SUNDAY 27   -   9:15am-All Sunday School; 10:45am- Worship Service; 5:00pm-SonSet Cafe Volunteer Banquet at Abiding Christ Lutheran Church

WEDNESDAY 30– 12:00 Noon-Weekly Bulletin article deadline 7:00pm-Adult Choir rehearsal

THURSDAY 1 (National Day of Prayer)  - 5:30-7:00pm-SonSet Cafe' (St. Mark's to Host)

SonSet Café – St. Mark's day to serve is this Thursday, May 1st. If you would like to volunteer to provide food, labor, or both please notify the church office and you will be contacted as to the food item to bring and/or work schedule. 

 

"Fan The Flames"
St. Mark's Ministry Theme For 2008

The Scripture verse that supports this theme is from 2 Timothy 1:6-7 and reads...

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

 May the Lord Jesus fan the flames of your faith in 2008 to new heights of brightness.  May our witness at St. Mark's light up our community letting all see the love of Jesus.

  Suggestion Mailbox"  - A Suggestion Mailbox has been placed in the rear narthex on the Welcome Table. Council will soon be setting priorities for accomplishment this year. Please contribute your thoughts to this process. What things stand out in your mind as needing attention this year? Consider activities, the worship service, serving the community and persons as well as the physical needs of our church building. What things are important to you and please you? The suggestion mailbox offers you a voice. A signed suggestion will probably have more impact -- but it is not required.

  National Day of Prayer, May 1st, 2008 - Prayer! America's Strength and Shield - "The Lord is my strength and shield; My hearts trusts in Him and I am helped" (Psalm 28:7)

Thursday, May 1, 2008 marks the 57th Annual National Day of Prayer. The biblical principles upon which our country was founded are coming under attack in every segment of society. Yet despite this troubling trend we can take heart in the knowledge that God hears and responds to the earnest cries of His people.

 In this election year, we need to cry out to our Father for wisdom and guidance. America is indeed at a crossroad—our only help comes from the Lord! Let's seek His face together.

  90 Hour Bible Reading Marathon & Prayer Vigil Sunday, April 27, 2008—Thursday, May 1, 2008 - FBC Fairborn Church Annex
In an attempt to call our community back to the basics of Bible reading and prayer, we will be hosting a public reading of the Word of God and a prayer vigil for our nation in the days leading up to the National Day of Prayer. Community churches and believers are invited to participate in this awesome event. The marathon and prayer vigil will start at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 27th and conclude around 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 1st in front of the FBC Fairborn Church Annex on Broad Street.

St. Mark's will be taking part in the 90 hour bible reading for the National Day of Prayer. Our Time to take part is on Wednesday, April 30 from noon to 4 P.M. The readings of the scripture is in 15 minute increments. We solicit you involvement. There will be a sign up sheet on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Please help in this endeavor. If you have any question please contact Mary Ann Huber for more information. 

"ELCA World Hunger Appeal" - Spaghetti Dinner, May 4, 2008 - Each year as part of our Mission Outreach we have a fund raiser Spaghetti Dinner for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. This years dinner is scheduled for Sunday, May 4th , 5:30 p.m. A free will offering is taken to support the Hunger Appeal. Empty film containers will be available to members at our display table in the rear narthex . These containers can be filled with quarters to support our appeal. Get your whole family involved. Collect your quarters for the month of May, place them in a film container and return them to the church. Each container holds around $7 of quarters. Pick up as many containers as you like. The menu consists of spaghetti, sauces, salad and garlic bread which will be provided. We ask that those attending bring a dessert to share. We are also in need of kitchen helpers and servers. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the church office or see the sign-up sheet posted on the Welcome Table in the rear narthex. Contact Cindy Gauder with any questions. A reservation sheet is posted on the Welcome Table in the narthex.

   LADIES SPRING FLING - Mark the Date – Saturday, May 10, 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. ALL Women of St. Mark's (Grandmothers, Granddaughters, Aunts, Mothers, Daughters, Nieces, Sisters, Cousins, and Best Friends) are invited to a luncheon and a special program here at the church. Please join the planning committee by calling by calling Sharon Kempf, 878-4700 or Mary Anne Blazer, 767-1892. We are in need of men volunteers to help serve the meal and clean up. Debbie Geier will be in charge of planning the meal with the help of the women of the church. If anyone has suggestions for the program, please let Mary Anne Blazer know! For Reservations: A sign up sheet is posted in the narthex or E-mail Sharon your reservation at stmark150@aol.com

  Holy Land Pilgrimage in 2009 - You are invited to go with Pastor and Sandy on a trip to the Holy Land in June of 2009. The exact date in June is not yet established. Several pastors are participating in this tour. If you are interested contact Pastor Bob. More information will be coming soon on the itinerary and cost.

  A Yard Sale Is Being Organized – A Yard Sale is being organized for July 3rd during the downtown Block Party.  We are in need of items to sell and volunteers to help with the Yard sale. Donated items can be left downstairs outside the Sunday School rooms or we can pick up if needed. If you would like to volunteer to help with the Yard Sale, a sign up sheet is available on the Welcome Table in the narthex.

  SOCIAL CONCERNS MINISTRY FOCUS FOR APRIL 2008 - Osterlen Services for Youth - Oesterlen Services for Youth in Springfield, Ohio, is now in their second century of serving children and families. Within the past year, Oesterlen stepped forward boldly, investing over $2.5 million in their new Residential Intensive Treatment Complex, a highly secure facility with 20 private bedrooms and including school classrooms, a gymnasium, chapel and 10 acres of outdoor green space. Some of the most severely emotionally disturbed youth in Ohio are served in this facility. Oesterlen's mission statement is that on behalf of the church, in witness to Christ, their mission is to serve children in need from infancy through transition into adulthood and to promote their mental, social, physical and spiritual well being. They need our support to carry out this mission. The easiest gift to make is, of course, a cash donation. All donations to Oesterlen are fully tax deductive, to the extent allowed by law. Also, please remember to save your Campbell and Prego labels and place them in the box in the Narthex.