“If God had a refrigerator, your

picture would be on it. If God had a

wallet, your photo would be in it.

God sends you flowers every spring

and a sunrise every morning.... Face

it, friend. God is crazy about you!”

– Max Lucado

These are challenging times, and

we’ve all had our share of anxiety,

heartache, and depression over the

past six months. I’m not sure when

it happened, but the national

conversation has shifted from who

is an essential worker to what is an

essential life. I rarely reference

Josef Stalin (for good reason), but

one of his quotes is appropriate to

our times. “The death of one man

is a tragedy,” said the Russian

dictator, “the death of a million is a

statistic.” As the COVID death

total climbs over 200,000 in our

country, I encourage everyone not

to lose sight of the personal grief of

so many. Prayer is always

encouraged, but we must remain

The A Monthly Insight into St. Mark Presbyterian Church

diligent in working to keep our

neighbors safe and healthy.

It's easy to get discouraged in times

like these; we see so much pain and

feel powerless to effect any kind of

meaningful positive change. These

feelings compound further when we

start to believe the lie that we don’t

matter, that we are insignificant, or

that we are non-essential. God

doesn’t make junk and created us all

in God’s own image. When I am

discouraged, I go to the Bible first,

but I also remember the children’s

books I used to read to our kids

when they were much younger.

One of my favorites was a story

called, You Are Special, by Max

Lucado. He tells the story about a

group of wooden people who gave

each other stars for positive

accomplishments and dots for

mistakes. One person, Punchinello,

had so many dots that he never

wanted to go outside and believed

the lie that he didn’t matter.

Eventually, he meets a fellow

wooden person named Lucia to

You Are Essential

Issue: October 2020

www.discoverstmark.org

whom no stickers, stars or dots,

stick. He asks her how this can be,

and she tells him about visiting Eli,

the woodworker at the top of the

hill. In a conversation with his Maker,

Punchinello hears these parting

words, “Remember, you are special

because I made you, and I don’t make

mistakes.” He thinks to himself that

the Maker really means it, and then a

dot came off him and fell to the

ground.

I love this story because it assures

me of the truth that we are all

essential in our Creator’s eyes. We

live in trying times, and it’s easy to

get stuck with a label. I remind you

to remember continually who you

are and, more importantly, whose

you are. You might just find a grey

dot peeling away.

In Hope and Confidence,

Pastor Dave and Pastor MP

P.S. You can view this story for free

on YouTube by visiting: https://

youtu.be/15QuHygLwFU

Session Snippets September 21, 2020 Meeting

Thank you, St. Mark! We are

keeping our stewardship commitments!

This allows St. Mark to continue to pay

staff, keep the building going AND

assists in fully funding the HVAC work in

the preschool area.

Plans for continuing virtual

worship and other activities were

discussed. There is a lot going on from

hiking on Monday and walking early

Friday mornings, to Youth and

Children's Ministry activities, virtual

committee meetings, Presby. Women

Circles and of course, Worship

services. More events are coming.

Watch for them!

Folks are watching the

Sunday YouTube worship service at the

usual time (10:00 am) and also later. Of

course, it is hard to know exactly how

many view the service (one "hit" could

be one person or five), but the "best

guesstimate" shows consistent

participation and strong numbers.

Session acknowledges the

longing to return to traditional worship

and activities in our building. The time

is not right. We pray for our

discernment and patience as we do

what we can do, with joy in our hearts.

The Messenger Newsletter is published on the last Friday of each

month. November issue will come out Oct. 30.

Submit articles to newsletter@discoverstmark.org

10 days prior - Wed., Oct.21

BREAKING NEWS!

Hunger Mission Partner Donation Collection Sunday, September 27th St. Mark Parking Lot 1-3PM

No Contact Drive Through Isaiah 58 and Circle of Concern have remained open serving those whose needs have only increased during the pandemic. There is a growing need for basic food and hygiene products. Items received will be split between Circle of Concern and Isaiah 58 based on agency need/priorities. Most critical are FOOD – HYGIENE –

canned vegetables toilet paper

peanut butter laundry detergent

chicken noodle soup bar soap

oatmeal shampoo

rice lotion

Mission Successes: Virtual and Real-Time!

Back to School Supplies and Socks/Underwear Donations have been sorted, boxed and delivered! This year’s collection benefits three of our mission partners:

Presby. Children’s Home and Services

Isaiah 58

Circle of Concern

Virtual ABC Sale The tally of donations to the Virtual ABC Sale is not yet final. An update will be provided to the congregation in the November Messenger. Thanks to all for your ongoing support.

Lafayette Industries Going Strong! It remains the leading full-time, long-term employer of adults with developmental disabilities in the State of Missouri. To date, they have

remained open continuously during the pandemic with zero known COVID-19 Mark Presbyterian Church with “Lafayette

Industries” on the memo line or online at

cases! Support them by writing a check to St. https://www.lafayetteindustries.com

Winter Coat Drive Collection Sunday, October 18, 2020, 1-3PM St. Mark Parking Lot

Presbyterian Women Events for October 2020 Newsletter

Thanks from Boots

Contact Diana Johanning Hannah Circle – Thursday Oct. 15, 7:00 pm via Zoom – Contact Carol Weber Judith Circle – 3rd Thursday 7:00 pm – Contact Lynn Laux Book Club – 4th Wednesday 9:30 am – Contact Judy Richardson

PW Board Meeting Wednesday October 7, 9:30 am via Zoom Eve Circle – Time and Place TBA – Contact Laura Adams-Wentling Martha Circle – 3rd Wednesday 12:30 pm Contact Shirley Weir Rachel Circle – 3rd Wednesday 9:30 am – Contact Susan Peters Ruth Circle – 3rd Thursday 10:30 am–

Many, many thanks to all who helped make my 94th birthday special. I was so touched by the 90+

cards that I received, many with special messages, and I was overwhelmed by those who showed up on

my lawn that morning to sing to me. I have been blessed to be a member of St. Mark for over fifty-seven

years, making so many friends that are truly a cherished extension of my family.

Thank you also to the Masked Ringers who played beautiful music in my front yard one evening; what a

great idea to share music with some of us this summer, Marsha and bell choir ladies. The neighbors

really appreciated the chance to hear you, too.

Again, thank you, thank you, St. Mark friends; be well and be prepared for heartfelt hugs when we are

able to worship in person!

Boots

We have given out 2310 dresses and 10 pair of shorts. Kits, trim and directions are in the lobby. Finished dresses and donations of pillowcases, double fold bias tape, trims and t-shirts can be left in lobby. Monetary donations should be given to Abby. Thank you! Call Sherry Naylor with questions.

Last Blood Drive for 2020 at St. Mark

Many people lack enough warm clothing

tyles. If you are cleaning out your closets or have treated yourself to

to stay protected throughout winter. New or gently used clean winter coats are needed for men, women, and kids, all sizes, and s

a new coat or your kids h

Sunday, October 25th, 8:30 AM-1:30PM in Gleason Hall. The Red Cross is still testing all donators’ blood for COVID-19 antibodies, providing insight into possible past disease exposure. Schedule an appointment: http://www.redcrossblood.org/Donate/Blood Enter: Saintmarkpres

ave outgrown their coats, please drop off the old ones and/or a new one.

Children’s Ministries Youth Ministries

SSZoom

Sunday School Zoom class starts on September 20th for K-5th grade Sunday School @9:30 a.m. and will continue each Sunday with a new theme every month. If you are interested in enrolling your child in Sunday School and would like to join our Zoom class, please contact lgilliland@discoverstmark.org

Join us at Suson Park after the Virtual Congregational Meeting!

Sunday, September 27 Noon-2:00 PM

Saturday, October 3 – 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM – Take a day trip to Mound Ridge Retreat Center

Work Day in wide-open spaces, fresh air, a chance to connect with nature. Everyone is invited to participate - breakfast and lunch provided - drive separately. COVID safety procedures in effec for all projects - no-cost event - donations to Mound Ridge accepted by check submitted to St. Mark with subject on memo. If you

are wishing to participate in this event, please respond HERE. More details, contact Latisha, lgilliland@d

ppiscoverstmark.org,and make your reservation.

https://images.a .goo.gl/5cv7BTRzJJxfxJ7u6

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 10:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE With Youth Leading Virtually

Youth Are Still Collecting Lids!!! Back in February, St. Mark Youth asked the congregation to collect clean recyclable plastic caps and lids that will be used as a “trade-in” for a recycled to be donated to Mound Ridge Retreat Center. Our Youth are taking on an ambitious project and continue to need your help. They need at least 500 pounds! Here are the types of items being collected:

small caps from food grade containers and household items

snap-on lids: butter tub lids, coffee can lids, yogurt lids, whipped topping container lids, cottage cheese container lids, ice-cream tub lids

small twist-off caps: medicine, drink bottle, milk bottle caps

large twist-off caps: detergent caps

flip-top caps: ketchup caps, etc.

lids can be no larger than 8” in diameter

other caps and lids with the recycle symbol and the recycle number of 2, 4, or 5

Please save your lids at home until such time that we can again be together or call Abby in the office and arrange a time to drop them off at the church during office hours.

Spiritual Sunrise Stroll through

Since the closing of our church, Pastor MP challenged members to think outside the box on ways to promote fellowship with our cloistered church members. In a Deacons meeting an idea surfaced that the church property could be used for a walking group. This might be a tool for both good mental and physical health. As Deacon of Health and Wellness, I volunteered to organize this. Thanks each of you who have participated over the last six weeks. The opportunity to physically start, at least one of my days, with fellow Christians and to

share a devotional and a prayer with you has made the pandemic a lot more bearable. Prayers and Blessings, Linda Smith

MONDAY MORNING HIKES Contact Pastor MP, mpanco@discoverstmark.org, for more information. Hikes begin at 8:00 AM and change locations each week. MP sends emails where to meet to those interested. Also, check Facebook St. Mark Ministry of Motion. Typically, the distance is 2-3 miles over uneven ground.

We urge donors of all blood types to give and support patients fighting cancer,

undergoing transplant surgeries and facing other serious illnesses.

Our next regular Red Cross Blood Drive will be on

Sunday, October 25 8:30 am to 1:30 pm

No ‘walk-ins’ – Appointment only

http://www.redcrossblood.org/Donate/Blood and enter: Saintmarkpres

COVID-19 Antibody Status. For a limited time, the American Red Cross will

test all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service

to our donors. An antibody test assesses whether your immune system has re-

sponded to the infection, not if the virus is currently present. The COVID-19 anti-

body test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies,

regardless of ever having developed symptoms. The test results will be available

about 7 to 10 days after your donation by logging in to your Blood Donor account

on the Blood Donor App or online