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We are a Stephen Ministry congregation Christian Care, Compassion, Listening — when you need it most.
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Worship Schedule
8
:30 AM Worship with Holy Communion in English
9:40 AM Sunday Church School and The 9:46 Crowd
11:00 AM Worship with Holy Communion in English
1:00 PM Worship with Holy Communion in Spanish 1:15 PM Sunday School in Spanish
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Message from Pastor Triolo
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Dear Friends in Christ,
We began our conversation about the book of Acts last week by brainstorming stories we remember from the book. We then read the end of the Gospel of Luke and the beginning of Acts. Luke and Acts were both written by Luke and are essentially a two-volume set, with Luke being about the acts of Jesus—we might even call it "The Acts of the Holy Spirit through Jesus"—and Acts being about the acts of the Spirit through the early church—we might call it, "The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the early church.”
One participant made the observation that Luke begins with a genealogy of Jesus' family that goes back to Adam, and Acts ends with people from much of the known world believing in Jesus. Luke and Acts, therefore, are like bookends that begin and end with all people, not just one race of people, but all people being welcomed in God's family. In the participant's words, "Salvation is for all people." It was also noted that Acts begins with just a few believers in Jerusalem and ends with the church having spread from Jerusalem all the way to Rome. This very rapid growth in just a few decades was the work of the Holy Spirit.
The beginning of our conversation demonstrated that God continues to be active in all of our lives, even today. We went around the room sharing our names and one way we've seen God at work in our lives in the past week or month. The responses were quite varied. Some saw God acting through healing, whether physical, relational, financial, or spiritual. Others saw God working through personal and world history. Another saw God acting through various opportunities. I see God acting through the talented leadership of St. Mark's.
Between our Tuesday and Thursday sessions, we currently have 20+ participants reading Acts together. This week, we are reading chapter 1 and next week chapter 2. If you are not already participating, you are always welcome to enter in at any time. In the meanwhile, how might the Holy Spirit be acting in your life today?
Click to read or listen to my sermon on January 15th as it explains a bit about how I see God's actions at St. Mark's.
Yours in Christ, Pastor Albert
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Congregation Council Report
The Council met on January 9th at which time the four new members were welcomed. The first half of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of visioning and strengths of St. Mark's.
Old business included approval of a contract for Julio's music services. An update was given on the status of the plans to upgrade the electrical systems including lights in the Nave. Pro bono services of an electrical engineer have been engaged to assist the Property Committee with outlining specifications. The plan is to install LED bulbs, which will mean less electricity usage and less heat generated. The Property Committee is in charge of this project.
Council approved nomination of two people to the board of the St. Michael’s Youth Ministry Endowment Fund. The vacancy at the chair of the Stewardship Committee was announced. The Executive Committee will review the skills needed for that position and make recommendations to the Council. Please include that important deliberation in your prayers.
The next meeting is February 13th at 7:30 pm.
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Fire Marshal
Hypothermia week is very near. The fire marshal, will be coming on January 26, 2017, at 2:00 PM for the final inspection. Please make sure that the areas where you work are neat and that equipment and supplies are put away. There should be easy access to doors. The fire marshal will be checking that rooms and closets are free of fire hazards and that exits are clear.
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St. Mark's WELCA/MIELA Circle Meetings are scheduled for February.
Please plan to join us!
Wednesday, February 1 9:30 AM – Esther Circle Meeting at Friendship House Hostess: Peggy Morrison Program: Joan Enerson RSVP: 703-425-5376 or JOANANDKEN1@VERIZON.NET
7:30 PM – Deborah Circle Meeting at Anna Swann’s home, 8805 Terry Lynn Court, Springfield, VA 22152 Hostess: Anna Swann Program: Linda Vretos RSVP: 703-569-3693 or AWICKLIN@AOL.COM
Tuesday, February 7 10:00 AM – Lydia/Ruth Circle Meeting at the Church Lounge Hostess: Kathy Harris Program: Laidler Campbell RSVP: 703-978-7705 or KDH004@VERIZON.NET Every Friday 6:30 PM – MIELA Tabita Circle Meeting in the Friendship House
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Hypothermia Week at St. Mark's,
February 5-12, 2017
We are in need of:
· One female for the overnight shift
· Three people for the breakfast shift
· Cooks and servers Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings
Most of all we need volunteers to come 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM to eat dinner and listen to our guests, play games, watch a movie, as well as be a monitor.
Please see the bulletin board in the narthex for supplies needed.
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New Items Are Posted on the Board Please come by the donation board and choose an item to donate for Hypothermia. Pick up the item(s) and return non-perishables to the boxes in the narthex. Perishable items should be dropped off in the kitchen refrigerator or freezer starting February 5th. Thank you!
We want to thank Wegmans, Alexandria for continued support of our Hypothermia Program. They donated a $150 gift card to help us put food on the table for Hypothermia Week.
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500 Sandwiches
Thank you one and all! Over 60 people from St. Mark's and St. John's made our task of making 500 SANDWICHES for "So Others Might Eat" quick and easy. In just a little over an hour, the boxes were packed and the bag lunches were on their way downtown.
Our helpers ranged in age from 2 to 82. Thank you for your time and for your contributions to this most helpful endeavor.
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Start 2017 with "The 9:46 Crowd" on Sunday Mornings!
The 9:46 Crowd will complete its study of the series "Reformation Overview" this coming Sunday: January 22: William Tyndale
Come join us in Room 214 at 9:46 AM as we continue our year of celebration of
Reformation 500.
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CALLING ALL COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND ORGANIZATION LEADERS
Reformation 500 is well underway, which will culminate on Reformation Day, October 31, 2017, the 500th anniversary of Luther's posting of the "95 Theses" on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. If you have activities underway within your organization/committee to mark this anniversary year or have plans for the weeks ahead, please let the Reformation 500 Committee know, so you can be properly recognized and publicized. Email Chris Michaelsen. Thanks.
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A REFORMATION HYMN?
We know reformation is an ongoing process. As we mark a very big reformation in 2017 as well as the one that occurred in 1517, we are reminded of how it changed the Church and the world in the 16th century but also the Church today. And not only Lutherans! We, together with other Christians, are always reforming our relations with each other to impact the world, together, with the Word of God and our common witness to the Gospel of grace and forgiveness.
In September, I visited my mother in Iowa. She is in her 90th year and resides in a nursing facility administered by Franciscan nuns, the same sisters who provided her nurse's training back in the 40s and gave me my first piano lessons in the 50s and 60s. Now she has come full circle and enjoys the comfort and familiarity of these dear ladies. I was waiting in the lounge one day. Daily Mass was in progress—the chapel is wide open to the lounge and dining area to accommodate all the wheelchair-bound residents. The priest was leading a hymn with a beautiful, clear baritone voice. He also spoke slowly and distinctly, unrushed, like his listeners. It was refreshing and drew me in.
The hymn was "Christ, Be Our Light." It sounded vaguely familiar. I wondered if it were in our hymnal. I had played through the whole book when it was new. Here it is!! #715. Let's sing it. During this Epiphany season, light is a constant theme. These words express beautifully, Jesus the Light of the World, and also ourselves as the light of the world, even as Jesus called us to be. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which originated in the Catholic Church in 1908, begins January 18 (the Confession of St. Peter) and continues through January 25 (the Conversion of St. Paul). Also, the words are fitting for our upcoming Hypothermia week. Pray these words this season, and sing them from your heart. It's a wonderful prayer for us individually and as a congregation.
EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network), the Catholic broadcasting system, features Daily Mass at noon. Tune in sometime. Though much of the ceremony and some prayers are distinctly Roman, you may be surprised at how many hymns you recognize and how much Bach you hear from the organist! It's a wonderful gift exchange, this treasury of hymns and music we so freely share! May the Church (capital "C") continue to grow back together, together! The world needs our mutual ministry. This is one small way to express our unity.
Chris Michaelsen, Organist
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A beautiful St. Mark’s flower bouquet was delivered to longtime member Wayne Norby in celebration of his 90th birthday. Mr. Norby seems to really enjoy our altar flowers and visits.
Each week, the flower committee makes smaller arrangements with the altar flowers and a few St. Mark's members deliver them to church members who cannot come to church or need a little cheer.
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Next Military Packages Collection Sunday, January 29, 2017
Our January recipient will be Chelsey Reams. Captain Reams is in the Air Force and deployed to Kuwait in October, serving on a Coalition Task Force. She is one of very few Americans serving in the unit and works side by side with our Allies to combat ISIS. Chelsey was suggested by Lisa Ryan. Lisa and her husband Tim have both been recipients of our packages when they were deployed. When we get information about any specific things Chelsey and her cohorts might like to receive, we will let you know. In the meantime, according to Lisa, “Homemade sweets are always welcome.”
We will be looking for names for recipients for February and beyond. Please let Mary or Gerald Eskelund or Gayle Parsons know of any deployed person who would like to get packages. If you can give us their email address in addition to their regular mail address, that would be wonderful. We will try to contact them to see if they have any particular needs or likes.
Thank you for your always-generous support!
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Mark you calendar and make plans to attend our
60th Anniversary Family Camp Celebration: May 27-29, 2017
. More details will be coming soon. We hope you can be here to celebrate with us.
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"Food for Others" Driver Needed
The time commitment is just one Tuesday afternoon every four weeks. The driver picks up food in Merrifield at 5:00 PM and drops it off at church. If interested or you would like more information, please contact Nan Ackerman or call 703-425-9192 or Debbie Brown or call 703-798-7021.
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Offering envelopes for 2017
have been moved to a table just outside the door to the church office. If you have not done so, please pick up your set of envelopes at your earliest convenience.
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Register Now for Free Parenting Classes — Sessions Begin January 23, 2017
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services’ Parenting Education Programs is enrolling families for several upcoming parenting classes. These programs are special in that both parents and children attend the classes together but are taught in separate classrooms. Classes are free for Fairfax County residents. Depending on the curriculum, classes meet once a week from 5:30 pm to 8 pm for 12, 13, 18, or 24 weeks. Free childcare and dinner are provided each night. There are a variety of classes available throughout the year, but the following three classes will start this month:
- January 23, 2017 through June 26, 2017 – Ages 0 to 4 – Curriculum taught in Spanish. Mondays, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Main Street Development Center in Fairfax.
- January 23, 2017 through May 1, 2017 – Ages 5 to 11 – Curriculum taught in English. Mondays, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Fairfax Church of Christ.
- January 31, 2017 through May 9, 2017 – Ages 5 to 11 – Curriculum taught in Spanish. Tuesdays, 5:30 to 8:00 PM at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Springfield.
Registration is required, so please register as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Raiza Barraza by phone at (703) 324-7745, or by email at raycelly.barraza@fairfaxcounty.gov. You may also contact Natalie Bailey by phone at (703) 324-3617 or via email at natalie.bailey@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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Thorrablot
Thorrablot (An Icelandic Cultural Festival) Family Event was a Success—thank you to all that came to participate and to lend support. A special thank you to Marissa Harney for her leadership in creating this fun event of fellowship and food, as she coordinated games for the children led by youth, as well as the meal preparation and serving even including homemade puff pastries – which were fantastic! It was a wonderful family event for all ages to connect and grow together, and we are looking forward to doing another family evening again soon!
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P
icture Left to Right: Nayla Avila, Michael Bianchetta, Kassidy Pate, Julia Bodgstad, Marissa Harney, and Rosann Colovos.
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Youth Announcements
Shekinah 2017 Metro DC Synod Event for 7th - 8th graders
Theme: Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
Date: March 17-19, 2017
(Leave
Friday at 4:00 PM
from church and Return Sunday at 2:30 PM)
Where:
Northern Virginia 4-H Center, Front Royal, VA
Registration Forms: Due Sunday FEBRUARY 5th, 2017
(the sooner the better)
Cost:
$75 (scholarships are available if needed) Make checks payable to: St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Registration Forms are available at Confirmation and in the Narthex on the Bulletin board by the water fountains. If you have any questions, please contact
Stephanie Ogle
(Youth Director) or call 703-850-2315.
Youth Serving Dinner at Hypothermia Week Friday, February 10th, 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Church Kitchen
We will gather in the church kitchen to prepare and serve dinner to those who are staying at the church for the evening. Please sign-up at Confirmation or Youth Group.
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Article Deadline
We need YOUR help! In order that ALL OF US receive the necessary documents for This Week, The Messenger, and the website, please send all articles you wish to have published no later than 5:00 PM on the Tuesday before the Sunday you wish for the articles to appear. Send those articles to communications@stmarks-elca.org.
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