Preschool Sunday School
9:45 AM Preschool Sunday School
11:00 AM Crossways
Summer Mission Forum/CrossRoads Mission
For complete listings, including small groups, Bible studies and
committees, refer to the St. Mark’s Calendar at www.faith-life.org.
SELECTED EVENTS AT ST. MARK’S SELECTED EVENTS AT ST. MARK’S
Sunday, June 24 8:15 AM Preschool Sunday School
9:45 AM Dementia Support Group
Preschool Sunday School
Summer Mission Forum / M.A.F.
11:00 AM Crossways
Summer Mission Forum / M.A.F.
Preschool Sunday School
12:15 PM H.S. Mission Trip Meeting
6:00 PM I Am Second
7:00 PM S’more Crossfire!
Monday, June 25 6:30 PM Men’s Ministry Leadership Mtg.
Tuesday, June 26 9:00 AM Quilters
12:00 PM Crafters
GRIEVING: Kevin and Deb Becker and fam-
ily at the death of Kevin’s dad, Don, on June 16.
HOSPITALIZED: Dick Hovey, Mercy Alfred Kaupins, St. Luke’s
HEALTH CONCERNS: Norm Anderson Mary Ellen Kaness, receiving hos-
pice care at home Diane Popken Angie Schroeder Linda Wood
A big thank you! A big thank you to St. Mark's for their many expressions
of concern - a beautiful prayer shawl, flowers, cookie
plates, cards, communion, and friendly visits extended to
me at the Hiawatha Care Center these past seven months.
God is great and I am so grateful.
Marge Henderson
Thank you: what a surprise! What a surprise welcomed me at your choir potluck
recently when I discovered it was in my honor, for these
many years of choir singing. Thank you so very much! I
applaud you all: the new choir director, our able accompa-
nist, and Rosie Bowers who so ably did the program - even
a letter from our former director, Allen Koepke. Needless
to say, I was overwhelmed by it all. Thank you from the
bottom of my heart.
Rose Marie Lortz
Thank you for donation Thank you St. Mark's friends for your recent donation
of $1,000. It is an honor partnering with you on campus.
Kyle & Katie Nelson
Thank you for the special attention Thanks again for your special attention. The flowers,
goodie plate, cards and visits are great for cheering up
shut-ins. Bless you.
Al & Gloria Anderson
Thank you for gift bags Thank you so much for your donation of generous gift
bags for families of patients at University of Iowa Chil-
dren’s Hospital. Gifts such as yours truly help us to bring
happiness to life for children hospitalized. The hope and
encouragement that come from donations such as this
conveys a strong message of caring and help to lift spirits
and promote healing.
It has been so much fun to put these donations to work
and see the smiles that come to the faces of our pediatric
patients and their family members. Thank you so much for
thinking of the patients and families at University of Iowa
Children’s Hospital.
Gwen Senio University of Iowa Children’s Hospital
Page 5
By Darlene Hartkemeyer
Eight Days of Hope IX was a huge success with more
than 1,800 volunteers coming to serve our Lord! We had
volunteers from 44 states and three countries (Australia,
Canada, and South America), including St. Mark’s mem-
bers Faye Hanson, Darlene Welsh and myself.
This was the largest group of volunteers ever! We
worked in 127 homes and completed $1.6 million worth of
work. In addition to home–building, we worked on 434
community projects and helped Camp Seafarer Girl Scout
Camp complete a project since they graciously provided
free lodging, electricity, dining hall, worship area, and ac-
tivities to Eight Days of Hope for the week.
Some of the early challenges came with having so many
volunteers. The local college opened its doors for addi-
tional lodging. Cots and air mattresses were brought in.
Additional food had to be made (more than 1,200 sand-
wiches had to be prepared daily) and additional food lines
and servers were needed.
We ran out of T-shirts and quickly got the printers to
make more. More than 100 loads of laundry had to be
done each day. No complaining and always smiles on the
faces of all…happy to serve our Lord and Savior!
We had a couple of medical issues this year. One lady
fell from the second rung of her stepladder and had to be
airlifted to the Greenville, N.C., hospital. She was badly
bruised and very sore but was back at the camp the next
day, thanking all for their prayers and good wishes. Thank
God she is doing well with her recovery. In another case, a
gentleman needed emergency eye surgery. The eye spe-
cialist was so thankful for the gentleman’s service to Eight
Days of Hope that he paid for the entire $8,000 surgery.
God is great! Our prayers were answered as he, too, is re-
covering.
The North Carolina homeowners were so thankful for
all the volunteers and work we provided to them. They
loved the quilts we delivered to them from the St. Mark's
Quilters (12 adult and 5 youth quilts). We had requests
from many wanting to buy our quilts.
The real story of Eight Days of Hope is how the lives of
homeowners and volunteers are being changed forever
through the recov-
ery efforts.
We have one
goal: Love people as
Jesus loves us! As a
result, on these
trips, we as volun-
teers come intend-
ing to bless others
only to find we go
home feeling like
we are the ones
being blessed.
Thank you to Christopher Duffy (blind at birth and
taken from his mother who was a drug addict, now 12
years old, adopted by his aunt and uncle), who sang "Lift
Up Mine Eyes, Lord" to us. On Memorial Day, he dedicated
and sang a song to all the soldiers who have served our
country. There wasn't a dry eye in the hall. He loves the
Lord and is so happy to be alive. He is such a thankful
young man.
I can't thank you enough for allowing me to serve on
behalf of St. Mark's and for sponsoring a meal at $1,500. I
am honored to be a part of such a wonderful mission. I
pray there will be another Eight Days of Hope soon.
More than 1,800 serve during Eight Days of Hope
ABOVE: Darlene Welsh helps check in volunteers at the admini-stration table. BELOW: Faye Hanson and Darlene Hartkemeyer help make sandwiches for the volunteers.
Page 6
Fun Family Devotion
Family Fun Devotion
Take your family on a photo
adventure, going to various
locations and taking pictures
of each other. Take turns
snapping shots so everyone
gets into the pictures, or ask
bystanders to take your pic-
ture whenever you can. Make
your shots silly and capture
the adventurous spirit of your
family. Here are some ideas to
get you going:
At a local park, hanging from the trees
In your laundry room, with the smallest family
member peeking out of the dryer
At the library, having everyone tiptoe in with their
fingers to their lips in a “Shhh!” expression.
Print the pictures or put them on your computer. As
you look at them, discuss what you think you will re-
member when you look back at these pictures years
later. If you were to use these pictures to tell one of your
future children or grand-
children about your family,
what would you tell them?
Read Psalm 71:17-18.
This song was written by an
older person who remem-
bered what God had done
for him in the past and
wanted to pass on these
memories to younger peo-
ple.
What is something God has done for you in the past?
Did you tell others about this?
End in prayer. Have family members choose one
photo that shows something that they like about your
family. Take turns praying for God to help your family
show those qualities to others.
Bible Quiz Question: Who is the older person speaking in Psalm 70 and 71?
Take the family on a photo adventure!
VBS donations needed! We are looking for your umbrellas
and your kites
(no characters please) to decorate our
church for VBS this summer. All
items donated can be returned to
you after July 29th. Just
make sure you put your name on them! There are also
a few items still needed for the kids to use or eat
during VBS. Please check out the supply donation
board in The Crossings to see what is still needed.
Preschool Sunday school Do you have a preschool-aged child who wiggles and gig-
gles in church? This summer, we invite them to Noah's
Park for fun while learning about Noah, Jonah and
David. Available at 8:30, 9:45
and 11:00 a.m. throughout the
summer. Sign them in at the
Noah's Park registration desk.
If you have questions or wish
to help in this exciting summer
opportunity, please contact
Holly at [email protected].
Page 7
For those impacted by St. Mark’s 6th – 12th Grade Ministry
Jody Skogen, director of youth ministries, [email protected] Stephan Peck, director of high school ministries, [email protected]
Tami Foley, administrative assistant to Youth Ministries, [email protected]
Volunteer at VBS! Incoming 6th-graders
through H.S. graduates: If
you haven’t yet signed up to
help with VBS, don’t miss the
opportunity! Sign up in The
Crossings or online at
www.faith-life.org.
Our H.S. missionaries are serving in Kentucky! Our missionaries are sent! On Sunday, our 45 high
school and adult leader missionaries headed for Louis-
ville, Kentucky! They return this weekend. While they’re
there they are partnering with YWAM (Youth With A Mis-
sion) to impact the city of Louisville,
Ky. (and beyond) through the glorious
Gospel. This will be done through
Party in The Park, which includes
reaching underprivileged children
through skits, music, games, activities, fun & interactive
bible lessons, and through friendships. Additionally, we
will be helping with Tornado restoration projects in Hen-
ryville, IN as well as providing help to additional ministries
& organizations. Please pray for our missionaries: Ingrid
Zumbach, Karol White, Kelsey White, Natalie Thompson,
Kayla Thelen, Grant Sundberg, Ryker Stabenow, Greg
Spies, Gabe Smith, Aaron Sloterdyk, Jim Seiwald, Taylor
Richardson, Stephan Peck, Chris Palmer, Luke Palandech,
Beau Oberbroeckling, Zoe Nanke, Zach Mulvihill, Made-
line Morris, Maggie Molander, Hannah
Lunstrum, Amanda Lockwood, Sarah
Lindell, Jane Laubengayer, Lydia Kra-
tovil, Eric Knoll, Kate Klinkefus, Olivia
Kline, Theresa Kaestner, Taylor Jack-
son, Jenna Green, Liz Gaffney, Ashley Fruhling, Caleb
Fruhling, Claire Fiedler, Tyler Feauto, Kari Dummermuth,
Morgan Diestler, Marshall Creech, Jenna Chittick, Megan
Brown, Paige Broghammer, Brandan Bradley, Andrew
Berta and Chris Ackman.
Follow us on Facebook For daily updates on the group, go to www.faith-life.org & click on the H.S. Mission Trip Facebook icon.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mid-Summer Celebration for all incoming 6th - 8th graders!
7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 12
at St. Mark's
Bring a snack food to share and your friends
including the rest of your small group!
HIGH SCHOOL
Fan the Flame 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 27
Join us at the bonfire in St. Mark's
back yard (in Café Ablaze if it rains).
It'll be a great time with a
student-led message and more
(s'mores too!)
U.S.
Phone: 319-447-0100