The New Epistle- March/April 2020

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Someone once said "you could never go back" and in some ways its true. You can go back, but it won't be the same. So it is at St. Mark's. There has been such a decline over the past several years......and I still don't understand what happened. But you don't live in the past. You turn the page.

My goal is to get the attendance back up to 60 where it was when I left. It's going to take time. I have to reintroduce myself. Feel free to call my cellphone at any time- 484-548-3235. The hospitals no longer notify you of members in the hospital. In fact, they often give you a difficult time when you do call to inquire. Yes, so much has changed.

Lent is coming up. Last year only 9 people turned out for Ash Wednesday service. My goal is to do better than that. At the service there will be holy communion and ashes. Maundy Thursday follows after. Then Easter Dawn and Easter services. I hope to see you at one of them.

Thank you for the wonderful surprise birthday celebration and all the cards. I never had a church throw me a birthday party before and it truly touched my soul. There is a lot of love here and love is the cord that binds us together in the body of Christ.

So, let's pray to the Lord that our beloved church begins to grow again. Come out to worships and come out to serve. We need each and every one of you to help us grow stronger.

Blessings to all,

Pastor George

St. Mark's UCC has participated in Giant Food Store's Cash for Causes since 2013, raising money for the church.

Here's how it works:

• Decide how many Giant Food Store gift cards you would like to purchase. See Denise Madzik about your order. Please provide payment (checks made out to St. Marks UCC) with your order. Gift cards can be ordered in amounts from $1.00 to $300.00.
• Denise will order your gift cards through the Cash for Causes program. Please note: There has to be a minimum order of $500.00. This might be a combination of orders, which sometimes may take a few weeks.
• St. Marks's pays 95% of the face value of the gift cards, meaning the church keeps a 5% profit
• Denise will pick up your gift cards and give them to you in church (typically within one to two weeks). Use your gift cards for anything you purchase at Giant Foods, including gas. Giant Food Store gift cards also make great gifts. If you have any questions about the program, please see Denise Madzik.

March:

Sarah Evans- March 3

Skyler Smith- March 3

Almaya Hendrickx- March 11

Charlotte Pfenninger- March 14

Diane Nickum- March 15

Tim Christman- March 16

Jeffrey Lutte- March 16

Trista Mazsa- March 16

Jamie Clark- March 19

Tiffany Miller- March 22

Carol Lehr- March 23

Mary Heiberger- March 26

Amanda Christman- March 30

Donna Jones- March 31

April:

Doug Trump- April 3

Teri Santee- April 11

Katelyn Santee- April 11

Ellen Mooney- April 12

Tyler Wogenrich- April 14

Shirley Moyer- April 16

Robert Beck- April 18

James Laubach- April 18

Austin Fry- April 21

Jean Trump- April 21

Tayna Mazsa- April 26

Janet Beck- April 29