FROM THE PASTOR

Greetings in the name of Jesus!
As the weather gets cooler and the heat of Oklahoma comes to a temporary end, as the church gears up and begins to look ahead to Christmas and the holidays, and as the Packers try to win more than they lose this year, I wanted to take this opportunity to mention a couple of things to you.

We are now definitely in autumn.  It will not be too long before we see trees start to change colors and the leaves fall and the other changes autumn brings with it.  This is a time of year for change.

But there is one thing that does not change in our lives.  That is, of course, the love that God has for us.  His love for us is eternal and consistent and always unchanging.  And that’s pretty cool when we think about how much times seem to change around us.  So, as we watch nature start to change colors around us, let’s also remember how much God doesn’t change on us.

I, also, want to encourage all of you to be praying over the ABLAZE sheets you have been given.  (Let us know if you do not have them.)  We all need to be looking over all the ideas and asking God what He is calling us to do.  Our church is growing, but there are still people dying all around us who need our help.  God is blessing us every day.  Let’s share those blessings!

God bless,
Pastor Erler
 
 

NEED PASTOR ERLER?

If you need to get in touch with Pastor Erler, he can be reached at the office at 340-0192, at home at 844-4992, or on his cell at 205-5551.
 
 

MISSION STATEMENT

“Growing God’s Family”

You will see this on bulletins, St. Mark business cards, newsletter and other printed correspondence.  New nametags are also available.
 
 

NEW MEMBER SUNDAY

On October 12th, at both services, those wishing to join St. Mark will be received into membership.  If you are not a member and would like to join St. Mark, either by affirmation of faith or by transfer from another Lutheran congregation, please speak with Pastor Erler.
 
 

ABLAZE RESPONSES

ABLAZE RESPONSES are available on the credenza in the Welcome Hall.  We encourage everyone to look these responses over and select a project or idea and sponsor one or more of them.  There is something for everyone.
 
 

CHURCH COUNCIL

The Church Council will meet October 21st, at 7:00 p.m.  As always, church officers and board chairmen are expected to attend.
 
 

2009 BUDGET

The Budget Committee will soon be working on next year’s budget.  If your ministry, committee or group has budget requests, please provide inputs to Treasurer, David Fischaber, by the next church council meeting on October 21st.
 
 

SCRIP ORDER – October 5th

Start your Christmas shopping now!  Gift cards are great for shopping and gifts!  Everything from iTunes to Panera Bread, Bath and Body to Cracker Barrel, Lowes to Old Chicago.  On the corner of 2nd and Bryant there are 13 retailers, alone.

Newer retailers AutoZone, Little Caesars.  Any questions, see Kim Hill.
 
 

LWML:  Next meeting – October 14th at 7:00 p.m.

• The Mary-Martha Circle of St. Mark meets the second Tuesday of every month from September through May.
• All ladies from St. Mark are welcome to attend.

MITE BOX SUNDAY – October 12th

ITEMS TO SAVE

GOAL  - 1000 UPC CODES
We still need many more UPCs from your Best Choice products.  This is a project of our local LWML to receive cash.  The Collection box is Lucille McShane’s mailbox.  Thanks for all your help.
 
 

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

Next meeting will be Mon., Oct. 6th at 7:00 p.m. Please put items you would like to send to the troops in the Support Our Troops box. A mailing list is on the bulletin board if you would like to send a card or letter. Have an address for a friend or loved one in harm’s way? Please let us know, we would love to add them to the mailing list.
 
 

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Marie Sterling is initiating an in-home Bible Study for ladies.  Starting in October this small group will meet every Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Marie’s home, 12400 Dutch Forest Place.  For more information or questions, contact Marie at 478-0371.
 
 

LWML ANGEL TREE FUNDRAISER

The 3rd Annual LWML Angel Tree Fundraiser Dinner is this Sat., October 4th at 5:00 p.m. You won’t want to miss all the GAME SHOW fun!!  All proceeds matched up to $500 by Thrivent to purchase Christmas gifts for children in Edmond.  $5 person/$20 family (best meal in town!) or donations accepted!  Remember money will be matched dollar-for-dollar!  Questions, see Kim Hill. Childcare provided.
 
 

80th BIRTHDAY PARTY!!

Friends – Mark your calendars now for a special birthday celebration honoring those in our congregation who are 80 years or more young.

When:  Sunday, October 19th – after the 10:45 service
Where:  St. Mark Welcome Hall

This will be a potluck luncheon.  Dessert and drinks will be provided.  A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board.  If you have any questions, please call Loretta Carmack at 260-7262.
 
 

SENIOR YOUTH NEWS

T-Shirt Drive – T-shirts will go to the Hope Center.  For the month of September a box will be in the coatroom.  Any spare, lightly-worn T-shirt will do.  Everyone has at least one shirt to give!

CAR WASH – After 10:45 service, September 28th

Funds raised will go to a family who needs help paying for their child’s medical needs.

Breast Cancer Walk – Oct. 4th

Senior Youth  - Every Wednesday evening – 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
 
 

JUNIOR YOUTH NEWS

Renamed – “Group 68”

Group Meeting – Sunday, October 5th during the Sunday School hour.  The Junior Youth will meet during Sunday School on the first Sunday of every month.  All 6th, 7th and 8th graders are welcome to attend!  Be sure not to forget your $5 for the World Vision child we adopted and a black T-shirt if you have not already bought it.

Dinner/Remedy Drive Concert – Sunday, October 5th.  Cost $5.  We are attending a concert at Holy Trinity featuring contemporary Christian band, Remedy Drive.  Parents are asked to drop their child off at St. Mark at 5:30 p.m.  Dinner will be provided.  Your child will then call you when we leave Holy Trinity so you can meet us back at St. Mark to pick them up.

Jr. Youth Retreat at Camp Lutherhoma – October 10th – 12th.  Seven youth are attending this year’s fall retreat with Rose Lane as their chaperone.  Please keep Rose and our youth in your prayers during this spirit-filled weekend!

Group 68 Bake Sale, Sunday, October 19th!  Proceeds from the bake sale will help decorate the youth room and a Wal-Mart gift card (from Scrip) will be purchased to send to Elizabeth Paschka to help out with purchasing supplies and snacks for her students.

Camp DaKani Hayride – October 30th.  The youth will attend a “haunted hayride.”  The cost is $10 per student.  Junior Youth need to be at St. Mark by 6:30 p.m.

A BIG thank you to all the Junior Youth Group members (and parents) for attending Real Love Waits at Holy Trinity.  There were 7 youth in attendance and we had a great time!!
 
 

ANNUAL OK. COUNTY THRIVENT CHAPTER MEETING

The Annual Meeting will be October 12th, at Holy Trinity, beginning at 4:30 p.m.  Dinner will be served from 5:00 – 5:30 with two speakers and entertainment –The Gospel Guitar Guys- following.  Door prizes will be awarded and elections held for new officers.  For more information or questions, contact Richard Skinner, Don Wuethrick or Lucille McShane.
ALUMINUM PULL TABS will be collected at the Thrivent Meeting.  If you are collecting pull tabs, please have them to St. Mark by Sunday morning of Oct. 12th.
 
 

FRISBEE GOLF

• Saturday, October 18th at 9:00 a.m.
• St. Mark Frisbee Golf course
• Questions, contact Heath Duncan
 
 

ST. MARK TRASHCAN DINNER / BINGO NIGHT

Date: October 25th at 5:oo p.m.
Place: St. Mark Lutheran Church
Dinner, dessert, drinks and Bingo!    Please join us for a fun-filled evening of fun, food and fellowship!!  More information to following on items to bring for the trashcan dinner.
 
 

HALLOWEEN BUNKO – Notice change from Thursday to Tuesday

• Tuesday, October 28th at 7:00 p.m.
• Julie Jones’ house
• 3416 Huntsman Rd. (Hunters Pointe)
• Costumes are strongly encouraged!  Also, please bring $5 and a side dish, salad, or dessert.  We will be eating lasagna!
• Please R.S.V.P. to Julie at 410-5446
 
 

FALL FESTIVAL & CHILI COOK-OFF

• Saturday, November 1st
• 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Chili cook-off
• 7:00 – 8:00 Games & Trunk & Treat in the parking lot

Kids of all ages are invited to attend and to bring a friend.  Children are encouraged to dress in costume and to bring a bag of candy.  This is a family fun-filled event!!
 
 

ELIZABETH PASCHKA

has responded that her students can use any school supplies, snack food, or better yet, a gift card from Wal-Mart works great.  Bring items to the church office and they will be mailed to Elizabeth.  (Take advantage of sales at Target or Wal-Mart.)
 
 

WORSHIP FOR SHUT-INS

If you, or someone you know, are home on Sunday mornings, Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc., offers a program for shut-ins.  On DIRECTV Channel 377, on DISH NETWORK (check local listing), TOTAL CHIRISTIAN TELEVISION network – TCT (check local listing), all broadcast on Sunday mornings. DIRECTV Channel 377 airs at 10:30 Central time.  All programs are a half hour in length with no commercials and no reruns.  This ministry is not a tape of a Sunday morning service, but a special taping done just for this ministry.   For more information call 888-286-8002 or go to www.worshipforshutins.org.
 
 

VOLUNTEERS

The HOPE CENTER can use volunteers in many areas.  Help is needed in the food pantry, the resale shop and the Clothing Closet.  Volunteers work in 2-3 hour shifts, one time each week.  Questions, call 348-4680.
 
 

VOTER INFORMATION

Oklahoma Family Policy Council has provided St. Mark with a 2008 Voter Registration Kit.  If you are not registered to vote in the state of Oklahoma and wish to be, you may get the necessary papers in the church office.
 
 

OKLAHOMA LUTHERAN TRAVELERS

From now to December 13th there are 12 different trips offered.  Anything from a week in Nova Scotia to one-day trips here in Oklahoma.  For more information call Jane Scherdt at 620-1067.
 
 

GENUINE GERMAN DINNER

• Lutheran Church of Our Savior
• October 12th – 12:00-1:30 p.m.
• Bethany, OK
• Adult ticket - $8
 
 

WOMEN OF FAITH

• Ford Center – Oklahoma City
• November 14th – 15th
• Brochure on bulletin board
Greetings in the name of our Risen Christ!
 
 

ST. MARK’S PRAYER MINISTRY

DO YOU NEED A SPECIAL PRAYER?

Call the Prayer Chain Contacts:
Leona Elliott – 282-3242  Day Group
Lucile Kettner– 341-3249 Evening Group after 5:00 p.m.
Mike Hill – 341-8151  Email captain hilljm@aol.com
Or for requests to be included in Sunday morning service, call 340-0192 – Church Office