The Many Saints

November 1^st is All Saint’s Day and on November 3^rd we will remember the St. Mark members who died in the past twelve months.  As I reflect on all the saints who have influenced my life, I am beyond grateful for each one of them.  Some of the saints I knew really well and others not so much.  Some saints came in my life for just a moment and others were there when I was born. No matter how long I knew them, each saint had an impact on my life.    

Bernard Bangley writes, “Since there are many more Christian saints than the three hundred and sixty-five days of the year, this day is set aside to honor all of them.  Many saints have never had their names mentioned beyond a very small circle of friends.  Not all saints are alike.  Spiritual gifts are as varied as the many interests and ability that exists in the broad spectrum of people.  Some saints have a mystical experience; others do not.  Some saints stay busily at work in the world; other saints have neither the energy nor the social skills for that.  Many saints have no idea that they are saints.  One saint will rediscover the value of tradition, while another saint will open new doors of innovation.  Each life has a purpose and fits into God’s grand scheme the way plants –an oak or a trillium – grow in the forest.”  

I love this quote.  It speaks to the many types of saints and how each one has a purpose.  I invite you to reflect on the saints in your life.  I encourage you to say their name or light a candle in memory of them.  You will have the opportunity to light a candle on Sunday morning during worship and a time to say their name during the prayers.  I give God thanks for all the saints that I have known throughout my lifetime.   

Yours in Christ, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber

Living out our mission statement

During the month of October, the Stewardship Committee invited people to share how St. Mark has impacted their lives. We have been hearing how our mission statement, Growing in Faith, Sharing God’s Grace, plays out here at St. Mark and in the community. Here are a few more…    

“Some of my earliest memories lie in Sunday school, whether it was making crafts or preparing for that yearly Christmas concert. You all see the end product, but what you don’t see is the countless hours of kindness, support, and love that go into making it work. When I finished it was on to confirmation, and here I formed the bedrock of my faith. I learned and studied the prayer, the creed, the commandments, and started in earnest a journey that I still continue on today. Even now I often still think back to things we talked about in confirmation. From there I’ve moved to the youth group, and it is here that I’ve found some of my closest friends. We went to New Orleans together, something we never would have been able to do without the congregation’s support, and there I deepened my friendships and my faith, meeting people from across the country and hearing their stories. It is an unforgettable experience, and I am eternally grateful for it. Every step of my journey has been invaluable with St. Mark by my side, and I can’t wait for the future.”      -Luke Snyder

 “Sunday morning service is a reflective time for me.  The service rolls along smoothly, and I enjoy that.  A plus for me, since I like stories, are the readings and sermons. Life moves fast and the words are reminders of lessons I may have forgotten. Sundays are food for thought until next week.”                      -Janet Bederka

 “It has truly been a blessing to serve the families at Haskell. In the three years we have been there, we have been welcomed by and have established relationships with the staff, students and families and recognize familiar faces with each visit. Staff members personally thank us for being there. Parents and grandparents share their gratitude and their stories. We laugh with them, meet their children, and share in the joy of coming to school. Parents appreciate the ability to support their children themselves because we provide affordable means to do so. They are proud to use our exchange program and many times ask us to give their credit earned to another family that might need it more. A mother once responded that she had never been able to “pay it forward” and there was extreme pride in her smile. Think about that. It was the first time that she could provide for her own child and also help another. There is such power in that. Being part of the Uniform CO-OP at Haskell Academy is a gift to those of us who serve.” -Stella Schroeder & Renee Fager

 (The St. Mark Uniform Co-op is one of our biggest outreach ministries. Through it, our members sell affordable school uniforms at four RPS elementary schools: Ellis, Lewis Lemon, McIntosh, and Haskell. Last year, over 30 volunteers sold 3,039 pieces, impacting over 600 families.)

These are just a few stories of the many ways St. Mark people grow in faith and share God’s grace. No doubt, you have stories of your own. Sunday school, confirmation, youth group and worship impact the faith of many each week. Our outreach ministries reach people across the Rockford area. Behind each story is the generosity of those who value and support the ministries of St. Mark through pledged giving. All of this is possible because of you. 

The pledge goal for 2025 is $775,000, an increase of 8.69% from current giving. We know this is a big ask. However, after operating at a deficit the past two years, meeting this goal will allow St. Mark to pass a balanced budget at our annual meeting. Our ministries depend on it.

October 20, 2024 is Stewardship Sunday. As we approach that day, we ask that you prayerfully consider increasing your pledge to St. Mark to help us meet our goal. Thank you for your generosity and support of the many ministries of St. Mark Lutheran Church.  To fill out an electronic pledge card, click here.   There will be paper pledge cards out this Sunday.

Peace,

The Stewardship Committee:

 Melissa Stenstrom, Luke Snyder, Cassie Paulsen, Bob Osolin, Jessica Stanek, Martina Schumaker, Pastor Chad McKenna, and Pastor Katrina Steingraeber