A MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT

OF ST. MARK'S

CONSISTORY

St. Mark's has said our bittersweet goodbyes to Pastor Kevin and Eileen by giving them our blessings to continue their journey.  So, what is next for our church?  First, take time to grieve this loss whie remembering God is still with us and has a great plan for our small but strong church.  This is a time for St. Mark's journey to continue by embracing what we have learned in the past six years and where we need to do better.  I ask you to pray about where you would like to see your church go, think about the mission of St. Mark's and how we can make our mission strong.  Take time to pray about what you see as your part in the mission of the church.  Separations are hard...change is even harder, but itbtruly is a tomefor regrowth.

 

I ask you to support the church staff and leaders by remembering them in your prayers as they continue the everyday running of the church.  the search committee has been working with consistory to begin the process of finding our next pastor.  St. Mark's seach committee members are Laurie Fenstermacher, Georgine Shoener, Lee Ferrier, and Bob Hepler.  Please remember then in your prayers.

 

The search committees of both churches met with Pastor McLemore, PSEC Minister for Search and Call and decided to call a Designated-Term Minister to serve the churches.  A designated pastor serves for a two-year period before it is decided whether this pastor is a good fit for the churches or whether we need to continue looking.

 

The search committees will be meeting separately and together over the next two months to complete a short profile about our churches and our shared ministry.  After its completion, the search for the pastor can begin.  It is the goal of the search committees to have the short profile conpleted and sent in after the holiday season.

 

As I stated in my last letter, we are not in this alone.  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

 

Heather Stone, Consistory President

"No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey,

you are always welcome here."

 

ST. MARK'S

UNITED CHURCH

OF

CHRIST

30 Pottsville Street

Cressona, PA  17929

570-385-0242

ORGAN RECITAL

sponsored by

The Reading Chapter of the American Guild of Organists

Sunday, October 13, 2024

3:00 PM

St Mark's United Church of Christ

30 Pottsville Street

Cressona, PA  17929

featuring

Organists from Berks and Schuylkill Counties

 

A Free Will Offering will be taken to provide a scholarship to a 7th or 8th grade student in Berks or Schuylkill County interested in organ instruction.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Resuming on September 8, 2024

9:00 AM

Nursery through Elementary School-Age Children

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

OCTOBER 6, 2024

"Enfolding Love"

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Neighbors in Need Offering

Worship     10:30 AM

Gospel Reading

Mark 10:2-16

Divorce

The Little Children and Jesus

OCTOBER 13, 2024

"What Must I Do?"

Worship     10:30 AM

Gospel Reading

Mark 10:17-31

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

PLEASE NOTE:

LIVE STREAMED AND RECORDED SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.   GOD BLESS!

 

Click here for LIVE Worship Services
Sunday morning 10:30 am

 

Click on LIVE link above for the Fireman's Memorial Service

on Sunday, August 20th at 6pm

 

Click here for recordings of past worship services

PLEASE NOTE:

The KID'S KORNER has been moved to a separate page.  In the MENU, please click on KID'S KORNER and it will take you to the new page.  

CLICK ON "ABOUT US"

IN THE MENU.

Our faith is over 2,000 years old, but our thinking is not.

 

KEVIN

E.

FRUCHTL

FROM

THE

PASTOR

SEPTEMBER 2024

 

Hello St. Mark's Community and Friends,

 

THANK YOU

 

Thank you for the opportunity to be your pastor for this time in our journey of faith.  We have struggled, laughed, cried, yelled and celebrated in silence.  We learned about life and God and community and discipleship.

 

I have been richly blessed by this time together and I pray that you have been blessed as well.

 

On September 15, at St. John's and later at St. Mark's, we will have a service of closure as part of our worship service.  During this time we will release each other from the covenantal agreement we made the beginning of our time together.

 

I will still be your friend, colleague, and fellow believer on this amazing journey of life, but I will not be available for pastoral responsibilities,  Yes, I still love all of you and that will not change, but I will not be available for funerals and weddings and "pastoral" functions.

 

You will move foreward in faith.  My prayer for you is that you are able to honor the time we were gifted to spend together and that you will look to the future with hope.  I believe that God has remarkable opportunities planned for St. Mark's and St. John's.

 

In faith,

Pastor Kevin

 

I am always available by phone or text at 610-334-5130.  My email is kevin24@ptd.net.  My two amazing office administrators Jean Maffeo and Brenda Ellex usually know where I am before I do.  If you would like a visit or would like to share some time together, just tell me and I will be there for you.

 

OUTREACH

MINISTRIES

GO OUTSIDE THE WALLS

AND SERVE ALL PEOPLE

"Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit."

"TAKE ACTION, FOR IT IS YOUR DUTY, AND WE ARE WITH YOU; BE STRONG, AND DO IT."

EZRA 10:4 

Hello!  We are excited to describe to you the scope of our outreach ministry. The above commission and scripture embody St. Mark's role in its benevolent mission outreach. More details about our mission outreach can be found on the Ministries Page 0f this website. Without your support of the benevolent ministries of St. Mark's, none of this would be possible. Thank you again for allowing us to serve others!

 27%

LOCAL OUTREACH

St. Mark's plays an important role in providing assistance to those in need in the community of Cressona and the surrounding area.  In addition, the church is a member of the Schuylkill Haven and Vicinity Council of Churches that provides assistance to residents in the borough of Schuylkill Haven as well as the surrounding areas. 

Funds from St. Mark's 2021 Lenten and Easter Offerings support Locust Lake Ministries, the Lancaster Seminary Scholarship Fund, and the Council of Churches Utility Fund.

This year income from St. Mark's Advent/Christmas Offerings was designated for the Pottsville Soup Kitchen.

Through the end of 2021, St. Mark's has contributed over $2,284.00 to these benevolent ministries.

 73%

WIDER CHURCH OUTREACH

As a member church of the United Church of Christ, St. Mark's supports the work of the national church and its special and emergency offerings to help  those in need.  Also, the local church provides financial support to a variety of nondenominational assistance efforts. 

The ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Offering is received during the Lenten season.  OGHS  supports partners in countries with ministries that fund health, education and agricultural development,    emergency relief   and refugee ministries, both as a domestic and as an international response.

At Pentecost, St. Mark's participates in the STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH  Offering.

On World Communion Sunday in October, the church receives the NEIGHBORS IN NEED Offering.

In December, St. Mark's also participates in THE CHRISTMAS FUND, providing financial support to retired clergy.  A percentage of the church's Advent/Christmas Offerings is designated for THE CHRISTMAS FUND.

In addition, monies are received for GOD IS STILL SPEAKING  as well as other special offerings of the wider church outreach.

Through Church World Service, the church has participated in the Blanket Program and the Emergency Bucket Program.

Through the end of 2021,  St. Mark's has contributed over $4,822.00 to these special offerings and programs.

OUR CORE VALUES

01)

WE BELIEVE IN THE TRIUNE GOD.

Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.

02)

WE BELIEVE THAT EACH PERSON IS UNIQUE AND VALUABLE.

It is the will of God that every person belong to a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved.

03)

WE BELIEVE THAT THE UCC IS CALLED TO BE A PROPHETIC CHURCH.

As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and comfort the afflicted.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

OUR IN-CHURCH MINISTRIES

EDUCATION MINISTRY

St. Mark's Education Ministry is a ministry dedicated to developing one's faith by helping others understand the Bible, by showing its relationship to everyday living, by encouraging loving relationships between all peoples, and by teaching the importance of stewardship and instilling Christian values. We would love for you to visit our ministry and see what it is all about. More details about our Education Ministry can be found on the Ministries Page of this website.

MUSIC MINISTRY

Music has been a part of St. Mark's worship since the formation of the church in 1876. Our services provide a wide variety of sacred music from classical to traditional to contemporary music. Throughout the year the choirs (vocal and handbell), guest instrumentalists, as well as our pipe organ and piano, enrich the worship experience.  More details about our Music Ministry can be found on the Ministries Page of this website,

​​​​​​​WORSHIP MINISTRY

The Worship Ministry of St. Mark's is overseen by the Worship Committee consisting of lay people and the  pastor.  The committee assists the pastor and the director of music in planning the regular Sunday services as well as special services during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Encouraging each person to be a part of the worship experience according to their gifts is a priority in St. Mark's family.  More details of the Worship Ministry can be found on the Ministries Page of this website.

CONTACT US

Phone: 570-385-0242
Address: 30 Pottsville Street

Cressona, PA  17929
The church office hours are 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
E-mail: stmarkscressona@gmail.com

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