Vision: Where is God leading us?
God filled with love and joy
Mission: Why do we exist?
Be a community of Jesus’ Disciples growing in relationship and serving God
Value: Too important to Compromise
· Everyone: recognizing we are all Children of God People of Worth
· Discipleship: growing our faith and relationship in Jesus Christ
· Community: building relationship with hospitality and love
· Serving: reaching out in mission, focused on justice
All are invited to attend Sunday morning worship services at St. Mark’s. Services begin at 9:30 a.m. Stay for coffee after and get to know the people of St. Mark’s!
Not able to attend in person? Follow us live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stmarksumcic/ Note: You do not have to have a Facebook account to access the live stream. Click on the Facebook link above and you can watch and listen to the Sunday worship service as it is happening.
Services are recorded and available throughout the week on the website under the “Worship Services and Announcements” page.
What’s Happening at St Mark’s
and within the United Methodist Church?
A new prayer study group is starting on Feb. 1 – “Three Simple Questions: Knoing the God of Love, Hope & Purpose” by Reuben P. Job will be the foundation of weekly discussions immediately following worship on Feb 1, 8 and 15 from 10:45 – 11:30 am in the Wesley Room. Lowell Fenner and Angie Bywater will be leading the discussions. Not able to attend each week? Attend as you are able. All are welcome to join!
Grayye Matters is meeting Feb. 3 at 9:30 am in the Youth Room. The book is “The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah. The book for March is “Distant Sons” by Tim Johnston, an Iowa author. In April, the discussion will be from “Social Principles of the United Methodist Church 2025-2028”. If questions, contact Barb Fisher-Krueger.
Calling all bakers! Feb. 8th is Cinnamon Roll Sunday! Sign up to bake and assist with this fun project at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4AADA62AA13-bakers#/
To reserve your cinnamon rolls, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/
All proceeds from the sale of the cinnamon rolls will go towards a very special scholarship in memory of Emma Nugent, an active member of St. Mark’s and a leader in the Youth Group, who we lost just prior to her senior year at City High School. If questions, please contact Kathy Welsh at kwelsh173@gmail.com
Are you struggling with feelings of anger, frustration, confusion about the events in Minneapolis? How to respond in a way that recognizes we are all chidren of God while recogniing and accepting that everone involved, citizens, immigrants regardless of status and authorities, are also children of God? Starting Feb. 9th – March 2 at 1:00 pm in Room 108, Pastor Alberta will guide us through a 4 week book study that will help us have open, respectful conversations. We will be reading the book “The Anatomy of Peace” by the Arbinger Institute. If you would like to order a copy through the office, the deadline to order is Feb. 4. Cost is $22 and must be given to Mandy in the office – NOT the black box in the lobby area where it will be missed.
UMM Meeting and Breakfast – Feb. 14th at 8:00 am. Guest speaker will be our own Dr. Nicole Messerschmitt, organist at St. Marks. All are welcome to attend.
Lenten Series Study Group – beginning Feb. 22, Pastor Alberta will host this study through Easter. The topic for the series is “Why Did Jesus Have to Die? The Meaning of the Crucifixion” by Adam Hamilton. If you would like to purchase a book through the church’s order, please give $22 to the office (not the black box) no later than Monday, Feb. 2nd to arrive in time for the study.
All invited to join the United Women of Faith on February 25 at noon for a potluck lunch. Sara Barth, Events and Fundraising Manager for CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank will provide the program. Please bring a dish to share, your own table service, and item(s) to donate to the Food Bank.
St Mark’s will be collecting goods for community food pantries on the 4th Sunday of each month – items that they are not able to buy with donations, but are much needed on a day-to-day basis such as toilet paper, kleenex, paper towels, feminine products, soap, diapers, laundry detergent, etc. This month, we will be collecting Pet Items: pet food, cat litter, treats, pet toys, collars.
St. Mark’s has started using a new electronic program for tithes and offerings. While checks and cash are still happily accepted, you may now give through Tithe.ly to give online. Use the QR code below which will take directly to a secure site to provide your financial offerings to the church. If questions, contact the office or Diane Berwald.
Donations needed for Easter Baskets! Brenda Mayer is collecting individually wrapped toothbrushes and Easter plush.
Interested in being a part of St. Mark’s prayer team? Or have a need for prayer that you would like to share? Contact Megan Bywater at mjoyreads@gmail.com for further details.
Are you a crafter? Have you been wanting to start a new craft project? Or finish an old one? Join fellow crafters for Holy Art every Monday from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm in the Youth Room. Bring your own materials and project and craft while creating fellowship with others!
Learn to Weave! Join us every 2nd Sunday of the month in Fellowship Hall to learn to how to weave mats for the unhoused. The next date is October 12th following worship.
The Backpack program has started! Sign up sheets are in Fellowship Hall to select a date to volunteer. Contact Ann Parker – icparkers4@gmail.com if you have questions about delivering pre-packaged food bags to kiddos at Grant Wood Elementary on Fridays this school year.
A Daytime Sign Language Class is happening on Wednesday afternoons from 2:00-4:00 pm in the Youth Room. The class will be learning the Lord’s Prayer, Doxology and casual communication with hard of hearing and the deaf. This class is in addition to the Monday evening class that meets in the Fireside Room from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.
Sunday services are recorded and uploaded to YouTube where you can find copies of the past services to view. The link to St. Mark’s YouTube page is: https://www.youtube.com/@stmarksumcic8329 You may also find the past month’s recordings on the church’s web page, “Worship Services and Announcements”.
Have you experienced a Glory Sighting recently? Blank Glory Sighting cards are available to share your experiences with God.
Volunteers are needed to help with worship services each Sunday. If you would be willing to read scripture, usher or serve communion, please contact the church office, or email office@stmarks-umc.net
Notes to Keep you Up-to-Date
District Facebook Page: Golden Valley
*Where did you take the Holy Spirit this week?
Items in italics are clickable links that will provide more information about the specific note.