Worshipping Together

Letter from Pastor Katy Fast 

March 20, 2020

Good Morning, St. Mark, 

I hope you all are well, and safe, and resting in God's grace and love today. 

I wanted to send out a note, instead of our weekly announcements. Since all of our services, groups, and events are suspended for the time being, I didn't write This Week at St. Mark, but I still thought I'd include a few notes about what's happening in the life of our congregation.

1) Online Worship Join us on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. for a video-recorded Service of the Word. Pastor Connie Bonner is presiding and Seminarian Anne Harman will be preaching. They, along with other online worship leaders, have worked hard to record the service ahead of time, with the input from many of you and your Psalm 23 readings! Thank you all. We will send out a link to view this service on Saturday or Sunday. It will also be available on Sunday on our website under the Worship tab. If you're not available to watch at 9:30 a.m. you can go to the link at any time and view the service.

2) Pastoral Supply I will be away on vacation (well, a "stay"cation) starting today for a week. We will be celebrating the birthdays of our two sons. (Much different parties than we planned for!) I will return to the office next Friday, March 27th. If you need any pastoral assistance please call Deacon Jennifer Grumbling (813-892-9707) and she will be able to help, or connect with a pastor, if there is a need. D.J. is also creating a Sunday school moment to post on our website as well, so that our children will be able to hear a bible story in lieu of Sunday school. 

3) Giving Thank you to those who are mailing in your donations! We know it takes a little extra effort, but are grateful for your support. We continue to receive donations for our General Fund, Lutheran World Relief, and our Burn the Mortgage Appeal. We are exploring online giving options and will let you know when that is available to you. 

4) Prayer Requests

I'd like to request your prayers for Sue Nelson, who lost her beloved dog Maggie this week. Many of you know how hard it is to lose a beloved canine companion. Please hold her in your prayers for comfort in her sadness. 

I'd also like to request prayers for Darrell & Sue Zenk's daughter, Brenda, who is exhibiting symptoms of the COVID-19 virus and awaiting testing. May God bring her answers and healing and protect her family from the spread.

5) Donations to F.E.A.S.T. & Dunedin Cares & Personal Care Kits

Connie Feig and I have been in touch with the directors of both F.E.A.S.T. and Dunedin Cares Food Pantries. They have given us lists of items that would be particularly helpful. We'd like to give you the opportunity to drop off items at our church office any time during the week OR on Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. You can bring them in and leave them right inside the door. The respective organizations will come to church to pick them up. 

F.E.A.S.T. Needs:

You can make a donation online: https://www.feastfoodpantry.com/ways-to-donate.html

canned tuna/chicken

fruit juice boxes for children

cereal (big or individual boxes)

boxed milk

cleaning supplies

toilet paper

laundry soup

shampoo

Dunedin Care Needs:

tuna

canned chicken

Pasta and sauce

apples

oranges

potatoes, including sweet potatoes

loaves of bread

all foods donated are appreciated! 

When will we worship again in person? I don't know that yet. As soon as I have a better idea, I will let you know. There are pastors in our conference brainstorming creative ideas for Easter worship, but it's not looking like we will be able to do anything in person. I will let you know more when I get back next week. Things change so rapidly day to day that it's hard to say what the next day will bring. But Jesus urges not to worry about tomorrow, to trust and rely on God's grace, sufficient for today. 

God's peace be with you today!

In Christ's love,

Pastor Katy