The Messenger St. Mark s Lutheran Church 1900 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218 Phone 410.752.5804 www.stmarksbaltimore.org MARCH 2015 St. Mark s Lutheran Church Staff Thoughts to ponder during Lent from Pope Francis of Rome In his annual Lenten message, the pope writes, Indifference to our neighbor and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians. Each year during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble our conscience. Describing this phenomenon he calls the globalization of indifference, Francis writes that whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. He continues that, We end up being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor, weeping for other people s pain, and feeling a need to help them, as though all this were someone else s responsibility and not our own. TIME Magazine, 18 February 2015 Pastor... The Rev. Dale W. Dusman Cantor...Mr. James Harp Administrator... Mr. Stephen Kohler Sexton... Mr. Jeffry Spangler Congregation Council Officers President... Ms. Marion Malcolm Vice President... Mr. Daniel Wilkey Secretary... Ms. Teri Bennett Treasurer... Mr. William Krim Assistant Treasurer Mr. Fred DeBell St. Mark s Mission Statement The mission of St. Mark s Church is to embrace diversity, practice hospitality, and make known Christ s presence in word and deed. Newsletter Editor Mr. Stephen Kohler www.stmarkscelebrates.org Webminister... The Rev. Stuart Wright
The Messenger Page 2 MARCH 2015 Birthdays - March 2015 3 Heather DeBell 6 Christine Bentley 7 Debbie Kachelries 11 Rev. Suart Wright 12 Robi Debell 21 Alexander Smith-Burden 24 David Hoffmeyer 25 Rev. Bill Gohl 29 Rev. Robert Leaverton 31 Keith Booth Waetina Coles Fellowship Hour Hosts March 2015 1 Caroline & David Bahr 8 Audrey Huka, Marion Malcolm 15 Leigh & Henry Hammond 22 Lee Hohman, Louis flake 29 Joe Blout, Austin Lee
The Messenger Page 3 MARCH 2015 TELLERS! Before we get too far into the year, it is important to say a word of thanks to all those who volunteer their time and their patience to serve as on Sundays following the liturgy. Your time and your expertise is so appreciated and so necessary to the counting and deposit of the weekly offering. Please accept this public recognition as a small way of expressing our gratitude to you all! MARDI GRAS and a big thank you to everyone who helped with our Mardi Gras celebration. Whether it was helping with decorations, music, food, or in cleaning up, you all assured the success of our joint effort resulting in a good time for everyone! Lenten Giving Tree During the Season of Lent, the Parish Life Committee asks for your support in giving Gift Cards to help persons who come to St. Mark s seeking food assistance. Over the past several years, members and friends have been extremely generous in helping the giving tree bloom with your gifts. The most useful cards for the area around St. Mark s are from Safeway, Giant, and Save-a-Lot. Rite Aid and CVS cards are also useful as we at times have requests for over-the-counter medications and related items. Since there are 40 days of Lent, perhaps we can reach a goal of at least 40 gift cards, or even more. Thank you! Keen Agers... Please join us on Wednesday, 18 March, at 10 AM for a presentation entitled Easter in Art. Art historian, Tim Marlow provides a 3-part program on the events leading up to Easter. Part I Betrayal: begins with Leonardo da Vinci s famous Last Supper along with depictions by Bosch, Tintoretto, Daumier, and more modern interpretations. Part II Crucifixion: begins with carved 15 th century Stations of the Cross, Tintoretto s Crucifixion in Venice, and a Grunewald altarpiece along with others. Part III Resurrection: includes works by Giotto, Michaelangelo, Rembrandt, and many other noted artists. This program provides a good visual exploration of Holy Week through the eyes of many artists. Lunch will be available ($5). Please call the church office for reservations. Charles Village Community Association: Please join us on Tuesday, 17 March, from 6:30 7:30 PM as we explore Gangs in Baltimore City 2015 Part II. The event is free and open to the public. From 8 9 PM that same evening we will host a Meet & Greet at Pen & Quill Restaurant/Bar, 1701 N. Charles Street. All Are Welcome!
The Messenger Page 4 MARCH 2015 Looking ahead to Holy Week: Palm Sunday, 29 March 10:30 AM Blessing & Distribution of Palm at Lovely Lane U. M. Church 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist/Reading of the Passion according to St. Mark 12:15 PM Fellowship Hour Maundy Thursday, 2 April 6:00 PM Parish Dinner (reservations) 7:15 PM Holy Eucharist, Procession to the Altar of Repose, Stripping of the Altar Good Friday, 3 April 12 Noon Service of the Word at Lovely Lane U. M. Church, Pastor Dusman preaching. 7:30 PM Good Friday Liturgy, Communion from the Reserved Sacrament. Rev. Nancy Nedwell preaching. Holy Saturday, 4 April 7:30 PM Easter Vigil and Holy Eucharist followed by Annual Easter Reception Easter Sunday, 5 April 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist 12:15 PM Fellowship Hour The Augsburg Village Auxiliary is hosting a Tea Party & Taylor Marie s Fashions Shopping Event on Saturday, 14 March. The Tea will be in the Village Dining Room from 1 3 PM. Taylor Marie s Shopping Event will be in the West Assembly Room from 11 AM 3 PM. Tickets cost $18 and must be purchased by 7 March. For more information please contact Rose Leach (410)484-3955 or Joan Miller (443)379-0877. Easter Flowers Forms will soon be available in weekly bulletins for you to order Easter Flowers with which to decorate St. Mark s for the Festival of the Resurrection. Once again we are asking $10 per pant. Contributions to Altar Flowers are also welcomed. Deadline: 22 March. Please fill out a form and return it with your check in the offering plate. Response has always been most generous and we thank you in advance for your ongoing support. SERVICE St. Mark s does not run solely on good wishes, but through the grace of God volunteers have been inspired and motivated to pitch in and do what it takes to make things happen here in our church community. To that end, please take time to consider that you can do to make our church a better place in which to live and worship. There are ample opportunities! Soon, we will come to the month of June and time to elect new members to the Congregation Council. Council member terms are for three years, and eligibility for a second term is possible. Why not consider throwing your hat into the ring? Council service enables members to experience hands on the workings of the parish and the intricacies that go into opening the doors on a regular basis. Any council member would be happy to talk to you about the responsibilities involved.
The Messenger Page 5 MARCH 2015 SERVING SCHEDULE - MARCH 15 1 March - Second Sunday in Lent Assisting Minister Deacon Connie Lisch Teri Bennett Susan Payne Petitioner Charlotte Floyd J. Hoyle, S. Manson 8 March - Third Sunday in Lent Assisting Ministry Paul Walker Audrey Huka John Schultz Jane Parker Petitioner Don Zimmerman N. Hunt, P. Walker 15 March - Fourth Sunday in Lent Assisting Minister Teri Bennett Louis Flake Louise Ricketts Rev. Carl Greenawald Petitioner Elizabeth Kerstein J. Hoyle, A. Huka 22 March - Fifth Sunday in Lent Assisting Minister Deacon Sue Romanic John LeBon Sylvia Lukemire Petitioner Paul Walker L. Flake, G. Ricketts 29 March - Sunday of the Passion Assisting Minister Deacon Connie Lisch Teri Bennett Richard Spittel Torches L. Ricketts, A. Huka Thurifer Louis Flake Petitioner Kirsten (Moore) Sheeley C. Byerly, P. Walker 5 April - Resurrection of Our Lord Assisting Minister Deacon Connie Lisch SubDeacon Harold Sachs John LeBon Torches L. Flake, T. Bennett Thurifer Paul Walker Charlotte Floyd Petitioner Ralph Welsh Greeters Gil & Louise Ricketts B. Hanson, J. Hoyle 12 April - Second Sunday of Easter Assisting Minister Daniel Wilkey Susan Surrey John Schultz Petitioner Shawn McDowell Greeters Gil & Louise Ricketts L. Flake, A. Lee
The Messenger Page 6 MARCH 2015 DAILY LECTIONARY - MARCH 15 1 Second Sunday in Lent Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Romans 4:13-25 Mark 8:31-38 2 Psalm 105:1-11, 27-45 Genesis 21:1-7 Hebrews 1:8-12 3 Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45 Genesis 22:1-19 Hebrews 11:1-3, 13-19 4 Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45 Jeremiah 30:12-22 John 12:36-43 5 Psalm 19 Exodus 19:1-9a 1 Peter 2:4-10 6 Psalm 19 Exodus 19:9b-15 Acts 7:30-40 7 Psalm 19 Exodus 19:16-25 Mark 9:2-8 8 Third Sunday in Lent Exodus 20:1-17 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22 9 Psalm 84 1 Kings 6:1-4, 21-22 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 10 Psalm 84 2 Chronicles 29:1-11, 16-19 Hebrews 9:23-28 11 Psalm 84 Ezra 6:1-16 Mark 11:15-19 12 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Genesis 9:8-17 Ephesians 1:3-6 13 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Daniel 12:5-13 Ephesians 1:7-14 14 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Numbers 20:22-29 John 3:1-13 15 Fourth Sunday in Lent Numbers 21:4-9 Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21 16 Psalm 107:1-16 Exodus 15:22-27 Hebrews 3:1-6 17 Psalm 107:1-16 Numbers 20:1-13 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 18 Psalm 107:1-16 Isaiah 60:15-22 John 8:17-20 19 Psalm 51:1-12 Isaiah 30:15-18 Hebrews 4:1-13 20 Psalm 51:1-12 Exodus 30:1-10 Hebrews 4:14 5:4 21 Psalm 51:1-12 Habakkuk 3:2-13 John 12:1-11 22 Fifth Sunday in Lent Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33 23 Psalm 119:9-16 Isaiah 43:8-13 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 24 Psalm 119:9-16 Isaiah 44:1-8 Acts 2:14-24 25 Psalm 119:9-16 Haggai 2:1-9, 20-23 John 12:34-50 26 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Deuteronomy 16:1-8 Philippians 2:1-11 27 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Jeremiah 33:1-9 Philippians 2:12-18 28 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Jeremiah 33:10-16 Mark 10:32-34, 46-52 29 Sunday of the Passion (Palm) Isaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1 15:47 30 Isaiah 42:1-9 Hebrews 9:11-15 John 12:1-11 31 Isaiah 49:1-7 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 John 12:20-36
The Messenger Page 7 MARCH 2015 We are Grateful for These Gifts to St. Mark s Church: To the Mission Endowment Fund: In memory of Ernest Lehr II by Rev. Carl Heim & Margaret G. Greenawald To the Organ Restoration Fund: In memory of Ernest Lehr, II by Rev. Dale Dusman To the Music Fund: In memory of Toshiko Kajita by Susan Surrey In memory of Toshiko Kajita by Office & Professional Employees Union, Local 2 To the Roof Fund: In memory of Ernest Lehr II by Susan Surrey In memory of Ernest Lehr II by Harold R. Sachs In memory of Toshiko Kajita and in memory of Ernest Lehr II by Joan Hoyle A 17 th Century Nun s Prayer Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself, that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest Lord that I want a few friends at the end. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others pains, but help me to endure them with patience. I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint some of them are so hard to live with but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. Amen.