FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP

St. Mark's has officially been on its journey of not having a pastor for two years. The Search and Call Team of St. Mark's and St. John's has worked and prayed hard over the past tw our prayers will be answeredo years to find the right person for our churches. The team has interviewed several pastors. There are different reasons why these ended up just being interviews. Just like the numbers in churches have been decreasing, the number of people following God's call to be a pastor has decreased. The team has not received a profile since last spring. God is calling us to remain patient while we wait for the right pastor.

I do believe if we continue to pray and have patience, when the time is right our prayers will be answered. I shared an article I read with the consistory by Dale A. Robbins When Your Church Is Without a Pastor, https://www.victorious.org/pub/without-pastor-170. Mr. Robbins believes that during a pastoral vacancy, congregation members must remain committed and increase their attendance and volunteer more than usual. This transitional period requires unified prayer and active suppport for remainng leaders to prevent division and spiritual discouragement. Ultimately, the church should trust in divine guidance while navigating the search for a permanent pastor. In encourage you to take time to read the full article contained in the link.

Blessings,

Consistory President Heather Stone

From Pastor Jennie

Well, it is that time of the year once again when we prepare to say good-bye to the current year and look forward to the New Year. Not only on the Calendar but also the Church Year. We end the church year at the end of November, the month of Thanksgiving. And so it is a wonderful time to thank all of the people who have made the past year possible. So many people have been involved that it is hard to name everyone and capture all the work that has been done throughout the year. So I am going to break it down in two groups for this writing. Those involved in the Anniversary planning and those I have personally asked to do something.

As you read this, the Anniversary Celebration is a thing of the past and yet it came together because many people pitched in and ran with their part -- Anniversary Service, the Celebratory Meal with memorial gift, the creation of the History of the church presented in a museum type presentation and powerpoint presentation.

The second group includes everyone I asked to do something throughout the year. Whether it was help with a service or Children's moment; Help with VBS; Teaching in Sunday School. I have been blessed that I heard from everyone I asked to help with a resounding "Yes". While this paragraph is short, it cannot adequately show the large number of people I have asked to participate and the number who said yes.

You have no idea how it has helped and how appreciative I am!!

As we close another church year, we will begin another with the season of Advent. This year we will experience Advent through a series called "A Thrill of Hope".

In the season of Advent, we wait for the Messiah who will save us. And on this path toward Christmas, a thrill of hope creeps over the weary world.

We watch for the Messiah not only in ancient stories, but in the living world around us. We look for signs of God's kin(g)dom wherever people choose mercy over cruelty, generosity over greed, and courage over fear. We expect Christ to meet us in classrooms and courtrooms, at kitchen tables and hospital bedsides, in protests and prayer circles, in shelters, sanctuaries, and neighborhoods longing for peace. The miracle of Immanuel did not end in Bethlehem.

The thrill of hope persists.

I hope you will join us as we anticipate the coming of Christ.