Are you overwhelmed with all this COVID-19 stuff?

It was been such a strange, life changing time for everyone. We have all lost something over the
past few weeks. We have lost our independence, the ability to hang out with our family, friends,
go to our favorite restaurant, or attend church. It has been a time of painful loneliness,
emptiness, fear and anxiety.
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We may have to endure social distance and quarantine but there is still a way to connect.
Stephen Ministry at St. Mark Lutheran church is a ministry that gives one-to-one Christian
care. The ministry is there to listen, care, encourage, pray with and for you, and support
you through this crazy pandemic. The care given can last as long as your need persists.
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If you or someone you know is hurting, find out more about Stephen Ministry by talking
with one of our Stephen Leaders: Tracey Merrithew 419-460-3119, Nancy Murphy 419-
277-0414. Our Stephen Ministers are there to care!

Our socially-distanced season of life amidst the COVID-19 outbreak is proving that the Church is not a building – it is a body of believers trusting fully in God and supporting one another. We have created new ways to virtually keep our community connected and invite you to join us online! ​

1.    Our St. Mark Website – stmarktoledo.com
This is your one-stop shop for all things happening in our church community. On the website, you will see the video of our latest Sunday worship service, as well as links to all of our current digital platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Podcasts, etc.) at the bottom right of the home page.  Under the “News & Events” tab, you can find all of our church news & announcements, as well as pertinent updates on our council’s decisions regarding the coronavirus.  You can also digitally send in your offering using the “Donate” button in the top menu, and you can find resources for at-home spiritual growth under the “Faith At Home” tab or on the homepage.

2.    Facebook – “St. Mark Lutheran Church – ELCA”
Join us on our public Facebook page to receive news updates, encouraging posts, and daily guided prayer from Pastor Beth at 5:00pm. This is also where our Sunday worship services are live streamed at 9:00am on Sunday mornings. If you have a Facebook account, you can log in and “Like” our St. Mark page to have our content on your News Feed. But, you do not have to have a Facebook account to enjoy our live stream videos or see our content! Simply click on the “St. Mark’s Facebook Page” link on our website to view our page.

3.    YouTube – youtube.com/stmarktoledo
Our St. Mark YouTube channel features videos of our worship services and other uplifting content being uploaded weekly.

4.   St. Mark Youth – Instagram & Facebook
PreK-12th graders and their families can join us in a variety of ways online! Invite the youth in your life to follow our St. Mark EDGE pages for information on video check-ins, Zoom youth group meetings, encouraging posts, and more. Search @stmark_edge on Instagram, follow “St. Mark Youth” on Facebook, or join the group “EDGE – St. Mark Youth” on Facebook. PreK-5th grade families can join the SMASH kids group on Wednesdays at 7:00pm for "Fort Family Night" through Zoom or Facebook Live, and EDGE 6-12th graders are invited to Zoom Youth Group on Wednesdays from 8-9pm. 

5.    Give Online
As our church community continues amid social distancing, so the work of the church continues. Your financial support is still needed to keep our church going during this time! You can give online through the “Donate” button on our website, or by downloading the “Give Plus” app on your smartphone and following the prompts. For more information, go to www.stmarktoledo.com/news/ways-to-give-online.

Have questions about how to get involved online? Email Emily at [email protected].