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

 

Sometimes Loving Our Neighbor Is Hard

Recently a homeless gentleman showed up at our door. While not an uncommon occurrence, his visit was unique to us, as he chose to set up camp and sleep outside along the side of the church for a few days. Those who saw him reacted in many ways— surprised, perplexed, concerned, scared, disheartened and even disturbed.

Our guest said he felt safe and thought the church would be “cool with him staying and sleeping outside,” but with winter already here we could only help so much. During his stay, we gave him what snack food we had, some water bottles, a few cups of hot coffee, a handful of bus passes, and an exhaustive list of agencies that can give him the long-term care he needs.

Many folks here tried to help him get out of the cold, to a safe place with services like warm showers, cozy beds, and hot meals. Early this week, he made a connection with Carpenter's Place, an organization downtown which St. Mark supports in many ways. In fact, by sheer coincidence, all through the month of December, we are lifting up Carpenter’s Place by collecting needed items, as well as monetary donations to pay for more meals made by our members for the people at Carpenter’s Place. Our Outreach Committee prepared a Reverse Advent Calendar that lists items needed, which can be brought to the Red Truck in Fellowship Hall, or to the bin at the south entrance. This sort of action is the best way that we can provide support for our homeless neighbors. Agencies like Carpenter’s Place have the facilities, staff, and resources to best provide for folks like our guest, and when we support those agencies, we support our neighbors. Please continue to pray for our guest, all people without a home, Carpenter's Place, and those who care for others.

St. Mark is a safe place, with many caring people who have a heart and the knowledge to give folks like our guest the resources that can get them the professional services they need. These kinds of encounters can be uncomfortable and challenging, but we on staff are grateful that the people of St. Mark are living examples of Matthew 25.

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me….Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

(The Rescue Mission discourages giving a ride or cash to people in this situation. If you encounter someone who is hungry, consider buying them some food or giving them a restaurant gift card. In winter months, you could even keep hats, gloves, new socks, and other items in your vehicle to give to those who may need such things.)

Peace,

St. Mark Staff

Enjoying the ordinary!

One Wednesday morning, my spouse and I were sitting at the kitchen table just like we do almost every morning.  He was eating his breakfast and reading the headlines in the news and I was enjoying a warm cup of coffee.  We had a few moments of small talk, nothing of real importance.  As I took a sip of my coffee, I happened to look out the window and noticed the beautiful sky.  The colors were so vibrant, I was completely taken in. 

I often gaze out the window as I drink my coffee and my spouse eats his breakfast.  Sometimes I watch the birds at our bird feeders, other times I watch the squirrels chase each other up and down the trees.  This morning felt different than other mornings.  It was as if time stood still for a moment as I enjoy God’s beautifully painted sky, filled with vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, and blues.  I was in awe!

As I sat there in awe, I thought about Thanksgiving and Advent and the changing seasons.  I gave God thanks for the many blessings in my life; my family and friends, my church family, and my call to serve here at St. Mark Lutheran Church, and I thanked God for the ordinary moments in life.  Those ordinary moments are sacred moments.   

As we enter the season of Advent, I am reminded that this is a season of waiting.  As the first Sunday of Advent devotional says, “The coming of our Savior takes time because salvation takes time.  God does not snap God’s fingers or push a button in order to save us.  God sends God’s Son to be with us and love us.  Salvation is a relationship.  This takes time.  This is worth waiting for.” (pg. 3 The Fullness of Time)  

As we wait for the coming of Jesus, I invite you to enjoy those ordinary but sacred simple moments.  Let yourself be taken in by the beauty of those moments.  There is beauty in a warm cup of coffee and watching the birds. There is beauty in sitting at the table with your spouse.  I pray that you find God in those ordinary beautiful moments. 

God’s peace and love to you all,

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber

Finding God in the Midst of the Holiday Chaos!

I find this time of year can be a bit overwhelming.  We have just finished October with Reformation and Halloween.  And before the Halloween candy is eaten, the stores are filled with decorations for the next two or three holidays.  At times it feels like we are trying to celebrate several holidays all at once.  It is often an extremely busy and overwhelming time of the year. 

In the midst of the chaos of the holidays, it is easy to get caught up in the hype.  When this happens, we may feel disconnected from things that keep us grounded.  What grounds you?  How do you re-energize yourself after a long and exhausting day?  One thing that works for me is a spiritual practice using Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God!” 

Psalm 46:10 as a spiritual practice:  Begin by finding a comfortable, quiet place.  After getting settled, you can say the words of Psalm 46:10 as printed below.

“Be still and know that I am God!

Be still and know that I am

Be still and know that I

Be still and know

Be still…”  (I find it helpful to sit in silence for a little bit before going further.)

“Be still

Be still and know

Be still and know that I

Be still and know that I am

Be still and know that I am God.”  (I find it helpful to take a few deep breaths before moving on with the rest of the day.)

Just taking a moment to be still and focus on God helps me re-energize.  I often feel more grounded and connected to God.  I encourage you to find moments throughout the holidays to spend in prayer, either using the words from Psalm 46:10, a favorite bible verse, or any prayer that is meaningful to you.  May you find peace in little moments of God’s presence!

Peace,

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber 

 

Planning for the Future

 A version of this article was sent in a letter to St. Mark members this week.

Many of us stepped into this year with trepidation, uncertain of what changes and trials we would encounter. The pandemic took its toll on almost every aspect of life. Despite that, we at St. Mark have been able to worship in person since early February, both inside and on our peaceful lawn, and we have been able to continue online services. We had imaginative opportunities for families to celebrate Holy Week and Easter, an all-outdoor Vacation Bible School, and numerous events to celebrate our 60th Anniversary. We welcomed our new Associate Pastor, Katrina Steingraeber, in June. Almost every ministry, small group, and outreach endeavor has returned to bring meaning and hope to our community. As it turns out, 2021 has turned out to be a tremendous blessing.

This time of year beckons us to reflect on the past and look to the future. The upcoming holidays cause us to ponder our values and traditions, as well as our hopes for the new year. October at St. Mark has especially been a time to consider God’s blessings in our lives. For years, we have taken time during worship to discern how we might share those blessings and participate in the mission we share through this congregation. In this place we are reminded of God’s grace, and we are sent to share that same grace with our neighbors. One of the best ways we can ensure that we will continue to grow in faith and share God’s grace is through consistent and generous support of our shared ministries.

On Sunday, October 24th, our worshippers will be invited to reflect on the grace God has given us, and then respond to that grace by making a commitment for the coming year. We will do that during worship by placing “Plan for Giving” cards in the offering plate, or by making an online pledge. Our mission budget for 2022 will be based on the pledges we receive this fall. Our collective hopes for St. Mark’s future rely on how much we all value the ministry we share.

I am thankful for the generous support of so many faithful people through your gifts, time, and prayers. If you find value in what we do together, I ask that you prayerfully consider making a pledge for the coming year. Please keep all of us at St. Mark in your prayers so that we might continue to take positive and communal ownership of this place and our wonderful ministries which increase our faith and equip us all to share God’s grace with the world.

It is my hope that the coming year will bring even more blessings to your faith and to your life. Thank you for all you do to share God’s love with one another, with the greater Rockford area, and with the world. I look forward to what God has in store for us!

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna