Good Morning,
Saturday, Aug 11, Pastor Eric and Pastor Beth, Kerstin, Pam and the church council had the opportunity to meet. We had great conversation and enjoyed each other’s company. From 9:00 to 1:00 we talked about the past, the present, and the future.
We once again tried to answer the million dollar question, where do we see St Mark going??? As many of you know we have discussed and analyzed this several times in recent years. The answers although good, seemed difficult to put into action. Truthfully without looking it up in some file somewhere I couldn’t tell you how we ever really answered that question, or what the answer meant.
The good news is we finally came up with a comprehensive and concise answer. And I think it is one we can all relate to. WE DON”T KNOW!!! However, God does know, and with his guidance we will get where He wants us to go. We are really excited to take God’s journey and we will get where God intends us to be together.
Over the next few months you will hear the phrase “A NEW BEGINNING”. Every time we pray and ask God’s forgiveness we have a new beginning. Every morning when we get out of bed we have a new beginning. This is our chance for a new beginning here at St. Mark
We as a congregation will be taking some things from the past, adding new things to the present, and planning for the future.
As a very wise woman shared with me yesterday, if you always do what you did, you’ll always get what you got. I had to say it several times before I understood exactly what that meant. Personally I want more for St. Mark than what we have had and I’m looking forward to what we may get. I for one am excited to get more and make God’s plan our reality.
In yesterday’s meeting The Pastors asked to us look at what our expectations were for St. Mark. When we were all pretty silent they changed the question to what our expectations for ourselves were here at St. Mark. I would like to share mine
- To be a positive force not a negative one
- To make others feel welcome, guests and members alike
- To look at each Sunday as if it were my first Sunday so I can understand and help meet the expectations of our guests and members.
I am taking this opportunity to challenge each of you to take this time and decide what your expectations for yourself are at St. Mark. Be careful, you may surprise yourself, I know I did.
God has blessed us greatly.
We are St. Mark, a church full of wonderful and gifted people who love each other, and love God. Whether that makes us a family, a community, or a congregation, it really doesn’t matter a name is just that a name.
We are St. Mark and that makes us responsible for each other.
We need to: Continue to treat each other with kindness and love.
We need to: Use our words to uplift and encourage.
We need to: Be inclusive. All are welcome at the table of Christ; make sure your table is just as welcoming.
We need to: start our New Beginning together.
— Presented during Community Time, Sunday service, August 12, 2012