Preparing the Ashes!

On February 23^rd the confirmation class, Melinda, and I took the old dried palms from past Palm Sundays and burned them to make the ashes that will be used on Ash Wednesday.  The process to get from palms to ashes begins with taking the old palms and cutting them into small pieces to fit in the large metal bowl.  After we filled the bowl, we went outside to burn the palms.  Each confirmand was given the opportunity to help light the palms with long matches.  There is something special about using long matches to light a fire that everyone seems to enjoy.  It didn’t take long for the palms to quickly burn to a small pile of ash.  While the confirmands enjoyed some hot chocolate, I stayed outside with the smoldering ashes until they cooled enough to bring them inside.  After the ashes were fully cooled, we sifted them through a flour sifter twice.  What was left was finely sifted black ashes, that will remind us that we are dust.  After we put the sifted ashes in the jar, we talked about what is said when they receive the imposition of ashes, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”  We also talked about what it means when we say that we are dust, and how we are connected to and a part of the earth. 

We went back to the café to enjoy a snack.  As we enjoyed our snacks we talked about what was surprising about the process.  The responses were; they were surprised how quickly they burned, how little ashes there were compared to the large amount of cut up palms, and how black the ashes were compared to the yellow/green color of the dried palms.   I have burned palms with confirmands before and each time there seems to be that element of surprise, a bit of fear at how quickly the palms ignite, and a bit of awe at the whole process.  For me, one of the best parts is the connection between the celebration of Palm Sunday where we shout Hosannas to the humbling reminder on Ash Wednesday that we will return to dust.  Also, the youth get to be a part of the “behind the scenes” preparation for a worship service.  This is one of the more unique worship preparations. 

On Ash Wednesday Pastor Chad and I will make the sign of the cross on your forehead with ashes from old palms burned by the confirmands.  I love this and it warms my heart knowing the confirmands helped with Ash Wednesday preparations.   

Yours in Christ, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber

Celebrating 2021

 This article is adapted from the 2021 Annual Report of the Senior Pastor.

Every year, our congregation prepares an annual report. It’s a thick packet of updates from staff and committees about everything we have been up to. And even though we are required to put it together, it can be a real gift. It may not be a birthday card stuffed with cash, but this collection of reports is here to remind us of everything we already have. After all we have been through the past two years, I pray that you will be able to read what is inside, reflect on the richness of our community, and find joy in the life we share together. Members can pick a copy up at church or call the office for assistance.

When you do read through it, one thing you will see is a timeframe of all the various ways we have worshipped since the pandemic began almost two years ago. I knew we had been through a heap of various strategies, but until I saw it all laid out, it didn’t hit me just how much we have done. We slowly eased back into the building, returned outside for Palm Sunday and Easter, and then added a second service in May. We celebrated our 60th anniversary with a special service in April and a weekend full of events in September. Every month was a little bit different. We worshipped in the Sanctuary, the Fellowship Hall, the parking lot, and the east lawn.

That service on the lawn became an unexpected favorite for so many. It also took the most work. Every Sunday for four months, our praise band set up our worship space on the lawn, led the service, and then packed it all up again. You would be hard pressed to find a more dedicated group of church musicians. We are already planning ways to continue that unique summer service with a more permanent outdoor worship space.

When we added a second service, it was an opportunity to evaluate not just what we needed in the moment, but what would serve us best as a larger congregation. We settled on sticking with two services, with an hour for Sunday school between. Having a dedicated learning hour has enabled our families with young children to worship together. I hope and pray more families take advantage of the opportunity to raise children to grow in faith both in the classroom and in worship. And I hope we find more ways to welcome children as vital members of our worshipping community.

We had a small taste of post-pandemic life in late summer, when we left our masks at home and prayed that those difficult days of caution were behind us. And though we have since returned to the same strict measures we were using a year ago, that moment of closeness helped many of us remember what we appreciate about this place. We can endure the changes and restrictions if it means we can be together and keep one another safe. And, we can continue to stay connected to those who are yet unable to be with us in person.

I am so grateful that we were able to call Rev. Katrina Steingraeber to be our new associate pastor. Since beginning in July, she has settled in and continues to grow and thrive. Over a year after you called me to be your senior pastor, you all installed both of us in a moving service during Rally weekend. I am thankful for Pastor Chuck, who has been the only one of us allowed to visit our folks in the hospitals since the pandemic began. Our volunteers with outreach, Sunday school, and worship ministries have continued to make our congregation a community. And our staff has worked with joy to hold us all together. Every day is a reminder of just how fortunate I am to be able to not only be a member of this congregation but to lead it as well. 

In Christ,

Pastor Chad McKenna

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