Our church is involved in cooperative ministry conversations and activities with four other Lutheran churches in the Mechanicsburg area (St. Peter, Trinity, St. Stephen, and Trindle Spring). Stay informed by checking out the Cooperative Corner as we celebrate completed events, plan upcoming initiatives, and discuss possibilities for the future.

CELEBRATING WHAT GOD HAS DONE

Mechanicsburg Day Camp: Nineteen children from our five congregations played, learned about the Bible, and enjoyed the summer weather together during a five-day camp program staffed by counselors from Camp Nawakwa. Mark your calendars: next year’s camp will take place from June 19 to June 24 at St Mark Lutheran Church.

ELCA Youth Gathering: Nineteen youth and adults from three of our congregations traveled to Detroit in July for service, learning, fellowship, and worship with 30,000 other Lutherans from across the country

Underground Skate Park: Our second mobile skate park day drew a good crowd of local skateboarders to the parking lot at Trinity despite hot and humid weather on August 1. Thanks to everyone who helped with setting up the ramps and providing food!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Please see the bulletin or ReMarker as more information becomes available on these upcoming events-- Aug 30, 2015: Progressive Youth meeting Sept 20, 2015: God’s Work Our Hands at New Hope Sept 25-27, 2015: ALiVE retreat for middle school youth Oct 4, 2015: Walk4Water fundraiser Apr 29-30, 2016: “Break the Fast” youth fundraiser, lock in, and hunger education program

ENVISION THE FUTURE

The Art of Neighboring: A sub-committee of 1-2 people from each congregation is forming to gather data and develop an Area Mission Strategy. If you are interested in helping to discern how God is calling us to love our neighbors in Mechanicsburg, let your pastor know you’d like to participate in this discussion.

Guests from Lebanon: Leaders from a cooperative ministry team in Lebanon will be invited to a future meeting to share their story of forming and structuring a formal cooperative ministry.

Worshipping Together: Possibilities abound for ways we can worship God and share our traditions with one another. Conversation will continue at future meetings.

Prayers Needed: Please pray for wisdom as our congregations continue to discern our future together and for openness to the work and guiding of God’s Spirit among us.

YOU’RE INVITED

St. Stephen Apple Festival, October 17, 9:00 am- 2:00 pm: Join us for homemade apple butter, pies, dumplings, BBQ and beef vegetable soup, while enjoying live music, craft vendors, games for children, and a cupcake walk. Community service organizations like New Hope Ministries, Project SHARE, New Digs, and Lutheran Life Services will also be on-site to share their stories, and invite your participation. We hope to see you there!

St. Mark Lutheran Church Annual Music Program and Spaghetti Dinner, Sunday, October 18, 5:30 pm, 117 West Keller Street, Fellowship Hall. Dinner is served at 5:30 pm followed by a Patriotic-themed music program at 6:30 pm. Please wear red, white, and blue. All are welcome to attend. Please contact the church office at 766-4482 to make your reservation.

Want to know more? Talk to your pastor, or join us at our next meeting! September 27 at 3:00 pm at St Peter Lutheran Church (130 Nittany Drive, Mechanicsburg)