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"Titled 'The Inescapable God,' in the New Re�vised Standard Version, Psalm 139 focuses on God's knowledge of each human being and reaches back to last week's story of creation in Genesis. Psalm 139:7-12 asks where in the landscape, even the seascape and beyond, can we hide from God's Spirit? The answer is 'no�where' because God is present throughout all creation, even in us. God finds us in 'heaven' and 'Sheol,' even at 'the farthest limits of the sea' (the traditional end of the earth), where we will be held by the right hand of God. . . .The passage concludes with a consideration of light and darkness; con�cluding that God is in darkness that is seen as being as bright as the day. For the writer of this psalm, if we try to hide from God in the landscape - on the land, above it, below it or even 'over the sea' - we cannot; both the land and we are linked to each other and to God through creation, the 'ground of our being.' The psalm also asks us to identify the hard areas in our lives and to see them as exposed to God, as to a place of refuge and safety. . . . In this week's readings, we see humankind linked to the land, and both as elements of God's creation. The spirit of God is present throughout all creation; when humans break the relationship with God, the relationship with the land is also broken. However, all is not lost; humankind survives and with the coming of Jesus of Nazareth, the relationship is restored."
-from "Land Sunday," Seasons of the Spirit Curriculum for September 14, 2014
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| Creation Sunday -- Land
Sunday, September 14
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Creation Sunday - Land Genesis 3:14-19, Romans 5:12-17, Matthew 12:38-40
"Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike." -- Psalm 139:11
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Bike the Ridge on September 28
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Bike the Ridge will be on September 28, and St. Mark's intends to be part of the festivities! We will have our regular worship schedule, but Ridge Avenue will be closed to motor vehicles from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Parking of Cars - and Bikes!
Parking in the front driveway of the church will not be available that morning. If you plan to drive to church you must park either east or west of Ridge.
Better yet, if you can, plan to bike to church that day. Make it a family outing since there will be only bikes on Ridge. Valet parking for your bike will be available from 10 a.m. to Noon will be provided in a secure, inside room.
Sunday School / Blessing of Bikes and Bikers
There will be no Sunday School at 9:30 so families can ride together. But, do plan to gather on the front lawn of the church at 9:30 AM or at 12:00 PM to get your bike - and yourself - blessed by Pastor Debra.
Coffee Hour and the Red Shopping Cart
Our coffee hours will be on the front lawn from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and again from 11:45 - 1 p.m. We will be accepting donations of juice boxes and small bottles of water to share with riders. Please bring donations of these items to St. Mark's on Sunday, September 14 or 21 and place them in the red shopping cart at the back of the church.
In addition, we will be serving treats on the lawn after church, so everyone is urged to bring treats for September 28. Some suggestions: cookies, granola bars, bananas, apples, and other easy-to-eat snacks are greatly appreciated. If you will be providing non-perishables and would like to deliver them to the church before September 28, use the red shopping cart; otherwise, please bring your items to church on the 28th.
If you have any questions or need any more information, please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator, Jacqui Zeng at [email protected].
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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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Sing to the Lord a New Song: An Invitation to Sing in St. Mark's Choir
All teens and adults are invited to join St. Mark's Choir. People from all musical backgrounds and levels of experience are welcome! Rehearsals take place every Thursday evening from 7:30-9:00 in the choir room. Please contact David Plank if you have any questions or would like more information.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (402) 650-9266.
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 Hand Bell Choir
The Ringing Resumes -- St. Mark's hand bell choir under the direction of David Plank on Sundays from noon until 12:30 (i.e., after coffee hour). Pack a lunch - or fill up in coffee hour - and join us in the balcony. New ringers are welcome to join us! For more information or questions, contact David at [email protected]
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Music Composition Competition
It is St. Mark's Episcopal Church's 150th year as a  congregation! We are inviting entries for a Music Composition Competition. We will be choosing one selection from the entries to be used during a church service as part of our celebration. The winner will receive a prize of $500 and their composition will be performed at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Evanston, IL. For complete competition rules go to http://www.stmarksevanston.org/150anniversary/ The deadline is September 30, 2014.
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Altar Flowers
If you would like to donate money toward chapel and sanctuary flowers on a Sunday, a flower chart is available in the Parlor. The minimum suggested do nation for one week is $25. Instructions for completing the form and envelopes for payment are next to the chart. This is a lovely way to remember or give thanks for a loved one.
If you would like to join the dedicated team of volunteers who prayerfully select and arrange the flowers for Sunday services, please speak with any member of the Flower Guild - Virginia Beatty, Dorothy Laudati, Michael Schoen, or Dale Seifert or send an e-mail to Coty at [email protected].
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This Week'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].
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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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Children's Sunday School
This Week in Sunday School, our children continue their focus on Creation. Each week, children will have an opportunity to explore through story and art one area of God's awesome creation. Thank you to this week's teachers and classroom assistants: Pat Acha and Susan Lewis (ages 3 - 5), Milner Seifert and Beth Johnson (ages 6 - 8), John Lucadamo and Lori Goede (ages 9 - 12).
We need your help: If you are able to assist (ages 6-8) on any of the following Sundays, please get in touch with Pastor Debra at [email protected]. November 2, November 16, and November 23. Get involved in the lives of St. Mark's children. You'll learn a lot!
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Confirm not Conform Reminders
The first session of Confirm not Conform (St. Mark's and St. Matthew's class for 13 and 14 year olds) will take place this Sunday evening at 6:15 p.m. at St. Mark's in the downstairs youth room. Also, all CnC participants and their families are invited to worship at St. Matthew's on Sunday, September 21 as they celebrate "Homecoming Sunday with one worship service at 10 a.m. followed by refreshments and a photo booth!
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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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SMAC: Save the Dates
St. Mark's Youth Group - SMAC - will meet on the 3rd Sunday of each month. On Sunday, September 21 we will meet from 5:30 - 8 p.m. for pizza and painting in the youth room. Mark your calendars now - more details will follow! If you have questions, please e-mail or text Deane at [email protected] (231) 313-9217 or Pastor Debra at [email protected] (847) 732-9564.
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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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Third Sunday Food Drive: A Year's Worth of Jam!
On the third Sunday of each month, St. Mark's will collect non-perishable food items to be shared with local food pantries. On Sunday September 21, the Interfaith Action of Evanston's Hospitality Center at St. Mark's is our recipient. They have asked us to provide them with a 3-month supply of jam and syrup. Each month they go through 4 large jars of grape jelly, 4 large jars of any other kind of jam or jelly, and 16 bottles of pancake syrup. We would like to  collect a total of 12 large jars of grape jelly and 12 large jars of other jams or jellies and 48 bottles of pancake syrup. Please bring your jars and bottles with you to church. The big red shopping cart will be waiting for you at the back of the sanctuary.
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CROP Is Helping Hospitality Center! This year, a portion of CROP Walk proceeds are benefiting the Hospitality Center housed in St. Mark's. The center provides breakfast, job counseling, computer training, transportation passes, and a warm place to rest for those struggling with homelessness and unemployment. Support your local Hospitality Center by registering for the walk online at http://bit.ly/StMarkCROPWalk. You can also drop a note saying that you'd like to participate in Ted Loda's mail file, located outside the Rector's office.
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This Week at Saint Mark's
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Wednesday,
September 10
7:00 p.m.
Evanston English Country Dancers,
Cunningham Hall
7:00 p.m.
Joint 4th and 9th Ward Meeting,
Levy Senior Center
7:15 p.m.
Evanston String Quartet Rehearsal,
Sanctuary
Thursday,
September 11
5:30 p.m.
Evanston Jr. Wildkit Cheerleader Practice,
Cunningham Hall or Front Lawn
7:00 p.m.
Sharing Sacred Practices,
Unity on the North Shore, 3434 Central St.,
Evanston
7:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal,
Choir Room
Sunday,
September 14
8:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist - Traditional,
Lady Chapel
9:30 a.m.
Children's Formation,
Classrooms
9:45 a.m.
Bike the Ridge Ministry Planning Team Meeting,
Library
10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with
Music and Commissioning of Church Musicians,
Sanctuary
6:15 p.m.
Confirm not Conform Session,
St. Mark's
Monday,
September 15
7:00 p.m.
Vestry Meeting,
Bethlehem Chapel
Tuesday,
September 16
5:30 p.m.
Evanston Jr. Wildkit Cheerleader Practice,
Cunningham Hall or Front Lawn
Wednesday,
September 17
9:00 a.m.
Staff Meeting,
Volunteer Office
7:15 p.m.
Sesquicentennial Steering Committee Meeting,
Bethlehem Chapel
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September 3
Dale Seifert
September 7
Alice Lele, Jack Suvari, Austin Suvari
September 13
Karen Cornelius
September 14
Wesley Urbanowski
September 15
Michael Schoen
September 17
Mary O'Dowd
September 18
Compton Chase-Lansdale, Peter Dangremond
September 20
Gerald Offutt
September 22
Joan Barr Smith, Debra Bullock
September 24
Alex Gallegos
September 25
Colin Nesburg
September 26
S�le Malone
September 27
David Baker
September 28
Catherine Rocca, Rachel Easton, Nadia Oussenko
September 29
Jim Carver
September 30
Pat Bent
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September 1
Jonathan Greene and S�le Malone
September 2
Casmir and Dorothy Szczepaniak
September 5
Robert and Mary Pat Buckley
September 8
Jake and Nonie Morris, Dave and Lola Himrod
September 10
Jim and Lynn Carver, Jay and Kate Hayes
September 24Doug Sondgeroth and Aina Gutierrez
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Sesquicentennial Anniversary Blood Drive
We are asking parishioners to please donate blood as part of our special anniversary community outreach program. We have set a goal of 150 blood donations, a modest goal that we hope to exceed. As you are probably aware, there is an acute and ongoing need for blood by hospitals. In order to donate blood, an individual must be in good physical health and be prepared to donate by eating well and staying hydrated. Also there must be at least eight weeks between whole blood donations.
We have arranged for to have parishioners and friends to make donations through LifeSource, which is located at 2436 Main Street in Evanston. Donation hours are Monday thru Thursday, noon to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday thru Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You must schedule an appointment by calling 877-543-3768. When you donate blood, identity our blood drive by using the special code O57G (zero, five, seven, g).
On Sunday, October 26th, LifeSource will be at the church upstairs in Cunningham Hall to accept blood donations between 9 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. If you have any questions please contact Donna Richardson at 847-677-0701.
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 Sharing Sacred Practices
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"@Home" Screening
Interfaith Action of Evanston is co-sponsoring the screening of this movie at the Evanston Library on Sunday, October 5 from 3 - 5 p.m. @Home is a documentary film with one goal: to help move the needle on homelessness in America. The screening will be followed by panel discussion on homelessness and affordable housing in Evanston.
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"Race: Are We So Different" and A Call for Cookies!
Please join all of the member congregations of Interfaith Action of Evanston at the  Fall Gathering on Monday, October 20 at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3637 Gold Road, Evanston. The topic will be "Race: Are We So Different?" It is hoped that the conversation during the Gathering will move you to visit the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center's exhibit, "Race: Are We So Different" which will be on display from October 12, 2014 through January 25, 2015.
St. Mark's has been asked to provide 12 dozen cookies for the October 20 gathering. If you are able to contribute, please contact Pastor Debra for more information.
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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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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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Joint 4th and 9th Ward Meeting
Please plan to attend this important meeting on September 10 at 7 p.m. at the Levy Senior Center. Agenda items will include:
- Presentation by the Evanston Police Department regarding the recent uptick in violence in the larger community
- Chicago Ave./Sheridan Rd. Improvement Project
- Update on the City's Bicycle Plan
For those unable to attend, the City @CityofEvanston2 will live tweet the meeting using the hash tag #Evanston49. I look forward to seeing and hearing from you on September 10.
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 'Kits, 'Cats and Kids Block Party
On Thursday, September 18 from 5 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., the City of Evanston will close off Sherman Avenue between Church and Davis for a Block Party! There will be games, activities, crafts, live music and a Dj - fun for children, teens, and adults! The Northwestern University and Evanston Township High School marching bands will perform at about 5:45 p.m., followed by special guests who will fire up the crowd in anticipation of the NU and ETHS football games to be played that weekend (the Wildcats and Wildkits). Food trucks will be on site and there will be a limited supply of free hotdogs. Evanston's many NU and ETHS alumni will be able to purchase spirit wear that evening. Parking during the event is free at the adjacent Sherman Plaza Self Park Garage, 821 Davis St., with ticket validation at the City of Evanston tent. You may enter the garage from Davis Street or Benson Avenue. Discounted football tickets will be sold at the Block Party to help fill Ryan Field stadium with a sea of purple on Saturday, September 20, when the Wildcats will play the Western Illinois University Fighting Leathernecks. Discounted tickets also may be purchased at NUSPORTS.COM with the code PURPLE until September 19. The Block Party is sponsored by the City of Evanston, Northwestern University, Downtown Evanston, the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, Evanston Township High School, and Evanston/Skokie School District 65. For more information, please visit cityofevanston.org/kitsandcats, or call or text 847-448-4311.
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Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-off Celebration
On Saturday, September 20 from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Robert Crown Center, you are invited to experience Hispanic art, music, food and dancing at the 2014 Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-off Celebration! The event is presented by the City of Evanston and Latino Resources.
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Moms of Multiples Semi-Annual Children's Resale will be held on Saturday, September 27 from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Unitarian Church of Evanston (1330 Ridge Avenue). Shop a huge selection of gently used children's clothing (NB-6+), toys, books, shoes, baby gear, maternity clothing, Halloween costumes and more! Admission is $1. Cash only sale. For questions or more information visit www.momsofmultiples.org/resale.
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Keeping God's People Safe Training
The Diocese of Chicago is committed to doing everything in its power to maintain a safe and supportive atmosphere for the children and adults who are members of its congregations, attend its programs or participate in its ministries. To foster a secure environment, we have developed Keeping God's People Safe, a two-level workshop training program that sensitizes all of those who work with children in our church to the dangers of child sexual abuse and teaches them to recognize and prevent situations in which abuse or exploitation might occur.
Several St. Mark's staff members and Sunday school volunteers will be attending training on Saturday, September 27 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Highland Park. If you would like to attend, please contact Pastor Debra at 847-732-9564 or [email protected]. This training is required for all who work with children and is highly recommended for everyone - especially parents.
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Parish Prayer List
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If you would like your loved ones to remain on the prayer list or if you have additional names for the list, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Thank you.
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We bid your prayers for: Helen Baker, Louise Behrends, Ellen and Tom Bergman, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Karen Cornelius, Kendric Das, Bob Easton, Lynn Erickson, Mary Hair, Charlie and Judy Kopp, Ann Lettner, Ayden Lettner, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, Sadie Mysen, Mary O'Dowd, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Joan Barr Smith, Carol Albertson, Carol Beatty, Barbara Bishop, Dorothy Clarke, Ward Clarke, Jim and Cathy Dillman, Darrell Huddleston, Katie Iles, Yvonne Johns, Alison King, OJ Mabwa, Anne McDaniel, Mary Joyce Menzies,The Nacey Family, Pam Oshlo, Maureen Puleo, family and friends of Martin Shur, Ean and Neale Smith, Tim and his family, Carlo Trovato, Jill Vannattam.
We pray for those who have died: Martin Shur, friend of Jan Baker-Offutt; Meric Hovind, friend of Jennifer Bell.
We pray for the people in: the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and in the Diocese of Renk.
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Stay Connected
 
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