Welcome Advent

June 20, 2012 Issue 202

Vacation Bible School is coming! By Lynne Kendrick

Remember the

Pandamania from

last summer? VBS

was a TOTAL BLAST,

and our church was

turned into a tropical

forest with Panda bears

everywhere! Looking at

these pictures and remem-

bering all the fun we had

makes me excited for VBS

this summer. It will be a

high-flying adventure the

week of July 22-26. Our theme this year is

“Sky,” so imagine flying the friendly skies

where kids learn to trust God! We’re all get-

ting ready for a soaring good time!

VBS is the perfect time to make new

friends and learn that “Everything is possible

with God!” Each day, kids and adults partici-

pate in small groups, called “crews,” where

they’ll meet a new Bible Buddy and learn a

new Bible Point to help grow closer to God.

We’ll explore Bible truths with memory

verses. You and your kids will discover that

with God, the sky’s the limit!

Sky provides amazing Bible learning ex-

periences involving our eyes, ears, hands

and even our taste buds! Our flight crews

will visit stations like Imagination Station, All

-Star Games, Wild Blue Bible Adventures,

Skydive Diner and the always-favorite Chad-

der’s Sky High Movie (newly animated this

year). These activities help faith flow into

real life. We’ll also

be collecting school

supplies for Fami-

lies Helping Fami-

lies. Get ready for a

high-flying adven-

ture!

Register your

children, ages 3 through 5th

grade (as of fall 2012) for

crew placement today!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

IS JULY 12 Go to our web

site, www.faith-life.org,

and click on the VBS logo to register or pick

up a form in The Crossings. There are two

sessions to choose from. The morning ses-

sion is 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through

Thursday. The evening session is 6 p.m. to

8:40 p.m., Sunday through Wednesday. A

family celebration

follows on Friday,

July 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Do you love

God? Do you love

kids? VBS makes it

easy to be a volun-

teer with little or no preparation! Just show

up and let God bless your day! (We provide

training and materials.) We are especially in

need of volunteers during the evening ses-

sion. Check out the volunteer board in The

Crossings to see where you can help or visit

www.faith-life.org and click on the VBS logo

to sign up online. To learn more, contact

Lynne at vbs@faith-life.org or call 447-0100.

“I think creatively exploring one psalm each week will be meaningful and memorable!”

— Sarah Bartlett “I’m excited about the scavenger hunt that I wrote about. I hope people will take advantage of it. It should be a blast for the whole family.

—Jessy Vera “It’s a great tool to help families succeed at experiencing God’s Word together—and enjoy doing it.”

— Stephan Peck

See What Everyone’s Talking About...page 2

Page 2

Our summer sermon series covers the worship book of

the people of Israel - the Psalms. We will cover 10 of the

best loved psalms in our sermon series, plus invite the

congregation to read through the entire book of Psalms

over the summer.

Join us this Sunday as we look at Psalm 23 and “Trust

the Shepherd.”

Several staff members have prepared creative devo-

tions for all of us to enjoy all summer long. Each day

there'll be a fun, creative, connecting activity for families

and friends to do. Be sure to get your devotion pad after

worship on Sunday. Then let the fun and learning begin.

Families will be encouraged to post artistic expressions

of their interaction with the Psalms on St. Mark's Face-

book page. We invite the whole congregation to grow in

their "FaceTime" with God as we go deeper into the

Psalms.

Don’t miss our June 24 FaceTime “Trust”

ARC Family Fun Night Thank you to all who baked and

volunteered for the evening of the

Arc Family Fun night June 6! We

had a record number of guests and

volunteers and fun was had by

everyone! There were 175 guests

and 50 or more volunteers.

Blood drive success The June 1 blood drive was a huge

success. We had more than 50

people sign up, and we were able

to donate 40 units of blood to the

Red Cross. That’s a record for St.

Mark’s. Thanks to all those that

helped save lives by giving blood.

Forum held on Brazil trip

Did you miss the June 17 forum on

our upcoming mission trip to Bra-

zil. Look for a brochure at our in-

formation centers.

Missions Update

Page 3

Dementia/Alzheimer's group Find fellowship, advice and information on dealing with

dementia or Alzheimer's at an informal support group

June 24 at 9:45 a.m. in Anchor Room. Please let us know if

you’d like someone to sit with your loved one so you can

attend group meetings. Contact Melissa at

melpcc@yahoo.com.

S'more Crossfire! Join us at the cross behind St. Mark's June 24 for a time of

worship and prayer beginning at 7:00 p.m. We will pray for

St. Mark’s Children’s Ministry and Care Team, then enjoy

s'mores and fellowship around the fire pit.

Marion K-9 unit at 50+ potluck Join us for the 50+ potluck meal at 11:30 a.m. Thursday,

June 28 in The Crossings. Marion police officer Jeff Hartwig

and K-9 dog, Rico, will present our program. Please bring a

covered dish and your own table service.

I Am Second Find the hope, peace, and fulfillment that others have

found. Be Second. Join us at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 8 and

Aug. 12 in the Legacy Room.

Join 50+ for a catered meal July 8 Join the next 50+ catered meal on Sunday, July 8 at 11:30

a.m. in The Crossings. The cost will be $8.50 per per-

son. Call Sharon Staton at 447-9130 for reservations.

Promise Keepers Area men are invited to this year’s Promise Keepers con-

ference Friday and Saturday, July 13-14 at the UNI Dome

in Cedar Falls. For more information, contact Gene Wolter

at gandvwolter@gmail.com (or 378-8076).

Pre-baptism class July 14 Our next pre-baptism class is scheduled for

Saturday, July 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the church

library. Call 447-0100 to register.

Praise in the Park Iowa 2012 "Feed the 5,000" is the theme of this Christian concert

event July 13 at the Kernels stadium in Cedar Rapids. Mer-

cyMe will headline the event that features a food drive,

blood drive and bone marrow testing drive. Learn more at

www.praiseintheparkiowa.org.

Christian book club to meet The Christian Book Club will meet Monday,

July 16 at 9:30 a.m. at one of our mem-

ber’s homes. We will be reading “The Har-

binger” by Jonathan Cahn. Please join our

next discussion. For more information,

contact smallgroups@faith-life.org.

Church Council to meet July 16 The next meeting of the Church Council will be 4 p.m.

Monday, July 16. To contact the council, send an email to:

council@faith-life.org.

Join 50+ at the Old Creamery Theatre The 50+ group is heading to Old Creamery in Amana to

watch “A Second Helping: The Church Basement Ladies

Sequel” on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 3:00 p.m. Registration and

payment of $23 per person must be received by July

17. Carpool arrangements will be made and we plan to

eat at the Ox Yoke Inn after the show (each person pays

for their meal). Please call Sharon Staton at 447-9130 if

you have any questions or would like to sign up.

Page 4

Wednesday, June 27 6:30 PM Alpha

7:00 PM Crossways

7:30 PM Fan the Flame

Thursday, June 28 11:30 AM 50+ Potluck

5:30 PM Capital Appeal Team

6:30 PM “Welcome to St. Mark’s” Class

Sunday, July 1 8:15 AM Preschool Sunday School

9:45 AM Preschool Sunday School

11:00 AM Crossways

Summer Mission Forum/CrossRoads Mission

For complete listings, including small groups, Bible studies and

committees, refer to the St. Mark’s Calendar at www.faith-life.org.

SELECTED EVENTS AT ST. MARK’S SELECTED EVENTS AT ST. MARK’S

Sunday, June 24 8:15 AM Preschool Sunday School

9:45 AM Dementia Support Group

Preschool Sunday School

Summer Mission Forum / M.A.F.

11:00 AM Crossways

Summer Mission Forum / M.A.F.

Preschool Sunday School

12:15 PM H.S. Mission Trip Meeting

6:00 PM I Am Second

7:00 PM S’more Crossfire!

Monday, June 25 6:30 PM Men’s Ministry Leadership Mtg.

Tuesday, June 26 9:00 AM Quilters

12:00 PM Crafters

GRIEVING: Kevin and Deb Becker and fam-

ily at the death of Kevin’s dad, Don, on June 16.

HOSPITALIZED: Dick Hovey, Mercy Alfred Kaupins, St. Luke’s

HEALTH CONCERNS: Norm Anderson Mary Ellen Kaness, receiving hos-

pice care at home Diane Popken Angie Schroeder Linda Wood

A big thank you! A big thank you to St. Mark's for their many expressions

of concern - a beautiful prayer shawl, flowers, cookie

plates, cards, communion, and friendly visits extended to

me at the Hiawatha Care Center these past seven months.

God is great and I am so grateful.

Marge Henderson

Thank you: what a surprise! What a surprise welcomed me at your choir potluck

recently when I discovered it was in my honor, for these

many years of choir singing. Thank you so very much! I

applaud you all: the new choir director, our able accompa-

nist, and Rosie Bowers who so ably did the program - even

a letter from our former director, Allen Koepke. Needless

to say, I was overwhelmed by it all. Thank you from the

bottom of my heart.

Rose Marie Lortz

Thank you for donation Thank you St. Mark's friends for your recent donation

of $1,000. It is an honor partnering with you on campus.

Kyle & Katie Nelson

Thank you for the special attention Thanks again for your special attention. The flowers,

goodie plate, cards and visits are great for cheering up

shut-ins. Bless you.

Al & Gloria Anderson

Thank you for gift bags Thank you so much for your donation of generous gift

bags for families of patients at University of Iowa Chil-

dren’s Hospital. Gifts such as yours truly help us to bring

happiness to life for children hospitalized. The hope and

encouragement that come from donations such as this

conveys a strong message of caring and help to lift spirits

and promote healing.

It has been so much fun to put these donations to work

and see the smiles that come to the faces of our pediatric

patients and their family members. Thank you so much for

thinking of the patients and families at University of Iowa

Children’s Hospital.

Gwen Senio University of Iowa Children’s Hospital

Page 5

By Darlene Hartkemeyer

Eight Days of Hope IX was a huge success with more

than 1,800 volunteers coming to serve our Lord! We had

volunteers from 44 states and three countries (Australia,

Canada, and South America), including St. Mark’s mem-

bers Faye Hanson, Darlene Welsh and myself.

This was the largest group of volunteers ever! We

worked in 127 homes and completed $1.6 million worth of

work. In addition to home–building, we worked on 434

community projects and helped Camp Seafarer Girl Scout

Camp complete a project since they graciously provided

free lodging, electricity, dining hall, worship area, and ac-

tivities to Eight Days of Hope for the week.

Some of the early challenges came with having so many

volunteers. The local college opened its doors for addi-

tional lodging. Cots and air mattresses were brought in.

Additional food had to be made (more than 1,200 sand-

wiches had to be prepared daily) and additional food lines

and servers were needed.

We ran out of T-shirts and quickly got the printers to

make more. More than 100 loads of laundry had to be

done each day. No complaining and always smiles on the

faces of all…happy to serve our Lord and Savior!

We had a couple of medical issues this year. One lady

fell from the second rung of her stepladder and had to be

airlifted to the Greenville, N.C., hospital. She was badly

bruised and very sore but was back at the camp the next

day, thanking all for their prayers and good wishes. Thank

God she is doing well with her recovery. In another case, a

gentleman needed emergency eye surgery. The eye spe-

cialist was so thankful for the gentleman’s service to Eight

Days of Hope that he paid for the entire $8,000 surgery.

God is great! Our prayers were answered as he, too, is re-

covering.

The North Carolina homeowners were so thankful for

all the volunteers and work we provided to them. They

loved the quilts we delivered to them from the St. Mark's

Quilters (12 adult and 5 youth quilts). We had requests

from many wanting to buy our quilts.

The real story of Eight Days of Hope is how the lives of

homeowners and volunteers are being changed forever

through the recov-

ery efforts.

We have one

goal: Love people as

Jesus loves us! As a

result, on these

trips, we as volun-

teers come intend-

ing to bless others

only to find we go

home feeling like

we are the ones

being blessed.

Thank you to Christopher Duffy (blind at birth and

taken from his mother who was a drug addict, now 12

years old, adopted by his aunt and uncle), who sang "Lift

Up Mine Eyes, Lord" to us. On Memorial Day, he dedicated

and sang a song to all the soldiers who have served our

country. There wasn't a dry eye in the hall. He loves the

Lord and is so happy to be alive. He is such a thankful

young man.

I can't thank you enough for allowing me to serve on

behalf of St. Mark's and for sponsoring a meal at $1,500. I

am honored to be a part of such a wonderful mission. I

pray there will be another Eight Days of Hope soon.

More than 1,800 serve during Eight Days of Hope

ABOVE: Darlene Welsh helps check in volunteers at the admini-stration table. BELOW: Faye Hanson and Darlene Hartkemeyer help make sandwiches for the volunteers.

Page 6

Fun Family Devotion

Family Fun Devotion

Take your family on a photo

adventure, going to various

locations and taking pictures

of each other. Take turns

snapping shots so everyone

gets into the pictures, or ask

bystanders to take your pic-

ture whenever you can. Make

your shots silly and capture

the adventurous spirit of your

family. Here are some ideas to

get you going:

At a local park, hanging from the trees

In your laundry room, with the smallest family

member peeking out of the dryer

At the library, having everyone tiptoe in with their

fingers to their lips in a “Shhh!” expression.

Print the pictures or put them on your computer. As

you look at them, discuss what you think you will re-

member when you look back at these pictures years

later. If you were to use these pictures to tell one of your

future children or grand-

children about your family,

what would you tell them?

Read Psalm 71:17-18.

This song was written by an

older person who remem-

bered what God had done

for him in the past and

wanted to pass on these

memories to younger peo-

ple.

What is something God has done for you in the past?

Did you tell others about this?

End in prayer. Have family members choose one

photo that shows something that they like about your

family. Take turns praying for God to help your family

show those qualities to others.

Bible Quiz Question: Who is the older person speaking in Psalm 70 and 71?

Take the family on a photo adventure!

VBS donations needed! We are looking for your umbrellas

and your kites

(no characters please) to decorate our

church for VBS this summer. All

items donated can be returned to

you after July 29th. Just

make sure you put your name on them! There are also

a few items still needed for the kids to use or eat

during VBS. Please check out the supply donation

board in The Crossings to see what is still needed.

Preschool Sunday school Do you have a preschool-aged child who wiggles and gig-

gles in church? This summer, we invite them to Noah's

Park for fun while learning about Noah, Jonah and

David. Available at 8:30, 9:45

and 11:00 a.m. throughout the

summer. Sign them in at the

Noah's Park registration desk.

If you have questions or wish

to help in this exciting summer

opportunity, please contact

Holly at nursery@faith-life.org.

Page 7

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

Jody Skogen, director of youth ministries, jskogen@faith-life.org Stephan Peck, director of high school ministries, speck@faith-life.org

Tami Foley, administrative assistant to Youth Ministries, tfoley@faith-life.org

Volunteer at VBS! Incoming 6th-graders

through H.S. graduates: If

you haven’t yet signed up to

help with VBS, don’t miss the

opportunity! Sign up in The

Crossings or online at

www.faith-life.org.

Our H.S. missionaries are serving in Kentucky! Our missionaries are sent! On Sunday, our 45 high

school and adult leader missionaries headed for Louis-

ville, Kentucky! They return this weekend. While they’re

there they are partnering with YWAM (Youth With A Mis-

sion) to impact the city of Louisville,

Ky. (and beyond) through the glorious

Gospel. This will be done through

Party in The Park, which includes

reaching underprivileged children

through skits, music, games, activities, fun & interactive

bible lessons, and through friendships. Additionally, we

will be helping with Tornado restoration projects in Hen-

ryville, IN as well as providing help to additional ministries

& organizations. Please pray for our missionaries: Ingrid

Zumbach, Karol White, Kelsey White, Natalie Thompson,

Kayla Thelen, Grant Sundberg, Ryker Stabenow, Greg

Spies, Gabe Smith, Aaron Sloterdyk, Jim Seiwald, Taylor

Richardson, Stephan Peck, Chris Palmer, Luke Palandech,

Beau Oberbroeckling, Zoe Nanke, Zach Mulvihill, Made-

line Morris, Maggie Molander, Hannah

Lunstrum, Amanda Lockwood, Sarah

Lindell, Jane Laubengayer, Lydia Kra-

tovil, Eric Knoll, Kate Klinkefus, Olivia

Kline, Theresa Kaestner, Taylor Jack-

son, Jenna Green, Liz Gaffney, Ashley Fruhling, Caleb

Fruhling, Claire Fiedler, Tyler Feauto, Kari Dummermuth,

Morgan Diestler, Marshall Creech, Jenna Chittick, Megan

Brown, Paige Broghammer, Brandan Bradley, Andrew

Berta and Chris Ackman.

Follow us on Facebook For daily updates on the group, go to www.faith-life.org & click on the H.S. Mission Trip Facebook icon.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mid-Summer Celebration for all incoming 6th - 8th graders!

7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 12

at St. Mark's

Bring a snack food to share and your friends

including the rest of your small group!

HIGH SCHOOL

Fan the Flame 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 27

Join us at the bonfire in St. Mark's

back yard (in Café Ablaze if it rains).

It'll be a great time with a

student-led message and more

(s'mores too!)

U.S.

Phone: 319-447-0100