Hungry?
Do we get in the way of God
's gifts? This humorous illustration of Jesus feeding the 5,000 makes that very point. Jesus is feeding us with what we need and we manage to find excuses as to why it doesn
't meet our needs. We can be very particular and so very often set the terms for God
's very own grace. It seems sometimes we only accept it when
we approve of its timing and the way and in which it comes to us. How often do we reject God
's grace because it fails to meet our own prerequisites?
But we run a risk when we operate like that. Jesus tells us that he is bread, and the bread that he is life. We miss out on life when we reject Jesus as bread. We miss out on life when we fill ourselves things other than Christ. We miss out on true life when we think we know of a better life and how to attain it by ourselves.
Jesus was sent to connect with humanity. He was sent to restore God's loving relationship with us. That restoration takes place through his willingness to sacrifice his life on the cross. But it also takes place when we eat and drink his body and blood and trust that it is enough for us. When we trust that Christ is enough we have LIFE, abundant life. We are not missing out on a thing. And once you trust that you truly have life, then you can't help do what Christ did and share it with others. You feed others with Christ and share in the relationship of a loving God.
St. Mark's has all the life it needs when it trusts in Christ, the true bread from heaven. Do you trust that? Do you share it?
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For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
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They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."
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Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:33-35
In Christ's service,
Pastor Mark Marius
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President's Message
What is Happening within our Music Program?
As I write this plans are being finalized for our after service reception this coming Sunday for Gina Cabrera. She is leaving St. Marks to return to school for her Master's degree and teaching credential. Gina has served our congregation as Music Director in recent years. Thinking back to the days when we were holding two services each week Gina was the Worship Leader for our progressive service. We will always remember her for her beautiful voice, guitar talents, and praise music. We will miss her and we wish her much success as she furthers her education and continues on in her music career.
Karla Devine. our new organist has been asked to serve as Interim Music Director and Organist. This will keep our music program moving forward and give us time to decide on our long range music plan. Karla will be on campus Wednesdays for adult choir in the evening and is planning to start two children's choirs in the afternoon after school. One is for grades 1
st through 4
th. The other for grades 5
th through high school. This new choir program is being coordinated with our after school youth program led by Janet Renick who did such a fine job of leading our service last Sunday. All of these youth programs are open to students from our school but we are hopeful they will also attract some of their friends from the community. School students can sign up for these programs at registration or in the church office. At our Council meeting last week a question was raised concerning why we do not sing more familiar hymns. The subject of our favorite hymns survey was raised, the survey you completed at our last stewardship dinner in October. Those forms were compiled and even published in the monitor. I have retrieved the data and will forward it to our musicians and music leaders for their use as just one more planning tool that can be used in the selection of our hymns. In addition Norm Rumpf is going through our entire hymnal and identifying hymns that are familiar to our congregation and also those that are singable by our congregation. One more tool, thank you Norm.
May St. Mark's Church and School continue to serve with God's blessing.
Alex Cormack, President
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Volunteer to sit at the church information table during School Registration Monday, August 3rd-Wednesday, August 5th. 7:30am-4pm. We will have sign ups for Confirmation Class, New Member Class, permission slips for Youth Group and Children's Choirs, as well as a flyer for Rally Day, and our church brochure. Call the church office, or email (church@stmark.ws) to reserve your block of time according to your availability.
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YOUTH GROUP IS BACK IN GEAR
St. Mark's after school youth program will resume on Wednesdays, starting August 19. All those in Grades 5-8 are welcome to join us from 3:30-5 pm in the chapel. Please register through the school office!
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The Evangelism committee needs your help to have a successful Rally Day. We need volunteers for set up, clean up, game supervision, and working the grill. We also need donations of small gift cards ($5 or under) as game prizes. See Jane Martin , Marti Redon, Emil Wolfe, Arnie Anderson, or Mary Rivera for more information or call the church office.
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 The fellowship committee will be visiting the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit Sunday, August 9th, at 12 noon. For questions or to purchase tickets contact Carolyn Collosi at (562) 686-7405 or ccollosi14@gmail.com.
For the first time in Los Angeles-The California Science Center in cooperation with the Israel Antiquities Authority is proud to present the largest Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition ever mounted outside of Israel, featuring over 600 ancient artifacts on display. This special exhibition explores the science and significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls, manuscripts written and hidden in caves 2000 years ago and not discovered until 1947. The exhibition also features sections from 10 selections of the Dead Sea Scrolls, more than half never seen before in the U.S., including parts of the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament.
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This month we will meet at Mimi's Café (in the Whittwood Town Center) for food and fellowship. Join us Wednesday, August 12th at noon. Reminder that before lunch there is an opportunity for worship at St. Mark's midweek communion service, starting at 11am in the side chapel. (The service lasts about 30 minutes.) We will be meeting the second Wednesday of each month. Mark your calendars. We may change the place from time to time to suit everyone's taste. For more information, contact Anna Guerriero at 626-330-7310, or the church office.
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Save the Date--California Philharmonic Concert on the Green at the Santa Anita Race Track. Saturday, August 22, 7:30 p.m.
Musical mementos from around the globe--and beyond!
Capriccio Espagno! * Out Of Africa * Harry Potter * Gershwin's 2nd Rhapsody * Fingal's Cave * Il Postino * The Hobbit
With pianist Bryan Pezzone
Concert begins at 7:30pm
Gates open at 5:30pm for pre-concert dining & jazz
Go early. carpool, and have a picnic or buy food there. More details to follow. For more information, call Anna Guerriero at 626-330-7310 or Mary Rosentreter at 808-667-1602 or cell 626-825-7630.
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Pastor Mark and Melissa Magdaleno at Ascension Lutheran in Thousand Oaks at the LRCC (Lutheran Retreats Camps & Conferences) El Camino Pines Camp Banquet, Saturday July 25th.
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Serving in Worship
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August Altar Guild:
Marian Locke
Evelyn Fierro-Anderson
August 2
9:00 AM - HOLY COMMUNION
LECTOR: Krista Reger
COMMUNION ASST: Arnold
Anderson
ACOLYTES:
SERMONETTE: Janna Barnhart
GREETER: Arnold Anderson
HEAD USHER: Ron Hussey
Steven Chou
USHERS: Dick Heinrich, Frank Winn,
Emil Wolfe, Diana Batres, Eric Batres, Gary Bradford
August 9 9:00 AM - SERVICE OF THE WORD
LECTOR: Peggy Pennington
ACOLYTES:
SERMONETTE: Lynn Yann
GREETER: Vincent Wolfe
HEAD USHER: Norma Forgnone
Frank Winn
USHERS:Ron Amon, Renke
Schroeder, Dan Guerrero,
Bill Rosentreter,
Phil and Janna Barnhart
August 16
9:00 AM - HOLY COMMUNION
LECTOR: Dan Guerrero
COMMUNION ASST: Bill
Rosentreter
ACOLYTES:
SERMONETTE: Norm Rumpf
GREETER: Irvin Thomas & Gary Hill
HEAD USHER: Gene Reitz
Phil Barnhart
USHERS: Janna Barnhart, Theo
Seeley, Kurt and Terry Van Riper, Steven Chou, Gary Hill,
John Guerriero
August 23 Rally Day 10:00 AM-SERVICE OFTHE WORD
LECTOR: Donna Nesheim
ACOLYTES:
SERMONETTE: Pastor Mark
GREETER: Bill Baker & Theo Seeley
HEAD USHER: Dan Guerrero
Emil Wolfe
USHERS: Alex Cormack, Glenn Ault,
Frank Winn, Irvin Thomas,
Eric and Diana Batres
August 30 9:00 AM - SERVICE OF THE WORD LECTOR: Janna Barnhart
ACOLYTES:
SERMONETTE: Betty Castaneda
GREETER: Beverly Gollhardt &
Barbara Gordon
HEAD USHER:Norma Forgnone
Alex Cormack
USHERS: Youth
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| Ladies Breakfast
Saturday, August 9th, the ladies will be meeting at Ruby's in Whittier. Come join us at 8am, we would love to see you there. All ladies are invited!
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Concerts in the Park
2015 Schedule
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| Schabarum Regional Park (corner of Azusa & Colima Roads) Tuesday evenings between 7:00-9:00 p.m. June 30 - August 11, 2015
Admission and Parking are FREE!
August 4 - Trio Ellas Mariachi, Pop, & Regional Standards (Sponsored by St. Mark's) August 11 - Journey Unauthorized
Journey Tribute band
has performed for our troops in Afghanistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, United Emirates and Japan.
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Wednesday Morning Worship
@ St. Mark's
Will Return August 5th!!!
11:00am in the side Chapel
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| There is a new tool to help care for visitors and members. Welcome Cards are now located in the pew backs. Visitors are invited to fill out a
Welcome Card to let us know you were here, request pastoral care or submit prayer requests.
Members, If you have need for pastoral care, have prayer requests, or change in contact information you are invited to use the Welcome Card. |
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Action Food Pantry
During August we will focus on collecting
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Any non-perishable food item is welcomed. Please no glass jars.
Monetary donations are always accepted in an envelope marked "Food Pantry."
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St. Mark's Lutheran Church has a page on Facebook. If you use social media it is a great way to stay up with the ministry happening at our church and around the world. Receive updates to breaking prayer needs, worship service information, and opportunities to serve.
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Jim Andrizzi
Katie Bickerdike
Alex Cormack
Gay Cormack
Pastor Mark Marius
Kaitlin Garrett
Dan Guerrero
Michael Merchant
Tom Wadkins
Vernon Weigand
Kelly Wolfe
Shelby Davis
Bresha Younger
Sharon Le Blanc
Eric Le Blanc
Ashley Younger
Penny Chou
Sue Hopstock
Larissa Anderson
Allyson Zavala
Bonnie Cuthbertson
Donna Sprague
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Offerings
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Special Giving
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July
Actual
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$15,151
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$778
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July
Budget
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$20,417
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$1,917
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YTD
Actual
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$135,602
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$23,337
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YTD
Budget
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$138,378
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$13,417
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St. Mark's Lutheran Church
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| A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gathered by Christ into community.
There is a place for you here!
Worship Services: Sunday 9am
Holy Communion 1st and 3rd Sundays Wednesday 11am Communion 7 pm (during Lent and Advent) |
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St. Mark's
Mission Statement |
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Believing that God has called us to be the visible presence of Christ in this community reaching out to our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors with the gospel and growing together in faith, fellowship, and service, it is our purpose to focus on a shared life of worship, friendship, and education, in order that all of our members may be enriched spiritually and equipped for ministry, and as a means of reaching out to others with the love of Christ.
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Staff Listing
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 Katie Thompson- Office Administrator 
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