Local church will host live simulcast of Christian speaker
"We're a small church with a big heart," says Jody Wendt of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in St. Charles. "This is a huge outreach for us."
St. Mark's will host a live simulcast of Christian speaker and author Beth Moore from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 1 and from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 2 at the church, 101 S. Sixth Ave. just south of Route 64. It is the first time St. Mark's has hosted an event of this kind.
Moore will be speaking live from Louisville, Kentucky. According to Wendt, who is a co-chair of the event, Moore generally does not specify a topic before she speaks. The event is primarily for women, but men are also welcome.
"We love her," Wendt says of Beth Moore, who is known for her work in women's ministries. "Her Bible studies are available on video but we wanted to see her speaking live. She is a dynamic speaker who truly loves God and puts him first. She can speak meaningfully to a person no matter where they are in their spiritual journey."
Wendt saw Moore live in Colorado Springs, Colorado last March with friends from St. Mark's.
"She wants to share God's word with everyone and her studies have been life-changing for me," Wendt said.
Wendt said St. Mark's hopes to attract at least 200 women to the simulcast, but the church can accommodate 300.
Tickets for the two-day event are $40. Guests can partake in a pasta dinner and dessert Aug. 1 at no extra charge, and a continental breakfast will be served Aug. 2.
St. Mark's praise team will play Aug. 1 before the simulcast begins at about 6:30 p.m. The simulcast also features a performance by the Travis Cottrell praise team performing in Louisville. Books by Beth Moore will be available for purchase. The simulcast is sponsored by LifeWay Women's Events which is part of LifeWay Christian Resources, a provider of Christian products and services. St. Mark's will be one of about 600 churches hosting the simulcast across the nation. It is expected that the simulcast will reach 80,000 women.
"We're hoping to give people a taste of St. Mark's," Wendt said, "particularly those who are seeking a church home."
Registration forms are available online at www.stmarksstc.org. For details, call the church at (630) 584-8638.
Journey to Israel
Aurora University will host an information meeting at 6:30 p.m. July 31 about a guided trip to Israel the university will sponsor March 19-28, 2009.
The meeting will be held in Lowry-Wackerlin Chapel in Eckhart Hall, third floor, at 347 S. Gladstone Ave. in Aurora.
Tour leader and Aurora University associate professor of education Ronald Ramer will describe the trip. He will also show photos he took during a recent visit to Jerusalem.
The trip is under the auspices of the Jerusalem International YMCA, which will provide arrangements and lodging for six nights. Two other nights will be spent at the YMCA's guesthouse and retreat center on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
The cost includes round-trip, economy-class airfare from Newark, N.J. to Tel Aviv, airport departure taxes (subject to change), and ground transportation in Israel. Also included are three-star accommodations in Jerusalem and Peniel-by-Galilee, meals and gratuities, and educational tours by licensed guides, entrance fees, and briefings.
The cost is $4,042 per person double occupancy or $4,322 per person single occupancy. Costs may change due to increases in fuel surcharges and airport taxes.
To reserve a place, a deposit of $600 and a completed reservation form are due Oct. 15. Final payment of the balance is due to the AU alumni office by Dec. 1.
Call (630) 844-5486 or visit www.aurora.edu/jerusalem for more information.