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M E S S A G E F R O M PASTOR KATE
During Lent, we often focus on increasing practice on one or more of the Spiritual Disciplines like prayer, scripture reading, humility, etc. I was looking for a book on Spiritual Disciplines for some fresh ideas to use with one of our groups. I ordered a book online that sounded good but I was disappointed when it came. The basic idea turned out to be that if you practiced the disciplines fa i thfu l ly enough, God would reward you. One problem with this way of thinking is: how do you know when you are being faithful enough? Are we even capable of living up to the Lord’s high standards?
Another problem is in thinking we can control God with our intentions. Is Jesus duty-bound to reward u s a c c o r d i n g t o o u r desires? God is faithful and Jesus has made many promises. But they aren’t conditional. The Lord’s responses aren’t tied to our behavior.
The parable Jesus told a b o u t w o r k e r s i n t h e vineyard makes this clear. It begins, “The kingdom of God is like a landowner who
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Spokane, WA March 2016 Vol.2016, No. 3
WE INVITE YOU TO SHARE THE JOY THAT IS EASTER Join us as we experience through worship the events
of Holy Week and Easter
PALM SUNDAY, March 20 Holy Communion 8:30 & 10:45 am
MAUNDY THURSDAY, March 24 Confessions, Foot Washing, Holy Communion 7:00 pm
GOOD FRIDAY, March 25 Reflection and Intercession 7:00 pm
EASTER VIGIL, March 26 Service of Light, Baptism & Holy Communion 7:00-8:30 pm (no 5:30 pm service)
EASTER SUNDAY, March 27 Holy Communion 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am
Child care available at all services. Note changes in worship times for Easter Sunday.
PASTOR KATE continued from page 1
went out early in the morning to hire laborers…” The owner hired more workers at 9 a.m. and at noon and at 3 p.m. and at 5 p.m. When evening came, the landowner paid them all the same: a full day’s wage. The early laborers grumbled and complained about working longer than the others. But the landowner pointed out that they were given what they agreed on, the usual daily wage. Then comes the clincher. The owner says, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?”
Oh, yeah. Jesus nails us. Is God not free to do… whatever? What can we say? Well, of course! The Lord is allowed to do anything God chooses. Who can control that? And, when you get down to it, everything belongs to God! The Lord can do whatever God wants with anything.
And what does the Lord want to do? God chooses to be gracious, to be merciful, to be forgiving, to be exceedingly generous. Wow! Who can call God on the carpet for that? Okay, we do sometimes. We question God. We even go so far sometimes as to judge God… but should we? Isn’t the Lord free? Free to do what God chooses?
The landowner (who is the Lord) goes on to say, “Or are you envious because I am generous?” Yes. Yes, we are. I am… envious that God’s grace is also for people I think don’t deserve it. Oh, wait a minute… I don’t deserve it either. I have no grounds to be envious of anyone. I need that generosity, that mercy, that graciousness. Maybe this parable is not even about fairness or the lack of it. Maybe it’s just a broad description of God’s strange and free-wheeling way about things.
After all, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem when he tells this story. There he will live out the message of God’s kind of backwards justice. The powerful One will choose to be powerless. The life-giver will choose to give up his life. The Crucified One will rise up from the grave. God’s unpredictable ways make us rather uneasy when we admit that the Almighty One is free to do whatever God chooses. But then we remember… God chooses to be generous. Regardless. We practice Spiritual Disciplines to
study on this, to give thanks for this, to incorporate grace-giving ways into our interactions with others. The Lord is free to pour out abundant love and mercy. Imagine that!
Pr. Kate LePard
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIMEBe sure to put Sunday, March 13, on your
calendar as the clock changes for Daylight Savings Time. Remember to spring forward one hour on Saturday night!
CHURCH COUNCILSt. Mark’s Church Council will meet on
Monday, March 14, at 7:00 pm in the conference room.
OFFICE CLOSURESt. Mark’s Church office will be closed at
12:00 noon Friday, March 25, and on the day after Easter, Monday, March 28.
SOCIAL MINISTRY MEETINGJoin this active social ministry group when
they meet at the church in March. Please watch your Sunday Bulletin for the date and time, or call the church office at 747-6677.
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LENT AT ST. MARK’S
Soup Suppers, 6:00 pm. Services, 7:00 pm. We will use Holden Evening Prayer for our liturgy.
Midweek Lenten Series, “Open My Life, Lord” Weekly themes: March 2, Open My Ears, Lord March 9, Open My Heart Lord March 16, Open My Life Lord
NOTE THIS
THANK YOU
Dear St. Mark’s Members,Thank you so much for such a nice
retirement service and reception. What a great congregation. The wooden bowl made by Bob Schmidt from a St. Mark’s tree is such a prize. Thanks for all the cards and notes and gifts. I appreciate all your kindnesses.Fondly,Verna Eucker
To the Mary Cares Group, Prayer Shawl artists, and my St. Mark’s Family,
Words cannot express my gratitude to you all as you have cared for me during my journey through this breast cancer diagnosis. I took my prayer shawl with me to the hospital for my second round of surgery. It brought warmth, comfort, and got comments from the hospital staff.
The cards from Mary Cares have lifted my spirits and encouraged me. And the many
messages from others have shown how very much Kevin and I are loved and supported.
I have felt a great sense of peace and I know it comes from your prayers. Thank you.Peace and much love,Pat Shelley
Our thanks to Pr. Eric for his calls and visit, to the Mary Cares Group for their many cards and get well wishes, and to the members of the congregation for their many thoughts and prayers, on behalf of Vernon in regards to his recent stroke and extended recovery. It is wonderful to belong to a church where the members and pastors are so caring. It means a lot that so many people are thinking of you when you are not well. You thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.God bless you all,Lois & Vernon Thomason
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MONTHLY MONEY TALK2016 Operating Budget YTD
January is typically a slow giving month, at the heels of the Christmas season. The Mortgage Fund is doing fine, and we are just a little behind in the General Fund. We did come in under budget with expenses, which is typical of this time of year. I hope with a little extra giving in February, we can have both accounts be in the black in no time.
If you wish to reduce the hassle of check writing and filling out envelopes, please consider the “Simply Giving” program, which helps reduce the paperwork of giving on a regular basis. Feel free to call at any time to get the details. It is very simple to set the program up, and in just a couple of minutes you are done.
Loris StupelFinancial [email protected]
JanuaryGiving Income YTD Expenses Budgeted Net
General Fund $ 54,991.11 $ 54,991.11 $ 57,861.02 $ 61,643.41 $ -2869.91
Mortgage Fund $ 7389.50 $ 7389.50 $ 5857.00 $ 5857.00 $ 1532.50
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THANK YOU
For quite some time Gail Heide and the Heide girls have been baking and providing cookies for the Saturday night services. Everyone who attended that service looked forward to the delicious cookies, and they were enjoyed by many. We were truly spoiled.
Gail and her girls are now working full time and no longer have the time to continue with this ministry, but we wanted them to know how grateful we are to them!
The Staff at St. Mark’s
Benefit Brunch for SPEAREast Central Neighborhood Children’s Ministry
Helping SPEAR Grow: Nurturing Dreams
St. Mark’s Lutheran ChurchMarch 12, 2016, 10:00 am
Breakfast is free, with an opportunity to give.
Reservations: Deidre, 710-0204 or [email protected]
You Are Invited Saturday, April 16
at the historic Davenport Hotel,Grand Pennington Ballroom
Benefits the Sexual Assault and Family Trauma Center of Lutheran Community Services Northwest, a fun evening to
support a serious cause.
5:00 pm: early check-in/social hour/bar open 6:00 pm: chocolate samplings/champagne/ silent auction 7:30: dinner served 7:45: live auction and program
$95 per personTo purchase tickets:
https://lcsnw.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/ChocolateChampagneGala2016/
PurchaseTicketsHere/tabid/750314/Default.aspx
or call Karla Darcy at (509)747-8224
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FAT TUESDAY WAS GRAND CELEBRATIONBy Loris Stupel, Events Coordinator
Fat Tuesday, marking the beginning of Lent at St. Mark’s, is always a special event. We were blessed with very mild weather that evening, which resulted in a huge turnout. Thank you to everyone who took the time to make a beautiful homemade dessert – or two; and to those who brought store made items, as well. I especially appreciate those who brought something by the church, but were unable to attend Fat Tuesday. That is really going the extra mile!
Sort of like the fishes and loaves parable, we had plenty of treats for everyone, and a festive time was had by all. I really value all the helpers who gave their time setting up, decorating, cutting and plating all those desserts, and the cleanup crew which included some new faces.
It is good to know that, as with all our events; extra food is put to good use at food programs around Spokane. In this case, a carload of extra desserts was taken to Volunteers of America’s Crosswalk Shelter downtown, which serves street youth.
THANK YOU St. Mark’s Lutheran Church,
Thank you so much for the wonderful cash gift given to our All Saints meal program from the St. Mark’s Bazaar fund. Also, thank you to your wonderful volunteers who help out on Tuesday nights.
All Saints Lutheran Church
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A Night at the Civic Theater to Benefit:
Wednesday, March 2, 2016 Wine and Social Hour begin at 7 PM
Curtain 8 PM Tickets are $30 and available at
(509) 343-5078
Contact Christie McKee at 343-5020 or [email protected]
Come and enjoy a night out with friends and see a great show.
ADULT FORUM Songs of the Faithful – a Study of Psalms
Pastors Eric and Kate will be leading this six-week study of Psalms. Please join us as we explore the highs and lows of faith as portrayed in the prayers, songs, liturgies and poems that make up the book of Psalms.
February 28: Which Road Will I Take?March 6: Is There Help for Me?March 13: You Have Lifted Me UpMarch 20: Place Your Trust in the LordApril 3: Listen to WisdomApril 10: Look at What God Has Done!
ADULT BIBLE STUDYAdult Bible Study will join our Adult Forum
sessions this month, Sundays at 9:45 am in the conference room.
ALLELUIA CHOIRIt’s never too late! All 1st through 6th graders
are invited to join Alleluia Choir. The kids meet in the choir room each Sunday during the 8:30 am service. The rehearsals follow the Sunday School schedule.
For more information, contact Ann Benson at 954-9819.
NEW MEMBER CLASSESN e w M e m b e r D i n n e r s & I n q u i r e r
Classes begin on Sunday, April 3, at 5:00 pm, and continue for two additional weeks. Each week we will have dinner together with one of our pastors, staff members and a few church members, followed by informational classes about the Lutheran faith and what we do at St. Mark's.
If you are already a member but know someone who might benef i t f rom th is information, please feel free to share it with them.
If you are considering becoming a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church on Sunday, April 24, please call Loris Stupel at 448-9892 or email Loris at [email protected].
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ANNOUNCEMENT
In Sympathy
The family of Mae Casey, mother of Gary Casey, at the time of her death
Learning for All Ages
Elaine Orness, Volunteer Coordinator
Thank you to all of the Saturday night and Sunday volunteers for the month of February. Also, thank you to those who were called to replace some who could not volunteer as they were assigned. You are all so gracious and kind when called, and I do appreciate it.
A huge thank you is due to all who volunteered and did such a great job for Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday is such a wonderful outreach service and Ash Wednesday a special service for all in attendance.
Now is the time for our Lenten soup suppers. Soup suppers wil l take place on three Wednesdays in March, at 6:00 pm: March 2, 9, and 16. The Lenten service follows at 7:00 pm. Come join us for some great soups and fellowship. See sign-up sheets in the narthex to help.
Thank you to the Messenger assembly crew. You are all so faithful and I am so happy you enjoy it and the time you spend together.
Just think, it will not be long before I put up the landscape upkeep poster for people to sign up to assist with keeping the yard around the church and parking lots and Parish House looking nice. The yards will be cleaned up from the winter, for the most part, so just weeding and some planting if you wish are required. The poster will go up in April, so think about it and sign up if you’d like to participate.
We are still in need of ushers, coordinators and altar guild volunteers to help with the late service. You would be serving with someone experienced. If you would like to greet, lector, do the creed and prayers for either late or early service you can let me know. It is so helpful to serve the church in this way and you can do it while you are already here. Our services run smoothly and it is because of the amazing people who help in these different capacities.
May you all have a blessed and meaningful Easter.
SCRIPTURE & COFFEEEvery Tuesday, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10:30 amQuestions: church office, 747-6677
Everyone is invited to meet weekly for a Bible-based conversation with Pastor Eric or Pastor Kate to study the Scripture texts for the following Sunday. Looking for a stimulating discussion? Join them!
EAT, PRAY, LAUGHFirst Tuesday, March 1, 7:00 pm
Eat, Pray, Laugh will meet in the Parish House. All women are invited for conversation, laughter, and refreshments.
SATURDAY EVENING POTLUCKFirst Saturday, March 5, 6:30 pm
On the first Saturday of the month you are welcome to join us for a potluck immediately following the 5:30 service. Bring your favorite dish (serving 8-10 people) and join this fun group for eating and fellowship!
ST. MARK’S MEN’S GROUPSecond Tuesday, March 8, 7:30 pm
Dr. Kevin Michels, who attends St. Mark’s, will be talking about his specialty of Ocuplasty, which involves surgery around the eye, including reconstructive surgery, blepharoplasty (lid lifts) and lacrimal system surgery (involving the tear drainage system). Many of us as we age tend to have more and more of the conditions that Dr. Michaels treats. Please come for what should be a very interesting evening. Bring a beverage of your choice.
Looking ahead in April -- we will have Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich as our guest. If you were there for a prior meeting with Ozzie you know he can be very informative and tends to say what he feels. You will not want to miss this!
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VolunteersOpportunities to Serve
Faith and Fellowship Groups
FAITH & FELLOWSHIP GROUPS, cont. fr. pg. 7
SUNRISE SAINTS & SINNERSSecond & Fourth Wednesday, March 9 & 23, 6:30 amQuestions: Tim Hansen, 703-2485
With this group you’ll have lots of laughs, good discussion and breakfast at The Chalet Restaurant on 30th & Grand Blvd. For men old enough to know better! The men use The Lutheran Handbook as their study book.
RUTH CIRCLESecond Thursday, March 10, 10:00 amQuestions: Pastor Kate, 747-6677
All women are welcome to join us for refreshments, very brief project discussion, and Bible study led by Pastor Kate or Pastor Eric. Any woman who attends this church is invited to attend anytime.
WALKING CIRCLESecond Friday, March 11, 10:00 amQuestions: Nancy Childre, [email protected]
This group is off and walking again! Meet at the church to walk to Laguna Café on 29th Avenue. Vehicles will be available for anyone not wanting to walk back to church. If you would like the yearly schedule please contact Nancy Childre.
THEOLOGY ON TAPThird Monday, March 21, 7:00 pm
If you are 30 years or younger you are
welcome to join this group at Two Seven Public House in Lincoln Heights. One of the pastors will lead the discussion and buy a few appetizers to share.
DIAKONIA GUILDFourth Tuesday, March 22, 2:00 pm
Diakonia is an auxiliary of Lutheran Community Services. The members meet monthly at various locations with a speaker from LCS. This month the group will meet at St. Luke Lutheran Church (9706 N Division). All are welcome!
BOOK GROUPLast Wednesday, March 30, 7:00 am
St. Mark’s Book Group meets at Forza Coffee in Lincoln Heights. The book to be discussed is “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel. All book lovers are welcome!
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Monday, March 14, 6:00 pmSouth Hill branch, Spokane Public Library
Understanding Islam. A panel of local Muslims will speak.
Thursday, March 31, 6:00-8:00 pmSt. John’s Cathedral
Interfaith Council’s monthly series, Meet the Neighbors, will talk about Christianity in Spokane.
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