Tristen Dasch Still in Need of Prayers

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

School Open House

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!

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!

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"

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!)

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

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

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:

1. Marvin Wiede, father of Joy Hamrick
   
2. Mildred Melcher, mother of Larry and Danny Melcher and Linda Leitko
   
3. Jim Richardson, father of Alan Richardson, and
   
4. 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

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.