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This Week at St. Mark's
A reminder that if you have announcements for the newsletter or the bulletin, they must be sent to Katie at community@stmarksevanston.org  no later than Tuesday at 12 noon.
Faith, Formation and Fellowship 

 Our help is in the Name of the Lord
the maker of heaven and earth. - Psalm 124:8
 
This Sunday is the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost and the appointed readings are Exodus 1:8-2:10, Psalm 124, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20.    We invite you to take some time this week to read them in advance so that they can speak to you throughout the week. If you don't have a Bible nearby, you can find the passages at this website: www.lectionarypage.net.

Sunday Morning'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 rector@stmarksevanston.org.
  • Altar Guild: Julia Ferguson, Beth Johnson
  • Flower Guild: Emily Chastain
  • Ushers: John Fitts, Rich Forst
  • Lectors: Nancye Kirk (8 a.m.), Chris Schultze(9:30 a.m.)
  • Eucharistic Minster: Milner Seifert, Lynette Murphy
  • Vestry Persons of the Day: Julia Ferguson, Deane Johnson
  • Lakefront Lemonade & Snacks: Chris Schultze, Beth and Deane Johnson
September Worship Schedule:
  • Sunday, September 3: 8 a.m. (Lady Chapel) and 9:30 a.m. (Lakefront)
  • Sunday, September 10: one service at 9:30 a.m. (Sanctuary) followed by Potluck Brunch & Ministry Fair
  • Sunday, September 17: 8 a.m. (Lady Chapel) and 10:30 a.m. (Sanctuary)
  • Sunday, September 24: 8 a.m. (Lady Chapel) and 10:30 a.m. (Sanctuary)

Choir News!  New night!   The St. Mark's choir is open to all who want to sing to the Lord and rehearses each Wednesday evening from 7:30 - 9 p.m. and on Sunday mornings beginning one hour before worship. Come and sing for a month, a season, or the whole year! We look forward to welcoming you at our first Fall Rehearsal on Wednesday, September 6!

Sunday School classes will resume on Sunday, September 17 th at 9:30 a.m. We look forward to welcoming all young people (ages 3 - 17).

Jubi-latte & Tea Deum with the Rector is Back: Pastor Debra will be at a table at Cupitol (812 Grove Street, Evanston) at the following dates/times this month
      • Wednesday, August 30th from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
      • Thursday, August 24 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Pastor Debra will be happy to buy you a coffee, tea, or milkshake and to chat about whatever is on your mind (or nothing at all). . . . when you stop by! Students who are off for the summer are especially welcome!  

When Do We Return to the Sanctuary? The 9:30 a.m. service will continue at the Lakefront through Labor Day Weekend (Sunday, September 3). On September 10 we will return to the sanctuary with only one service at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Potluck Brunch! To sign-up to bring something, contact Tacia Johnson at taciajohnson123@earthlink.net or 847-328-0993. Sunday School classes will resume on Sunday, September 17th at 9:30 a.m. (with worship at 8 and 10:30).

Becoming the Story We Tell: Bible Study

End of Summer -  The final gathering of summer will take place this Tuesday, August 29 th from 7 - 8 p.m. We will come together to reflect on the scripture for the following Sunday, looking for connections between the gospel drama and the drama of our own lives and becoming shaped by the stories that have been a part of our faith for centuries.  We will meet in the Spirituality Center (St. Mark's basement - use the alley entrance on the southwest end of the church building).  

This Fall -   We are constantly in the process of living out the stories that we tell --- for example, "pull yourselves up by the boot straps" is a common American story that is told. Join in a discussion of the Biblical story - focused on one of the passages that will be read in worship on Sunday - so that we might become the story that God intends for our lives. All are invited. No prior Bible study experience expected or required. Just bring an open mind and heart. Ages 16 and up. Quiet space will be available for younger children to work on homework, build puzzles, and/or color. Please let Pastor Debra know if your child will be attending by emailing rector@stmarksevanston.org . We will meet on Tuesday evenings beginning September 5 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the Spirituality Center (St. Mark's basement - use the alley entrance on the southwest end of the church building).

Outreach and Social Justice
  
Midweek Lunch: Come and Join Us!
Each week, volunteers from St. Mark's and St. Matthew's work together to prepare and serve meals for our neighbors who struggle with hunger and homelessness.  On Tuesdays from 6:00-6:30 p.m. volunteers turn five pounds of turkey, two pounds of ham, one pound of salami, three pounds of cheese and six big loaves of bread into 60 sandwiches.  On Wednesdays, volunteers gather in Cunningham Hall to set up and take down tables and chairs, set out food and beverages, serve the meal and talk with our guests.   During the summer, many regular volunteers leave for vacation, and so help is needed on Wednesdays from about 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  "Come and See" as we like to say at St. Mark's!  Join fellow parishioners Mary Pat Buckley, Rima Lockwood, Dave Himrod as well as folks from St. Matthew's to serve and meet our guests. Perhaps you'll be treated to an informal gospel music concert from Linda and friends. Contact John Lucadamo at lucadamj@gmail.com or 847-436-1701 for more information.

Racism, Poverty & Gun Violence: On September 30 from 9 am-noon at St. James Commons (65 E. Huron), the Rev. Julian DeShazier, senior pastor of University Church, Chicago (also known as hip-hop artist, J.Kwest), will lead an open discussion on racism, poverty, and gun violence. The event is free and open to all, and a light breakfast will be served. The discussion, sponsored by the Diocese of Chicago and its Peace and Justice Committee, follows on a conference held in Chicago by Bishops United against Gun Violence titled "Unholy Trinity: The Intersection of Racism, Poverty and Gun Violence." To register: https://episcopalchicago.wufoo.com/forms/ml95yfy1gjdjkr/


Stewardship 
Each month in 2017 we will feature a ministry of St. Mark's where we can "count what counts" because we are Bound Together in Christ. If you have a ministry at St. Mark's where we can "cou nt what counts" (lunches packed or served, pounds of produce distributed, hours of candles burned, number of notes sung!) contact Katie Snitker at community@stmarksevanston.org so we can assign you a month!
 

Counting What  Counts
On the second 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.  In July, 31 volunteers (4 from St. Mark's) sorted and distributed 11,890 pounds of produce (cabbage, zucchini, carrots, lettuce, bananas, apples, turnip greens, mixed prepackaged vegetables, and green onions) to serve 959 individuals.  The next date to volunteer is Tuesday, September 12.  The distribution takes place from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Robert Crown Center. Volunteers are needed from 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. If you are able to help out, you can sign up at  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080d4fafac2fab9-evanston3.


Summer Giving - With increased vacations in the summer months, pledge payments can fall behind.  But, there is a way you can help! You can give online using PayPal! Simply go to our website: http://www.stmarksevanston.org and click on the Donate button in the right hand column OR most banks now offer "bill pay" services and you can set St. Mark's up as a recurring payment. Not a pledger? You can still use the Donate button on the website or set up a recurring payment from your bank.  All contributions are tax-deductible and we are grateful for whatever support you can offer as we continue to minister to one another and to our neighbors.

Other Announcements

Prayer List

Next Wednesday, the prayer list begins anew. If you would like yourself or your loved one to remain on the prayer list or if you have new names to be added, please email their name(s) to Pastor Debra at rector@stmarksevanston.org.  

 
We bid your prayers for: Bob Barr,  Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Tony Campise,  Karen Cornelius, Caroline Frowe, Ann Lettner, Ayden Lettner, Charlie Lettner, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, John Lucadamo, Donald McCrea, Edie and Bob Molumby, Jake Morris, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Danny White, Virginia de los Angeles, Betty Augustinos, Lucy Augustinos,  Barbara Birkos, Yost Conner, Laura and Carol Easton, Barbara Gerrish, Olivia Heiting, Joan and Sherwin, Maria de Lourdes, Maria, Bruce McMenomy, Jay Johnson, OJ Mabwa, Ahmed Mahmoud, Carl and Lindy Messier, Reg Ryan, Kelly Wheeler Szczepaniak, Yelisse.
 

We pray for those who have died:   Hamza Hammouis, victim of Evanston gun violence.

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


August Birthdays:  Ann Lettner (1), Maggie Johnson (1), Lucy Consiglio (1), Jake Morris (3), Corinne Clarkson (3), Andrea Nowack (4), Nathan Waller (5), Eliana Greene (5), Jack Heinz (6), Edie Molumby (10), Sebastian Urbanowski (10), Fred Lewis (12), Joanna Greene (13), Blair Lele (13), Andy Schultze (16), Jackson Benz (16), Sherri Crawford (19), Eva Sondgeroth (19), Kate Johnson (21), Rachel McElhatton (24),Cas Szczepaniak (24),  Clark Alexander (29)

August Anniversaries: Donald & Mary Koss (2), Judson & Gabrielle Brooks (3), Patrick & Emily Furlong (5), Milner & Dale Seifert (8), Robert & Rima Lockwood (10), Catherine Carpenter & David Baker (13), Luke Urbanowski & Lisa Liang (20), Deane & Beth Johnson (29)
 
If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, please do let us know so we can correct the error. Send your name and date of birth to rector@stmarksevanston.org

Office Hours:  Pastor Debra will return to having Monday as her day off beginning in September. Her office hours will be Thursdays from 2 - 5 p.m. and by appointment on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  This week, office hours remain Monday from 2 - 5 p.m.

Free Introduction to Tai Chi:  The Human Process meets for Tai Chi classes on Saturday mornings in Cunningham Hall at 11am.  You and your friends are cordially invited to a Free Introduction on Saturday, September 9 from 11:00-12:30.  No RSVP is required-- just show up! For more information, visit thehumanprocess.org

Calendar of Events
For information about upcoming dates and events at St. Mark's, click here ( http://www.stmarksevanston.org/calendar-of-events/ ) .

St. Mark's Episcopal Church | community@stmarksevanston.org | www.stmarksevanston.org
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