The Messenger
A Publication of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5415 SE Powell Blvd., Portland OR 97206
October 2014
Talking recently with a retired pastor, I was asked “so what is going over at St. Mark’s these days?”
The next day, meeting with another person, I heard “I need someone to paint the big picture. Now, I
can’t draw or paint to save my life. But thanks to computers, I can make diagrams. So here’s your dia-
gram of what will be happening at St. Mark’s this fall.
Pastor Elizabeth Larsen
We gather for worship at 9:30 on Oct. 26th, Reformation
Sunday. That day we will celebrate the ways in which the
church is always reforming and being re-formed by the
Holy Spirit for God’s kingdom. Specifically, how St.
Mark’s has committed to live out its life in the service of
Christ.
Sunday, November 2nd All Saints Sun-
day, when we remember the faithful wit-
nesses who have gone before us. Including
those who built up St Mark’s. In addition
to the 9:30 am worship service, we will
have a luncheon at 1pm in the downstairs
social hall to celebrate 90 years of minis-
try. It will be a celebration of the past, the
present . . . And what’s to come.
Sunday, October 12th at 11am, it’s a congrega-
tional brunch following the 9:30am worship ser-
vice, in the downstairs social hall. After a report on
how we’ve lived into the vision and the list, it’ll be
time to assess progress and offer new ideas.
Remember “What is God calling
us to do and to be as Servants of
Christ the Servant?” Remember
“how do we live this out?” (If
you don’t, you can turn the page
and refresh your memory).
So how we doing at that?
Between now and Oct. 12th, please re-
view, ponder and PRAY over the St.
Mark’s mission and the way we live it
out — it’s right there on the next page.
The conversation team re-
views, condenses and sorts
out the results of the brunch
conversations. (Please be
praying for them)
And . . .. Onwards
into the future!
Following worship, during
the coffee time, there will
be an opportunity to find
out more about the vision
lifted up and sign on.
Pastor:
Rev. Elizabeth Larsen
Office: 503-777-1443
Monday-Thursday: 9:00-2:00 pm
Off Fridays
Cell Phone: 503-267-8053
Organ/Piano: Arlan Evensen
Administrative Assistant/
Newsletter Editor:
Joyce Nance
Office: 503-777-1443
Monday-Thursday: 8:30-1:30 pm
Off Fridays
Council President: Brian Steves
Custodian: Robert Thomas
Webmaster: Scot Brende
Servant Fund Chair:
Sally Durham
Ministers to Chinese
Community:
Pastors Andrew Yong & Terry Yang
503-860-3388 (Pr. Andrew)
Asamblea Apostolica: Pastor Andres
Cruz 503-333-5038
Who’s Who at St. Mark’s
2
Coming soon
Sunday, October 5th Blessing of the
animals as our observance of the
feast of St. Francis. 2pm in the
parking lot, weather permitting, or
under the breezeway roof. Please
bring your animals leashed, in carri-
ers, or in cages. All creatures great
and small are welcome. Francis of Assisi (died 1226) renounced
his family wealth and devoted himself to serving the poor. The Or-
der of Friars Minor (Franciscans) was formed under his leadership.
Francis is remembered, among other things, for his spirit of glad-
ness and gratitude for all God’s creation.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS; COMING UP: Sunday, November 23rd Christ the King. The Portland
Eastside Ministries’ joint worship service
will be at Central Lutheran this year.
Wednesday, November 26th Thanksgiving Eve Worship
and Pie Fest. We’ll gather to give
thanks to our generous God at 7pm,
move to the coffee room to share some
pie, and then send most of the pies to the
St. Francis dining hall for their Thanks-
Thank you to everyone who re-
sponded to our questionnaire
about topics for monthly educa-
tional sessions.
The top five topics were
The economic inequality in
our world and what it means
for the church
Adapting to cultural and eth-
nic changes in our world
Understanding people of vari-
ous generations
Death and dying: deci-
sions, preparations, hos-
pice, living wills
Two different time slots were
requested: after worship on
the last Sunday of the month,
and a session on a week night
evening.
Since we have a lot going on
this fall, the plan is to begin
these monthly sessions of
“adapting to a changing
world” in January.
In the meantime, you might
find something new in your
mailbox. The Servant
Fund has given a grant to
pay for a “congregational
subscription” to the Lu-
theran Magazine. The plan
is to use the cover articles
and accompanying study
guides as jumping-off
points for our monthly ses-
sions. Happy reading!
3
AS SERVANTS OF CHRIST THE SERVANT,
WE ARE CALLED BY GOD TO: Spread the Word of God through worship, prayer, discipleship and education
Spread God’s love by example through service, advocacy and community
Be spirit-led stewards of our time, talents and money
How do we live this out? Adapt to a changing world
Be welcoming, inclusive, honest, friendly and nonjudgmental
Partnering and follow-up with newcomers
Signage/advertising
Cookies and grandparents
Live out our values through our worship service
Traditional
Intimate
Music
Wholly Love
Bible study
Vacation Bible School
Build community through continual member & homebound contact
Calls
Visits
Rides
Activities
Stewardship opportunities
Getting and using resources
Tithing
Streamline volunteer opportunities: sign-ups and job descriptions
Community building beyond the congregation
Welcoming others to use the church building
Expand our experiences/ministries
Joint services
Sharing resources
Chinese community activities
Work with Pastor Andrew
Help the poor (local)
Feed the hungry (pantry)
Pie fest
Community basket
Clothes closet
Serving soup at pantry at least once a month
Help the needy (world-wide)
Quilts
Noisy offerings
School supplies (Lutheran World Relief)
4
Celebrate Life Together
Birthdays October, 2014
Victoria Morrow,3rd
Gene Petrasso, 6th
Ruth Wentzien, 6th
Doris Zilk, 7th
Carole Johnson, 8th
David Clark, 14th
Ellen Anderson, 15th
Fay Day, 15th
Buck Johnson, 16th
Ed Ronning 20th
Laura Richards, 24th
Rev. E. Larsen, 26th
Laura Donnelley, 29th
Anniversaries
Dorothy & Leroy Teeple, 28th
Marcia & Don Olney, 11th
Vicki & Dennis Morrow, 34th
Prayers & Concerns
Unable to worship with us: Fay Day,
Lenora Johnson, Ceil Libke, Fern Luke,
Don McLaughlin, Pauline McNeff, Aud-
rey Rutger, Billie Smith, Lucille Stariha,
Dorothy Swanson, Clareann Teeters, Carol
Thompson, Marguerite Thomson, Ruth
Wentzein, Dorothy Trimble, & Doris Zilk.
Continued Needs: Fern Luke, Robert Thir-
inger, Lucille Stariha, Carol Deo, Sr,
Esther Stotik, Laura Keith-Byland, John
Etzel, Dorothy Trimble, Mark Gardner,
Lorna Schwartz, Crystal and her children,
James Langley.
In mourning: Family and friends of Dick
Welk, family and friends of Lois Gogl,
family and friends of Tom Karter, Sr.
The Church & Beyond: The Oregon
Synod and our partner churches; the Port-
land Eastside Ministry Coalition; Pastor
Yong’s & Terry’s Ministry to the Chinese
Community; Pastor Cruz and the Asamblea
Apostolica; our service men and women,
our Muslim brothers and sisters; the volun-
teers and clients of the food pantry, clothes
closet and community basket; for peace
and compromise in the Mideast, and in
Ukraine. Prayers of gratitude for the media-
tors, every cease fire and aid box .
FOOD PANTRY: Fridays from 3 to 6 PM
BETHLEHEM CHILDREN’S CLOTHING CLOSET
Coordinated by Brenda Richards and Deb Schulz
4th Saturday from NOON to 2 PM
A MINIMUM OF 5 VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED EACH WEEK
*A MAXIMUM OF SIX VOLUNTEERS FOR EFFICIENCY
Date *Volunteers
October
25th
Lynda Kennedy
Five Additional Volunteers Needed
November
22nd
Lynda Kennedy
*Five volunteers needed
November
22nd
Lynda Kennedy
*Five volunteers needed
OCT 3RD Mary
Karter
Al Bowen, Dean Winter
Jenny Winter,
(4 out of 5 needed)
OCT
10
Ed
Thiringer
Madeline Grimm, Teresa
Osgood
(2 out of 5 needed)
OCT.
17
Mary
Karter
Ruth & Jerry Griffith, Brenda
Richards, Pastor Larsen & Max,
D.B. (BINGO!!)
OCT.
24
Madeline
Grimm
Jennifer Lubin, Roxanne
(2 out of 5 needed)
OCT
31
Mary
Karter
Ed Thiringer, Madeline Grimm
(2 out of 5 needed)
Date Lead Volun-
teer
Volunteers
Dear Friends,
Many thanks for your “contribution to the cause”.
Shoe vouchers are going out the door as we
speak.
Peace
Fr. Patrick
Francis Center
October
2014
5
Pentecost 17
12
Pentecost 18
19
Pentecost 19
26
Reformation Sunday
Greeters
Ed Thiringer
Laura Donnelley Dolores Morelli Gary & Jeri Dayton Lynda Kennedy
Prayers of the People
Joyce Nance
Brenda Richards Jon Cheskin Al Bowen Teresa Osgood
Readers
Lori Petrasso
Amy Larson Jenny Winter Lynda Kennedy Marcia Olney
Nursery Attendant
Jeri Dayton
Vicki Rutger Dolores Morelli Carole Johnson
Lorie Petrasso
Jeri Dayton
Ushers
Brian Etzel
David Sawyer
Don Olney
Travis Osgood
Madeline Grimm
Marg Lyseng
Brenda Richards
Terry Larson
Gene Petrasso
Ruth Griffith
Buck Johnson
Vicki Rutger
Brian Etzel
Brian Fajardo
Lynda Kennedy
Lafe Hallum
Wholly Love
Sally Durham &
Dolores Morelli
Linda Kennedy Sally Durham Teresa Osgood Jon Cheskin
Communion
Assistants
Lori Petrasso
Virginia Langley
Brenda Richards
Marg Lyseng
Brian Fajardo
Don Olney
Marcia Olney
Brenda Richards
Virginia Langley
Lynda Kennedy
Gene Petrasso
Don Olney
Marcia Olney
Communion Prep
Vicki Rutger
Carole & Buck Johnson Brian Etzel Vicki & Tom Rutger Terry Larson
Bread Baker
Brenda Richards
Carole Johnson Brenda Richards Lorie Petrasso Terry Larson
Sound System Bob Olsrud Bob Olsrud Brian Fajardo Bob Olsrud
Announcements
Terry Larson
Refreshments
Lynda Kennedy
TBA Lynda Kennedy Dot Long TBA
Counters
Mary Karter
Brian Etzel
Mary Karter
Ed Thiringer
Sally Durham
Bob Olsrud
Edgar Ronning
Al Bowen
Dolores Morelli
Jean Johnson
Brian Etzel
Madeline Grimm
Gary Lippert
Marg Lyseng
Worship Ministries at St. Mark’s Please speak with one of the coordinators (whose names are below each of the ministries listed) if you would like
to get involved with one of these important ministries.
Thank you to all who helped with our latest landscaping projects. 23 people showed up on
Thursday, Sept. 11 to spread bark dust. In record time, one and a half units were spread around the
church. By 6:00 we were enjoying cool drinks and dinner provided by Vicki Rutger, Lynda Kennedy,
Dolores Morelli and Sally Durham.
The property committee would like to thank those of you who contributed towards the purchas-
ing of the bark dust and to the 4 individuals who worked on Wednesday and Thursday in anticipation
of the work party.
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TO
BE
R
2014
7
Thank you, thank you for that beautiful bouquet from the
friends at St. Mark’s. My, how nice of you, and here I’m 99 years
old.. How the time goes. I’m so enjoying it. It’s the prettiest bou-
quet I’ve ever seen.
Pauline J. McNeff
Please note that the completed backpack kits need to be returned by Sun-
day, October 12th at 9:30 (if you’re a fast sewer, there are some remaining
kits in the coffee room). If you have any questions check with Sally Durham.
Then we’ll get everything assembled, and bless the backpacks on October 26th,
Reformation Sunday.
Update on the Lutheran World Relief backpacks
The Sunday bible study is back, and it’s time to wrap up Genesis by working our way through the Joseph
narrative (Genesis 37:1— 50:26). Here’s the schedule of what we’ll be discussing when. So that we can
jump right in on the discussion, please read through the day’s selection before 11am on Sunday. You can
read the whole story straight through or read each passage just before Bible study, come to the study
every single Sunday, or pop in for the sections that really interest you.
Sunday, September 28 Genesis 37:1-6
Sunday, October 5 Genesis 39:1-23; 40:1-23
Sunday, October 12th check-back and follow-up on the congregational conversations. Brunch in the
social hall following the service.
Sunday, October 19 Genesis 41: 1-57
Sunday, October 26th Reformation Sunday Following the worship service, during the coffee hour, will
be a time to find out more about the vision lifted up on October 12th and sign on.
Sunday, November 2 All Saints Sunday Genesis 42:1-44:34
Sunday, November 9 Genesis 45: 1-28
Sunday, November 16 Genesis 46: 1-47:31
Sunday, November 23 Christ the King The PEM joint worship will be at Central Lutheran this year.
Sunday, November 30 Advent begins! Genesis 48:1-50:26
Once we wrap up Genesis, we’ll take a break to let Advent and Christmas wash over us. When we re-
group in January, we’ll go on . . . . to Exodus???
Wednesday, Nov. 26th
Thanksgiving Eve Wor-
ship and Pie Fest We’ll
gather for worship at
7pm, share some pie, and
then send most of the pies
to the St. Francis Dining
Sunday morning Bible study
All God’s Children are invited to Sunday Worship
9:30 a.m. Worship with Communion Every Sunday
10:45a.m. Coffee Fellowship
11:00 a.m. Bible Study & Choir Practice
11:30 a.m. Mandarin Chinese Worship
3:00 p.m. Asamblea Apostolica
www.smpdx.org
“Servants of Christ the Servant”
Pastor: Pr. Elizabeth Larsen Heavenly Peace Ministry Pastors: Pr. Andrew Yong & Pr. Terry Yang Organ/Piano: Arlan Evensen Administrative Assistant: Joyce Nance Custodian: Robert Thomas Webmaster: Scot Brende
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 5415 SE Powell Blvd. Portland OR 97206
NON-PROFIT ORG
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PORTLAND, OR
PERMIT No. 1115
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