Mission Statement: In Christ, we reach up, reach out, reach in.

THE 2016 MOTHER DAUGHTER TEA

was truly a wonderful success with 161 women and children attending! We were so blessed to have the Upward Way Puppet Ministry w ho delighted us for w ith a “first time” black light show during their usual outstanding performance. Our appreciation to Professional Gospel Recording Artist, Abby Paskvan w hose heartw arming performance entertained the crowd. Special thanks to: Pastor Melanie Haack; who beautifully opened and closed the gathering with prayer. Master of Ceremonies Robin Small; who did an outstanding job introducing our guests and keeping the program flowing. Rose Ackerman; who creatively and expertly handled the photography for our guests. Mark Henning did a great job operating the sound system. Our thanks to the servers who once again did an awesome job: Al Bowe, Bob Hansen, Wellington Kamala, Tim Nowicki, Clyde Singh. Thanks also to Doug Ackerman, Brandy Ackerman and Denise Kisabeth w ho served as “kitchen assistants.” Finally, our gratitude to Thrivent Action Funds for generously providing funds to offset expenses. Proceeds from the tea will go to The Cocoon Shelter Tea Planning Team: Rose Ackerman, Cindy Adcock, Pat Bowe, Susan Gilders, Belva Kallenbach, Bonnie Newby, Terry Nowicki

There has been a flurry of activity

in and around the church as of late. Many volunteers have been spending countless hours working in the Courtyard, the new Family Chapel and around the building making preparations for the renovation project. If you see any of these folks around, please extend a big thank you to them! Al Bowe Roger Hayward Wellington Kamala Tom Lemmerbrock Don Neifer

Bob Hansen Cheryl Hayward Scott Kisabeth Dale Melcher Lee Sundermeier

Wednesday Night Live Volunteers Thank you to these volunteers who graciously give of their time. Volunteers listed in bold come faithfully each week! Carrie Fernandez Alex Martinez, Becky Paskvan, Linda Kinder, Wib Miller, Donna Pulschen, Jeff & Rebecca Roberts, Diana Bruns, Bob Hansen, Alex & Lydia Sifuentes, Trudy Pool, Jaci Nowicki Julia Weaks, Joann Perry, Phyllis Layman, Greg Matheny

Upcoming Events Sunday, May 22

Daily Prayer Focus Monday - Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us that on the other side of suffering's door, hope is waiting to embrace us. Amen. Tuesday - Lord, I ask that you guide me this morning in knowing and expressing Your Truth. Amen. Wednesday - Gracious God, through Your Blessed Wisdom, You lead us to righteousness and fulfillment, allowing us to feel joyful. Amen. Thursday - In faith, I pray Father, that You will provide all refugees with a safe place to live, free of discrimination. Amen. Friday - Christ Jesus, I pray for all teachers and their students to be blessed with knowledge and to carry it forward to the future. Amen. Saturday - Dear Lord, I find myself standing at a crossroad today, and I pray for Your Wisdom and understanding to help me make the right choice. Amen. Sunday - Almighty God, You have entrusted us humans with protecting Your creation here on Earth. Help us to take care of everything You have so wonderfully made. Amen. Next Sunday’s Scripture 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43, Psalm 96:1-9, Gal 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10

8:00 am 8:30 am 9:45 am 9:45 am 9:45 am 11:00 am 1:00 pm

Prayers for Pastor Worship Service - Worship Center Bible Study - Room 103 Adult Sunday School - Room 102 Children’s Sunday School - SCS Worship Service - Worship Center Cub Scouts - Room 102

Monday, May 23 7:00 8:45 9:00 6:30 7:00

am am am pm pm

Monday Morning Bible Study - MPR Weight Watchers Meeting - MPR Wood County Area Ministries - Room 103 Girl Scout Troup #11701 - Room 102 Prayer Shawl - GA

Tuesday, May 24 10:00-3:00 pm 1:00 pm 6:30 pm

Wednesday Night Live Prep - Kitchen Wood County Area Ministries - Room 103 Boy Scout Troup #345 - FLC

Wednesday, May 25 10:00 am 1:00 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm

Staff Meeting - Room 102 Wood County Area Ministries - Room 103 Puppets - Loft Wednesday Night Live - FLC

Thursday, May 26 9:00 am

Wood County Area Ministries - Room 103

Friday, May 27 11:00 am 4:00 pm 8:00 pm

Northwest Ohio Christian Writers - MPR Baby Shower Set Up - MPR AA Meeting - MPR

Saturday, May 28 11:00 am 5:00 pm

Baby Shower - MPR Regular Saturday Worship - Worship Center

Sunday, May 29 8:00 am 8:30 am 9:45 am 11:00 am

Prayers for Pastor Worship Service - Worship Center Bible Study - Room 103 Worship Service - Worship Center

Stephen Ministry Our Christian Prayers and Sympathy to AJ Fuller on the death of his aunt, Ina P. Patton on May 12. Our Christian Prayers and Sympathy to the family and friends of Ray Myerholtz who passed away May 29.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” St. Mark’s is a caring church. This is one thing Christ taught us while here on Earth. Am I my brother’s keeper? Yes, you are. The Bible teaches us these things are important. To care and love one another is a key issue as we read scripture.

“Come and Join us”

How do we at St. Mark’s fit into this? One way is our Stephen Ministry program. It is an learning process that teaches us how to minister to those who are in need.

Grades Pre K - High School Rehearsals - Class Room 212 Sundays 9:45-10:45 am Performance July 24, 2016 8:30 am Service

If you feel moved to be a part of this program, please contact the church office. If you would like to have a Stephen Minister to talk with, please contact Stephanie Lane at 419-494-3937 or [email protected]

St. Mark’s Kids Summer Singers

Nancy Cessna Stephen Ministry Awareness Coordinator

Summer Adult Sunday School Offering!

Beginning June 5, throughout the summer the NOOMA series with Rob Bell will be offered. Each Sunday we will be watching a short video with discussion to follow. Some of you have seen a few of these, so share with others how good they are. Each week is a separate topic, that is a plus if you need to skip a week because of summer vacations/reunions! Class time will begin at 9:50 so we have plenty of discussion time and end at 10:45 for those attending second service. Bring your coffee with you to the MPR and be prepared to listen and discuss issues that we care about and that we want to talk about.

Saturday, May 21 Scripture Reader: Donna Mertz Worship Assistants: Gary & Deb Marten Sunday, May 22 8:00 Pray with Pastor: Emily Gerken & Youth 8:30 Greeter: Marilyn Wright Communion Setup: Sue Klotz Communion Servers: North Center & Transept Bread: Pastor Wine: Crucifer Center (South) Bread: Martha Woelke Wine: Larry Lewis South Transept Bread: Jan Higginbotham Wine: Sally Bresler Acolyte: Abbi North Crucifer: Asa Lanning Assisting Minister: Martha Woelke Scripture Reader: Jordyn Lenox Ushers: Lee Sundermeier, Scott Weiss, Zach Weiss, Nick Weiss Welcome Center Host: Jane Wood 11:00 Greeters: Brad & Monica Meyer Communion Setup: Ruth Ann Beaverson Communion Cleanup: Barb Fruth Communion Servers: North Center & Transept Bread: Pastor Wine: Crucifer Center (South) Bread: Judy Hansen Wine: Patti Herber South Transept Bread: Terry Nowicki Wine: Tim Nowicki Acolyte: Keegan Digby Crucifer: Heath Huber Assisting Minister: Larry Weiss Scripture Reader: Ardy Gonyer Kitchen Monitor: Jane Wood Welcome Ministry Visitors: Orrin & Judy Zirbel

Saturday, May 28 Scripture Reader: Susanna Herman Worship Assistants: Denny Laube & Jodee Philo Sunday, May 29 8:00 Pray with Pastor: Ed & Sally Bresler 8:30 Greeter: Mary Strausbaugh Acolyte: Allyson Utz Crucifer: Asa Lanning Assisting Minister: Donna Pulschen Scripture Reader: Bob Willman Ushers: John Kunstmann, Lee Sunderrmeier, Ethan Lenox, Jonathan Lenox 11:00 Greeter: Nancy Kern Acolyte: Kaylee Ashman Crucifer: Heath Huber Assisting Minister: Carla Gonyer Scripture Reader: Carol Lenox Kitchen Monitor: Jane Wood Welcome Ministry Visitors: Scott & Denise Kisabeth, Sue Gilders Coffee Hour Hosts: Ed & Sally Bresler Friday, May 27: Bulletin Assembly Peter & Jane Wood

Coffee Hour Hosts: Scott & Denise Kisabeth Friday, May 20 Bulletin Assembly Larry & Jean Lewis

Thank you to Karen Kline for her years of service at St. Mark’s as our Church Housekeeper. Karen has chosen to pursue other endeavors. The church will be looking to fill Karen’s vacancy in the coming weeks

Planning Meeting There will be a 100th anniversary planning meeting on Tuesday, May 31st at 7pm. We will be discussing the Tent Weekend, which is taking place on July 30 & 31. All are invited!

Friday, July 29

6:30 – 8:30 pm - All BG Scavenger Hunt 8:15 – 9:30 pm - Youth Worship/Concert 9:30 pm – 7:30 am - Overnight Under the Tent

Saturday, July 30

1:30 – 4:30 pm - Block Party (Clowns, Carnival Games, Bingo) 5:00 pm - Worship (Featuring Upward Way Puppets & VBS Closing)

Sunday, July 31 10 am Worship 11:30 am Lunch

FREE! YOU ARE INVITED! PLEASE COME! FREE! The last few months our movie attendance has increased YEAH...however we still have plenty of comfortable seats available! We have been watching some great FAITH-building movies throughout the year. Some have been intense and a few we needed a tissues. Every movie has been inspiring, helping us to take a look at our spiritual journey. Always we have enjoyed the fellowship for the afternoon. As promised, I have lined up some fun and classic movies for our summer. When and if we have warm weather, this will be a great place to enjoy a COOL afternoon! St. Mark's theater room is located on the second floor. Elevator is available, our Portico doors are always open. Theater doors open at 1:00 – MOVIE begins at 1:15. Light refreshments are provided. Please bring your own beverage. Invite a friend. Questions: [email protected] OR 419.454.2302 JUNE 3, 2016 – YOURS, MINE, and OURS – Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. The population explosion occurs when widowed Navy nurse Helen North (Ball) meets handsome Naval officer and widower Frank Beardsley (Fonda). They have much in common, too much in fact, she has eight kids and he has ten and when they tie the knot, anarchy reigns in the Beardsley-North merger. The opposing camps of step-siblings do all they can to sabotage each other and their parents' union. But, through it all, mother lovingly cares for her "troops," while father patiently coaches his coming-of-age kids in more delicate matters, and resentment soon gives way to respect and something bigger than anyone could have imagined! 111 minutes

11am Greeter Coordinator We are seeking a willing individual or individuals to serve as the coordinator(s) for greeters at the 11am service. This is a very important ministry in the life of the congregation and these folks are the first to welcome new visitors to St. Mark’s and to longtime worshippers alike. The commitment is to use the Time and Talent sheets to coordinate greet schedules each month. Please take some time to pray and discern whether God might be calling you to lead this very important ministry. Additionally the Church Council and the Worship Ministry Team would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Miriam Schott for her years of service in this role. She has faithfully coordinated 11am greeters for the last several years. In the words of Matthew 25, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. Thank you to Miriam for being a good and faithful servant for so many years.

VBS Crew Leaders Needed Jr High through Adult

Baptisms at St. Mark’s are held during the months containing a fifth Sunday throughout the year. The next date for baptism will be Sunday, July 31 at 10 am. (Tent Weekend). Prior to having your child baptized, we are asking that you participate in the Baptism Training Class. This quarter’s class will be held on Sunday, July 10, from noon-1:30 pm (meal included). Please register on the St. Mark’s website or RSVP to the church office at 353-9305 for the training session. Upon registration, you will receive a Baptism Manual to read prior to attending the class, and a link to view a training video ahead of time as well. The Annual Congregational Meeting The meeting will be held on Sunday, June 5, between services. The purpose of this meeting is the election of Church Council Members, the Endowment Board Member, and the 2017 Nominating Committee. Any additional issues of business may be discussed at this meeting as well. Please plan to attend and support the life of St. Mark’s.

Summer Office Hours June 3 - August 26, the church office will be closing at noon on Fridays.

Week of July 24-28 Evenings Plus one training Sign Up at: http://vols.pt/W74u2u

MARY-MARTHA CALENDAR End-of-year luncheon, BG Country Club on June 7. For reservation: call Bonnie: 419-352-8836 or Diana: 419-352-0559 deadline is June 2.