Then, I remember our church staff, who regularly put in more time and effort than they are paid for. And what about the members of the Parish Planning Council, the ministry coordinators, and the committees of people who voluntarily lead our church into mission.  Danke!

Thank you to Praise Hymn, the Serendipity Choir, the instrumentalists and vocalists who so generously share their gift of music. Munna Takk (How's your Norwegian?) to the tech crew who manages sound and projections at every worship service, to the altar guild who works to beautify our sanctuary, and to all those who faithfully gather for worship Sunday mornings. Ευχαριστώ to those who are at the Divine Dollars table every week. I think of all those who serve on a Sunday to make St. Mark a warm and hospitable place. (Did you know on a given Sunday there are 35 members of our church community who are actively engaged in intentional ministry.) Thank you to the assisting ministers, the ushers, readers, acolytes, greeters, the preparers and servers at the hospitality table, the communion servers, and the parish nurses. Thank you to each of you who make it their business to intentionally seek out and welcome guests and visitors, and to those who pray and watch for an opportunity to invite a guest.  And გმადლობთ  to those who shovel and salt the sidewalk on a winters day, those who staff the outdoor market fair in the summer,  and those who take care of our church building all year ‘round.

            Kudos go to those who volunteer in the office, to those who count the money, to those who spend long hours keeping detailed financial records. And let us not forget those who write the checks, and balance the books.   Danke schön, to our Sunday school teachers, to those who work with our youth, and to those who teach and preach together with me.  Grasias to those who visit the sick and shut-in, and bring them communion. Thank you to those who labor in the prison ministry, for those who pick up the Panera bread and for those who bag it every week.  For those who work to help integrate new members into the life of the church, for those who serve as sponsors, and of course, Munna tousan takk to those who publish this monthly newsletter. And a special thank you to those of you who serve behind the scenes, but whom my forgetful brain has neglected to mention and to thank in this letter.  

You are all my co-workers in Christ, and for you I give God thanks.

"Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life who was changed.

Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave!"