St. Mark’s Lutheran Church has had a long history of fantastic VBS weeks.  Over the past several years we have journeyed our way through the desert, the jungle and in the wild.  This year we will be looking at our own lives and community and see how we can make an impact.

We will look at several ways kids can make an impact in their homes, in the community and around the world.  It is amazing how we can do little things and make a big impact.

We will be learning about gardens, we will be planting seeds, we will be using lots of recycled materials for our crafts.

To learn more about our VBS this year please watch the video below.  You can also go to our VBS page and sign-up online today!

Here are some Testimonies about ReNew VBS

We chose ReNew because of its subject matter.  We are a congregation interested in teaching children about the care of creation.  As pastor, I loved the fact that it stayed with one scripture text and allowed us to explore it in a number of ways.

- Pastor Wendy, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Florham Park, NJ

How much have you thought about your name?  Do you know why your parents named you the way that they did?  Do you know your family history?

I always find people’s name stories fascinating.  I love hearing how people got their names, not only their given names but nicknames as well.

Growing up with the name “Joe” I never really had a cool nickname.  Sometimes I would get called “Big Joe” or “yo-sef” or something like that.  It wasn’t until my senior year of high school where some of the guys on my football team would call me “preacher” because of my affiliation with the church.  A fellow lineman’s nickname was “Buddha” and to this day he is still called that.  My best friend was called “cheeseburger” because during half time at our lacrosse games he would take a break and eat some cheeseburgers.  But that name has gone to the wayside.  In college I was working on the loading dock for the school’s cafeteria and one of my co-workers gave me the nickname papajoe (to this day I am not sure why) and that has stuck ever since.

In this week’s old testament lesson Abram’s and Sarai’s names are changed to Abraham and Sarah.  In Hebrew culture, names implied relationships. In some respects, that is still true today. In different parts of my life I am known by different names.  Some of you call me “Pastor Joe” others may call me “Joe” still others call me “papajoe” and Katie calls me…..well let’s not go there

These different names all imply different relationships. If someone stops calling me Joe and starts calling me Joseph, they are making a statement; in this case, I think I am in trouble.

When God changed a person’s name and gives them a new name, it was usually to establish a new identity. God changed Abram’s “high father” name to “Abraham,” “father of a multitude” (Genesis 17:5) and his wife’s name from “Sarai,” “my princess,” to “Sarah,” “mother of nations” (Genesis 17:15). We know from history that the descendants of Abraham and Sarah formed many nations, including the Jews’ and Muslims’.

God changed Jacob’s “supplanted” name to “Israel,” “having power with God” (Genesis 32:28). He changed Simon’s “God has heard” name to “Peter,” “rock” (John 1:42).

What are some of your nicknames?

 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ Luke 10: 25-37

It seems like Jesus can’t win.  First he is asked about eternal life and how one can get into Heaven.  It’s simple Jesus says — love God and love your neighbor.  But that is not good enough for some people.  The lawyer pushed it a bit and asked “Who is my neighbor?” The lawyer, Luke tells us, asked this question to justify himself. “Neighbor,”  could mean a whole lot of people.

Who, exactly, is my neighbor? Who, that is, must I recognize as having a legitimate claim on me? Who warrants my attention? Who must I notice? Who must I see? Who, in short, counts?

I mean if we were to take Jesus’ concerns literally then we would have to help everyone who asked for it right?  So instead of trying to qualify a neighbor Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan.

This is what I find so interesting about the role the Samaritan plays. I mean, if this parable really was just another morality tale, I think the Samaritan would be the guy in the ditch. Then we’d have a classic “love your enemies” story.

But thinking about it — this parable is not only about loving your enemies, but also for us trying to accept love from someone where we least expect it to come from.

In this story it is the Samaritan who notices – who actually sees – this beaten man and by seeing him is moved to pity. The Samaritan, that is, is the one who recognizes that when it comes to the question of who is our neighbor, there are no rules. Our neighbor, it turns out, is anyone in need.

Having the eyes of faith to see all people are children of God and anyone in need is your neighbor must be a gift of God, it must be a matter of faith, it must start with seeing, and only then move to doing.

That’s what we are trying to teach our youth every time we enter the Samaritan Center.  You never know where you help is going to come from, and as much as we go to the Samaritan Center to serve those in need.  Every time we go we are learning as much and receiving as much from the people we serve as we try to impart on them.

This summer St. Mark’s Lutheran Church is partnering with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, NY to bring 31 youth and adults to New Orleans for the National Lutheran Youth Gathering July 2012.  We will gather together with 37,000 of our closest friends and partners in ministry in New Orleans to practice discipleship, practice justice and practice peacemaking.

The theme, citizens with the saints, comes from the book of Ephesians 2:14–20, paraphrased here:

Jesus is our peace. In his life and death on the cross, Jesus broke down the dividing walls so that we are no longer strangers and outsiders, but we are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God. The foundation of God’s house was built of apostles and prophets, and Jesus, the cornerstone, holds it all together.

I love this theme because I believe that it is so important for the adults and youth who attended the 2009 National Youth Gathering to follow-up and experience again the wonderful hospitality, the generosity and the love that we felt from the people of New Orleans.

On January 29th youth and adults gathered from St. Mark’s and Good Shepherd and we talked about the meaning of the gathering’s theme “Citizens with the Saints” and how it related to our lives.  We talked about how in the world there are areas where we can and cannot go because of the access given to us.  However, Jesus gives us access to the entire Kingdom of God.  It is an amazing thing and we are blessed because of it.

We also worshiped together, ate together, watched a video from the last gathering and just spent time together so everyone could get to know one another.

Looking ahead as we prepare ourselves for our trip to New Orleans we will talk specifically how we need to prepare ourselves to practice discipleship.  This means we will help the youth realize that while at the gathering they will be claiming and valuing their baptismal identity, they will seek the ability to talk about the grace that Jesus offers, and they will be allowing themselves to wrestle with questions of faith and demonstrating openness to the movement of the Spirit in their life.

When we talk about peacemaking we teach the youth to act in a way that reflects God’s value for everybody, particularly those who are marginalized by society.

We see this happening by recognizing when they hold the power in relationships with people who are marginalized, and freely giving that power away, being able to take a back seat comfortable, listening before speaking, and working toward reconciliation in Christ in all relationships.

Finally they will learn to practice justice  by living boldly in the face of injustice, crisis and suffering and Knowing that it is Jesus who makes us able, not our efforts.

All of this is amazing stuff and I am so excited to be walking with these young people on this important journey.  To learn more about the National Youth Gathering please enjoy the video below.

This year at St. Mark’s we decided to have a trunk or treat.  We invited people from the church and community to come to St.  Mark’s and dress up the trunk of their car and hand out candy to kids.  There was also a halloween treat waiting for them inside the church as well as some songs and games.

Each car that came was entered into a contest and the kids got to pick the best “dressed” car.  Believe it or not Pastor Joe McGarry’s car won!!  He said it was a last min idea but he went for it and the kids dubed it “Evil Elmo” 

Overall the kids had a great time and were able to celebrate Halloween a little early!

OTHER YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Babysitting for St. Mark’s  Progressive Dinner:  December 3 from 5:30-8:30

The youth will be  babysitting at the church during the upcoming progressive dinner.  If you can be there to help, please sign up on the poster in the youth room.  Two shifts will be available, 5:30-7:00 and 7:00-8:30.

Don’t forget to sign up to light the advent wreath.  We need two youth at each service starting on November 27-Decemeber 18

Cookie Bake at Church : December 11 from 6-11. We will gather at church to bake cookies to sell on December 11.    In order to generate a profit, we are asking each participant to donate the ingredients for a no-bake cookie, bar cookies, or to make cut outs at home and bring frosting to decorate them at church.  A sign up poster will be in the youth room with suggestions, so that a variety of cookies can be made.  The youth will purchase flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda and powder, and vanilla.  Please bring the recipe, pan and all remainder ingredients with you that evening.

Christmas Bureau Distribution Day December 22 2:30-5:30 or 5:00-8:00

The Salvation Army of Syracuse will service 2500 families at the OnCenter on this day.  This is for families in need to help them to have a brighter holiday season.  Recipients will receive a food basket, a toy, a book and stocking stuffers for each child in their family.  This is a wonderful opportunity to give back during the holidays. If you would like to volunteer, please call Mrs. McCabe ASAP. She will sign you up and work on carpooling and time details.

 Upcoming Events:

January 8                              Degreening of the Church and sledding party for the confirmation youth (grades 6-8)

January 14                            Applebee’s Fundraiser

January 16                            Luther Bowl     A fun event for all youth grades 6-12

February 10-12                     Vanderkamp Winter Retreat   for all youth grades 7-12