Upcoming Events
For daily/weekly events, see the information on the Services and Live Events page and the Calendar!
ECHO news for Winter
ECHO—first quarter benevolence in 2026
The people of St. Mark’s have supported ECHO’s efforts from its inception and we continue that tradition with our 1st Quarter Benevolence choices of ECHO and St. Mark’s FFO. Thank you for your generosity in advance!
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Click HERE to see a compilation of ECHO’s current needs !
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Donations that cost ZERO … click HERE for info …
Click HERE to see how Target shoppers can help raise funds for ECHO …
Click HERE to find out what to do for a “Food Donation Option When You Can’t Come to ECHO”
ECHO desperately needs your help to help fill the shelves of their Food Pantry … Need info on donating? Call 703-569-7972 or go to https://www.echo-inc.org/needed-right-now for their current needs.
Need help? Call 703-569-9160 … To find out what ECHO has to offer its clients, click HERE for English and HERE for Spanish.
Donation Hours
M, Tu, W, Th, F - 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Tu, W, Th - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Funerals and Memorials Info
St. Mark’s website now have a separate informational webpage for upcoming funerals and memorials. See it at https://www.stmarks-elca.org/funerals-memorials-info.
Don’t Let Your Giant Reward Points Expire!
Do you know you can use your points for other products besides gas? Right now you can get a dozen eggs for 200 points. If you don’t need them, or only need a half dozen, please consider donating them to Food For Others. Just mark the container as FFO and leave in the kitchen refrigerator. Thank you!
Pull POP tabs from Soda Cans!
… and place them in the narthex in the container shown at the left! Cindy Hausch-Booth is collecting pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Greater Washington, DC! It's just so simple! Pop tabs are easy to collect and store and are less messy than collecting entire cans, and there is more concentrated aluminum in these tabs than in the cans, so we can get more money for something a lot smaller! 100% of the money we earn is used to offset the cost between the amount families are able to donate for their stay and our actual operating costs—a difference of about $197 a night. You can easily see that the little pull tab you used to throw away is very valuable to the guest families at our Houses.
Thank you for helping RMHCDC by “Pulling for the House!” Your pop tabs make a difference!
2026 First Quarter Benevolence: Food for Others and ECHO
1st Quarter Benevolence
From January through March, we will be collecting benevolence donations for St. Mark’s Food for Others and ECHO.
See also “the latest info” on our Q1 benevolence on our Quarterly Benevolence webpage.
As a reminder, our quarterly benevolences are not covered through the regular offerings to the St. Mark’s operating budget. If you donate online, there is a Quarterly Benevolence button on our Vanco e-giving portal. If you make your donation at the offering plate or mail in a check, please make out the check to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and annotate the check with "Quarterly Benevolence."
ESOL Classes at St. Mark's
Classes in the fall began Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM; cost of books is $45. There is a need for ESOL teachers as well as volunteers to provide childcare (perhaps high school students who need community service hours).
For more information, contact Yvette Moy at at ymoy@stmarks-elca.org.
YOU ARE INVITED to pray with us …
** The Prayer Ministry invites anyone who is interested in committing to a renewed prayer life at St. Mark's to join us on Sundays after the service at 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Learn more HERE!!!
** Also, the "Watch and Pray" Lunch Bunch is scheduled for Tuesdays at NOON in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a bag lunch and come to share in prayer, food, and fellowship. All are welcome. Contact Ken Anderson for information.
** Everyone is invited to join the on-going Wednesday morning (10:00) “Watch and Pray” meeting via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/894781064 (password 5800)
For questions or more information contact Raelene Long (llong41@verizon.net) or Cherry Moser (clmoser@cox.net).
St. Mark’s continues to receive blessings of opportunities to help serve our neighbors. Our renewed outreach to the community is reaping benefits in new and renewed connections with the county, non-profits, and area churches —geared toward meeting the needs of our neighbors. Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services has reached out to St. Mark’s about connecting with children at Lynbrook through the GrandInvolve program, and twelve of our members responded!
Seniors who register through this program sign up for an hour or two per week to spend at the school tutoring and mentoring. Please see Pastor Triolo if you are interested.
Military Packages for January
The "official" collection day will be Sunday, February 1st—but you know you can contribute any day by putting your goodies, treats, or supplies in the military packages collection box located near the church office.
We do not have specifics for the recipients for this month yet—but we do know it will be Air Force folks in a hot climate—although the heat will be tempered somewhat by January weather. You always know what to contribute so generously; if we learn more by next week, we'll update you via the Messenger.
Thank you for your continued support—you know how much they appreciate both our goodies and our prayers. Last month's recipients reported:
"two of the packages were sent on to northern Iraq (They don’t receive mail directly), and some went to central Iraq, in time for Christmas. Thank you for sending out such a variety of items and home baked goods!"
Praying for Peace—Wed, Feb 11 at 7:30 PM at St. Mark’s
A Taizé worship service focuses on peace, reconciliation, and unity in a season where some of us are distracted by division, uncertainty, and trauma. The liturgy incorporates readings, songs, candlelight, silence for quiet reflection, and prayer. About a third of the Psalms are lament, expressing grief, pain, or sorrow in times of crisis. Our faith helps us to persevere with hope and peace. Join us in St. Mark’s sanctuary on Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30 PM for this special opportunity to be filled with God's presence.
You’re invited!
Shrove "Sunday" Pancake Brunch and Variety Show!
Family Fun and Fellowship needs you and your talent for the
Sunday, February 15, 2026
12:30 PM
(after the 11:00 AM combined service)
Vocal or instrumental groups, duets, solos, or skits are needed.
Please sign up in the Narthex or contact Edie Weekly
at edriew@aol.com with questions.
Let's make this a fun time of fellowship for all!
Thank you for being willing to share your talents.
Come enjoy pancakes and a variety show featuring members of St. Mark’s!
Proceeds to benefit St. Mark's Youth Ministry
Contact Alice Real at youth@stmarks-elca.org.
“Bach’s Lunch” Organ Recitals are Back!!!
Join us on the last Fridays of the month at 12:00 PM on 2/24, 3/27, 4/24, 5/29, and 6/26.
Flower Committee
The Flower Committee needs new members. If you are interested in joining the flower committee to help “dress” the altar on Sundays, please contact Trudy Stellar. We will be happy to train you. Click HERE for more information!
2026 Flower Dedications: Click HERE for the form to dedicate flowers or one or more Sundays in 2026!
Flower Ministry
On Mondays and Tuesdays the Flower Ministry team delivers small arrangements made from the altar flowers to St. Mark's members who are sick or housebound. We are in need of more volunteers to deliver. Please contact Lance Quesenberry lques48@gmail.com or call 703-401-1500 if you would like to volunteer or would like to ask questions.
Food for Others Teams Need Help!
Please let Nan Ackerman or Debbie Brown know if you will be willing to help on a Tuesday evening from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM.
The teams will be happy to train you. These teams are short-handed due to members with illness, and some with travel plans. Families are welcome to come work together. This is a great experience for teaching children to help others.