Welcome to St. Mark’s!
"For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Ecclesiastes 3:1
What time is it in your life? Is it time to be planted, time to root, time to grow? If so, St. Mark's may very well be the place for you. We are a congregation planted in the Springfield community, rooted in the word of God, and growing in love for God and neighbor.
Lent gives us a focused time to find healing in Christ through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. From what will you fast? How might you increase or focus your time in prayer? How will you care for those in need around you?
To review Pastor Triolo’s sermon of January 28th on Lent, click HERE.
“I Brought You Flowers”
… is a combination reminiscing and thank-you note from our organist, Chris Michaelsen—Click HERE to read it!
Council Update
Council met Dec 11, welcomed new members, and elected our officers for next year: Erik Long is the Council President, Bill Turner is the Vice-President, and Nancy Gorman remains as the Secretary until we can elect her replacement. Colleen Struss was elected as Treasurer and will take over for Steven Carlson January 1, 2024.
Council voted to approve the membership of Jake Braith. Welcome, Jake! Council approved the minutes of the November Congregation Meeting and we should have those posted in the near future.
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First Quarter Benevolence – Food for Others And ECHO
In this first quarter of 2023 (Happy New Year!), the contributions you make to the St. Mark’s benevolence fund will be split evenly between our own Food for Others (FFO) program and ECHO. What can you do? Join with other members in giving to St. Mark’s that, through our quarterly benevolence program, partners with Food for Others and ECHO. Learn more HERE …
* * Our Support Is Needed to Feed the Hungry!!! **
St. Mark’s needs both “helping hands” and canned protein and other canned goods to help feed our FFO clients. The number of clients for BOTH of our benevolences—FFO and ECHO—has been overwhelming and we need your help! See more HERE!
Second Half of Life … Resources for Seniors
We were happy to see Yvette Moy in the Narthex last Sunday, with a lot of resources for seniors. Yvette was speaking with many of our members and urging us to take home the pamphlets and books she provided, which cover various issues: aging faithfully, finances, geriatric medical issues for seniors and their families, avoiding the scammers who prey on seniors, and more.
Yvette has left this material in the Narthex to share with us. Please have a look at the selection and take home this valuable information for yourself, loved ones, and friends.
Thank you, Yvette!
Want to know our latest financial Update? … find it HERE!
ST. MARK'S HYPOTHERMIA WEEK 2024 … Sunday, January 28 – Sunday, February 4, 2024
In conjunction with the FACETS organization and our Church partners, St. John’s and Saint Bernadette, St. Mark's hosted guests from 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM during the week beginning Sunday evening, January 28, thru Sunday morning, February 4, providing dinner, overnight shelter, breakfast, and a bagged lunch as the guests departe each day, along with comfort and fellowship.
A big THANK YOU to all who helped to make the week a success!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Narthex Project COMPLETED!!! Read all about it HERE! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
We have wonderful news! Fairfax County has issued our Use and Occupancy Permit for the new Narthex addition! Please join us this Sunday morning, March 10, for a ribbon cutting after the English Service, with refreshments and a “soft opening” of the new hallway and courtyard.
Please stop by the Narthex before the elevator to pick up your 2024 offering envelopes. For any questions, please email mcerritos@stmarks-elca.org. Thank you.
Installation of Grace Casola
Grace Casola was ordained into the ministry of Word & Sacrament in January, and she has been called as Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Covenant in Dale City, VA. LCOC is both in our synod and also in the Fairfax Conference, and her installation at LCOC is next Sunday, February 25, at 2:00 PM, and all of us are invited to attend. LCOC is located at 15008 Cloverdale Road, Dale City, VA 22193. Welcome back, Grace!
Pr. Saul’s Mission Trip to Honduras
July 2023
Pr. Saul participated in a mission trip to Honduras and brought back some of the photos taken on that successful trip to share with our congregation.
The generous contribution of $500.00 from St. Mark’s congregation helped to purchase the reusable red bags and provided school supplies for the community of Saint Agustin in Honduras.
At the end of the trip, 11 cement floors and 7 septic tanks were installed in community houses. In addition, the group also taught a Vacation Bible Study class and distributed 300 bags with many needed items as well as school supplies.
The "Watch and Pray" Bunch …
We’re still meeting every Sunday for 10-15 minutes after the English service at 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hal1 for prayers … won’t you join us?!
Every Tuesday at noon the Lunch Bunch meets in the Lounge for lunch (bring your own) and prayer All are welcome.
An Update to Scams and Hacks
Unfortunately, someone managed to hack into a system that was used at Synod that contained e-mail addresses and phone numbers. They have used this information to clone addresses, phone numbers, or Facebook accounts of many of our church friends. If you receive an e-mail, text, or Messenger message from any of these friends at church DO NOT RESPOND. Instead, delete the email and you can send them a separate e-mail, text, or message that should get to their true account to ask if they just sent you a communication. If you respond to the initial message that was sent or try to open links, it will go to the hacker.
These people have not actually used the account of our friends—instead, they made a copy of the e-mail that is a ghost to a different account. So, let your friends know that you received a message "from them." To be safe, they will want to change passwords. If you accidentally responded to any of these messages, change your passwords on those accounts as well. These people are phishing for weak accounts so they might be able to get into bank accounts or get more personal information like social security numbers. Make your accounts as secure as possible!
St. Mark’s Community Gateway Update … Click HERE for information on the gateway and a simulated drawing of it!!! The bike racks and signage boards are ready to be installed~!
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2024 FLOWER DEDICATIONS … Click HERE to learn about how our beautiful altar flowers are created
and click HERE for the form to dedicate flowers or one or more Sundays in 2024!
NEW BENEVOLENCES FOR QUARTER 1 OF 2024 … CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON ECHO and St. Mark’s Food for Others!
* * A NEW ADDITION TO OUR CHANCEL—”THE TABERNACLE” … Click HERE to learn all about it! * *
See CHOIR PHOTOS OF CHRISTMAS AND EASTER SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS by clicking HERE!!!
Do you need to change your electronic donation for 2024?
Click HERE to download the form to use to change the amount and/or frequency of your electronic donation to St. Mark's. Download it, print it, fill it in as needed according to the directions, and drop it into our church Treasurer’s box in the church office and the new information will be entered into the Vanco system.
Sacristy Renovation …
Anyone who uses or has been in the Sacristy is aware of its condition and limitations. The space, originally designed as a mechanical room for heating and air conditioning equipment, now serves as a mechanical room, Sacristy, AV closet, and storage area. The space hasn’t been adequate for the church’s needs and needs to be refurbished. We’re looking for ideas and suggestions … Learn more HERE!
From the Council President’s Desk …
Click HERE to see what’s new from the Council!
A Word of Caution!!!
To those of us who have keys to the church—and we all know this is an important responsibility! Please remember to check when leaving to ensure that this and any door you use is properly locked—especially Door #12 to the Fellowship Hall … THANK YOU!
Help for Disaster Relief—Eastern Europe and Ukraine
Looking for ways to help victims of the recent horrific earthquake damage in Eastern Europe and to assist Ukrainian refugees? The stories and images coming from these humanitarian crises are heartbreaking. Click HERE for more information, and you may donate online to assist in their efforts directly at https://community.elca.org/eastern-europe-crisis-response?_ga=2.266466318.1699478920.1646717665-1017767480.1646717665.
Wear Your Nametags
Please remember to wear your nametags to every church service. The nametag "tree" is located in the narthex--pick up your nametag on your way into the sanctuary and return it to the tree when you leave--it helps visitors, new members, and those of us with name recall difficulties. Thank you!
Have you a computer to donate?
Scouts of Troop 881 at Saint Mark’s are starting a computer refurbishment program. They would like to collect old computers, refurbish them, and donate them to low income families in the community. If you have any of the following to donate—laptops and desktops with Windows 7 or higher, any Mac computers, or monitors with power cords (no CRT monitors)—email the troop HERE or call (571) 354-8659 to arrange a time to drop them off at the church.
Narthex Renovation Fundraising
At the Spring Congregation Meeting, we approved a new fundraising campaign for the Narthex Renovation to raise $250,000 in pledges beyond the funds already received. Fundraising letters with pledge forms have been mailed to confirmed members.
Did you complete a pledge? Summer is busy with travel, gardening, sports activities, and more—if you haven’t had a chance to make a pledge toward the revised Renovation Project, please do so now. You can send your pledges to St. Mark’s, attention: Treasurer, or put them in the offering, or you can contact Steven Carlson at treasurer@stmarks-elca.org. Learn more HERE …
Find the latest Council actions and meeting minutes HERE!
2022 Annual Report is available HERE!
Return to In-Person Worship
Both the 9:45 AM English Worship and the 12:15 PM Spanish Worship are indoor, in person, and on YouTube and Facebook. Masks are optional for Worship and in all other areas of St. Mark’s.
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* * * A Special message from LIRS (Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service):
“Our Afghan Allies need your help.“ Click HERE to learn more … * * *
STEWARDSHIP SURVEY … WHAT GIFTS DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE?
CLICK HERE FOR ENGLISH SURVEY … CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH SURVEY … AND THANK YOU!
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HOLY COMMUNION… from the elements blessed at the Lord’s table at St. Mark’s on a recent Sunday, continues to be available by appoint. Click here to complete a short RSVP to be added to the distribution list and you will be contacted for an appointment.
Our current schedule is as follows:
9:30 AM, pre-service music
9:45 AM, English Communion Liturgy
12:15 PM, Spanish Communion Liturgy
Sundays: 11:00 AM COFFEE HOUR —
ZOOM MEETING NUMBER:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87620354511?pwd=a1RvTXdMRnNqVUs0ell4MEhDbk4rZz09
Password is 5800.
QUICK LINKS:
CURRENT NEWS …
Have news to share with the congregation? Send it via email to communications@stmarks-elca.org to be published in the appropriate publication—E-Messenger, This Week, our website, and our Facebook page. Deadline is Tuesday at 5:00 PM, for same-week publishing.
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Calendar Events and Information
Click HERE to go to our monthly calendar—select your view by Agenda, Week, or Month, or Print the current month.
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