Click here for the last two weeks' newsletters.
Click here for our schedule of Holy Week and Easter activities and services.
Volume 2, Issue 5 March 5, 2010 |
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Update from Chile
Give praise for the safety of Heidi Smith and her children during last week's severe earthquake in Chile. Russ is now back in Chile as well. Please continue to pray for Chile and its people, and that at this time, the Church will truly be a manifestation of Christ's love to those affected. May it also be a time of many coming to know Him and His salvation personally.
As you have probably heard, Concepcion was worst hit. Apparently no one in the Anglican Church in other parts of the country has had severe losses. However, in Concepcion, there are several Anglican churches. From what the Smiths have heard, there were no casualties among the church people there, but about seventy have lost their homes.
SAMS will be depositing any money received for this emergency into the account of the Anglican diocese of Chile, earmarking it "For earthquake help." Anyone wanting to send anything to Chile for that purpose should do it through SAMS. The bishop also mentioned there would very likely be need of construction teams to help with the rebuilding of homes, etc. If you or anyone you know might be interested in that, please let SAMS know.
Good Friday Children's Events
Parents,
Please mark your calendars for Good Friday, April 2, 10:00-11:00 am as we welcome all children and their friends and family to join us in a presentation of the Stations of the Cross at St. Mark's. This is a wonderful time to mark this special day in our Christian walk as we recognize what Jesus did for us on the cross. The great plan of God's salvation, outlined in the Book of Isaiah, called for us to be healed through the suffering and death of a servant. The Stations will involve actors from our own program.
While we have everyone on site, we'd love for the kids to stay for an official egg hunt on the church grounds. The junior and senior high students are signed up to make this egg hunt super fun. So, arrive with family & friends in tow and don't forget to bring a bag or basket to collect your eggs!
Can you donate candy to fill the eggs? Please drop off a bag of candies small enough to fit in the eggs if possible!
Embraced by grace,
Carol Rennolds
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Spiritual Director's Note
Fellow Pilgrims: Sin is a dominant theme in scripture. We do not find sin used very often in the public arena today. In 1974, Karl Menniger, M.D. wrote a book entitled Whatever Became of Sin?. Thirty-five years later, the book is just as relevant. A Biblical understanding of sin will help us recognize it in ourselves and will help us better understand how sin can seem so attractive to so many in positions of trust. Sin is more what I don't like in others. Sin is the foundation of public and private corruption, greed in the marketplace, possessiveness of other people, a sense of entitlement to get what you want when you want it regardless of others, and the willingness to use your own rank or power in society to force other people to do your bidding. These are only a few examples of sin. C. K. Chesterton said that whatever else is true about man; it is certainly true that man is not what he was meant to be. In my March essay on the Spiritual Director's page in St. Mark's website, I will be looking at Paul's use of sin in Romans. In Christ's love, Chuck Ellenbaum ><>+ Spiritual Director for Discipleship |
Local Outreach
Hesed House is the large homeless shelter in Aurora. Please check the sign-up sheets for food that you can provide or hours that you can serve on Monday, March 8 or Tuesday, March 9. For more information, contact Deacon Steve or Lela Lowe. |
With Deepest Sympathy
We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Phil Leitherer on the death of his father Art, on Tuesday February 23.
May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. | |
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The Week Ahead
Saturday, Mar 6
8:00 am
Rector's Bible
Study
Men's Lectionary
Study
5:00 pm
Holy Eucharist
Contemporary Service
(chapel)
Saturday Evening
Celebration follows
7:00 pm
AA
Sunday, Mar 7
8:00 am
Holy Eucharist, Rite I
(chapel)
Adult choir rehearsal
8:45 am
Nursery
Sunday school
Prodigal Cafe
9:00 am
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Adult Education
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Nursery
6:30 pm
Mathetes
Monday Mar 8
Hesed House Ministry
6:45 am
AA
9:00 am
Exercise class
Noon
Bulletin deadline
AA
7:30 pm
AA
Tuesday, Mar 9
Noon
Newsletter deadline
AA
7:00 pm
Trinity Study
Wednesday, Mar 10
7:30 am
Healing Eucharist
(chapel)
9:00 am
Renewal@9
Noon
Staff Meeting
5:00 pm
Children's choir
rehearsal
5:30 pm
Daniel study
(library)
7:00 pm
Adult choir
rehearsal
AA
Thursday, Mar 11
7:00 am
Moms in Touch
Noon
AA
5:00 pm
AA
6:30 pm
Alpha
(fellowship hall)
7:00 pm
Fearless study group
(Fernandes home)
Friday, Mar 12
No events scheduled
Saturday, Mar 13
8:00 am
Rector's Bible
Study
Men's Lectionary
Study
5:00 pm
Holy Eucharist
Contemporary Service
(chapel)
7:00 pm
AA | |
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Coming Up . . .
Freedom 2010 Pledge Cards may be placed in the offering plate or mailed to or dropped off in the church office anytime during Lent. Checks should indicate "Freedom 2010". Please set up automatic payments to "St. Mark's Church Freedom 2010". Saturday Evening Celebration, March 6. Worship at 5:00 pm in the chapel, then join a potluck and discussion of the sermon. Main dish provided, bring a side or dessert. Children are welcome. RSVP to Amy Reynertson 630.208.9013 or reynertson2306@comcast.net. The second grade class is in need of a talented sewer who would be willing to stitch (or use the fancy embroidery setting on the machine) students' names on their communion banners? If you think you can help, please contact Carol Rennolds, 630.232.0133. Do you have a heart for the dying? Heartland Hospice is seeking volunteers to spend time with their clients who live at Alden Gardens in Geneva. Two types of volunteers are needed: Friendly volunteers, to spend time with patients sitting and talking; and Vigil volunteers, who sit at the bedside of actively dying patients. These volunteers are needed so that no one spends the last months of their life alone. All volunteers have a background check, TB test, training, and sign a confidentiality agreement. Contact Tiffany Gardley, Volunteer Coordinator, 708.234.2860 or 4704officestaff17@hcr-manorcare.com. Girl Scout Sunday is March 7. St. Mark's Girl Scouts of every age should wear their uniforms to church that day. An Ecumenical Healing Service will be held on Sunday, March 7 at 5:00 pm in the nave. Please join us if you need prayers for yourself or for another. Festival Flowers for Easter Dedicate flowers for our celebration. Forms are now available in the narthex and are due in church office by Tuesday, March 16. The Women's Book Group is reading Max Lucado's Six Hours One Friday for March. There will be a potluck followed by discussion at the home of Marilyn Franklin on Sunday, March 21. 40 Good Men meet to clean up the church and property! Saturday, March 20, 8:00 am-noon. Lunch served. This is a great chance to serve with other men. Dads, bring your sons 11 years and older. Sign up with John David today! 630.587.9212, or e-mail thedavids98@gmail.com. The Adult Forum on Sunday, March 21 will feature Hesed House. Ryan Dowd, Executive Director of Hesed House, will discuss homelessness in our area from noon to 1:00 pm. The meal will be the same type of meal we serve for breakfast each month. Please sign up in the narthex for this event. Don't miss an opportunity to serve at Feed My starving Children on April 10, 9:00-11:00 am. There are only ninety spaces available and you must sign up to attend-no walk-ins. Sign up in the undercroft area outside the children's classrooms. |
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