October 2, 2014
♫♫ Music Night ♫♫ 

Starting on Wednesday, October 15th from 6:00-7:30pm, St. Mark's Associate for Music Ministries, David Plank, will be leading "Music Night" at St. Mark's. People of any level of musical background-even those with no music experience-are welcome to come! If you like music, but can only play the radio, come join us! If you love to sing, but only sing in the shower, come join us! If you're young and want to join a group where you'll have fun with music, join us! If you're old and have always wanted to join a music group but just haven't gotten to it yet, come join us! If you're a professional musician and want to come have fun, you won't be bored! Sneak peeks include a "composer of the month", where we'll find interesting facts about various famous or not-so-famous composers, and an "instrument of the fortnight", where you'll get to see, hear, listen, and maybe even play on an instrument you may have never even heard of before! Ever wanted to learn how to read music? Or bang on a timpani? Interested in what that Afro-Brazilian percussion instrument that David played on Sunday is? Come join us upstairs in the choir room every Wednesday night from 6:00-7:30. All ages starting at age five may join us from 6:00-6:30, with youth and adults continuing from 6:30-7:30. Please contact David with any questions you may have at [email protected].

17th Sunday after Pentecost: Exodus 20: 1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46  

 

  

"The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent." - Psalm 19:7

Worship
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."

Parking for Friday's Wedding

If you plan to attend Pastor Debra and Andrea's wedding on Friday at 3 p.m. (and we hope you do!), please be advised that St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church has graciously offered us the use of their parking lot on Lake Street. In addition, the City of Evanston is allowing parking on the south side of Lake between Maple and Oak (normally only allowed on Sundays). The two-hour restriction has been waived for that location as well as for Grove between Maple and Ridge. Please only use the parking spaces in the driveway of the church if you have a handicap placard on your car. Thank you.

Chapel and Sanctuary Flowers

If you would like to donate money toward chapel and sanctuary flowers on a Sunday, the new flower chart (October 2014 - September 2015) is available in the Parlor. The minimum suggested donation 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] .

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. 

  • Lector: Bob Barr & Ted Richardson
  • Eucharistic Ministers: Liz McElhatton & Lisa Montgomery
  • Acolytes: Bruce Gaede, Wesley Urbanowski, Betsy Johnson
  • Altar Guild: Trish Barr & Rachel Easton
  • Flower Guild: Dorothy Laudati
  • Vestry Persons of the Day: Beth Sagan & Joanna Greene
  • Ushers: Dorothy Laudati & Marion MacBeth
  • Coffee Hour Snacks: Last names beginning with   A - C
  • Welcoming New Worshippers: All the People of St. Mark's
Christian Formation
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.
Adult Forums Return October 19th with Animate Faith

On Sunday, October 19th from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Adult Formation returns to Bethlehem Chapel with conversations sparked by Sparkhouse's Animate Faith series.

 

Oct. 19th Religion | Spirituality Is Not Enough:  
What does it mean to be spiritual? Is it the same as being religious? Lillian Daniel pushes back at this question that has been stirring up the cultural conversation for a while now. She asks us to consider how the seeds of faith take root and thrive. What role does organized religion play in helping-or hindering-growth? If religion is the problem, why has it held fast for thousands of years? In this age of religious pluralism, is it possible or even desirable to stick with our age-old traditions?

 

Nov. 2nd Bible | A Book Like No Other:

Why read the Bible? This is Lauren Winner's central question. For Lauren, an avid reader, there remains something odd about the way Christians read the Bible. Why do we keep turning to the same stories in search of some new revelation? What is it about the Bible that makes it worth repeated reading? What gets in our way as we read the Bible and try to make sense of it? These are issues the church has wrestled with for centuries and yet we keep at it. We keep coming back to this book and its strange narrative full of plagues and miracles and destruction and rebirth. So why do we do it?

 

Nov. 9th Church | An Imperfect Family:

Bruce Reyes-Chow knows he's not inventing the metaphor of the church as family. So he suggests we take our changing notions about what it means to be a family and let them seep into our understanding of the church. For Bruce, it's the messiness, the dysfunction, and the joy that comes from complex relationships that make church worth hanging on to. So how do we stay connected to this sometimes-broken family system? What does it mean to commit ourselves to the church family, for better or for worse?

Children's Sunday School

After several weeks in the Season of Creation, this Sunday our children in their classes - and all of us in our worship - return to the Season after Pentecost. Thank you to this week's teachers and classroom assistants: Liz McElhatton and Holly Benz (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 9 - 12) on October 19 or to assist (ages 6-8) on either November 16 or November 23, please get in touch with Pastor Debra. 

This Week at Saint Mark's
Calendar

Thursday, October 2

5:30 p.m.

Evanston Jr. Wildkits Cheerleading Practice, Cunningham Hall

 

7:30 p.m. 

Choir Rehearsal,

Choir Room

 

Friday, October 3

3:00 p.m. 

Nowack / Bullock Wedding,

Sanctuary

 

Sunday, October 5

8:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist - Traditional,

Lady Chapel

 

9:00 a.m.

Coffee Hour,

Parlor

 

10:30 a.m.

Holy Eucharist with Music,

Sanctuary

 

11:45 a.m. 

Coffee Hour,

Parlor

 

12:00 noon

Handbell Choir Rehearsal,

Balcony

 

Monday, October 6

4 p.m.

Interfaith Action of Evanston Board Meeting,

Bethlehem Chapel

 

Tuesday, October 7

5:30 p.m. 

Evanston Jr. Wildkits Cheerleading Practice,

Cunningham Hall

 

Wednesday, October 8

7:00 p.m. 

Evanston English Country Dancing, Cunningham Hall

 

7:15 p.m.

Evanston String Quartet Rehearsal,

Sanctuary

October Birthdays

October 3 

Lily Consiglio

 

Otober 4

Margaret Forst,

Betsy Sagan

 

October 5 

Sydney Johnson

 

October 8 

Carol Martin

 

October 10 

Leela Gaede,

Ayden Lettner

 

October 12 

Owen McElhatton

 

October 13 

Movelle Das

 

October 18

Abby Stahr

 

October 21 

Doug Sondgeroth

 

October 23 

Darlisa Himrod

 

October 25 

Hardy Murphy


October 31

Tacia Johnson
October Anniversaries

 

October 7

Charlie and Judy Kopp

 

October 11

Bob & Edie Molumby


October 25

Kevin & Debra Nee

Confirm not Conform: On Retreat

The combined St. Mark's / St. Matthew's Confirm not Conform Class and their leaders (Clark Alexander, Lori Goede, Jonathan Shotwell, Charlie de Kay, Debra Bullock) will be on retreat at the St. Edward and Christ Retreat Center in Joliet from Friday, October 10 through Sunday, October 12. Students from St. Mark's include Katie Gallegos, Lizzie Lele, Austin Suvari, and Jack Suvari. Please hold the students and adults in your prayers.

Fellowship
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.

SMAC News

Just a reminder that members of St. Mark's Youth Group (better known among the youth as "SMAC") will gather along with youth from St. Matthew's to volunteer at the Producemobile on Tuesday, October 14 from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. We will meet at the Robert Crown Center at 8:30 a.m. This is, of course, only for those youth who do not have school that day - please do not cut class to join us!!!!

 

On Sunday, October 19th SMAC, along with youth from St. Matthew's, will meet at St. Mark's at 1:30 p.m. to participate in the CROP Walk followed by ice cream sundaes and conversation at St. Mark's. Parents you can pick your youth up at 5:30 p.m.

 

Please let Pastor Debra (email: [email protected]; text 847-732-9564) and/or Deane Johnson (e-mail:  [email protected]; text 231-313-9217) know if you will be attending either or both of these events.

Social Justice & Outreach Opportunities

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.

CROP Walk Information 

CROP Rest Stop
CROP needs your help! St. Mark's is in charge of a rest stop along the
walk route, and we need water bottles, juice boxes, granola bars,and
individual packages of chips. Please place donations in the red shopping
cart at the back of the sanctuary and write CROP on the boxes.

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.
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.

Producemobile - Tuesday, October 14

On the 2nd 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. The distribution takes place from 9:30 - 11:30 at the Robert Crown Center. Volunteers are needed from 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. If you are able to help on October 14, please send an e-mail to Pastor Debra, [email protected] or sign-up at www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4FAFAC2FAB9-evanston. Thank you to St. Mark's September volunteers: Bruce Gaede, Andrea Nowack, and Chris Schultze.

"@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.

"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. 

Curt's Caf� Second Annual Gratitude Bash

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.

 

Curt's Cafe invites you to Party with a Purpose at their Second Annual Gratitude Bash! On the Menu: Dinner, Drinks and Dancing to Evanston's own Suite Mollie 7! Special of the Day: We're honoring Eddie Lakin, owner of Edzo's Burger Shop, with the Curt's Cafe Life Changer Award Hours of operation: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, November 1, 2014. Where: Alice Millar Chapel-Northwestern University, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston. Attire: Festive and fun. Cost: $100 per person

Other Announcements

Old Treasures-New Treasures-Something for You---The Gift Shop Sale is coming up Sunday, November 23rd. Plans are being made by Ellie Bergman, Mary Pat Buckley, Joanna Greene, Dave and Lola Himrod, Tacia Johnson, Dorothy Laudati, Bonnie Lindstrom, Rima Lockwood and Natasha Oussenko for a great event. St. Mark's 125th anniversary will be honored by some items. YOU are invited to help by donating baked good, preserves, etc. (what do you make that others would enjoy?) and/or by volunteering to help at the sale. No books, media or other old items are being accepted other than Christmas items in very good condition. Contact Lola Himrod with offers of donations or help at 847-864-7815 or [email protected].

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. 

In The Community

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.

Grief Support Groups

NorthShore Hospice sponsors two free support groups that are open to the public. One is called Soul Mates and is for those who have experienced the death of a spouse or life partner. The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The other, called Legacy, is for adults who have experienced the death of a partent. The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:30 - 8 p.m. All groups meet at the NorthShore Hospice office, 4901 Searle Parkway in Skokie. For more information, please call Thom Dennis at 847-982-4364 or e-mail [email protected].

In The Diocese

Fierce Conversations at The Nicholas Center

The Nicholas Center at the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago is pleased to offer Fierce Conversations trainings in September and October. These workshops will provide sixteen hours of experiential training on how to have more productive conversations. The skills learned will be immediately applicable to one's personal and professional life. As accredited providers for Fierce, Inc. in the Episcopal Church, the faculty of the Nicholas Center have provided Fierce training in a variety of church and diocesan contexts.

 

Space is still available in the October 13 - 16 training. Discounts are available for local attendees who opt not to stay at The Nicholas Center, and scholarships are available as needed. Register here: http://bit.ly/FIERCE_Chicago. For more information contact Megan Krings at [email protected].  

Analyzing Systemic Racism Training

October 16 - 18 at Lutheran School of Theology

The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago's Anti-Racism Commission and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Metro Chicago Synod's Anti-Racism Team are co-sponsors of Analyzing Systemic Racism Training, presented by Crossroads Anti-Racism Organizing and Training.

 

The 2� day workshop explores the historical development of racism in the U.S.; how racism is perpetuated in institutions and how it continues to manifest itself in our culture; and how racism affects both people of color and white people. Anyone who is open to learning about these facets of historical and institutional racism is welcome to attend.

 

More details on the schedule, registration and fees can be found here. The registration deadline is Monday, October 13. For more information contact Anti-Racism Commission members Gary Cox (773.434.9783) or Miguel Briones (630.502.0051).

Parish Prayer List

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.

We bid your prayers for: Helen Baker, Louise Beem and her family, Louise Behrends, Ellen and Tom Bergman, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Karen Cornelius, Kendric Das, Bob Easton, Lynn Erickson, Hal Griffith, 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, Susan Murrell Cataneda, Dorothy Clarke, Ward Clarke, Jim and Cathy Dillman, Darrell Huddleston, Kinzie Hughes, Katie Iles, Yvonne Johns, Leo, Alison King, OJ Mabwa, Mary Joyce Menzies, Mike Nee, Pam Oshlo, Maureen Puleo, Eli Ransdell, Revaldo, Ean and Neale Smith, Tim and his family, Carlo Trovato, Blanca White, Jorkyn White, Jill Vannattam.   

                   

We pray for those who have died: Marc Beem, husband of Louise Beem. 

 

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

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St. Mark's Episcopal Church | 847-864-4806 | [email protected] | http://www.stmarksevanston.org
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
1509 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201