INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Page

AUGUST SERMONS 2

BULLETIN BOARD 3

CALENDAR 4

RANDALL’S PEN 5

TREASURER’S REPORT

5

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

6

MISSION NEWS 7

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 10th – Wednesday Bible Study

August 14th – Pool Party

August 20th – DFW Regional Fellowship Event at FPC Arlington

St. Mark Connection 9999 Ferguson Road Dallas, TX 75228 214-321-6437

Volume 63, Issue 8 saintmarkchurch.org August 2016

I’ve addressed the state of Christendom in the Western world

several times. Those who self-identify as “nones” with no affiliation to

organized religion are a growing phenomenon. The “dones” — those

who have left organized religion — are also increasing. The Church at

large seems to be challenged by either other forms of spirituality or by

no spiritual life at all. Especially troubling for Christians is the perceived

lack of power to influence the world around us. In fact, it appears that

the surrounding culture has lost its collective mind. As these changes

are happening so quickly, the Church can’t respond quickly enough. It is

as though the rules are being rewritten daily. We’re confounded and

confused.

To address our concerns, some friends of mine are bringing

“Through the Looking Glass: Being The Church in A Crazy New World,” to

the area Saturday, August 20th. The event could provide answers to the

situations the Church faces in the 21st century. The Reverend Doctor Jim

Singleton will be the keynote speaker during the day that includes

sessions on a variety of topics: “Who moved? Something Has Changed

Between the Church and the Culture,” “Adaptive Options for the Season:

Missional and Exile,” “Getting Leaders Ready to Lead in the New World.”

Please consider spending some time with us in contemplating

these ideas. Let’s keep trying together to find our way in these

challenging times. More information on the event can be found on the

following page.

Blessings, Pastor Rick

St. Mark Presbyterian Church St. Mark Connection The Season of Pentecost Page 2 of 6, August, 2016

You Are Invited to Attend DFW Regional Fellowship Event

WHEN - Saturday, August 20, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM WHERE - First Presbyterian Church - 1200 South Collins Street, Arlington, TX 76010

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: BEING THE CHURCH IN A CRAZY NEW WORLD KEYNOTE SPEAKER – REV. DR. JIM SINGLETON, ASSOC. PROFESSOR OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP AND

EVANGELISM, GORDON CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

An interactive day with Jim including reflection and discussion sessions led by members of the D/FW Fellowship Community. Our own Pastor Rick is part of this group of area ministers organizing this event.

TOPICS WILL INCLUDE: Who Moved? Something Has Changed Between the Church and the Culture Adaptive Options for This Season: Missional and Exile Getting Leaders Ready to Lead in This New World

REGISTRATION: includes lunch Register by August 10th - $30

Registration beginning August 11 th - $40 To register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dfw-fellowship-regional-gathering-through-the-looking-glass-tickets-26176053280

Dr. Jim Singleton joined Gordon-Conwell as Associate Professor of Pastoral Leadership and Evangelism in 2012, bringing with him many years of church leadership experience. He previously served on Gordon-Conwell’s faculty as adjunct professor in Presbyterian polity and history at the Hamilton campus in 1991.

The son of a Presbyterian pastor, Dr. Singleton’s call to ministry began early in his high school years and intensified in college. His particular interests lie in evangelism and the mission of the local church. He has a passion for helping equip congregations to better fulfill their global mission.

Sunday Sermons, Scriptures and Events

August 7 – “Growing in Grace and Gratitude” Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 22:34-40 Rev. Dr. Randall McGee Celebration of The Lord’s Supper

August 14 – “The Ask” Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

August 21 - “The Others”

2 Timothy1:3-7; 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

August 28 - “The Challenge”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Colossians 1:1-9

Wednesday Bible Study

Wednesday Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, August 10th at 10:30 a.m. in the parlor. Please join Pastor Brooks for an always insightful look at scripture and current events.

Scholarships are available.

Contact the church office.

St. Mark Presbyterian Church St. Mark Connection The Season of Pentecost Page 3 of 6, August, 2016

White Rock Center of Hope

Sunday, August 14th

Bring your donations and place them in in the baskets in the hallway.

Needs Socks and underwear for boys and girls

Canned meat, mac and cheese Deodorant and feminine hygiene products

God Bless You on Your Birthday

August 5 August 17 Anna Duncan Stephany Brown Charlene Taylor August 18 August 6 James Carver Ed Blair August 19 Pat McCloud Charlene Ramsay August 8 August 20 Randi Richards Ben Blair August 9 August 22 Chuck Hathaway Jerri Shevlin Katie Moore August 23 August 10 Duncan Guinnée Michael Bell August 27 Maylea Higgins Karen Ellis August 14 Katherine Husted Elizabeth Cantu August 29 August 15 Susie Miller Cecilia Grayson

Pool Party

Sunday August 14 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Town East Pool - 2525 John Glenn Off Town East Blvd. between Highway 80 & Gus

Thomasson, behind McDonald Middle School

We have exclusive use of the pool on this evening. Bring snacks & drinks in non-glass containers and enjoy swimming and/or visiting in the shade. Only U.S. Coast Guard approved floatation devices are allowed.

Pantry Needs at St. Mark

Chicken, Ham or Tuna Salad Kits Saltine Crackers Soups (with pop top lids) Granola Bars Breakfast Bars Peanut Butter

Thank You!

We just wanted to take a minute of your time to give you our heartfelt thank you for all that ya'll did to get Mother and Daddy's 75th Anniversary Party to happen on such a short notice. Everyone did such a wonderful job and the special music was the icing on the cake, literally. Words cannot express how grateful we are for everyone's help and participation. God Bless You All!

Love, Debbie and Karen

It takes many people helping a person recover from knee surgery. I do thank my St. Mark family for remembering me with prayers, calls, cards, rides, and food! And I must not forget the folks who kept the front planter watered and looking nice. Thank you all! You are blessings from GOD!

Love, Donna Simes

Thanks to all my wonderful and loving St. Mark family for the calls, cards visits and prayers for my recovery from back surgery. All have been helpful in making me feel so much better and are very much appreciated.

Blessing to you all, Mike Parsley

Bulletin Board

NEWSLETTER STAFF: Kat Hutchings office@saintmarkchurch.org Cecilia Grayson ceciliag51@gmail.com

Articles and information for the newsletter can be mailed to these addresses. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE IS August 19th.

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St. Mark Presbyterian Church St. Mark Connection The Season of Pentecost Page 5 of 6, August, 2016

This month I am writing while sitting in a college dorm room in McKenzie, Tennessee. I am in the middle of five days of teaching classes each morning and evening on Christian Education Theory and Practice. Most of my students will eventually be pastors and will serve part time in small congregations. We spend time talking about the nature and purpose of Christian education. We talk about teachers and learners. We talk about ways to teach. We talk about the different ways people learn. I try to update them in a practical manner on some of the current brain research and how that new knowledge might have an impact on educational ministry in the church. We also talk about the wider culture in which we are called to do ministry. We explore some of the changes that have taken place in the last 50 or so years. We note how the pace of change may very well continue. We think about how the church might live out it’s calling in this time of so much change. We share concerns and we generate some new ideas. We even look back at some older practices that have new relevance. We acknowledge that these are challenging times. But we also note that we are a people with a mission to share good news both within our congregations. We are a hopeful people. We are an optimistic people. We believe that God is at work in the world and we are privileged to share in that work. As the PC(USA) “Brief Statement of Faith” opens:

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

And as that same Statement closes:

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We belong to God. So we can look around us and embrace the challenges and know that God is with us as we seek to live out our calling as part of God’s beloved children.

Treasurer’s Report For the Twelve Months Ending June 30, 2016

Operating Fund income YTD was $5,600 below budget and expenses YTD were $2,500 below budget. Capital & Facilities Fund income YTD was $600 below budget and expenses YTD were $700 below budget. Our Combined Fund Balance is down $7,300 from the beginning of our fiscal year, following extensive upgrades and maintenance to our HVAC systems. Detailed financial statements are available for any member to review. Please contact the Treasurer, John Carver, or Bill Grayson if you would like to see more information.

St. Mark Presbyterian Church St. Mark Connection The Season of Pentecost Page 6 of 6, August, 2016

Session Highlights

Stated Meeting of the Session, June 20

Devotional and prayer by Teri Brooks.

Motion passed to approve up to $500 for the Presbyterian Fellowship meeting in August. Funds to come from Membership & Evangelism and the Mission & Outreach Committees in Fund 30

Motion seconded and passed to allow champagne to be served for a toast at the 75th anniversary of Shirley & Frank Roberson.

Motion seconded and passed to approve the annual committee reports as amended.

Motion passed to approve the budgets for Fiscal 2017 (July 2016-June 2017) as follows: Operating Fund - $195,000, Capital and Facilities Fund – 30,000.

Motion seconded and passed to post a complete set of approved Session Minutes on the Session bulletin board and a summary in the monthly newsletter.

Called Meeting of the Session, July 17

Motion was seconded and approved that Jerri Shevlin be ordained and Teri Brooks, Jerri Shevlin, Leigh Taylor, and Jeff Taylor be installed as elders for the class of 2019.

Annual Meeting of the Congregation, July 17

Motion was seconded and approved to accept the Pastor’s Terms as presented.

Motion seconded and passed to accept the annual reports as presented.

Motion seconded and passed to hear a report of the budget from the Stewardship & Finance Committee.

A full set of Session minutes are available to read on the Session bulletin board.

Your Session, 2016-2017

Session has 4 newly installed members. Jerri Shevlin is a new elder who was ordained and installed on Sunday July 17. Teri Brooks, Leigh Taylor, and Jeff Taylor are ruling elders that were installed into active duty on that date. Session meets on the third Monday of each month. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact any of the active elders listed below.

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Annie Blair Karl Crawley Teri Brooks Bill Grayson Lorraine Stephen Jeff Taylor Nikki Guinnée Joanne Szalay Leigh Taylor Charlene Taylor Dick Waters Jerri Shevlin

A new Session bulletin board is in the hallway across from the parlor kitchen. Look for approved Session minutes and other Session related information to be posted.

Thank you, Dorothy Moore, for your dedicated service on the session and the Membership/Evangelism Committee.

St. Mark Presbyterian Church St. Mark Connection The Season of Pentecost Page 7 of 6, August, 2016

Mission News

Please join Mission & Outreach with the Committee’s project of helping “Aged Out” young people from PCHAS (Presbyterian Children’s Home and Services). “Aged Out” means those young people over 18 years of age who do not have a home. PCHAS has provided these young people an opportunity to go to college. Now they need our help again.

The St. Mark congregation took on the class of 2017 and began with 12 students three years ago. One student has graduated and four students are hopeful of completing college at the end of this academic year.

The Committee is asking if members of the St. Mark congregation would assist by being a contact for new students. The M & O Committee supplies holiday cards, gift cards for Christmas and birthdays. Your help will be welcomed in writing encouraging notes and mailing gifts to the young people.

If you are interested in helping with the PCHAS students, please leave your name with Kat (Church Secretary) or contact Donna Simes. We look forward to hearing from you.

Dick Waters