Join us tonight following the Wednesday night meal for a night of games, fun, and fellowship! There will be a variety of new, easy to play games for all ages, as well as old familiar favorites. Take a trip around the stations to discover what interests you. Then, you are invited to a brief introduction and demonstration of those games, and you are well on your way! Who's ready for a bit of competition, teamwork, and a whole lot of fun and adventure?

Thursday, March 14 | 7:00 p.m. | Lower Fellowship Hall

Joanna United Women in Faith (UWF) Group will be meeting Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m. in Lower Fellowship Hall. Paul Yates will be speaking about the mission of the nonprofit organization called I've Got a Name. St. Mark's UWF invites all women to attend this meeting for fellowship, mission, and spiritual growth. For more information about St. Mark's UWF, please contact Vicky Harris (402-488-4875).

We invite you to help decorate our sanctuary for Easter by purchasing and donating beautiful spring plants. The flowers will be displayed on the chancel on Easter Sunday, March 31. Order online at the link below, or pick up an order form at the church office or the Information Desk in the narthex this Sunday. The flowers cost $15-$30 each. Orders are due by Monday, March 25.

NEW DAY – Mondays starting March 18 | 9:00-10:30 a.m. | Family Life Center

Need a weekly outing where kids can play and parents can connect? We have an answer for you! Join us every Monday morning for a chance to interact with other parents and have group discussions all while engaging in activities with your child (or while watching them run around). PLUS snacks and drinks will be available! We hope you can join us!

It hurts to lose someone. Find help at GriefShare—a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life's most difficult experiences. You don't have to go through the grieving process alone. You'll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life. This is a 13-week class. Please register by March 15. | Cost: $25 for workbook (scholarships available)

The St. Mark's Food Pantry provides food to anyone in our community who is hungry, along with a few other basic needs. Non-perishable food and other items can be brought Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and should be placed on the table inside Door 9 on the south side of the church. These items are especially needed this week:

• pancake complete mix
• pancake syrup  
• pasta sauce
• canned peas  
• canned spaghetti & meatballs
• canned ravioli
• spaghetti

You may also GIVE ONLINE or write your check to St. Mark's with "Food Pantry" in the memo line to support St. Mark's Food Pantry Ministry.

St. Mark's is sponsoring a blood drive with local nonprofit Nebraska Community Blood Bank to collect life-saving blood for patients in area hospitals. You can help save a life! Schedule your blood donation online, or call 1-877-486-9414 if you'd like help reserving your preferred time.

Bring your whole family and enjoy a delicious holiday dinner with your St. Mark's friends on Wednesday, March 20! So that our chef and kitchen angels can prepare enough food for everyone, reservations are needed by noon on Monday, March 18.

Wednesday, March 20 | 6:30 p.m. | Room 125

Join the Wednesday Night Book Club for a discussion of West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. This emotional, rousing novel was inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. Feel free to come for a great discussion, whether or not you have had a chance to read the book.

Join us on March 20 at 6:30 in the chapel for Our Prayer Candle series, where faith meets action. This month, we focus on affordable housing. From homelessness to the rental prices increase, many of our neighbors are hurting. Now is the time for the Church to step up and explore creative responses. So come and hear from Rev. Beth Graverholt, the lead organizer of Justice in Action, and discover how you can be part of this initiative to ensure everyone has a place to call home. Don’t miss this opportunity; bring a friend, and let us engage in this vital conversation as we pray, reflect, and be part of the change!

NEW DAY – Thursdays, March 21-April 25 | 8:00-10:00 a.m. | Family Life Center

St. Mark's Seniors (60+) are invited to play pickleball for fellowship, fun and fitness! Sign up to play on one of three pickleball courts in our Family Life Center. The session will cost the player $3, and there will always be a go-to staff person scheduled to handle any emergencies that might arise. Registration is required as there is a limit of 18 players.

United Women in Faith invites St. Mark's women to attend their Spring Luncheon on Thursday, March 21, at 12:30 in Upper Fellowship Hall. The guest speaker will be Kathy Carter who will be talking about her STEMM mission trip to Tanzania. The menu for the meal is chicken salad croissant, coleslaw, macaroni salad, and cheesecake and will be served for $10/person. To register, contact Susan Witkowski (402-429-4479) by March 14.

Friday, March 22 | Activities: 5:30 p.m. & Movie: 6:30 p.m. | Sanctuary

Join us this month for The Prince of Egypt, the animated retelling of the Book of Exodus where Egyptian Prince Moses, upon discovering his roots as a Jewish slave, embarks on a quest to free his people from bondage. This fun night out for the whole family includes activities and games starting at 5:30 p.m., free popcorn and snacks, and the movie will be shown at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Mondays, April 8-22, 2024 | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Upper Fellowship Hall

How quickly could you locate important personal information and documents if an emergency occurred? Do your loved ones know where to find your personal and financial records if something were to happen to you? Is it a challenge for you to find essential documents when needed because they are stored in different locations, or you've forgotten where you put them?

This three-week course is designed for all ages so that you can take important steps to get your personal information organized. You'll receive a "Binder for Life: What's Next?" filing system and we'll help you with a plan to compile all your critical information and documents in one place. We'll help you determine what you need and why you need it. Each class will cover key areas and you'll start building your filing system so you and your loved ones are prepared for unexpected events, medical emergencies, and end-of-life matters.

This course will include your binder, over 125 pages of content, refreshments, and will be taught jointly by Doug McCallum and Nancy Sigler. The cost of each session is $65/person or $85/couple. 

Join us for an ALL St. Mark's Night "ONLY" theater event on Friday, April 12. We will carpool from St. Mark's to the TADA Theater for the production of Always…Patsy Cline. Click on the link below to order your tickets. The $23/person includes parking and your reserved seat at the show. Let's fill the house!

This summer is fast approaching us, and our excitement is increasing. Often at this time of the year, families start planning summer vacations, sports camps, art camps, etc. With that being said, we want to invite our amazing youth to go on a mission trip this summer. If parents can join us, it is even better! We are planning on taking two mission trips this summer:

June 23-June 29 – Gatlinburg, Tennessee | Cost: $350/person*

July 14-July 20 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Cost: $350/person*

Each mission trip will include great service projects, meaningful worship, opportunities to grow your personal faith, and amazing connections through fellowship. Both organizations we will work with are making the biggest difference in enhancing the lives of our neighbors in need. (Click on the links above to learn more.) Both organizations are requiring we give them an accurate count of participants to them by March 14. Please sign up today at the link below, or by sending a text message to Pastor Jay Stewart (402-202-0759) with your name and what mission trip you plan on going on, or sign up this Sunday in the Youth Center. If you or someone you know needs financial assistance to go on a trip, please let us know.

Mission trips are life giving and life changing!

* If you bring a friend on the trip, you and your friend's cost per trip will be $300 each. Growing in friendship and faith with others while making a difference in the lives of others—what more can you ask for?!?!

Planning your year? We'd LOVE to have you and your family join us for a trip to Colorado! We've got several trips planned, and hope that one or more of them will work for you! Check out the dates below.

Family Trip—July 10-13 | Cost: $200/person

Boulder, CO area

Experience hiking, climbing, and e-biking with your kids!

Couples Trip—Aug. 1-5 | Cost: $500/person

Twin Lakes/Leadville, CO area

"Choose Your Own Adventure" in this adventure-rich area—hike, climb, raft, shop, SUP, or just enjoy the beautiful views!

Men’s Trip—Aug. 15-19 | Cost: $500/person

Silverthorne/Frisco, CO area

The Middle Men are up for a two-peak combo—Gray's and Torrey's!

Women's Trip—Aug. 22-26 | Cost: $500/person

Idaho Springs/Georgetown, CO area

Climb one of the most popular beginner 14er, Mt. Bierstadt, with amazing women, staying in one of the coolest towns in Colorado!

A deposit of $200/person is due with registration ($400 after March 15). Balance is due by Aug. 1. Please contact Steph Nelson for more information.