St. Mark News

Tristen Andrew Dasch

2010-08-14T10:36:00.001-05:00

Tristen Andrew Dasch passed away with Bill, Sheila and Taylor at his side earlier this morning. In addition to his parents, Tristen is also survived by his older brother, Taylor, and oldest brother Scott and Scott’s wife, Sandy. As Christians, we mourn his loss in the sense that he’s not here to hold, to talk to, to laugh with, to spend time with. And yet we know beyond all shadow of a doubt that Tristen is at rest and with our Father in heaven.

As you can imagine through the years we’ve all known Bill, he spoke of what a wonderful day this is for Tristen, for he has seen the glory of heaven. Bill reminded me that Tristen is now completely healed; no more sorrow, no more pain, no more tears In the midst of watching his son die before his eyes, Bill was praising God and glorifying His name. He said as it became clear that Tristen’s body was shutting down, they talked to Tristen about how much they loved him, and what heaven would be like.

Funeral arrangements are pending at St. John Lutheran Church in Mansfield, Texas. I will update you as soon as I know the day and time. Our dearest Tristen, we love you so very much. I wrote down some Scripture that was comforting to me and I pray it will be for each of you. God’s words are with us to the very end.

1 Corinthians 15:42-57
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
2 Corinthians 4:16-15:8
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Ecclesiastes 7:1
Isaiah 41:10-13
John 6:35-40
John 11:17-27
John 13:7
John 14:1-6
John 14:27
Philippians 1:20-23
Psalm 23:1-6
Psalm 46:10
Psalm 103:8-17
Revelation 21:1-7
Romans 8:31-39

2010 LCMS Convention – Help Wanted!

2010-06-09T10:45:00.001-05:00

As you may be aware, Houston is once again privileged to host the Synodical Convention of The Lutheran Church–-Missouri Synod this summer. The 64^th Regular Convention, with the theme, “One People: Forgiven!” will take place July 10-17 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

As the host city and one of the host congregations, there are many areas where volunteers, like you, are needed.

Here are some of the specific needs:

Registration and Information Committee, Friday, July 9 through Sunday, July 11. Contact Kelly Biar for more information.
Altar Builder(s), as St. Mark is one of the 12 area congregations supplying an altar and accessories for the opening worship service on Saturday. Contact Pastor Heitshusen for more information.
Others for set-up, tear-down, and transportation of items for Saturday morning and evening. Contact Pastor Heitshusen for more information.

More detailed information can be found by downloading and printing the following document. (Type the following in your web browser and open the file when prompted.)

http://stmarkhouston.org/documents/2010-LCMS-Convention-Help-Wanted.pdf

We at St. Mark are very blest to be able to take part and serve the Lord and His people through the convention this summer! I look forward to your help in this way!

Sincerely,
Pastor Heitshusen

Position Available

2010-06-08T13:17:00.001-05:00

As most of you have heard by now, St. Mark Director of Operations, Kelly Biar, has resigned from her position, effective June 30.

Kelly has been called to serve the Lord as the Director of Business Affairs for Houston Christian High School. This is a great fit for Kelly and her skills and she is excited about the new opportunities and challenges she faces.

While we rejoice for Kelly, we mourn our loss of her daily presence and her skills with us as staff. Yet, even so, we know the Lord has plans for St. Mark in this area as well.

If you would like more information about the position or would like to apply, please see the two documents, linked to below and follow up accordingly.

Thanks and God bless,
Pastor Scott

Job Posting:
http://stmarkhouston.org/documents/20100520--Job_Posting--Director_of_Operations--StMarkHouston_org.pdf
Job Description:
http://stmarkhouston.org/documents/StMarkHouston--Director_of_Operations.pdf

Tristen Dasch Fund

2010-06-08T13:07:00.001-05:00

Many of you are aware of Tristen Dasch’s continuing, serious health issues – especially as of late.

For those who may not know, Tristen is the son of former St. Mark Senior Pastor, Bill Dasch, and he has been fighting cancer and other related health issues for many years.

Tristen has been in a hospital in Memphis, TN, for quite some time, now. This is, of course, far away from the Dasch home in Mansfield, TX. Pastor and Shelia Dasch have been “commuting” between Mansfield and Memphis for quite some time now. Obviously, this gets extremely expensive.

To help Tristen as well as the Dasch family, a special fund was established awhile back. This fund helps offset some of the multiple travels back and forth, associated meals, lodging and the like. The costs are in the multiple tens of thousands at this point.

The most important need for Tristen and the Dasch family is that of continual prayer.

If you would like to supplement your prayers with some financial help to the family, a special fund has been set up for just such help. You may send contributions to:

Tristen Dasch Fund
Frost National Bank
c/o Lydia Lucerio
1000 Walnut Creek Dr.
Mansfield, TX 76063

Thank you for your continuous support.

Need Help Reaching Your Financial Goals & Have Gold? We Can Help!

2010-05-19T12:53:00.001-05:00

Those who have been privileged to take Dave Ramsey’s acclaimed “Financial Peace University” [see above for details on the upcoming offering of FPU at St. Mark], you know that establishing an Emergency Fund is the very first “baby-step.”

For some, this is easy. For others, it takes some work and creativity.

One of the ways these funds can be raised is by selling items, like gold.

“Gold Stash for Cash” has been endorsed by Dave Ramsey as a legitimate organization to use in converting your gold to cash.

St. Mark member, Lisa Emery, will be at St. Mark on June 4 to help you in this process. You can contact her at lemery63@gmail.com or by calling her at 713/851-9413.

Summer FPU Class Fast Approaching

2010-05-19T12:31:00.001-05:00

Starting June 2, St. Mark will once again offer the acclaimed Dave Ramsey course, “Financial Peace University.”

This course was a tremendous success when offered at St. Mark last January, and we know it will continue to be a blessing to many others.

You can register for FPU at St. Mark by going to the St. Mark home page and clicking on the link there.

VBS Volunteers Needed

2010-05-19T12:23:00.001-05:00

Summer is fast approaching and we’re heaving the sails, getting ready for a High Seas Expedition!

It’s going to be a lot of fun, but we need some helpers in our journey!

Contact Wendy McManners (713/255-3625) if you can help.

You can also register for VBS by going to the St. Mark home page.

LINC Houston Mission Festival at St. Mark

2010-05-19T12:06:00.001-05:00

St. Mark is very proud to once again host the 2010 LINC Houston Mission Festival!

There will be food at 5:00 p.m., pre-service music starting at 5:45 p.m., and worship from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

It is fitting that this takes place on Pentecost Sunday. Come and celebrate with us in an exciting way!

I can personally attest that this event last year was one of the best I have attended and I enjoyed it thoroughly!

I hope to see y’all there!

With you in Christ,
Pastor Scott

P.S. For the Germans out there at St. Mark; we would love for you to take part in the beginning of the service by dressing in German attire and carrying the German flag into the sanctuary. If you can help in this way, please contact Pastor David Kim.

Kelly Biar

2010-05-19T11:46:00.001-05:00

It is with both heavy and joyful heart that I announce to you that our beloved Director of Operations, Kelly Biar, has resigned from her position, effective June 30.

While we rejoice for Kelly, we mourn our loss of her daily presence in the office at St. Mark. Yet, even so, we know the Lord has plans for St. Mark in this area as well.

A job posting will be forthcoming.

Please feel free to congratulate Kelly when you see her.

In Christ,
Pastor Scott

St. Mark School Recognition

2010-05-19T11:41:00.001-05:00

St. Mark Lutheran School has been recognized by the HoustonWest Chamber of Commerce.

St. Mark was nominated for this award by The Arbor School.

Congratulations, St. Mark School!

Celebrating Volunteers

2010-05-19T11:28:00.001-05:00

This Sunday, May 23, St. Mark will celebrate the countless volunteers who serve the Lord by serving His people at St. Mark.

Come and celebrate with us!

FINAL REPORT: “GIVING 100%: 10 Goals of 10 by May, 2010”

2010-05-13T16:45:00.001-05:00

In May, 2009, I put before the congregation and her leaders ten goals for St. Mark church and school to be completed by May, 2010.

Some of these goals have already been met. Others have not.

The following shall serve as a status report for where things are right now.

I do want to extend a heartfelt “thank you” for so many people who put so much time and effort into these goals. The dedication and work by those on these teams is greatly appreciated!

You can find the Final Report of the “Giving 100%” campaign here.

Ken CONFER & Bill WOHLT

2010-04-28T14:24:00.001-05:00

On Sunday, April 25, the Lord called to Himself, St. Mark member, Ken Confer.

On Tuesday, April 27, the Lord called another St. Mark member Home; Bill Wohlt.

There will be a memorial service celebrating Ken Confer’s life in Christ at St. Mark on Friday, April 30, at 1:00 p.m.

On Friday evening, from 5:00-7:00pm, there will be visitation with the family of Bill Wohlt at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. A funeral service celebrating Bill’s life in Christ will take place at St. Mark on Saturday, May 1, at 1:00pm.

Please keep Ken and Bill’s families in your prayers during this difficult time.

Combined Worship, Church Picnic, & Celebration for Rita Schaller!

2010-04-21T10:33:00.001-05:00

This is a reminder about the great events going on at St. Mark this weekend, April 25.

9:00-9:45am Sunday School & Bible Classes

Sunday School & Bible Classes will still meet in their usual rooms. However, they will meet from 9:00-9:45am rather than the usual 9:45-10:45am.

10:00-11:00am Combined Worship Service

We will have one, combined worship service beginning at 10:00am.

We will also have a treat as there will be singing and band playing by school students during worship!

Please remember to adjust your alarms and routine accordingly.

11:00am BBQ Picnic at St. Mark

This event is for the whole family! Enjoy fellowship, games, music and much more. Don’t forget your lawn chair and sunscreen!

The BBQ lunch will have a free will offering. If you have volunteered to bring a tarp for this event, please drop it off at the church either Friday during the day or on Saturday at 4pm in the north parking lot.

Volunteers are needed for various activities, please contact Wendy McManners if you are interested in helping to make this a fun filled day for everyone. wmcmanners@stmarkhouston.org, 713-468-2623 x 327.

CELEBRATION OF RITA SCHALLER’S RETIREMENT

On Sunday, both during the worship service and picnic, we will be celebrating God’s gift of Rita Schaller. Rita has been a teacher in God’s Church for over 40 years! She has taught countless children (and adults!) about Jesus and His love for them over the years. It is an honor to praise God for her and her service! Come and celebrate with us!

The dress for the day (including Bible class and worship) is comfortable and casual!

See y’all there!

In Christ,
Pastor Scott

Staffing Changes

2010-03-31T14:57:00.001-05:00

Several weeks ago, we informed you that Mrs. Jentry Workman and Mrs. Rita Schaller would not be returning to St. Mark Lutheran School for the 2010-11 school year. During these past few weeks, we have been actively seeking Mrs. Workman’s replacement. I am pleased to announce that we have offered the Grade 7-8 Language Arts teaching position to Mrs. Katie Murray (this is a different Mrs. Murray than the one we had for Grade 5-6 English), and she has accepted our offer of contract. Mrs. Murray is an individual with two years of middle school Language Arts experience. She has also served as a youth director and a special education teacher. Mrs. Murray graduated from Texas Lutheran University with a degree in Theology and a minor in English Studies. She is married and is the mother of 4 children. She is a very flexible and enthusiastic individual who believes that each student has a wealth of God-given potential that deserves to be recognized and challenged inside and beyond the classroom. We look forward to her joining the St. Mark staff.

In regard to Mrs. Schaller’s position, we will not fill that position until we have the enrollment to justify a second Kindergarten class.

A second Grade 1 class will be provided for the 2010-11 school year. The second Grade 1 teaching position has been posted. As a result of that posting, Ms. Elizabeth Imrie has been offered and accepted the position of the second Grade 1 teacher. This is an excellent move for St. Mark since Ms. Imrie has over 10 years of teaching Grade 1, and this is her preferred grade level to teach. We look forward to her joining with Ms. Hahn to provide us with two excellent Grade 1 teachers.

With Ms. Imrie moving to teaching Grade 1, we will now have a Grade 5 teaching vacancy. At this time, we are interviewing for this position. We ask for your prayers as we continue to seek those individuals that God will provide to fill this position.

Mrs. Cohrs has also indicated that she will be resigning from the Assistant Principal/Early Childhood Director position at the end of the 2009-10 school year. It is her desire to return to full-time classroom teaching where she feels she can better use her God-given gifts and talents. At this time, we intend to offer a teaching contract to Mrs. Cohrs for the 2010-11 school year. The grade level that she would teach is yet to be determined as teaching positions are posted. The vacancy created by Mrs. Cohrs will be filled; however, the job description for this position will be modified. We are waiting the approval of this job description by the Board of Directors and anticipate posting the new position as open within the next two weeks.

As you have noticed, there are several staffing changes for the next school year. The Lord continues to bring excellent individuals to us for consideration. We ask for your prayers as we seek God’s Will in all these staffing matters that He will guide us in all these decisions.

God bless richly!!
Mr. Mock

School Climate Survey

2010-03-31T14:57:00.000-05:00

Would you please do St. Mark Lutheran School a favor???

I have a favor to ask of all the parents of St. Mark Lutheran School. Would you please complete a School Climate Survey that will be emailed to you on April 3? It will not take long to complete the survey.

We value your input, compliments, and constructive criticism. I believe St. Mark is already an excellent school, but we would like it to grow in its excellence. You can be instrumental in helping us continue to grow in excellence by completing the survey and providing your valuable input. The information gleaned from the survey will be studied and used to help us shape the ministry of the school to better serve the students and parents of St. Mark. We did listen to your input last year. Your input last year resulted in several changes, and some additional changes that were suggested are in the process of being accomplished. Some of those areas addressed were Spanish instruction in Grades 1-8 and Study Hall availability and supervision. Progress was also made in focusing more on differentiated instruction especially in the lower grades. This was also addressed in the middle school grades as we now offer advanced courses in Science, Math, and English. Areas that are still being addressed that were of major concern were enrichment and remedial programs.

“Thank you” in advance for completing this survey as we work together to help St. Mark Lutheran School become an even better school.

God bless richly!!
Mr. Mock

Important Information from Principal Mock

2010-03-31T14:56:00.002-05:00

Dear Parents,

I feel that is important at this time to communicate with you in regard to issues relating

to staffing for the 2010-11school year,
to invite and encourage you to complete our Annual School Climate Survey, and
to invite you to volunteer to assist with the reaccreditation of St. Mark Lutheran School.

I realize that is a rather long letter, but I feel that it is very important that you are informed. I would appreciate your willingness to read about each of these important items.

In addition, if you are willing to serve on any of these committees, please contact Mr. Mock.

Thank you in advance for your help in all of these matters. As we work together, the students of St. Mark will certainly be blessed.

God bless richly!!!
Mr. Mock

Lutheran School Accreditation

2010-03-31T14:56:00.001-05:00

I am asking for help from the parents of St. Mark in regard to National Lutheran School Accreditation. St. Mark Lutheran School is accredited through National Lutheran School Accreditation. Our accreditation covers a period of 7 years. We are currently in year 6 and will need to be reaccredited by the spring of 2011. This process involves a considerable amount of work for the teachers and parents. There are 11 Standards on which we evaluate ourselves and also be evaluated by an outside group of individuals selected by the National Lutheran School Accreditation committee. As the teachers complete each of these standards, we invite parents to provide their input in regard to specific standards. It would be ideal if we had at least two parents that would help evaluate each of the specific standards. This would involve from 2-3 meetings. The first meeting would involve meeting with the teachers and becoming familiar with what that group of teachers provided in regard to a specific standard. A second meeting would involve providing parent input. A third meeting might be held to finalize the report on the standard. These meetings would be held between April 15 and the end of the school year. The eleven standards are as follows:

Mission and Vision
Relationships
Leadership
Personnel
Curriculum
Instruction
Student Services
Health and Safety
Facilities
Finance
Evaluation

God bless richly!!
Mr. Mock

Upcoming Worship Emphases

2010-03-31T12:56:00.001-05:00

Following the wonderful celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord, we will have theme, “CELEBRATE!" with the following subthemes each week:

April 11: “CELEBRATE: FPU”
April 18: “CELEBRATE: Life”
APRIL 25: “CELEBRATE ST. MARK” with one, combined worship service at 10:00 a.m. and a congregation-wide picnic. We will also be announcing the Fall Church Theme: “WE ARE FAMILIY!”
MAY 2: “CELEBRATE: Confirmands”
MAY 9: “CELEBRATE: Mothers”
MAY 16: “CELEBRATE: Graduates”
MAY 23: “CELEBRATE: Volunteers”
MAY 30: “CELEBRATE: Memorial Day”

Come and CELEBRATE with us!

Offices Closed

2010-03-31T12:56:00.000-05:00

The St. Mark offices (both church and school) will be closed on Friday, April 2, and Monday, April 5, in observance of Good Friday and Easter Monday, respectively.

If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Pastor Duerr or Pastor Heitshusen on their cell phones.

No Worship, April 7

2010-03-31T12:55:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday, April 7, there will be no worship service.

Wednesday evening services will resume the following week, April 14 at 7:00 p.m.

RACE-a-THON

2010-03-31T12:54:00.001-05:00

[Saturday, April 10th 8am-3pm]
RACE^aTHON is our next National Youth Gathering Fundraiser! Our expectation is that this be one of our BIGGEST Fundraisers!

We have the track at Houston Christian reserved on April 10th! The plan is for each participant &/or parents to fill up their pledge sheets. They will be asking friends, family, neighbors, teachers, schoolmates, & members of Saint Mark to pledge a donation for the amount of laps they will walk or run on April 10^th from 8:00am–3:00pm. You can do this by pledging a Dollar Amount per lap or mile [4 laps = 1 mile]. If a participant were to run/walk 5 miles & get 20 people to pledge at least $1 per lap, they would make a cool $400! If everyone going to NYG did the same, we would make $12,400!

Thanks for your support!

Sunday Morning Bible Classes

2010-03-31T12:54:00.000-05:00

Now that our first “Financial Peace University” classes have (very successfully!) completed, St. Mark has some other Sunday morning courses they will be offering.

The current lineup is as follows:

APRIL 11, 9:45-10:45 a.m.

FPU Graduation & Celebration in the cafeteria
“The Book of Hebrews” [the 11^th & 18^th only as it moves to Galatians from the 25^th on] taught by Charles McDaniels in Room 131 (the school library)
“Remarkable Women of the Bible,” taught by Cheryl Dinwoodie in Room 145
“I Have Good News for You” This is an informational class about Christianity, Lutheranism, and St. Mark taught by two elders, Willis Schrampfer and Steve Wible in Room 155.

APRIL 18, 9:45-10:45 a.m.

[The following are scheduled to begin on April 18, but will end on different dates. PLEASE NOTE: ON APRIL 25 ONLY, THE BIBLE CLASS TIME WILL BE FROM 9:00-9:45 a.m. For May 2 on, the time will be at the usual 9:45-10:45 a.m. This is due to one combined worship service on April 25 at 10:00 a.m. with a congregation-wide picnic to follow.]

“The Book of Hebrews [18^th only]/Galatians [25^th on]” [last class for Hebrews] taught by Charles McDaniels in Room 131 (the school library)
“Remarkable Women of the Bible,” taught by Cheryl Dinwoodie in Room 145
“I Have Good News for You” This is an informational class about Christianity, Lutheranism, and St. Mark taught by two elders, Willis Schrampfer and Steve Wible in Room 155.
“GOD’S TRUSTEES: Managing All of Life and Life’s Resources for God’s Purposes!” Teachers TBA
“Letters from a Skeptic” This class will be taught by the congregational chairman, Duane Heckmann in the cafeteria, section ‘B’. It follows a true conversation between a son and his skeptic, agnostic father, who later becomes a Christian.
“THE LOVE DARE: Making Your Marriage Fireproof” This is a great course based on the hit movie, “Fireproof.” It is for anyone who is in a marriage or a committed relationship. It will be taught by Pastors Heitshusen and Duerr in Room 224.
Possible new course to be taught by Ginny Zuppann and Pastor Runge. Topic and location will be announced if this comes to fruition.
A class (with topic and location yet to be determined) to be taught by elder, Bill Reese, looks to begin around this time as well.

Please make use of these wonderful opportunities to study, learn, and fellowship!

FPU Graduation Celebration !

2010-03-31T12:53:00.000-05:00

You’ve cut up the cards, now it’s time to cut the cake!

On Sunday, April 11, at 9:45 a.m. in the cafeteria, we will celebrate all those who graduated (attended at least 12 of the 13 Small Group sessions of the course) from “Financial Peace University.”

There will be cake, so save some room from breakfast!

CONGRATS, GRADS!

SM² Easter Breakfast!

2010-03-31T11:06:00.001-05:00

This Easter Sunday the SM² Youth Group will be hosting an Easter Breakfast for all hungry church-goers.

On the Menu: Eggs, Sausage, Pancakes with Syrup, Hashbrowns, Biscuits, & Grapes!

The West Houston Chapter of Thrivent Financial will be supplementing some of the funds & also provided us with 1,000 cups & napkins! THANKS, THIVENT!

Please join us for Breakfast! We’d love to have you!

Youth: Please arrive by 7:00 a.m. for set-up.

Easter Egg Hunt!

2010-03-30T13:22:00.001-05:00

Each year St. Mark hosts an Easter Egg hunt with special activities for all young children. This is a great event to invite your neighbors or your grandchildren to! It’s fun, non-threatening, and gets the family out of the house.

The event will take place RAIN OR SHINE (events will be moved indoors if the weather does not cooperate.)

Date: Saturday April 3, 2010
Time: 9:30 am
Place: St. Mark Lutheran

See you there!

Easter Crosses

2010-03-22T16:30:00.000-05:00

Perhaps you've seen them around on lawns; simple, white crosses.

This year, as last year, many people took advantage of these crosses, making them simple witnesses to neighbors and passers-by of their faith and the One in whom they have faith.

The crosses are designed to be blank for Palm Sunday (that's this Sunday!) and through Holy Week and, on Easter, to be turned around. On the other side of the crosses, the message "HE IS RISEN!" is printed.

What a great, easy, witness to the saving resurrection of the Lord Jesus!

These crosses are available for under $7/each at the St. Mark store (next to the patio with the door to the south of the Welcome Center receptionist desk).

Pick one up today -- for you and a family member or friend -- and display it proudly, showing others that you "are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!" (Romans 1:16)

You can read more about the "Easter Cross" at eastercross.org. or see a piece that CBS did on it below.

Easter Cross Witness from Austin Fogerty on Vimeo.
A CBS report on the Easter Cross Witness

JESUS IS RISEN!! -- A "Holy Week" for You

2010-03-14T03:00:00.002-05:00

"CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED, ALLELUIA!!"

I love that phrase! It marks the climax of Scripture and all of human history! It marks the reason we have hope amidst despair; joy amidst sorrow; life amidst death. It reminds us that God and His love are bigger than our difficulties and failures!

It is truly the most wonderful time of the year (popular Christmas song sentiments, notwithstanding)!

But before we get to Easter, we continue through Lent and Holy Week. Many of you know that Lent is one of my favorite times of the year. It focuses us [me!] on the passion and love that Jesus, our lord and savior, has for us and for the whole world. It reminds us of our sins which drive us to Him, who forgives our sins by "The Power of the Cross" (our Sunday theme during Lent this year).

Lent ends on Easter Sunday, but the week prior to Easter, "Holy Week," is a very special time of the church year, too. It begins with the Sunday before Easter, called "Sunday of the Passion" or "Palm Sunday." It marks Jesus' entry into Jerusalem for the last time, when he was heralded and welcomed with a reception by people with "palm branches" and the cloths. the week takes a tragic turn when later, after Jesus had His last supper with His disciples while celebration the Passover meal, He is later betrayed to death by one of His disciples and is innocently killed by crucifixion, thus dying for the sins of the world.

But death could not hold Jesus, "the Way, the Truth, and the Life!" He rose on Easter morning, as He said He would, thus destroying sin, death, and the power of the devil and granting to all believers everlasting life!

It is no wonder, then, why Easter is the highest and most holy day on the entire church calendar! It is also the most joyous!

Yet, the highs will not be so high unless the lowest of the lows is also understood and experienced. That is why worship during Lent in general and Holy Week in particular, is so very important. We can understand the depths that Jesus went to for us, which make the heights to which He rose and ascended all the more brilliant and wonderful!

Please make sure to join us for all Holy Week services. you will be blessed! The schedule is below.

Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday: Sunday, March 28, 8:30/11:00 AM
Holy (Maundy) Thursday: Thursday, April 1, at 7:00 PM
Good Friday: Friday, April 2, at 12noon and 7:00 PM
Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 4, 6:30 AM (Sunrise); 8:30/11:00 AM

In Christ's great passion for you and with you,
Pastor Scott

Ash Wednesday and Lent

2010-02-13T12:28:00.001-06:00

Next Wednesday, February 17, marks Ash Wednesday. As such, we will be privileged to worship the Lord with Word, Holy Communion, and the Imposition of Ashes.

St. Mark will offer the following worship opportunities:

8:15 AM for middle school students (Imposition of Ashes, but no Holy Communion);
9:00 AM for elementary school students (neither Imposition of Ashes nor Holy Communion);
12:00 noon for all (both Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion) and
7:00 PM for all (both Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion)

And don't forget, we will be worshiping on every Wednesday in Lent at 7:00 PM, focusing on "reconciliation" and on Sundays with the theme, "The Power of the Cross."

We would be honored - and you will be blessed - if you would worship with us on this Lenten journey!

With you on the journey,
Pastor Scott

Soccer & Basketball Camps & Clinics to be Offered

2010-02-13T12:21:00.000-06:00

A soccer camp will be held at St. Mark during spring break for kids ages 5-12. Registration and more information is at www.sportsquesttraining.com.

Also, a basketball skills clinic will be held on Sundays in March through May at St. Mark for middle school players (developmental) and high school players (posting and guarding skills). Registration and more information is at www.coachherndon.com.

More information will be forthcoming soon.

Rita Schaller Named "Educator of the Year!"

2010-02-13T12:18:00.000-06:00

A very big congratulations to St. Mark's very own Rita Schaller who was recently named "Early Childhood Educator of the Year" for the entire Texas District of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod!

WAY TO GO, RITA!!

Tristen Dasch Still in Need of Prayers

2010-02-13T12:13:00.000-06:00

Many of you are very familiar with Tristen Dasch, son of previous St. Mark senior pastor, Bill Dasch and wife, Shelia.

Tristen has been fighting the reemergence of his leukemia for some time. Right now he is in Memphis, TN receiving bone marrow from his mom in the newest effort to fight off this terrible disease.

The Dasch's congregation, St. John's Lutheran in Mansfield, TX, recently posted a YouTube video directed at/for Tristen. You can view it below.

Please continue to keep Tristen and the rest of the Dasch family in your daily prayers!

St. Mark alumni, Lindsay Quandt and Evan Newland, as well as St. Mark elder, Rusty Rogers, to Tickle Airwaves!

2010-02-13T12:05:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow evening, Sunday, February 14, at 7:30 PM, KKHT, 100.7 FM "The Word," will be airing their usual radio program "Engaging Truth" [produced by former St. Mark pastors Runge and Schultz].

The topic for the show is "Christian Athletes and the Gift of Christian Coaches."

Speakers are our very own Rusty Rogers along with our high school senior athletes Lindsay Quandt (Houston Christian High School) and Evan Newland (Jersey Village High School).

Take some time and tune in!

FPU -- In English AND Spanish!

2010-02-13T11:49:00.000-06:00

St. Mark's offering of the Dave Ramsey course, "Financial Peace University" ("FPU") is changing people's lives! People are being blessed by going through this Biblically-based program.

But we now have a chance to bless many others through this program as well.

There is now a Spanish version of FPU (http://www.yanomas.com/)! We have an instructor ready to go and a few families who are interested. If you know of some who would benefit from this program, please contact the church office ASAP.

If you'd like to see the first FPU video update, you may do so below:

Keep "living like no one else so that later, you can live like no one else!"

P.U.B. on Tuesday Evening!

2010-02-13T11:31:00.001-06:00

St. Mark's monthly men's only Bible study, P.U.B. (“Personal Understanding of the Bible”) will meet Tuesday night the 16th at 6:00 PM at SRO sports bar behind the Northwest Mall (444 Northwest Mall; 77092). Come as you are after work, and bring money for your appetite! For more information, please contact Pastor Duerr (TDuerr@StMarkHouston.org).

Josh Jackson -- Latin Dancer!

2010-01-27T16:33:00.000-06:00

Ever wonder if Josh Jackson, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, can dance? Watch below and decide for yourself!
Go Josh!!

School Open House

2010-01-18T10:54:00.001-06:00

St. Mark Lutheran School will host an Open House on Sunday, January 24 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Campus tours, classroom visits, meet and greet the teachers, and experience all that the school has to offer.

Empty seats at are missed opportunities for more children to learn about Jesus Christ. We would like to fill those seats with children that are seeking a Christian education! If you know of anyone who might be interested in having their child attend St. Mark, please invite them to theOpen House. What a simple and exciting way for you to be involved in sharing the Good News with a child and making a tremendous impact in their life.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
More Information

A/V Team Needs You!

2010-01-18T10:51:00.000-06:00

An Audio/Visual Workshop will take place on Sunday January 24 from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. for current and prospective A/V team members. Lunch will be served and breakout sessions will be presented in live sound and ProPresenter presentation software. If you are not currently a part of the A/V team but have an interest, we invite you to attend and find out more! Please RSVP to the Kimberly Radtke in the church office at 713/ 255-3621 or kradtke@stmarkhouston.org so we can get a lunch count and have enough materials for everyone.

Audio/Visual Workshop

January 24, 2010

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Sanctuary

Update Your Information Online!

2010-01-18T10:49:00.000-06:00

Church and school members can now verify and update their personal information online. Go to www.stmarkhouston.org and in the drop-down "About Us" menu, click on "Members Only". (There may be a delay after the click, please be patient.) Request a login if you don't already have one, then view your information. Submit change requests as necessary. You can view the church directory too.

Lent, 2010: "The Power of the Cross"

2010-01-18T10:46:00.000-06:00

Mark Your Calendars

It may seem too early to be thinking about Lent, but it isn't.

St. Mark will be celebrating Ash Wednesday on February 17 with services at both 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Both services (as well as for chapel earlier that morning) will include the "Imposition of Ashes" for those who would like to receive it.

The rest of the Lenten mid-week services will take place on the following Wednesdays leading up to Holy Week at 7:00 p.m. (If you would like to also see a noon service offered, please contact your elder. To find out who your elder is, please contact Susan DePue.)

For the Sundays in Lent, St. Mark will be sharing "The Power of the Cross." This powerful series will point us to Jesus, His immense love for us, and the power that is ours through His suffering, death, and resurrection. Join us!

Financial Peace University Off to a Great Start!

2010-01-18T10:43:00.000-06:00

We are so excited to tell you about the amazing response to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. After over two weeks of classes we have a total of nearly 250 people participating in this life-changing class! This number also equates into 12 small groups that break-out and meet following each week's video....and that means we have 12 wonderful facilitators too! We heartily thank all who have agreed to and are facilitating FPU here at St. Mark! Thank you to everyone who has embraced this opportunity to be better stewards of your financial gifts. Thanks again for your overwhelming response. We look forward to how God will use FPU for the benefit of His people and His kingdom!

We also plan to utilize many of the same financial principles in our church and school financial management, also to benefit the kingdom of God!

Help for Haiti

2010-01-18T10:32:00.003-06:00

By now you have heard about the terrible devastation and loss of life in Haiti following a destructive earthquake.

Our church body, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, is helping with the recovery effort through LCMS World Relief & Human Care. Other options include the pan-Lutheran relief group, Lutheran World Relief, The Red Cross, or other great organizations.

If there is another respected agency through which you would like to help, please do so!

If you can help, please do! Thank you!

Funeral Announcements

2009-09-01T15:07:00.003-05:00

Good afternoon. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with two important announcements.

This last week the Lord called to Himself two people associated with St. Mark: ⁽¹⁾Jack Cole, husband of St. Mark member, Marianne Cole; and ⁽²⁾Leonard Groeschel, father of St. Mark member and school nurse, Debbie Herbrich.

Visitation with the Cole family will be tonight, September 1, from 6:00-8:00pm at Beresford Funeral Home on Alief-Clodine. A graveside service for Jack will take place tomorrow, September 2, at 2:00pm at Forest Park Cemetery on Westheimer.

Visitation for Leonard Groeschel will take place Thursday, September 3, from 6:00-8:00pm at Heights Funeral Home. His funeral will take place on Friday, September 4, at 10:30am at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Heights.

Please keep the Cole and Groeschel families in your prayers during this difficult time.

Verna Tomek & Leroy Fritsche

2009-08-11T16:00:00.002-05:00

Hi. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with some important announcements.

On Sunday, August 9, the LORD called to Himself St. Mark member, Verna Tomek, and on Monday He also called St. Mark member, Leroy Fritsche Home.

Visitation with the Tomek family will take place today, Tuesday, August 11, from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Heights Funeral Home on Heights Blvd. Verna’s funeral service will be tomorrow, August 12, at 10:00am in the St. Mark sanctuary.

Visitation for the Fritsche family will take place on Thursday, August 13, from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Waltrip Funeral Home on Campbell. Leroy’s funeral will take place on Friday, August 14, at 10:00am in the St. Mark sanctuary.

Please keep the Tomek and Fritsche families in your prayers during this difficult time.

Thank you all and God bless.

Schweer & Walker Funerals

2009-07-08T10:47:00.000-05:00

Hi. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with some important announcements.

On Monday, July 6, the LORD called to Himself two St. Mark members: Richard Schweer and Mel Walker.

Visitation with the Walker family will take place today, Wednesday, July 8, from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Waltrip Funeral Home on Campbell. A funeral service for Mel will take place at St. Mark on Thursday, July 9, at 1:00pm with internment immediately following.

Visitation for the Schweer family will take place on Thursday, July 9, at 6:00pm at St. Mark with a funeral service immediately following at 7:00pm. Internment for Richard will take place on the morning of Friday, July 10, in Klein.

Please keep the Walker and Schweer families in your prayers during this difficult time.

In addition I’d like to remind you that there will be a short congregational voters’ meeting this Sunday, July 12, immediately following the early service. The meeting has been scheduled so that a call can be issued for a new teacher for St. Mark. Please make plans to attend.

Thank you all and God bless.

The Ordination of Paul Andrew Tonn

2009-06-12T10:30:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

This is Pastor Heitshusen with a great reminder.

This Sunday, June 14, St. Mark is privileged to host the ordination service of St. Mark's own, Paul Tonn. St. Mark has helped and seen Paul grow in the Lord over the years and supported him in his studies to be a pastor. His preparation culminates with his ordination this Sunday at 3:30pm. Pastor Hafer from Holy Cross Lutheran Church in College Station will be preaching and the president of the Texas District, President Ken Hennings, will perform the Rite of Ordination. There will be a reception following.

In addition, St. Mark will be blessed with a message from Paul during the two morning worship services that day.

Come and share this wonderful day and occasion with us.

See you then!

Reminders: "Joseph" Musical; Voters' Meeting; & More!

2009-05-14T09:30:00.001-05:00

Hi, this is Pastor Heitshusen at St. Mark Lutheran with some great news!

Today, May 14, at 7:00pm and tomorrow, Friday, May 15, at 7:00pm, St. Mark school will present the musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” The kids are great; the music, wonderful; and the admission is free!

In addition to those two showings, there will also be a special showing of the musical on Sunday, May 17, at 11:30am, immediately following a special, shortened, contemporary worship service at 11:00am. Of course, admission is free for that showing – and worship service – too! Because of the special worship service at 11:00am, Holy Communion will only be offered at the 8:30am traditional worship service this weekend.

At 3:00pm Sunday afternoon, the students of St. Mark’s music conservatory will have their music recital!

At 7:30pm that same Sunday evening, the Texas A&M Women’s Chorus will have a wonderful (free!) concert at St. Mark. Two St. Mark school alumni are a part of the chorus: senior and chorus president, Melissa Fritche and junior Sara Fehler. The music will be fantastic!

Finally, I want to remind you of St. Mark’s annual Voters’ Meeting on Monday, May 18, at 7:00pm. This meeting will include the approval of the 2009-2010 operating budget, the election of officers for the coming year, and reports by top leaders. Please plan to attend. The meeting is in the sanctuary.

God bless your day.

60th Anniversary & Swine Flu (Yes, We're Still Celebrating!)

2009-05-01T12:00:00.001-05:00

Hi, this is Pastor Heitshusen at St. Mark Lutheran some important information as well as a great reminder.

In response to the concerns of some regarding the swine flu, the administration of St. Mark continues to monitor and receive updates from the City, the County, the Center for Disease Control, as well as from the District and Synodical offices of the LCMS and other school districts. At this time St. Mark Lutheran Church and School are continuing with the majority of their scheduled activities. Any cancellations would be announced by email and telephone.

We encourage families to take common sense measures to prevent contracting or spreading this flu, just like any other, but at the same time, be ready to respond to needs in our congregation and our community as we proclaim God’s protection and love boldly for all people in Jesus Christ through our words and deeds. We know that God is our refuge and strength and will see us through this as in all things. Because the tomb is empty, we need fear nothing!

I would also like to remind you about the exciting activities this weekend.

This Sunday, May 3, St. Mark will officially celebrate 60 years as an instrument of God’s grace and mercy in the Spring Branch area.

We will have one combined worship service at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary with the celebration of Holy Communion. There will be no Sunday school or Bible classes this week.

Following the service there will be a BBQ lunch for everyone (freewill offering). There will be water games for the kids, so bring swim suits, towels, and sunscreen. There will be games for the adults as well, including cards and dominos. (You can bring your own, too, if you’d like!)
We are asking that you please bring your own lawn chairs for the picnic and games.
This celebration will take place RAIN OR SHINE! If weather does not permit us to be outside, we have indoor contingencies in place.

This is a free event and no reservations are needed, so come and celebrate this wonderful time as a family of God here at St. Mark!

See you then and may God bless your day!

Funeral Announcement for MEL POST

2009-02-02T08:25:00.003-06:00

Hi. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with an important announcement.

Last Friday, January 30, the Lord called to Himself St. Mark charter member, Mel Post.

Visitation with the family will take place today, Monday, February 2, from 5:00-8:00 p.m at Woodlawn Garden of Memories, located at 8010 Katy Freeway, just west of Antoine.

A funeral service for Mel will take place tomorrow, February 3, at 10:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home on Antoine, just north of I-10.

Please keep Elsie and the rest of Mel’s family in your prayers during this difficult time.

ARCHER, MELCHER, RICHARDSON, WIEDE

2009-01-28T13:46:00.001-06:00

Hi. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with several important funeral and memorial service announcements.

This week the Lord has taken to Himself four individuals – some St. Mark members, others parents of members; including:

Marvin Wiede, father of Joy Hamrick
Mildred Melcher, mother of Larry and Danny Melcher and Linda Leitko
Jim Richardson, father of Alan Richardson, and
Ann Archer, mother of Bruce and Jo Ann Raschke

Service for Marvin Wiede will be out of town at the end of February.

Visitation with the family of Mildred Melcher will be today, Wednesday, January 28, in Giddings. A funeral service for Mildred will be at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Manheim, Texas, tomorrow, January 29, at 10:00 a.m. with a graveside service in Houston at Memorial Oaks Cemetary at I-10 and Eldridge at 3:00 p.m., also tomorrow.

A memorial service for Jim Richardson will take place at Waltrip Funeral Home on Campbell on Friday, January 30, at 10:00 a.m.

Visitation with the family of Ann Archer will take place at Waltrip Funeral Home on Campbell today, Wednesday, January 28 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A funeral service will take place for Ann tomorrow, January 29 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark.

Please keep the Wiede, Melcher, Richardson, and Archer families in your prayers during this difficult time.

If you would like to have this message repeated, please stay on the line for instructions.

God bless your day.

Funeral/Memorial Service Announcements for LES KAHANEK & DOROTHY ALBIN

2009-01-14T16:52:00.000-06:00

Hi. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with two important announcements.

On Monday, January 12, the Lord called to Himself longtime and faithful member, Les Kahanek.

A worship service celebrating Les’ life and faith in Jesus will take place at St. Mark on Saturday, January 17, at 10:00 a.m.

In addition, yesterday Dorothy Albin, mother of Carol Walker, passed away. There will be a graveside service tomorrow, Thursday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetary.

Please keep families of Les and Dorothy in your prayers during this difficult time.

Funeral Announcement for CRYSTAL LAWRENZ

2008-12-17T09:44:00.002-06:00

Good afternoon. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with an important funeral announcement.

Last Saturday evening, following a car accident in Florida, the Lord called to Himself Crystal Lawrenz, granddaughter of Pastor and Ruth Lawrenz and daughter of David Lawrenz. Some of you may recall that Crystal’s mother, Dawn, died just over a year ago in August of 2007.

Visitation with the family will take place at Cypress Fairbanks Funeral Home tomorrow, Thursday, December 18, from 6:00-8:00pm. Cypress Fairbanks Funeral Home is located at 9926 Jones Road.

A funeral service, celebrating her faith and life in Jesus will take place at Jersey Village Baptist Church on Friday, December 19, at 10:00am. Jersey Village Baptist is located at 16518 Jersey Drive.

Please keep the Lawrenz family in your prayers during this difficult time; especially during this Advent & Christmas season.

Funeral Announcement for ELLA MARKET

2008-11-03T16:37:00.001-06:00

Hi. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with an important announcement.

Yesterday morning, on Sunday’s observance of All Saints’ Day, the Lord called one of His saints Home. That saint is Ella Market.

Visitation with the family will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3, from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home at Eldridge and I-10.

A worship service celebrating Ella’s life and faith in Jesus will take place on Wednesday, November 5 at 12:30pm, also at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home with internment following at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

After the internment at Memorial Oaks, there will be a reception at St. Mark.

Please keep the family of EllaMarket in your prayers during this difficult time.

Funeral Announcement for HENRY ISELT

2008-10-15T17:33:00.001-05:00

Hi. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with an important announcement.

Earlier this week the Lord called to Himself longtime active and faithful member, Henry Iselt.

Visitation with the family will take place on Friday, October 17, from 6:00-8:00pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home at Eldridge and I-10. A worship service celebrating Henry’s life and faith in Jesus will take place at St. Mark on Saturday, October 18, at 2:00 in the afternoon with internment immediately following at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

Please keep Henry’s family in your prayers during this difficult time.

2819 Club -- Categorized Results

2008-09-10T13:41:00.005-05:00

We took three months (and one Sunday) to pray and seek the Lord's will through The 2819 Club, shared the raw data results of the responses, and now those results have been subsequently been categorized. The results are in a PDF file with it's link below (and also through the title of this post).

Our next step is taking these leadings and focusing on the concretes of what we are to do and how we will go about achieving those goals.

God bless,
Pastor Scott

http://stmarkhouston.org/documents/20080908--2918_Club_Response_Data--Categorized.pdf

Funeral Announcement for DARRELL MURRAY

2008-09-04T16:52:00.002-05:00

Hi. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with an important announcement.

On Tuesday, September 2, the Lord called to Himself St. Mark member and friend, Darrell Murray.

A memorial service celebrating Darrell’s life and witness in Jesus Christ will take place this Saturday, September 6, at 12:30pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, located at I-10 and Eldridge.

Please keep Delores and the rest of the Murray family in your prayers during this difficult time.

"Men At The Cross"

2008-08-11T13:47:00.002-05:00

Greetings,

I wanted to share with you what I feel that the Lord is guiding me to do as we have been praying for the last 3 months and asking, “Lord, what is it that you want me to do at this time and this place to touch people with the love of Jesus.”

The second part of the prayer was that we are certain that the Lord will show us the center of His will. I am certain that the Lord wants me to go to Men at the Cross at the Toyota Center on Aug 22 in the eve and Aug 23 in the morning. The speakers, including Max Lucado, Steve Farrar, Tony Evans, and Joe White are truly great, and the musicians including Michael Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Brandon Heath are great Christian artists. Would you please pray that the Lord opens the way for you to be able to go there with me and be touched by the message of Men at the Cross? You can go to the website to view 2 videos and to register for your ticket at www.menatthecross.org. The theme is: “Lord, lead me to mentor and love one man to Jesus till he is ready to love another man to Jesus.”

I feel this is such a tremendous opportunity for us as elders to let the Lord take us to Men At The Cross, and then watch how he will use us. Let's please pray for each other that the Lord touches our hearts with a passion to go. Please also start to pray for the night of the 22nd and 23rd for the Lord

to truly bless this weekend,

for men's hearts to be open as they are there,

for people to be brought to faith there that do not know Jesus,

for Jesus to share the center of His will for us as we are there, and

for all the glory to be given to God.

I am excited how the Lord has given us this opportunity right in the center of the time that we, as the congregation of St Mark have been praying for the center of God’s will.

Blessings, Joy, and Excitement,
Fred Tonn

Questions re:1829 Club

2008-08-10T13:31:00.005-05:00

Pastor Scott,

After all this time in prayer, I must confess that I have not received a definitive answers to the “what do you want your people to do…” query. The LORD has, however, repeatedly confronted me with two questions.

The first question is whether, in fact, the whole premise of 28:19 is an appropriate one to ask this particular congregation at this particular time. This notion came from the LORD challenging me with the difference between the hearts of this congregation (myself included) for, say, putting together a pageant, with its heart for outreach. Whether it was Met, Lisa, Jessica, Kathy, or John it seemed that all it took was a phone call and hordes would volunteer countless hours to produce pageant and all without complaint. I wonder if we would have the same Spirit-filled effort for planting a church? Or, does the motivation for participation in pageant come from somewhere else? Don’t get me wrong. I love pageant. I just don’t think it is the direct method of outreach contemplated by 28:19.

Of course, this question begs a larger one: is this congregation properly educated about the fundamental importance of witness to the Christian faith? There are certainly many individuals at St Mark that have devoted themselves to the practice of witness. But, for the congregation as a whole, the answer to this question comes back, “probably not”. If that is the answer in the current life of this congregation, wouldn’t this knowledge gap be the first thing to rectify? It seems obvious that we should know about this; maybe it isn’t…

I don’t know much about one of our potential partners in this effort, Cross Point Church, but it seems that their congregational culture is different in this regard, that they have something of this knowledge…

The second question is: as a congregation, once we get motivated, to “whom” do we witness? In prayer, I keep picturing some anonymous face like Paul saw in Acts 16:9 saying, “come over to Macedonia and help us”. If I remember correctly, it would have been Paul’s will to head north and east from where he was in Asia Minor and not into Europe (v.6,7) but the Spirit “would not allow” it. His obedience to this vision changed the whole history of the Christian Church; so, it seems that paying close attention to the leading of the Spirit is critically important here. The man in Paul’s vision said “Macedonia”, but I can’t help but believe that Paul would have known him by dress or speech otherwise. I personally can’t distinguish this man, but he’s out there. By that I mean “they’re out there” as in an ethnic group or geographical location relative to St Mark. I live ten miles southeast of St Mark, so my familiarity with areas north and west that have been mentioned in context with 28:19 are very limited.

Forgive, again the fact that I do not have a glimmer of an answer to this question; but, I am willing to follow someone who does.

In Christ,
Steve Grosmann

Funeral Annoucement for LENA HEWITT

2008-08-09T17:44:00.001-05:00

Hi. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with an important announcement.

Last Wednesday, August 5, the Lord called to Himself longtime St. Mark member, Lena Hewitt. Lena passed away just after her 99th birthday.

Visitation will be at St. Mark on Monday, August 11, beginning at 9:30am with a funeral service following at 11:00am. Internment will follow at South Park Funeral Home in Pearland.

Please keep Lena’s family in your prayers during this difficult time.

A "Campaign of Commitment"

2008-08-08T13:08:00.001-05:00

Gentlemen,

First let me say what a pleasure it was to work with you during this process. It was an experience that pushed me outside of my “box”.

I never saw a singular direction for our church. With so many people with so many talents certainly God wouldn’t limit us to one goal. When I prayed, “Lord, what do you want your people at St. Mark to do to touch people with the love of Christ?” I saw individuals, families and groups of families Committed to doing that which God has lead them to do. If you would, think of a family working with a mission to help the people there, a group of families coming together to help start a satellite church or 50 men joining with Fred and the Men at the Cross. There are too many possibilities to see them all. The common thread through all this is the commitment, the commitment to do as God would have you to do and follow through with it. I see the church leading a “campaign of commitment” where our members commit to doing something to touch someone with the love of Christ, to do as Christ has commissioned us to do. I realize this is late in the process, but I have struggled with the question “is this meant for me or the church”. I have come to the conclusion that it is me and my family and it is something we will do. Whether this is God’s vision for our church, I don’t know, but I thought I’d put it in to the forum to see where it leads.

Again, Thanks
Frank Radtke

2819 Club -- Raw Data Results

2008-08-08T05:46:00.003-05:00

From May through July several people met for 19 minutes on Sunday morning to ask what the Lord wanted the people of St. Mark to do to touch people with the love of Jesus Christ.

That question was also asked in worship at both services on Sunday, July 27.

The following links to a rather large document which contains the raw answers that basic question. The only editing that has taken place is for style, mistypes, and spelling, and other minor aspects. The responses themselves remain unchanged.

From here, we will go through these results in more detail, categorizing and summarizing them into like areas and fields. Following that, we will prioritizes the goals and the means by which we will reach them by God's grace.

In His service and yours,
Pastor Scott

http://stmarkhouston.org/documents/20080728--2819_Club--RESPONSES--COMPLETED.pdf

Nick Moss Declines Call to St. Mark

2008-08-07T10:42:00.001-05:00

Last Wednesday, after prayerful deliberation, DCE Nick Moss declined St. Mark's call to be our Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. He feels the Lord still has work for him to do at St. Paul Lutheran in Lakeland, FL.

We praise God for His steadfast faithfulness as we continue to find the person the Lord has chosen for us.

In Christ's service and yours,
Pastor Scott

Wednesday Noon Services Discontinued

2008-08-07T10:39:00.003-05:00

It is always difficult to discontinue a ministry option when some still receive benefit from it. However, at this time we are unable to continue offering the noon service time on Wednesdays, effective immediately.

The Wednesday evening service time will remain and is unaffected by this decision.

In Christ,
Pastor Scott

Funeral Announcement for GLADYS BARTA

2008-07-28T16:25:00.002-05:00

Good afternoon. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with an important announcement.

Last Saturday, July 26, the Lord called to Himself longtime St. Mark member, Gladys Barta.

Visitation with the family is tomorrow, Tuesday, July 29, from 6:00-8:00pm at Waltrip Funeral Home on Campbell Road. A funeral service celebrating Gladys’ life in and witness of Jesus Christ will be at St. Mark on Wednesday, July 30, at 2:00pm with internment following at Woodlawn Garden of Memories.

Please keep the Barta family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Funeral Announcement for NEAL LADWIG

2008-07-14T13:23:00.002-05:00

Good afternoon. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with an important announcement.

Last Saturday, July 12, the Lord called to Himself Neal Ladwig; five weeks after He called Neal’s wife, Lois, Home.

Neal was a longtime St. Mark member, and a fun, compassionate man, who was involved in many areas at St. Mark, serving the Lord and His people joyfully.

Visitation with the family is tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15, from 6:00-8:00pm at Settegast-Kopf funeral home in Sugar Creek. A memorial service celebrating Neal’s life in and witness of Jesus Christ will be at St. Mark on Wednesday, July 16, at 2:00pm with a reception immediately following.

Please keep the Ladwig family in your prayers during this difficult time.

LINC Houston News & Needs

2008-07-11T07:45:00.001-05:00

The following is from an email I received from Mark Junkans, Director of LINCHouston.

I am posting/passing it on in hopes that some may be able to serve and help.

God bless,
Pastor Heitshusen

News from
LINC Houston
http://www.linchouston.org/

Greetings!

Here is some information for upcoming projects that LINC is planning, also volunteer and donation opprotunities for anyone willing to give their time and financial support to local missions in the Houston area.

NEWS

House Church

About 2 months into the launch of 4 new house churches, we are already seeing the fruit of this work. Several new families have joined these groups led by trained leaders. Already we have seen six individuals come to a new found faith in Jesus Christ. One individual who was most resistant, has been a Mason for the past several years.

During the house meetings, he continued to argue that God has many names and that he did not need Jesus to have peace in his heart. A few weeks later, he attended Sunday service at Centro Familiar Cristiano led by Pastor Lincon Guerra. After a sermon that clearly spoke the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he was seen praying, clearly broken by what he had heard. When he stopped, his whole demeanor had changed and he began to hug his wife and children. Pastor Lincon is overjoyed to see new families come faith through the ministry of the church in the homes of its members. We praise God for his power at work in the lives of our leaders.

NEEDS

Spring Branch Mission Center:

Volunteers for ESL program - We need individuals that can help our students practice the English they have learned in the lessons. Classes are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the early evening at 8149 Long Point. Volunteers only need to pick one night a week that they are available.
Computer Setup - We need individuals to help setup our computers. Includes setting up drivers and operating system, plugging in monitors, keyboards and mice.

Comunidad de Gracia:

2 window unit air conditioners that run on 220 volt.
Volunteers to help pick up food from the Houston Food Bank Thursday or Friday mornings.
Repair of a freezer.
A/C repair for fellowship hall.

School Supplies Needed:

LINC is in need of school supplies to give away to children in need. Through several of our ministries, we help provide needed supplies for families who don't have the financial means to purchase them. If you or your group is able, please contact the LINC office for more information.

Car Donations:

Several of LNC's missionaries and church members are in need of good running vehicles. If you are considering donating your car, consider LINC Houston's mission field as a worthy recipient.

RESOURCES

Mission Shift Video Series

The School of Urban Ministry has put together a 6 week video series to be used in adult education classes called Mission Shift. MissionShift is meant to open peoples eyes to what God is doing in our world and spark a desire to reach out to our new international immigrants. The specific numbers/data used in the videos is somewhat focused on Minnesota, but the overall material has application to communities all over the world.

Here's a link where you can see a short clip of the videos and learn more...

http://web.mac.com/citysitesmedia/Site/MissionShift/MissionShift.html

Sincerely,
Mark Junkans

Voters' Meeting -- July 13

2008-07-10T10:42:00.003-05:00

Just a reminder that this Sunday, July 13, directly following the first service (around 9:30am), there will be a congregational Voters' Meeting with the one agenda item the issuing of a Call to a DCE in Florida for the St. Mark position of "Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries."

There is a biography of the individual being brought to you on the Welcome Center desk at the church. We hope you will pick one up before the meeting so that you have time to pray over this individual and the process.

Please make it a point to attend this important meeting.

Thank you and God bless your day.

In Christ,
Pasor Heitshusen

Our Nigerian Missionaries at St. Mark Last Sunday

2008-07-02T11:20:00.002-05:00

What a wonderful Sunday the Lord blessed us with last Sunday, June 29!

Not only did we get to praise Him for this blessed country and the freedoms we have here; we got to hear how our True Freedoms are found in Jesus Christ for us and our country and the whole world.

We were also privileged to have the Rasch family with us. The Rasches (Ivan, Jennifer, Heather, and Timothy) are missionaries who work in Jos, Nigeria. I was very proud of how St. Mark welcomed and responded to them. Thank you!Many have wondered how they may stay in contact with the Rasches. Below is an email I received from them which give a lot of information on how to contact and support them.

In Service to God and Others with you,
Pastor Heitshusen

Dear Scott,

Thank you so much for welcoming us to your congregation last Sunday. What a warm welcome we received! We are only sorry that we were not able to have more time with you.

A number of people voiced an desire to donate used computers or band instruments. The best way to take care of that is for them to ship them to my mother’s address in Denton. Then we will pack them to take them with us to Nigeria on the 26th of July.

Our contact information here in Denton is:

Ivan and Jennifer Rasch
1908 W. Hickory St.
Denton, TX 76201
(940) 566-3848

For anyone in your congregation who asks for contact information for us in Nigeria, here are a few options:

TheRasches@Hotmail.com -or- Ivan.Rasch@LCMS.org

+234 803 288 9202

Ivan and Jennifer Rasch
Lutheran Church of Nigeria
P.O. Box 495
Jos, NIGERIA

People can find out more information about us and our ministry on LCMS’s website:

Information on Nigeria from LCMS World Mission:

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=6754

Information on the Rasch Family and their work in Nigeria:

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=7889

"Pray for Us" inserts for the Rasch Family:

http://www.lcms.org/ca/mission/prayercards/prayercarddownload.asp?prayercardid=286
The Africa Computer Projects that I am involved in is not a budgeted project. It is approved by LCMS World Mission, but because it is "above budget", it is not listed with the rest of the projects for Nigeria. If people have more questions about this project, they can e-mail me any questions – I will answer them as well as I possibly can. If they would like to hear about it from someone other than me, I can help them get in touch with my Area Facilitator (English-speaking West Africa) or my Regional Director (all of Africa).

Funeral Announcement -- Mamie W. Lorenz

2008-06-19T13:18:00.002-05:00

The following is the text of an outgoing phone-tree regarding the death of Mamie W. Lorenz; sent out on Thursday, June 19, 2008.

--

Good afternoon. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with an important funeral announcement.

Yesterday the Lord called to Himself very longtime member, Mamie Lorenz. Mamie and her late husband, Arthur, were involved at St. Mark in many ways for many years.

Visitation with the family will take place at Woodlawn Funeral Home tomorrow, Friday, June 20, from 6:00-8:00pm.

A funeral service, celebrating her faith and life in Jesus will take place at St. Mark on Saturday, June 21, at 2:30pm with internment immediately following at Woodlawn Garden of Memories.

Please keep the Lorenz family in your prayers during this difficult time.

2819 Club -- Leadings

2008-06-17T12:22:00.002-05:00

Feedback Form

In your prayer time with the Lord, when you have asked the LORD, “LORD, what do You want Your people at St. Mark to do to touch people with the love of Christ?” what do you feel is the Holy Spirit’s movement as an answer in your heart? (Be as general or as detailed as you feel led by the LORD. If you need more space, please attach extra paper to this sheet.)

A soccer team. Perhaps a prayer station or stations

Beyond that question, are there other items or areas the Lord is placing on your heart with regard to God’s ministry here at St. Mark?

Dance ministry. Square dancing (at least occasionally).

May we share your response with others (via newsletters, the St. Mark blog, etc.)?

Yes!

May we share your name? (If “yes,” please do not forget to write your name below.)

Yes!

Singned,
Curtis Heusman

Friends of Christ

2008-06-11T08:37:00.004-05:00

Friends of Christ

As I prayed this morning, God reminded me that He is my best Friend. He is always there when I need someone to talk to. He is always there when I need advice. He is always happy for me and with me, when something good happens to me. He "calls" me just to talk to me, to see how I am doing. Not for any special reason, just to see how I am. He gently tells me when I am doing something wrong, yet, He never condemns me. He is oh so understanding when I inadvertently say something wrong; He knows my intent was not to hurt Him, for He knows my heart, He knows that I too am His friend.

In today's world, in our community, in our lives, we need friends. We need those relationships that are caring and always there. We need to know that someone is thinking of us and praying for us. We need to know that someone will be happy for us when we are happy, sad when we are sad, there in times of trouble and need. Today, I believe the Lord is leading me and St. Mark to be a friend to our community. How, I'm not sure. But the Lord brought to mind the idea of the mall that Pastor Scott discussed. Maybe, we could set up a kiosk and be Friends of Christ to the shoppers.

As I finished my prayer time this morning, I asked the Lord to convict me today and to affirm this idea of friendship. After prayers, I ate breakfast, watching the news. As I began to do my chores, I turned the channel to the XM station, "The Message" to listen to Christian Music. One of my favorite songs was on, at my favorite chorus line:

"I just want to feel your presence again,
I'm down on my knees in need of a friend
And I find you waiting there for me."

Talk about affirmation. I finished listening to this wonderful song, by DecembeRadio "Find You Waiting". Then I quickly came to put these thoughts down to share with you, my Friends in Christ. I really believe that we have in our community a lot of lonely people, who just need a friend. I believe that, whether they consciously know or not, they truly "want to feel Your presence again". The words of this song are powerful and I have many times wanted to feel His presence again, and I have often been down on my knees in need of a friend, and I always find Him waiting there for me.

Thank you for allowing me to share this with you today. Please pray with me to see if indeed this is how the Lord wants St. Mark to serve our community, and pray that He show us how to be a Friend of Christ to others.

Blessings,
Jimmie Sue Pratt
06/11/08

2819 Club -- Leadings

2008-06-09T15:40:00.003-05:00

In response to the planting of a new church, I am very supportive of this mission.

My first suggestion for consideration would be a strip center located in the area of Beltway 8 and Highway 249.
If you look behind the race track you will see a large area which is growing rapidly. Half way between Beltway 8 and I-45 on 249 there are several strip centers which may be available. I feel Christ Memorial, St. Mark and St. Timothy could really work well together as Pastor Henize grew up at St. Mark and I believe you and the associate pastor are friends.
My second suggestion is near your home in the Little York & Eldridge area.
You know this area as well as anyone. As Pastor Simon also lives in the area, this would be ideal but consideration must be given as to how would Epiphany look at this? Would Epiphany join Christ Memorial and St. Mark in this mission?
Beltway 8 and Little York/Tanner area could also be considered.

My prayer is we commit to church planting this year! This is another subject that would benefit from a leadership retreat!

It is very hard to change the mind-set up of an established church, but with a new church, you will not hear, "that is not they way we do it."

Blessings,
Willis Schrampfer

Funeral Announcements -- Adell Knippa & Lois Ladwig

2008-06-09T11:46:00.002-05:00

The following is the text of an outgoing phone-tree regarding the deaths and services for Adell Knippa and Lois Ladwig; sent out on Monday, June 9, 2008.

--

Good morning. This is Pastor Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with an important announcement.

This last week the Lord called to Himself two people of St. Mark’s family; Adell Knippa and Lois Ladwig.

Adell is the mother of St. Mark member, Marti. Her funeral will be this Wednesday, June 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio.

In addition to Adell, the Lord called Home longtime St. Mark member, Lois Ladwig. Lois was a dear, sweet woman of the Lord who was involved in many areas at St. Mark and set an example of service in the Lord with an open heart and a big smile.

Visitation with the family is tonight, June 9, from 6:00-8:00pm at Settegast-Kopf funeral home at Sugar Creek. A memorial service celebrating Lois’ life in and witness of Jesus Christ will be at St. Mark tomorrow, Tuesday, June 10 at 2:00pm with a reception immediately following.

Please keep the Knippa and Ladwig families in your prayers during this difficult time.

2819 Club -- Form

2008-06-07T02:45:00.002-05:00

As we continue our time in humble prayer, asking God, "Lord, what do You want Your people at St. Mark to do to touch people with the Love of Christ?", we need to have an avenue to share what the Holy Spirit is telling us.

Please use the attached form (click on the title of this post for the file in PDF format) to share where you feel the Lord is leading St. Mark in your prayer time.

Thank you and blessings in Christ, our Lord.

Scott Heitshusen
Your Pastor

20080609--2819_club--form - Upload a Document to Scribd

2819 Club -- Scripture Passages

2008-06-07T02:30:00.001-05:00

Scripture has much to day about seeking God; praying to Him; asking for His Holy Spirit and guidance; and His desire that we let all know about His salvation in and through Jesus.

As we continue to seek the Lord's guidance in our outreach efforts, the Scripture passages in the attached file may prove helpful to you. I ask that you use these (as well as your own or others the Lord is leading you to use) as you take time to seek His guidance with the question we have been asking of God, "Lord, what do You want Your people at St. Mark to do to touch people with the Love of Christ?"

In God's Plan with you,
Pastor Scott Heitshusen

(Click the title for the file in PDF format.)

20080605--2819_club--scripture_pasages - Upload a Document to Scribd

2918 Club -- Leadings

2008-06-07T00:00:00.002-05:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

About a year and a half ago my mind was opened to many outreach opportunities that I had not previously considered. Many of these came as a part of my classes with the Pastoral Leadership Institute and others through the Texas District, itself. I have always been a proponent of letting others know of “The Way, the Truth, and the Life,” by whom all are saved; but these new ways of thinking about growing the Kingdom of God “clicked” in my mind. I had known many of the truths, but they had not been presented in a way that changed my thinking.

We are living in a country and with a whole generation of people who are biblically illiterate and far from God and, hence, salvation. We, at St. Mark, have been abundantly blessed by God with resources many congregations could only dream of. But more importantly, we have enormous harvest fields all around us. People for whom we are to share Christ with through the use these resources.

When Pastor Woolsey of CrossPoint Community Church, Pastor Steve Simon of Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, and I originally met about a mission plant in West Houston, I was excited (and still am)! There are so many people who are meeting with the Gospel at St. Mark; but there are so many, many more people all around us who are not going to step through our doors to hear about Him. It is, therefore, our privilege and responsibility to “send” us out and “seek” them; as our mission statement declares.

There are many places within 10-15 miles of St. Mark where a “more traditional” church plant could go and do well. (One being in the neighborhood I live in.) But my mind keeps going back to another vision. This has been resonating more and more as I have been with so many others praying to the Lord, “Lord, what do You want Your people at St. Mark to do to touch people with the love of Christ?” during the 2819 Club prayer time each Sunday morning.

Before I share my heart here, let me share this:

The “target group,” in my mind, would be primarily the “busters” generation. Of course it would touch many others, but this is a generation of “post-moderns” who, by and large, do not know Christ and are completely biblically illiterate. Most of them did not grow up in church and have a very pluralistic and mystic mindset of “god.” They are very tolerant of others, but question everything.
A meeting place needs to be where the people are, as they have no inclination of going to a traditional sanctuary or church campus. (It’s not really that they are opposed to this; it just doesn’t cross their minds.)

With those, and other factors in mind, I started thinking about a place that has countless people passing by and browsing every day – seven days a week, 365 days a year. People of all ages, races, and backgrounds meet there and interact on a regular basis. It is a place that is minimally affected by fluctuations in rain or heat.

Have you guessed it? It’s a mall. More specifically, I have been thinking of Memorial City Mall.

The opportunities boggle my mind!

This is where I am feeling led when I have been talking with the Lord about the opportunities He has in mind for us at St. Mark for the people of Houston, Texas.

What is He saying to you?

In His Plan with you,
Pastor Scott Heitshusen

2819 Club -- Leadings

2008-06-05T18:00:00.002-05:00

Greetings Pastor Scott,

Here are several thoughts that I have had in response in praying, “Lord what do you want your people at St Mark to do at this time and in this place to touch people with the love of Jesus Christ?” Here are several things that I feel that the Lord is saying to me as I have been praying and listening…

Be in the Word…pray the Word of God…Call upon the Lord by praying the Word…seek the Lord by reading the verses that tell me to seek the Lord…ask the Lord to give me that Hunger and thirst for the sweetness of His Word…Meditate on those verses…then ask the Lord to tell me what He wants me to hear…really get quiet and listen…
I felt the Lord leading me to ask Barry [Leitko] to come to our Friday, 6:00 a.m. prayer time at the altar and to inform other men about this so that they have a chance to join us in a great time of prayer.
I felt the Lord leading me to attend the presentation on “Men at the Cross”…to share it with Pastor Scott and Pastor Schultz…with the elders…with or Wednesday morning Bible Study…and with personal friends. I feel that the Lord is calling me to go to the August 22-23 Men at the Cross week end at the Toyota Center…to become a mentor of a man for the next 6 months…to encourage men to go with me in to the August week end…to ask the Lord to show me who He wants me to mentor for 6 months…to pray that the Lord touches hearts of men that I have talked to with a desire to go to the August week end and to feel a call from the Lord to mentor another man. This all happened just at the time we decided to focus on prayer and start the 2819 team.

Blessings and Joy
Fred Tonn
Elder

2819 Club

2008-05-27T12:00:00.002-05:00

How awesome it is to have established a group such as the 2819 Club to explore - through prayer and fellowship - what God wants us to do in the area of outreach. I look forward each Sunday morning (10:50-11:09) coming together with my fellow St. Mark members and pray for even more to become involved.

Thank you to all who have joined us thus far.

In His Service,
Ed Hardin
Elder

No Wednesday Worship Tomorrow!

2008-05-27T11:37:00.002-05:00

This is a reminder that there will be no mid-week worship services tomorrow, Wednesday, May 28, due to Kindergarten Graduation in the morning and Eighth Grade Graduation in the evening.

Mid-week services will resume the following week, Wednesday, June 4, at the normal times of 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Announcement for ROBERT BEISERT & BILL FENSKE

2008-05-11T14:23:00.006-05:00

TRANSCRIPT OF PHONETREE MESSAGE THAT WAS CALLED OUT ON SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2008:

--
Good morning.

This is Pastor Scott Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran with some important news and announcements.

Our loving Heavenly Father has called two of His children to Himself in Heaven this past week; both long-time St. Mark members.

On Thursday, May 8, the Lord called Robert Beisert, husband of Alice, Home. Two days later, on Saturday, May 10, He also called Bill Fenske Home.

Visitation for Robert Beisert will be tonight, Monday evening, May 12, from 5:00-8:00pm at Memorial Oaks funeral Home at I-10 and Elderidge. The funeral will be tomorrow, Tuesday, May 13, at 10:00am at St. Mark.

Visitation for Bill Fenske will also be tomorrow, Tuesday evening, May 13, from 5:00-8:00pm at Waltrip funeral home on Campbell and Westview. The funeral service will be at St. Mark on Wednesday, May 14, at 10:00am at St. Mark.

Internment from both Robert and Bill will take place at Memorial Oaks Cemetery at I-10 and Eldridge.

Please keep the families in your prayers during this difficult time, reminding them of the resurrection of Christ.

Also, please be reminded that today, Monday, May 12, at 7:00pm, St. Mark has it’s annual voters’ meeting in the sanctuary.

God bless and have a blessed day in Christ, our Resurrection and our Life.

Service with a Smile

2008-05-07T07:53:00.004-05:00

On Saturday, May 3, several members of one of St. Mark's Joy Groups* showed up at The Arbor School on Blalock, just north of Memorial Assistance Ministries. (Yes, this is the same school which has two classes of their students meeting at St. Mark.)

The task? Mostly painting and cleaning.

The group worked on the "curb appeal" for some of the buildings but also did some deep cleaning of some of the equipment and decking.

It was a wonderful example of living for Christ and living in Christ! This type of service was a deep blessings to many. It allows for others to see how we are "blessed to be a blessing." It allows for others to witness the joy we have in Jesus, our Savior. And, of course, it lets our community know that we at St. Mark care.

On a personal note: Jennifer and I thank each of you there from the bottom of our hearts, too!

In God's service and yours,
Pastor Scott

*"Joy Groups" are St. Mark's small group ministries. Let us know if you would like to join one and we'll get you "plugged-in!" The group mentioned here includes the following families: Helmkamp, Mater, Zoch, Marrs, and Heitshusen.

The 2819 Club

2008-04-23T15:00:00.009-05:00

We are excited to share with you information on the “2819 Club.” (So called because it references Matthew 28:19.)

St. Mark’s congregational outreach prayer remains:

"Lord God, give us direction in how we may service our community, proclaiming Christ as Lord of all."

The St. Mark community may join the 28:19 Club in praying:
"Lord, what do you want your people at St. Mark to do to touch people with the love of Jesus Christ? We know that the Lord will show us the center of his will if we pray and listen for his plan for us."
The following website, stmarkhouston.blogspot.com, provides information about this and other St. Mark efforts and events. (Select the “2819_Club” label along the left-hand side of the blog.)

In addition, you may submit items from your prayer and meditation with the Lord on that blog for others so that they, too, may be edified by what the Lord is saying to you. (Go to that same website, stmarkhouston.blogspot.com, and select the “Help” label on the left for instructions.)

Every Sunday between Bible study and second service at least 28 people will be gathering together for 19 minutes to seek the Lord’s guidance and direction answering the question:
What do you want your people at St. Mark to do to touch people with the love of Jesus Christ?
Please join the 28:19 Club for time of prayer and listening from 10:50–11:09 each Sunday in the Music Room upstairs (Room 220) starting May 4th. Our time together will be facilitated by either Fred Tonn, Frank Radtke, or Ed Hardin.

And if you cannot join the 28:19 Club each week, please pray individually or with friends that the Lord will guide you and our congregation towards a service that proclaims “Jesus Christ is Lord of all!”

Help! How Do I Use This?

2008-04-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

This Blog is operated by:

St. Mark Lutheran Church & School
1515 Hillendahl Blvd.
Houston, TX 77055
(713) 468-2623
www.stmarkhouston.org

It is our hope that this site will be to the glory of God and to the blessing of others!

To submit a post for review, email it to BLOGSUBMISSION -at- STMARKHOUSTON.ORG (replace the " -at- " with the "@" symbol and remove spaces for the proper email address). The "subject" line in your email should be the Title of what you want your post to be. (See further below for details on submitting posts.)

You may also desire to have posts to this blog automatically emailed to you. (You may, for example, not wish to have to visit the site periodically, yet still be informed about what's going on.)

You may automatically subscribe to this blog by sending an email to "LISTSRV -at- LIST.STMARKHOUSTON.ORG" (again, replace the " -at " with the "@" symbol and remove spaces for the proper email address.) with the words "subscribe blogsend" in the body of the message. (The "subject" line does not matter.) To unsubscribe, simply substitute the word "UNSUBSCRIBE" for "SUBSCRIBE" in the procedure above.

FURTHER NOTES ON SUBMITTING POSTS:

With regards to post submissions, please be aware that all submissions must be approved by a staff moderator before they will be posted. Due to other job functions by all staff moderators, reviews and postings may take several days before (and if) they appear. Some items submitted may not fit into the goal of the blog or for St. Mark's ministry, therefore, not all posts will be approved for posting. St. Mark alone will determine which submissions are appropriate for sharing in this manner. It may also be the case where, upon further consideration, a submission was posted but is later removed. In addition, some posts are so good as to be shared in other ways and in other venues. (For example, an item on "Prayer" may reappear [properly cited] in a newsletter article.) Unless otherwise specified by the author, these other vehicles of communication are assumed to be acceptable. We will, of course, endeavor to clarify these other avenues with the author prior to other use. The author of any post may, at any time, request removal of their post and St. Mark will strive to respond as soon as possible.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!! ("To God Alone Be The Glory!")

In Christ's service and yours,
The Rev. Scott E. Heitshusen