LIFE A Publication of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church 2363 West Third Street, Davenport IA 52802 Phone: 563-322-5318 Pastor Travis Fisher: 563-676-8160 Email: [email protected] March 2015 Volume 48 Issue 3 Pr. Travis The word Lent comes from the old English word for “spring.” Lent from is “spring training” for the Christian as we are tutored in repentance, faith, and holy living. And if you know anything about your Church Administrator and Office Coordinator and their love for baseball, you know they are counting down the days to opening day! The season of Lent has been kept as a time for devotion and self-denial that comes forth from a faithful heart that dwells on God’s Word and draws life and hope from it. Beginning in the 4th century the observance of Lent originally became connected with a forty day fast prior to Easter. This tradition continues today as some Christians give up meat during Lent or surrender a vice like chocolate, coffee, television, internet or Facebook. Still others, eat a meager meal of soup and salad while gathering together every Wednesday during the season for worship. While a fast of any kind is not necessary, it is certainly a helpful way to discipline the body and the mind upon the things of God and the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. Should you decide to fast in some way, it may be helpful to consider Jesus’ words about fasting in his Sermon on the Mount, “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward” (Matthew 6:16). The Lenten season began with Ash Wednesday (February 18th) and the imposition of ashes. In the Lutheran traditon, the purpose of the imposition of the ashes is to call to mind the curse given to Adam by God after the Fall in Gen 3:19, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The Sundays in Lent focus on the themes of temptation, God’s mercy, the life of a disciple, the refreshment that God gives to his disciples, and the lordship of Jesus. During Lent, it has become a common part of Lutheran piety to provide an opportunity for reflective worship during the middle of the week. This year our midweek Lenten service is Holden Evening Prayer, held after a soup supper. The meal will begin at 6PM in Luther Hall and the service will begin at 7PM in the sanctuary. May our Lord richly bless you during this Lenten season while you reflect on God’s great love for you through the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Journeying with you, Pr. Travis M. Fisher Don’t Forget! March 8, 2015 Sunday School News As we prepare for the season of Lent, we want to let everyone know of a couple things that are up and coming for our Sunday School Program. The children will be singing on Sunday, March 22nd for our Spring Program at the 10am service. The following Sunday, which is Palm Sunday, we will be keeping the children after Sunday School so they can process up the aisle with their palm leaves. We will be releasing them immediately following our procession. Please meet your child back in their Sunday School rooms so they can collect their papers and finish worship with you. Volume 45 Page 2 (W)holistic Living....Thoughts from the Parish Nurse Fall Prevention Each year one in every three adults, age 65 and older, falls. The risk of falling increases with each decade of life, but falls are not an inevitable part of aging and do not only happen to the elderly. Preventable falls can threaten a person’s health and independence. As a result of falls, 20-30% of people who fall will suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures, hand and wrist fractures (trying to “break the fall”), and head trauma. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries in older adults. Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls, including fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm and hand. Many people who fall, even if they don’t suffer a serious injury, develop a fear of falling, causing them to limit their activities. This, in turn leads to reduced mobility, and loss of physical fitness, and actually increases the risk of falling. Key Factors: 1. Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become more brittle and more likely to fracture when pressure is applied. This is caused by hormonal changes of aging, calcium and vitamin D deficiency, and decreased physical activity. 2. Lack of physical activity results in poor muscle tone, loss of bone mass, poorer balance, flexibility and strength. 3. Impaired vision due to cataracts or glaucoma, which changes older people’s depth perception, visual acuity, peripheral vision and susceptibility to glare of lights. These limit their ability to negotiate their environment safely. 4. Medications that may decrease mental alertness and cause poor balance or dizziness. 5. Environmental hazards cause at least one-third of falls in older adults in their homes, most commonly tripping over objects on the floor (a loose rug or an electrical cord). Other causes might be poor lighting, lack of grab bars or unsteady furniture. Prevention: 1. Eat and drink adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D for bone strength (milk, yogurt, cheese, fish, green leafy vegetables and almonds). 2. Exercise which strengthens muscles and improves balance and flexibility. 3. Have regular eye exams to identify and treat eye diseases and provide correct lenses to improve vision. 4. Keep a list of current medications in your purse or wallet and be aware of common side effects of each medication. While taking a medication that affects balance consider the use of a cane or walker. 5. Identify possible environmental hazards and remove them. Examples include: repair cracks in sidewalks and driveways; install hand rails along steps and stairways; keep walkways clear of clutter and well-lighted; avoid use of throw rugs; use of night lights, grab bars near the tub and toilet; arrange furniture so you can easily move around it; make sure chairs and sofas are easy to get in and out of; have a sturdy chair with arms, to sit and dress; and have adequate light in hallways and stairways. Have you started the wellness activity, 40 Steps for Lent? There are still handouts available if you didn’t receive one. This activity benefits your health and also supports the St. Mark Food pantry. If you have prayerfully considered becoming a lay visitor please talk to PN Bev and she will pair with you with a homebound member to visit. In faith, hope and love and on the Lenten journey together, Parish Nurse Bev Wellness Reminders for March 2015 x x x x The gym remains open for walking Monday- Friday 8:00-10:00 am and 1:30-3:30 pm. Soulfit exercise class meets each Tuesday @ 9:30 am in Luther Hall. 40 Steps for Lent continues through March. Life Together meets Monday, March 9 @ 11:15 at Heritage Court for lunch and devotions. The cost for lunch is $5. Let PN Bev know if you would like to attend or need a ride. x PN Bev’s weekends in March are March 7-8 and March 14-15. x Healing prayers will be offered at all three services during worship March 14-15. x UnityPoint Foot Care Clinic meets Monday, March 23, 1-3pm in the bride’s room by appointment. Cost is $25. Volume 45 We offer the Families Of Vera Bennett and Emilie Leese words of love, support and comfort. May they rest assured in the midst of their challenges and adjustments that God will sustain them in the loss of their loved one through faith in our Risen Lord. Because He lives, we too shall live. Called Together in Mission People of the Spirit Page 3 Hospitalized in February Robert Garrison Pauline Jacobs Carolyn Krebs Doug Rowley Orville Stout Loraine VenHorst Joyce Wilder Church Women United World Day of Prayer Friday, March 6, 2015 at 1:00pm St. John Vianney Catholic Church 4097 –18th Street, Bettendorf (Use North entrance by the church office) First Lutheran Church Cedar Rapids, Iowa Saturday, March 14, 2015 We are people of the Spirit! Join members of the Southeastern Iowa Synod for Called Together in Mission. This year, CTIM is excited to welcome Dr. Troy Troftgruben, assistant professor at Wartburg Theological Seminary as the Keynote speaker. Troy will engage and inspire conference participants to action around the topic of what it means to be people of the Spirit. REGISTER @www.seiasynod.org/CTIM Ladies, please join us and meet new friends from different denominations and enjoy an interesting and informative program. World Day of Prayer brings together women of various races, cultures and traditions on the first Friday of March each year to observe a common day of prayer and action. This year’s program was prepared by the women of the Bahamas. Easter Egg Hunt April 4, 2015 Camp Oakwood at 11:00 am Lunch will be serviced St. Mark Blood Drive In April-Give the Gift of Life and Benefit our St. Mark Preschool. We have been asked by the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center to host a blood drive here at St. Mark and if we collect a minimum of 20 units of blood, the blood center is offering a grant of $250 to the St. Mark Preschool. We would like to host this in April if there is enough interest and want to get an idea of how many would participate in coming to the church to donate. There will be a sign-up sheet in the lounge in March. This would be a great way to support the preschool and the blood center! Candy donations will be accepted starting February 22—March 29th. A basket will be set out in the lounge. Healthy treats are gladly accepted, such as: Fruit snacks, Roll-ups, Mini boxes of raisins, trail mix, etc. If anything is donated in bulk, we will bag it individually. Any questions you have may be directed to Kim Sherrod-Hensler at 563-322-4369. Our Church Staff Pr. Travis Fisher Bev Blake Ellen Bowlin Pam Carstens Mick Carstens Pastor Parish Nurse Minister of Music/Organist Dir. of Preschool & Asst. Dir. of Music Administrator Lisa Willey Milly Heskett Paul Regginello Steve McCalester Trianna McCalester Emily Droegmiller Office Coordinator Event/Facility Coordinator Sunday Custodian Sunday Custodian Nursery Supervisor Nursery Attendant Volume 45 Notes from the Organ Bench Page 4 by Ellen Bowlin… March 2015 When you read this LIFE, I will have been with Sarah and Ellie for 6 days while Derek is out to sea. My thanks to Pam and others for taking my place while I was gone. During the Sundays in Lent, we are using Setting 10, the Chorale service, from our ELW. It lends itself well to worship in Lent since many of the tunes in it are associated with Lenten hymns. We will silence the Hymn of Praise and the Zimbelstern during Lent to help us remember Christ’s passion. During the Wednesdays in Lent, we will have a meal at 6:00PM followed by worship in the sanctuary at 7:00PM. We will be using Holden Evening Prayer which will be led by Jeff and Keri Bass. This is a beautiful musical setting by Marty Haugen which he originally wrote for the people at Holden Village, a wonderful mountainous retreat center in the state of Washington. When Bob was associate pastor at Salem, we joined with members from First Lutheran Church, Moline (about 35 members of Salem and First) and took the train for 3 days and 2 nights (Amtrak) to Holden Village where we first heard this setting which was used each evening. Easter Sunday is April 5th this year. We invite those people who like to sing to join the choir for our singing on this special day. Choir rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at 7:30PM following the Lenten meal and service. Join us on Wednesdays between March 8th and April 1st if you would like to do this. God’s blessings on your Lenten journey. A Letter From Emily Martin The Lenten season up here at Luther Seminary means many things. First, that the snow might end someday. Second, it means that the spring semester is well underway. It also means that students begin preparing for what comes next. On Monday the 23rd, I begin my round of interviews for internship. Since internship is only a year long, I’m taking this opportunity to explore sites outside of the Midwest with sites in both Arizona and Washington. While I won’t know where I’m headed until the middle of April, It’s been a lot of fun reading about these churches and the communities they’re a part of. Thank you for your prayers, they mean so much. “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Eph 1.16). In Peace, Emily Martin Bible Study Opportunities Searchers, Fridays at 10 AM The book of Revelation Theology on Tuesdays at 6:30 March 4th: How to tell the Difference between a Sinner and Saint March 10th: How to Identify a “Neighbor” and What This Means for Lutherans March 17: How to Tell the Difference between the Kingdom on the Left and The Kingdom on the Right March 24: How to Tell the Difference between a “Vocation” and a “Vacation” Jeff Anderson 344-7558 [email protected] Jeff Bass 505-7525 [email protected] Nancy Beaderstadt 381-4386 [email protected] Pr. Travis Fisher 676-8160 [email protected] Bob Garman 332-1199 [email protected] Don Henderkott 391-1615 Joyce Hines 322-5889 Barb Jakubowski [email protected] Chip Schumann [email protected] 381-2030 322-2496 Volume 45 Page 5 MOPS News: MOPS sponsored Hy-Vee DISH night, at West Kimberly Hy-Vee, is Friday, March 20th. This event is open to all members, friends and family of St. Mark. Menu options: Ultimate Chicken Fingers, Breakfast Burritos, Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta, Parmesan Chicken and Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie. St. Mark Preschool Open House Monday, March 2, 6:00PM-7:30PM Meet our St. Mark Preschool staff Tour our preschool facility There is a 3 order minimum, of any of the above items, the price will vary between $8 to $10, the price will depend on how many orders we have. Payment is made the night we make our meals. To place your orders or if you have any questions please contact Jennifer Mills at (563)639-4800 or [email protected] or see her in between church services. Children must be 3 years old by September 15, 2015, potty-trained, and ready for a group experience. For more information contact Pam Carstens, Director (563) 326-5060 Preschool Trivia Night is coming Friday, March 6 at 7:00 in Luther Hall. Mark your calendars and gather your teams of 8. The cost is $10/person. Doors open at 6:00 and child care will be available for $5.00/ child in the preschool beginning at 6:45 We will be needing scorers and people to sell tickets and will also be accepting donations of theme baskets, gifts certificates and door prizes. Watch for a sign-up sheet in the lounge or call Pam at 326-5060. Proceeds will be used to help fund the asbestos abatement and new flooring project scheduled for the preschool area in late spring. B.I.G. Youth Group will be serving the concessions for the evening. Pizza will be one of the options, and the Youth will be taking pre-orders for the night. Choices for a Large 16” Single topping pizza are: Sausage, Pepperoni, or Cheese. If you pre-order the cost will be $10 per pizza, or $13 per pizza and $2.50/slice the night of Trivia. All orders must be received by Monday, March 2nd. Please place orders with Amber Sherrod, (309)721-6022 —————————— Diaper Drive to benefit CPC and Winnies Wishes (Crisis Pregnancy Center of Davenport) This event will he held the entire month of March 2015. We are asking for unopened packaging of any size diapers to fill a pack and play. Fred and Millie Heskett sponsor CPC through our Church and Janet Martin is our liaison to Churches United. This will be one of service projects for 2015. —————————— Save the Date: The St. Mark MOPS will be hosting their 2nd annual Spring Thank you Tea for the Women of St. Mark Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 28th, in the Church Lounge. Watch your bulletins for further details about the time and sign up. We look forward to serving YOU! Volume 45 Greater Achievement Plan (G.A.P) THE ELCA & You by Bob Beckman The Southeastern Iowa Synod of the ELCA supports financially two of eight ELCA Seminaries: The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa ( not to be confused with Wartburg College in Waverly,Iowa) along with 17 other ELCA Synods in regions 4 and 5. This article is about Lutheran School of Theology and I hope to do a similar piece on Wartburg Seminary. LSTC was formed on September 4, 1962 by consolidating four Lutheran Seminaries: Augustana Theological Seminary, Grand View Seminary, Chicago Lutheran Seminary, and Suomi Theological Seminary. Central Theological Seminary in Fremont, Nebraska and Christ Seminary-Seminex of St.Louis, Missouri joined the founding 4 Seminaries before the ELCA came into existence on January 1, 1988. As of 2012 there were 290 students, 47% female 53% male in 5 different degree programs: Master of Arts (2 different programs), Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy. It has a faculty of 19 professors most of whom have world-wide reputations. LSTC is located in the Hyde Park area of Chicago near the University of Chicago. It is governed by a board of 27 people and is presided over by the Reverend Dr. James Nieman. It's mission is to form visionary leaders to bear witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ. It certainly deserves our prayers and support. General Fund Summary Finance Corner Page 6 Last year the Davenport school district identified 25% of students based on their Iowa Assessment scores. Dr. Tate created the GAP program to help close this achievement gap. Students that have been formally identified receive extra services. Each student gets extra small group or one on one tutoring, a mentor, and weekend family events. Once you are in the program you stay in the program. Last year there were 12 students in this group at Hayes elementary. Of these 12 students 10 would not have qualified this year. This shows the program is working. Desiree Gillespie, who is the Family Involvement Liaison at Hayes and a St. Mark member, approached the Social Ministry committee for help from our St. Mark community. This year there are 20 new students in the program. They are short on mentors and are actively looking for more. Being a mentor does not involve a lot of time. The school is looking for members of the congregation to consider becoming a mentor and to come at least once a month and have lunch with your student. You can eat in the cafeteria with them or more privately in the family room. You do not have to limit your visit to once a month. You can come eat with your student weekly or every other week, whatever you would like! If you would like to become a mentor or have more questions, Desiree welcomes an email or phone call. What a wonderful way for us here at St. Mark to reach out to those in our neighborhood! Desiree Gillespie Hayes Elementary [email protected] 563-322-2601 Regular Offerings 2014 Food Pantry Report-Dec. $ 35,770.08 Received Jan Expenses $ 45,003.42 Budget Amount $ 35,891.67 12/31/14 Balance $ 4,256.51 Jan Income $ 1,956.45 (9,233.34) Amount Ahead $ ( 1,997.66) Jan Expenses Jan Income $ $ 33,894.01/94.43% 1/31/15 Balance ($ 1,521.06) $ 4,691.90 Volume 45 The St. Mark Youth Group will once again host a breakfast on March 29th, Palm Sunday morning. Join us for food and fellowship between 7:00am and 10:30am in the Meyer Activity Center. Free will donations will be accepted as support for Work Camp. Easter Baptisms will be on Saturday Night, April 4th at the 5:00PM service. This special time is for both children and adults who have not yet been baptized. Please call the church office for more information. 563.322.5318 Page 7 First Communion Classes First Communion Instruction will be take place on Saturday, March 28th from 2pm-4PM and Wednesday, April 1st from 5:30PM -7:30PM. This will be for students and parents who feel that their child is ready to take communion. The instruction is geared toward students in 4th thru 6th grades. Celebration of First Communion will be on Maundy Thursday, April 2nd during the 7:00 P.M. service as we come together to celebrate and remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples when he gave the commandment to “Do This in Remembrance of Me”. Please contact the church at (563) 322.5318 or [email protected] to register for participation in our First Communion preparation. If you would like to honor or remember a loved one during this Easter season by sponsoring lilies and decorations, please use this form and include it and $10.00 in an envelope and bring or mail it to church. On Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday we will include all the names of the loved ones in a special insert placed in the bulletin. Thank you! Your Name:_____________________________________ Offering Envelope#________________ Given: In memory of: -or– In honor of: Given by: Form and money are due in the office no later than March 23rd Volume 45 A total of 424people, representing 115 families, were served at our food pantry January 2015. We received donations from St. Mark. Ridgecrest, Good Samaritan, Jewish Federation of the Quad-Cities, Pine Knoll, the Salvation Army, Grace United Methodist, St. Alphonsus and other Individual donors. The Friendship Group will meet at the Machine Shed, March 3rd. Everyone is welcome to join us for lunch! If you would like to come, please sign up in the lounge and indicateif you need a ride. Hope to see you there! Page 8 The Group will meet March 7th and 21st at 10:00am. Remember, prayer shawls are available to those in need of God’s hug. See Pella Fisher or Sue Nelson if you need one. Thanks to all who help with our outreach ministries. Remember: God’s Work, Our Hands -Pella Fisher Share-a-Meal March 26th at 6PM Please take time to look over the sign up sheet in the lounge to see where you can help. Each month we need servers, hot casseroles, vegetables and desserts. This is a worthwhile ministry that St. Mark is involved in. The beauty of this is anybody can help, no special skills are needed. Just a warm and giving heart is all you need. I promise, once you break the ice and take that first step you will find out how gratifying it really is. The meal site is located at the Salvation Army Family services building at 5th and Harrison Streets. Meal starts at 6pm. Please email me at [email protected] or call 563-508-6127 for more exciting details! -God Bless you, Dave Jessen MISSION ACTION REQUESTS FOR MARCH 2015 FAMILY RESOURCES and PREGNANCY RESOURCES Three hundred seventy items were donated to FAMILY RESOURCES for the month of JANUARY. This included lots of sample personal care products, combs, toothpaste, floss, razors and shave cream. They also received socks, slippers, gloves, scarves, dish towels, dish soap, household cleaner and table ware. PREGANCY RESOURCES received 4 items: 2 crib sheets, a mattress pad and a can of formula. Thank you for all of your donations. Everything is appreciated. The needs for MARCH are as follows: FAMILY RESOURCES: pots, pans, dishes, utensils, towels, diaper wipes, baby lotion, powder, shampoo, bed linens, paper towels, dish soap, laundry detergent, cleaning and personal care items PREGNANCY RESOURCES: Boy's and Girl's size: 18, 24 Mo., 2T Winter Clothing, Diapers sizes: newborn & 2-5, Bottles, Pacifiers, Body wash, Lotion ISAIAH 40:31 "“but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." MISSION ACTION: Fred and Milly Heskett 6:30pm Preschool Board TBD: MOPS Spring Tea PERIODICAL St. Mark LIFE ST. MARK LIFE (USPS 312-300) is published monthly by St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, ELCA, 2363 West Third Street, Davenport, Iowa 52802. Annual subscription of $1.00 per year is included in payment of weekly pledge of members. Periodicals Postage paid at Davenport, Iowa POSTMASTER: Send changes to St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2363 West Third Street, Davenport, Iowa 52802 Saturday Worship with Holy Communion 5:00 pm Sunday Worship with Holy Communion 8:00 & 10:00 am Lenten Schedule Holy Week Schedule You are invited Lenten Services and Community Meals. Wednesday Evenings th February 25 thru March 25 th Lenten Meals Served:6pm - 7pm Lenten Service: 7pm - 7:30pm Thursday, April 2, 2015 Maundy Thursday Worship 7:00PM Friday, April 3, 2015 Good Friday Worship 11:00AM & 7:00PM April 4 , 2015 Saturday Evening Worship - 5:00PM Special Easter Baptismal Service Easter Sunday April 5, 2015 Schedule 8:00a.m. Worship 10:00a.m. Worship There is no Sunday School on this day.
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