March 18, 2015
Holy Week Worship Schedule 


Maundy Thursday, April 2

7:00 p.m.
Light Refreshments in the Parlor
7:30 p.m.
Worship including Foot Washing, Eucharist, and Stripping of the Altar

Good Friday, April 3
12 Noon
Worship including Communion from the Reserve Sacrament
7:30 p.m.
Worship including Veneration of the Cross

The Great Vigil of Easter, April 4
7:30 p.m.
Worship with the Lighting of the Fire, Stories of God's Saving Deeds, Renewal of Baptismal Vows, and Celebration of the Easter Eucharist

Easter Sunday, April 5
Worship at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. followed by a joyous Easter Egg Hunt
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Persevering in the Face of Resistance  

"I like that word resistance. Steven Pressfield uses it in an inspiring little book called The Art of Work. Resistance comes whenever you and I try to take the high road, create something new, put ourselves out there, take a risk, follow the Spirit, etc. Resistance is a living, active force in the world that seeks to curtail and even destroy these things. It comes in many forms: often it's the voice inside that tells us we're not good enough, not capable, not qualified, and have no business even attempting whatever new and right thing we're trying.  Resistance keeps us from getting out of bed in the morning, eating, right, exercising regularly, educating ourselves, and reaching out to others. . . . When Jesus confesses, 'My soul is troubled' in John 12:27, clearly resistance is taking its toll.

 

Resistance, then, can also be used as  one of life's great validators. Encountering resistance can be a sign we're on the right track. When the sit-ups hurt, apologizing ups our blood pressure, and thoughts of insecurity emerge while taking the stage on open mic night, we have one more reason to believe we're in the right place and doing the right thing.

 

I am convinced that corralling the strength to counter resistance is the work of the Spirit. It's what sustained Jesus as he walked that long, arduous road to Calvary. It's what fuels every artist, inventor, and assembly line worker who sticks to it, reaches for the next level, and seeks to do the next right thing. So where are you finding resistance? How is God using it? And how are you tapping into and witnessing God's help?"

 

 - The Rev. Chris Yaw, "Persevering in the Face of Resistance",  
Reflection for March 22, 2015 in Living Well Through Lent: Practicing Resilience  
with All Our Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind

 

 

**copies of this Lenten meditation booklet can be ordered here:

www.livingcompass.org/view-products.html.

Worship
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."

Fourth Sunday in Lent: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33

 

"Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit." -- Psalm 51:13 

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: Edie Molumby & Bob Molumby
  • Eucharistic Ministers: Liz McElhaton & Milner Seifert
  • Acolytes: Wesley Urbanowski, Betsy Johnson, Eva Sondgeroth
  • Altar Guild: Dorothy Laudati
  • Vestry Persons of the Day: Ted Loda & Ted Richardson
  • Ushers: Tacia Johnson & Alison Walsh
  • Coffee Hour Snacks: Last names beginning with
    O - Z
  • Welcoming New Worshippers: All the People of St. Mark's
Christian Formation
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.

Children's Formation

On Sunday mornings from 9:30 - 10:15, children (ages 3 - 12) are invited to take part in small groups that include Bible reading and response through arts and crafts, games, and other activities. There are three classes and this week's leaders are: Patty Acha / Luke Urbanowski (ages 3 - 5), Anne Heinz / Deane Johnson (ages 6 - 8), John Lucadamo / Lori Goede (ages 9 - 11).  

Wellness for Parents - Sunday Mornings, 9:15 - 10:15 - March 22

There is no greater joy, challenge, or responsibility in this life than that of being a parent. But, with all there is to do as parents, finding time for self-care can be difficult. Parents and families are pulled in many different directions. Because of this, it is more important than ever for parents to have a compass to help them find their way and to keep themselves and their families heading in a positive direction.

 

Join Pastor Debra and Beth Johnson, St. Mark's Congregational Wellness Advocates on this Lenten journey toward Wellness.

 

Childcare will be available from 9:15 a.m. until Sunday School starts at 9:30. Children will join their parents at 10:15 a.m. for worship.

 

For more information, pamphlets are available in the parlor or you can contact Beth at [email protected]or Debra at [email protected].

Building Healthy Relationships -  Tuesday Evenings, 6:00 - 8:00 - March 24

Few things affect the quality of our lives more than the quality of our relationships. Our relationships are always under construction, and it is good to learn and re-learn what it means to support, love, and communicate with others in healthy ways. This four-week program provides an opportunity to explore together some new skills that can improve the relationships in our lives, in our families, at work, or in the community.

 

Join Lisa Montgomery and Andrea Nowack, St. Mark's Congregational Wellness Advocates on this Lenten journey toward Wellness. Each evening will begin with a simple supper of soup and bread (6 - 6:45) followed by small groups focused on building healthy relationships (6:45 - 8:00). Please feel free to come for the small groups at 6:45 even if you can't make it in time for dinner.

 

For more information, pamphlets are available in the parlor or you can contact Lisa at [email protected] or Andrea at [email protected].

Soup and Bread for Tuesdays in March

If you would like to volunteer to bring soup and bread for one of the Building Healthy Relationships Tuesday evenings in March, please contact Pastor Debra at [email protected] or sign-up here: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0448AFAF23A57-building  

Fellowship
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.
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.

?? 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].  
Social Justice & Outreach Opportunities

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.

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].

This Week at Saint Mark's
Calendar

Wednesday, March 18

11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Lunch,

St. Mark's

 

6:00 p.m. 

Music Night,

Choir Room

 

Thursday, March 19

10:30 a.m. 

Holy Eucharist, Presbyterian Homes

 

7:30 p.m. 

Choir Rehearsal,

Choir Room

 

Friday, March 20

7:00 p.m.

Vestry Retreat,

Rectory

 

Saturday, March 21

9:00 a.m. 

Vestry Retreat,

St. Mark's

 

Sunday, March 22

8:00 a.m. 

Holy Eucharist,

Lady Chapel

 

9:15 a.m. 

Wellness for

Parents Group,

Bethlehem Chapel

 

9:30 a.m. 

Children's Formation, Classrooms

 

10:30 a.m. 

Holy Eucharist

with Music,

Sanctuary

 

12 Noon 

Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal,

Balcony

 

Tuesday, March 24

6:00 p.m. 

Building Healthy Relationships' Dinner and Program,

Bethlehem Chapel

 

6:30 p.m. 

Wednesday Lunch Packing,

St. Matthew's

 

7:30 p.m.

InterPlay Class, Cunningham Hall

 

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

March Birthdays

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
March Anniversaries

March 26

Andrew and 

Sandra Howard


March 27
Alex and Holly Gallegos
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!
Other Announcements
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. 

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.

In The Community

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.

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.

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].

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

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.

We bid your prayers for:Helen Baker, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Tony Campise, Karen Cornelius, Kendric Das, 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, Joan Barr Smith, Danny White, Char Wiss, Carol Albertson, Carol Beatty, Robert 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: Roger Vollmer, cousin of Lola Himrod. 

 

We pray for the people in: the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and in the Diocese of Renk.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church | 847-864-4806 | [email protected] |   http://www.stmarksevanston.org
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
1509 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201