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(609) 587-1286
Volume 23, Issue 9
465 Paxson Avenue, Hamilton Square, New Jersey 08690
Fax: 609-587-6090 [email protected] www.saintmarkhamilton.org
:M.arkines
November, 2014
From the Pastor's Desk:
Putting God First in Living and in Giving
Do we worship idols? The answer may surprise you. During the month of November, we at Saint Mark UMC will consider God's generosity and our response as we participate in our Financial Stewardship Campaign entitled first: putting
God first in living and in giving. This three week program (November 9-23) is adapted from the program developed
by Rev Michael Slaughter of the Ginghamsburg UMC, Tipp City, Ohio.
D_yring this program w._e will be c_hallenged in a number of different ways. We wil l be asked to identify modern_sjay
idols in our lives (our own golden calves), and examine how these idols enslave us, holding us back from the fullness of
life God would have for each of us. We will look together at money, work and debt and what it would mean to be faithful in earning, saving and giving. Finally we will ask what it means for us to give from the heart rather than out of obligation and duty.
How do we balance competing demands on our time, talents and treasure? What priorities would God have us practice? I believe that the ministry and mission of Saint Mark UMC makes a difference in the life of people locally as well
as globally. This ministry is made possible through the generous giving of members and friends. Through our giving we
seek not only to touch persons for Christ in the present, but to build a legacy of faith that will be passed on to a future
generation.
In the days ahead, you will receive a Commitment Card to inform us of your willingness and ability to support the
ministry and mission of Saint Mark UMC in 2015. Kindly be in prayer about this decision, and be with us each Sunday of
the Financial Campaign.
CHURCH CONFERENCE
The date for our Annual Church Conference has been set for November 3, at 7:00PM. Rev Varlyna Wright, Capital
District Superintendent, will preside at this meeting. Plan to be with us as we reflect on ministry this past yeCir and
look forward to where God is leading us in 2015. All members of Saint Mark UMC have voice and vote at Church Conference.
SERRV SALE
The annual - holiday sale to benefit SERRV (UMCOR) will be held on Sunday~ November 16, from 9:00AM- ·
12:00NOON. The sale will feature handcrafted fair trade items from around the world. Items to be offered include
Christmas ornaments, nativity sets, jewelry and a variety of other items. Plan to do some holiday shopping or pick up
something nice for yourself. Cash or check only.
ADVENT DINNER
We begin the season of Advent with a Covered Dish Supper and program on November 29 at 6:00PM. Come for this
time of fellowship and devotion, and start your Advent season on the right foot. Our devotions will be based on the African American spiritual, Mary Had A Baby. This theme of Advent devotions based on African American spirituals will
continue through our Advent Mid-Week devotions. (December 3, 10 and 17)
Church Staff:
Robert L. Marks
Senior Pastor
Bill Wieszczek
Director of Music
Eric Johannsen
Director of Youth Ministries
Lorraine Wilson Children's Ministry Coordinator
Lynn Wilson
Bill Garrett
Linda D'Errico
Judy Smith
Director of Visitation
Organist
Office Manager
Secretary
Meg Hanson
Praise! Pianist
Sharon Clarke
Praise! Director
Bob Sharp, Tim Marks, Gory Fuller
Custodians
MAGICAL EVENING .
The Rev. Gary Filson, mag1c1an, will re-appear at
Saint Mark Church on Friday, November 14, at 7:00PM.
Rev Filson dazzled both children and adults with his
magic and illusion. This is a program for the young and
young at heart. Invite your friends and neighbors to a
magical evening. The price of admission is a can good
for the local food pantry. See you there!
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
It is that time of year to get your Operation
Christmas Child Shoe box ready. Any shoe box will do,
or you may use one of the ones we offer. Instruction on
how to fill them can be found in the narthex. All boxes
must be returned by November 9, in order to get
around the world by Christmas. This is a wonderful
hands on mission project for our children, so please get
them involved with filling the boxes.
THANKSGIVING BASKETS
Saint Mark is always seeking opportunities to share
God's love in very concrete ways. As a way of doing this,
we will be providing Thanksgiving food baskets for several families again this year. If you know of someone
who needs help, please call Edie Glover (581-1948) or
the church office (587-1286). The narthex food collection box will be marked Thanksgiving Baskets. Donations of turkeys or contributions to the Caring Fund will
be welcomed.
GRANOLA BAR COLLECTION FOR TASK
The TASK volunteers are collecting granola bars for
the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. These bars are included snack bag giveaways for diabetic patrons and children. They recently ran out of this vital supply. Please
drop your donations into the marked box in the narthex.
The TASK Team from Saint Mark will deliver them when
they next go to serve lunch on Wednesday, November 5.
The SS children are going to help again this year
with the Thanksgiving food baskets.
Kids from
nursery to the 5th grade are challenged to supply
the peanut butter and jelly! Girls, please share a jar
of jelly .... Boys, please bring in a jar of peanut butter.
Lets see how many jars of PB&J we can supply.
Items should be brought to the SS opening either
Sunday, November 16 or 23.
The first Sunday in Advent is November
30. This year we will share with the children our
version of the Elf on the Shelf with the Manger on
the Mantel. Each Sunday School Family can share in
Roast Beef & Turkey Di,n ner
November 15, 2014
5:30-7:30PM
Family Style
Mashed Potatoes -String Beans
Rolls Coleslaw-Home Baked Pies
Adults
Tickets in advance:
$13.00/Children $6 (8 & under)
Adult Tickets at the Door: $15
See UMM for tickets or call 609-587-1286
ANNUAL PIE BAKING FOR UMM DINNER
We will be baking pies on Friday evening, November
14, for the UMM dinner on Saturday night, November
15. Homemade pies and desserts are being marketed to
entice the community and congregation to come and enjoy.
Come help us bake about 16-18 pies- it's a great fellowship event and hopefully there will be new people joining us this year. We have a good time baking apple and
pumpkin pies in an assembly process. The men always do
a great job in peeling the baskets of apples and the Confirmation Class helps by mixing the pumpkin filing! Yes,
we desperately need pie-dough-rollers.
Or if you would rather, you can bake at home. If you
decide to bake at home, please let us know what delicious
goodie to expect and arrange to deliver it by 12:00 noon
in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, the 15th.
Contact Marion Zajac (mnza [email protected] or 609306-8656) so we know how many of you are coming to
help and join our fun!
this advent experience. Manager Kits will be distributed in
Sunday School on November 23. Please take time during
the Advent season to prepare for the birth of our Savior,
with your children.
It is time to get ready to tell the STORY with angels,
shepherds, and wise men. Sunday December 7, at 5:00PM is
the Live Nativity. The Sunday School children, with the
help of readers, and the youth praise band, will lead us in
the story of the birth of Jesus. Weather permitting, the
animals will join us with our celebration. There will be a
rehearsal for all readers, and children on Saturday morning
December 6. We will start at 9:00AM with the distribution
of costumes, and start the program rehearsal at 9:30ll:OOAM. Questions?? Please speak to Lorraine
OPEN MIC ON NOVEMBER 7 AT 7:30PM
All are invited to come out to great time of entertainment and fellowship. Many varieties of talent always
makes for a unique and rewarding show. Sign-up to share
your talent with Bill W. at 7:15PM. All ages, abilities and
talents are welcome. Each act gets 3 pieces/12 minutes.
Please bring a snack to share; drinks are provided.
SAINT MARK SINGERS
It's a great time to join the Saint Mark Singers as
they rehearse for their December 14 presentation of Bill
Wieszczek's piece, The Promise Fulfilled, scored for full
choir, brass quintet, percussion and organ. Join us any
Thursday evening in the choir room at 7:30PM as we learn
this and other anthems for worship.
UMW PRESENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY OF THE MONTH
Meals on Wheels
The Meals On Wheels Association of America is the
oldest and largest national organization composed of and
representing local, community-based Senior Nutrition
Programs in all 50 U.S. states, as well as the U.S. Territories. Their mission is the belief that no senior should
go hungry. Meals On Wheels Association of America
empowers community programs to improve health and
quality of life. There are approximately 5,000 local
Senior Nutrition Programs in the United States. These
programs provide well over one million meals to seniors
who need them each day. Some programs serve meals at
congregate locations like senior centers; some programs
deliver meals directly to the homes of seniors whose
mobility is limited; and many programs provide both Services.
Website: http://www.tnowaa.org/ org
Location: 180 Ewingville Rd., Ewing, NJ 08550 (Trenton/Ewing)
Phone: 609-695-3483
-tocation~--pe-Bori-662,
tawrencevme, N-J-()8648-
(Lawrencevi lie)
Phone: 609-392-0001
Location: PO Box 8264, Trenton, NJ 08650 (Robbinsville)
Phone: 609-273-0133
Mobile Wheels of Hamilton Township, Inc.
Mobile Meals of Hamilton Township, Inc., organized
in 1975, delivers hot, nutritious meals to Hamilton residents whose physical, mental or social conditions require
a home-delivered meal service. Qualified individuals are
homebound, chronically ill, handicapped, or convalescing.
Age or financial ability is not a factor. There is no limit
on length of service although it varies with each individual client. The objective of Mobile Meals of Hamilton
Township, Inc. is to aid in providing adequate nutrition
for the elderly and handicapped. This service enables
TUNESDAY
The Tunesday Crew (singers in grades 1-8) are working on the musical, The Christmas Carol, Special Report
for the 3:00PM Family Service on Christmas Eve. All
kids and youth are invited to join our reporters, news
anchors, and actors as we tell, not only the story of Jesus' birth, but also the traditions and histories of some
or our most beloved Christmas carols. Come out to any
of our next rehearsals on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30
-6:00PM. The Tunesday choir will sing in church at the
11:00AM service on November 16 and December 21.
them_to maint~n health_ and indee._endence i.!:!__ their home ·~--
for a longer period of time. Daily meal delivery also decreases the feeling of isolation often experienced by the
homebound.
Hot afternoon meals are professionally
planned and prepared by Robert Wood Johnson Universi~
ty Hospital at Hamilton dietary staff. Meals are delivered five days a week by a group of caring and dedicated
volunteers.
Mobile Wheels of Hamilton receives no government
funding, operating solely on the generosity of local
churches, community organizations, and personal contributions. This support is the lifeline of Mobile Meals of
Hamilton Township, Inc., allowing us to continue our work
providing this invaluable service to everyone requiring it,
whether or not they are able to pay.
Donations of your time or contributions are greatly
appreciated.
website: www.tnobi lemealshami lton.org
Address: 2277 State Highway 33, Suite 404, Hamilton Square,
NJ 08690
·Phone:
609~448=408s-
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Moving forward into 2015, the UMW will have a Program Committee to continue our mission. There are positions open on the Executive Team and if you are interested in getting involved to help with the 2015 mission work,
contact Linda Savadge for further information (609-424
-3916). Please hold the date - Friday, December 12 at
6:00PM in Fellowship Hall for the UMW Christmas Party. If you haven't made your 2014 pledge to the UMW,
you still have time. Please address your check to the
Saint Mark UMW and in the memo line write Pledge. You
may put it in the UMW mail box in an envelope addressed
to Lois Galloway or mail it to her - Ms. Lois Galloway,
1994 Klockner Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619. All funds
raised by the UMW go to support mission work.
The Snow Shovel
EMAIL ADDRESSES!
Please make note of the following Saint Mark email
addresses:
Office:
Bob Marks:
Eric Johannsen:
Bi II Wieszczek
Lorraine Wilson
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
GROCERY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Did you know that for each $100 in grocery
certificates you buy to do your shopping you are
donating $5 to Saint Mark? We sell certificates in $50
and $100 amounts for Shop Rite and Acme. These
certificates can be used in any Shop Rite or Acme.
Purchases can be made in Fellowship Hall between
Sunday services, and Monday thru Friday, between
9:00AM and 3:00PM in the church office. Won't you try
using the certificates for your grocery shopping and
help Saint Mark?
PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is an important part of your walk and
relationship with God. A prayer chain is available for
support of any prayer concerns or needs. Requests are
confidential. To use the prayer chain, call the church
(587-1286) and at anytime during the message, press 50
and follow the procedures as given. If you have any
questions, call Janet Gerhardt (587-7820).
COFFEE HOUR
On Sunday mornings, Fellowship Hall is buzzing with
conversation. This is a wonderful time for Christian fellowship, coffee, tea, and conversation. More help is
needed-please sign up in Fellowship Hall to host or
bring goodies.
SAINT MARK COOPERATIVE NURSERY SCHOOL
The Saint Mark Cooperative Nursery School invites
parents and children to visit. The school provides an
opportunity for children to develop kindergarten readiness skills in a relaxed, yet controlled environment. Our
staff guides your children as they grow socially, intellectually, and emotionally. Please visit our class sessions
Monday through Friday from 9:00-11:30AM. Afternoon
hours (lunch bunch) are also available. Please see Mrs.
Dixon on Sunday mornings in the nursery for more information or call 586-0030.
Challenge
by Joanne Leilich
Imagine my surprise when I opened last month's
issue of the Markings and found out that our church is
$35,000 in the red. Snow removal costs alone were
$14,000 more than we budgeted. And another bad winter has been predicted. Personally, I wonder if the bad
weather of winter kept people away and the glorious
summer we had kept them away as well. I've never seen
such a beautiful summer. It was as if we lived in New
England. Too many beautiful Sundays lured us outside.
Something that many people fail to realize is that
when you are not here the lights are still on and the
heat and the air conditioner are still running. Whenever
you are away the church does not shut down.
I am sure by now you have all heard of the "ice
bucket challenge" that raised millions for ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Well, how about we do a snow shovel
challenge? Let's see if we can all "dig" a little deeper
this month and increase our level of giving to close up
that budget shortfall. As soon as I send off this newsletter I will be going to my online banking website to
make an increase in my monthly contribution. And I am
challenging each and every one of my dear readers to do
the same. If you would really like to make my day, send
me an email ([email protected]) to let me know
that you took up the snow shovel challenge.
Another thing you can do so that the church doesn't
lose when you are absent is to begin online giving. If you
already pay your bills online, it's simple to do. Just set
up a monthly (or weekly if you prefer) day of your
choosing for your bank to deduct your amount. You ask
them to send it to Saint Mark United Methodist Church,
465 Paxson Ave., Hamilton, NJ 08690.
God bless each of you for your continued support.
Welcome to the Family of God little ones baptized in October
Madison Elizabeth Munger
Benjamin Eric Laufenberg
Daughter of David & Katie
Son of Eric & Kathryn