<p> FROM holy day season of Advent and 1668. THE Christmas becomes just another Pr. Will excuse for time off from school or PASTOR Address Notification work while eating more than we Please remember to notify the The War On Advent, Keeping should. church office if you have changed Christ In Christmas Don’t get me wrong. I love your e-mail address or phone Luncheon “But when the right time came, singing Christmas carols throughout number, especially if you have Thankoffering God sent his Son into the the 12th month of the year. But I given up your land line and Ingathering world. A woman gave birth to also respect the four week tradition switched to your cell phone. St. him, and…God sent him…so of singing Advent hymns and Mark’s does not give out or sell Welcome ALL ladies of St. that we would be adopted as practicing other Advent habits for member’s addresses/phone Mark’s to come to our WELCA his children.” Galatians 4:4-5 the very reasons mentioned above. numbers. The information is used Advent Christmas Luncheon, on Sunday, December 6th after the I love the traditions of If we don’t practice these time internally to keep you informed. Christmas. Decorations. Music. honored Christian traditions of ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10:30 worship service. A Worship. Get togethers. Food. preparation and contemplation, then COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP delicious lunch will be prepared Snow. Unfortunately, there is we as the church become as guilty APPLICATIONS & by the kitchen committee to be as the ‘aggressive progressive’ one tradition experiencing a slow GUIDELINES: The St. Mark’s served at 12 noon followed by a culture around us for reducing erosion in the Christian church. Lutheran Church Scholarship presentation will be given by Christmas to another generic secular That tradition is Advent. Committee has made changes and Betsy Rhoades on her holiday. Christmas, Jesus’ updates to the scholarship experiences in the Ukraine birthday, is a matter of timing as All should indeed have the application process. Most working with children. It will be we see in the above scripture text liberty to say “Merry Christmas”. noteworthy is making scholarships a great time to the beginning of from the Apostle Paul. God’s We as followers of Christ also need renewable. Scholarship renewals our Advent season. Hope to see timing to be more precise. to perpetuate the keeping of Christ are contingent on funds being ALL of you on Sunday, Advent is the four week season in Christmas. How? Feed the available after scholarships are December 6th at 12:00 p.m. of timing in our schedules for hungry. Provide winter clothing. awarded to graduating high school waiting in anticipation of this Take time for family. Practice seniors. It is important to note the coming birth of the Messiah. Advent. Make peace among family. scholarships are funded by monies Promote mental health. Protect the Yet if we forgo making given to the church and specifically vulnerable. Have compassion for designated for college scholarship. room for Advent in December, th for those who are alone. All these No monies are taken from current DECEMBER 14 then we as the church perpetuate things in the name of Christ. And the January 2016 the war on Advent and therefore offerings. Scholarship guidelines share the Christmas story with and applications can be picked up in Messenger. Submit your on Christmas. It is more than an th persons who have no idea why Jesus the church office and will also be items on or before the 14 . issue of ‘Happy Holidays’, was born for them. Please have your items church and state, or red cups. available on the church website. Christ was born. Christ has **Deadline for application written/typed before you When we let our faith life go bring them. Meisa unprepared we have lost the died. Christ is risen. Christ will submission is January 15, 2016.** reason for the season to begin come again. with. We forget who we are Prepare your four week Advent Need A Ride to Church? Call preparing for. Consequently, the season to have a Merry Christmas, Stan Schumm during December at 419-238- 40 people attended and all had a and happier too because of week. Your love and care put great time with games, food, thoughtful people like you. Thank into the shawls is felt by all. hayride and fellowship! you again for the beautiful prayer The Virginia Harter Family shawl. Connie Marsee Thank you to all of my St. Notes Of A big THANK YOU to our Mark’s family who called, Notes Of Thanks (cont.) visited or sent cards during the Thanks congregation. The Trunk or surgery for a broken hip and Thank you so much for the Thank you so much for the Treat event was a huge success. time spent at Van Wert Manor We had 17 cars (goal 15) and beautiful prayer shawl. It is not Rehab. Also, a special thanks to prayer shawl. My husband only beautiful but makes me feel received one last year and I candy donated for 15 cars. You Stephanie Fennig, Marcia met that goal and we only very warm and that you care. Weldy and Sandra Errett for know he enjoys his. This will Berneice Davis come in handy this winter. God provided extra for the 2 additional choosing and delivering library bless each and every one of cars. What a wonderful showing Thank you: What a pleasant books. As always, thank you to you. Gina Say of faith for St. Mark's on surprise when upon entering my Pastor Will for his many visits Washington Street as cars and doctor’s office for a recent and prayers. Mary Hetrick Thank you: Your kindness trucks went by honking horns. appointment, a very kind member ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ was more than heartwarming. There were between 800 and 900 of your group presented me with Hospital The “special” throws for me children again this year that were one of your shawl. What a lovely and my sister will be forever treated. They were met with and comforting ministry for which Reminder comforting. They are both so beautiful costumed people and I am grateful as well as a reminder Please call beautiful and to just know the scary decorated cars along the to me that I am to pray for others the office with ANY information time and effort that you each way. Prizes went to Jim and Joan and that others are praying for me. on hospital emergency visits or put into them warms our hearts. Holland for best themed car; Lori Thank you and may God bless admissions. Your love is deeply appreciated McVaigh and family for best your unique ministry! Bill Swank ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ by us both. With love, costumes; and Rick and Cary Yellow Ribbons: There is Linda Sink & Debbie Browder Roehm and family for best Thank you for taking part in a display on the decorated car. Thanks again St. Pregnancy Life Center’s Walk for Thank you so much for the bulletin board next to Mark's Congregation for your help Life. You had 1 walker raise the main entrance. We lovely prayer shawl I received and support for this Outreach $390. This amount, combined at the Cancer Center in Van would like to include the names Program into the community. with all the walkers, gave us a of our loved ones who are in Wert. All the love and prayers Thanks to those who donated record amount of $35,000 raised! that went into it is very much military service on this board. candy, and participants in the Blessings, Please contact the church office appreciated. I know God will Trunk or Treat event. Hope you Trina Langdon, Director bless your ministry. (419-238-6336) to have a name all had a great time! Thanks to Thank you: Many thanks for listed on the board. Doug Miller Joan Holland, Sue Noggle, Deb the prayer shawl. It has blessed Russell, and Wayne and Alicia Congratulations to Thank you to Rick, Cary, me and my family. Thank you, Hickerson for helping count all the Kiersten and Raegan Roehm for Donna Anderson Cameron and Amy (Bilimek) hosting the Awesome Families candy! Phyllis Kill Bladen who were united in Thank you for the prayer shawls Autumn Festival at their farm. Thank you: Life’s a lot brighter, provided at the funeral home this holy matrimony on November 7th, here at St. Wednesday evening meetings you have unlocked or opened. Here’s what is WILL NOT MEET. just around the Mark’s. Circle OFFICE CLOSED ON THE corner. FOLLOWING DATES Meetings Mid-Week Our sympathy to the Nov. 26th & 27th —all day DECEMBER 6TH, 2015 Advent Services Weds., family of Virginia Harter, December 24th—1/2 day December 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd 12 NOON th who entered the church December 25 —all day at 12 & 7:30 PM Advent Luncheon & Dec. 31st & Jan. 1st—all day triumphant on Mon., Thankoffering Ingathering in Sunday, December 6th— Second Sunday of Advent November 2, 2015. fellowship hall ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Guest Speaker—Betsy Rhoades RD WELCA General Meeting at 3 QUARTER GIVING 12 noon in fellowship hall. Church Cancellation Program—Presentation on STATEMENTS ARE experiences in Ukraine th Information Available AVAILABLE IN Sunday, December 6 — Please be advised, you may working with children. Children’s Christmas THE CLOAK Pageant at 10:30 a.m. listen to the following radio/TV Ruth-Eunice Circle ROOM. stations for any church service Wed., Jan. 13th, 2016, 1:30 p.m. service. or activity cancellations due to Meeting depends on weather ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saturday, December 19th— severe winter weather Esther Circle 5:00 p.m. Christmas “Eve” conditions or look on our The Mitten Tree and coat MONDAY, Jan., 19th, 2016 Service webpage rack runs through 9:30 a.m. th www.stmarkslutheranvw.com Sunday, December 6th. Sunday, December 20 — Nancy Wolverton, hostess WERT radio1220 (Van Wert) On December 7th all One worship service at 9:30 Meet at Vancrest Assisted WKSD radio 99.7 (Van Wert) mittens, scarves, a.m. Adult Choir Christmas Living at 9:30 AM WTGN radio 97.7 (Ft. Wayne) gloves, coats, hats, Cantata followed by Annual Nancy Wolverton, devotions WBCL radio 90.3 (Ft. Wayne) etc. will be collected and given to Congregational Budget ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Channels 15, 21 & 33—Ft. the Salvation Army for Meeting with Sunday Wayne distribution. Please bring gloves, School/Birthday Party for Channel 6 (Van Wert cable) Church Security Jesus in the fellowship hall. www.vwindependent.com Just a reminder that if hats or new/gently used coats to you unlock a door to share with a needy child or adult. Thursday Evening, Wednesday get into the church ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ December 24th— Evening please be sure to lock it again 7:00 Youth & Adult Cancellations when you leave or lock it behind ADVENT & Preludes If Van Wert you when you enter the building. 7:30 Holy Communion Schools cancel, due to fog, the Tom has found the front doors 10:30 Chimes Wednesday evening youth/kids have been left unlocked or CHRISTMAS 11:00 Worship Service meetings WILL MEET as unlatched quite a few times. Also planned. If Van Wert Schools close any window you may open It’s not too early to mark your cancel or have early dismissal upon leaving. Please be extra calendars in preparation for the due to ice, snow, etc. then careful to lock or close anything Advent/Christmas season. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ collecting new or used Christian 3. Youth Program expenses based reading for all ages, faith funded from youth program based movies and music CD’s. We bequests after considering will place a donation box in the any direct donation to Gathering Room area for various programs and any collection. Thank you! fund raisers with matching GET YOUR OODLES funds for the following budget lines: Preparing for Death: AND OODLES OF A Resource Guide: A. Account 9-a – NOODLES IN THE Educational Ministry Death can be a DECEMBER difficult thing OFFICE. The Salvation B. Account 9-b – to think about, Army is CONGREGATIONAL Sr. High Youth Group but being again BUDGET MEETING C. Account 9-c – Middle School Youth prepared can ease the decision collecting The December Annual Budget making process during that Program for their Meeting, for voting on Church time. A manual has been Council recommendations for the D. Account 9-d – prepared by the Health Ministry Christmas enclosed Proposed Budget of 2016 Awesome Attitudes to assist congregational Baskets for (copies available in cloak room and E. Account 9-e- members in planning for death the less fortunate in our elevator room), is being held on Little Awesome Attitudes —their own or that of a loved th community and as you can tell Sunday, December 20 immediately F. Account 9-f – one. The booklet includes following the 9:30 service. If the Campers' Scholarships by the title of this article we worship service is cancelled due to instructions for advance 4. Up to $70,000.00 of have noodles this year. inclement weather, the meeting will directives, local information, principal from non- take place on the following checklist of steps, suggestions Please bring in your 12-16oz. designated bequests to be available Sunday upon the for funeral arrangements, forms package(s) of noodles by or used to cover Current conclusion of the 10:30 a.m. for biographical information th Expenses if Current before December 20 . We service. The recommendations, and funeral preferences. Expense offerings do not listed in order of the agenda, are as Booklets are in the cloak room need 400 packages this year cover our expenses. follows: and church office. so grab that extra package Motion # 2. Motion # 1. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ when you’re shopping. To approve the Property To approve the Current Expense Improvement budget of CHURCH LIBRARY Through your generosity 142 budget of $ 364,780.00. The $35,000.00 to be funded from the packages have been given as Current Expense budget will be CART: The A.I.M. Property Improvement Fund. th funded as follows: Committee of November 18 . Motion # 3. would like to 1. Congregation Current ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To approve the Benevolence reintroduce Expense Offerings. Budget of $ 45,000.00 to be the church 2. Designated Giving to Bread funded from Benevolence library on a and Bowl, Blessings in a Offerings. smaller scale. Backpack, and College ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We are Scholarships. ACT OF THE CHURCH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ notifying the office there may Funeral ~ not be a place for you to meet. Virginia Harter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sound System Friday, November 6, 2015 Church Garden Property Services are at noon and 7:30 p.m. Operator: If you would like Wedding on Wednesdays. Public is Update: The Cameron & Amy (Bilimek) to learn how to run the sound welcome. Invite a friend! system and camera for the 10:30 Church Garden Bladen Property project Saturday, November 7th, 2015 READ THE CHRISTMAS worship service, then contact Rex Arn at 419-238-9553 or sign up on with a pharmaceutical company Not A Silent Night, Mary STORY IN MATTHEW 1 & has fallen through. The 2 AND LUKE 1 & 2 TO the I Worshiped Today or the Looks Back To church website at company has determined that the Bethlehem is our Mid-week PREPARE YOUR FAITH www.stmarkslutheranvw.com. corner of North Washington and Advent theme for this December LIFE THIS HOLY-DAY East Sycamore is not viable. based on the book of the same SEASON. MERRY Consequently we are retaining title. Imagine Jesus from Mary’s NEW ! We now our church property located at point of view – proud of her son, CHRISTMAS! ! ! offer DVD’s of 308 N. Washington Street. in awe of his gifts and mission, Church Services for ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ guided by love for him as a those unable to attend person and so much more. As Sunday morning. All you need is we focus on the meaning of a DVD player to watch on your Christmas we will begin at the TV or computer. These DVD’s end, with Mary at the Crucifixion are being made available for our and Resurrection; travel back in ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ shut-in as well as those recovering time as she witnesses Jesus’ life from illness or injury. If you or and ministry; and ends at the The Community someone you know would like to beginning, with the Christ Child Christmas Service is receive these DVD’s, please born in a stable, Mary’s beautiful contact the church office or baby. Sunday, November Marilyn Morgan at 419-203-7016. December 2nd—The Hope of 29, 7:00 p.m. at ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ the Empty Tomb, the Jerusalem Cross, and Trinity Friends Quick Reminder: Please SPOTLIGHT ON THE WEB Christmas notify the office Church. This BEFORE you Did you know that you can give December 9th—Parenting Jesus community service schedule a your tithes and offerings online? December 16th—God Opposes meeting with a the Proud, But Gives Grace is led by the Van group or More information will be to the Humble committee due to the fact we are forthcoming, but this tool is Wert County available now on our website: December 23rd—It Was Not A having many different people www.stmarkslutheranvw.com Silent Night Ministerial using our facilities. If you Association. schedule a meeting without Click on the “Giving” tab to access the screen shown above for one time giving or set up automatic transfers.</p><p>All transactions are conducted using PCI-Level 1 security. </p>