the messengerdec 11, 2019 · the messenger 715 24th avenue south, grand forks, nd | | 701-772-4807...
TRANSCRIPT
The Messenger715 24th Avenue South, Grand Forks, ND | www.stmarksgf.org | 701-772-4807
“A Heritage of God’s Grace” Since 1910
December 2019
Advent/Christmas Brunch presented by WELCA
Come to St. Mark’s on Saturday, December 7th, at 10:00 a.m. for a festive morning as the “Gift of Christmas” is presented in word and music. A variety of egg bakes with accompaniments will be served.
You will hear the wonderful, inspiring music of Christmas by singers and instrumental renditions. Also, a heart-warming story will be shared.
Plan to attend – women and men – and invite your friends to enjoy the morning with you.
A sign-up sheet is in the narthex.
Hope to see you there.
A Message from our Pastor……. Notes from Dale…..
Dear St. Mark’s Family,
November has gone by like a blur, as we are approaching Thanksgiving Day, I would
be remiss in not thanking the St. Mark’s Congregation for all that you have done for Teri
and me since we arrived over a year and a half ago. I have learned what it means to
be called to do the work of a pastor; and being a Shepherd of this congregation is a
responsibility that I have never and will never take likely. So, Thank you!
The discussion phase and discernment of our joint ministry with the rural congregations
was very enlightening, and I feel we have made great progress. The changes we have
made to the agreement were prudent and justified. We will continue to be as
transparent as possible during this process, and if you have any questions about the
agreement please ask.
The Noisy Offering campaign has been a success and the Outreach Ministry is very
appreciative of the contributions thus far. We will continue through the Thanksgiving
Service with the Noisy Offering, so you have two more chanced to put
your Noisy and Quiet money in the can.
It is a guarantee that the temperatures will continue to be on the colder side, so please
use caution when traveling, as most accidents happen within a short distance of your
house. Keep an eye on your neighbors too.
Blessings on your Thanksgiving Celebration and remember to give thanks to our Lord
and Savior every day.
Prayers and Blessings on your Lives!
Pastor Dale
The Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
will be held December 24th at 5:00 p.m.
Gifts for Baby Jesus Sunday (White Gifts Sunday)____
On Sunday, December 8th, we will observe the Salvation Army’s “Gifts for Baby
Jesus Sunday” (formerly White Gift Sunday). If you are able, please wrap a gift for a boy or girl ages 0-17, in simple white tissue paper and bring it with you to
worship December 8th. (There is a great need for the teenagers.) There will be a time during worship to bring those gifts forward and place them under the trees in the front of the sanctuary. The gifts will symbolize a present for baby Jesus and
will be distributed by the Salvation Army with their Annual Christmas Food and Toy Baskets. Thank you!
Women of the ELCA Board Meeting
November 4, 2019
Kathy Mutcher, Marsha Oss, Linda Simmons, and Olive Weber
“The Gift of Christmas” is the theme for our Christmas brunch on December 7 at 10:00 a.m.
Kathy, Marsha, Olive, Judy, and Linda will provide the egg bakes. Muffins, grapes, and orange
will be served.
A leave blower will be purchases with fund from quilting, lefsa, and WELCA.
The final meeting of Bethesda was November 13 starting at 2:00. Providing the desserts were
Kathy Mutcher, Olive Weber, Rose Keely, Phyllis Blomquist, Catherine Hoekstra, and Linda
Simmons, Serving will be Rose, Phyllis, Olive, Catherine, and Linda.
Our next meeting will be December 2, 2019, at 5:30 p.m.
We closed with the Lord’s Prayer
Linda Simmons, Secretary
Our Sympathies to: --The family and friends of our member, LaVaun Swanson, as
they mourn her death. She passed away November 6th
in Fargo.
--Our members, Elton & Carol Hendrickson and family, as they
mourn the death of their sister-in-law, JoAnn.
-- Jane & Mark Humble and their family, as they mourn the death of their son, Jesse
Ridl. Jesse was also part of our St. Mark’s family. Jesse passed away on
November 17th. His funeral will be at St. Mark’s on November 21st at 10:30 a.m.
J.O.Y. The J.O.Y. group will meet on Wednesday, December 18th,
at 11:30 a.m. for a special Christmas luncheon. There will be a sign-
up sheet on the table in the narthex.
The Sunday School will be presenting their Christmas Program during
worship on December 15th, at 9:30 a.m.
Following worship that morning, we will have a Potluck Lunch in the
fellowship hall. Please bring a dish to share.
Thank you to WELCA for setting up for the meal AND thank you to the
Council for being on clean-up.
Our December 29th, worship will be Lessons & Carols.
Please plan to attend this very special worship.
Monday Bible Studies will resume in January.
Did you forget to order your poinsettias? There may still be time.
Order forms are on the table in the narthex.
Please return your form along with the fee of $12.00 per plant
to the office or Jeanette Gratton.
Your 2020 Offering Envelopes are here! If you haven’t
already received yours, please pick them up at the church.
They are on a table in the narthex.
If you are interested in Simply Giving, the electronic giving
option, please contact the church office. This is a convenient
way to keep up to date on your contributions.
Parents of Loss Support Group
The Parents of Loss grief group will meet here on Wednesday,
December 11th, at 7:00 p.m. This group is for those who are grieving the
loss of a child – no matter what age. No registration is required.
St. Mark’s Annual Reports Due
Annual Reports are due into the church office by January 5th. All Ministries
of the congregation should submit reports. If you also maintain a separate
checkbook, a financial report is required as well.
The deadline for information for the January Newsletter is
December 20th.
Time & Talent Sheets - During the month of November, Time & Talent Sheets were distributed to
members. God has blessed each of us with many gifts and talents. We ask that you
prayerfully consider what areas you would like to share your gifts. These sheets are
attached to this newsletter or available in the church office. Please fill yours out and
return it to the office. Thank you!
WELCA meets on Monday, December 2nd, at 5:30 pm at Olive Weber’s home.
Men’s Breakfast The Men’s Group will meet for breakfast on Thursday, December 5th, at
7:00 a.m. at Grama Butterwicks. All men are invited to attend. No registration is required. This is
an informal group that meets the first Thursday of each month for food and conversation. You
can still make it to work by 8!
Council will meet Tuesday, December 10th, at 6:30 pm in the office conference room.
Highlights from the November Council Meeting
The council voted to accept the contract for a new elevator/lift from Yorhom. Plans will
begin to find ways to fund this expense.
The Parish Agreement will be revised with some of the suggestions that came out of the
Special Congregational Meeting. Work will continue on that before it will be brought
before the congregation for a vote.
The $2,191.00 that was raised at the Fall Supper in October was used for property
repairs and maintenance this fall.
Consecration Sunday is November 17th. Pledge cards will be returned and a breakfast
will follow worship, prepared and served by the Scouts.
ST MARK’S FINANCIAL REPORT - 01/01/19 through 10/31/19
BUDGETED GIVING: $100,917.00
10/31/19 YTD GIVING $103,600.00
(2018 YTD Giving $ 95,705.00)
10/31/19 YTD General Fund Income $148,013.00
10/31/19 YTD General Fund Expenses $140,988.00
YTD GENERAL FUND Difference $ 7,025.00
Education News
Halloween Party Thank you again to all those who helped on Oct.
29th at the St. Mark's Halloween Party for the All 4 Learning
Daycare. And a special thanks to the special party guest Hannah
Twedt's dog Cheese!
November 17th 10:45 Regular Education Classes
November 24th 10:45 Sunday School Program Rehearsal
December 1st No Education Classes - Thanksgiving Break
December 8th 10:45 Sunday School Program Rehearsal
December 15th 9:30 Christmas Program
10:30 Potluck following program
December 22nd No Education Classes - Holiday Break
December 29th-January 4th No Education Classes - Holiday Break
January 5th Sunday School Resumes
Good News!! Are you interested in having some “Good News” sent to you via email?
Our members, Ken & Lucille Peterson publish a “Good News Letter”. Ken & Lucille say,
“In our Good News Letter we try to share the good news through verses from the Bible and how
they apply to our daily lives. If you would be interested in receiving these letters just let us know at
[email protected]” You can contact them directly or let the church office know.
REMINDER ----REMINDER ----REMINDER ----
Now that cooler weather is here, it is especially important to make
sure all meetings/functions are on the church office calendar. If
the office isn’t aware of your events, the rooms won’t be
scheduled for heat. So, to be assured that you will have a
comfortable space for your meeting/function/event, be sure that
that you notify the office you will be here. Thank you.
Dine to Donate Program St. Mark’s has become part of Texas
Roadhouse’s “Dine to Donate Program”. The program is easy. Texas
Roadhouse will donate 10% of food purchases to any Sunday diner who
gives them a St. Mark’s bulletin from that day. This program is for all
Sundays, with the exception of holidays. Every quarter, they will issue St.
Mark’s a check for 10% of those sales. So, grab your bulletin and head
over to Texas Roadhouse! Thank you!
December Birthdays and Anniversaries… Birthdays: Anniversaries: 3 Jeff Bear 1 Mark & Michele Peterson 10 Jane Rodacker 15 Don & Karen Olson 12 Aaron Gratton 27 Jay & Nora Hubbard 13 Kennedi Thompson 15 Carol Hendrickson Amelia Sigette 16 Brad Rundquist Ella Rundquist 17 Eleanor Foss Aliyah Moon 18 Vaughn Hesse Ben Peterson 20 Maurine Danielson 24 Jerry Berge 26 Marsha Oss Bob Twedt 27 Pat Keeley (Please contact the church office if you have additions or corrections to this listing.)
President Jeanette Gratton
Vice President Iver Buchmann
Secretary Michele Peterson
Treasurer Ann Henderson
Donna Hubbard
Jane Humble
Marsha Oss
Miles Rodacker
Art Ruud
SAM: Dale Raatz 701-772-4807
Email: [email protected]
Office Manager: Sandra Buchmann
Office: 701-772-4807
Office Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Sunday 8-12
Monday-Thursday 8:30-3:00
Office Phone: 701-772-4807 www.stmarksgf.org
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and look for our logo!
