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The Gospel According to St. Mark's
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From Justi Schunior, Associate Rector
Friends, Last weekend we began sign ups for the party celebrating the ministry of our rector, the Reverend Paul Roberts Abernathy. He retires at the end of January. Those of us on the party committee were overwhelmed and delighted with the response. I have to admit I had assumed that we would easily fill the space, but I didn't think we would approach selling out on the very first weekend of our sign ups. For a couple of anxious days, we worried that people who were out of town or who missed the announcement would not get seats for the event. And I apologize to all of you who worried you would not be able to attend or who were confused about how the event would work. |
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Fortunately, I am privileged to work with a great team of party planners! They brainstormed possible solutions and coordinated with Ed Green's Maintenance Company to make sure that we will have space (including overflow seating in the Parish Hall and chairs around the Nave). We will also have a special section for our teens at the high altar. It is very important to Paul and Pontheolla that the event be inclusive and welcoming; we don't want anyone to be shut out.
Even though more space has opened up and we do not plan on turning anyone away, please RSVP at rsvpstmarks1@gmail.com as soon as possible. We begin at 6:30 pm, January 24. The ticket price is $20, $15 for seats in the Nave not at tables, children come free, childcare will be provided. Cocktail Attire.We will be available after the services on each Sunday until January 18 to sign up guests and collect checks. Checks should be made out to St. Mark's Episcopal Church with "PRA party" in the memo line. If you are unable to pay for a ticket, please contact me at justi.schunior@stmarks.net. We want to make it possible for everyone to attend. The Preaching schedule for January:
January 11th - Paul Roberts Abernathy (Regular Service Schedule, Baptisms) January 18th - Paul Roberts Abernathy (Regular Service Schedule) January 25 - Justi Schunior (One Combined Morning Service, 10am, No Sunday School,Contemplative Eucharist, 5pm)
Peace, Justi
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From Grady Hedgespeth, Senior Warden
My Dear St. Mark's Community,
March 1st - SAVE THE DATE!
On that date we will be having a series of mini Town Hall briefings after each service to advise the parish on the state of our finances as the new year begins. There are a lot of moving pieces to that equation that make budgeting and financial management of our spiritual enterprise more of an art than pure science. But our Treasurer, Penny Hansen, and Vestry have approached it with discipline, discretion and prudence. And Mike Townsend, our Annual Canvass Chair, and his committee have been vigorous in encouraging us to pledge so that we can do the best job possible of financial planning. If you haven't already, I wish you would consider pledging.
The realities of our changing times are that the dynamics of our Annual Canvass, parish revenue and budgeting process are shifting. For one thing, none of us know for sure if our newly renovated space will generate additional revenue, and when. More importantly, this year more than most, there are many other uncertainties that add to the fuzziness of the process:
- the loss of a long-time and beloved rector, and the cost associated with calling a new one
- heating, cooling and lighting new space,
- how much our solar panels and more efficient AC compressors that function as heat pumps in the Winter will offset those cost
- loan payments on the V2020 expansion and renovation
- health and pension benefit increases for our staff
And I could name others.
By 3/1, we will have a better, though not perfect, picture of where we stand. And like any functional family would, we will gather, place what we know on the table and live into the challenges we face. We have a healthy balance sheet and the capacity to live into the vision we started dreaming of five years ago.
More details to come. But until then
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Youth & Family Ministry Update
Teen Room moves to the Nave for Paul & Pontheolla's Celebration Dinner Saturday, January 24th 6:30 pm Would your teen like to come, eat and be a part of celebrating Paul & Pontheolla at the dinner Saturday, 1/24, though not necessarily at a Captained Table? There is another option: Alternative meal in the new Teen Room...at the High Altar! The fabulous Dinner Planning team has offered a great option for the teens to sit together: tables where the choir sits in the High Altar of the Nave. Liberate the teens to enjoy each other's company; roam the Nave mingling, and assist with table service. After dinner the teen tables will be moved and they can revel in the entertainment from side seating. If your teen is willing to help with the Captained tables, their assistance would also be welcome (though not required)! For families participating in the Teen Alternative, contributions ($15) will be collected separately from the dinner to provide for an alternative meal at the teen tables (possibly Take Out Chinese - with chopsticks and fortune cookies!) * RSVP (w/meal ideas) by Saturday, January 17th *
Please also let me know if your teens would like to help take care of the Captained tables. Teen Already Reserved?: If you've reserved a spot for your teen at your table and they would like to join the Teen Room in the Nave, please contact the Party Planning Team if you don't refill the spot(s) at your table. The response has been substantial and there are a number of folks on the waiting list who would love to come to the dinner and find a place at a table! |
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Prelude
Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam, BuxWV 180 (Christ, our Lord, to Jordan came), Dietrich Buxtehude
Opening Hymn
117 Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, Tune: Morning Star
Procession to the Font
LEVAS 134 Take me to the water, African American Spiritual
Offertory Anthem
Jesus Came from Nazareth, Bruce Neswick - Chancel Choir
Presentation Hymn 119 v. 1, adapted, Tune: Dix
Sanctus S 128 William Mathias
Music During Communion
LEVAS 141 Shall we gather at the river, Robert Lowry
Hymn 139 When Jesus went to Jordan's stream, Tune: Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam
Hymn 128 We three kings of Orient are, Tune: Three Kings of Orient
Closing Hymn
448 O love, how deep, how broad, how high, Tune: Deus tuorum militum
Postlude
Magnificat Primi Toni, BuxWV 203, Dietrich Buxtehude
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Schedule of Services
Sunday, January 11, 2015
First Sunday after the Epiphany
9:00 am Holy Baptism + Holy Eucharist
The Reverend Paul Roberts Abernathy, Presider
The Reverend Justi Schunior, Co-Presider
10:00 Sermon Seminar
The Reverend Paul Roberts Abernathy , Preacher
N.B., there is no Sunday School this week
11:15 am Holy Baptism + Holy Eucharist
The Reverend Paul Roberts Abernathy, Presider and Homilist
The Reverend Justi Schnuior, Co-Presider
5:00 Contemplative Eucharist
The Reverend Paul Roberts Abernathy, Presider and Homilist
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About the Gospel
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