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Summer Worship – One Service at 9:00 June 2, 2019 through September 1, 2019

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.” Acts 2:1

After much thought, prayer, and conversation with staff, SPPRC, and Leader Board members regarding our worship during the summer months, I am very excited to offer something just a little different this summer. We will be offering a blended style of worship service at 9:00 only during the summer months in an effort to: 1. Allow those that worship at different services to get to know one another. 2. Allow everyone to enjoy the multi-talented musicians at St. Mark’s. 3. Fill the sanctuary (even the front pews) making our worship together more inviting to our guests and

allowing them to get to know the entire congregation. A blended style means we will have both traditional and contemporary components during the one service. The Praise Band will be playing as well as our traditional pieces by our pianist. Summer is the most optimal time for a congregation to have guests attending worship as families move into a community during the time when school is not in session. We want to optimize our ability for as many as possible to welcome, embrace, and connect with those guests. Thank you for your flexibility and grace, Pastor Bonnie

*Check out Pastor Bonnie’s Blog: bonniekoeppen.squarespace.com

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Monthly Newsletter

June 2019

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Community Block Party - June 23rd With African Freedom Celebration

& Ribbon Cutting

New Choir Director Luigi Enriquez

Congratulations! Luigi Enriquez has accepted the position of Choir Director at St. Mark’s beginning September 1, 2019. Please take a moment to congratulate Luigi on his new position at St. Mark’s. Luigi will continue as our pianist/accompanist for the 9:00 a.m. service through the summer. The SPPRC, Aaron, and Pastor Bonnie will continue to search for a new pianist/accompanist for St. Mark’s to begin this coming fall.

Church Softball Games

Tuesdays at Cleveland Park June 4 at 6 p.m. June 11 at 7 p.m. June 18 at 7 p.m. June 25 at 7 p.m.

July 2 at 7 p.m.

Matthew 25 Transform Week

Help local nonprofit Matthew 25 transform homes and lives during their 4th Annual Transform Week. They are looking for volunteers to help complete 22 home repair and community revitalization projects in the Taylor and Time Check neighborhoods during the week of June 24-28. Individuals of all skill levels, from basic painting or clean-up to in-depth construction experience, are needed. Learn more or sign-up at hub25.org/event/transform-2019, or contact Matthew 25 at 362-2214 or transform@hub25.org.

About the Music Sermon Series

What is your favorite worship song? We are asking you to tell us your favorite worship song. We will have a basket available in the sanctuary where you can submit the name(s) of your favorite(s) or you can email Pastor Bonnie or Aaron or Mandy. We will be collecting these over the next few weeks. Then beginning June 30th through Labor Day Weekend each week the sermons will be based on the lyrics of the top ten songs from all of you! Even if your song doesn’t make the top 10 we may be able to incorporate it into a summer worship service.

Sweet Hour or Two of Prayer

We would like to encourage St. Mark’s in our prayer life. As I have taught many times and I know you have heard many times from me; prayer is the single most important practice of Christian faith. And so, as your Spiritual Leaders, Mandy, Aaron, and I have decided to dedicate some extra time for prayer each Wednesday as an encouragement to the congregation to pray, and to pray more. We can never pray enough especially in a world so ravaged with hurt, disease, crime, disaster, and sinfulness. The Christian church and the United Methodist Church is also in great need of prayer and guidance from God.

Each Wednesday beginning June 12th from 10:00 to 12:00 during the day, and from 7:00 to 8:00 in the evenings we will have the sanctuary open with music playing and Mandy, Aaron, or myself will be available to pray with you. Please join us to pray. Even if you have only a few moments, God hears all prayers. I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray Without Ceasing”

NEWS

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Good Harvest

Food Pantry Food Needed for the Pantry: Tuna Peanut Butter Canola Oil

Spring Clothing Give-Away Thanks

Thanks so much for all the donors and helpers who made St. Mark’s Spring Clothing Give-away a great success. Approximately 80% of the clothing donated found new homes.

Special thanks to Sandy Ashley, Terri Bronner, Eddie Deford, Erin and Rita Haht, Sharon Hartman, Marissa Rodriguez, Jan and Steve Thompson, Nancy Weber and Jean White for helping with set up, clean up and assisting our neighbors during the event;

To Helen Armstrong, Erin Haht, Joy Louk and Mandy Sullivan for getting the word out;

And to Ken Eaton for his support and photos.

Facebook Live

St. Mark's is doing facebook Live! Check out our facebook page: St. Mark's UMC-Cedar Rapids. Currently we video the sermon during the worship service and Pastor Bonnie records "Pastor on the Journey with You" on Tuesday mornings. You can watch these live as they happen or watch later on our facebook page.

AWE at Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmer’s Market

Our African Women Empowered will be selling their bags and aprons this summer downtown on Saturdays from 7:30 AM—Noon. Come shop! May 25 June 1 June 15 July 7 July 20 August 3 August 17 Sept 21

Senior Farmers’ Market

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is sponsored through the US Department of Agriculture and administered through the Heritage Agency on Aging. Qualified seniors will receive $30 worth of checks to use at participating area farmers’ markets vendors per year.

The program is open to seniors - 1. 60 Years of age or older that 2. Reside in the immediate area or surrounding

counties 3. Yearly income at or below $23,107 for

individuals or at or below $31,284 for couples.

St. Mark’s is a site where you can come to receive vouchers on Tuesday, June 4 at 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in conjunction with Encore Café. Question??? Contact Tim Getty at Heritage Agency #319-398-7682.

Bret Netherton Classical Guitar Concert

We will be hosting a Classical Guitar Concert on Friday, June 14th at

7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary, by

musical artist Bret Netherton.

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Vacation Bible School 2019

Summer VBS June 24—26

Monday night—Wednesday night 6:00—8:30 PM

Supper will be served

All Children K - 5th grade (completed pre-school through completed 5th grade)

Come! Invite Your Friends!

We are so excited to return to Miracle Island! On “Miracle Island” children will learn about the Miracles that Jesus performed through Bible stories told by the “Storyteller”, crafts, games, snacks and songs. There will be more information to come on ways that you can help with donations.

Check out Summer Camp

Church Summer camp is a faith power boost! Check out Pictured Rocks website:

www.picturedrocks.org or Talk to Mandy Sullivan if you are interested

at mandy@stmarksumccr.com

Sunday School Summer Recess

We will be on break for the summer season and resume in the fall. There are some great opportunities to encourage kids and youth in their faith over the summer with VBS and Summer Camps, as well as Summer Worship Services at 9:00 a.m.

No Official Summer SMASH

Summer Games

Hey youth! Registration has opened for Summer Games University. You can sign up online at www.sgu.camp. SGU is a Christian summer camp for students who have completed grades 6-12. This one-week camp is an experiential, relationship focused camp where students will have the opportunity to learn more about who Jesus is and build relationships with other Christian students. Camp is the week of July 8 - 12, 2019. Total cost of SGU is $340. An $80 Non-Refundable deposit is required for each camper to reserve their spot but goes toward payment.

Graduate Recognition

We honored our 2019 Graduates in worship services on May 26th. They are: Blaze Bouzek, Sam Staley,

and Sam Ward from High School; and Drake Bouzek, John Mettler, and Sara Perez from Higher Education.

May God bless them in their future endeavors.

KIDS & YOUTH

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Building Team Update- June 2019

Two years ago, St. Mark’s was in the midst of efforts to take down the Clothes Hanger and Cook houses to make way for our wondrous new addition and environmentally “green” parking lot. We have come far in our journey together, and are about to step onto the other side of the Jordan, as our envisioned “On the Corner” projects come to a close. Only the following work remains to be done: adding a safety railing outside the north door of the addition, painting and striping the parking lot, planting trees, smaller plants, and grass seeding (see “June 1st Planting Party” article), … and many prayers for just enough rain, or all the watering thereafter! The sidewalks have all been poured and final grade work completed for the landscaping and rain gardens (the funky “step down & up” section of the sidewalk to the AWE stairwell is necessary for storm water drainage; also, the City plans to move the fire hydrant at the north end of the Jacolyn Drive sidewalk). Larger deflector shields have been installed on the two new light poles, eliminating the amount of light spilling over from our parking lot into the yards and homes of our neighbors to the west. Painting/Striping of the parking lot is scheduled for July, but could occur sooner if Boomerang is able to get St. Mark’s moved up on the subcontractor’s work schedule. Baumhoefener’s Nursery, our neighbor to the south on Johnson Ave, has been selected for purchase of the remaining 8 trees and over 200 other plantings needed to complete the parking lot project (cool trivia: Baumhoefener’s supplied several of our original trees when St. Mark’s was built in 1961-62). As you recall, the City requires all these plantings as part of new regulations that address storm water run-off…but the plantings will also beautify our church grounds! With the 12 trees purchased by St. Mark’s members from the Alliant and DNR tree programs and donated to the church last fall (thanks again folks!), and with the sweat equity provided by our volunteers, doing all the landscaping/planting work ourselves, St. Mark’s is saving upwards of $7,000-$9,000 in landscaping costs. The three memorial trees that were taken down due to construction are being replaced, and along with some other new memorial plantings, will be dedicated at the June 23rd neighborhood open house and celebration. To review total costs for all “On the Corner” projects, please see the attached May 2019 Cost Spreadsheet/Table prepared by Carl Byers. If you have any questions about any aspects of the projects, please do not hesitate to ask Carl, myself, or any other member of the St. Mark’s Building Team. Thank you for your continued prayers of support and generous giving to “On the Corner,” and the Building Expansion Fund. Lance Heeren, St. Mark’s Building Team

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Heave! Ho! … On the Corner Capital Campaign Update

As we made plans to wrap up our original 2016-2019 three year capital campaign this spring, Gary Ealy, our fund raising consultant from Horizon’s Stewardship, reviewed our numbers (number of persons and families donating, pledge totals, giving totals for persons who pledged and persons who gave without pledging), and exclaimed with great excitement and praise that St. Mark’s giving and pledge fulfillment rate to “On the Corner” was simply spectacular, if not record-breaking! We greatly exceeded the results he typically sees in similar capital campaigns for a church our size. Congrats St. Mark’s! Here are some numbers for the original 3 year campaign, and for extended years four and five: Total number of persons/families gifting to “On the Corner”: 127 Total number of persons/families who returned pledge cards: 85 Total pledged to original 3 year campaign (2016-2019): $613,194 Number of persons/families who fulfilled 100% or more of their pledge: 62 Number of persons/families who fulfilled 85% to 99% of their pledge: 10 Pledge total for entire “On the Corner” Campaign (extended 5 year campaign, 2016-21): $722,000 Total Gifts/Donations to “On the Corner” received from all givers as of 3/31/19: $649,528 Total Gifts/Donations to “On the Corner” received as of 3/31/19 from persons who pledged: $630,045 Total amount of pledged gifts yet to be made by 2021: $91,955 Current loan balance: $673,896 Remaining Project Expenses to be paid: $30,000 (estimated) Estimated monthly loan payments (principle and interest): $4,000-$5,000 per month, depending on final

principle balance and interest rate at end of construction All donations to “On the Corner” projects are deposited in St. Mark’s “Building Expansion” designated

fund account. All costs of the projects and loans will be paid from the Building Expansion Fund until depleted. Thereafter, all costs and loan payments will be paid as part of St. Mark’s general budget.

Thank-you for your continued prayers, service, and financial gifts towards all “On the Corner” projects, and for your patience and understanding during construction! Our prayer remains: “Lord, what do you want to do through me?” Our motto encourages: “not equal amounts of giving, but an equal sacrifice.” In the love of Christ, Lance Heeren, On the Corner Capital Campaign (soon to be “On the Round About”) Team member

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Our Faithfulness in Church Attendance

June Birthdays

Randy Atkinson 1 Janet Walker 3 Brecken Lechtenberg 4 Eric Sullivan 4 Ela Faida 6 Cindy Mettler 7 Gracie Dielschneider 10 Nash Moses 10 Ray Robbins 10 Kathy Klein 14 Egan Smith 19 Vicki Eaton 20 Rick Schwarting 20 Joselyne Nihambwimpundu 21 Mona Kidwell 22 Steve Spicher 22 Jan Thompson 23 Chuck Weber 23 Bonnie Koeppen 24 Michilline Sabushimike 24

Stewardship Report

9 AM 10:30 AM S.S.

5/5/19 90 45 21

5/12/19 96 94 20

5/19/19 98 46 21

5/26/19 95 57 -

Tommalee DeVos 25 Cheryl O'Donnell 26 Steele Starks 26 JoAnn Courtney 27 Nancy Weber 29 Parker Gammill 30 Sharen Weeks 30 Kayleigh White 30 Chase White 30

June Anniversaries

Mel and Sandy McCleary 2 David and Robin Lees 3 Art and Shirley Karrar 5 Erv and Cynthia Root 5 Carl and Connie Byers 9 Dave and Therese Rowell 10 Aaron and Tiffany Miller 12 Ron and Linda Rogers 14 Gary and Carolyn King 17 Bryce and Erica Schwarting 23 Terry and Linda Carleton 24 Kendra Hanzlik and Chris Carter 24 Justin and Tracy Ehlert 27 Andy and Arlene Houk 27 Harold and Lavonne Marling 30 Rich and Donna Scheer 30

Month: Apr-19

General Budget Building Expansion Fund

Income Expenses Net Income Loan Payments Loan Balances

Month $23,726 $31,221 ($7,495) $14,459 $10,740 $659,000

YTD $119,929 $122,597 ($2,668)

Bank Account Information 4/30/2019

Current Balance: $72,932

Building Fund Balance: $18,701

Other Designated Funds: $48,238

Available for General Budget: $5,993

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Sunday Schedule 9 AM One Summer

Worship Service 10 AM Fellowship

Office Hours 9 AM—3 PM Monday-Friday *in italics=off site

1 7:30 AM—Girlfriends & God at Panera 9 AM—Planting Party Noon—Narcotics Anonymous

2 Communion

3 9 AM—AWE 10:30 AM—Citizenship Classes 5 PM—Pom Practice 6 PM—ESL classes 6 PM—Citizenship Classes 6-8 PM—SGU Youth Band Practice

4 WIC 9:30 AM—St. Paul Tutors 10 AM—Knit/Crochet Group 11:30 AM—Encore Café 11:30 AM—Senior Vouchers 6 PM—dudes. 6 PM—Church Softball

5 9 AM—AWE 6:30 PM—Adult Small Group

6 8 AM—TOPS 9:45 AM—Al-Anon 7 PM—Band rehearsal

7 7:30 AM—Men’s Bible Study 9 AM—AWE 9 AM—Yoga Class 9:15 AM—Fabulous Folders 10:30 AM—Citizenship Classes UMC IA Annual Conference

8 7:30 AM—Girlfriends & God at Panera 9 AM-7 PM—Private Party in Community Room Noon—Narcotics Anonymous UMC IA Annual Conference

9 Pentecost

UMC IA Annual Conference

10 9 AM—AWE 10:30 AM—Citizenship Classes 1 PM—Crafters 5 PM—Pom Practice 6 PM—ESL classes 6 PM—Citizenship Classes UMC IA Annual Conference

11 9:30 AM—St. Paul Tutors 10 AM—Knit/Crochet Group 11:30 AM—Encore Café 6 PM—dudes. 7 PM—Church Softball UMC IA Annual Conference

12 9 AM—AWE 9 AM-2 PM—Women’s

African Ministry Event in Community Room

6:30 PM—Adult Small Group

13 8 AM—TOPS 9:45 AM—Al-Anon 1-3 PM—Food Pantry 7 PM—Band rehearsal

14 7:30 AM—Men’s Bible Study 9 AM—AWE 9 AM—Yoga Class 9:15 AM—Fabulous Folders 10:30 AM—Citizenship Classes 7 PM—Bret Netherton Concert

15 7:30 AM—Girlfriends & God at Panera Noon—Narcotics Anonymous

16 Father’s Day

17 9 AM—AWE 10:30 AM—Citizenship Classes 1 PM—Girlfriends & God 5 PM—Pom Practice 6 PM—ESL classes 6 PM—Citizenship Classes

18 9:30 AM—St. Paul Tutors 10 AM—Knit/Crochet Group 10 AM—Staff Meeting 11:30 AM—Encore Café 6 PM—dudes. 7 PM—Church Softball

19 9 AM—AWE 6:30 PM—Adult Small Group

20 8 AM—TOPS 9:45 AM—Al-Anon 7 PM—Leader Board 7 PM—Band rehearsal

21 7:30 AM—Men’s Bible Study 9 AM—AWE 9 AM—Yoga Class 9:15 AM—Fabulous Folders 10:30 AM—Citizenship Classes

22 7:30 AM—Girlfriends & God at Panera Noon—Narcotics Anonymous

23 10 AM-1:30 PM—

Community Block Party

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24 9 AM—AWE 10:30 AM—Citizenship Classes 1 PM—Girlfriends & God 5 PM—Pom Practice 6-8:30 PM—VBS

25 9:30 AM—St. Paul Tutors 10 AM—Knit/Crochet Group 10 AM—Staff Meeting 11:30 AM—Encore Café 6-8:30 PM—VBS 7 PM—Church Softball

26 9 AM—AWE 6:30 PM—Adult Small Group 6-8:30 PM—VBS

27 8 AM—TOPS 9:45 AM—Al-Anon 1-3 PM—Food Pantry 7 PM—Band rehearsal

28 7:30 AM—Men’s Bible Study 9 AM—AWE 9 AM—Yoga Class 9:15 AM—Fabulous Folders 10:30 AM—Citizenship Classes

29 7:30 AM—Girlfriends & God at Panera Noon—Narcotics Anonymous

June 2019

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St. Mark’s United Methodist Church 4700 Johnson Ave. NW Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

Return Service Requested

Pastor Bonnie Koeppen (319) 540-5917

pastorbonnie@stmarksumccr.com

Director of Discipleship & Family Ministries Mandy Sullivan

mandy@stmarksumccr.com

Director of Music & Assistant Youth Leader Aaron Warner

aaron@stmarksumccr.com

Administrative Assistant Joy Louk

adminassist@stmarksumccr.com

Accounts Payable Clerk/Office Assistant Gayle Johnson

accountspayable@stmarksumccr.com

Director of African Ministries Helen Armstrong

Accompanist Luigi Enrique

Michele Gibson

Financial Secretary Chuck Weber

chuck@stmarksumccr.com

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Staff

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM #319-396-6361

www.stmarksumccr.com Facebook: St. Mark’s UMC—Cedar Rapids