COVID-19 Strategy Update
Pastor Chad McKenna Pastor Chad gives an update on how we might return to worship in the building, as well as the current office hours for our staff. Read more. | Pastor Mark's Drive Through Retirement Parade was a Huge Success!
Thank you to those who came out on Sunday to wish Pastor Mark a happy retirement and 15 years of faithful ministry to St. Mark. The weather was perfect, your creativity with your decorations and well wishes on your signs were heartfelt, and the special surprise at the end of the parade route (doughnut holes) was a day we won't forget. One of the highlights was when 5-year-old Charles, grandson of Tim and Rachel Andeen, thanked Pastor Mark for baptizing him! Yes, we are sad that Pastor Mark retired, but excited for him to begin the next chapter of his life. | CARE Package donations were incredible!
Thank you to everyone that donated snacks and money. $554 was collected! We will be delivering treats to the Caregivers/staff at these area locations: Alzheimer’s Association, Anem Glen, The Atrium, Bickford House, Fairhaven, Morningstar, Mosaic, PA Peterson, Peterson Meadows, River Bluff, Sienna/St. Anne’s, and Wesley Willows. We picked these locations because we have congregation members in residence there now or recently. | Join Us This Sunday for Worship
You can enjoy Sunday's worship anywhere you have the internet. On your phone, laptop, iPad, or if you have a smart tv. So grab a cup of coffee or tea, and join our St. Mark family in worship. We will be streaming 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. Look for a special email and push notification from our app on Sunday morning providing a link to this service on YouTube. We hope this is bringing a much-needed sense of community during these difficult times of separation. | Dear friends,
I am delighted to announce the completion of my book, Tears and Triumph: A Journey Toward Resurrection. I began this writing project nine months ago while on sabbatical, and I am eager to finally share my story. I am grateful for the encouragement and support you’ve given me during this precious time of reflection and writing. I pray that you will likewise discover encouragement and hope in the reading of it. This book is available in both Kindle and Paperback editions, only through Amazon. Please use this link to order your copy. Pastor Mark Hagen | If you dropped off your book to be signed by Pastor Mark, please stop by the office next week, during office hours to pick it up. Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 - Noon. If you cannot make it during those times, please call and leave a message. Thank you. 815-398-3557 or email Jill at jill@stmarklc.com. | St. Mark Mobile App!
This is a perfect time to download our St. Mark App!
If you are having trouble downloading or have any questions, please call Jill Davenport at 815-218-3403 or email jill@stmarklc.com, she will help you through the process. This is different than our church directory app.
Our mobile app is designed specifically for St. Mark to improve our communication with our congregation and nurture our members. We encourage you to download the app. It's about getting involved and staying connected. Click on this link for information on how to download the app! | From Pastoral Care Pastor Chuck Olson
I became St. Mark’s Pastor for Pastoral Care in October of 2016. Pastor Mark welcomed me with open arms. Pastor Mark, Pastor Chad, and I began monthly meetings to review the care of our many homebound members, and other pastoral care needs. At each meeting, I came to know and admire Pastor Mark more deeply, as we shared in so much, and always also about Naomi. I was privileged to visit Naomi first at The Atrium, and then many times at Anam Care. While my heart ached for her, I was also grateful to accompany her. Often when I would visit homebound people, I would hear about how so many at St. Mark cared for her. My love and respect for Pastor Mark continually deepened, as did my love and respect for St. Mark in its care for her. I thank God for these years of caring with and for Pastor Mark. I pray for his continued healing, and for dreams and visions – in the prophet Joel’s words – of a wonderful new chapter in his life.
-Pastor Chuck Olson | Summer Mission Trip has had to be re-imagined!
We are not traveling, but we are happening!
Our mission organizer Service Learning Camp has encouraged us that service/mission is more needed than ever. But we are no longer going to Ohio. The “Summer of Service” is being planned for local mission work in Rockford July 12-15th. This event is for youth entering high school fall 2020-12th grade. We will have a home base at St.Mark and doing service out in the community. The cost is just $50! The fee may be paid on our app or if you don't have the mobile app, click here to pay on Pushpay. Sign-up by June 12. Please text or call Melinda Alekna 815-871-0390. | Thank you to the Sew and Sews who have been incredibly busy. They are each making 100’s of face masks. The just finished making over 200 “port pillows” for Chemo Cargo. St. Mark is truly blessed by our Sew and Sews! Because of their generosity, their heart, and skills, the sewers are making masks for the congregation, as needed. There will be a bin of masks, outside the south doors. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 A.M. till Noon. If you need masks dropped to your residence, children size, or questions text/call Melinda Alekna 815-871-0390. If you would like to help with delivering to people, we could use your help as well. | Vacation Bible School Update
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and in anticipation of extended restrictions on large gatherings to help control the spread of the illness, VBS will not be held the week of June 15. Instead, it will be postponed until late summer. Planning and preparation will continue in the hope of a joyful return to each other’s company in the coming months! | 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. | Pastor Mark's Retirement Celebration Dinner Postponed
The committee has been meeting via Zoom trying their best to plan a very special celebration for Pastor Mark, but due to the recent conditions, we are under they have decided to postpone. At this time we are not sure how the months ahead will look at how large gatherings will happen. We are very excited about planning his much-needed celebration, but we will hold off on a date as of now. Be patient, and have hope and strength for better days ahead. We will keep you posted on what the plans will be. | Our St. Mark members: Ashton Duvall, Joe Fink, Dorothy Brommerich, Gary Campbell, Bill Jennings, Tim Panjkovich, Bette Patterson, Beverly Wright, Jerry Cazaniga, David Young, Keith Haggestad. Family and friends of St. Mark members: Gayle Coffler, Darold, Beekmann, Janet Webster, Rae Ann McIntire, Mark Cotter, Lynda Foxley, Linda Johnson, 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. Strengthen and encourage those in public health services and in the medical profession: care-givers, nurses, attendants, doctors, all who commit themselves to care for the sick and their families. | Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
9:00 A.M. - Noon for the month of June
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. | |
