Thank you for the Saints!

Each of us has had someone in our life who have influenced us, inspired us, and impacted our life in some way.  This could be a teacher, a coach, a minister, or anyone who impacted your life.  I give God thanks for the many saints who have impacted my life.  Some of them have gone on to their heavenly home and others are an active part of my life. 

I recently came across a prayer of thanks and praise for the saints.  The prayer is written by Janet Morley.  Here is her prayer…

“For all the saints who went before us who have spoken to our hearts and touched us with your fire, we praise you, O God.    

For all the saints who live beside us whose weaknesses and strengths are woven with our own, we praise you, O God. 

For all the saints who live beyond us who challenge us to change the world with them, we praise you, O God.”

I am thankful for the saints who touched me with their fire.  These saints gave me the determination to pursue ministry and become a pastor.  My love for the church and its work grew thanks to their fire.  I find comfort in knowing that others have weaknesses, just like I do.  I used their strengths to help me improve.  We need strong people in our lives.  Being able to lean on and/or draw from each other’s strengths is needed in many aspects of life, I have found this especially helpful in ministry.  I have found I learn the most and I remember what I have learned when I am the most uncomfortable.  I find this most often when discussing or learning about difficult topics.  I experienced this a lot during seminary, where I was challenged by professors and fellow classmates.  I have learned to lean into the uncomfortable and to listen to other people’s experiences.  This is not easy, but necessary work! 

Who are the saints in your life?  And how have they influenced you or inspired you?  I invite you to take a moment and give God thanks and praise for the saints in your life.  I am truly grateful for all the saints in my life, past and present a like.  I thank God for each of them. 

Peace,

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber  

COVID update from Pastor Chad

 “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”                                                                                                                                                -Isaiah 40:31

Dear St. Mark people,

One of the many things I have learned these past two years is that patience is a limited resource. When we run out, we can either give up altogether or find some spark of hope to keep us going. Like most parts of the world, Covid cases in our area are the worst they have ever been. Hospitals are running out of beds, and healthcare workers are beyond exhausted. Everyone is tired. My prayer today is that our faith in the Lord will give us the strength we need to endure for just a little while longer.

After talking with the staff and our council, it is clear that we need to take some additional precautions to keep everyone safe here at St. Mark. Our Sunday morning schedule will be staying the same— we will still be able to worship in-person for now. However, we ask that folks sit only with members of their own household and to avoid physical contact with others, including during the passing of the peace. To help with social distancing, some rows will be blocked off. And even though everyone will be wearing a mask, worshippers will be asked to sing softly.

Except for Holy Communion, all food and drink is suspended for at least the remainder of January. Yes, I regret to say that includes even coffee and donuts on Sunday mornings. The goal here is to ensure everyone leaves their masks on at all times while in the building. So, fuel up on caffeine at home, leave that to-go cup in the car, and come fully charged to worship!

Sunday School, Adult Forum, Bible studies, and other meetings may continue to meet in person with these mitigations in place. That being said, your safest bet during this major surge is to stay home and meet remotely whenever possible. Weekday groups that choose to meet in-person should provide a remote option for those at home, which the office can help you set up. On Sundays you have the option to worship with us via our 9:00am YouTube livestream. We have at-home communion supplies available outside the café so that we can stay connected through that holy meal during the next few weeks. You can pick those up during office hours, or whenever the building is open. If you live in Winnebago or Boone County and need communion supplies delivered, let the office know, and someone will bring that bread and wine to your home.

Most of the experts anticipate this surge will drop as quickly as it jumped up, so our hope is that these extra measures will only be needed for a short time. We will continue to adjust our practices as needed until this surge is behind us. As always, I encourage you to stay connected to one another. Check in with a call or message, pray for one another, and support each other with grace. May God continue to grant us the patience, strength, and compassion we need to endure this pandemic together.

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna

My First Christmas as your Pastor

I often find myself each year after Christmas reflecting on the holiday season.  I reflect on the highs and lows of the season.  I reflect on the times that were full of chaos and on the times that were quiet and still.  I think back on what Christmas was like a few years ago, some memories bring tears to my eye and some make me laugh.  This year I found myself the week leading up to Christmas filled with emotions.  Perhaps I was filled with emotions since this was my first Christmas as an ordained pastor and we were able to worship in person. 

Being able to worship in person on Christmas Eve was amazing.  There is something about the glow of a candle lit sanctuary that just warms my heart.  It is so beautiful.  And the smell of the beeswax candles reminds me of church when I was a little girl.  The children singing during the earlier service was heartwarming.  I love how some of them were singing their hearts out and dancing, while others sang quietly and tapped their toes to the beat.   

This Christmas, my first one as an ordained pastor, was full of emotions.  I was excited to worship in person, a bit nervous to sing the Preface, a little exhausted from the preparations, but overall filled with joy and excitement to worship with you all.  Now that we are past Christmas Eve worship, my heart is still full of joy and excitement.  I am holding on to that joy and excitement, and I will treasure it for a long time.

I am blessed to be your associate pastor and I treasure these first moments as an ordained pastor here at St. Mark.  I pray the joy of the birth of our savior, Jesus, will fill your heart today and always.  I pray that each of you have a Blessed New Year. 

 Peace,

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber