February 6, 2019
The eLion
All of us at St. Mark’s share a commitment to our faith and to our community, and we welcome visitors regardless of religious background, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Everyone is welcome here.
Gifts We Bring to a World in Need: New Bulletin Board
Over the past month the Stewardship Ministry Team has been inviting you to pledge a financial gift to St. Mark’s for 2019 and I am thrilled to be able to say YOU DID IT! We met our $281,000 goal and will have more details about that available in the bulletin on Sunday for those who want details. But Stewardship isn’t just about money. In fact, the word stewardship simply means careful management of something entrusted to us. There’s no mention of money at all! The Bible invites us to be stewards of all that is around – earth, sky, plants, animals and one another. Beginning this Sunday, you will find a bulletin board outside of the sanctuary that says “Gifts We Bring to a World in Need.” and we would like YOU to provide us with photos or short paragraphs that show us the stewardship work you do – whether that is through St. Mark’s or through paid or volunteer work in the community. For example, do you teach children in the community, volunteer at a local hospital, give blood, or visit the homebound? Whatever it is, we want to hear about it! We’ve already started the bulletin board with some stewardship photos from St. Mark’s but we know that there is much more that we do as we bring our gifts to a world in need. . .. and we want to share it with one another!  
Worship & Formation
Is Lent for You?
The season of Lent is a gift intended especially for those who are turning to the way of Christ in some new way: 

• It may be that your Christian faith has only been a family tradition – until now. If this is the moment for you or your household to become intentional about following the way of Christ, Lent is for you. 
• It may be that your faith has been a private affair – until now. If you are ready to make common cause with other disciples of Jesus, Lent is for you. 
• It may be that Christ has always seemed a distant figure to you – until now. If this is the moment for you to deepen your relationship with Christ, Lent is for you. 

If you would like to know how to take advantage of this opportunity, if you would like to prepare for confirmation or reception into the Episcopal Church, or if you would like to prepare for your own or your child’s baptism, or if you would simply like to renew your commitment to following the way of Christ, please talk to Pastor Debra who will help you in plotting a course through Lent. And remember that we will all walk the path with you. Lent begins on Wednesday, March 6 with services of Ash Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.


Parish Pre-Lenten Retreat: Preparing for our renewal in repentance and faith
On Ash Wednesday, we will be invited to the observance of a holy Lent. In the invitation we will be reminded that Lent is a “time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church.” What exactly does this mean and how might we preparation ourselves for such restoration during the 40 days of Lent? Join Pastor Debra who will lead us in a pre-Lenten retreat on Saturday, March 2 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon.

Lay Ministers for Sunday, February 10
Eucharistic Ministers: Kate Johnson, Eva Sondgeroth, Andy Howard, Ted Richardson (10:30 a.m.)
Lectors: Kathy Hart (8 a.m.); Mike Johnson, Tacia Johnson (10:30 a.m.)
Lay Eucharistic Visitor: Beth Johnson
Acolytes: Kate Johnson, Eva Sondgeroth, Sebastian Urbanowski
Altar Guild: Alice Pappas
Altar Flowers: Mary Nowack
Ushers: John Lucadamo, Doug Sondgeroth, Nancye Kirk, Elsa Sondgeroth
Coffee Hour Hosts: Asher Sondgeroth & Nancye Kirk
Coffee Hour Snacks: Last names beginning with G-L (2/10), M-S (2/17)
Vestry Person of the Day: Doug Sondgeroth, Milner Seifert
Texts This Week
February 10, 2019


When I called, you answered me; *
you increased my strength within me.
Coffee Hour Hosts Needed for after services through March 24! If you are available to help set up and clean up after a service, please sign up in the parlor, or email Timothy and let him know what weekend!

Come and Sing Choir Sundays! Last Sunday of Each Month
Anytime is a good time to join the choir! However, sometimes the pieces are a little intimidating to just pick up and Thursday night rehearsals are too much for some people’s busy schedule. To accommodate this, an accessible choral work will be chosen for “drop-ins” to join on the last Sunday of each Month. No choral experience necessary! No strings attached! To participate, stop into the sanctuary 30 minutes before the later worship service to rehearse without a mid-week, late-night rehearsal. Rehearsal for the “Come and Sing Choir Sunday” will be every Sunday in the month leading up to the Sunday in which the piece is to be sung. 
(Anyone is welcome to join the choir on all Sundays with rehearsals on Thursday nights in the choir room from 7:30-9:00.)
Staying Connected
Jubi-latte and Tea Deum   (a/k/a Coffee and Conversation with the Priest)  happens each Wednesday from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. at Cupitol (812 Grove Street). Pastor Debra looks forward to visiting with you then!

Winter Got You Down? Games & Pizza Party Come to St. Mark’s on Sunday, February 10th at 3 p.m. for an afternoon of board games followed by pizza. All ages are welcome!!!! We will have some games and feel free to bring any favorites (full disclosure: games in picture may or may not be present! But we promise games for all ages!). If you have questions, please contact Rachel Easton at reaston2@comcast.net or Pastor Debra at rector@stmarksevanston.org
Outreach & Social Justice
Midweek Lunch
Four years ago a group of volunteers from St. Mark’s and St. Matthew’s churches began serving sandwiches, chips, beverages and desserts to people who were hungry. That was Feb. 4, 2015. And we are still helping to feed hungry people in Evanston and beyond.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, we will mark four years of service with a special lunch featuring fried chicken with all the accompaniments and great pies.

 The regular Wednesday menu is broader but still features sandwiches—ham, turkey, salami and more. We now serve soup and other hot foods as well as salads, fruit and an amazing array of desserts as well as hot and cold drinks.

About 50 guests join us most Wednesdays in Cunningham Hall from 11-noon. It is a time of good food and fellowship.

Our volunteers from both churches and beyond are dedicated. Only a few missed Polar Vortex Wednesday. What a group!

If you would like to help, we make the sandwiches each Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the kitchen. On Wednesday’s volunteers set up after 10 a.m., serve and clean up. We finish around 12:30.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet parishioners and guests. For more
information, contact John Lucadamo or Donna Ri chard son for more information.

For Social Justice and Outreach Ministry (SJOM) questions, contact Donna Richardson at dlynnrich322@gmail.com or phone at 847.677.0701
News from Interfaith Action of Evanston (IAE)

  • Volunteers Still Needed for Emergency Overnight Shelter – is open every night through end of February at Evanston area churches. For more information see flyer posted on the bulletin board. One training session is needed prior to volunteering. Contact Sue Murphy: ia@interfaithactionofevanston.org or 847.869.0370 to schedule an individual training.
Pastoral Care Notes
Birthday Blessings:
John Lucadamo (2/8)
Neena Gaede (2/11)

We bid your prayers for: Veronica Braithwaite, Mary Pat Buckley, Tony Campise, Jim Carver, Gerritt Dangremond, Caroline Frowe, Cyndi Hefler, Judy Kopp, Charlie Lettner, Grace Lettner, Paul Lettner, John Lucadamo, Jan and Jeri Offutt, the Babbitt-Lewis family, Herschel Brooks Lowe, OJ Mabwa, The Nacey family, Laura Easton and her family, Eric Mockler.

If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, or if you have a name you would like added to the prayer list (or removed from the list) please send an email to Timothy at office@stmarksevanston.org
Other News and Information
Annual Campaign Update:  As of today we are at 99% of our $281,000 goal for 2019. If you have not yet submitted your pledge, please do so by this Sunday --- extra pledge cards are available to download from our website ( http://www.stmarksevanston.org ) OR you can simply send an email with the amount of your pledge to  stewardship@stmarksevanston.org . Thank you to the 70 individuals/households who have already completed a pledge card and/or prepaid your 2019 gift. Together we have many gifts to bring to a world in need.