07/06 /08
8 Pentecost

Welcome Guests - If this is your first Sunday here at St. Mark’s, may you find a gracious welcome. Your questions are welcome. Please note that there is music at the 10:15 am service only. Even if you might be here just for this day, may St. Mark’s feel like home.

Today at St. Mark’s:

This morning we are pleased to welcome back the Rev. Mark McIntosh as the celebrant and preacher. Please take a moment to introduce yourself to Mark.

Childcare is offered every Sunday morning in the nursery from 7:45 until 11:30 a.m. The nursery is located in the last classroom on the left of the hallway in the education building.

We offer prayers for those celebrating their birthday this week: Mary Ann Roeser, Cary Doner, Keri Svec, and David Leflar; and those celebrating their wedding anniversary: Kathie & James Demunno, Nicole & Steve Jackson, Charlotte & Dick Poje, and Kristi & Josh Johnson.

Your Offering Envelopes for the second half of the year are ready for pick up in the parish lobby. Please stop and take your packet home. Thanks for helping us save postage.

Ebeneezer Who?
A few of you asked me in person or online last week about the phrase "I raise my Ebeneezer" in the 2nd verse of our closing hymn, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing". As you will have guessed, it's not Scrooge; for one thing, the hymn was written before Dickens wrote his famous short story. Ebeneezer is a character in the Bible, but the verse seems to be pointing back to a story in 1 Sam 7: The Israelites were having difficulties with the neighboring Philistines; Samuel prayed and the Lord threw the Philistines into confusion so Israel won the day. In thanks, Samuel named and dedicated a stone there to commemorate God's saving act; the name of the stone was eben-ezer ['stone of help']. My guess is that the word was more in the public domain as a symbol of God's help in trouble in the 18th century when Robert Robinson wrote the hymn. VLG

Looking Ahead

Clean Up Days. Please plan to join fellow parishioners at 9:00 am on July 12 and July 26. Come to one or both as we work to beautify the church and the rectory grounds. Our numerous spring rains have caused record sized weeds and overgrown bushes. Let’s chip in to have the grounds in ship shape for the arrival of David & Susan Gibbons on August 4. Please RSVP to the parish office at 847-381-0596.

The next Super Summer Saturday is July 19. This outdoor laid-back Saturday liturgy is welcoming to every age. We need a host family to read the readings, prayers of the people, to usher and be the chalice bearers. The menu is salmon as well as hot dogs and mac & cheese for the younger crowd. Please bring a side dish or dessert to pass and dress casually.

-------- Super Summer Saturday --------
Saturday, 19 July
Liturgy: 5:00 pm – 5:40 pm
Salmon Steak Cook-Out
Suggested Donation: $5 per person; $20 cap per family
Hot Dogs/Mac & Cheese for younger crowd
Bringing a side dish or dessert to pass

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Super Summer Saturday – JULY 19
NAME____________________________________________

We will host the July 19 Super Summer Saturday. _______

I (We) plan to attend the June 14 Saturday liturgy.

Number attending _________________¬¬¬¬________________________
We will bring_______________________________________