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February 18, 2018

Worship Schedule 8:30 AM English Worship Service 9:46 AM The 9:46 Crowd 10:00 AM English Worship Service 11:05 AM Sunday School combined English/Spanish 12:00 PM Spanish Worship Service

Mid-Week Wednesday Worship Services February 21 – March 21 10:30 AM, English Morning Prayer * soup luncheon to follow * 7:30 PM, Holden Evening Prayer * preceded by soup supper at 6:30 PM *

Message from Pastor Triolo

Faith formation, Nurture my Faith, The 9:46 Crowd, 11:06 Crowd?, Awesome Series! What do these phrases have in common? This Sunday we are starting a DVD series on the Bible presented by Dr. Craig Koester of Luther Seminary entitled Reading the Bible: Genesis to Revelation . We are so excited about it that we are not only offering it at "The 9:46 Crowd" adult forum, we are adding an “11:06 Crowd” for all those who worship at 10:00 AM! Pastor Varinia reminded us last week that we are a “forgetful people” and that we come to church “to remember” what God has done. This walk through the Bible is a great way to nurture and form your faith. While it would be great if we could all attend every week, these videos are crafted so that each lesson can also stand alone. So don’t let those unavoidable conflicts prevent you from joining us. We are beginning this week with an introduction. We’ll continue next week with the New Testament and work through the spring. The plan is to then take a break for the summer and begin the Old Testament in the fall. Sermon for Ash Wednesday, February 14

Town Hall Meetings with Round Table Discussions   Join us on Sundays 2/18, 3/18, and 4/15 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM as we continue the conversation Pastor Albert began with us on the nature of God and the church. We hope every confirmed member of St. Mark’s will attend. Childcare will be provided and the meal will be potluck, so please bring something to share. Our youth will provide the meal on 4/15.   We have much to talk about. Topics will include the Trinity, ministries of St. Mark’s, our congregation’s organization, our current vision statement and vision for the future, our expectations of each other and our pastors, and others. We look forward to having these important conversations with you.

Announcements

Mid-Week Wednesday Worship Services February 21 – March 21 10:30 AM, English Morning Prayer * soup luncheon to follow * 7:30 PM, Holden Evening Prayer * preceded by soup supper at 6:30 PM *

Palm Sunday Worship Services, March 25 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM, English 12:00 PM, Spanish Holy Thursday Worship Services, March 29 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM, English 6:00 PM, Spanish Good Friday Worship Services March 30 12:00 PM, Noon Prayers, English 6:00 PM, Stations of the Cross, Spanish 7:30 PM, Tenebrae, English

God’s work. Our hands. Valentine’s Day, February 14th, provided a very good reason to purchase a celebration gift for your loved ones. February 14th also marked the beginning of Lent. As you determine your approach to the Lenten Season, please recall our stewardship “buy nothing new" campaign for February and consider how you might apply the money you save to your favorite St. Mark’s ministry or simply to the remaining Sunday offerings. Thank you for your continued financial, time, and talent contributions to God’s work here at St. Mark’s.

"The Holy Gospel According to St. Mark ... " We will hear this announcement of the gospel in our Sunday services all year long. We are in Year B of the three-year lectionary. (See the Propers beginning on page 18 of Evangelical Lutheran Worship ). Each year a different gospel is highlighted. Year A is Matthew, Year B Mark, Year C Luke. John is interspersed throughout the three. Not only is this the year of St. Mark in our lectionary, it is the 65th year of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Our congregation was chartered on December 6, 1953. Today, take time to look at the windows on the right (east) as you enter the church. These depict scenes from the Gospel of St. Mark. Today's gospel, Jesus' baptism by John (followed immediately by his 40 days in the wilderness, the subsequent arrest of John, and the beginning of Jesus' ministry) is illuminated in the first two windows. We see John the Baptist and Jesus standing in the Jordan River, and, further upstream, Jesus calling fishermen to follow him. In Lent, we too are called to follow him— indeed, this is our life's calling as Christians— even to the Cross. God bless us on our Lenten journey and our whole life long. Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Chris Michaelsen, Organist

Give Thanks for the Property Committee! These are some of the issues the Property Committee worked on at its February meeting amid the many issues they encounter every week.   The problem with outdoor lights on Friendship House is resolved. Regarding the St. Mark’s sign and a request to add “and Montessori School” to the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church sign, a motion was made and approved the sign proposed with the addition of an “and” or “&” between the church and school on the sign. (The Executive Committee has requested more designs since that action.) The Montessori School proposal to revitalize the children’s playground was discussed and all were in favor of moving forward with the property footprint remaining the same size and location. (The Executive Committee is waiting for more information before proceeding.) Pastor Varinia reported mold and moisture problems in some areas of the parsonage and included some photos. The Committee took immediate action and the solution is in progress. This committee goes way beyond what can be expected in dealing with the myriad problems in managing our properties. We should give them our thanks and encouragement whenever we see them!

INVITATION TO FRIENDS AND VISITORS Do you want to know more about life at St. Mark's? You are invited to "Coffee with the Pastors" Sunday, March 4, at 11:00 AM (same time as Sunday School and babysitter provided) downstairs in the Blue Room. (Watch for signs.)  Then, for those who are interested, the following Sunday, March 11, during the 10:00 AM service, new members will be received.

ECHO Food Pantry Needs Donations! As recent ECHO notices have revealed, ECHO’s food pantry is in its “Winter Doldrums.” February is St. Mark’s turn to again hold a food drive. Beginning immediately, there will be brown grocery bags in the narthex with a list of items needed to help fill the shelves. Please take a bag home (or use your own) and use it to donate items listed. Please remember that ECHO cannot use opened and outdated items. Thank you! Items needed are listed below ( most needed marked with *): *Flour (2#)                                      Canned meat *Vegetable oil                                   Juice (large bottles/cans) *Spaghetti sauce                              Jello/pudding mixes *Deodorant                                      Dry Beans *Laundry detergent                           Adult/child pain meds *Shaving cream                                Razors Bagged rice (2#)

Military Packages Collection: Sunday, February 25 Our end-of-February recipient will be Erin Kirby, along with her group of deployed folks. We received her name through Sandy Lind, who had told Christie Ballew about our program; Christie, who is also in the military, then furnished two names. Erin is a deployed Air Force member and the single mom of three children! We haven’t received any special requests from her yet, but you always come through with wonderful items, whether home-baked goodies, snacks, or supplies/toiletries— they are always grateful for the great items you provide, and the love and caring that our packages represent. Thank you very much for your consistent and generous support for this project!

St. Mark's Youth

Thanks for a delicious Pancake Dinner ! Many thanks to our youth and the adults in the group picture below who helped decorate, prepare, and serve during the Shrove Sunday Dinner held last Sunday night. It was a youth fundraiser for the Houston Youth Gathering coming up this summer. Pictured are: first row (kneeling): Noel Sheridan and Julia Bogstad; second row (standing): Kara Barnes, Sarah Sheridan, Joy Weekly, Nils Herfindahl, and Aleah Perry; back row: Lauren Meiser, Benjamin Dalton, Joseph Triolo, and Michael Bianchetta; not pictured: Nayla Avila.

Ministry Team February 18

Altar Flower Dedications

Communion Cards.  Please don’t forget to fill out a communion card each time you  worship . Cards are located in the pew racks. If your address has changed, you can include that information so the church office can update your records. In addition, use of the card allows the church office to enter your communion and attendance in the official church records. Thank you.

Kristin's Message based on the lectionary of the week by Kristin Berkey Abbott .

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