Midweek Adult Educational Programs for November

Midweek Adult Educational/Informational Programs

As Presbyterian Christians, we place great importance upon education and lifelong learning.  We value informational education, learning about the world and how it functions.  The Midweek Adult Educational/Informational Programs at St. Mark Presbyterian are held on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.   The list of programs for the month of November are as follows:

NOVEMBER 2013

DATE	TITLE OF PRESENTATION	PRESENTER
6	Justice in Motion:  Responding to Changing Needs with Nicaragua’s Poor	Pat and Kathy Floerke, The Center for Development in Central America
13	The History of Religion and Politics in America	Dr. Rachel Lindsey, Washington University
20	Mission to Kenya	Stephen Ground, Truman University, St. Mark Member
27	NO      MIDWEEK     GATHERING	H A P P Y     T H A N K S G I V I N G

You are also invited to attend our Midweek Worship Service held from 6:30-7:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.  We invite St. Mark friends and neighbors to share in these educational and informational programs.  The Adult Education Committee also invites you to share your ideas on program topics and speakers.  Contact Linda Smith to share your ideas.  

Christmas Toy Donations

 We are currently collecting Christmas donations for two different groups at St. Mark Presbyterian Church..  The first, sponsored by our Children's Ministry, is collecting small toys and gifts which will be shipped in these shoe boxes overseas.

 Please put your donations in the barrel in front of the display in the Narthex.  Checks would also be appreciated to help ship these boxes to children overseas.  All donations should be made by November 13.

St. Mark Presbyterian Women Labyrinth Tour

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Meet in the Narthex at St. Mark Presbyterian 9:30 a.m.

After a brief orientation, we will carpool to four West County labyrinths. We will also stop for brunch/ lunch during our outing. Please reserve your place on the tour by signing up at the PW Table in the Narthex.

A labyrinth is a pattern with a purpose, an ancient tool that speaks to a long forgotten part of us.  Lying dormant for centuries, labyrinths are undergoing a revival of use and interest.  They offer a chance to take "time out" from our busy lives, to leave schedules and stress behind.  Walking a labyrinth is a gift we give to ourselves that leads us past our intellect to a deeper place within.  Among the results some people have reported from walking labyrinths are insight and creative ideas, relaxation and stress release, happiness (and sometimes tears), connectedness, balance and well-being.

--Labyrinth Enterprises

In With the New, Out With the Old

 The congregation of St. Mark is blessed with a wonderful music program, of which the songs we sing from our hymnals during worship are an integral part. Our current hymnals have been used for years, and will be retired the weekend of November 9 & 10, at the close of the Saturday evening and Sunday morning 10:30 worship services. Plans are that the retired hymnals be stored and eventually donated to a needy church or organization. They will also be available (free of charge) as a keepsake of the wonderful musical memories it may hold for you.

Through the generosity of many, and the Holy Spirit’s prompting us to continue dynamic music during worship, we will also be dedicating new Presbyterian Hymnals during all worship services the week- end of November 9 & 10. Then the following week- end, November 16 & 17, we will explore the new hymnals during all worship services with a good ole’ fashioned hymn sing!

Plan to be a part of worship these weekends, and “sing” goodbye to the old and hello to the new!! Glory to God!!

Seven Layer Salad

Seven Layer Salad
1 head iceberg lettuce, cut into bite size pieces or shredded
1 c. celery, diced and sliced
10 oz. pkg. frozen peas, thawed
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 can water chestnuts, diced or sliced style

Dressing
2 c. mayonnaise
2 T. sugar

Garnish
1/2 c. mozzarella cheese
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

In order, layer vegetables into a clear bowl or 9 X 13 in. dish.  Combine the dressing ingredients and spread over the top of the layered salad.   Sprinkle the shredded cheeses over the dressing layer and refrigerate up to 12 hours before serving.

Thanks, Amy, for another great Midweek Dinner

P W Book Club

 Our September St. Mark Presbyterian Women's Book Club met to discuss the books we will read for the year.  First, we submitted our book suggestions  and summaries to Linda before the meeting.  Then we posted the books on a white board before taking a vote.

Won't you join us for our 2013-2014 book club?  Below are the books we selected and the dates we will be discussing them.

October 23th: Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl

November: NO MEETING

December 11 The Little Book Store of Stone Gap by Wendy Welch

January 22: Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough

February 26: The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck

March 26: Tainted Legacy by Kay Murphy

April 23: The Round House by Louise Erdich

May 28: Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

June 25: The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by by Kelly O”Connor

July NO MEETING

August 27: And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

September 24: BOOK SELECTION!

Glory To God videos

Our new hymnals have arrived at St. Mark Presbyterian, but before we can use them, they must be unpacked and a worship service will be planned to introduce them to the congregation.  So, before you hear any of the hymns on our organ,  Click here for some videos of some of the new hymns.  As the web site says, "The following videos are intended to be helpful demonstrations of some hymns and songs in the new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God.  These videos are neither professional ensembles, nor professional recordings, but are simply suggestions for learning music and worship practices.  More videos will be added throughout the year.  We hope these are helpful as you explore the new hymnal."

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

Breakfast buffet

 Last week, St. Mark Presbyterian hosted the Presbytery of Giddings- Lovejoy which is like a district meeting of elders, pastors and delegates from the Bi-State region in St. Louis. This is an opportunity for Presbyterians to network, learn about the Old Testament, the pension fund, sell crafts from various missions, have lunch, attend to business and greet friends from other churches.

We host the gathering about once a year because we have a facility which lends itself to the small groups and large gatherings.  But, we also have a membership which can host with just a few weeks' notice.

St. Mark's Fall Festival

Don't forget to come to St. Mark's Fall Festival Oct. 13 from 11:45-2:00 PM.  There will be fantastic food (brats, hot dogs and chicken nuggets) with the Kona Ice Truck serving shaved ice and ice cream for a small fee.

Everything else is free:  Pony rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, cake walk, apple butter, balloon animals. We have the Augusta Bottoms Consort providing music and Marion Nichols from the City Museum will be coming to carve pumpkins.To see how much fun it was last year, click here.

Wednesday Worship

 After Midweek Dinner and before our programs, we have half an hour of worship beginning at 6:30.  If you would like to lead worship or contribute to the music, please contact Ryan Bradney or Pastor Susan. (636-394-2233)

Even if you can't contribute, you can participate in worship by joining us in the hymns we sang last Wednesday night.  (Pardon the ads) Click here if the video below doesn't pop up.

Click here if the second video below doesn't pop up.

The Christmas Season is Approaching Quickly

St. Mark Christmas Boutique
Plan to attend and get these dates on your calendar now.

Christmas Decorations and Ornaments

Handmade Holiday Items - Children’s Items - Jewelry
Hand Painted Folk Art Items - Floral Arrangements - Personalized Items Cookbooks  Jams & Jellies - Fresh Baked Delicacies &

Many More Unique Gift Ideas

Tuesday  ·  November 12  ·  10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday  ·  November 13·  10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Join us for lunch or dinner at the

 Angel Street Cafe

featuring:

St. Mark’s Famous Chicken Salad

Homemade Soups - Heavenly Desserts