July 2017

It’s July so it must be movie time. Yes it is - “Movies in July” at St. Marks. I have always had a pas-

sion for reading and by extension stories. Thus, I also enjoy stories told on the silver screen. Kathy

and I watch about one movie a month on the big screen. There’s nothing like the big screen experi-

ence. I always enjoyed going to the movies with my family as I was growing up. I fondly remember

going to see “How the West Was Won” in Cinerama which was an ancient forerunner to Imax. It

was three projectors on a curved screen. It was as big as big screens got in the 1960’s.

I don’t think I totally got or appreciated the role or impact of movies until I got older. Of course,

when I was growing up, I always rooted for the good guy and always wanted the good guys to win.

When I was in seminary, I took a course on theology and films. It was in that class that I began to

watch films with a theological lens. I personally believe that we all have a sense of the divine. In

that belief, we have a sense that something bigger and better than ourselves exists and is moving

us to better places in this life and in a life to come. In almost all films (there are always exceptions -

think really rotten, juvenile films), there is a movement from conflict to resolution and the ultimate

resolution comes at the end of the film when there is redemption and restoration often of the main

character.

The Bible is an epic story that has all of these components of conflict and God moving upon his peo-

ple for restoration and redemption. So, all the movies that we are viewing and preaching upon all

have this wonderful human and divine component. Even though the authors, screenwriters and di-

rectors may hardly ever think upon this with clear intentionality, it happens all the same. We know

that all good stories have a protagonist, the good guy, and then an antagonist, the bad guy. The

protagonist is in conflict with the antagonist and often has other issues that impede them from solv-

ing all the conflict. In really good movies, the other characters play a role in revealing other truths to

the protagonist that are hidden and yet needed to bring about resolution.

Another component in all really good films is the role of sacrifice and perseverance displayed by the

protagonist and those gathered around them. The movies we have chosen have these as well.

These are wonderful attributes of the Christian life and are why I was drawn to them so strongly.

And, of course, all the movies have scriptural references upon which we base Sunday’s message.

Continued . . . .

Pastor’s Point of View - Pastor Mark Hollinger

Transform campaign update:

As of May 31, 2017, we have $756,035 pledged and have received $490,543. We are on our way. Any money designated will be directed toward: “Church Expansion Fund.” This is marked on your envelopes. You can also donate online on the St. Marks website.

1. Go to stmarksfindlay.org

2. Click on the ONLINE GIVING tab

3. In the ONLINE GIVING box, click on the myowngiving.com

link.

Donations are designated to Transform/Capital Campaign.

St. Marks Collects the Following for Charity

UMW

Box Tops for Education.

Chopin Hall [Carlton Rule]

Food [no glass], bath soap, toilet tissue, paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc. Used clothing can be dropped off at

Chopin Hall [Mon. & Wed. a.m. and Tues. & Thurs. p.m. at back door]

WTGN Radio-97.7 Lima [Garth Beatty]

I had a chance to view all the films. They are all good stories, and they all contain theological com-

ponents. Truth be told, at the writing of this article, I am still struggling a bit with “The Lego

Batman Movie.” All of the movies are rated PG and thus suitable for family viewing. This has been

intentional in our choices for the last three years since we show them on the Friday night prior to

the Sunday in which we preach on them.

So, join us Friday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the DOCK for “Hidden Figures” with popcorn, snacks

and drinks. (It wouldn’t be proper to view a movie without these things as well). At the viewing, I

will let you in on some interesting details of the movies and then it’s “Showtime.”

See ya in church and see ya at the movies.

Pastor’s Point of View - Pastor Mark Hollinger

800 PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

What is “800 Prayer of Illumination?” The “800” in 800 Prayer of Illumination, stands for 800 S. Main St. which is the address for St. Marks. We are asking that you pray for your church.

The theme for our prayers for the month of July is “DISCOVER” . . . what God would have us do at St. Marks and in our lives.

Please see the scripture below followed by St. Marks 800 Prayer of Illumination. We are asking that you pray the prayer below at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. along with additional personal prayers that you would like to lift to God.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Jesus, We believe that You have great plans for our church, and we seek to discover Your will for us. Renew our hearts so that we are open to the things You want to do through St. Marks.

Help us to love with one heart, think with one mind, and speak with one voice as we share You with everyone. Give us the courage to face the things that scare us and the boldness to overcome them. Thank you for sending Your Spirit to empower us. Amen.

When should we pray? 8:00 a.m., 8:00 p.m., during worship, church-related meetings, small group, music rehearsals,

leadership board, trustees, Sunday school, youth meetings, etc.

If you would like to have this prayer downloaded to your phone, text Dave Charles at 419-581-1139.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, July 21, 2017 at the DOCK from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Our St. Marks Softball Team will be having a Bake Sale after both worship services on July 9, 2017.

Be sure to buy some baked goods and support St. Marks Softball Team.

2017 St. Marks Softball Games

July 1 12:00 p.m. July 15 Rainouts for June and July

All Teams Play in the Tournaments July 22 and July 29

*Games are played in McComb*

PRAYER EMPHASIS

July 2 St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

July 9 Trinity Lutheran Church

July 16 Bible Methodist Church July 23 Mason Chapel AME Church July 30 First Church of the Nazarene

It's July and it's time to go to the movies. We will be examining God's message in movies during the month of July. Come see the movie in the DOCK on Friday and hear God's message in the movie on Sunday. The movies are Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. We will provide drinks, popcorn and other movie snacks.

June 30 Hidden Figures Rated PG

July 7 The Lego Batman Movie Rated PG

July 14 Groundhog Day Rated PG

July 21 Finding Dory Rated PG

July 28 Beauty and the Beast Rated PG

July Sermons

Sermon Series

“Word Power”

July 2

“Hidden Figures”

Psalm 139:1-2; 7-8; 11 & 14;

Mark 4:21-23

July 9

“The Lego Batman Movie”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Romans 8:25;

1 John 3:2

July 16

“Groundhog Day”

Matthew 7:12; Matthew 25:31-46

July 23

“Finding Dory”

Isaiah 49:13-16a; Ephesians 3:14-17

July 30

“Beauty and the Beast”

Jeremiah 30:17; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a;

2 Peter 3:9

Worship Gatherings

RADIATE DATES . . . DATES TO SAVE AND REMEMBER:

ALL RADIATE-

JULY 10-14 MATTHEW 25 MINISTRIES CINCY AND THE CENTRAL YOUTH CONFERENCE @ EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Mobile Food Pantry

July 8 - Stonebridge Church of God 2111 Stonehedge Drive

July 22 - K of C/St. Michaels 750 Bright Road

The Giving Tree is back. St Marks is going to partner with Habitat for Humanity for the Apostle Build this fall. It is scheduled for Sept. 9 - 30. With an Apostle Build, the churches here in our community come together to build a Habitat House. It is the idea of going out into our community to serve others the way Jesus' apostles served. It's a way that churches can share God's love to those in our community by building houses. Each church makes a finan-cial contribution of $7,000 and will help with the build for one day.

We are using the Giving Tree as a fundraiser for the Habitat build. There will be a tree in both the DOCK and the back of the sanctuary. There will be special envelopes on the trees that you can pull off and put in it whatever amount your heart desires. Then place the en-velope in the offering plate. We will be doing this now through the end of summer. This is one way to help with the build if you are not able to do the physical work but still want to contribute.

July Sunday School Offerings

Sunday School Classes & Teachers

Builders

Charles Bishop God’s Urgent Call

July - Calling of Prophets

August - Calls in the New Testament

Covenant

Barbara Hochstettler

The Epic Story

Founders

John Richter & Mike Noggle

God’s Urgent Call July - Calling of Prophets

August - Calls in the New Testament

(Option to attend The Epic Story)

Searching for Philos

John Carson

The Epic Story

Soul Seekers

Tim Bechtol & Michelle Gibbs

The Epic Story

The Epic Story: A Cross-Generational,

Family-Friendly Summer School

Experience!

In Memory of Deb Christy By Keith and Barb Cramer

In Memory of Bob & Felda Hochstettler

By Mark & Bonnie Olson By Ron & Linda Wolery

Our Operation Christmas Child

collection for July

is focused on summertime.

Ideas for donations:

beach balls (deflated), flip flops, hats/visors, t-shirts, shorts, swim suits, water bottles, splash balls, water & sand toys, sunglasses

Items can be placed in the bins located by the Connection Centers at both the sanctuary and the DOCK.

Memorials

Sand & Sun…

Summer has begun!

A Cross-Generational,

Family-Friendly

Summer School Experience!

Join us this summer for an exciting, cross-generational

Sunday school experience for preschoolers through

seniors!

Gather to share snacks and build community at

your table

Experience God's epic story through drama or

readers' theater

Live into the story by participating in fun,

hands-on experiences

Reflect, sing, and praise God together

The Epic Story at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

*Please note that this Sunday school offering is for all

families and all ages. It will take the place of our

traditional age-graded classes over the summer.

EP

IC

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St. Marks United Methodist Church Leadership Board Agenda Location: Fellowship Hall 06/27/2017, 6:30 PM

Attendance: M. Hollinger, G. Beatty, K. Kuchera, D. Jarrett, D. Anderson, M. Miller, K. Miller, J. Hauenstein (5 Board members were absent)

Welcome: opened with the 800 Prayer

Agape plan - Cards and chocolate were given to VBS volunteers June 22 (50 of them). They were well received and VBS went very well. We got two families in attendance on Sunday 6/25 from VBS.

Custodial staff and volunteer - The Board “passed the hat” to collect for gift cards for Ed Heaston and Jerome McGowan. Jeff H. will get gift cards.

Prayer requests, God Sightings were discussed and prayed over.

Book Study - ”Becoming a Contagious Christian” Ch. 7 & 8 - was tabled for next month due to: 1. low attendance, 2. short on time.

Discipleship moment - merged with the Discussion Topic

Discussion topics - we watched a video entitled “A Way Forward”; recommend for any congregant to watch. A United Methodist pastor explained the difference in opinions held by United Methodists around the coun-try with regards to gay marriage/clergy ordination. The next General Conference in February of 2019 will discuss these issues. The pastor in the video urged us to be loving towards those who disagree with us. The UM church as a whole is facing membership problems that have nothing to do with this issue that are much bigger.

- At the West Ohio Annual Conference, a recommendation passed for our Conference to allow churches to safely harbor illegal immigrants and not allow INS to enter our church (pending the legal ruling). We’re not sure that any action will be taken; the Conference can petition our representatives.

Key Metrics (compared to last year) VBS attendance: 66 children average per night. 72 total Attendance 1st service (down 13% from last year), Attendance 2nd service (unchanged) Adult Sunday School (unchanged), Youth Sunday School (down 20%) Youth (unchanged), Radiate (unchanged), Spark (unchanged, not meeting in summer) Adult Small Groups (unchanged, most don’t meet in the summer) New members - 7. We’ll have another New Members’ class in the fall. Cash Collected (month) / Cash spent (month) - did not have a Finance meeting this month due to sum-

mer break, but we know we’re in the black.

Team Reports: Pastor Report - Our new Worship Director, Willie Fultz, will be starting Monday (7/3). Staffing Concerns - We are fully staffed, and everyone is working together really well. - Dave Charles will be completing Pastor’s School in July. Liaison or Committee concerns/progress - None Building Concerns - We are at about $500K. We can start construction on the elevator when we hit

$600K. - Last month we did several yearly and 12-year inspections and replaced a toilet. - The new chairs are working well. 50 out of 150 came damaged. The company shipped us 50 new chairs and we removed the damaged chairs but now we have some spare parts.

New Business: Lisa will lead the book Study in July: Do the “Participant’s Guide” Session and then read in the book

“Contagious Christian” chapters. Jeff H. to get gift cards for our Custodial Staff. Dave will be absent at the next Leadership Board meeting on July 25. He will find someone to lead it.

Next Meeting: July 25, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.