Update from Pastor Mark Last week, we made the tough, but necessary decision to cancel all worship services and events in order to provide an additional level of protection against the rapid spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease. Read more. | This Sunday, we will begin weekly streaming of abbreviated, pre-recorded worship services on our St. Mark YouTube Channel, available for viewing throughout the day on Sundays, beginning at 8:00 A.M. These short, weekly pre-recordings will include prelude music, the reading of our three scripture lessons, a full-length sermon, and the prayers of the church. I estimate these will last approximately twenty-five minutes. Look for a special email and push notification from our app on Sunday morning providing a link to this service on YouTube. We’re hopeful this will give our congregation a much-needed sense of community during these difficult times of separation. | This Lent, ELCA World Hunger is extending a special invitation to congregations: Lift up the life-changing work of ELCA World Hunger through new levels of giving – spiritually, intellectually and financially – through ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving. Congregations will join together to raise $2 million to benefit the ministries of ELCA World Hunger. You’re invited to join together with fellow supporters to study, pray and give. Accompany us as we journey with our neighbors in hope for a just world where all are fed.” During the Lenten season, we are asking each St. Mark household to consider giving $2.00 per day over 40 days (totaling $80) toward this effort. You will be able to give via Pushpay on the St. Mark App, or got to stmarklc.com/give as well as by check to St. Mark, designated, “ELCA 40 Days of Giving.” | Instead of meeting in person in March, Lydia Circle will be meeting together in spirit. On March 26 at 7:00 pm, we will each, in our own homes, spend time in prayer and guided personal reflection for Lent. All women of St. Mark are invited to join! If you are not yet on the Lydia Circle email list but would like to participate, email Andrea McKenna at andrea.mckenna1@gmail.com. | St. Mark Mobile App!
This is a perfect time to download our St. Mark App! This is different than our church directory app.
Our mobile app is designed specifically for St. Mark.
It will improve our communication with our congregation and nurture our members. A mobile app is important in the digital age. Never wonder how to get involved at St. Mark. You will use this app for everything! You will be able to sign up for events, stay connected to your ministry group, give, send prayer requests, have an updated calendar, learn how to get involved and so much for. We encourage you to download this app. The St. Mark app will be such a viable asset for you. It's about getting involved and staying connected. Click on this link for information on how to download the app! If you have any questions, please call the office at 815-398-3557 or email Jill at Jill@stmarklc.com. | St. Mark Prayer Chain
Would you like to be a part of the St. Mark prayer chain? Prayer requests come into the church office weekly. As we receive prayer requests we would send out an e-mail and ask that you pray daily for the persons mentioned in the requests. All requests are to remain confidential. Please e-mail melinda@stmarklc.com if you would like to participate in the prayer chain. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Colossians 4:2. | Instant Church Directory
This is a great time to stay connected with our St. Mark family. If you have not downloaded the Instant Church Directory App, please do so. Also, if you have not submitted a family photo for the online directory, please follow the links below.
It is simple and takes only a few minutes to upload your photo and then download the Instant Church Directory App. You will always have updated members' information at your fingertips. Click on this link to send us your photo.
Instant Church Directory Once you have downloaded the app and created an account, you are not able to change or update your information, the system administrator is the only one to change and update the information. If something is incorrect, please contact the church office at 815-398-3557 or email jill@stmarklc.com. Please follow the appropriate instructions for your devices. Mobile App Login Instructions for iPhone, iPad and any iOS Device Online Member Directory Login Instructions Mobile App Login Instructions for Android & Kindle Devices We also have a form for you to complete to make sure we have the most current information for the directory. There are paper forms at church or click on the link to Church Directory Form | We find ourselves in a complicated and unsettling time, and caring for children in the midst of uncertainty can be especially difficult. Routines are upended, activities are canceled, everyone is stressed, and no one has any good answers. I’m right here in the middle of it with you, and I want you to know that, despite physical distance, we are still connected and we can still be in community with each other. I’ll be focusing on helping you connect with your children and helping your children connect with each other. It may be a little unpolished, and some attempts will be more successful than others, but we can all learn together. Meanwhile, I would like to share a resource that was developed by an ELCA church in Ohio. It has 8 weeks of daily Bible passages and family activities. There are crafts to make together, websites to check out, recipes to try, and songs to sing. Please use them in any way that is meaningful for your family. Click here for the link Peace and Grace to you all,
Julie Eshleman
Director of Christian Education | Mission 2020 will be July 12-17th. We will be on a road trip to Ohio. We will be stopping at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the dunes and Cedar Point Amusement park. If you would like more information, please see Melinda Alekna. (815-871-0390 or melinda@stmarklc.com | Our St. Mark members: Gary Campbell, Bill Jennings, Joe Fink, Pam Cottrill, Tim Panjkovich, Bette Patterson, Jason Carlson, Beverly Wright, Jerry Cazaniga, David Young, Keith Haggestad. Family and friends of St. Mark members: Mark Cotter, Lynda Foxley, Shirley Drummond, Linda Johnson, Rebecca Meyer, Nancy Kunnert, Robert and Cindy Wilson, Pastor Jane McChesney, Emily Tropp, Louis Fivaz, Mike Leonard, Katelynn Audette, Eva Love Sherbondy, Clay Heinrich, Mary Graham, Kim Menke, Norma Comstock, Carolyn King, Ashton Henley, Nathan Gyllin. Those serving in the military and their families: Hunter Haggestad, Tristan Davenport, Scot Hornick, Bailey Panjkovich, Xander Gehrke, Jim Tammen, Brandon Ballenger, Taylor Eversole, Dean Barron. | Office Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Telephone: 815-398-3557 Publications
St. Mark Memos, the weekly e-newsletter, is distributed each Thursday. The deadline for submission is Monday by 4:00 P.M.
Please click to send submissions. Sermons Online
Miss a Sunday at St. Mark? Please visit our website and watch the sermons online.
Please click to watch. | |
