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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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Acts Chapter 4
Dear Friends in Christ,
We continued our reading of Acts with chapter 4. Our conversations go in many directions as the text captures our imagination and raises lots of questions. In addition to once again marveling over Peter's newfound Holy Spirit-empowered ability to preach with authority, we noticed that one of the groups challenging him were Sadducees. They were troubled by the Apostles' teaching that Jesus had been raised from the dead. While most of the religious leaders were also disturbed and even threatened by this teaching, the Sadducees had another reason to be upset. We learned previously in the Gospels that, unlike the Pharisees, they did not believe in resurrection. Peter's teaching, therefore, defied their basic theological order of things: we live and we die, period.
This got us into thinking about how people today understand life, death, and resurrection, specifically what happens when we die. We counted four things we've heard people say about death and resurrection: 1) everything goes black and that's it; 2) our body dies and our souls go to heaven forever; 3) our souls go to heaven and will be reunited with some form of resurrected body on the day of resurrection (a variation on this theme is that we sleep until the resurrection, however long it might be, and experience the transition as immediate); and 4) it's a mystery and there might be an option we cannot even fathom.
We then considered other stories we remembered from the Scriptures. Part of our Lutheran tradition is to utilize Scripture (as well as reason, experience, and God's inspiration) to better understand a biblical passage. We found it interesting to consider how the idea of resurrection developed over time. Our forebearers in the faith were more concerned about living well in God's presence during this life than they were about eternity. One of the earliest texts associated with resurrection is the passage in Ezekiel where God raises to life an army of soldiers from a field of dry bones. In its context, it is a vision; but many read it as an early resurrection text. Many Psalms seem to allude to eternal life. It's no wonder the Pharisees and Sadducees didn't agree.
Jesus clearly believed in and even taught on resurrection. We remembered how Jesus answered the Sadducees when they challenged him in the Gospel. He said that the Scriptures say God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the present tense even though their bodies have long since died; therefore, God is a God of the living. And St. Paul later wrote that if there is no resurrection from the dead, then we are most of all to be pitied. How right he was! He had given up everything to follow Jesus whom he believed to have died and been raised; of course, he also met him on the road to Damascus—we'll read that in a few weeks. ;-)
Where might the Spirit be nudging us in this text? To cling to God's promise of resurrection. I asked, "So, what difference does it make if there's a resurrection or not?" Our answer was that faith in God's promise that death is not the end but the gateway to eternal life in God's presence gives us strength, peace, and purpose. We then touched on stories that we've heard about people who had died and were brought back by physicians. (I suspect we could have gone on for a while with that). We certainly didn't develop the definitive theological statement on death and resurrection, but through our conversation God did help us to grow in our faith and understanding.
You are welcome to grow with us!
Yours in Christ, Pastor Albert
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Fountain of Life Breakfast
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Dear Friends,
Are you feeling sad, frustrated, or angry about the divisiveness in our society over the current political climate? If so, your pastors share your pain and hope to find some healing with you. I addressed this in my sermon last Sunday and want to extend my concluding invitation here.
"Coming together to share our experiences and grow together can be like a fountain of life. We hope you will take advantage of the opportunities available to you at St. Mark's to do this. Our Tuesday evening and Thursday morning Bible studies are highlights of my week. Last Thursday, 17 of us gathered and grew together. On Saturday, February 25, Pastor Varinia and I invite you to breakfast beginning at 9:30 AM. We will share in some fellowship over a meal, read some scripture together, talk about current events around tables, and pray together. We do hope you will join us. You just might find it to be a fountain of life."
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Albert
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Hypothermia Photos and Thanks!
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Our week with our Hypothermia Guests is over for this year. Approximately 125 volunteers at the church and many, many more behind the scenes made our week pass by quickly and with no major problems. We were filled to capacity (49) almost every night as our sister church for the week had a capacity of only 25, so they came to spend the night with us. We did have a few 'heavy eaters' and thus the extra food supplies came in really handy. Most of the guests were so very thankful to have a warm place to 'call home' for the week and told us that several times.
THE LIST OF "THANK YOUs" IS LONG… First of all to St. Mark’s—we have been given a great location, a large area to use, and a super church family! Our youth and the 1:00 PM San Marcos congregation helped so much, too. Numerous members from St. John's helped almost every night. Also, Kirkwood Presbyterian, Anna Swann's Gourmet Cooking Club, our quilters, Wegmans… Trudy Stellar spent countless hours shopping and supplying the kitchen... and the list goes on!
Most of all we say THANK YOU TO GOD for looking out for our volunteers and our guests.
We were also blessed with very warm weather for a February week in Northern Virginia.
Several of the churches that still have their week ahead of them are asking for volunteers (particularly overnight). If any one would like more information about those requests, please call Al or Kay.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! ~ The Life Center at St. Mark's
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Thank You!
Thanks again to the children of Montessori School for creating this wonderful banner and decorating lunch bags for our Hypothermia guests this past week! It was greatly appreciated by all.
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Early Breakfasts...
Pete Morrison scrambling eggs for hypothermia guests Saturday morning, February 11. Helpful onlookers are from St. John's Lutheran Church.
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Youth Serving Friday Dinner for Hypothermia Week
We had an awesome time serving fried chicken, biscuits, potato wedges, and coleslaw, followed by ice cream and cookies for dessert! Thank you to the Life Center and all the volunteers for loving like Jesus!
February 10th, 2017, Left to Right: Benjamin Dalton, Nayla Avila, Stephanie Ogle, Kassidy Pate, Marissa Harney, Mason Harney, Elizabeth Mazzello, Nils Herfindahl, Sarah Sheridan, and Jessica Sheridan
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Youth Group ... February 12, 2017
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The Youth Group is diving into lessons on Crazy Love by Francis Chan, including a worship song and a fun game!
Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Will Bolton, Michael Bianchetta, Ian Wharton, Corey Perry, Erland Herfindahl, Brain Mendeza hiding behind Megan Meiser, Stephanie Ogle, Joy Weekly, Elli Makinen, Will Makinen, Anna Ferrari, Bonnie Vigil, Nayla Avila, Aleah Perry, and Jessica Sheridan
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Thankoffering Collection—Sunday, February 19th
St. Mark's Women of the ELCA (WELCA) will collect Thankofferings on Sunday, February 19th, at both the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM services. Through Thankofferings we have an opportunity to show gratitude for God's blessings by offering special gifts to Churchwide (CW) WELCA to support their work and ministries, such as educational resources, ecumenical partnerships, advocacy, global education, leadership development, Gather magazine, and much more, including hosting the Triennial Convention.
We invite the congregation to participate in this special offering. Please note that this offering is separate from your regular church offerings and are a donation to the Women of the ELCA. Thank you!
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We received the following note of thanks for St. Mark's 2016 Thankoffering from the Churchwide WELCA executive board, addressed to Fran Eck:
Dear Frances:
I would like to thank you and the Women of St. Mark's for your generous Thankoffering. It is such generosity that helps the Women of the ELCA provide grant programs and support for women worldwide. Thanks again and God's Blessings to you and the Women of St. Mark's. Dawn Smith, CW Board Member, Women of the ELCA
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Sunday, February 19—Bold Women's Day
St. Mark’s Women of the ELCA has chosen to highlight Katherine von Bora Luther as our Bold Woman for 2017. Look for the Bulletin Insert on Katherine von Bora Luther on Sunday, February 19th to learn more about her life and witness.
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Announcements and Upcoming Events
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Thank You from Food for Others—Again!
From Nan Ackerman: "Again St. Mark's has responded to our plea for help. Alan Eck and James and Martha Flanagan have agreed to join our team as substitute drivers for FFO. We had only one on our list and now we have three. Thank you for your service; it is greatly appreciated by all our FFO teams."
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St. Mark's Montessori School Open House—This Saturday!
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Next Military Packages Collection: Sunday, February 26, 2017
Our February recipient will be William Lucke—he was suggested by Faith and Carl Bauersfeld, who are friends of his family. William’s mother was a minister in the Virginia synod. William is deployed to Kabul with the Navy Seabees and says he and his buddies would love to get such things as brownies and cookies, and he is partial to SweeTART-type candies for snacks!
We will be looking for names for recipients for March 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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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner
February 28, 2017, 6:00 PM-7:30 PM
Pancakes, Sausage, and Applesauce. This fundraiser supports youth events and youth going to the ELCA Youth Gathering.
Please bring a dessert from home to share and prayers that is it not snowed out this year!
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ECHO's Congregational Food Drive and St. Mark's!
During February, St. Mark’s is again asked to help keep ECHO’s food pantry stocked. To help, pick up a bag from the narthex and bring it to church the next Sunday—or just pick up a list of needs and bring your own bag. A list of the items most needed will be attached to the bags and also available next to the bags.
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LutherFacts #5
Martin Luther called his wife Katharina "the morning star of Wittenberg" because she regularly rose early to attend to her many duties. Her reputation for hard work preceded becoming Luther's wife when she was a nun in Marienthron Convent. By 1523, she had heard Luther preach and was ready to join the growing ranks of those seeking church reforms. Once free of the nunnery, Katharina urged Martin in 1525 to marry her, and he agreed. For the next twenty-one years, she stood beside him as the Reformation unfolded, providing love, counsel, and much needed income from managing the local farms, running a brewery, and boarding students. After Martin's death in 1546, life grew harder for Katharina, but she again found ways to support her family. She died in 1552 and her impressive tombstone in the Torgau church can still be visited.
Image: Portrait of Katharina von Bora by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1528 Oil on panel
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Oktoberfest to Celebrate Reformation 500?
Calling all brewers!
Yes, you did read that correctly. No, I'm not talking about baseball. I'm looking for men and women of St. Mark's who brew beer, or would like to learn.
To help celebrate the 500th anniversary of the reformation, home brewers in congregations around our Fairfax Conference are hoping to have an Oktoberfest with great home-brewed beer. Our friends at Lord of Life already have 25-30 brewers in their growing home-brew crew. I know we have some brewers at St. Mark's. (I myself brew.)
So, if you are a brewer or want to learn about it and possibly become one, send me an email at atriolo@stmarks-elca.org. Someone recently told me that he doesn't brew beer but he does drink it; I responded, "What do you think we do when we brew?" ;-)
In all seriousness, brewing is a great social activity around which some wonderful conversations and relationships take shape. I look forward to receiving your email!
Until then, cheers!
+ Pastor Albert
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News from ECHO
ECHO’s 400+ volunteers are grateful for a generous community that helps ECHO provide food for hungry families, clothing and household goods for those who struggle with low income, and short-term financial assistance to help people stay in their homes while they tackle their emergencies.
St. Mark's is scheduled for ECHO's Congregational Food Drive in February!
Stuff the Bus:
Join ECHO, Fairfax County Government, MV Transportation (FasTran Bus) and Giant in an effort to collect food to assist the most vulnerable in our community. On Monday, February 20, a FasTran bus will be parked in front of Cardinal Forest Giant, 8320 Old Keene Mill Road, from 9:30 AM-4:30 PM collecting food purchased that day to benefit ECHO. Grocery bags pre-filled with some of ECHO’s most needed foods will be available for purchase beginning February 13 at the same store. Help us fill the bus and keep our shelves full so ECHO can continue our mission to help those in need in Springfield and Burke.
Many companies have
matching donation programs
for charitable giving, and even for volunteering. If you are going to make a financial donation to ECHO this year, please double your gift, if possible, by applying for your employer’s matching gift program. If you volunteer at ECHO, check to see if your employer supports your volunteerism with a donation. ECHO uses financial donations to pay rent, or utility bills, or even for medicine to help people who face emergencies. ECHO also uses financial donations to purchase essential articles such as children’s coats, socks, and underwear when donations are in short supply. ECHO’s mailing address is 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22150.
ECHO is open Monday-Friday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Tuesday-Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield.
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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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