Faith Formation Class: Inspired to Inspire

August 11th-August 25th @ 9:45am

Jesus’ second most important commandment to us was to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” John Herrmann will spend some time looking at ways people have been inspired to do just that, primarily because they saw a need. In turn, these inspired people have become inspirations for others to follow suit. Maybe something that comes from the discussions will have a similar effect on you so that you can become an inspiration for others, too! This class will meet in the Library.

Save the Date - Lutheridge Sunday

Sunday, September 8th @ 11:00am

St. Mark's and Western North Carolina Baptist will worship and enjoy lunch and fellowship together at Lutheridge on Sunday, September 8th. If you attended last year, you know you don't want to miss this day! Lunch will be provided, and please note that there will be no service at 11am at St. Mark's. More details to come  

Sunday School for children will resume on September 15th

Children and Sunday School teachers will meet Pastor Matt in the Sanctuary at 9:45 for a short prayer before heading off to their classes. 

Refugee Family Circle of Welcome Update

St. Mark’s has an Afghan refugee family for its Circle of Welcome, the Sawari’s. Mom (Leda), dad (Safiullah), sons (Abdul Samad, 15; Abdul Rahman, 8), and daughter (Asia, 12) speak Dari but do not speak English.  The Sawari’s are a lovely family who are welcoming and gracious. Currently, we are orienting them to the community as well completing their initial health screenings. At present, LSC is looking for a more permanent living situation for the family as well as employment.

In addition to volunteering, some of you have asked about donations for the family. Currently there are only five Circles of Welcome in Asheville for approximately 25 refugee families. Donations will be needed not just for our family, but others. You can take your donations to Lutheran Services or contact Joyce for more specific needs.

In addition to volunteering, some of you have asked about donations for the family. LSC has put together a few ideas for Welcome Kits that can be found here. If you have additional questions, you can contact Joyce Endaya for more specific needs.

Questions?

R.J. Hronek w/ St. Mark's

(c) 336.479.2555

(e) rjhronek@gmail.com

Joyce Endaya w/ LSC

(c) 828-367.9802 

(e) JEndaya@lscarolinas.net

Coffee Hour is back!

After a month break, coffee hour is back in August! In order to continue this beloved fellowship time, please sign up to host coffee hour. Helpers are available to help you learn your way around the coffee pot and show you the ropes. Sign up sheet and more information is on the bulletin board at the bottom of the stairs. Questions? Contact Ken Lane.

Lutheran Men in Mission

Saturday, August 10th beginning @ 8:30am

Join the men of St. Mark's this Saturday for a time of fellowship, prayer, and breakfast. This group meets one Saturday a month in the fellowship hall at church. Interested in more information, contact Bryan Short - captainpylanthes@gmail.com. 

Food Drive for ABCCM

Month of August

This summer we will hear a string of Gospel readings in the lectionary focused on Jesus as the Bread of Life. We will be reminded of God's abundant, sustaining, and life-giving love for all people. As we are fed spiritually by God's word and Christ's body through this "season of Bread," we thought it would be a great opportunity to feed our neighbors in need.

We invite you to share God's gifts with God's children in Asheville by bringing in donations of non-perishable food for ABCCM's Crisis ministry. Help us see God's abundance as loaves and fishes (well, maybe in this case, rice and canned tuna) are multiplied to feed thousands in our community.  

LWR School Supply Kits

Month of August

August will be the final month to donate school supplies for the LWR school kit program. Thank you so much for the generous donations we've received during the month of July. You should still be able to find good sale prices on school supplies so that we can assemble as many kits as possible. There are lists of needed supplies on the bulletin board at the bottom of the stairs, but I will also include the list below. There is a plastic crate below the bulletin board in which to deposit your donations. LWR is very definite that all kits contain the same supplies, so please do not vary from the list we provide. Fortunately, we have a Thrivent Action Grant so that we will be able to shop for needed items to complete each kit. If you are unable to shop, but would like to contribute to this project, a donation of money will also be greatly appreciated. Thank you again for your generosity. 

Supply list: 70 sheet spiral notebooks, 30 cm ruler or ruler with cm on one side and inches on the other, personal pencil sharpener, blunt scissors, unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers, black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink), box of 24 crayons, 2 1/2 inch eraser.

ABCCM Gala & Auction

Friday August 23rd @ 6:30pm

Join us on Friday, August 23rd, at 6:30 pm at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Asheville for the 2024 ABCCM Gala: Journeys of Hope. We will celebrate the journeys of hope taken at ABCCM ministries with supporters from across the community. Experience the generosity that has driven ABCCM to make such an impact in Asheville and Buncombe County.

Have a question you would usually ask Deacon Katie?

While Deacon Katie is on sabbatical, she will not be available by phone or email. In order to give her time apart, please contact the following people instead of her with questions.

• General: Danielle Barker, Parish Administrator
• Pastoral Care and Children/Youth: Pastor Matt
• Adult Faith Formation: Anne Sites
• Visitors, New Members, and Coffee Hour: Ken Lane

August ReMARKs Delay

Thank you for all that turned in your newsletter content on time. Keep your eyes open for the August Newsletter to hit your inbox by the end of the week. Hard copies will also be available in the commons on Sunday! Thanks for your understanding in the delay

Weekly Schedule

Wednesday, August 7th

9am - Property Day

Thursday, August 8th

5pm - Prayer Team

Saturday, August 10th

8:30am - Lutheran Men in Mission

Sunday, August 11th

8:30am - Worship

9:45am - Faith Formation

11am - Worship

Monday, August 12th

10am - Faith and Fellowship (Zoom)

6pm - Council Meeting (Zoom)

Tuesday, August 13th

9am - Quilting

10am - Staff Meeting

Wednesday, August 14th

9am - Property Day

Thursday, August 15th

4pm - Circle of Welcome Mtg.

5pm - Prayer Team

• Faith & Fellowship Zoom Link; Password: stmarks
• Council Meeting Zoom Link; Password: stmarks

Worship Assistant Schedule

Sunday, August 11th

Greeters:

8:30am – Henry & Barbara Ulrichs

11am - Natalie Haynes, Alice Silver

Ushers: 

8:30am - Linda Kinsinger, TBD

11am - Anne Blackwell, Dave Epley

Altar Guild:

8:30am – Sharon Herrmann

11am - Donna Turnbaugh

Acolyte:

8:30am – Lila Niedenthal

11am - Gloria Sainio

Crucifer:

11am – Eileen Cram & Erick Smith

Assisting Minister:

8:30am – Amy Zellers

11am – Bonnie Richards

Reader:

8:30am – Barbara Ulrichs

11am – Donna Turnbaugh

Communion Assistant:

8:30am - Sharon Herrmann

11am – Bonnie Morris

Live Stream:

George Hahn  

Contact Information

Parish Administrator

admin@stmarkslutheran.net

Our Mission:

Making disciples by loving Christ,

growing in faith, serving all people

Our Vision:

Experiencing and sharing God's grace as an inclusive, intergenerational congregation through Worship, Outreach, Learning and Fellowship