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FOOD FOR THOUGHT: We Who Are Many, Are One Body. . .
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Each Sunday when we gather for worship we offer prayers on behalf of those among us who are sick or who are homebound. We then share in the bread and the wine of communion. It has long been the practice of the clergy of St. Mark's - myself among them - to share the bread and wine of our Sunday morning celebration with those who are unable to be present with us. This ministry of bringing the church of God to the whole people of God (and of linking those who cannot join us on Sundays with the fullness of the St. Mark's community) is rich in grace. But its fullness is only realized when it is linked with the whole people of God in the context of the whole Church. To this end, St. Mark's will be commissioning a Lay Eucharistic Visitor Team on Sunday, April 26.
Under the advisement of the 72nd General Convention in 1997, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music developed a number of supplmental liturgical texts. Among these is Enriching Our Worship 2 which provides some background for the use of Lay Eucharistic Visitors saying:
"The Book of Common Prayer affirms the place of the Holy Eucharist as 'the principal act of Christian worship on the Lord's Day and other major Feasts,' and thus the foundation of the corporate prayer of the Church. As an act of the whole community of faith, the Eucharist is a summons to all the baptized to share in the table of the Lord." By having both lay and ordained members of the church distribute communion to those who are sick or homebound, we "foster a corporate sense of the Eucharist among those who. . . are unable to be present in their church's assembly on Sunday or some other principal feast." (
EOW 2, p. 59).
Beginning this Sunday and whenever we have Lay Eucharistic Visitors who will be taking the sacrament out to the community, we will share these words prior to the post-communion prayer:
| Presider |
In the name of this congregation, we send you out bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the communion of Christ's Body and Blood. |
| People |
We who are many, are one body because we all share one bread, one cup. Amen. |
Our Lay Eucharistic Visitors at St. Mark's are: Allison Ashley, Ric Ashley, Joanna Greene, Liz McElhatton, Andrea Nowack, Milner Seifert, and Alison Walsh. Their visits do not replace my own; but they do help to ensure that parishioners are visited with more regularity than is possible in a congregation of our size. It is also appropriate for other parishioners, relatives and friends to be present to share communion with persons who are visited. Depending on who is being visited and at what time, you may receive an invitation from one of our Lay Eucharistic Visitors to join them in their visiting. If you are able to do so, I hope you will so that you too might experience some of the grace of these visits.
And, if you are one who will receive such a visit, I hope you will welcome a Lay Eucharistic Visitor in the same manner you have welcomed me. Your personal faith and witness to our community is a gift that I hope you will share with St. Mark's Lay Eucharistic Visitors in the same way that you have been sharing it with me.
- Pastor Debra+
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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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Third Sunday of Easter: Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48
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You have put gladness in my heart, *
more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
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I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; *
for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
-Psalm 4:7-8
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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: Ted Richardson & Hardy Murphy
- Eucharistic Ministers: Milner Seifert & Liz McElhatton
- Acolytes: Patrick Nee, Leela Gaede, Betsy Johnson
- Eucharistic Visitor: Joann Greene
- Altar Guild: Pat Bent & Beth Johnson
- Altar Flowers: Virginia Beatty
- Vestry Person of the Day: Nathan Waller & Dale Seifert
- Ushers: Fred Lewis, Susan Lewis, Lisa Montgomery
- Coffee Hour Snacks: Last names beginning with J - N
- Welcoming New Worshipers: All the People of St. Mark's
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Feast of St. Mark Celebration On Sunday, April 26 at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. we will celebrate the 151st Anniversary of St. Mark. I
t is a long-standing custom at St. Mark's that on our Patronal Feast day, we announce and honor the Lion of the Year - a person so honored because of their love, commitment and service to our Lord and to this community. Who will it be? Come and see!
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United Thank Offering: Blue Boxes
 Last Sunday during worship, Pastor Debra provided UTO coin collection boxes to the children during the Children's Sermon. If your child did not get one OR if you are an adult who would like one, there are extras at the back of the sanctuary on the table. Please return filled boxes on Pentecost Sunday - May 24th. Envelopes for checks made payable to the UTO will be available on May 24th as well. For more information about the UTO, visit
https://uto2014.wordpress.com/
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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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Adult Formation: The Work of the Holy Spirit
Please join us for a lively Bible-based discussion around ways in which the Holy Spirit works in and through the life of St. Mark's. The conversation will be facilitated by Scott Sumner, St. Mark's seminarian.
We will meet in the Old Library next to Pastor Debra's office at 9:30 this Sunday, Apr
il 19, as well as April 26, May 10, and May 17.
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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: Liz McElhatton / Deane Johnson (ages 3 - 5), Debra Bullock / Daisy Kishler (ages 6 - 8), John Lucadamo / Lori Goede (ages 9 - 11).
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Confirm not Conform
A reminder that we meet this Sunday, April 19 at 6:15 p.m. We will be continuing the Council of CnC which we began in March and will be meeting in Cunningham Hall at St. Mark's. Hope to see you all there and then. Mentors: this is not a mentor night. Our schedule has shifted slightly due to a cancellation and we'll send out a revised schedule in the not-to-distant future. Thanks for your understanding.
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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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Choir Fundraiser on Saturday, April 18th
Mark your calendars and get ready for finger food, dessert and fun! The choir guild will once again hold its annual fundraiser at the home of Dick and Carolyn Brooks, 1314 Ridge Avenue #1 beginning at 7:00 p.m. this Saturday.
Parking is available on the west side of Asbury Avenue after 6:00 p.m. and in the Unitarian Church parking lot. The church parking lot is accessed off of Greenwood Street between Ridge and Asbury. (There is no gate, and church lot users must walk all the way around the block to reach the Brooks' residence.) You may also park in the front driveway or designated alley spaces at St. Mark's and walk over - it's about 2 blocks.
For entertainment you can look forward to semi-staged readings of two short one-act comedies from the belle ?poque. They were written by Georges Feydeau and translated by Dan Whitmore of the choir. In addition, Andy Howard will sing some French art songs.
The suggested donation is $20 per adult and $10 per school-age child. All money raised this year will go to the upkeep and repairs fund for our organ and pianos.
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Clean-up St. Mark's Day!
Wednesday, April 22 is Earth Day. Friday, April 24 is Arbor Day. Saturday, April 25 is The Feast of St. Mark and so, to bring it all together and to bring us all together, everyone is invited to come to St. Mark's on
Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. as we clean up the grounds around us (picking up trash, cleaning up debris from the alley and parking areas, and generally sprucing things up). Please bring work gloves, rakes and shovels. We will have yard waste bags and trash bags on hand. We will then look great for Sunday, April 26th when we celebrate 151 Years of St. Mark's Being in Place, Growing in Faith, Living from the Center!
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?? Music Night??
If it's Wed
nesday 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 the
re 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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This Week at Saint Mark's
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| Thursday, April 16 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Presbyterian Homes 7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room Saturday, April 18 10:30 a.m. Louise Behrends' Funeral, Sanctuary 7:30 p.m. Choir Fun(d)raiser, Brooks' Residence Sunday, April 19 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Lady Chapel 9:30 a.m. Children's Formation, Classrooms 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music, Sanctuary 6:15 p.m. Confirm not Conform, St. Mark's Monday, April 20 7:00 p.m. Vestry Meeting, Bethlehem Chapel Tuesday, April 21 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Lunch Packing, St. Mark's 7:30 p.m. InterPlay Class, Cunningham Hall Wednesday, April 22 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 7:00 p.m. Evanston Creative Writing Group, Library or Panera |
| April 5 Sandra Howard April 6 Liz McElhatton April 7 Ellie Bergman April 9 Caroline Frowe Dan Whitmore April 10 Bob Barr April 11 Holly Yanaga Kendra Johnson April 16 Jeremy Greene April 18 Samuel Najem April 20 Owen Baker April 21 David Plank April 23 Rudy Burke Tim Himrod
April 28
Dick Brooks
Holly Benz
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April 10
Clark and Nasim Alexander
April 19
Gary and Liz McElhatton
April 26
Michael Schoen and Nathan Waller
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SMAC (St. Mark's Active/Adventurous Christians) - Youth Group
Sunday, April 26 we will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the SMAC Room at St. Mark's (in the basement -- enter through the "choir house" doors off of Ridge Avenue). We'll eat dinner together and go from there. . . come and see! Questions: contact your somewhat fearless leaders, Pastor Debra at 847-732-9564 or Deane at 231-313-9217.
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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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Third Sunday Food Drive
Last week, Pastor Debra challenged us to make the
grocery cart overflow. This is our chance! On the third Sunday of each month, St. Mark's will collect non-perishable food items to be shared with local food pantries. This Sunday
April 19
, please bring your boxes of cereals, cans of soup, jars of peanut butter and other non-perishables with you to church. The big red shopping cart will be waiting for you at the back of the sanctuary. This month's donations will be given to
the food pantry at Hemenway United Methodist Church.
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Stand Against Racism
Evanston's 2015 Stand Against Racism will take place on Friday, April 24. Join St. Mark's as we make a public stand for equality and justice alongside the entire Evanston community. Meet us at St. Mark's Church at 12:15. We will line up on Ridge as a group from 12:30-12:55.
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|  Midweek Lunch Program Volunteers! 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]. |
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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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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 The Mask You Live In: Movie Screening
Members of the community are invited to a screening and facilitated discussion of the documentary The Mask You Live In on Saturday, April 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1430 South Blvd., Evanston. The film follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America's narrow definition of masculinity. Pressured by the media, their peer group, and even the adults in their lives, our protagonists confront messages encouraging them to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify and degrade women, and resolve conflicts through violence. These gender stereotypes interconnect with race, class, and circumstance, creating a maze of identity issues boys and young men must navigate to become "real" men. Experts in neuroscience, psychology, sociology, sports, education, and media also weigh in, offering empirical evidence of the "boy crisis" and tactics to combat it. The Mask You Live In ultimately illustrates how we, as a society, can raise a healthier generation of boys and young men. This film, only available via private screening, addresses issues that are critical to families in and beyond faith communities, and we believe the event will foster meaningful consideration, discussion, and action together. This screening is free to all with a suggested donation of $5. Reservations are not required, but because seating is limited, you may wish to secure your seat by RSVPing at http://tinyurl.com/themaskscreening.
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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, 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, Melendez-Madrigal Family, Garrett Moody, Scott Moody, Tricia Moody, Leo Stuyt, Tim and his family, Jill Vannatta, Richard Walsh. We pray for those who have died: Gustavo Melendez, friend of Robin Tucker; Ludwig Banach, friend of Ted Loda. We pray for the people in: the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and in the Diocese of Renk. |
Stay Connected
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