Minute for Missions 2

Take note 3

Prayer requests

St. Mark’s Calendar

4

4

Construction Update 5

Children’s Ministry 6

Youth Ministry 7

Easter services 8

Inside this issue:Inside this issue:

April 6, 2011 Issue 173

Greater Works By Stephan Peck

Director of High School Ministries In the midst of our busy lives there is something worth skidding to a stop to consider . . . two words – GREATER WORKS! These two words belong to Jesus and these two words are absolutely radical. We find these words nestled just about in the middle of John 14.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father." John 14:12 NLT

Have you ever seriously considered these words? There are three really important things Jesus makes clear (Read John 14 for Jesus’ words to make the most sense):

1. Because Jesus has been raised from the dead (…going to be with the Father), 2. and because He has sent His Spirit to those who believe in Him (verse 26), 3. in turn makes it possible for us to join Him in eternally im-pacting this world (greater works). This is why the world-wide Church exists, that’s why St. Mark’s exists and more specifically that’s why the High School Ministry exists. We long to be the hands and feet of Jesus to each other and to this world, and we can be through God’s Spirit alive within us. This summer the High School Ministry is heading to Louis-ville Kentucky to do GREATER WORKS. We have the amaz-ing privilege of joining up with a ministry that has been doing greater works around this globe for over 50 years. The minis-try is called Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and we will spe-cifically be joining YWAM-Louisville to make an even greater impact in that city for Jesus. We will have opportunities to

minister to homeless people, do physical work projects, and reach-out to children and youth through drama, music, the arts, and sports. Will you join us!? Easter morning you will have a special opportunity to link arms with our team on this amazing mission Jesus is sending us on. We are inviting you to join us on Easter, April 24, sometime between 6:30 and 11:30 am to enjoy a fantastic breakfast, to learn more about the trip and the team going, and to financially partner with us to make this trip happen. This is our High School Ministry’s only fundraiser, and we are setting our sights high. We are praying for God to move in the hearts of all who attend to help us meet our goal of $8,000! God desires some to go, some to financially support, each of us all to pray. Each person is essential and greatly appreciated. Lastly, it is not too late to come with us. We still have room on our team for graduating 8th & 12th graders, current high school students, and adult leaders. Pick up a registration packet at the south information counter, or by clicking the Youth/High School tab at www.faith-life.org. Or you can contact Stephan Peck at speck@faith-life.org.

JOIN US!

Easter Morning Breakfast

6:30-11:30 a.m. Learn more about

our mission trip and how you can help.

Page 2

The Texas/Mexico Mission group

had a productive and meaningful

trip to Eagle Pass, Texas.

The team spent March 12-18 at

St. Mark’s partner church, San Lu-

cas Lutheran Church, in Eagle Pass,

Texas, and across the border at

Cristo Rey Luterano Iglesia, a sister

congregation in Mexico. They

helped build houses and worked on

other projects.

“We went to Mexico one day

and worked on the new home for

the family that lost their 4-month-

old to a fire a month ago,” recalls

Gary Pribyl. “Another house we

worked on was started about a

year ago. The people are so poor it

takes many years to build their

home.”

Another part of the team held a

heath fair at Cristo Rey in Mexico.

They worked with over 50 families

Mission workers from St. Mark’s included Mel and Judy

Koski, Gary and Linda Pribyl, Amy and Jon Doerrfeld,

Lindsey Meyer, Will Affield, Cathy Winch, Julie Gilmore,

Donna and Harry Walton, and Eric Svenkerud.

“It was truly an eye-opening experience,” said Pribyl.

“And very rewarding for all of us to help in a small way.”

April 10 is the last

day to order an Easter

lily, tulips, or

hyacinths. Order

forms are available at

the North Information

Center. Return your

order to the church

office. Flower

donations are $10.

Texas/Mexico Mission team had rewarding experience

TOP: The St. Mark’s Mission Team. ABOVE LEFT: The team helped build a home for this mother and two children. ABOVE RIGHT: Some of the housing encountered by the mission team. (photos by Gary Pribyl).

Thank you for your support of San Lucas We have received your March 2011 donation of $2,500. Thank you for

your generosity and support of San Lucas.

I started as pastor of San Lucas on March 1, and am looking forward to

ministry at San Lucas, and at Cristo Rey, our mission community across

the border in Piedras Negras. I come to Eagle Pass after serving a congre-

gation in suburban San Antonio and interning at a bilingual congregation

in New York. With a passion for ministry in Spanish, I am grateful for all

our partners in the Gospel.

I thank God for the opportunity I had to work together with the mis-

sion team from St. Mark’s. On a personal note, I have a bit of home-state

nostalgia because I was born and raised in Davenport. It is great to part-

ner in ministry with fellow Iowans.

Thank you for your support of San Lucas.

—Rev. Paul Bailie, pastor, San Lucas Lutheran Church, Eagle Pass, Texas

Page 3

Fair Trade coffee offered April 10

The Lutheran World Relief Fair Trade Coffee Project, spon-

sored by St. Mark’s Women’s Fellowship, will offer cof-

fees, teas, nuts, dried cranberries and several different

chocolate bars from 8:15 a.m. to noon.

Naomi Circle meets April 12 Join together in fellowship next week with the members

of the Naomi Circle. The Naomi Circle meets on the sec-

ond Tuesday of every month at 1:15 p.m. at the church. All

ladies are welcome!

April 17 last Children’s Ministry Sunday The last Sunday for our regular Children’s Ministry is April

17. The last Wednesday is April 27. Watch for information

about our children’s summer program. Our regular Sunday

and Wednesday Children’s Ministry programs will return

in the fall.

Fifty Plus potluck April 28 The next Fifty Plus potluck will be Thursday, April 28, at

11:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Center. Please bring a cov-

ered dish and your own table service. Rich Patterson of

the Indian Creek Nature Center will be our guest program

presenter. Please come and enjoy good food, fellowship,

and an informative program.

Volunteer at Riverside Bible Camp Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp invites both youth and

adults to participate in our April 30 Volunteer Day. We

have many spring projects that require your help so we

can be ready for over 1,700 campers this summer! Please

call the camp at 1-800-372-7748 to volunteer.

National Day of Prayer May 5 Serve the City is planning a city-wide ob-

servance of National Day of Prayer on

Thursday, May 5 from 12-1 p.m. at Greene

Square Park in Cedar Rapids. There will be

music beginning at 11:30 a.m. Bethany

Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids is also

planning an event – an “Open Sanctuary

for Prayer” will be held from 7 a.m. to 7

p.m. with prayer resources and refreshments available.

Volunteers needed for home building Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has awarded $44,000 to

the Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity to help construct a

house in a new development north of the Boyson/Council

intersection. There are many ways you can help. Volun-

teer opportunities begin May 6. For more information, call

366-4485 or visit www.cvhabitat.org. You can also sign up

on Sunday in the Fellowship Center.

If you took an

Easter Basket tag,

bring your baskets to the Fellowship Center

April 10

Page 4

SUNDAY, APRIL 10 All morning Fair Trade coffee Easter basket drop-off Habitat for Humanity sign-up 8:30 AM & Children’s Ministry 9:45 AM 9:45 AM Middle School Bible study Men’s Fraternity 11:00 AM Crossways 11:30 AM 50+ catered meal 12:15 PM Moffat baptism 3:00 PM GriefShare 5:30 PM Alpha

MONDAY, APRIL 11 5:00 PM Joyful Sounds; Harmony Ringers 6:30 PM Chancel Bell Choir rehearsal

7:00 PM Boy Scouts

TUESDAY, APRIL 12 9:00 AM Quilters 12:00 PM Crossways 1:00 PM Naomi Circle 7:00 PM LADOS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 6:00 AM Crossways 9:30 AM Sarah Circle 12:00 PM Lenten Luncheon 12:30 PM Informal Lenten service 5:30 PM Confirm./Children’s ministry

7:00 PM Lenten service 7:35 PM Chancel Choir 7:35 PM Lenten Prayer Journey 8th Grade student/parent meeting 7:40 PM Men’s Fraternity The Edge 7:45 PM Crossways Bible Study

THURSDAY, APRIL 14 5:00 PM Celebration rehearsal 5:15 PM Crossfire! Prayer 7:00 PM Impact Band rehearsal Financial Peace University

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 17 All morning Habitat for Humanity sign-up Construction tours 8:30 AM & Children’s Ministry 9:45 AM 9:45 AM Middle School Bible Study Men’s Fraternity 11:00 AM Crossways 3:00 PM GriefShare

For a complete listing of St. Mark’s

monthly calendar, go to our web site: www.faith-life.org.

Selected Items from St. Mark’s Calendar

Praises Kory and Allison Borchers, on the

birth of a son, Deacon Lewis, on March 28.

Justin and Kari Strong, on the birth of a son, Landon John, on March 24.

Grieving Brad and Denise Sevcik and family on

the death of his grandfather, Dean Tosh.

Hospitalized Kathy Bennett

Recovering Karen Barth

Jamie Franck

Health concerns Becky Anderson

Carol Kauffman

Linda Wood

The St. Mark’s Care and Prayer Team genuinely cares about your concerns and prays for your needs. Please let us know if:

You have a prayer concern that you

would like to share with the prayer

chain, the staff, and/or the congre-

gation.

You are scheduled for surgery or

hospitalization.

You are homebound and unable to

attend worship, and would like visits

from a member of the Care Team or

in-home communion.

You would appreciate spiritual sup-

port and encouragement from a

Care Team member through a diffi-

cult time in your life.

The Care Team exists to support, en-

courage, and uplift our St. Mark’s fam-

ily. Let us know how we can help. Call

447-0100 or email stmarks@faith-

life.org. or dlunstrum@faith-life.org.

Page 5

Construction tours scheduled for Palm Sunday, April 17

By Tom Brennom

Construction Project Manager

Construction continues to move swiftly along. The first

item I would like to mention is that the next Building Tour

date is set for Palm Sunday, April 17. It has only been

about two months since we had our last tour, but the pro-

gress has been significant and it will be worth spending a

few minutes again to observe this yourselves.

One of the most observable things will be the sheet-

rocking job as it nears completion, which signifies that the

mechanical work needed in the walls is completed. You

will easily see all of the room walls in place and appreciate

all the new space that we are adding. Specific areas to look

at include:

The large gathering/corridor area outside the new

worship center with the pillars in place.

The new, large three-room nursery layout.

The new hallway from the nursery to the area by the

elevator has also been roughed in (this is why the

current nursery shrunk a few feet two weeks ago).

This hallway will allow a short walk from the current

atrium and worship center to the new nursery.

Completion of the special, acoustically designed ceil-

ing in the lower level children’s area.

The new kitchen taking shape.

If you haven't been back by the rugged cross are be-

yond the pond lately, the new addition is very impressive

looking from that viewpoint. From that viewpoint, you will

notice the installation of the outside entry doors and the

start of the installation of the exterior corrugated siding

and composite panel.

Upcoming transitions:

The South entry will be our only access to the build-

ing starting Monday, April 25 for several weeks. The

existing North Entry doors will be closed for con-

struction of the new north stairs leading to the upper

level of the current worship center.

A temporary wall will be built across the front of the

church office. The temporary entry to the church

office will be via the library at the end of the north

hallway.

Construction on the interfaces of the new to old ar-

eas (lower level and main level) will also be taking

place after Easter.

The lower level will be closed until VBS in July.

The current wall of windows in the fellowship center

will not be removed until summer, when the room

will make its dramatic expansion to more than dou-

ble its space.

This devotion to be done in the car on the way to day care or the grocery store, etc. While you are driving, ask the kids to look for any warning signs. (railroad crossing sign, construction ahead, slow: children playing, etc.) Ask: Why do they put up warn-ing signs? (To keep us from getting hurt, to help us know what to do.) Where does God give us warnings? (In the Bible) What are some of God’s warnings? (Love God, love your neighbor, be careful what you say, do unto oth-ers). Why do we need to pay attention to God's warn-ings? (So we will know what to do; so we will do what is best; so we will escape God's punishment for sin)

Family Devotion God’s Warning Signs

Page 6

Upcoming meeting times and

meals in Children’s Ministry

9:45 a.m. in June & July

Ages 4-12

“One room school house style”

Summer Sunday School is coming!

SUNDAY

April 10 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.

April 17 Last Sunday

8:30 a.m. and 9:10 a.m. Early arrival for second session

April 24 Easter! Worship & eat breakfast served by high schoolers.

No Children’s Ministry

WEDNESDAY

April 13 Meal: Sandwiches

5:30-7:30 p.m.

April 20 Holy Week

No Children’s Ministry

April 27 Last Wednesday Meal: Cheeseburgers

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Palm Sunday Schedule

Changes on April 17 8:30 session – arrive as normal, ready for dismissal at 10:00

a.m. following palm procession at 9:45 a.m. worship. 9:45 session – arrive EARLY at 9:10 a.m. to process at the

end of 8:30 worship, ready for dismissal at 11:15 follow-ing palm procession at 11 a.m. worship.

All dismissals will take place in your student’s classroom.

Please note this is the last Sunday that Children’s Ministry will meet until Summer session.

5th Grade Retreat!

Calling all 5th graders. Mark

your calendars and plan to attend

a special retreat FRIDAY, MAY 6

from 6 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. at

church. Bring your friends and

spend time with Jody Skogen,

Director of Youth Ministries, and

worship with Jessy! You won’t

want to miss this!

Watch for a special mailing.

Page 7

For those impacted by St. Mark’s 6th – 12th Grade Ministry

Middle School Ministry High School Ministry

Coming Soon! Wednesday, April 13 — Student Choice Night!

We’ll be addressing a very real and honest issue(s)

of our middle schoolers’ choosing.

Wednesday, April 20 — Family Night. Please join

us for worship on Thursday, April 21 for Maundy

Thursday worship and Friday, April 22 for Good Fri-

day worship.

Wednesday, April 27 — A super special night—

we’ll have games, great music and be blessed to

have several student leaders from The Edge lead us

in a great night together.

Wednesday, May 4 — Confirmation Celebration

Night with Families! (Note: Children’s Ministry does

not meet this night). We meet at our regular time

5:30-7:30 p.m.

THE EDGE

Meets every Wednesday

7:30-9:30 PM

Current Series:

REAL LIFE ISSUES

Come and join a movement of students who are pursuing,

encountering, and learning together how to live for Jesus!

It’s not too late!

H.S. Mission Trip

There is still room

on the team for YOU. Pick up a registration packet at the

south information counter, at www.faith-life.org under that

Youth > High School tab, or contact Stephan Peck @ speck@faith-life.org

What’s been happening at Confirmation!

We finished our journey through the Old Testament

on March 16. We also were blessed by excellent

responses to our semi-annual assessment of sorts—a

tool that helps us evaluate what our students are

gleaning from our time together as we travel through

significant aspects of the Christian faith.

We also spent a week talking about The Holy

Spirit—which is often a somewhat difficult topic to

wrap our minds around. Go figure, God is so amazing

that we can’t fully understand Him. :)

Last Wednesday we addressed the very relevant

issue of friendships. We were blessed to have one of

our high school boys’ small groups/discipleship groups

join us and talk about how they challenge and encour-

age one another to follow Jesus.