ST.

MARK CROSSINGS
St. Mark Lutheran Church R. Paul Schafer, Pastor Grace Kennedy, Secretary VOL. XVIV, NO. 12 E-Mail: church@stmarkluth.comcastbiz.net 141 Kruger St., Wheeling, WV 304-242-3466 Leslie Garrett, Organist/Dir. Of Music Amy Hinkelman, Dir. Youth/Christian Ed. DECEMBER 2013 & January 2014 www.stmarkwheeling.org

OUR MISSION: As disciples of Christ, St. Mark ministers that all may know the joy of Christs love through ministries of Welcoming, Growing, and Caring.

A SUFFERING AND VULNERABLE GOD

Just a few weeks ago, St. Mark concluded a wonderful Bible Study series titled: Reconciliation, The Calling, Task, and Challenge in the Church and in the World. The study featured two excellent presenters on video. The first presenter was Mr. Ted Kober who is President of an organization called, Ambassadors of Reconciliation. The second presenter for the series was Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali who is the Martin Luther King Jr. Professor for Justice and Christian living at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. As I reflected back on this study series, it struck me that reconciliation is perhaps the key concept of Christianity. Consider these words from St. Paul in 2nd Corinthians: So, if anyone is in Christ there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19) Reconciliation is clearly central in Pauls understanding of the Gospel (the Good News of Jesus Christ). And he tells us here that our calling as a Christian community is to take up the ministry of reconciliation. But what does this mean? What does it mean for us, as Jesus disciples, to be about the ministry of reconciliation? What does it mean for us to be entrusted with the message of reconciliation? Certainly it does NOT mean the following: It does not mean threatening people with a believe or else! kind of message. It also does not mean insisting that the Christian religion have a place of dominance or superiority in our larger culture. This Christian dominance idea is the viewpoint of those in the Christian community today who are fighting a war against the so-called war on Christmas. Wishing our Jewish and other non-Christian neighbors a Merry Christmas instead of a Happy Holiday is, ironically, not the truly Christian thing to do. So, then, what does it mean for us to be people carrying out the ministry of reconciliation today? (continued on page 2)

CROSSINGS

(continued from page 1) During the study series I mentioned above, Charles Amjad-Ali reflected on his journey to the Christian faith. Raised in Pakistan, Alis father had a Muslim background and his mother had a Hindu background. While studying in Europe, he became a Christian. Why did he become a Christian? He gave one answer: that Christianity presents a suffering and vulnerable God. In Christianity, God comes to us in the manger a dirty place of suffering and vulnerability. And, in Christ, God even dies with us and for us on a cross at Golgotha, the place of the skull. Ali reminded us, then, that the ministry of reconciliation, which is God's ministry entrusted to us, must be carried out not from a position of dominance and superiority, but from a position of vulnerability and suffering. We properly represent or (re-present) Christ when we approach others through suffering love.when we die to our need for superiority and dominance and take up the cross and follow Christ as ambassadors of his reconciling presence and purpose. Let this, indeed, be our attitude this Advent and Christmas season and beyond. Amen.

THE SOJOURNERS PAGE

Sojourners Magazine is an important monthly publication which reflects on the current issues of our times from a faith-based perspective. In the December 2013 issue, the magazine focuses on the issue of violence in our society one year after the tragic event at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. A number of important theologians and leaders in the faith community offer their insights including Walter Brueggemann, Joan Chittister, Lisa Sharon Harper, Cherie Ryans, Brian Doyle, Shelley Douglass, Richard Rohr, and Anne Howard. One brief article by Shane Claiborne is summarized below. (Shane Claiborne spoke at the most recent ELCA Church-wide Youth Gathering in New Orleans. He is the co-founder of The Simple Way community in Philadelphia) In his article, Claiborne notes that last year as the Advent and Christmas seasons were unfolding many moms and dads were dealing with the agony of their little ones having been murdered. He notes that as we reflect on the Christmas season we remember that Jesus entered the world in a posture of absolute vulnerability an unarmed, innocent child during a time of tremendous violence. Claiborne goes on to ask what Jesus, the Prince of Peace, would have to say to a nation where the following facts are true: *More than 10,000 die from gun-related homicides each year in the U.S. Thats the equivalent of one Sandy Hook massacre every day. (The U.S. also has more than 3 times the gun related deaths each year per capita as the next worst non-third-world country) *There are nearly 90 guns for every 100 civilians in our nation which makes us the most heavily armed society in the world. *After car accidents, gun violence is the leading cause of death for our youth. Claiborne goes on to say; everything in our world, just as in Jesus time, argues that we must use violence to protect the innocent from violence the very thing Jesus came to help us un-learn through his non-violent life, death on the cross, and resurrection. Jesus was a violence interrupter. He interrupted the myth of redemptive violencethe troubling assumption that we can use violence to get rid of violence. He also told his followers to be holy interrupters. (Continued on page 3 .

Claiborne then goes on to describe the ministry of RAWtools which is a group of Mennonite blacksmiths who melt down donated guns to make garden tools out of them. This group of violence interrupters has taken their inspiration from the prophet Isaiahs vision of beating swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. The term RAWtools comes from the idea of turning war backward and forging peace. Claiborne notes: There is something special about seeing the transformation happen before your eyes, about hearing the sound of the forge, the white heat and sparks, the pounding of metal. Something therapeutic happens when you take a hammer to the barrel of a gun. Claibornes article is a good piece to inspire us all to be violence interrupters in our daily lives.

APPALACHIAN OUTREACH CHRISTMAS BOXES

During the months of September and October, St. Mark once again collected personal care items and wrapped them in shoeboxes for Appalachian Outreach. This year 127 boxes were filled and wrapped. Thanks to our Womens Organization for coordinating this ministry once again and for all who filled boxes and made this project so successful!

CONSECRATION SUNDAY
Thanks so much to all who came and made commitments on Consecration Sunday this year! Thanks also to our special guest preacher for the day, Pastor Mark Evans for delivering such an inspiring message! If you would like to fill out an estimate of giving card there is a copy of one on page 6 of this newsletter. Simply tear it out and mail it in to the church office at 141 Kruger St. Wheeling, WV 26003. Thanks so much!

WV-WMd SYNOD FUTURE PLANNING MEETING

Members of our congregation council are encouraged to gather with our Synodical Bishop, Rev. Dr. Ralph Dunkin, along with Synod Vice-President, Paul Wangerin, and Bishops Assistant Helen Harms as future plans for the West Virignia-Western Maryland Synod are discussed at a special meeting on Friday, January 31st. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. here at St. Mark Church in the Fellowship Hall.

CROSSINGS
2014 ST. MARK CHURCH COUNCIL
Newly elected Trustees: Jim Braden, Irene Schafer Returning: Alvin Schafer, Howard Dorsey, Merv Evans, Dick White Newly elected Elders: Monica Hannahs, Jana Jarrett Returning: Kate Freed, Frances Braden, Clyde Borrell, Gary Roesser, Sr. Newly elected Deacons: Loretta Craig, Pat Freismuth, Karen Walker, Rhonda Veon (2 yr. term) Returning: Martha Abplanalp, Alicia White, Denny Bartolovich, Judy Bowman, Susan West

We thank all those leaving Council this year for their discipleship this past year. Special thanks to Alvin Schafer and Fred Rentschler, Jr. for serving so faithfully and diligently as our president and vice president for 2013. Special thanks to Norma Robinson who serves as our Treasurer, and Carl Bowman as our Financial Secretary

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POINSETTIA ORDER FORM

I would like ______ Plants at $14.00 each Total Cost $________________

Name___________________________________________________________ In Memory of _________________________________________________________ In Honor of ___________________________________________________________ In Thankfulness for ____________________________________________________ Deadline for Ordering - Monday, December 16th, cash or check must accompany order. Make checks payable to St. Mark Youth Fund

LIVING MEMORIALS -The following have placed memorials in memory of John R. Dick Farrow Jim & Peggy Glaser Rose Vargo Steve & Rita Farrow Bob & Doris Schafer Mary B. Knollinger -The following have placed memorials in memory of John A. Rose Bob & Carol Steele Joan D. Stein Carolyn Rose & Family Ohio Valley Health Services & Education Corp. Sandy Beck -Jim & Donna Schafer in memory of Mother, Essie Schafer -Mary B. Knollinger in memory of Paul Knollinger, Jr. OFFICIAL ACTS
Funerals: John R. Dick Farrow

MARTIN LUTHER KING SERVICE AT ST. MARK

Each year, the Upper Ohio Valley Ministerial Alliance presents a worship service which celebrates the ministry of Christ seen in the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement. This year St. Mark will be the host site for this service which will be held on Sunday, January 19th, at 4:00 p.m. in the upstairs sanctuary. A reception will follow after the service in Fellowship Hall. The following plans are being made for the service at this time: Preaching will be Rev. Melvin Rippy of Macedonia Baptist Church. Pastor Rippy has a Dr. of Ministry from Howard University and a B.S. in Community Ministries from Geneva College. Annual MLK awards will be presented this year to Pastor Darrell Cummings and Mrs. Loma Jean Nevels. A combined choir is planned. Please plan to join the Wheeling area community at St. Mark for this exciting service!

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24TH

CROSSINGS
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SCHEDULE

1:00 p.m. Worship with Holy Communion in the Chapel 7:00 p.m. Family worship service with Holy Communion in the Sanctuary with St. Mark Brass and Inst. 10:30 p.m. Brass Unlimited special music in the Sanctuary 11:00 p.m. Candle light worship with Holy Communion and Sanctuary Choir in the Sanctuary

CHRISTMAS BASKETS
We are collecting non-perishable food items again this year for Christmas Baskets. We will be receiving a list of names of families in the area to whom we will be distributing food baskets. If you know of a family in need you can give the name to Pastor Paul or call the church office. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is making a contribution to help defray expenses. The deadline for bringing in food items is December 15th. (More information on specific food items needed is on page 8)

2014 ESTIMATE OF GIVING CARD

In endless gratitude for Gods boundless grace, and as an expression of discipleship and stewardship, I/ we make the following commitment to Christs Church thru the ministry of this congregation in 2014: Name__________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________ Phone__________________________ EMail______________________ My/our commitment is: $________________________per week, or $________________________per month, or $________________________per year Optional: I/We would like to indicate how our gift will be allocated: $ __________________General Expenses $__________________ Designated to the Synod and ELCA (Benevolence) $__________________ Designated to other Special or Endowment Funds (Tear out and mail or bring in to church office)

BE JOYFUL- COME HEAR THE GOOD NEWS

Bring your camera, friends and family and join us as we celebrate the Good News of Jesus' birth. The Birthday Party for Jesus will take place in fellowship hall right after the conclusion of the 10:15 service on Sunday, December 15, 2013.

Lunch and Birthday cake will follow the Sunday School play and carols. Good News, Great Joy is our new song and motto. Share the real reason for the season and bring a baby gift for Jesus as well. Baby items will go to needy local babies through the auspices of the Gabriel Project.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PLAY PRACTICE

Wednesday, December 4th at 5:30 pizza and 6:00 p.m. Play Practice in Fellowship Hall we will hold a dress rehearsal on the stage. Participants please plan on joining us.

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DECEMBER ALTAR FLOWERS
1Braden Family in memory of mother, Lenore Fischer at her birth date 12/3 Breeden Family in memory of father, Wilson at his birth date 12/5 8OPEN 15 Marcy Porter in memory of husband, Jim 12/15 Ann Gyekis in memory of husband, Bob 12/16 Helen Petri in honor of granddaughter, Anna Petris birthday12/18 22Mike & Delite White in thankfulness for children and grandchildren Les & Jane Cline in honor of Janes mothers birthday 12/25 Clara Folmar in honor of daughter, Christines birthday 12/21 Gary & Beverly Knollinger in memory of son, Gary W. Knollinger 12/25 29 OPEN

CROSSINGS

JANUARY ALTAR FLOWERS

5Ruth Miller & Eberle Family in memory of Ralph Miller Jim & Peggy Glaser in honor of granddaughter, Ellies birthday 1/9 12Ken, Ellen, & Laura Kriner, Devin, Gavin & Jacee Glass in memory of Jeremy Glass Sandy Beck & Family in memory of Robert Beck at his birth date 1-16 19 OPEN 26Art & Cathy Schehl in honor of grandson, Jareds 6th birthday Betty Schafer in memory of husband, Roy at their Wedding Anniversary date 1/30

ST. MARK FOOD COLLECTION

As followers of Jesus we are commanded by Him to love one another. And one way that the St. Mark Family of faith shows this love is providing Christmas baskets for those less fortunate. This year we are again asking for your generous gifts to help fill the baskets. Some suggestions include: Boxes of stuffing such as Stove Top Cereal (children home from school) Jars of turkey gravy Pasta/Spaghetti Sauce Raven noodle pkgs. Canned cranberry sauce Macaroni and cheese pkgs. Peanut Butter Canned vegetables Canned fruit Jello pkgs. Stuffing Mix Cake/brownie mix Canned soup pkg. of Noodles All items are appreciated and need to be brought in by December 15th!

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 Emma Baker (92 yrs. old) 2Jean Davis 4Ella May Evans 6Mark Robinson 8Laraw Marshall 9Carol Steele 13Sharon Cappiccie, David Weidner 15Margaret Ragni 16Jim Braden, Heidi Watkins 17Ray Braun, Jacqueline Heil, Fred Simon 20Aubrey Toth 21Jerry Hannahs 22Judy Veon 25Christs Birthday 26Anna Allman, Ed Stemple 27Craig Kriner 28Jim Lapp, II, Jacob Robinson 29Judy Fedczak, Brenda Schafer, Kevin Watkins, Rianna Farrow 31Dottie Boyd, Richard Charnock, Jolin Burkland

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
1 Ola Marshall 2Taylor Lucas, Lisa Toth 3 Daniel Cheathum 4Victoria Ellison, Samantha Krumski, Brent Nelson, Kalee Robinson 5Daniel Minch, James Taylor 6Burke Glover, Dorothy Pyle 7Tim Braden 9Sherri Schafer 10Logan Marshall, Deborah Reineke 11Jill Walton 13Whitney Naumann 14Don Braden, Kate Freed 15Rob Davis, Aiden Davis, Edith Folmar, 16Jennifer Aubrey, Frances Braden, Dan Lewis 17Amy Serig 18Art McKenzie 20Kyleigh Minch 21Beverly Knollinger 22Michael Hlad 23Howard Watkins 27Etta Black (94 yrs. Old) 29Samara Joyner, Michael Porter 30Kirk Gast 31Melissa Braun, Ann Martin, Jared Zambito

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
16Kerry & Danielle Marshall 17Bernard & Connie Knollinger 21Harry & Kathy Sacco 28Pete & Judy Veon 30Cyprian & Laura Shimenga

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES
1Gerry & Doris Trabert 26Larry & Wendy Stuntz Pierce

HOPE ON THE HILL

Our Hope on the Hill event was served a week earlier during the month of November on Tuesday, the 19th. We are consistently serving more than 100 meals at this event. If you would like to help see Sherri Schafer or call the church office at (304) 242-3466. Thanks so much!

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WOMEN OF THE CHURCH

CROSSINGS

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Wonderful food, family and friends around the table, memories swapped and new ones created. Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, family prayers of thanks, and remembrances of those no longer present. A truly special day for thanking God and realizing how blessed we are. And as we pause as a church family to give thanks to God for His abundant blessings, let us include the work of the church family and let us include the work of the Women of the Church who tirelessly endeavor to carry out the ministries that God has given us to do. Their servant-hood and dedication is a blessing and inspiration to all of us. How blessed we are! Looking forward to Advent and the new church year, let us make plans to attend the upcoming Women of the Church Christmas Party on Dec. 8. Remember ladies, there will be no gift exchange this year. We are reaching out to our community and asking that each attendee bring a book or two, wrapped, with the appropriate age level noted, to be given to the children of the Hope on the Hill ministry. As always, there will be special music and a fun program for all. We hope to see you there for an afternoon of fund and fellowship. Peace and blessings, Peggy Glaser ST. MARK WOMEN PREPARE FOR VETERANS CELEBRATION

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DECEMBER KIDS WORSHIP CLASSES SCHEDULE

December1 DISCOVERY POINT :God cares who you are on the inside. BIBLE FOCUS :1 Samuel 16:1-13 December 8 DISCOVERY POINT :Gods love makes you special. BIBLE FOCUS :Daniel 4:28-37 December 15 Birthday Party for Jesus rehearsal of Good News, Great Joy. December 22 DISCOVERY POINT :God loves you no matter who you are. BIBLE FOCUS :Luke 2:8-20 December 29 DISCOVERY POINT :God will help you search for Jesus. BIBLE FOCUS :Matthew 2:1-12

JANUARY 2014 KIDS WORSHIP CLASSES SCHEDULE

January 5 DISCOVERY POINT :God is there when you turn to him. BIBLE FOCUS :Isaiah 30:18-22 January 12 DISCOVERY POINT :Jesus will help you when youre scared. BIBLE FOCUS :Matthew 8:23-27 January 19 DISCOVERY POINT :God wants you to be a good example. BIBLE FOCUS :1 Peter 4:10-12 January 26 DISCOVERY POINT :God will guide you when youre unsure. BIBLE FOCUS :Judges 6:36-40; 7:12-22

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

On Sundays from 9-10 am a group of adults meet in the classroom next to the nursery for engaging conversation and study. Currently they are discussing the book Waiting For Christs Return by Max Lucado. This material is based on the book When Christ Comes. Join in learning about rewards, reckoning, pardon, justice, amazement and celebration.

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THANK YOUS

CROSSINGS

To: St. Mark CongregationI would like to thank all the ladies of St. Mark that donated their time in preparing the delicious soup and meals they send to shut-ins. I just had some of their soup and dinners while I was recovering from knee surgery. God Bless all of you and thanks again. -Love & faith, Edith Folmar Dear Friends, Thank you for the gifts: Hat, socks, glasses and the Lutheran Study Bible. The Bible will be very useful as I continue to serve in our Lords ministry. Thank you especially for the Special day to celebrate Christs love and our faith and hope as we come together as a church in the unity of Christ, journeying in ministry together in the Wheeling area. Thank you again for a special 40th anniversary. -Blessings to all, Alvin St. Mark Congregation, Thank you all for the white cross of fresh carnations that you sent to honor our father, Dick Farrow. We also appreciate your continued prayers and support throughout his journey. -God Bless, The Family of Dick Farrow St. Mark Youth would like to thank everyone who supported their bake sale at the Turkey Dinner this year. We were truly blessed by the generosity of everyone. We made $ 386.00. -Thanks again, St. Mark Youth TURKEY DINNER: We are happy to report that our Turkey Dinner was a great success this year. We served 946 meals. As a result, the net income for St. Mark was $10,662. In addition, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans gave a matching funds of $750. As in past years a portion of these monies will be donated to various local charitable organizations as well as to our Synod Benevolence obligations. Thanks to all the many volunteers for not only making this a profitable event, but great fellowship for our congregation. A special thanks to Fran Braden and Rhonda Veon for all their work. APPALACHIAN OUTREACH SHOE BOXES: Thanks to everyone who filled shoe boxes. With all your help we not only reached our goal of 100 boxes but we filled 127 boxes. With the boxes and $200 from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans this was a great year for people to have something for Christmas. A special thanks to Ann Gyekis for all her work on this activity.

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THIS N THAT
Congratulations to Rob Davis who just became a grandfather again for the seventh time. A new baby girl, Erynn Nicole Davis was born to Steven Davis and Heather Wright. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 5 ozs. and 20 1/2 inches long. Congratulations to Chris & Jennifer Aubrey on the birth of a second child, Everett Cole, born on October 21st. Let us celebrate Gods gift of new life in our midst. Recently pictured in the newspaper was Linden Nelson who was crowned West Virginia Universitys 2013 Homecoming Queen. Linden is a pharmacy major and the daughter of Kim & Brent Nelson. Congratulations to Linden!! Congratulations to Sherri Schafer who was recently installed as the Vicar of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bridgeport, OH. After completing 3 years as vicar in the T.E.E.M. program, Sherri will be ordained as a full pastor. Congratulations to Les & Jane Cline who were recently pictured in the newspaper as they celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary. Recently pictured in the newspaper was Margaret Ragni concerning an article about Elmhurst-The House of Friendship where she is now a resident. Karen Haught was recently pictured in the newslpaper for her work as the Chief Executive Officer of the Seeing Hand Association, as were Carmen Heil and Pastor Paul, Sherri, & Robert Schafer performing in the community play A New Home for Liberty. THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS: The recent OH, WV, PA Tri-State Chapter Board election resulted in Dick Strickler being elected to be its Records Director for next year. The WPHS MUSIC DEPARTMENTS ANNUAL COOKIE WALK is Saturday, December 7th from 10:00a.m. until 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall. THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS: With the retirement last year of Chuck Hubbell as the financial advisor for the OH, WV, PA Tri-State Chapter, Romney K. Willman will be St. Marks new representative for those members needing assistance. She may be reached at (866) 867-9194 or romney.willman@thrivent.com. IS YOUR GIVING CURRENT? Have you been on the giving end or the receiving end recently? Hopefully, you can answer Both. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of those who have given and continue to give to St. Mark. Your giving, not just in money but in time and talent, benefits the many programs of our church and enables us to reach out beyond the walls of St. Mark as well.

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CROSSINGS

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St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church 141 Kruger Street, Elm Grove Wheeling, WV. 26003

CROSSINGS
NONPROFIT ORG U S POSTAGE PAID WHEELING WV PERMIT NO. 44

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014
The printing & donation of materials for this newsletter printing was partially funded by

DOUG & WILLA KNOLLINGER In memory of Woodrow F. & Ruthedda Knollinger and Gary W. Knollinger and in thankfulness for their Families