| Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sunday, April 6
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Texts for this Sunday: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; in his word is my hope. - Psalm 130:4 |
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Food for Thought: Waiting Well
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"Our culture doesn't do waiting very well. With instant communication, point-and-click buying options, express delivery and the ability to download our favorite song to our mobile device in a matter of seconds, even a delay of a few minutes can seem interminably long. It can seem almost like an eternity. The spiritual life, however, is a life characterized by waiting - sometimes patiently and sometimes very impatiently. The Psalmist reminds us that waiting is not something we do when we've got nothing better to do. Rather, waiting provides us with the opportunity to become acquainted with the God who has all the time in the world - because this God abides in eternity. How has this year's Lenten journey been a time of waiting for you? What has been good about this season of waiting? What has been a challenge for you?". - "Daily Reflection for Thursday, April 10, 2014," in Renew a Right Spirit Within Me: Journeying Toward Easter with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind, Daily Readings for the Season of Lent (Living Compass, 2014).
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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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This Sunday's Lay Ministers
Thank you to the following individuals for bringing their best gifts to God in ministries at St. Mark's. If you would like to become involved, please contact Pastor Debra at 847-732-9564 or [email protected].
- Altar Guild: Trish Barr, Rachel Easton
- Ushers: John Lucadamo, Nancye Kirk, Doug Sondgeroth
- Lectors: Ted Richardson, Byron Scott
- Acolytes: Clark Alexander, Betsy Johnson, Debbie Nee
- Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Ted Richardson, Byron Scott
- Vestry Persons of the Day: Clark Alexander, Beth Johnson
- Snacks for Coffee Hour: Last Names beginning with A - C
- Welcoming First-Time Worshipers: All the people of St. Mark's
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Holy Week and Easter Worship Schedule
"Holy Week is the center of the Paschal celebration. . . . the triumphal entry, the last supper, the crucifixion, the burial, and the resurrection." Together, the services of Holy Week and Easter are the Christian Church's "annual commemoration of the unity of Christ's death and resurrection." - Leonel L. Mitchell Praying Shapes Believing: A Theological Commentary on The Book of Common Prayer, p. 22.
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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 Patty 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, April 14.
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Wednesday Eucharist Coming to a Close
Wednesday's 12:15 p.m. Eucharist, a 30-minute break in our busy weeks will be offered through Wednesday, April 16. Now that a monthly Eucharist is celebrated at The King Home, on the first Thursday of each month and at Presbyterian Homes on the third Thursday of each month, attendance at this mid-week service has dwindled.
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Stations of the Cross
A self-guided Stations of the Cross is available for your Lenten devotions now through Good Friday in Bethlehem Chapel. The stations feature the art work of sculptor Dorothy Ralph Gager and the meditations of The Rev. Glyn Lorraine Ruppe-Melnyk. Bethlehem Chapel is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on Sunday mornings from 7:30 a.m. to Noon.
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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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Save the Date
Friday, April 11 at 6:15 p.m. is the next time the Second Friday Dinner Group will get together. Everyone is welcome. Details will be announced next week. In the meanwhile, if you have questions, do not hesitate to contact Dick or Caroline Brooks at [email protected] or 847-424-8422.
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Social Justice & Outreach Opportunities
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St. Mark's continues its commitment to young people through its many social justice and outreach opportunities. Each Sunday we pray, "Bring newness and change to our streets, O God, that we might commit ourselves to our young people and address the epidemic of gun violence which plagues our communities, our country, and the world. Awake, O Streets, rise from death!" Following are a list of ways in which you can get involved with the St. Mark's community in helping to create a better world.
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St. Mark's Hosting Food Recovery Network Conference Attendees
St. Mark's is delighted to be hosting 45 college students who are attending Food Recovery Network's (http://www.foodrecoverynetwork.org/) Food, Waste and Hunger Conference at Northwestern University from Friday, April 4 through Sunday, April 6. The students will be "roughing it" in Cunningham Hall. If you are in the building, please be sure to greet this great group of young people.
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Producemobile - Tuesday, April 8
On the 2nd Tuesday of each month, Interfaith Action of Evanston teams up with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to bring free, fresh produce to our neighbors in need. The distribution takes place from 9:30 - 11:30 at the Robert Crown Center. Volunteers are needed from 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. If you are able to help on April 8, please send an e-mail to Pastor Debra, [email protected] or sign-up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4FAFAC2FAB9-evanston. Thank you to St. Mark's March volunteers: Bruce Gaede, Chris Schultze and Nasim Alexander.
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Stand Against Racism
For the third year in a row, St. Mark's will be joining YWCA's across the nation in the Stand Against Racism. If you are in the area on Friday, April 25 from 12:45 to 1:00 p.m., we invite you to come to St. Mark's and join us on the west side of Ridge Avenue as we stand with the YWCA against racism and discrimination of any kind and recommit ourselves to a lifetime of promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people in our community and in the world. You can learn more at StandAgainstRacism.org
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Curt's Caf�
Everyone in the St. Mark's community is encouraged to enjoy coffee, sandwiches and more at Curt's Caf�, 2922 Central Street, Evanston. Curt's Caf� is a non-profit organization that provides training in food service and life skills for at-risk youth in Evanston.
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This Week at Saint Mark's
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Wednesday, April 2
12:15 p.m.
Holy Eucharist and
BYO Lunch,
Lady Chapel and Parlor
Thursday, April 3
10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist Traditional, The King Home
7:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal,
Choir Room
Sunday, April 6
8:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist Traditional,
Lady Chapel
9:30 a.m.
Children's Formation, Classrooms
9:30 a.m.
Adult Formation
Keeping Vigil,
Bethlehem Chapel
10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music,
Sanctuary
12:00 noon
Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal,
Balcony
Monday, April 7
7:00 p.m.
Evanston Music Club Ensemble Rehearsal, Parlor
Tuesday, April 8
8:30 a.m.
Producemobile, Robert Crown Center
1:00 p.m.
Children's Lenten Retreat: This Bread & This Cup, Bethlehem Chapel
Wednesday, April 9
12:15 p.m.
Holy Eucharist and
BYO Lunch,
Lady Chapel and Parlor
7:15 p.m.
150th Anniversary Steering Committee Meeting, Bethlehem Chapel
8:00 p.m.
Evanston English Country Dancers, Cunningham Hall
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April 1 William Miller
April 5 Sandra Howard
April 6 Belinda Chandler, Elizabeth McElhatton
April 7
Ellen Bergman, Stephon Frost, Collin Miller
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 23 Timothy Blue
April 28 Richard Brooks, Holly Benz
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April 10
Clark and Nasim Alexander
April 19
Gary and Elizabeth McElhatton
April 30
Milind and Blair Lele
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April 26
Michael Schoen and Nathan Waller
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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 Forum: Keeping Vigil
The season of Lent, and especially Holy Week, are traditional times for keeping vigil - an attentive openness to the work of God in our lives and in our world. But what does it mean to keep vigil today, when most of us no longer adhere to the strict discipline of late night prayers? We will gather in Bethlehem Chapel on Sunday, April 6 at 9:30 a.m. for a conversation. A brief focus article for this session is available by e-mailing [email protected].
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This Sunday in Children's Formation
Throughout the Sundays in Lent, children will experience this time of preparation by entering the narrative of Jesus' life. Thank you to this week's teachers and classroom assistants: Liz McElhatton / Dale Seiferti (ages 3- 5), Anne Heinz / Susan Lewis (ages 6 - 8), Lori Goede / John Lucadamo (ages 9 - 11).
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 Girl Scout Cookies Did you not get your fill of cookies this year? Abigail Seifert's troop has more than 30 boxes of Tagalongs� left, as well as some Do-si-dos�. If you are interested, send an email to [email protected]. The cost is $4 per box. |
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Parking
Please remember that the parking spaces in our circle drive are reserved on Sunday mornings and for church events (e.g., receptions, weddings, funerals, etc.) for those persons with a disability placard on their vehicle. We have had multiple incidents recently of parishioners unable to attend services because no parking was available in these spaces.
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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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Come, See, Listen: Journey to the Holy Land
December 26, 2014 - January 8, 2015
It is difficult to understand the full impact of the Israeli Occupation of the Palestinian people without traveling to the Holy Land ourselves. The Diocesan Peace and Justice Committee has organized a trip to the Holy Land to help us to better understand the complexities of the history and of the conflict between the Palestinian people and Israel. We will visit the sites where Jesus lived and died and from which Christianity developed its traditions. We will meet with religious leaders from all three faiths, as well as community organizers, members of the United Nations and government organizations in order to gain a different perspective and perhaps leave us with greater questions to pose to our own leaders in the United States about our involvement and responsibility in this conflict. The cost of the trip, including airfare, will be $2580-2680/person, double occupancy not including insurance and one meal/day. Two $500 scholarships are available for young adult participants. Deadline for registration ($500.00 deposit) is September 15, 2014. Members of the diocese familiar with Israel/Palestine and knowledgeable about the conflict are available to speak to your church. Contact Rev. Anthony Vaccaro, M.D. [email protected]. For more information about the trip including the itinerary go to: http://www.saintjamescathedral.org/outreach-and-missions/social-causes/trip-to-palestine-israel/
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Camp Chicago! - Priority Deadline is May 23rd
It may not feel like summer outside, but it is time to start thinking about summer camp! The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago is once again offering three camp sessions for children and youth ages 7 to 17 from June 22 to July 11, 2014. Camp sessions are held at Camp Stronghold in Oregon, Illinois. Online registration is now open and can be accessed through the diocesan website, www.episcopalchicago.org. Pastor Debra has copies of required camp registration forms. If you'd like to learn more about Camp Chicago! come talk to Pastor Debra. And, you don't have to be an Episcopalian to attend - so feel free to invite your friends from school!
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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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"Give Back Evanston" Invites Residents to Volunteer on April 2
On Wednesday, April 2, volunteers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to celebrate District 65's early dismissal with the "Give Back Evanston" volunteer event at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St., from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to participate in a meaningful afternoon of service projects benefiting Evanston-based organizations, including:
- Assembling welcome kits for Mary Lou's Place at YWCA Evanston/North Shore
- Creating magnet gift sets for Senior Connections
- Making bookmarks for the Evanston Public Library
- Writing notes of gratitude to the Evanston Fire and Police Departments
- Decorating pillows for Evanston Hospital
Donations of toothbrushes, toilet paper and full-size tubes of toothpaste will also be accepted to benefit those served by the YWCA Evanston/North Shore and Connections for the Homeless. Items should be delivered directly to Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center at the time of the event. To participate in this event, please register online at www.volunteerevanston.org; walk-ins welcome. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided by Whole Foods Market-Downtown Evanston. The "Give Back Evanston" event is sponsored by the City of Evanston, The Kindness Connection and Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club.
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Spring Fling 2014
Howard Area Community Center (HACC), which has been a primary social service resource for residents of Chicago's far north side since its founding in 1967, will hold its major annual fundraiser, Spring Fling 2014, on Friday, April 11, 2014 at Valley Lo Club in Glenview. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contact Margaret Wenzel at 773.262.6622x244 or [email protected] or visit www.howardarea.org/donate/spring-fling-fundraiser.
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 Harmony Hope and Healing |
HARMONY, HOPE & HEALING'S 2014 GOSPEL CELEBRATION
Join the HHH Ensemble on Sunday, April 27 th from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. at Pazzo's at Three Eleven (311 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago), for their annual Gospel Celebration! This celebration includes a luncheon buffet, music, a silent auction, and a live "Fund the Mission Appeal." Reservations are $100 per person (or $65 per student) and all proceeds benefit Harmony, Hope & Healing. To learn more and to make a reservation go to www.harmonyhopeandhealing.org/.
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Parish Prayer List
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If you would like your loved ones to be added to (or removed from), please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Thank you.
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We bid your prayers for: Bob Behrends, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Karen Cornelius, Kendric Das, Bob Easton, Lynn Erickson, Caroline Frowe, Desmond Francis, Mary Hair, Charlie and Judy Kopp, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, Sally Lufkin, Ayden Montgomery, Mary O'Dowd, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Joan Barr Smith, Carol Albertson, Einy Andersson, Carol Beatty, Jim and Cathy Dillman, Anny Heydeman, family and friends of Valerie Horton, Fredericka Kaider, OJ Mabwa, Janet Mack, Anne McDaniel, Tricia Moody, Jack Mundy, Bert and Anne Ott and their children, Bruce Seaton, Ean and Neale Smith, Tim and his family, Yvonne Theobald, Carlo Trovato, Jill Vannattam, Miriam Witmer, Christopher Witmer, Jonathan Witmer.
We pray for the repose of the souls of: Valerie Louise Horton, cousin of Jan Baker-Offutt.
We pray for the people in: the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and in the Diocese of Renk.
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