The First Sunday in Lent

Welcome Guests - If this is your first Sunday here at St. Mark’s, may you find a gracious welcome. Your questions are welcomed. Even if you might be here just for this day, may St. Mark’s feel like home to you.

Today at St. Mark’s

8 Adult Education: Reclaiming the World is the topic this morning presented by George Martin in the Anniversary Room.

8 Childcare is available each Sunday morning from 8:45 until 11:45 a.m. in the last classroom on the left in the upstairs hallway.

8 Let us remember those celebrating their birthdays this week: Nicole Jackson, Dale Sands, and Caroline Reynolds.

8 Nancie Tobison, substituting for Cory Thompson, will be directing the choir this morning.

8 Thank you Kate Herzog, Don Svec and the dynamic crew, who treated our parish family to the “Shrove Sunday” Brunch. Great job everyone. Thanks.

8 The DVD, “Three Seasons at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church” was first presented at the Annul Meeting on Jan. 27 and is available to you in the parish lobby. This work was produced and directed by our interim rector George Martin. Pick one up and take it home with you today. Donations are appreciated.

8 Ashes offered at the End of Each Service - A great many people were simply unable to get to church on Ash Wednesday. Knowing that it is meaningful in its own strange and powerful way to receive the ashes each year they will be offered at the end of each service. No one is expected or required to receive the ashes, but some of you may appreciate continuing this tradition and sacrament that may have become part of your spiritual walk with Christ. The ashes, of course, are not a true sacrament, but any outward and visible sign, carrying an inward and spiritual grace, is sacramental in nature. The ashes are a sign of our faith and trust in God in light of our mortality, and of the hope and faith we have in life eternal as promised through our Baptism. ghm

8 Wednesday Evening Soup Suppers and Story Time - Starting this Wednesday night our Lenten program takes place from 6 to 7pm. Come early at 6 to have soup and fellowship. If work or traffic means you come a little late that will be fine. Around 6:40 each evening we’ll darken Fellowship Hall and enjoy a children’s story. These stories will use a video projector so that all can see the pictures. The first stories were written by Susan Eisenberg Sasso, a rabbi, and noted children’s book author. Brilliantly illustrated, these stories represent the imaginative minds of rabbinical thought through the ages. Jesus was such a storyteller and was surely influenced by this creative approach to God’s word.

A short and simple service of Evening Prayer will be held at 7pm each evening concluding our gathering. Every week a different group in the church is hosting the soup supper. This week it is hosted by the choir. ghm

8 Adult Education Next Sunday: Feb. 17^th at 9:05am For the first two Sundays of the new 5 week Adult Ed session just one class is being offered as Vicky Garvey is traveling on other church business at this time. The Interim Rector will continue the series of Living the Questions. This popular and excellent series features profound theologians and church leaders from many different traditions. Next week’s topic is “A Kingdom without Walls.” We’ll be talking about the idea that Jesus ushered in the “Kingdom of God.” Living in a country that swore off royalty means that we always need to discuss what these kingdom metaphors means to us. ghm

8 Vicki's on the move.  I left on Thursday to attend an Executive Council(EC) meeting in Quito, Ecuador.  EC meets nine times between General Conventions and serves as the Board of Directors of The Episcopal Church; I was elected as one of two members from Province V. The plan is for us to meet once in each of the 9 provinces during our tenure and this time it's Province IX.  When I return next Thursday night, I unpack and repack for a long weekend meeting to help those in the diocese who believe they are called to the priesthood discern whether it is or is not an authentic call.  So I won't be around for these two Sundays -- the 10th or the 17th -- but I will be back for Bible 101 on the 18th and from then on for a while. And I hope by then that we can see some green instead of a snow shovel and ice-melt.  vlg

8 Bishop Jeffry Lee will be discussing his new book at Grace Church in Oak Park this coming Wednesday evening, Feb. 13 at 7:00 p.m. If you would like more details contact the Grace Church at 708-386-8036. All are welcome.

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Easter Flowers

Easter arrives early this year – 23 March. Following a long tradition, the church will be dressed with spring flowers which are provided in memory of loved ones departed this life, and in thanksgiving for a special blessing. If you would like to become a part of this tradition, return the coupon below to the office with your donation by Tuesday, March 17.

Your Name:

__________________________________________Phone___________

In Memory of:

___________________________________________________________

In Thanksgiving for:

_______________________________________________________