February 20, 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.
If Lent is around the corner, that means just one thing --- PANCAKE SUPPER!!!!  That’s right, the Confirm not Conform class will once again be hosting a pancake supper. This year’s supper will take place on Sunday, March 3 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. in Cunningham Hall at St. Mark’s. $7 adults / $5 children under 12. $25 maximum per family. Please invite your friends to this fabulous fundraiser for the youth of St. Mark’s and St. Matthew’s.
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.

Lenten Midweek: Preparing for What We Already Are
In baptism we are marked as Christ's own forever. During the weeks of Lent, as we prepare to renew our baptismal promises at the Great Vigil of Easter, we will gather together each Wednesday evening, March 13 through April 11 for a light supper, followed by small group reflection and evening prayer. This series is open to all who are in grade 4 or older (check with Pastor Debra if you have younger children to see if this might be appropriate for them and/or to arrange for childcare). 

Schedule:
6:30 p.m. Light Supper
7:00 p.m. Small Group Reflections
8:15 p.m. Evening Prayer

If you plan to join for supper, please RSVP to rector@stmarksevanston.org or sign up in the parlor. Otherwise, simply arrive shortly before 7 p.m. to join a reflection group.
Texts This Week
February 24, 2019


Be still before the Lord *
and wait patiently for him.

Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers, *
the one who succeeds in evil schemes.
Lay Ministers for
Sunday, February 24
Eucharistic Ministers: Rachel Easton, Lynette Murphy, Edie Molumby, Alice Pappas
Lectors: Dale Seifert (8 a.m.); Dorothy Szczepaniak, Aina Gutierrez (10:30 a.m.)
Acolytes: Vince Pappas, Evelyn Skelton, Wesley Urbanowski
Altar Guild: Trish Barr, Julia Ferguson
Altar Flowers: Emily Chastain
Ushers: John Fitts, Tacia Johnson
Coffee Hour Hosts: Donna and Ted Richardson
Coffee Hour Snacks: Last names beginning with T-Z (2/24), A-F (3/3)
Vestry Person of the Day: Wyvette Hoffman,
Julia Ferguson

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!
Outreach & Social Justice
Midweek Lunch
Each week, volunteers from St. Mark's and St. Matthew's work together to prepare and serve meals for our neighbors who struggle with hunger and homelessness. On Tuesdays from 6-6:30 p.m. volunteers prepare sandwiches. On Wednesdays, volunteers gather in Cunningham Hall from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to serve the meal and talk with our guests. If you would like to help, please contact John Lucadamo or Donna Richardson for more information.

For any Social Justice and Outreach Ministry (SJOM) questions, please contact Donna Richardson, dlynnrich322@gmail.com or 847.677.0701
Pastoral Care Notes
Birthday Blessings:
Tyler Maegawa-Goeser (2/20)
Evelyn Skelton (2/20)
Abigail Seifert (2/21)
Carolyn Brooks (2/22)
Nonie Morris (2/23)
Calvin Yanaga (2/23)
Bob Lockwood (2/25)
Seth Himrod (2/26)

Anniversary Blessings:
John Lucadamo & Nancye Kirk (2/26)

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, Kevin, the Dudich-Harris family

We pray for those who have died: Grace, family friend of Blake Chastain
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
Living Well through Lent
The Living Compass Lenten devotionals, Living Well Through Lent: Practicing Forgiveness with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind , are available to be picked up from the center table in the Parlor. The devotional is intended to be used for daily personal reflection and includes a reflection for each day of the week along with questions and a space for you to record your own thoughts, feelings or insights.