NEWS & VIEWS

February 2006

Volume 22, Number 2

Web page: www.stmarksferndale.org

E-mail: office@stmarksferndale.org

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 795 Berding Street (P.O. Box 1016) Ferndale, CA 95536 786-9353

Our Staff

David Floyd

Pastor-786-4240

Georgean Sawyer

Secretary 786-4370

***************

Elders:

Dennis Rowe

725-9224

Tom Hubner

786-4482

John Thomas

777-3905

Council President:

Karl Brungs

786-4293

Vice President

Eric Terkelsen

733-5156

Sunday School

Superintendent Raelene Keating

725-5317

Properties:

Bob Givens

839-8877

Jim Kerrigan

786-4734

Dave Denney

786-4640

Financial Sec:

Dianne Terkelsen/

Barbara Denney

Sunday Worship

10am

Sunday School & Adult Bible Classes

9am

PASTOR’S POINT

“In those days, the Word of the Lord was rare…” (1 Samuel 3:1) There was no vision—God was still on the air, but few had tuned in!

There is one interview with a pro football player that stands out in my mind as we think of tuning into God. This player tells a sports writer why he chose to go to a certain city to play ball. He was honest enough to say that God spoke to him.

“In other words,” he said, “I talk to God.”
This man was Reggie White. Reggie White was probably the greatest defensive end of all time, but as great as he was on the field, he was that much greater off the field. You see, besides being an NFL All Pro almost every year after his rookie year, he was also an ordained pastor– that’s where he got his nickname, "The Minister of Defense". After playing many years with the Philadelphia Eagles he became a free agent and could have easily signed with any team he wished. And he had several offers that would have made him a very rich man.

But when decision time came, White shocked the football world and many of his friends by signing with a team that was located in the smallest city of all the National Football League franchises – the Green Bay Packers. The reporter who was conducting the interview asked White how he had reached his decision to play for the Packers. And this is what White said, "I spent a lot of time praying about this." "And one day as I prayed, I heard God say, ‘Reggie, go to Green Bay.’ So that’s what I did." Reggie saw something in the way the interviewer looked at him at that point and so he continued by saying: "You know, when you tell people you’ve been talking to God, they don’t have a problem with that. That’s praying. If you believe in that sort of thing, it’s okay.

But when you say that God talked to YOU, then they think you’re crazy or something! Isn’t prayer supposed to be a conversation with God? And in a conversation, don’t BOTH parties talk?"

Throughout the Bible you will find men and women who share their story of how God spoke to them. The key to hearing the voice of the Lord had to do with their willingness to tune-in to God’s voice. There are also many instances in the Bible where individuals tuned God out. These people didn’t want to listen to what God was telling them so they changed the station.

There once were two men of God…one became God’s honorable spokesman because he tuned-in to God whereas the other one tuned God out and paid the price of his actions and died in dishonor. The two: Eli the fallen priest and Samuel the Prophet of God. One man was a failure & the other man successful. One finished poorly and the other finished strong. One tuned out /the other tuned in …

God has a plan and a purpose for our lives, in that He calls us, and that CALL becomes our vocation in life, maybe not our profession, but always our vocation. For EVERY believer, it’s a call to the Christian life. WE ARE ALL CALLED…THE QUESTION IS: ARE WE LISTENING?

God was calling Samuel, who was being trained by Eli, the high priest. I found it interesting that it took 3x’s before Eli finally realized that God was speaking to Samuel. I mean, Eli’s supposed to be a mature believer here. He of all people should have recognized God’s voice.

But Eli, along with his sons, had wandered away from God years before. He had tuned Him out and forgotten what it was like to hear God calling. He was too busy listening to all the other stations of that day; Stations like materialism, self-indulgence, pride. By living an immoral and impure lifestyle, Eli, figuratively speaking, stuck his head in the sand and tuned out God more and more and more, until it ultimately destroyed his life, his family’s life, and eventually Israel as well.

The truth is, if we fail to stay tuned-in to God, it will affect our lives too; our families, our churches, and even our nation, as we can see in our society even today.

In the end, Eli died in dishonor and disgrace, and in the process, Israel lost the presence and blessing of God. But God used Samuel to restore the nation because Samuel was tuned in!

And God has not stopped using people who are tuned-in, to help restore his kingdom and to help him bring change and transformation back into people’s lives.

A number of years ago, Bill Cosby did a routine where he was Noah and God was talking to him about building the ark. Cosby wanted to know who he was talking to. “IT’S THE LORD, NOAH!” Yeah, right! said Cosby. --- How do WE know when it’s God who’s talking? There are 3 tests we can use to determine if it is really God who is speaking. And that’s very important, because we don’t want another voice, even our own, to lead us astray, to lead us down the wrong path.

First, Does the voice point us to Jesus Christ? --- does the voice direct us to the cross of Christ and the resurrection, to forgiveness, or to God’s promises?
Second, Does it contradict scripture? You know whether it’s God or not because God never asks us to do something that goes against the principles in scripture. If the voice is urging us to gossip or talk negatively about someone, or hold onto grudges and unforgiveness, it’s not from God. The scriptures tell us to love one another, encourage, support and forgive.

And Lastly, Is it compelling you to do something that glorifies God or glorifies yourself? Is the call going to result in your benefit or is it going to benefit others and ultimately glorify God? Reggie White had awesome opportunities presented to him because of his status as a pro football player. But it wasn’t football that made the man. It was his commitment to God. Coach, Mike Ditka, said this about Reggie: “As great as Reggie White was as a player, what I remember the most is that he was the best example of what being a pro athlete is all about. He was pure class on and off the field. He was always tolerant of his opponent and never tried to hurt or embarrass anyone. I loved him as a player and I loved him even more as a person."

Reggie was tuned-in to God and God used him, not only on the field but off as well. He touched many people’s lives with his love for others and his passion for God. Reggie’s profession may have been football, but his vocation was being God’s servant and sharing God’s love and message with everyone he met.

God calls us into the Christian life to be witnesses and examples of His power and grace. And his call will take us many places. How will we answer His call? Will we be like Eli and tune Him out? Or will we be like Samuel, tuned in, saying, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening. Here I am, send me!”

Have a great day in the Lord,

Agape, Pastor Dave

Lutheran Homes For The Aging (ST. LUKES MANOR)

The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all^{.” John 3:31}

The monthly meeting will be on 31^st. A potluck at 6:00 followed by the meeting at 7:00. Pastors and congregation lay people are encouraged to be at this important meeting.

~ Beverly Hansen St. Marks Representative

MISSIONS

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Are you a person who has a quick smile and a hug for everyone? Or are you a person who doesn’t like to show affection? How do you convey your emotions to others? These are just a few of the things we will learn about this coming month.

Our focus will be Love this year. It will start with a special sermon series and our Small Group Bible Studies will be doing a 13 week study on Love. We will be learning the 5 languages of love and how we communicate with others and how we show our love to each other. This will be a in-depth study with many surprising lessons to be learned. Through the year we will do projects to show love to others. Watch for more details in the future.

~ Beverly Hansen, Chairman

STEWARDSHIP

FAITHFUL STEWARDS OF GOD’S GIFTS

James Cash Penney, the founder of the J. C. Penney Company, was a minister’s son who grew up in Hamilton, Missouri. Despite his name, money did not play a prominent part of his boyhood days, when he worked for 10 cents a day in a local dry-goods store. But he was thankful, later refusing to open his own chain store in town until his former boss had gone out of business. Penney, active in the Christian laymen’s movement, was a generous giver to projects, including a special provision for retired church workers.

God blesses His people in many ways, wanting them to be a blessing to others. Consider Abraham, whom God blessed with material wealth. He does not promise riches to everyone, but He does expect each of us to whom He has given some ability or gift or treasure to share it. God expects His people to be faithful stewards, or managers, over everything He has entrusted to them: treasure, talents, time.

“God loves a cheerful giver,” writes St Paul in 2 Corinthians 7. A cheerful giver not only of money, but of other things as well. God loved Moses, who was a faithful servant in His house. God loved the widow who gave her MITES. He loved Dorcas, who used her time and talent to sew garments for the poor. He loved the early Christians in Macedonia, who, poor but generous, “gave themselves first to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5).

As Christians we make our contributions in response to the LOVE of Jesus Christ, who gave all for us when He died on the cross and rose again. The love of Christ constrains us to be faithful servants of ALL that God has entrusted to us.

I ask you to pray to God for His help to be a better steward of all His gifts to you!

~‘Bertha Tedsen, former Stewardship Committee Chairman

THOSE FOR WHOM WE PRAY:

Our Shut-ins: Harlan Hansen, and Jim Kerrigan Sr.

Those under Doctor’s Care for Cancer: Mike Brooks, Alice Terkelsen, Reba Domino, Gloria, Diane

For those in Remission: Dave Wagner, John Curtis, Jack May, Rev. Don Claasen, Pastor Tom Slater, David Totten, Sue Brower, Sandra Andrews.

Those who are Ill or in Pain: John & Kristi Thomas, Helen Bahnsen, Brianna Edeline, and Terry Morris.

For those with other Health issues: Ronda Keating, John Stewart, Carmella Paradise, Everett Paradise, Susan Goff, Kay Kerrigan, Kathy Givens, Christa Barker, Gary Sawyer, George & Raelene Keating, Mary Lopez, Eleanor Kruse, and Pat Lewis

For those who are serving in the Military overseas and at home to keep our country safe.

For family members and friends who have lost loved ones.

FROM THE ELDERS

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Ps 90:1-2

What grandeur and majesty is expressed in this Psalm. Moses acknowledged God as the Self-Existent One, “from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

This was written of the wanderings of the Children of Israel through the wilderness. As they roamed about in the desert country, they must have longed for a permanent home. Often they must have wished they could settle down and have a feeling of security.

Moses, experiencing the day-by-day change of their desert life, looked beyond the changeableness of life on earth and wrote of the dwelling place that is everlasting and permanent, that is unchanging. This dwelling place is God Himself.

God is a living God. He always was – and He always will be. He will never change. “I the LORD do not change” (Mal 3:6). And He is the same today as He was yesterday. He will not change tomorrow. Kingdoms have come and gone – people have come and gone, but God remains steadfast, unmovable and unchanging. Through all the generations He has remained the same. Through all the generations He has been the dwelling place of His own.

Today our dwelling place can be in this same God of the generations. God has made it possible through acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior. Knowing Him in this personal relationship we experience the security of dwelling in the very God of the ages. What need have we to fear when He is our dwelling place?

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place and our refuge in all generations [says Moses]” (Amplified).

~John Thomas, Elder

A NOTE OF THANKS

Dear Friends,

Thank you for the many beautiful messages of love that you sent to our families at the passing of our mother, Lois Balch. You are truly a beautiful congregation of God’s people.

St. Mark’s was always our mother’s church and Ferndale was always her home.

Our families want to give special thanks to Pastor Floyd, Pastor Clark, Christa Barker, Raelene Keating and the LWML ladies that hosted the reception following her memorial service.

Our thanks to everyone that came to say their goodbye’s to her.

Love, Ted & Leanne Schuette, Paul @ Kay Jespersen

FROM THE LADIES OF St. MARKS (LWML)

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands.” 1^stJohn 5:1-3

This month is a very busy month for us. We will be holding our Annual Super bowl potluck Bake/Snack Auction again on the 5^th of February. The potluck will be a finger food potluck and all desserts will be auctioned off for this fun event.

On February 10^th & 11^th Christa Floyd and Georgean Sawyer will be going to and attending a District Executive/Board meeting in Livermore. The 12^th will be our monthly society meeting.

Our Quilting group will meet on Saturday the 18^th at 11am in the church Fellowship Hall. We encourage all women who are interested to please join us. For more information please contact Georgean Sawyer. We are working on several projects at this time.

Sunday the 19^th we will hold our Valentine Chocolate Extravaganza party. On the 25^th our leaders will meet to have a Zone Executive meeting to discuss the upcoming Zone Rally here at ST Marks on March 18^th.

On March 17^th we are considering holding a Corn Beef Dinner again for the public. More information on that to come. All interested in cooking and donating food for this please contact Carla.

April 28-30^th will be the date of our District Convention in Sacramento at the Hilton Hotel. Pastor Dave will be one of the keynote speakers at this convention. Check out the Ladies of St. Mark’s bulletin board for more information on this event.

~Georgean Sawyer, LWML Society Vice President

FROM YOUR YOUNG WOMEN’S GROUP

Happy New Year to you all!!!! This new season is bringing on lots of new ideas for the L WML women’s group at St. Marks Lutheran Church. The Young Women are sponsoring a program called “Mommy and Me.” Having a new baby brings on a lot of “new items” and can be very overwhelming for a new mom, not to mention EXPENSIVE. So to help out, every month we will be sponsoring a new mom and her baby with items that they may need for a safe, fun, and secure start on life. This is not just a program for the members of St. Mark’s. It is a program for the whole community to come together and give whatever they can, whenever they can.

SO…here’s how it works. Anyone can bring in a candidate to sponsor. The only prerequisite is that the family be in need, some way or another. Whether that need be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Applications will be available in the church office and personal information will be kept confidential. We will sort through the candidates and each month picks a new mom and her baby. I will set up a corner in the church where the items will be collected and people can read a short description on the family they are sponsoring and the items that they are in the most need of. At the end of each month the items collected will be delivered to their new home. This will be an ongoing project and so any help will be appreciated,

OUR FEBRUARY FAMILY:

This month we have the privilege of sponsoring a brand new mother and her baby girl. This young, new mom is still in need of some essential items. Please help out in any area you feel led. Any money donations will be used to purchase items not donated.

Items that are needed:

*Diaper’s of any size *Portable play pen

* Baby Wipes *Breast Feeding Pillow

*Hooded infant towels, wash clothes *Booties

* One-sies *Burp Rags; cloth diapers

* Receiving Blankets * Baby play center, infant toys

* Baby Bathing Tub * Lullaby C.D

* Mobile * Infant Medicine, pedialyte

*Breast Pump, milk liners, Breast Pads * outfits, any size

* Any baby product such as: baby wash, lotion, powder

* Crib set for girl; bumper pad, comforter, sheets

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 795 Berding Street, Ferndale 786-9353; 367-1993

~Christa Floyd Barker Young Women’s leader

DID YOU KNOW?

We have an informational class “New Beginnings” which teaches basic Christianity. They meet on Thursday evenings for approximately 6 weeks. For more information, please call the church office.

We offer FREE gymnastic classes for young children. Tumbling Toddlers meets at 9 &10 am every 2^nd and 4^th Saturday in our Fellowship Hall. This is for children 18 months to 3 years old. The children and parents interact with one another through movement, exercise, playtime and story. A new class Gymini Jumper’s is for 4 to 5 year olds and meets on the same Saturdays at 11am.

“STRONG” for those over 50, offers (low impact) exercise classes which are held Tuesday and Thursday at 5pm sponsored by California Health and Aging Task Force.

We have a Senior Ministry called “New Horizon”. A Bible Study is held at Margaret Wagner’s on the 1st & at Carmen Renfer’s on the 3rd Thursday’s at 10:30am. The opposite Thursdays the group will work on projects, go visiting and do fun things together.

We have two women’s groups. The Ladies of St. Marks is the first group. They have Bible Studies, a quilting group, social activities, and aid the church in any way they can. They are the “Lutheran Women’s Missionary League” which is an outreach organization for our local community, the United States and foreign countries. “Mite Box” collections are taken. This money is sent to the district headquarters and is then divided between the District and National LWML Mission projects selected for the year at their convention. There is also a “Young Women’s Group” ages 15-35 who have a Bible Study on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturday’ at 10am. This is an outreach program, and are doing servant events for the community. They are also a “LWML group”. For more information, call the Church office.

Our Men’s Fellowship Group has a Bible Study with a Continental Breakfast at St. Marks on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month. St Stephen’s Warriors is an extension of our men’s ministry and is our service organization for our church. They will help families and widows, etc., who need a helping hand with some kind work.

We have a “Disaster Relief Committee,” for our community, which collects blankets, flashlights, batteries, water, band-aids, diapers, toys for children, and much, much more.

We have a two on going Prayer Chains . One is e-mail and the other is by phone calls. These groups get calls /e-mails for prayers of people of the church, friends and family members of our church and community members. Call the Church office to start a prayer.

We offer Nursery care during our services every week. Our nursery has all kinds of activities for children 5 and younger during the service. This is a clean, safe, and happy place for our little ones to be introduced to their loving Savior.

Alanon meets in our Fellowship Hall every Monday evening at 7:30 and

We distribute the “Invisible Sunday School” to several local businesses in our community. This is an outreach for children. Bible Stories, coloring pages, Bible verses, are found in the handouts, with crayons.

St. Marks Quilters Group meets once a month on a Thursday. Call Georgean at the church office for time and date of the meetings.

Sunday mornings at 9am Pastor Dave teaches an awesome Bible Study. We are currently in a study that addresses current issues and shows how relevant and applicable the Bible is for us today.

Our Children’s Sunday School is up and running with two new teachers, Tom Hubner and Jim Kerrigan, music and crafts. Sunday School is at 9am as well.