St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 3976 Hendricks Avenue • Jacksonville, Florida 32207

Office: 904-396-9608 • Web: www.stmarksjax.org

The Messenger

Monthly Newsletter of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

May 2017

From the Pastor Dear Christian Friends,

On Easter Sunday, I read a column by Patrick Bu-

chanan in the Florida Times-Union titled “Is Christianity

in danger in its birthplace?” I’d like share part of that

column with you, in case you might not have read it on

that busy day. Buchanan writes, “Today, many Chris-

tians face the greatest risk of persecution and martyrdom

since the time of [Joseph] Stalin.

On Palm Sunday, 44 Coptic Christians celebrating

Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem were martyred in

terrorist attacks in Egypt.

The Islamic State group claims credit for the mur-

ders, and the pictures of dead children from those

churches were surely as horrific as the pictures the presi-

dent saw after the gas attack.

Copts are among the earliest Christians, dating to

the first century A.D., when St. Mark, one of the 12

apostles, established the first church outside the Holy

Land and became bishop of Alexandria.

The Copts make up 10 percent of Egypt’s popula-

tion. They have been targeted for terrorist attacks since

the 2013 overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mo-

hammed Morsi, who had been elected president after the

ouster of longtime U.S. ally Hosni Mubarak.

Whatever they did for democracy, the U.S. inter-

ventions in the Middle East and the vaunted Arab Spring

have proved to be pure hell for Arab Christians.

In Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, Christians were left

alone if they did not interfere in politics. Indeed, they

prospered as doctors, lawyers, journalists, academics, en-

gineers, businessmen.

A Christian, Tariq Aziz, was Saddam’s foreign

minister who negotiated with Secretary of State James

Baker to try to prevent what became the Gulf War.

Before 2003, there were 800,000 Christians in Iraq.

But after a decade of church bombings and murders of

priests, their numbers have plummeted. When the Is-

lamic State seized a third of Iraq, Christians under the

group’s rule had to convert to Islam and pay a tax or face

beheading.

Pope Francis hailed the Iraqi Christians lately liber-

ated from Islamic State rule, noting, ‘They are our mar-

tyrs of today, and there are so many we can say that they

are more numerous than in the first centuries.’”

There are places in the world today where it is ex-

traordinarily dangerous to be a Christian. Please join me

in praying for our brothers and sisters in the faith who

are in danger.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Pat

Messages from Council President Road trip! Common Prayer: Catholic-Lutheran Common Com-memoration of the Reformation

2017 marks the 500th anni-

versary of the Reformation. In

honor of this historic milestone,

Lutheran and Catholic churches

across Florida and the US are

joining together in prayer. We

are all invited to attend a joint

prayer service on Tuesday,

June 6, from 6:30-7:30 pm at

the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of

the Universe, in Orlando, Florida. Bishop Marcus

Lohrmann from the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod will

officiate along with Bishop John Noonan, Diocese of Or-

lando and Bishop Felipe Estevez, Diocese of St. Augus-

tine. If anyone from St. Mark’s is interested in attending,

please let Tracy Williams know (904-655-0049 or tra-

cyb78@yahoo.com) or sign up on the sheet on the bulle-

tin board in the narthex. There are also flyers in the nar-

thex and Hart Hall with more information. Depending on

the number of people interested, we can plan on various

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options for getting to Orlando. If you do not drive but

want to attend, please sign up too. Carpooling is an op-

tion to attend this special event. Once we have an idea of

who is interested in attending, we can plan the trip. I am

looking forward to attending this special prayer service. I

hope many others will join me.

Property

You may notice some work going on at the front of

the church. We are in the process of installing a well to

support our irrigation system. More info to come once

this project is complete in May.

WELCA Easter Egg Hunt On April 8, the backyard of St. Mark’s was filled

with excitement as kids of all ages raced to find eggs

filled with candy and treats. It was a fun morning filled

with St. Mark’s Ark families and church families. Our

youth group was available to paint faces, do arts and

crafts, and play games. WELCA provided some sweet

treats and the Easter Bunny even stopped by for a visit.

The number of families who attend gets bigger each year

because of the great organization from Rachel Mumford,

WELCA members, and our youth group. Thank you for

all of the planning, hard work, and fun.

Rachel Mumford with the Easter Bunny.

Top left: Children hunt for eggs Top right: Sarah Jorn and Cassidy Williams Bottom left: Miora and Arold Rambeloarisoa Bottom right: Margaux with grandmother Mary Swart

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Children with the Easter Bunny.

Holy Week Holy Week was a huge success at St. Mark’s. A

huge thank you to

Tony, Pastor Bell,

our Celebrate Team,

our choir and bell

choir. The services

were well coordi-

nated with beautiful

music and wonderful

sermons to remind

us of the importance

of this week. Our al-

tar guild always

stays busy this week

as they coordinate all

changes in services.

Our Fellowship com-

mittee cooked a

yummy breakfast on

Easter and we had a

full gym of families

enjoying the food

and fellowship.

Palm Sunday

Easter

Easter Breakfast

Ushers Nola and Randy Rahe on Palm Sunday.

Left to right: David Williams, Leslie Allen, and Loree Mueller prepare food.

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Below: Fellowship and food in the Fellowship Hall.

Send: Outreach Opportunities Save the Date. “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday

will be held on September 10, 2017. This will be a day

of service for us. A planning group will begin soon to

plan activities, food, and needs for this exciting day. If

you do not have an official St. Mark’s yellow “God’s

Work. Our Hands.” shirt, don’t worry! We will have

them available again this year for this day of service.

—Tracy Williams, Council President

Women of the ELCA

May Circle Meetings:

Deborah Circle: Tuesday, May 9 at 9:30 am in Hart

Hall

Priscilla Circle: Thursday, May 11 at 7:00 pm in Li-

brary

Rebecca Circle will not meet in May due to the conflict

with the Spring Gathering.

All women are invited to participate in circle meetings

and special events. Contact Rachel Mumford at (904)

730-3880, or Joyce Wertz for more information.

Organ Concert with Dr. Laura Ellis Sunday, May 7 at 7:00 pm

This concert includes “Behold a Host” arranged by

John Ferguson and “Variation on ‘Children of the Heav-

enly Father’” arranged by David Dahl. Also included is

“The Three Festivals” by Herman Belinski, which can

also be found on Dr. Ellis’ recently-released CD, “Music

for the Testaments Old and New.”

Laura Ellis is an associate professor of music in the

School of Music at the University of Florida. Dr. Ellis

teaches undergraduate and graduate organ, harpsichord,

and carillon. In addition to her duties as university or-

ganist, she oversees the

Andrew Anderson Memo-

rial Organ in the Univer-

sity Auditorium, the caril-

lon in the Century Tower,

and the historic keyboard

instruments housed within

the School of Music.

This concert is free. An

offering will be taken.

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Annual Dinner Men in Mission will host the annual dinner with the

men's group from St. Paul Lutheran Church (located on

the north side) on Monday, May 8 at 6:30 pm in the fel-

lowship hall. We will grill hamburgers and sausages for

our meal together, a tradition that has continued for over

20 years.

Following the meal and fellowship together (7:30

pm), we will move into the sanctuary for a musical

presentation orchestrated by Tony Cruz. This will be a

mini hymn fest with Tony on both the organ and piano

leading us. All members of St. Mark’s are invited to at-

tend both the meal and the music following it. No reser-

vation is required.

—Jim Dennis

Supper Club The year-end Supper Club gathering will be held on

Friday, May 12 beginning at 6:45 pm. Jane Kilby has

graciously invited the group to her home for the evening.

Please RSVP so we will have an idea of the number at-

tending. We will then send out a blast to everyone for

food requests. RSVP by calling

Jenny Hicks at 904-731-3785 or

email hicks.stephen@att.net. This is

always a fun event before summer

vacations begin.

Family Promise Benefit at the Alhambra Steel Magnolias is about

the strength of love and

laughter in facing life’s chal-

lenges. Set in Truvy’s beauty

salon, where all the ladies

who are “anybody” come to

have their hair done, these

strong southern women draw

on the underlying strength—and love.

Sunday, June 25 benefits Family Promise of Jack-

sonville. The show starts at 2:00 pm, and doors open at

12:00 pm with a meal served from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.

Purchase your ticket from Family Promise or a

board member and help support homeless families with

children. The ticket price of $55 includes the meal, non-

alcoholic beverages, tax, gratuities, and a donation to

Family Promise. Ticket sales end June 12.

For tickets, call Family Promise at 354-1818 or

email bethmixson@familypromisejax.org.

Lion’s Pride On May 12, Lion’s Pride will meet at noon for a

luncheon by chef Leslie Allen and crew. Entertainment

will be provided by the Recycles Band. Fun for adults

and the Ark. Enjoyed by everyone last May. For reserva-

tions, contact Clara Echerer at 737-4480. Everyone is

welcome!

2017 Vacation Bible School We will host VBS for our

St. Mark's children who at-

tend the Ark or church (or

both!) ages 3-6 this summer!

VBS will be held during the

last week of July, July 24-28.

We are so excited to be able

to offer this outreach to

our Ark families again this

year.

This year’s theme is National Parks. Please consider

loaning us any camping gear you may have such as tents,

sleeping bags, canoes, kayaks, etc. that we could use to

decorate the church. We will provide information at a

later date for when to bring items in.

If you are interested in volunteering to help, please

contact Bridget Pudimat at 904-371-0809 or by email at

pudimatb@bellsouth.net.

Summer Movie Series for Children We would like to offer a fun evening once a week for

3-4 weeks this summer to invite St. Mark's children who

attend the Ark and/or Church. We envision a Friday

evening where the children can come in their pajamas

and join us for a meal and a movie. We are currently fi-

nalizing dates, but need volunteers to help with the chil-

dren, meal, and movie. Please contact Bridget Pudi-

mat 904-371-0809 or pudimatb@bellsouth.net if you are

interested in volunteering.

Hospital Visitor Ministry Our Hospital Visitor ministry is now active. Mem-

bers of St. Mark’s who are hospitalized will normally be

visited six days a week. Here is the schedule:

Monday: Mary Swart (1st and 2nd Mondays at Baptist

downtown only); Joyce Wertz (3rd or 4th Monday)

Tuesday: Pastor Pat

Wednesday: Bill Ahrens

Thursday: Pastor Pat

Friday: Steve & Jenny Hicks

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Saturday or Sunday: Mary Cusick

Alternates: Jeanette Snyder (Monday only), Mark We-

ber

We could still use a couple more alternates; if you

feel that you would like to be a part of this ministry, send

a note to Pastor Pat. Thanks to all who have already vol-

unteered!

Devotionals for May “Global Church Minutes are short, one minute or

less, prayers [for] 2017 and serve as a reminder of our

connection to our brothers and sisters around the world.”

Through 2017, I will place a month’s worth of these

ELCA devotionals in each Messenger.

—Gina Olson

May 7 Risen One, who calls to us and we recognize his

voice, guide us to witness to your triumph over death in

our daily lives. Praise to you for the support of the

ELCA in opening two new schools in The Gambia—St.

Andrew’s Lutheran Education Center and St. Luke’s Lu-

theran Education Center. May these schools be places

where students can hear your call in their lives and fol-

low you, in the name of your risen Son, our Lord, Jesus

the Christ, we pray. Amen.

May 14 Risen One, who always makes a place for us where

we go, guide us to witness to your triumph over death in

our daily lives. Counsel Lutheran missionaries as they

provide educational opportunities for students in the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia. Give to them the

knowledge that you go where they go ahead of them,

making a way, in the name of your risen Son, our Lord,

Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen.

May 21 Risen One, who provides all we need to keep your

commands, guide us to witness to your triumph over

death in our daily lives. Praise to you for the work of the

Rev. Mawien Ariik and the Rev. Wal Reat as they seek

to establish the Lutheran Church African Mission in

South Sudan. May your commands guide their work and

may they trust your support in their work, in the name of

your risen Son, our Lord, Jesus the Christ, we pray.

Amen.

May 28: The Festival of the Ascension of the Lord Risen One, who sits in glory at the right hand of

God, guide us to witness to your triumph over death in

our daily lives. Thanks be to you for the journey and

growth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.

May we learn from our siblings in Tanzania the ways to

proclaim your gospel in our place and in this century, in

the name of your risen Son, our Lord, Jesus the Christ,

we pray. Amen.

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Worship Assistant Schedule for May 2017 Date Assisting Minister Lector Altar Guild

Saturday, May 6 Volunteer Volunteer Marieanne Prokop & Ginger Hudson

Sunday, May 7 Fourth Sunday of Easter

Ellen Olson Leslie Allen Susan Jackson & Bonnye Bell

Sunday, May 14 Fifth Sunday of Easter

Ron Eckels Al Voss Susan Jackson & Bonnye Bell

Saturday, May 20 Volunteer Volunteer Marieanne Prokop & Ginger Hudson

Sunday, May 21 Sixth Sunday of Easter

Gary Pudimat John Trainer Nola Rahe & Renee Roath

Sunday, May 28 Seventh Sunday in Easter

Eric Olson Neil Daraskevich Rachel Mumford & Nicki Hassell

Date Altar Flowers Order of St. John Nursery Volunteers

Saturday, May 6

Sunday, May 7 Fourth Sunday of Easter

Naomi & Ian Heneghan Ginger Hudson & JoMarie

Sunday, May 14 Fifth Sunday of Easter

Amelia Jorn Francine Baker & Bridget Pudimat

Saturday, May 20

Sunday, May 21 Sixth Sunday of Easter

Nolan Pudimat Bonnye Bell & Bridget Pudimat

Sunday, May 28 Seventh Sunday in Easter

Tahiana Rakotomandrindra Miora & Arold Rambeloarisoa

Ushers for May: Eddie & Susan Jackson

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May 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2

10:00 am Ark Chapel @ Nave 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall 7:30 pm Community Band @ Fellowship Hall

3 5:30 pm St. Mark’s Ringers Rehearsal @ Nave 7:30 pm Festival Choir Rehearsal @ Nave

4 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall

5 6 8:00 am St. Mark’s Women of the ELCA Host the FCC WELCA Spring Gath-ering 5:30 pm Casual/Con-temporary Worship Service @ Nave

7 9:30 am Worship Service @ Nave 7:00 pm Organ Recital at St. Mark’s, Dr. Laura Ellis @ Nave

8 6:30 pm Men in Mis-sion dinner with St. Paul Lutheran Church Men’s Club @ Fellowship Hall 6:30 pm Nourish Meeting @ Library 7:30 pm Mini Hymn Festival to follow Meal @ Nave

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9:30 am Deborah Circle @ Hart Hall 10:00 am Ark Chapel @ Nave 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall 7:30 pm Community Band @ Fellowship Hall

10 5:30 pm St. Mark’s Ringers Rehearsal @ Nave 7:30 pm Festival Choir Rehearsal @ Nave

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6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall 7:00 pm Priscilla Cir-cle @ Library

12 12:00 pm Lion’s Pride Luncheon

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14 Mother’s Day

9:30 am Worship Service @ Nave

15

Content for June Messenger Due 6:30 pm Finance Committee Meeting @ Library

16 10:00 am Ark Chapel @ Nave 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall 7:30 pm Community Band @ Fellowship Hall

17 5:30 pm St. Mark’s Ringers Rehearsal @ Nave 7:30 pm Festival Choir Rehearsal @ Nave

18 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall 7:00 pm Executive Committee Meeting @ Conference Room

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20 5:30 pm Casual/Con-temporary Worship Service @ Nave

21 9:30 am Worship Service @ Nave 10:45 am Confirmation Class @ Library 5:30 pm Youth Group Meeting @ Hart Hall

22 6:30 pm Council Meeting @ Library

23 10:00 am Ark Chapel @ Nave 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall 7:30 pm Community Band @ Fellowship Hall

24 5:30 pm St. Mark’s Ringers Rehearsal @ Nave 7:30 pm Festival Choir Rehearsal @ Nave

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6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall

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27

28 9:30 am Worship Service @ Nave 10:45 am Confirmation Class @ Library

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Memorial Day

30 10:00 am Ark Chapel @ Nave 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall 7:30 pm Community Band @ Fellowship Hall

31 5:30 pm St. Mark’s Ringers Rehearsal @ Nave 7:30 pm Festival Choir Rehearsal @ Nave

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May Birthdays

Saint Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Our Mission

We invite all people to our church home to cele-

brate God’s many gifts. Nourished by Christ Je-

sus and led by the Holy Spirit, we send enthusi-

astic servants to proclaim the hope and joy of

life in Christ.

Our Vision We strive to celebrate the rich diversity of God’s people, welcoming all to be nourished in their faith journeys. We live to serve others and fulfill our relationship with Christ in service to community.

St. Mark’s Newsletters St. Mark’s has two newsletters. The Lion’s Roar is distributed weekly

and by email (E-Roar), and The Messenger is distributed monthly (primar-ily through email, but available in print upon request). Gina Olson does layout and editing for both of them.

The deadline for The Lion’s Roar is by noon on each Wednesday, and The Messenger deadline is the 15th day of each month.

Devotionals Are you looking for a devotional? In addition, to the “Global Church

Minutes” included above, you can pick up additional devotionals at St. Mark’s. In the Narthex (church “lobby”), The Word in Season and Christ in Our Home are waiting on the tables. Feel free to pick up one or both. Augsburg Fortress publishes both and both have devotions from multiple writers.

If you’re ever waiting around with an ELW (our Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnal), don’t flip immediately to the hymns. An “Additional Prayers” section starts on page 72 and includes prayer for “Before wor-ship,” “After worship,” “Teachers,” “Agriculture,” and more.

And if you’re always on the computer, consider receiving emails with “God Pause” from Luther Seminary or Richard Rohr meditations.

Dylan Kilby May 1 Carl Weidenmier May 1 Terri Hutson May 5 Bernie Jorn May 10 Mike Swart May 13 Cynthia Syverson May 13 Glennis Smith May 15 Charlie Snyder May 18 Jody Harkrider May 20 Aimee Brockett May 21 Margo Phillips May 29 Tahiana Rakotomandrindra May 29 Sarah Jorn May 30 Becca Jorn May 30 Clara Echerer May 31

Anniversaries James & Janis Lumpkin May 2 Becky & Gene Hutson May 19 Bernie & Clara Giancola May 23

Call Committee Alonzo Batson: Co-Chair Person Elizabeth Jenkins: Co-Chair Person Gina Olson Gary Pudimat Renée Roath Mark Weber For updates on the call process, please read The Lion’s Roar.

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Worship & Office Hours

Contact us

Worship Services

Saturdays (Casual/Contemporary)

1st and 3rd Saturdays 5:30 pm

Sunday Morning 9:30 am A nursery is available.

Office Hours Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Closed on national holidays.

Ministry Staff

Pastor Patrick Bell Interim Pastor

Phone: 904-249-9925 Cell phone: 904-229-7438 Email: pbell47@yahoo.com

Tony Cruz Cantor Office phone: 904-396-9608 x 103 Email: vespers@comcast.net

Congregational Officers & Council Tracy Williams President Bridget Pudimat Vice President & Nourish Chair/Youth Leader Jane Kilby Secretary Larry Wertz Treasurer & Stewardship Chair Eric Olson Celebrate Chair Loree Mueller Financial Secretary John Mumford Invite Liaison Leslie Allen Fellowship Chair Randy Rahe Ray Booth Jim Dennis John Trainer

St. Mark’s Ark Preschool Patrice Roux-Neal Director of St. Mark’s Ark Preschool Office phone: 904-346-0404 Email: director@stmarksark.com Web: www.stmarksark.com

Contact us

Church Office 3976 Hendricks Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32207 Office phone: 904-396-9608 Fax: 904-396-3515 Email: admin@stmarksjax.org (for office and council) Web: www.stmarksjax.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmarksjax

The Lion’s Roar & The Messenger Gina Olson Email: ginaolson4@gmail.com

We are a welcoming congregation where you can express your love for God and for God's peo-ple and creation no matter your age, race, economic status, or sexual orientation.

St. Mark’s

Lutheran Church