{"id":226,"date":"2020-02-20T00:21:14","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T00:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/?page_id=226"},"modified":"2026-02-09T00:12:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T00:12:38","slug":"st-marks-church","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/?page_id=226","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull\" style=\"min-height:600px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"454\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-228\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/cross-2.png\" style=\"object-position:71% 5%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"71% 5%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/cross-2.png 768w, https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/cross-2-300x177.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">ENCOUNTER THE LIVING VOICE OF JESUS IN HIS WORD<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-499968f5 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/?page_id=466\" style=\"background-color:#ccad14\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ccad14\">Join Us This Sunday!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">St. Mark\u2019s Lutheran worships at 8:00am and 10:30 am every Sunday. Our full service is live-streamed on YouTube and posted on Facebook.\u00a0 Simply click on this link to go to the channel, and then find the video for the desired date. St. Mark\u2019s office remains open and all pastoral care is the same as always.\u00a0 Simply click on the link below to go to the channel, and then find the video for the desired date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-499968f5 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline aligncenter is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCBI14PAAnvzfveP2OaPAQBA\/featured\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Watch on YouTube<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"219\" src=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-233\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Traditional Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"> 8:00 AM <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"221\" height=\"214\" src=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-222\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Family Bible Hour <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"> 9:15 AM <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"218\" height=\"212\" src=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-223\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"> Traditional Service <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"> 10:30 AM <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"218\" height=\"214\" src=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-221\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"> Traditional Service <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"> 6:00 PM (suspended as of 7\/1\/2024)  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ccad14\">Pastor William Fenker (Emeritus)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/0126_Fenker_Pastor_01-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/0126_Fenker_Pastor_01-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/0126_Fenker_Pastor_01.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:18.52%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:61.48%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Pastor Fenker retired as of July 1, 2024.  Our congregation is in the process of calling a new pastor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Education\u2014Rev. William Fenker was born and raised in Cincinnati. He is a graduate of St. Paul Lutheran Elementary School, Mariemont High School, the University of Cincinnati, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. He has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Divinity. He also studied at Concordia Teachers College, Chicago in the Director of Christian Education program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">His Service to the Church\u2014Pastor Fenker served for 20 years as the pastor of several congregations in Wisconsin and currently has been serving St. Mark\u2019s as Senior Pastor since 2002. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin in the School of Adult and Continuing Education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Family and Personal Information\u2014Pastor Fenker married Shirley Hoffman of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada on July 22, 1978. Shirley attended Concordia University, Ann Arbor and Concordia Teachers College, Chicago, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and certification as a Director of Christian Education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">The Lord blessed Pastor Fenker and Shirley with two children, Aaron and Naomi, both born in Neenah, Wisconsin. Their son is now the Rev. Aaron Fenker serving as a pastor in The Lutheran Church\u2014Missouri Synod. He lives with his wife Sarah and family in Bremen, Kansas. They have four children (beautiful grandchildren)! Naomi attended Concordia University Ann Arbor, has taught English at Concordia High School and at Indiana\/Purdue University, Fort Wayne, and is an author and photographer. She is married to Rev. Curtis Stephens who is also a pastor in The Lutheran Church\u2014Missouri Synod. They live in Barberton, Ohio with their two children (beautiful grandchildren)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Pastor Fenker enjoys hobbies which include coin collecting and home remodeling projects. He is an enthusiastic fan of the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Reds since childhood. Whenever the Packers win, Pastor Fenker celebrates \u201cPacker Tuesday\u201d with his 7th and 8th grade religion class by bringing in free donuts for the students!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light\" style=\"min-height:600px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"764\" height=\"510\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-237\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/organ.png\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/organ.png 764w, https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/organ-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/organ-360x240.png 360w, https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/organ-450x300.png 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 764px) 100vw, 764px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Christian Education Opportunities<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-499968f5 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/?page_id=240\" style=\"color:#faf9f7;background-color:#ccad14\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-background-dim-NaN\" style=\"min-height:600px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#ccad14\">Who Are Lutherans?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#1f1a02\">Lutherans are Christians who accept the teachings of Martin Luther (1483-1546AD) based on Holy Scripture. Luther was a German theologian who realized that there were significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the practices of the Roman Catholic Church at that time. On October 31, 1517, he posted a challenge on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, titled \u201c95 Theses\u201d (to debate 95 theological issues). His hope was that the church would reform its practices and preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God in the Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#1f1a02\">What started as an academic debate grew into a distinct separation between the Roman Catholic Church of that time and those who accepted Luther\u2019s reforms. \u201cLutherans\u201d became the name of those that agreed with Luther\u2019s convictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#1f1a02\">Today, five centuries later, Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles of Luther\u2019s teachings. His teachings can be summarized in three simple phrases\u2014Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone. These are the very heart of our Lutheran beliefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-text-color\" style=\"color:#1f1a02\">We are saved by the grace of God alone\u2014not by any good deeds we do. Our salvation is through faith alone\u2014a confident trust in God, who in Christ promises us forgiveness, life, and salvation. The Bible is the norm for faith and life\u2014the true basis for all our teachings and practices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull\" style=\"min-height:600px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1060\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-238\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/front-to-back.png\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/front-to-back.png 1600w, https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/front-to-back-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/front-to-back-1024x678.png 1024w, https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/front-to-back-768x509.png 768w, https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/front-to-back-1536x1018.png 1536w, https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/front-to-back-360x240.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-20 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">History of St. Mark\u2019s Lutheran Church<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Receive His abundant grace in Baptism &amp; His Supper!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-499968f5 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/?page_id=256\" style=\"color:#faf9f7;background-color:#ccad14\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Join Us This Sunday! St. Mark\u2019s Lutheran worships at 8:00am and 10:30 am every Sunday. Our full service is live-streamed on YouTube and posted on Facebook.\u00a0 Simply click on this link to go to the channel, and then find the&#8230; <a class=\"di-continue-reading\" href=\"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/?page_id=226\"> Continue Reading&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-226","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=226"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/226\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2171,"href":"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/226\/revisions\/2171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stmarksmilford.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}