1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

ST. MARK’S
VISION
JANUARY 2015
Christmas
Cantata
& Cookie
Bake
Tree Cutting
& Snow Angels
A Monthly Newsletter
of St. Mark’s
Evangelical Lutheran Church
ST. MARK’S VISION
Page 2
St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
PO Box 381/ 2840 Cold Springs Road
Baldwinsville New York 13027
[email protected]
(315) 638-0406
www.stmarksbville.com
ST. MARK’S MISSION STATEMENT
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church exists to embrace all persons we meet
with the Good News of God’s unconditional love in Jesus Christ
and to empower all for joyful service in the church and the world.
CHURCH INFORMATION
Interim Pastor ~
Rev. Paul Dreher-Wiberg
(315) 420-4543
Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs 9-12
Church Office ~ 638-0406
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.stmarksbville.com
St Mark’s 2014 Council Officers
President ~ Andy Olson
Vice President ~ Renee Mooney
Secretary ~ Mary Anderson
Treasurer ~ Mark Hopkins
PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE WHEN


You or a family member is sick or in the hospital.
You are planning a meeting or scheduling an event, so
it can be placed on the church calendar.




A baby is expected in your family.
You want to arrange for a Baptism or Wedding.
A family member has passed away.
Your telephone number or address has changed or
if you are planning to move, locally or out of town.

You feel the Church can help you in any way.
Volume VII, Issue 1
Page 3
WORSHIP & MUSIC
Happy New Year and a Merry Christmas to all!
As you read this newsletter, we are still in the Christmas season.
The Twelve Days ends on Epiphany, January 6, the original day
of the Christmas celebration. On that day, we celebrate the
arrival of the kings with their gifts, and enter a season filled with
the light of Christ, as his glory is manifested to us through his
baptism, his mission and finally his transfiguration on the
mountain.
In the baptism vein, on January 11, the feast of the Baptism of
Christ, we will be having an adult forum on the link between
communion and baptism. This is an important discussion, as
many churches in the ELCA, like ours, have an open table, but
do not continue with Christian education if someone is
communing without being baptized. The ELCA has asked us to
guide a discussion related to this, and I will lead our adult
forums throughout the month of January, focusing on this and
the Means of Grace. Please join us each Sunday at 9:15am.
~ Julie
Choir Rehearsal Schedule
Tuesday, January 6th
Bells @ 5:45p
Choir @ 7p
Wednesday, January 14th
Bells @ 5:45p
Choir @ 7p
Wednesday, January 21st
No Choir or Bells Rehearsal
Wednesday, January 28th
Bells @ 5:45p
Choir @ 7p
PASTOR PAUL’S PONDERINGS
As we look toward a new year of ministry, of challenges, of hope,
and of expectation, I simply want to share with you (a bit late,
since Advent is already behind us!) the wonderful writing of Ann
Weems, from her book, Kneeling in Bethlehem. The piece is titled…
The Church Year
The church is Advent.
the unwrapping of God’s greatest gift is near. Advent--coming.
God will take away the tinsel
and decorate our hearts in hope
so that Christians can sit laughing in the rain,
knowing that the Lord is going to
shine in upon their being,
For no matter how long the darkness,
God will send the Light.
In spite of cursing and violence and the massacring of human dignity,
we will dance in the streets of Bethlehem,
for He will be born!
The church is Epiphany
We are the Magi, searching,
resplendent in this world’s accouterments
of knowledge and wealth and achievement.
But we search for something more,
and—of all unlikely places—
in a stable
the Deity appears.
The borning of our Lord
bursts in upon our ordinary lives
like fireworks in the snow.
Only God would send a little baby King,
and we are on our knees,
where we are within reach of our full personhood.
The church is Good Friday.
Darkness burnt into blackness,
abysmal absence of anything good.
We acknowledge that death is real
and we tremble for a world that would kill its God.
Our feet stand in quicksand;
our voices echo sterile silence.
We huddle together to meet the dark and the death,
forgetting what was taught us,
forgetting that somewhere a seed is sprouting,
somewhere
a child is growing.
All we see is Christ crucified.
The church is Easter
Out of Death: Life.
Out of darkness:
a lush green world
flowers in the ice
sunrays in the storm
mustard seeds galore.
Our souls enter a spiritual springtime,
our bodies given over to leaping and dancing,
our very beings saturated with hosannas.
Our shouting crashes in upon this world:
the Lord lives!
we live!
Resurrection resounds throughout our community.
CONFIRMATION
CLASS
SCHEDULE:
January 4th
Class
January 11th
Class
January 18th
Class
January 25th
Class
February 1st
Class
The church is Pentecost
February 8th
The Holy Spirit is poured out upon us
Winter Retreat
and sends us out together
No Class
aflame with new life,
inheritors of the wealth of God:
February 15th
life abundant.
No Class
We are liberated from the prisons of pettiness,
jealousy, and greed,
February 22nd
liberated to be the church.
Class
We are freed to free others.
We are affirmed to affirm others.
We are loved to love others.
We are family;
we are community.
We are the church triumphant—
you, me, anyone who would come unto the Lord—
renewed, redirected, empowered
to change things and lives
together in love and wholeness.
We are the Lord’s church,
the church of justice and mercy,
the people sent to open prisons,
to heal the sick
to clothe the naked
to feed the hungry
to reconcile
to be alleluias when there is no music.
The mantle is upon our shoulders.
Joy is apparent in our living.
We have been commissioned to be the Church of Jesus Christ.
Volume VII, Issue 1
Page 6
ELCA MISSIONS
THE HOLY INNOCENTS
Right after Christmas, we commemorate the massacre of the Innocents,
when King Herod killed all the baby boys hoping that one of them was the
new Messiah, Jesus.
Today, 2 million newborns die each year, 1/3 of them in Africa, from
diseases, malnutrition, and various other preventable problems. The ELCA
has many programs to help eradicate this statistic:
The Malaria Campaign: a child dies every 60 seconds from malaria, but
the good news is, it used to be every 45 seconds!
World Hunger: 1 in 8 people globally are hungry.
HIV and Aids: resources help eliminate HIV through prevention and
reducing poverty.
Lutheran Disaster Response: dealing with Ebola, typhoons, humanitarian
crises, tornados and floods.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: Remember, the reason
Jesus survived was because he and his family were refugees in Egypt.
Social Ministries: serve 60 million people in the US and Caribbean.
A portion of your regular offering is sent by your congregation to the
ELCA to help fund these programs.
Thank you!
Detroit
Coffee
Sale
Coffee - $12 a bag
Coffee Sleeves - $5 each
Chocolate Spoons - 50c each
as a fundraiser for Detroit.
Save the Date!
Blood Drive
Saturday,
February 14th
Volume VII, Issue 1
Page 7
Women’s Breakfast
Saturday, January 3 @ 9a
Saturday, February 7 @ 9a
Canal Walk Café
Men’s Breakfast
Saturday, January 10 @ 8a
Saturday, February 14 @ 8a
Canal Walk Café
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Thursday, January 8th
Thursday, February 5th
See you at 10am!
Book Club
The Shoemaker’s Wife
by Adriana Trigiani
January 11th @ 4pm
Hosted by Lori Honan
Community Dinner January 15th
4:30-6pm
Turkey Tetrazzini & Shepherd’s Pie
Donations Needed: Styrofoam & Plastic Cups, Dinner Napkins, 2L Sodas,
Dinner & Dessert Plates, Bottled Juice, Parmesan Cheese
Please label all donated items clearly.
Food of the Month
We are starting to collect a single food each
month for the local food pantry.
Check here for a different food each month!
January - Ramen Noodles
February - Canned Stews & Meats
CALENDAR @ ST. MARK’S
JANUARY
2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
29
30
31
Al-Anon Bible Study
OFFICE
@ 7p
@ 11a
CLOSED
4
5
6
7
WORSHIP
Al-Anon Bible Study
@ 8a & 10:30a
@ 7p
@ 11a
OFFICE
CLOSED
8
Coffee
& Convo
@ 10a
Youth Leader
Meeting
@ 6:30p
Friday
2
HAPPY
NEW
YEAR!
NO
CHOIR
Boy Scout
@ 7p
CONFIRM &
HIGH
SCHOOL
@ 9:15a
Thursday
1
Saturday
3
College & Women’s
HS Youth Breakfast
Tacky
9a
Sweater
@ Canal
Social
Walk
@ 7p
9
10
Committee
Men’s
Reports
Breakfast
Due
8a
@ Canal
Walk
Bell Choir
@ 5:45p
NO SUNDAY
SCHOOL
(K-5th)
Combined
Choirs
@ 7p
Worship &
Music Meeting
@ 11:30a
11
12
13
14
WORSHIP
Al-Anon Bible Study
Bell Choir
@ 8a & 10:30a
@ 7p
@ 11a
@ 5:45p
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
WORSHIP
Luther
Bible Study NO CHOIR
@ 8a & 10:30a
Bowl
@ 11a
10a-4p
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
Al-Anon
@ 9:15a
@ 7p
23
24
25
26
27
28
WORSHIP
Al-Anon Bible Study
Bell Choir
@ 8a & 10:30a
@ 7p
@ 11a
@ 5:45p
30
31
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
@ 9:15a
Book Club
Hosted by
Lori Honan
@ 4p
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
@ 9:15a
Worship
& Music
@ 7p
Combined
Choirs
@ 7p
15
Vision
Articles
Due
Community
Dinner
@ 4:30p
Council
@ 7p
Combined
Choirs
@ 7p
29
Please arrive 15 minutes before the service.
Please find your own substitute if needed
and let the office know of the change.
Snow Removal
Altar Care
Coffee Hour
Children’s Mmt
Nursery Care
Counters
Acolyte
Lector
Asst. Minister
Children’s Mmt
Coffee Hour
10:30 AM
Greeter & Usher
(s)
Com. Assist
Lector
Acolyte
Greeter(s)
8:00 AM
Nick Lakomski
The Earles
Julie Burke-Keenan
Lori Honan
Kathie Ambrose
Pastor Paul
Mary Jo Lakomski
Ann Kohler
The Foucarts
Tom Grindle
Lori Honan
Lorna Dupre
Irv Candee
Diane
& Jonathan Oad
David Grindle
Tracy Hopkins
David Grindle
The Foucarts
Karl Wolff
Bob Sterner
Andy Olson
Bob Dupre
Will Bishoff
Andy Olson
Andy Olson
Lori Honan
Lisa Cardella
Ryan Carson
Pastor Paul
Cardella - Fries
Family
The Foucarts
David Grindle
Lori Honan
Joe Cole
Sue Sterner
Katrina Hays-Peterson
Will Grindle
Valerie Cole
The Kellars
Judy Arendt
Bente Haerum
Sue Sterner
Val Cole
Sue Sterner
The Foucarts
Bob Dupre
Sign Up
Alex Lakomski
Mary Jo Lakomski
Julie Taylor
Judy Earle
Christa Carson
Jean Goulet
Martin Luther King
Beckers
Mooneys
Lori Honan
Lorna Dupre
David Grindle
Pastor Paul
Greg Lamb
Pastor Paul
Tom Henry
JAN 25
Christa Carson
Katrina Wolff
Tom Henry
Mike Arendt
Skylar Ronacher
JAN 18
Ingrid Lindeqvist
Jean Goulet
Andy Olson
Andy Olson
Hannah Quimby
JAN 11
Judy Earle
Pat Andersen
Judy Earle
Judy Earle
Sign Up
JAN 4
Mark & Kathie
Ambrose
Mark Ambrose
Katrina Wolff
Brett Mooney
JANUARY SERVANTS @ ST. MARK’S
Volume VII, Issue 1
Page 10
St. Mark’s Youth
Our youth were super busy this month!
They baked 130 loaves of pumpkin
bread for local seniors, cut down our
Christmas Tree, taught May how to
make snow angels, baked Cookies for
the Cantata Coffee Hour, performed
our Christmas Cantata and made Care
Packages for the Homeless!
All of our youth did such a great job during the Christmas Cantata! We
are so proud of you all! The artwork, the singing, the playing and the
reading! What a beautiful way to celebrate the holiday!
Thank you to everyone who purchased coffee during our coffee sale.
We will be selling it again for Valentine’s Day so if you are interested in
any, please let Megan or one of the youth know!
We have some great events coming up including Lutherbowl and our
Winter Retreat! Be sure to sign up for both!!
Please be sure to complete a Permission Slip for this upcoming year!
You can find them on the Youth Bulletin Board!
 Mark Your Calendars 
Friday, January 2nd 
High School & College Tacky Sweater Social
Monday, January 19th 
Lutherbowl
Sunday, February 1st 
Souper Bowl Sunday
February 6th-8th 
Winter Retreat @ Vanderkamp
March 6th & 7th 
Volleyball Marathon
Volume VII, Issue 1
Page 11
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS
Tacky Sweater Social: Friday, January 2nd
Wear your tacky holiday sweater, bring a friend and be ready for a night of
games. See you at 7pm.
Lutherbowl: Monday, January 19th
Day full of community service, worship & bowling! We will be meeting at
King of Kings at 10:15am. Cost is $15 includes all bowling and lunch.
Parents can pick you up at Flamingo Bowl at 4pm.
Souper Bowl Sunday: Sunday, February 1st
We will be collecting change and can goods for the local food pantry!!
Look for more events to come!! Still working out the schedule!
NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING FUNDRAISERS
Bottle Drive: Saturday, January 3rd
Katrina & her mom will be hosting our next fundraiser! Please join them at
9am for a bottle drive in their neighborhood. All those who help will get
money towards their trip!
Coffee Sale: Saturday, February 14th
We still have some coffee left for sale. We will be selling it during the Blood
Drive at the Church for Valentines Day. Please let Megan know if you can
work the sale.
Family Fundraisers:
Each family is required to organize a fundraiser in the next few months. Be
sure to let Megan know what you would like to do!
Youth email: [email protected]
Youth Coordinator: Megan Wolling 315-396-2006
Confirmation: Pastor Paul 315-638-0406
Teen: Tom Henry: 315-695-6677/ Katrina Wolff: 315-652-5069
Volunteers are always needed to help with youth events
Email/call/talk to Megan to volunteer!
Sunday School (K-5th) Schedule:
January 4th - No Class
January 11th - Class
January 18th - Community Service Event
January 25th - Class
We still need volunteers to help with Community
Service Events, see Megan or email the office for more
information.
Volume VII, Issue 1
Page 12
The Simply Giving Program
A Simple Choice, A Generous Response
Through the Church’s electronic giving program, Simply Giving, your
offerings are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank
account. You determine the frequency - weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly and your donation is deposited in the church’s bank account the same day as
the withdrawal.
This benefits you...by allowing you to share your donations through planned
giving and activates your generosity into ongoing stewardship. Because your
donation is given consistently, you don’t need to worry about year-end “catch
-up” or forgotten checkbooks on Sundays.
This benefits St. Mark’s...through steady, more predictable revenues
throughout the year, more efficient bookkeeping and greater confidence in
meetings financial commitments.
You can choose to register for Simply Giving for: Your annual Regular
Giving pledge for the general operating fund, or The Capital Fund, or Both the choice is up to you.
You can also discontinue the program at any time, or change your amount or
frequency of donations. To see a copy of the enrollment form, ask Sandy
Lamb, or find a copy in the Gathering Room.
Youth Winter Retreat @ Vanderkamp
Our Annual Winter Retreat is for youth 6th grade and up!
February 6-8th
Cost: $25*
Get ready for a weekend of great food,
good fellowship, fun games
and time in the snow!
Adults are welcome too!
There is plenty of space for everyone!
If you are interested in helping out
speak to Megan.
* We reduced the price this year due to the large cost for Detroit.
Volume VII, Issue 1
Page 13
Come Learn and Grow with Friends
Learning Opportunities presented by Central Crossroads
Learning at the Crossroads
* = Satisfies Deacon Training Requirement
http://Learningat theCrossraods.googlepages.com
Winter/Spring 2015
Cost: $20 Feb. 7 and March 21.
9 am registration; 9:30-2:30 classes, lunch included
February 7-- *Get the First Hand Information! on poverty through the
eyes of the Rescue Mission. Meet at the Rescue Mission, Eat with the folks,
learn from the experts. Note if you want to car pool and/or can drive.
March 21 --*Tom Henry Returns—To guide us in pondering issues of the
church today with a historical perspective. Set the date aside now and plan to
join us for this popular teacher.
May 20—Stain Glass Workshop at VanderKamp—LIMITED TO THE
FIRST 20 WHO REGISTER! Rev. Dan Hoffman will help each participant
create their own work of art in the beautiful setting of VanderKamp in
Cleveland, NY. Lunch is included. COST: $35 + $15 for supplies = $50. We
have the camp from 9 am – 3 pm.
Other Learning Opportunities to Consider:
January 28, 2015—*Poverty Simulation: Registration 8:30 a.m. Event
ends at 12 pm. Place: Genesee Grande Hotel, 1060 E Genesee St, Syracuse.
Cost $5 per person payable to Visions for Change. Limited Seating. To
register, Call 315-218-0938 before January 26. Poverty affects over 46
million Americans including 13.4 % of Onondaga County Residents—that’s
58,000 individuals in our back yard. This powerful simulation will help you
better understand the issue, causes, and implications.
January 30-31, 2015—*Boundary Workshop: Overnight (Friday pm to
Saturday 2 pm) at St. Margaret’s Retreat Center in Utica, NY. Cost of $100
includes lodging and 3 meals (Fri. dinner, Sat. breakfast and lunch). To
register, contact Sandy Shear at 518-852-6218. Taught by Rev. Diane
Wheatley this meets boundary training requirements.
Pick up a Registration Form on the Information Table!
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
2
6
8
9
10
13
14
17
18
20
22
Kirsten Roppel
Lachlan Cole
Judith Medina
Wilda Loos
Lisa Sidorakis
Jeffrey Gaulrapp
Sheena Switzer
Irving Candee
Brian Selberg
Amy Sidorakis
Robert Sterner
Katherine Hopkins
Timothy Stay
Andrew Gallo
23 Patricia Andersen
Garrett Church
24 Christa Carson
26 Katrina Wolff
Kelley Hull
27 LeaAnn Quimby
28 Robert Scherfling
Robert Chadwick
Elizabeth Graydon
29 Sandy Lavier
31 Frank Mayosky III
Lori Honan
Linda Steinacher
JANUARY BAPTISMS
Donald Morrison
1 Charles Watkins
Kathie Ambrose
Heike Hays-Peterson
Steven Hays
3 Alexis Quimby
5 Judy Earle
6 Colleen Henry
28 Katherine Gleason
30 Robert Foucart
KEEP IN OUR PRAYERS
Aaron
Eden Apgar
Edith Meissner
Andrea Michaels
Jacob Arnold
Elizabeth Michand
Kevin Bitter
Joe Cole, Jr
Jane Miller
Jim & Pat Mooney
Jelenne Cook
Helen Neufang
Bobbi Costaldo
Mary Neufang
Lori Dalton
William Neufang, Jr.
Gene Eckley
Warren Noble
Marie Everett
Sandra Paone
Richard Ferris
Julie Peterson
Filippi Family
Rhonda Quimby
Dan Fleming
Bud Randall
Joe Folchemer
Bob Foucart
Debbie Foster
Fulton Family
Suzanne Rivenburgh
Sanctification of My Family
John Sassaman
Camryn Scott
Lyle Goodman
Sharon Smetzer
Don Greene
Janice Thompson
Bill Harris
Dewey Valentine
David Hays
Matthew Watkins
Terry Kalenak
Claire Wicks
Carol Manville
Pat Woods
Dick Manville
Mighty God, we give thanks for those who have sacrificed for the
sake of peace. We ask you to guide and protect all those who serve
our country, especially: Adam, Brandon, Donald, Christopher, Jeff,
Jon, Justin, Lee, Liz and Stephen. Bring an end to all hostilities and
war and increase the cooperation among the people of the world.
We pray for our partner Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Zimbabwe and our mission partner Immanuel Lutheran Church in
Clay. God of our salvation, strengthen your Church in its witness
to your redeeming grace and inspire us to service in the Church
and the world. We pray for our leaders for our bishops
Elizabeth Eaton and John Macholz.
GO GREEN!!
Stop your paper copy - email us at:
[email protected]
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
PO Box 381
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Return Service Requested
US Postage No. 19
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Non-Profit