St. Mark’s Church

424 Hyde Park Avenue

Waukesha, WI 53188

262-547-8213

Worship Services

Wednesday—7 p.m.

Sunday—9:30 a.m.

Office Hours

Tuesday—Thursday

8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

Contact Info

Pastor Andy Fetters

262-337-3755

Marcia Marquardt,

Discipleship Coordinator

262-784-2062

Michelle Bonjean, Council President

414-614-5876—Cell

Jim Plaster, Council VP

262-337-3919—Cell

Lookout Editor

Sue Beranek

lookout@welcome2stmarks.com

Website

welcome2stmarks.com

St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

February, 2015

ASHES, ASHES, WE ALL FALL DOWN

“By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground,

for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 3:19

From the beginning we have been falling down, flat on our face. Ash

Wednesday is a reminder to us of that falling down. Much like the nursery

rhyme we all learned as children…”ashes, ashes, we all fall down.” As much

as Ash Wednesday is a tradition in the church, the mystery still eludes many

of us. What is Ash Wednesday all about? And why in the world do we place

ashes on our foreheads?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. It is a time for

reflection on Jesus’ sacrifice as he marches to the cross, an opportunity to

engage in Christian disciplines of prayer and fasting, and to remember the

fragile nature of life. We hear these words from Genesis as words that were

promised because of our fall. The fall of Adam and Eve into the temptations

of the snake resulted in the fragility of life we all experience. “For you are

dust, and to dust you shall return.” These words begin our Lenten journey

and cause us to reflect on our own human situation. Ultimately the truth

that confronts us in the Lenten season is not only our fragile nature and

impending death, but that we all fall down, flat on our faces even while

walking on this earth.

As Paul articulated it; “For all fall short of the glory

of God.” (Romans 3:23) That sentiment is one

many can quote, and do, as a reminder of our fall-

enness. It is far too easy to stay in that place.

Paul continues, “God sacrificed Jesus on the altar

of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith

in him sets us in the clear.” (Romans 3:25-26)

Jesus’ sacrifice is why we find ashes on our fore-

heads on this one sacred day—as a sense of our own death (ashes) and how

we are saved from that death (in the sign of a cross).

As we begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday,

we place a cross of ashes, on our foreheads as a

witness to our fallen nature and death, and the hope

that comes in the resurrection life we experience

because of Jesus.

Pastor Andy

Gathered together by God, to Grow and Go Out!Gathered together by God, to Grow and Go Out!Gathered together by God, to Grow and Go Out!Gathered together by God, to Grow and Go Out!

The Lookout

Page 2 welcome2stmarks.com

ALTAR GUILD

On Tuesday, February 17, the Altar Guild will be visit-

ing residents of Linden Grove and playing BINGO! We

will meet at the nursing home at 2:00 p.m. and will

furnish refreshments and prizes.

Linden Grove has suggested

these types of prizes: small

bags of chips, crackers,

granola bars or cookies,

sugar-free candy, personal

care items such as tooth-

paste or lotion, small plush

animals, and window

decorations for the spring

holidays.

Any questions, call Betty Thompson at 547-1940.

SAVE THE DATE!

Inasmuch Day: Saturday, May 2

You asked for it...it’s coming…

Circle the date on your calendar and plan to be a part of

St. Mark’s second Inasmuch Day of service to our

community on Saturday, May 2! Check it out at

www.operationinasmuch.org, or go to our St. Mark’s

website to see a video of our October service day. The

video shows many of the ways you can touch lives.

If you have ideas about services that could be a part of

our day, or if you would like to be a part of the Planning

Committee, or help out as a Project Leader, please call

Barb at 262-893-1589, or seek out any Planning

Committee member. God WILL use you!

Red is the color of love – Red is the color of Salvation

Army – Red is the color the Food Pantry shines when

food donations arrive.

How many RED FOODS or RED PACKAGES of FOOD

can we donate? Your generosity is HEART-FELT for any

and all items that you share. THANK YOU!

Sharing Our Bounty

RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE NEEDED

The Property Team has completed new Facilities Use

forms. A members form and a non-members form have

been prepared and approved by the Church Council.

Anytime there is a non-member request to use our

facilities, there is a requirement that a custodian or a

“responsible person” be on-site the entire time. When

custodians are unavailable, we need other people to

step in.

Our hope is to put together a list of people who could be

called on for this purpose. They will be paid and trained

to unlock, lock up, use the items in the kitchen and

what to do with spills, etc.

If this is something that interests you, please contact a

member of the Property Team: Sue Patrick, Brian

Baumler, Mike Collins, Jack Westphal, Chris Fenner,

Stan Indermuehle, or Jim Plaster.

Thank You,

Jim Plaster

Page 3 welcome2stmarks.com

CARD MINISTRY

In 2014, the card ministry sent

out 400 cards—including wed-

ding, sympathy, thinking of you,

and cards to homebound, those

in assisted living & nursing

home members. A huge thank

you to Debbie Wagner, Charlene

Brandenburg and Kim Weber for

doing most of the cards and to those of you who

donated supplies to our ministry.

LOOKING AHEAD...Could we send a caring card to

someone you know, to share the love of Christ from St.

Mark’s? In February, look for a box on the usher station

and the caring table downstairs. There will be a form

next to it where you can fill out and provide information

to help us understand the needs of the recipient better.

We will then send a card to them.

Together we are Gathered by God to Grow and Go Out—

and one way to do this is through the ministry of a

handmade card!

From Deaconess Marcia Marquardt

Dear St. Mark’s Family and Friends,

Sometimes we feel like we are under attack. It seems

like all our best efforts are challenged. Hope diminishes

and the future seems cloudy.

That’s the picture for the people of Israel when they

return to Jerusalem, their capital city, after years of

captivity in Babylon, the super power of the day. The

people begin to rebuild the city walls, but come under

attack from neighboring groups. What does their leader,

Nehemiah, do? In Nehemiah 4, we see him divide the

meager workforce into two groups. One continues the

work on the walls, while the other guards and protects.

Nehemiah even instructs his workers to carry a weapon

in one hand while the other hand carries supplies. The

work cannot be accomplished without diligent protection.

Prayer is the protection that we need as we face chal-

lenges. We come under attack from temptations and

troubles. God invites us to stand guard over ourselves

and others by praying. As we share our concerns with

God, we receive the strength and protection to continue

the work that he has given us.

Do you know someone who needs that protection of

prayer? Do you want to learn to pray with confidence?

Join me for the HHH (Hurts, Hang Ups, and Habits)

Prayer Group beginning Wednesday, February 4 at

7:45-8:15 p.m. in the Chapel. We’ll use a simple

format for prayer that uses Scripture. No eloquent

prayers are allowed! We come to God simply and

from the heart. Contact me for more information.

As always, reach out to me! I’d love to sit down with

you one-on-one or in a group to get to know you better.

God’s Blessings!

Marcia

Our next Men’s Breakfast will be held at 8:00 a.m. on

Saturday, February 14. All men are invited!

Please join us for breakfast and fellowship.

HELP WANTED

The card ministry is looking for people who want to

spread the joy of receiving a card and the love of Christ.

No experience needed. We provide supplies, names,

addresses, and show you how easy it is to make a

homemade card. We are also looking for any unused,

boxed birthday, anniversary or thank you cards. And, if

you don’t want to throw out your Christmas cards, recy-

cle them with us. If you were a past stamper, and no

longer want your supplies, send them our way, too!

Call Liz Carleton for more info at 262-524-8637.

Page 4 welcome2stmarks.com

FELLOWSHIP EVENTS

The Newlywed Game

February 14 at 6:00 p.m.

Join us for a spaghetti dinner and

cookie bake-off. Then, after din-

ner, we’ll embark on a fun

Newlywed Game. Watch for a

sign-up sheet and more details.

Save the Dates

Agape Pie Feast—March 25

Easter Breakfast—April 5

Any questions? Please call Lana DeCoto at

262-547-2542.

TREASURER’S REPORT— THRU DEC. 31

Total Income Year-to-Date $299,696

Total Expense Year-to-Date -273,118

Net $ 26,578

Because of your faithfulness and generosity, St. Mark’s

ended 2014 with income in excess of expenses and

expenses lower than the 2014 budget. We are well

positioned to move into 2015 and to meet the financial

challenges that a new year and new & continuing

ministries will bring.

Commitments from the membership for 2015 total over

$230,000, and with an additional historic giving level of

an additional $115,000 of non-committed offering

(based on historic giving levels), we should be able to

complete our plans for programming in 2015. Look

what we have done and can do by living lives in faithful

testimony.

Be strong in your faith and continue as good stewards

with what God has entrusted to you.

Larry Nines

Treasurer

A Women’s Retreat will be held April 17-19 at Camp

Timber-lee, N8705 Scout Road, East Troy.

Mark your calendar for a get-away that will renew your

energies and attitudes. Marcia Marquardt will lead Dress

for Success—God’s Style! We’ll discover God’s ward-

robe that protects us in the midst of challenges and

gives us new perspectives to move forward. Watch for

more information soon!

FOR THE “LOVE” OF MOTORCYCLES

The Roaring Lions Motorcycle Fellowship is headed to

Chicago for the Annual International Motorcycle Show

on February 14. Yep, bring a date, and explore and

share the love of motorcycles with the Roaring Lions.

NEW MUTUAL MINISTRY TEAM

We give thanks for the work of

the Mutual Ministry team of Jon

Schrantz, Mavis McGrath, Tom

Badger, and Heather Trautman

the past 2 years. Their term

comes to an end with great

thanksgiving for helping

celebrate the mission and min-

istry of the church and listening

to the concerns of its members.

In February, St. Mark’s will have a new Mutual Ministry

team of Anne Link, Vicki Russell, Chad Anderson,

Michelle Stiles, and Kelly Colgrove.

Page 5 welcome2stmarks.com

I want to thank all of St. Mark’s for their donations

toward the college student Christmas boxes. The

students greatly appreciated getting the boxes.

Now the students are back at it after Christmas break.

Please keep them in your prayers and thoughts.

Congratulations again to Kevin Hoeft and Erin Boehm,

who both graduated in December. Please keep these

two graduates in your prayers as they go out and look

for jobs.

Looking ahead, why not send a student some love near

Valentine’s Day and let them know we are thinking

about them and love them? In March, we will be

collecting gift cards to send to the students close to

their finals.

Thanks for all your support and prayers for our students.

Liz Carleton

BIBLE STUDY WITH MARCIA

Bible Study with Marcia Marquardt, our Discipleship

Coordinator, will be held on Thursdays, February 5,

12, 19, & 26 at 10:00-11:30 a.m. Dig into the

worship Scriptures for the upcoming Sunday and

apply principles to your life. We’ll look at writings

and stories that explore living courageously for God

in a way that helps people around us.

Come to one, some, or all studies. No previous Bible

experience necessary! Feel free to join in the

discussion or just listen.

Contact Marcia for more information at

marcia1@wi.rr.com or 262-784-2062.

HHH (Hurts, Hang Ups, Habits)

PRAYER GROUP

HHH (Hurts, Hang Ups, Habits) Prayer Group will be

held on Wednesdays, February 4-March 25 from

7:45-8:15 p.m. (after the evening worship) in the

Chapel. Come and gather in small groups to confiden-

tially pray for those who are hurting. Marcia Marquardt

and Deb Gerner will lead the prayer time. We’ll use a

simple format using Scripture to guide our prayers. You

will be invited to pray aloud, but not required. No

prayer experience is necessary! This is a great place to

learn to pray more effectively.

Come to one, a

few, or all of the

prayer times.

Invite others

from St. Mark’s

and/or the

community to

join. Bring a

Bible.

FeBREWary

We are putting the R back into FebRuary. Faith Fermen-

tation is meeting on FeBREWary 21st at 11 a.m. (til

around 1:30 p.m.). We will meet in the St. Mark’s

kitchen. You are invited to share in the brewing process

with Dan Tenant and Pastor Andy.

We will brew 2 batches of beer, share a meal, read Mat-

thew 13:33, and apply “The waiting is the hardest part.”

Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a woman who

puts yeast in her bread and now waits for the bread to

rise. Faith, like the fermentation process, takes time.

What are you waiting for?

Page 6 welcome2stmarks.com

JaM Update (Jesus and Me)

Geared for kids ages N-2 through 5th grade

The kids and friends of St. Mark’s have enjoyed their JaM time during the past couple months. “I’m Thankful for…

Prayers & Thanksgiving” was the November session theme. Among other things, kids made turkeys identifying

things they’re thankful for and a prayer magnet. On December 6, kids (and their families) helped decorate the St.

Mark’s Christmas trees, sing Christmas carols, and make a nativity craft.

Our next JaM session is January 31 where our kids will learn about some of Jesus’ miracles. If you have questions,

contact Mary Jo Christensen (549-1775), Brenda Megna (352-1197) or Ginger Laveau (549-3639).

RUTH CIRCLE

Ruth Circle will meet on Wednesday, February 11

at 1:00 pm. We will be discussing Chapter 10 of our

book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Our

hostesses are Mary Martinson, Nancy Alt and Sue

Remfrey.

Please let one of them know if you will be there or not.

If you have any questions, please contact Carole

Wolter at 262-542-8807.

Pastor Andy and Pastor Jay Ford at the

Hope Center Dinner in November.

welcome2stmarks.com Page 7

Lookout Mailing

Thank you to the following volunteers:

Mary Jo Christensen, Neil Butchart, Roger & Darlene

Bjerke, Dale & Jeanne Kramp

Funerals

The comfort of Jesus is shared with our members and

their families who lost loved ones:

• Leslie Manke and family in the death of Mary Lou

Brandemuehl.

• Sue Snyder and family in the death of her mother,

Marjorie Snyder

• Carol Paoletti and family in the death of her

husband, Donald Paoletti

• Ray Banks and family in the death of his wife,

Carol Banks

• Wendy Vehanen and family in the death of her

mother, Mildred

Memorials: In Memory of Carol Banks Brian & Julie Baumler, Fred & Rockie Matson, Eric & Lynn Delzer, Robert & Janie Randle, Elizabeth & Robert Zwicke

In Memory of Donald Paoletti

Brian & Julie Baumler, Elwyn & Sandy Bischmann,

Tom & Kathryn Graf

In Memory of Marjorie Snyder

Eric & Lynn Delzer, Bob & Mary Johnson, Chris & Mary Jo

Christensen, Christine Fenner, Mike & Mavis McGrath,

Reinhard & Carole Wolter, Chuck & Barb Helling,

John & Betty Thompson, Sue Patrick, Bill & Brenda

Megna

In Memory of Mary Lou Brandemuehl

John & Pat Gennerman, Delores Grulke, Roger & Darlene

Bjerke, Larry & Tamara Pinske, Georgia Zellmer, John &

Betty Thompson, Ken & Lana Matchett, Harry & Suzanne

Bielinski, Kathy Paulson

Gifts:

Altar Guild: Ray Banks

Quilters: Terry & Donna Inman, Martin & Maxine Gerken, Ray Banks

Prayer Shawl: Tom & Karen Handford, Dennis Abere,

Ray Banks

Sunday School: Ray Banks

Wilch Scholarship Fund: David & Liz Carleton, Al & Anne Link, Martin & Maxine Gerken

Men’s Dartball: Sharon Nelson

Postage: Sharon Rand, Sharon Nelson

Luther League: Martin & Maxine Gerken

GOD AND HUMAN SUFFERING:

A Bible Study on the Book of Job

Have you ever wondered why there is human suffering

in the world? And so much of it? What does God have

to say to a world that suffers? You are invited to join in

the discussion during this Lenten Season about God

and human suffering. We’ll meet Wednesdays follow-

ing worship & Sundays @ 8:30 a.m.

HOLDING YOUR FAMILY TOGETHER:

Exploring the

Would you like to explore 5 easy steps to holding your

family together by faith? Coming in March is an oppor-

tunity to explore Faith 5.

Please see Marcia Marquardt, Discipleship Coordinator

for more details.

Page 8

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

424 Hyde Park Avenue

Waukesha, WI 53188

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Waukesha, WI

PERMIT NO. 643

welcome2stmarks.com

SPECIAL MUSIC

Feb 1 Matthew Colgrove

Feb 8 Praise Singers

Feb 15 Barb Geiger & Jennifer

Feb 22 Dan and Jamie

Mar 1 Naiza Gohr and Jennifer

Mar 8 St. Mark’s Singers

Mar 15 Praise Singers

Mar 22 St. Mark’s Singers

Mar 29 Dan and Mary Jo