Grace and peace to you. Happy 2025!
And happy 200th anniversary to St. Mark Lutheran! Yes, it was in 1825 that, after more than twelve years of being in union with the Reformed church, the Lutheran congregation that would become St. Mark took effect. Nearly sixty years later, on July 27, 1884, the church building at 850 Snydertown Road was dedicated.
As we begin this bicentennial year for St. Mark, we have much to be thankful for and celebrate. The church has gone through many changes, yet remains a place where people come together to worship God, be part of the body of Christ, and care for our neighbors, both near and far.
We are planning to have a weekend bicentennial celebration, right now scheduled for
July 26-27, so please mark your calendars. To help plan for that weekend and other things that can be part of this bicentennial year, we are calling on anyone who is interested and can help to serve on St. Mark’s bicentennial committee. If you are interested or have questions, please contact me. I am hoping to have the first meeting in February.
This is a time for St. Mark to commemorate its past, celebrate its present, and look forward to its future. It is a good time to ask questions such as Where have we been? Where are we now? And where do we feel God is calling us to go? Coincidentally, I am starting an online Bible study in January that is titled, “I’ve Been Meaning to Ask,” that is inspired by a worship series created by A Sanctified Art. The study is centered on four questions: Where are you from? Where does it hurt? What do you need? Where do we go from here? I invite you to take part as much as you can. More information can be found on page 3 of the newsletter.
Asking questions is a wonderful way to discern what God is saying to us and where God may be leading us now and for the future — both individually and as a congregation. I believe for the present, God is calling St. Mark to be a beacon in this valley. Being a beacon by proclaiming and sharing God’s word and good news; by listening to people, hearing their needs, and discerning if St. Mark has a part to play in addressing those needs; by strengthening the bonds of our community; and more.
As for the future, that is something each of us can imagine and discern about and bring to the table. I invite you to take some time, especially this month as 2025 begins, to imagine what the people of St. Mark can do and where this church body can go as it continues to listen to God and be guided by God’s Holy Spirit. Share your thoughts and ideas with me, with someone who is on our new council, or with someone who is part of one of our committees. We are the body of Christ together — we walk together. You have a voice. Maybe the ideas we have can happen. Maybe some can’t for some reason. But you will be heard!
I have treasured being a small part of the 200 years of this congregation! I look forward to walking with you during this special year and into the future! Happy New Year!
Pastor David