Outreach Ministry
“..for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” Matthew 25:35
Filled with the grace and compassion that God has first given to us, we live out that love in serving our neighbors in our community and throughout the world.
We do this ministry of outreach by:
- Being in fellowship with each other so that we may grow in relationship with God and deepen our faith.
- Serving the greater community near and far away through programs and ministries of caring, empowering, and encouraging those who need a hand or heart.
- Sharing the Word of God and the Sacraments of our Lord so that all people may have the opportunity to know God and the salvation of Jesus Christ.
Ongoing Activities
The St. Mark Outreach Ministry conducts events regularly during the year. They are open
to both current St. Mark congregation members as well as to those in our community. We invite you to bring your friends and join
in the fun, to meet new people, and to share interesting conversation.
Fellowship Time
Frequently, after Sunday morning services, we offer a wonderful opportunity for us to mingle with our members and guests each week.
Visitors are welcome to come to St. Mark and enjoy the service, hear a compelling message, and join us for conversation and treats & coffee.
A signup sheet for volunteers to set up, set out goodies, and clean up is posted in the office hallway
or anyone can contact the church office at 717-637-8904.
Our Sewing Group meets on Thursdays at 9:00am. Join us for sewing fun and for lively discussions.
Knitting Ministry
The Prayer Square project led by Jo Kuhns is doing great. The baskets of sqaures are located at the Willow Street entrance and the Fellowship Hall door for all to partake. Please feel free to take one for yourself or take several squares to give to those who might need them. Patterns, yarn, needles, and hooks are available in the basket in the office hallway. Thank you, Jo Kuhns, for heading this project.
Garden Club -- St. Mark is host to the Hanover Garden Club. They are a group meeting each 3rd Tuesday afternoon to discuss, share, learn about plants and other gardening tips. Check out their facebook page.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors - Hospice Volunteering can make such a difference, not only in the lives of those needing support, but also in your life!
SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care & Hospice is looking for caring individuals interested in serving our local community by becoming hospice volunteers. Their volunteers are part of the SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care & Hospice team and provide emotional support to clients and their families, relief to caregivers, and friendship at a time when companionship is needed most. All volunteers receive specialized training before assignment to client and families.
Volunteer training is FREE. For information on when the next training sessions are to be held, please contact their office located at 260 W. High Street, Gettysburg, PA. There is no area of SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care & Hospice where the expertise and enthusiasm of the volunteers is not a valuable asset.
Please consider becoming part of this very important and life changing ministry by calling their Volunteer Coordinator at 717-337-4469.
Prayer Crosses: As a sign of evangelism, crosses are available to be picked up and given out as a gift of faith and support from St. Mark Church. They can be found in a basket on the welcoming table in our bell tower room outside the narthex. Please take one to give to someone in need of prayer, faith, or support. These crosses are made in the Holy Land from olive wood and are specially made to give away as a gift from God. Then remember to share with our pastor how the giving of a cross has been a blessing in your journey of faith
What else do we do?
We serve our community through several events. Some are once per year events. Others occur regularly throughout the year. They focus on those in need, whether the need is clothing to survive a cold winter or a friendly interaction with those who may be lonely.
At St. Mark, here are other things we're involved in:
Here is just a small list of some of the outreach ministries we do here at St. Mark
- Valentines, Easter, Christmas, and birthday cards to shut-ins. Who doesn't get a spirit boost from a card full of well wishes, whether you are giving it or receiving it?
- Diaper collection. We collect diapers to be distributed through local agencies to those in need.
- We participate in the Provide A Lunch (PAL) every fourth Sunday year-round. This is a meal served by local churches at the Hanover Council of Churches on Carlisle Street, 365 days a year. Our Congregation has three teams that rotate working once per quarter for that 4th Sunday of the month from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
- Annual CROP Walk to end hunger. Walkers and sponsors participate with other churches through the Hanover Council of Churches.
- Advent Knit Tree collection of scarfs, hats, mittens, socks, and gloves all go to benefit needy persons.
- SOUPER Bowl collection of money and canned goods every year on Super Bowl Sunday go to help feed the hungry through the food bank at HACC.
- God's Global Barnyard collection of loose change is collected rolled and counted. Then the Sunday school classes use that money to donate animals and other supplies to third world families to help them live sustainably.
- Support Lutheran World Relief and Diaster Relief through special collections.
- Support various collection programs at HACC, including Ruth's Harvest, a program that feeds children on weekends when they don't have access to free lunches at school.