Saint Mark Presbyterian Church

Christian Stewardship is the deliberate giving of time,

abilities and money in grateful acknowledgment of

Christ’s generosity to us.

God’s Generosity, My Giving

Stewardship Commitment

Where Spirit and Service Come Together

God’s Generosity…

My Giving

od has abundantly blessed our congregational life at Saint Mark. Our giving, in response to God’s giving, is one of the most satisfying expressions of gratitude.

As a congregation we are flourishing with our Associate Pastor Shelby Etheridge and the musical gifts of Jeff Doenges. The three of us are committed to joy, creativity and excellence in worship that responds to the generosity of God. This includes the increasing use of audio-visual accompaniment and multiple liturgical expressions. In the coming year Shelby and I will be leading Bible Studies during the week and on occasional Sundays. Our Parish Associate Kay Huggins is a valued colleague in ministry even as she serves the Presbytery as an Interim Associate. We will continue to support our congregation’s engagement in the community, bearing witness to God’s astonishing love for us and leading seekers to discover that love in the community of Saint Mark.

The White Flint corridor will be a particular focus of our attention because of the large number of people moving into the neighborhood. Our witness for gun violence prevention will continue. Engaging the congregation and community in conversations about important matters is another way we will respond to the call of God. That includes conversations about death and dying and what it means to be an inclusive community of Christ in a divided world.

Our leadership team (elders and deacons) is meeting together each month for bible study, prayer and theological conversation along with the finance, administration and pastoral care of the church. I believe this will strengthen the spiritual life of our congregation and bear fruit in greater service to our community. In 2015, Joan Gray will return to facilitate our leadership retreat, continuing our plans to be a congregation open to the Spirit, following the call of God in risky obedience.

This is an extraordinary time at Saint Mark. God has given so much to us. I hope you sense the same gratitude and will pledge generously to support this ministry.

Roy Howard

G

Why should we give?

Highlights of our Ministry*

Parish Life / Christian Formation

n Sunday mornings, everyone likes lemonade on the lawn in the summer or coffee in McDonnell

Hall in the winter. At either time, we’re being a community where we catch our breath, greet friends and loved ones, and share our otherwise hectic lives. Parish Life Ministry makes these moments possible but this is just one facet of their mission. When the super typhoon devastated the Philippines last year, Parish Life coordinated a potluck with our sister congregation, Living Springs, to raise nearly $8,000 in relief funds. It was a memorable night.

The Advent festival, Easter morning brunch, the Congregational Meetings, Stewardship campaign lunches, the Pentecost Sunday picnic - these are the moments our congregation comes together to fellowship and ask tough questions about what it means to be a Christian, and to learn and grow in faith.

In 2014, the congregation helped support:

● Sending 19 youth and 9 adults on 3 different transformative summer trips: Appalachia Service Project, Montreat Youth Conference and Mission @ Massanetta.

● Participation by 26 children from the congregation and surrounding commu-nity in Vacation Bible School.

● Weekly Sunday School programs for children and adult education forums from September through May; One Room Church School for children ages 3 to 10 from June through August.

● Lee Hinkle’s continued leadership of the children's choir for children in the 1st-5th grades.

● Youth ministry activities for grades 6-12, such as: Bible studies, movie nights with discussion, cooking meals for Crossway Community, volunteering with Interfaith Works, and fellowship.

Your giving in response to God’s generosity has better equipped us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.

Mike Welsh and Jennifer Carr

O

* Although space did not permit other vital ministries within our congregation - Welcoming and Outreach, Property, Personnel, Education, Worship and Music and Youth Mission - to be featured here, they are equally significant in the life of Saint Mark.

The Global Mission Ministry works prayerfully to support Saint Mark’s stated mission to “listen and respond to the needs of the world.” Using your pledges we work to answer God’s call through contributing to disaster relief efforts and other mission-related work across five continents and within the United States.

● Saint Mark continues to have a close relationship with Hearts With Haiti.

● In Cameroon, we have long-standing partnerships with the people of the villages of Tchekos and Ngoro.

● In Lithuania, we have a long-term relationship with Co-Missionaries Becky and Eric Hinderliter who serve the PCUSA at the Lithuanian Christian College International University.

● In the Democratic Republic of Congo, we support the Congo Lotus Care Project, which helps support women’s health, and Reve Kandale, a non-profit organization working to improve local schools.

● While responding to human suffering resulting from disasters, we also focus on needs in troubled areas and working with our brothers and sisters around the world.

Alison Dewey

Global Mission

Local Mission Ministry connects our congregation to our community, bringing spirit and service together. We will give $45,000 in 2014 to 21 non-profit service agencies, including Interfaith Works, Manna Food, Rebuilding Together, AIM and Montgomery Housing Partnership for affordable housing.

The homeless, poor and disabled receive our volunteer help as well. Shelter Week each year finds dozens of members making and serving meals. Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together draw others who provide hands-on building help. AIM drew 20 Saint Markers in June to advocate for more affordable housing. We prepare and serve meals monthly to low-income single mothers living at Crossway Community.

Saint Mark has also been a leader in advocating for the prevention of gun violence.

Suzanne Lofhjelm

Local Mission

Saint Mark’s operating expenses are substantial. The financial burden of personnel, utilities, property maintenance, etc., represents significant outlay and is essentially unavoidable. These costs must be managed and budgeted responsibly every year and Saint Mark’s Session works hard to achieve this. However, the real Mission of the Church - the activities described in this brochure that help Saint Mark thrive - requires our generosity.

Our pledges will directly impact our work in 2015. What we give equips us for Mission.

Saint Mark Budgeted 2014

Resp

ondin

g t

o G

od’s

Genero

sity

Things to do…

1. Pray!

2. If you’ve never pledged before, make a commitment to pledge (see card on back cover).

3. If you pledge regularly, consider increasing your pledge by at least 1% of your income.

4. If you’re not able to pledge, please fill out the card in any case. This will help us set a realistic annual budget.

5. Bring your pledge card to church on Consecration Sunday, November 2, 2014 and stay for a Celebratory Lunch.

It’s making a VOLUNTARY, SYSTEMATIC contribution of financial support to your church.

VOLUNTARY: Giving out of love and gratitude for all God gives you.

SYSTEMATIC: Giving a predetermined portion of income as you receive it.

The Old Testament Guideline for GIVING was a “tithe” - or tenth - of total property.

“And of all that you give me I will surely give one tenth to you”

GENESIS 28:22

TODAY - the tithing tradition remains an important part of church life for many Christians.

What is TITHING?

A regular plan for giving can help:

ENRICH YOUR LIFE

Through giving, we offer ourselves in service and devotion to God. We become stronger in faith, more aware of others’ needs and we experience the joy of sharing with one another in Christ.

ACCOMPLISH SAINT MARK’S MISSION

Reliable funding allows us to plan for expansion, carry out programs, maintain outreach activities and help those in need.

Honor the Lord with your wealth,with the first fruits of all your crops. Proverbs 3:9

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income. 1 Corinthians 16:2

Pledges will be received on

Consecration Sunday

November 2, 2014at the 9:30 am Service, followed

by a Celebratory Lunch

Saint Mark Presbyterian Church

10701 Old Georgetown Road,

North Bethesda, MD 20852

Tel: (301) 530 0600

www.saintmarkpresby.org