FROM THEPASTOR

One of my favorite likings of autumn is apples. Apple pie. Caramel apples. Apple chips & apple sauce (we make ours at home). Apple cider. As a family we enjoy going to the Van Wert Apple Festival at the county fairgrounds.

The Bible makes reference to apples eleven times, all in the Old Testament and mostly in Song of Solomon. It is in some of these scripture passages that we get the term “the apple of your eye”. Yet believe it or not it is the word ‘fruit’, and not ‘apple’, that is mentioned in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6). Consequently we don’t know what fruit Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. We just know that it was forbidden and that we have been dealing with the consequences ever since.

However we have reason to rejoice! Thanks be to God for the great gift of faith and salvation he offers to us in our baptism as a result from what occurred 2,000 years ago on a different tree, the cross. The Apostle Paul writes to us in Galatians 3:13 “Christ

redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree’”.

There are health benefits from eating apples. Maybe even caramel apples? According to Best Health Magazine ‘in 2004 USDA scientists investigated over 100 foods to measure their antioxidant (disease-fighting compounds) concentration per serving size. Two apples – Red Delicious and Granny Smith - ranked 12th and 13th respectively’. Apples also contain a fiber called pectin that is beneficial to one’s health. Perhaps grandma did know best when she said “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”!

There are quite a variety of apples at the grocery store these days. Each is best for different purposes, be it cooking, baking, or just plain eating raw. As Christians we are given different gifts of the Holy Spirit. Each gift is best for different purposes. Yet each gift is given to build up the body of Christ (the church), for the common good, to serve in God’s world. So while you eat an apple for your health, read up on the different gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12 (it takes less than three minutes to read it!). Perhaps you will discover, or re-discover, God’s giftedness for you.

Pastor Will

HELPING HANDSOctober 4 th

8:00Lector Jeannine RoedigerUsher Larry MillerAcolyte Collin OverholtCoffee Hour Ringwald

10:30Chimer Marcia WeldyLector Mary HetrickNursery Jerica HuebnerUsher Roger OverholtGreeters Jim, Sandra &

Carol ErrettAcolyte Ryanne EversoleCommunion Jo Holman,

Lorali Todd & Tedd Humbarger

October 11 th 8:00

Lector Jana RingwaldUsher Rick AllenAcolyte Ryan ChenCommunion Neil Korte &

Warren BoweryCoffee Hour Shupe

10:30Chimer Hilary ArnLector Bill HetrickNursery Meghan MoonshowerUsher Gregory PancakeGreeters _______________

_______________Acolyte Brad Korte

October 18 th 8:00

Lector Jim HollandUsher Phyllis KillAcolyte Kendall RauchCoffee Hour Wagonrod

10:30Chimer Juli HamiltonLector Phil McClureNursery Shannon SpearUsher Marc GrubaughGreeters Carol GreulachAcolyte Braelynn SpearCommunion George Noggle &

Tedd Humbarger

October 25 th 8:00

Lector Jim StripeUsher Frank RohrsAcolyte Katie McVaighCommunion 2 neededCoffee Hour McClure

10:30Chimer Sharon BlankLector Shelley DunhamNursery Paige MoonshowerUsher Mark HurlessGreeters Dan & Robin KillAcolyte Paige Moonshower

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OCTOBER greeters for 8:00 a.m. services are

Jim & Joan Holland.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Notes Of

Thanks

Thank you: We wish to thank the Prayer Shawl Ministry for the beautiful shawl in honor of my brother. It means so much to be remembered. Also thank you to Pastor Will and the many people who sent their prayers. Again—thank you.

John & Karen Linton

Thank you so much for the two beautiful shawls for myself and Aiden. I know they were made out of love. I’ve used mine already and I loved it. I love things made by hand, it makes it just more than precious. We shall treasure these forever. I was having a bad day when these came and made my day. Please keep praying for Aiden as he has a long way to go. Pray for a miracle! With love in Jesus,

Aiden Ellerbrock & Marlene DuCheney

Thank you for the Prayer Shawl I received after the passing of my father, Howard Haven. It, along with the cards we received bring comfort at this time.

Marcia & Stan Weldy

Our sympathy to Marcia Weldy and family on the passing of her

father, Howard Haven in Jackson, Michigan

on Thursday, September 10th.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Need A Ride to Church? Call Milo Wyandt during October at 419-238-3584 for a

ride on Sunday morning.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Circle Meetings

Esther Circle: Tues., October13th, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

Jeannine Roediger, hostessPauline Weldy, devotions

Pack School Kits @ church

Ruth-Eunice Circle: Wed., October 14th , 2015 at 1:30 p.m.

Marlene Freund, hostessMarilyn Etzler, program

Meeting at Marilyn Etzler’s home

Preparing for Death:

A Resource Guide: Death can be a difficult thing to think about, but being prepared can ease the decision making process during that time. A manual has been prepared by the Health Ministry to assist congregational members in planning for death—their own or that of a loved one. The booklet includes instructions for advance directives, local information, checklist of steps, suggestions for funeral arrangements, forms for biographical information and funeral preferences. Booklets are in the cloak room/ church office.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Church

Pantry Garden

Although this is not an ideal year

for gardens, our Food Pantry garden is producing pretty well. To date we have harvested 42 gallon bags of green lettuce; about 22 pounds of red beets; 72 pounds of green beans, one cabbage and 191 tomatoes. We still could use some people to take care of the garden and harvest produce during

the rest of the season. You can sign up near the

nursery or at www.stmarkslutheranvw.com/announcements. All help is greatly appreciated.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FUMC Food Pantry: A reminder that items are collected the 1 st Sunday of every month. The next Sunday for collection is Sunday, October 4th. Some specific items that are always needed are: fruits, vegetables, paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, etc.) Oil, flour, SUGAR, SPICES, CEREAL, box meals, canned meats, etc. Any and all items are greatly appreciated. Ruth-Eunice Circle delivers in October.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hospital ReminderPlease call the office with ANY information on hospital

visits or admissions.

October 22 nd for the November 2015 Messenger. Submit your items on or before the 22nd. Please have your items written/typed before you bring them.

Meisa

Church Cancellation Information Available

Please be advised, you may listen to the following radio/TV stations for any church service or activity cancellations due to severe winter weather conditions or look on our webpage

www.stmarkslutheranvw.comWERT radio1220 (Van Wert)WKSD radio 99.7 (Van Wert)WTGN radio 97.7 (Ft. Wayne)WBCL radio 90.3 (Ft. Wayne)Channel 15 (Ft. Wayne)Channel 21 (Ft. Wayne)Channel 33 (Ft. Wayne)Channel 6 (Van Wert cable)www.vwindependent.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday Evening Cancellations Information

If Van Wert Schools cancel, due to fog, the Wednesday evening youth/kids meetings WILL MEET as planned. If Van Wert Schools cancel or have early dismissal due to ice, snow, etc. then Wednesday evening youth/kids meetings WILL NOT MEET.

Upcoming October

EventsOctober 2nd—Bread & Bowl at

1st UM

October 18th—50 Year Member & 1st Holy Communion Sunday

October 25th—Stewardship Sunday

October 25th—Fall Family Festival from 2:00—4:30 PM at the Roehm Farm

October 31st—Trunk Or Treat in parking lot at 4 PM

Attention Members: If you or someone you know will be a 50 year member in 2015, please contact the church at stmarkvw@embarqmail.com or phone at 419-238-6336. We do not want to miss anyone. 50 Year Member Sunday is October 19th.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Would you be interested in being part of a religious

book club that meets on Sunday morning from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.? If

so, and would like more information, then sign-up on your I Worshiped Today or at www.stmarkslutheranvw.com/announcements.

OFFICE HOURSMonday through Friday

8:00 AM to 4:30 PM12:30 to 1:30 LunchLunch hour varies

depending upon when Meisa is able to leave the office.

FIRST COMMUNION TRAINING: First Communion Training is for 6th graders or anyone who is above the 6th grade but has not received training and would like to take communion. The training session will be on Sundays, October 4th & 11th at 12:00 noon in the meeting room across from the office.

ACTS OF THE CHURCH

FuneralDennis Lowell FigleySeptember 15, 2015

BaptismJace Paul Huebner

September 27, 2015

Voice Recital for Pregnancy Life Center: Lindsey Newlove will be giving a Voice Recital on Sunday, October 4th at 3:00 p.m. The recital will take place at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church at 611 Jennings Road in Van Wert. She will be accompanied by Mrs. Cathy Steffan on the piano. During the recital a collection will be taken for the Van Wert Pregnancy Life Center. Newlove is the Elementary Music Teacher at Crestview, volunteers with Big Brother/Big Sisters, sings in the Lima Symphony Chorus, and is the director of the Van Wert Area Boy Choir. She hopes you can join her for an afternoon of music for a great cause!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday Night Supper Helpers for September/October 2015

October 7th

Nancy WolvertonCarol Greulach

October 14th

Kim EvansKathy Van Eman

October 21st

Karen WagonrodRita Adam

October 28th

Marlene FreundReba Robey

November 4th

Joan HollandDorothy Zabicki

Any questions please contact Alicia Hickerson at 419-771-0795 or at ahickerson55@gmail.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHIMERS NEEDED: If you are interested in chiming for the Sunday

Services, please contact Monica Campbell at 419-203-6744.

AWESOME FAMILIES is having a Fall Family Festival on Sunday, October 25, 2:00-4:30 p.m. at the home of Rick & Cary Roehm located at 9318 St. Rt. 81, Rockford. Pre-K through Sr. High with family and friends are welcome. Games, food, hayride, bonfire and more. Hope to see you there!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Our six week winter small group initiative for 2016 will be “gods at war: the

battle for your

heart that will

define your life.” More

information will be forth coming soon.

2015-2016

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS

SuperintendentJoan Holland

Assistant Superintendent

Amie MoonshowerCoordinator & Volunteer

Tonya SroufeCradle Roll Sec. & Children’s Choir Dir

Monica CampbellNURSERY/BEGINNERS

Shannon Spear &Lisa Knoch

PRIMARYGrades 1 & 2

Amy BilimekINTERMEDIATEGrades 3—5

Jeannie DitmyerMIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOLGrades 6—12

Anna BashADULT CLASSESPost-High Onward

Eric Overholt &Pastor Will

2015-2016 WEDNESDAY

NIGHT TEACHERSLittle Awesome Attitudes (Pre K & 1st)

Cristal Nihiser &Paula Johnson

Awesome Attitudes (Grades 2nd -5th)

Juli Hamilton &Rick & Cary Roehm

Catechism Grades 6-7

Kevin & Kathy TaylorCatechism—Grade 8

Pastor Will HaggisHigh School(Grades 9th-12th)

Carole Motycka

Wednesday Night Youth & Children’s MinistryWednesday night ministry began on September 10th. The schedule is as follows: 5:55 p.m. Supper in

Fellowship Hall 6:15 p.m. Catechism/Middle

School Youth

6:15 p.m. THE ANCHOR 6:30 p.m. Kid MinNoah’s Park

Children’s Church: On Sunday, September 20, 2015, Noah’s Park

Children’s Church opened to begin the school year at St. Marks. Noah’s Park will be open during the 10:30 Worship Service and all children through the fifth grade are welcome.

Ponder, Stretch, Honk, Dreamer and many more animal friends are looking forward to meeting all of the children. Come and explore the Cozy Cave and experience the fun of Campsite Capers.

Do you want to service in a ministry that will make a difference in the future? Noah’s Park Children’s Church Ministry is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist in teaching God’s word. You can sign up to help for one (1) unit (A unit consists of four (4) to five (5) Sundays), multiple units or for the full year, the schedule is flexible. If you are able to serve in this ministry sign-up at: www.stmarkslutheranvw.com/announcements or contact Anna Bash at 419-363-2057.

Help Wanted: The animal friends at Noah’s Park are searching for adventurous fourth and fifth graders to serve as Park Patrol Personnel at Noah’s Park Children’s Church.

Learn how to be a puppeteer, participate in skits, lead songs and help the younger children at the park. The schedule is flexible, so if you are interested; check with your parents and have them fill out the online form at: www.stmarkslutheranvw.com/ announcements.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED will meet on Friday, October 2nd at 1:30 p.m. at the Convoy United Methodist Church. Topic will be “journey of the Caregivers”, with a presentation by Cherie Conrad, R.N. Hope you can attend!

Bread & Bowl: The next Bread & Bowl for St. Mark’s will be held Friday, October 2nd, 2015, at 1st UM Church, 6-7 PM. If you are interested in helping provide a salad or dessert, or help in serving, please sign up on your I Worshiped Today. All are welcome to help.

NEW ! We are now able to offer DVD’s of Church Services

for those unable to attend Sunday morning. All you need is a DVD player to watch on your TV or computer. These DVD’s are being made available for our shut-in as well as those recovering from illness or injury. If you or someone you know would like to receive these DVD’s, please contact

the church office (419-238-6336) or call Marilyn Morgan at 419-203-7016.

2015 CURRENT EXPENSE UPDATE

What Current Expenses Are & How They Are Funded

When you share your offerings with St. Mark’s, one of the areas that you choose for your giving is Current Expenses.

We also have put monies that have been given to the church in the form of designated bequests that produce income and annually fund a portion of our Current Expenses on a planned basis. Examples in this area include college scholarships, our youth programs, and our education ministry.

We also receive annual funding from sources outside of our St. Mark’s membership for a few of our outreach ministries. These include Blessings In A Backpack, Bread and Bowl, and Rice Kits.

The hope and the need in the long-term is that our

offerings for Current Expenses will be sufficient to cover all of our Current Expenses, excluding those that are met by income from Designated Bequests or outside giving earmarked for specific St. Mark’s ministries. Therefore, our offerings address the weekly costs associated with our ministries that are not listed above, the maintenance and utilities cost of our properties, office supplies, and other overhead items and salaries and benefits for our staff.

Where We Are NowWhen our Current Expense

offerings fall short of this hoped for and needed level, we have two choices: (1) cut our expenses or (2) spend additional funds from the Investment Account that are not designated for any specific purposes. As a congregation, you have chosen to spend these additional funds from the Investment Account.

In 2014, our Current Expense offerings declined 5.3%. We planned on a 4% increase, as we experienced more than that in each of 2012 and 2013. This decline in our Current Expenses offerings meant we had to use $64,288.91 from the Non-

Designated Funds in our Investment Account in 2014.

2015 CURRENT EXPENSE UPDATE

(Continued)

Through the first twenty-two weeks of 2015, our Current Expense offerings have declined another 8.6%. Currently, we expect to have to use more than $90,000 from the Non-Designated Funds in our Investment Account by the end of 2015. If this occurs, the remaining balance in these Non-Designated Funds that can be spent will fall to less than $390,000.

Looking AheadClearly we cannot continue

on the financial path we are on for the long-term. If you are behind on our giving to St. Mark’s compared to your plan and are in a position to catch-up, please do so as you can in the remainder of 2015. Also, if your current income level supports an increase in your Current Expenses giving, please prayerfully consider making that increase. This can be done as you pledge for 2016, but also as you continue your

giving in the remainder of 2015.

The Outreach Program at St. Mark’s is the intended recipient of the income from these Non-Designated Funds. As these balances continue to decline, we diminish the potential that can be achieved through the Outreach Program. It was not that long ago that the available balance was more than $1,200,000. So, the Outreach Program that relies on its funding outside of the Farm Account has now had its potential cut by more than 67%.

It is also important to note that if this available balance from the Non-Designated Funds fell to zero, not only would the funding for this portion of our Outreach Program be quite small, but also our Current Expenses offerings would have to match our Current Expense costs each and every year.

What We Are AboutAs the church we are the

hands, feet and voice of Christ in a local and global community in need of help and hope. This important mission of Christ needs

funding to be fulfilled. Giving Is An Act Of Faith.