2024 SYNOD Gathering

May 30-31 @ Lenoir Rhyne

You are invited to join Pastor Matt, Deacon Katie, and Cantor David at the NC Synod Gathering at Lenoir Rhyne's Hickory campus May 30-31! We'll join Lutherans from across NC for worship, relationship building, workshops, and keynote speaker the Rev. Dr. Jay Augustine. No business meetings, no votes- just time together for conversation, learning, and worship! The theme this year is We are More. 

Ride with Pastor Matt for a daytrip on Thursday (leave by 10:00am, return around 8:00pm), drive yourself on Friday, or stay in on campus housing and attend the whole event. Let Deacon Katie know ASAP and we'll register as a group with the church covering costs! See the full schedule of workshops and speakers on the Synod Gathering Page.

Instrument Petting Zoo for Children's Faith Formation

May 5th @ 9:45

Play an instrument? Want to bring it to church this Sunday and show it to our youngest Sunday School class? This Sunday, the class will be reading Psalm 98 and talking about how we can make a joyful noise to the Lord with our voices and with instruments. We will have an "Instrument Petting Zoo" at 9:45 in the Sanctuary where the children can see all different kinds of instruments and hear what they sound like. Let Deacon Katie know if you would like to bring your instrument in to share with the kids! 

"Sing to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the voice of song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn, shout with moy before the king, the Lord" Psalm 98:5-6

LandMARKs

May 5th @ 9:45am

New to St. Mark's? Want to get to know the people here? Interested in getting involved with what God is doing in this place? LandMARKs is a monthly meeting with Pastor Matt and/or Deacon Katie that helps visitors and new members learn about the ministries of St. Mark's, get to know the staff and members, and ask questions about our community. Meet us at the bottom of the main staircase at 9:45am to join!

Inspired - Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and loving the Bible again

May 5 @ 9:45am

If the Bible isn't a science book, instruction manual, or position paper, then what is it? New York times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans invites readers on a journey of rediscovery as she explores the magic of the Bible, engaging the old, familiar stories in new ways that honor the past and enlighten the present. Join Ken Lane as he leads the class through the book in the Library continuing this week. If you still need a book, contact Deacon Katie.

National Day of Prayer

May 2nd

Tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer. This is an annual event that people from all over the nation recognize and unite in the power of prayer. We invite you to join St. Mark's prayer team tomorrow evening, and every Thursday after, in the library at 5:30pm to pray in person over those on our church prayer list. If you would like to participate in National Prayer Day but can not attend tomorrow evening, you will find this weeks prayer list here to take part individually.

On Friday of each week the church office sends out an updated prayer list. If you would like to join this email distribution, please reach out to Danielle. Questions about the prayer team? Contact Carolyn Bradley.

Holy Land Olive Wood

Sunday, May 5th @ St. Mark's

This Sunday, May 5, a Palestinian Christian couple from Bethlehem with Lutheran connections in WNC will be in the fellowship hall with olive wood carvings and other handcrafts for purchase. Proceeds help support Christians artisans and their families in Bethlehem and the West Bank in a time of conflict and need. View their art here.

Holocaust Remembrance Day Event

May 5 @ 3pm; Blue Ridge Room, Highsmith Student Union

Our friends at congregation Beth HaTephila have invited us to join them at UNCA this Saturday for Holocaust Remembrance Day. It will be an "observance to affirm a universal commitment to human dignity... gain a deeper understanding of the events of the Holocaust and reflect on the lessons it teaches us about the importance of tolerance, the dangers of apathy, and the enduring spirit of resilience." Click for Directions to Highsmith Student Center. 

Time for Tea Scholarship Tea

SATURDAY, May 18 2pm-4pm

Join us for a women's tea, sponsored by the Silver Sisters, May 18, 2pm-4pm. Tickets are available beginning April 21 and will be $20. Did you know we have 12 young people from St. Mark's registered for camp at Lutheridge this summer? Camp is one of the best tools we have for strengthening faith in young people, but it takes money!

All proceeds from the tea will go to helping St. Mark's provide camp scholarships for our young people. The tea will be informal—no hats or gloves required—and will feature great tea party treats and a comical fashion show! All women are invited and friends are also welcome! This will be a time for fellowship for the women of St. Marks! 

Contact Vickie Hauser for tickets! (e) hauservickie@gmail.com (p) 828.273.9471

Circle of Welcome at St. Mark's

Did you know that Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) is still welcoming refugee families with 25 more beginning to arrive this month?? St. Mark's has been asked to welcome another family and RJ Hronek will be leading this group. The Circle of Welcome group will provide services for the groups assigned family. They may involve among other things; transportation, helping with language lessons and setting up households for the family.

Interested in making an impact??

Contact RJ by email

 (rjhronek@gmail.com) to get your LSC background check and training initiated!

• The program will be more structured this time around. For one thing, LSC has a staff of 14-15 compared to 4-5 in 2022.
• The role of the case worker and the Circle of Welcome is much more defined. We no longer would be responsible for things like enrolling children in schools or beginning the citizenship process. 
• This time, LSC is requiring that all volunteers have a background check and go through a one hour training session. There is no charge to the volunteer for the background check or training. LSC will provide the background check and the training. They are seeking a 6-12 month commitment from each volunteer. 

Faith and Fellowship - Monday, May 6th @ 10am Zoom Link - Password: stmarks

Executive Team - Monday, May 6th @ 5:45pm Zoom Link - Password: stmarks

Weekly Schedule

Wednesday, May 1st

9am - Property Day

Thursday, May 2nd

4pm - Evangelism Team

5pm - Prayer Team

5:30pm - Handbell Rehearsal

7pm - Choir Rehearsal

Friday, May 3rd

9am - Library Team

Sunday, May 5th

8:30am - Worship

9:45am - LandMARKs

9:45am - Faith Formation

11am - Worship

Monday, May 6th

10am - Faith and Fellowship (Zoom)

5:45pm - Executive Team (Zoom)

6:30pm - Christian Action Team

Tuesday, May 7th

9am - Quilting

10am - Staff Meeting

Wednesday, May 8th

9am - Property Day

Thursday, May 9th

5pm - Prayer Team

5:30pm - Handbell Rehearsal

7pm - Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, May 11th

8:30am - Lutheran Men in Mission

Worship Assistant Schedule: Sunday, May 5th

Greeters:

8:30am – Dan & Mary Dudde

11am - Alice Silver, Anne Blackwell

Ushers: 

8:30am – Ken & Deborah Lane

11am - Scott Baumann, TBD

Altar Guild:

8:30am – Ken Clark

11am - Donna Turnbaugh

Acolyte:

8:30am – Claire Niedenthal

11am - Deacon Katie

Crucifer:

11am – Christian Wikoff

Assisting Minister:

8:30am – Amy Zellers

11am – Bonnie Richards

Reader:

8:30am – Bonnie Wheeler

11am – Susan Denne

Communion Assistant:

8:30am - Sharon Herrmann

11am – Beth Korb

Live Stream:

Brant Niedenthal

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