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Holy Week Worship Schedule
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Maundy Thursday, April 2
7:00 p.m.
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Light Refreshments in the Parlor
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7:30 p.m.
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Worship including Foot Washing, Eucharist, and Stripping of the Altar
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Good Friday, April 3
12 Noon
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Worship including Communion from the Reserve Sacrament
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7:30 p.m.
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Worship including Veneration of the Cross
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The Great Vigil of Easter, April 4
7:30 p.m.
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Worship with the Lighting of the Fire, Stories of God's Saving Deeds, Renewal of Baptismal Vows, and Celebration of the Easter Eucharist
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Easter Sunday, April 5
Worship at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. followed by a joyous Easter Egg Hunt
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Seeking with Faith
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"SWF: Looking for an apartment? Looking for a life partner? The acronym SWF often appears as shorthand for Single White Female. Recently, my prayer time has put those intials on my heart in a different way: Seeking with Faith. It's a posture I have adopted as I seek to explore new and life-giving ways to participate in God's mission. God is up to something exciting and energizing as we join with God in ministries of restoration and reconciliation. God invites us to seek innovative and transformational ways to share the love of God. I belive stepping out into this uncharted sea of God's mission field to share God's love in word and action is the most faithful step I can take. Seeking with Faith.
What does this have to do with Palm Sunday? Everything. Those early disciples were also SWF - Seeking with Faith. They, like me, sometimes forgot the seeking part, instead stepping back into familiar patterns. They, like me, sometimes forgot the faith part, instead putting themselves first, not looking to the heart of God as the source of comfort, strength and guidance. Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. This is the fun part, the good days, the easy days, the festive days. As the world around us watches, our energy invites others to inquisitively wonder what we are about. But then comes. . . the garden, the sleeping while promising to be watchful, and the denial. Seeking? Faithful? I pause; I breathe a sign of recognition and relief. These brothers of mine are just like me, falling short, missing the mark. It's not an excuse, but it's a reminder that this walk of faith, this faithful seeking of how to be a disciple and share in work of the apostles can be hard work. I can learn from others, be supported and encouraged by others, and keep trying. Seeking with Faith.
And there is Jesus. There is Jesus in the garden, seeking with faith in his prayer, seeking with faith to let the scriptures be fulfilled. In the trial, on the cross, I can feel his struggle and glimpse the pain he carries for me and my sin. In his death he offers to me the death of my sins; his seeking with faith to live into his mission empowers me to claim God's mission in my life. In his seeking with faith to live into his life, death and resurrection, I see him seeking me, seeking me with faith that I will follow him and share his offering with the world - for God, for the people of God, for the world. Seeing with Faith. God is seeking me with Faith. How shall I respond? SWF."
- The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrends, Bishop Suffragan, Episcopal Church in Connecticut, "Seeking with Faith," Reflection for March 29, 2015 in
Living Well Through Lent:
Practicing Resilience with All Our Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind
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Worship
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In the baptismal covenant, we are asked, "Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?" and we respond, "I will, with God's help."
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| Palm Sunday: Zechariah 9:9-12; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 11:1-11 Our Worship on Sunday, weather permitting, will begin in the front yard of the church (in case of rain - or snow! - we'll gather in the parlor). Those who prefer not to process in with palm branches are welcome to wait in the sanctuary for the procession to come to you!
"Hosannah, LORD, hosannah! LORD, send us now success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the LORD."
- Psalm 118:25-26
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Funeral Services for Deacon Joan Barr-Smith
The funeral service for Deacon Joan Barr-Smith will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 10 a.m. at St. Mark's. A reception in Cunningham Hall will follow.
We have arranged for parking at the following locations from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.:
- St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church
1012 Lake Street, Evanston
- Roycemore School
1200 Davis Street, Evanston
- City of Evanston Police Parking Lot
Across the street from the Evanston Fire Department Office at 909 Lake Street, Evanston
- All 2-hour limits on neighborhood street parking have been waived
We ask that parking spaces in the alley and in the front drive of the church be left open for Joan's family members.
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 Easter Flowers
One of the most beautiful ways in which we mark the difference between the season of Lent and the joyous celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection is in the way we adorn our sanctuary. All are invited to help us create a festive display by contributing money toward Easter flowers. These contributions may be given in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving or honor of someone special. The requested minimum donation is $20 per name. Please make checks payable to St. Mark's Episcopal Church and indicate "Easter Flowers" in the memo line or place cash in an envelope clearly marked Easter Flowers. Forms are available in the Parlor or can be sent to you by contacting Coty in the church office at 847-864-4806. Requests to remember or honor loved ones in this way, must be in to the church office no later than Monday, March 30.
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This Sunday's Lay Ministers
Thank you to the following parishioners for sharing their time and talent with the congregation this week. If you would like to become involved, please contact Pastor Debra at 847-732-9564 or [email protected].
- Lector: Anne Heinz & Lori Goede
- Eucharistic Ministers: Ted Richardson
- Acolytes: Bruce Gaede, Debbie Nee, Sara Basha
- Vestry Persons of the Day: Aina Gutierrez & Motoko Maegawa
- Ushers: Marion MacBeth, Lisa Montgomery, Richard Forst
- Coffee Hour Snacks: Everyone!
- Welcoming New Worshippers: All the People of St. Mark's
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Christian Formation
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Lifelong Christian faith formation is important for lifelong growth in the knowledge, service and love of God as followers of Christ. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, no matter what season of life you are in, you are invited to enter into a prayerful of continuous learning.
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Sunday Forum: Exploring Holy Week
Sunday Forum: Exploring Holy Week -
On Palm Sunday, March 29, there will be one forum for all ages (toddlers through adults) in Bethlehem Chapel from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Please plan to join together as we reflect together on the stories of Holy Week - the days leading up to Jesus' death. Thank you to the planning team: Patty Acha, Lori Goede, Anne Heinz, Liz McElhatton, Milner Seifert, and Scott Sumner.
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Fellowship
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Where are you today? Lonely and afraid? Joyful and confident? Somewhere in between? Wherever you are in your journey of faith, know that there is a place for you here, companionship for the journey in this community gathered.
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Movie Night - Jesus Christ Superstar!
On Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m., everyone is invited to join in a David Plank Family Lenten tradition. Bring a snack and/or non-alcoholic beverage to share. Gather in the Choir Room for a viewing of Jesus Christ Superstar. See you at the movies! While the movie is rated G, please be aware that a lot of the movie is intense. Parents, please use your discretion.
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♪♫ Music Night♫♫
If it's Wednesday Night it's Music Night at St. Mark's! Who will be the composer of the month? What will be the instrument of the fortnight? Will there be a quote of the week? Come and find out! Associate for Music Ministries, David Plank, leads "Music Night." People with any level of musical background-even those with no music experience-are welcome to come upstairs to the choir room on Wednesday night from 6:00-7:30. Younger children, starting at age five, are welcome to join with all ages from 6:00-6:30. Youth and adults can come (or continue) from 6:30-7:30. Please contact David with any questions you may have at
[email protected].
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Social Justice & Outreach Opportunities
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St. Mark's continues its commitment to our community through its many social justice and outreach activities. Following are ways in which you can get involved with the St. Mark's community in helping to create a better world.
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|  Wednesday Lunch Program Has Launched! Lunches are being packed on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. in Cunningham Hall. Lunches are being served on Wednesdays (volunteers are asked to arrive by 10:45 and stay until 1 p.m.). If you're interested in volunteering, please sign-up here:
For more information, contact Community Engagement Coordinator, Jacqui Zeng at [email protected]. |
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Lunch Packing Returns to St. Mark's
Tuesday night lunch packing for the Wednesday Lunch feeding program will return to St. Mark's on March 31st. If you're signed-up to pack on the 31st or later, we'll see you in our kitchen soon!
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This Week at Saint Mark's
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| Wednesday, March 25 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Lunch, St. Mark's 6:00 p.m. Music Night, Choir Room 7:00 p.m. Evanston English Country Dancers, Cunningham Hall Thursday, March 26 7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room Friday, March 27 7:00 p.m. Movie Night: Jesus Christ Superstar, Choir Room Saturday, March 28 10:00 a.m. Joan Barr Smith Funeral Sunday, March 29 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Lady Chapel 9:30 a.m. Intergenerational Formation: Exploring Holy Week 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music, Sanctuary 12 Noon Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal, Balcony Tuesday, March 31 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Lunch Packing, St. Mark's 7:30 p.m. InterPlay Class, Cunningham Hall Wednesday, April 1 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Lunch, St. Mark's 6:00 p.m. Music Night, Choir Room |
| March 2 Natasha Oussenko March 4 Miranda Whitmore, Bernard Rocca IV, Kirk Lucadamo March 6 Lynn Carver, Hector Cortes March 7 Margaret Scott, Bernadette Lettner March 8 Virginia Beatty March 9 Sarah Francis March 12 Gunnar Lewis, Marion Macbeth, Calvin Whitmore March 16 Deane Johnson, Madeleine Yanaga March 17 Addison Benz March 18 Cynthia Garrels March 19 Charles Sagan March 23 Lisa Davis March 24 Michael Arrington March 27 Lynette Murphy, London Lytle
March 31
Gabriel Howard, Wayne Smith
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March 26
Andrew and
Sandra Howard
March 27
Alex and Holly Gallegos
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Social Media and St. Mark's 
If you have your mobile device it would be good if you put it on silent when in worship. But if anything in Sunday's service - a prayer, reading, hymn or the sermon-moves you, please feel free to tweet it or post it to Facebook #StMarkEvanston. While you're at it, "check-in" with us on Foursquare!
St. Mark's website has up-to-date information on all that's new at St. Mark's - including a current calendar of events - check it out at http://www.stmarksevanston.org. Also, we are on Facebook and Twitter! Find us at http://www.facebook.com/StMarkEvanston and follow us @StMarkEvanston.
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Ice
Please remember that with fluctuations in temperature, icy patches can appear despite after even a small amount of precipitation. Please use great care when driving and walking. And, if you notice a particularly icy area, please notify an usher on Sunday or, during the week, let a staff member know.
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In The Community
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God calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Loving finds all of its meaning in relationship. The following are opportunities to be in relationship with one another and with the community of Evanston.
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Adult InterPlay Group 
InterPlay is an easy to learn creative process that invites adult participants to express themselves through storytelling, movement and vocalization. Through well-established methods of play participants can simply have fun. They can also discover new things about themselves and others. InterPlayers across the world are celebrating its 25th birthday this year. You can be part of the party! No Prior Experience is Necessary. This class meets every Tuesday night in Cunningham Hall. The cost is $5 per session. Contact: Christina Ernst (847)899-5329.
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 Evanston English Country Dance Group
This group meets every other Wednesday in Cunningham Hall. All dances are taught and prompted. We learn English Country dances devised from pre-1650 to the present. Jane Austin would recongize much of the dancing we do. Once a month, we have live music performed by Putting on Aires; the other Wednesdays, the music is from an extensive CD collection. You are welcome to come with or without a partner. Wear comfortable shoes (the type you would use to walk a mile) and casual clothing. We ask for a $5 ($3 for students) admittance fee to cover the rent and to buy music for the band. For further information, contact Tom Senior 847-606-8704, [email protected].
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 Evanston Creative Writing Meetup
If you like to write and want a supportive environment in which to write, join us! Each week, a member volunteers to provide writing prompts to spark our creativity. It can be a first line, an object, a picture, a situation. For about 10-15 minutes we write and if we feel like sharing we read our creation aloud. This is not a critique group - only positive feedback is encouraged. We usually fit in 3-4 prompts in an evening. Member ages range from young adults to octagenarians. You do not have to be a serious or professional writer to participate. The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in the Old Library at St. Mark's or Panera. For more information go to http://www.meetup.com/Evanston-Creative-Writing-Group/
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Parish Prayer List
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If you would like your loved ones added to (or removed from) the prayer list, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Thank you.
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| We bid your prayers for: Helen Baker, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Tony Campise, Karen Cornelius, Bob Easton, Hal Griffith, Mary Hair, Lola Himrod, Charlie and Judy Kopp, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, Ayden Lettner, Ann Lettner, Phyllis Lyons, Jake Morris, Mary O'Dowd, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Danny White, Char Wiss, Carol Albertson, Carol Beatty, Roger Cain, Patricia Gosling, Dave and Jan Gurniak, Andre King, Allison King, Marc King, OJ Mabwa, Garrett Moody, Scott Moody, Tricia Moody, Tim and his family, Jill Vannatta, Richard Walsh. We pray for those who have died: The Rev. Deacon Joan Barr Smith; Kenrick Das, St. Mark's parishioner; Elaine Ackley Witteveen, cousin of Dorothy Laudati; Roger Vollmer, cousin of Lola Himrod. We pray for the people in: the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and in the Diocese of Renk. |
Stay Connected
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