Life or death? Sin or forgiveness? Hope or despair? Conflict or peace? We often stand at crossroads, needing to make a decision between two ways. This Lent, we remember that, as Christians, we face our crossroads in the shadow of our Savior’s cross. Our sermons will consist of Crossroad stories from New Testament people who knew Jesus.

Midweek worship is at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in Lent, and is preceded by a congregational supper of delicious soups and breads (see details on page 2).

February 16 Crossroads

(This Ash Wednesday service includes imposition of ashes as a sign of repentance.)

February 24 Mary Magdalene: To Follow Him

March 3 Joel, a Pharisee: To Worship Him

March 10 Martha, Sister of Lazarus: To Believe in Him

March 17 Judas Iscariot: To Trust Him

March 24 Mary, Mother of John Mark: To Prepare a Place for Him

Holy Week and Easter services will be held on Maundy Thursday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m., Good Friday, April 2 at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m., and on Easter morning, April 4 at regular worship times.

Pastor Alan

Before each Wednesday night Lenten service, members of St. Mark will share a simple meal of soup and fresh bread. Please join us for this time of fellowship. Please sign up to bring a crock pot of your favorite soup on one or more evenings. (The church has crock pots you may borrow and you may bring soup the day before and we’ll heat it up for you if that’s more convenient.) Soup suppers will be held from 5:30—6:15 each Wednesday evening from February 17 to March 24, with worship following at 6:30.

HAITI RELIEF — Over $2000 has been contributed by St. Mark members to relief efforts in Haiti. To make donations, see the flyers in the Narthex or follow links on the church website.

SHOE DRIVE — Confirmation boys are sponsoring a men’s sneakers drive the first three weeks in February for residents of local homeless shelters. Men’s sneakers need not be new or expensive, but should be relatively clean and have some tread life remaining.

HAITI VALENTINE’ DAY BAKE SALE — The girls’ confirmation group will host a bake sale on Sunday, February 14 with all proceeds going to the efforts to rebuild Haiti and help people affected by the earthquake. Let’s show the hurt and suffering people of Haiti our LOVE on Valentine’s Day.

BLOOD DRIVE — Give blood through St. Mark’s quarterly blood drive and give the “gift of life”. Watch the bulletin for the date of February’s drive.

Pastor's Installation program for January was excellent. Our February program, which will be held Tuesday, February 6 will be presented by Walter Anderson from F.E.A.S.T. Everyone is invited. Prayer partners have been assigned for 2010.
 

For Those Who Are Sick: Shelly Neldrett, Rebecca Anderson, Carol Piatt, Melvin & Alma Stroupe, Mary Wolcott, Betty Dallman (sister of Gordon Kile), Anton Khoury, Yula Williams, Michael Lynch, Lee Bogacz, Emma Schaffer, Jim Sandlin, Richard Carroll, Nicole Decruz, Mike Pope, Sandi Alberts, Fred Chernes, Cleone Ullestad, Bob & Joyce Leighton, Ed Cider, Connie Sundberg, Michael Piatt, Kathy Welch, Jaxson White, JD, Phyllis Frisk, Elsie Schroeder, John Evers.

For Those Who Grieve: (Family & Friends of) Bill Paxson, Sally Adriance, Ben Larson, Karen George, Reed Carpentier.

For Those Who Serve: Ed Salmon, Mitch Shellenberger, Eric Piatt, Steven Klein, Tierney Froelich, Tricia Howe, Nick Medrano, Michael Hooper, Kathryn Crawford, Andrew Pateras, Derrick Wessling, Jorge Barquin, Jason Topping, David Young, Keith Waid, Andy Bloch, Matt Hyland, Jordan Maltezo, Michael Seipel, Andrew Gibbons, Chris Kiley, Bobby Ryan, Stephen Dechant.

Be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss out on any of the fun activities scheduled for February and March:

February 14— Family Activity of Ice-skating 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. $8.75 covers admission and skates

February 20—Elementary Youth Meet 10:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

February 21—Middle School Youth Meet 1:30 p.m. -4:00 p.m.

March 7—Youth Sponsored Breakfast

March 14— Family Activity of Pysanky Egg Decorating 1:00 p.m.

March 20—Elementary Youth Meet 10:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

March 21—Middle School Youth Meet 1:30 p.m. -4:00 p.m.

Look for more information and sign up opportunities on our website www.stmarkdunedin.com as well as our weekly bulletin.
 

The teams have been identified, the date has been set, and there will be excitement in the Florida air on Sunday, February 7. Our youth will once again participate in the nationwide program “Soup”er Bowl of Caring. This event is held each year on Super Bowl weekend and is an effort to touch lives and teach youth to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities.

The youth at St. Mark began their “Souper” Bowl of Caring activities on Sunday, January 30 at the Caladisi Publix where they accepted food and monetary donations for our local food pantry - FEAST. They will continue with their service activity on Sunday February 7 when they collect donations of both cash and food (including your Bags of Blessings) after worship services. In addition, the “guys” of St. Mark will prepare and serve a delicious “Soup”er Bowl breakfast of pancakes and sausages between services (which will also honor our new members), with all donations to benefit FEAST.

What a blessing FEAST is to the 3200 families in our community who seek their services each month. What a blessing each of you are in your continued faithfulness to loving our neighbor.