A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
Ash Wednesday, March 6th, begins the annual Lenten journey to the cross. Saint Mark will worship with Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes at both 12:05 pm and 7:00 pm.
The following Wednesdays through Lent you will have the opportunity to worship at 12:05 noon for a brief service and follow with a light-lunch in the lounge, and/or at 6:30 p.m. with Holden Evening Prayer. Choir Rehearsals will be delayed until 7:15 pm through Lent.
The 12th annual Women’s Retreat will be held the weekend of March 8-10 at Bella Beach on the Oregon Coast.
Our theme for the weekend is “Finding Joy” – in our daily lives, in challenging times, and through our community. Deaconess Deb Mantey will be our facilitator. We are now accepting reservations – $160 is due by March 3rd. Brochures are available from the church office, the west narthex, as well as a download. Don’t miss this fun and educational weekend on the coast – with great food and fellowship, time for personal reflection, and laughter!
2019 Retreat Brochure (pdf)
If you were not able to attend Saint Mark’s Faith Dialogues presentations by Dr. Barbara Lundblad last weekend, or simply want to hear them again, the full audio records are now available by following the links below.
You can review the full event information to read Dr. Lundblad’s biography and more.
Saint Mark is pleased to have with us as our presenter for Faith Dialogues this year, Dr. Barbara Lundblad. She is a noted Lutheran preacher and theologian, and has taught preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Dr. Lundblad has been a strong advocate for the inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the church.
Faith Dialogues will begin with her lecture on Friday evening, November 16 at 7:00 PM on Jesus Would Bake the Cake: A Christian Case for Sexual Justice. In 2015 the Supreme Court declared gay marriage to be legal in the United States. In 2009 the ELCA voted to affirm the ordination of partnered LGBT people. Almost 300 LGBT people have been ordained as pastors or are now in seminary. Yet, we know there is still much to be done and there are challenges to these decisions. Dr. Lundblad will invite us to see how the Holy Spirit is leading the Church to be truly welcoming in the midst of a shifting culture. Cake will surely follow.
On Saturday morning, November 17, Dr. Lundblad will give two presentations. Everyone is invited to both of these but the earlier presentation will be geared more for clergy. At these presentations, Dr. Lundblad will share from her particular area of expertise: homiletics. The 9:00 AM session is entitled Preaching in a Polarized Society which speaks to the challenge of proclaiming the Gospel in a culture that is very divided politically. Goodies will be served between 10:30 and 11:00 AM.
The second session starting at 11:00 AM is What Do I Expect from a Sermon? Part of Dr. Lundblad’s presentation is how to give feedback to the pastor for his or her sermon. Personally, I don’t mind the feedback, “Nice sermon, Pastor” now and then, but Dr. Lundblad thinks that maybe we should take it to the next level. I look forward to what she has to say.
Dr. Lundblad will also preach on November 18th and lead the forum at 9:45am.
Plan now for Sunday, September 9th, for our Rally Day for 2018. We will worship for the last time on our summer schedule of 9:30 a.m. that morning. We will be outside, weather permitting. Bring your pets of all sorts (alive or stuffed animals or pictures depending on their behavior at playing well with others) for the Blessing of the Animals. And we will have our barbecue with potluck side dishes and fun activities for all ages.
Sunday, September 16th, we return to our regular worship schedule with our contemporary service at 8:30 a.m. in the lounge and the traditional/liturgical service at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. The new Educational year begins with Forum, Sunday Church School classes and Godly Play at 9:45 am. Pray Ground will continue in the chapel during worship for children.
We will be starting our Summer Worship Schedule with one service at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 20th, Pentecost Sunday. Worship that day will be followed by our annual Chili Cook-Off. Summer Schedule will continue through Sunday, September 9th (Rally Day).
Also on Pentecost, the Saint Mark Choir du Jour will gather for the 9:30 a.m. Pentecost service. We will sing “If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments” by Thomas Tallis, a 4 part choral piece that is quite familiar to many. The text is based on John 14:15-17, when Jesus told his disciples “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever.”
We will rehearse in the sanctuary at 8:30 a.m. – music will be provided. Even if you haven’t sung this piece before, please join us!