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Today’s festival is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days. On a high mountain Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem. We turn this week to Ash Wednesday and our yearly baptismal journey from Lent to Easter. Some churches put aside the alleluia at the conclusion of today’s liturgy. This word of joy will be omitted during the penitential season of Lent and will be sung again at Easter. (from Sunday and Seasons).
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Transfiguration of our Lord
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Worship with Us In-Person
Sunday @ 10AM
Service of Holy Communion
Worship with us online!
Not able to attend in-person or still not comfortable in larger group settings? Join us by watching the livestream of the service on YouTube. Just click the button below to watch. Note that the service is recorded and can be watched at a time most convenient to you. Again, just click the button below.
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Worship Resources
The Online Worship page on our website has links to the following worship resources:
Click below for links to the following worship resources:
- Appointed scripture readings
- Prayers of the People
- Children's bulletin
At its November meeting, the Congregational Council decided it would be prudent for St. Mark's to align with the advice of the medical community by strongly recommending the wearing of masks while inside the building. To be clear, mask wearing is still optional, not mandated. A box of masks can be found on the information table in the Parish Hall for those who arrive without and wish to wear one.
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Those to Remember in Our Prayers
Adeline Adams, Geraldine Adelman (Brenda's mother), Jose & Gloria Ayala (Ludvigs & Andrea Ayala's parents), Mel Berg, Shannon Braun St.Clair (Roxanne Duguay's friend), Renee Brickner (Chris Lewis’ friend), Theresa Brownell, Martha Corzo (Daniel Corzo's mother), Rob Dojack, Roxanna Duguay, Tim Fennell (Kate Fennell's husband), Larry Fuhl (brother of Darlene Trindall and Eileen Burt), Terry Hercus, Dwight Hermiston (friend of Wade Quehe), Chris Hlady, Alfred Hoas, Emil Hoas, Evelyn Hoas, Eleanor Janke, James Juce (Esther Juce's brother), Bill Palmer, Dorothy Penner (Rudy Roman’s sister-in-law), Diane Pero (Alma Juttner's daughter), Sylvia Reagh, Don Ross (Kris Wegert's friend), Brian Rowe, Margaret & Victor Santa (Lori Nelson's step mom / father), Harold Slippert, Earl Skundberg (Inga Skundberg's brother), Carole Stone, Christina Taylor, Gerald Toupin, Joanne Yager and the family and friends of Jane Talnicoff and the family and friends of Tracy Pippy.
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For Lent this year, we are renewing the traditional serving of Soup & Bread prior to the Wednesday Holden Evening Prayer Service at 7:00 pm.
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Below is a list of each committee that has been asked to bring each week's soup, bread and cheese.
March 1, 2023 - MUSIC MINISTRY
March 8, 2023 - SUNDAY SCHOOL & YOUTH
March 15, 2023 - COUNCIL
March 22, 2023 - OPEN TO ALL MEMBER DONATIONS
March 29, 2023 - WORSHIP COMMITTEE
We are very excited for this opportunity of fellowship and Lenten practice. We look forward to gathering in this way and seeing (and tasting) all of the various bowls of Soup prepared by the people of this faith community.
A sign-up sheet will be at the church for the March 22 date, all other dates are being handled by each Committee.
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by heart
Conversations with Martin Luther’s Small Catechism
For many Lutherans, Luther’s Small Catechism is the foundation to understanding our faith and why we say what we believe we say we do. For most, however, the Small Catechism is a distant memory of Confirmation classes years gone. Some, like Pastor Zsófi, became Lutheran as adults and didn’t have that experience at all. This study is for those of you:
- who want to re/visit the Small Catechism;
- who would like to understand the theology and history behind the words Luther wrote;
- who want to re/discover what exactly we say we believe and why;
- who would like to have some open and inclusive conversations about God, Faith & the Gospel.
The study will be offered in 7 parts, beginning in Lent on Friday evenings from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. The schedule is as follows:
Feb 24th – Ch. 1 “The Story of the Small Catechism”
March 3rd – Ch. 2 “The Ten Commandments”
March 10th – Ch. 3 “The Apostle’s Creed”
March 17th – Ch. 4 “The Lord’s Prayer”
April 14th – Ch. 5 “The Sacrament of Holy Baptism and Confession”
April 21st – Ch. 6 “The Sacrament of the Altar”
April 28th – Ch. 7 “Daily Prayer and the Household Chart”
You are welcome to attend the sessions that interest you or the entire program.
The course book is available to purchase at $20 each, or can be borrowed for reading. Books are now ready to be picked up from Pastor Zsófi.
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A message from our member, Silantoi (Sila) Kisiso:
I have mixed feelings about Black History Month – as a black Kenyan Canadian career woman with an African heritage, I am honoured to have a month when we can reflect on the impact and history of black culture and its diverse people. I grew up in a predominately black African country and I never really thought about what it means to be black or African – and that was my privilege - until I came to Canada. It is hard to explain what it means to be black in Canada without feeling unrest – at least for me. On the other hand, I see the many black people who have come before me to create spaces so I too can be seen, heard, and engaged – whether it was Viola Desmond or Amanda Paris or Winnie Byanyima or James Baldwin or Bishop Desmond Tutu or Chinua Achebe or Alice Walker or Winnie Mandela – all these people have been a voice for black equity, freedom and justice. I am very aware of my privileges that stem from my amazing late parents – they gave my siblings and I the best life I could ever imagine. I am also very aware of the discrimination and violence against black people and many other groups across this great unceded land. Many that don’t make it to the headlines, but we hear about them in our communities. We have a long journey, and the journey ahead is overwhelming on most days.
My mama was instrumental in helping me understand what it means to be black and living in the western world – whether it was through my high school in Egypt or during our family travels or my arrival to Canada for my degree. When I left Kenya on Sept 5, 2001 for Cranbrook, my sweet mama gave me a Maasai bracelet and reminded me not to forget who I am. I never wore that bracelet because of my youthful ideas about my identity and how it fits into my new life in Canada. After my mama’s passing in Dec 2004, I started to wear my bracelet because I knew better and now, I never remove it unless I am switching my worn out one with a new one. Wearing my bracelet means that I am not just black, but I am Maasai, Kenyan, African and my mama’s daughter. I am not a single story; even though the easy thing is to only see my blackness. It has taken me many years to grow into my identity and I continue to learn and be more of myself in the spaces I occupy – from the supermarket to my parent-teacher meetings to my neighbourhood interactions to my workplace. Even here at St Mark's Church.
My good friend Abdikheir always says – “if you are not at the table, then you are on the menu”. I use this tagline to remind myself and others of the value of the representation of diverse voices and spaces in Canada.
In remembrance of my parents – Mary Kisoso and Joel ole Kisoso
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Glenlea Spring Flowers & Plants
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It's almost planting time!! We are once again participating in the Gleanlea Greenhouse fundraiser. Gleanlea has bedding plants, perennials, hanging baskets, vegetables, herbs, succulents, container gardens and Fall Garden Mums. You can also purchase gift cards to be used at their Greenhouse and shop yourself.
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Plants will be available for pickup between 11:30am-2pm Saturday, May 27th.
Instructions for on line ordering can be found HERE. If you would rather not order online, please pick up a form from the church. Paper orders must be returned before March 31. Cheques to be made payable to St Mark's Lutheran Church. Please note on the cheque payment is for the Glenlea fundraiser.
Plants do sell out so get your orders in early for best selection!
ie. Do not wait until the end of March!
Please contact Judy Grossman with any questions at jgrossman2004@yahoo.ca or 204 223 2107.
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Some members of our congregation have asked Social Ministry about the change to St. Mark’s Welcoming Statement made last September. We are quite happy that members have noticed the change and have expressed interest.
Here’s the background:
Our Welcoming Statement includes an acknowledgment that we worship on the traditional lands of several Indigenous peoples. It came to our attention last summer from a congregational member that using the phrase “Oji-Cree” in our statement may not be considered accurate as Oji-Cree is the English name of a dialect rather than the name of an Indigenous people. After doing some further investigation we found out that although this phrase is in common use, it may be considered as a slur by some. So after consultation with Indigenous elders and a few other sources we replaced the references to “Ojibway, Cree and Oji-Cree” with “ Ininiwak and Anishininiwak”. This makes our Welcoming Statement more compatible with traditional Indigenous terminology.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25th 7:30pm
At long last, Cambridge Coffeehouse returns to St. Mark's with another evening of toe-tapping live local music including our very own "House Blend" house band. Free admission buys you an evening of music, fair trade coffee, and candlelight, but we urge your donations to The Urban. Help us raise some money for this worthy cause. Volunteer assistance with baking and setup is appreciated. Contact Melissa Gingrich.
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All Annual Reports are due on March 9 for the AGM upcoming in April. Committee Chairs, please send your reports to Lori in Microsoft Word format (no pdf's) office@stmarkslutheran.ca.
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Youth will be heading to the Festival de Voyageur on Monday, February 20th, so if you are interested, please let us know. We will be meeting at the entrance of Fort Gibraltar at 1:40pm. If anyone needs a ride, please be at the church at 1:15pm. The price for Festival will be $15 per person. Please dress for the weather since there will be snowshoeing on the agenda.
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CLAY 2023 Info Meeting Feb 25
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We will be holding a Zoom information meeting on Saturday, February 25 at 10AM for all those interested in attending CLAY. Now is the time to find out all the details and get your questions answered. We will send out a Zoom link in a separate email to parents.
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WHO: St. Mark's youth ages 14-19 by Dec 31, 2023.( ie. you can attend as a 13 year old)
WHEN: August 7-13 (depart Winnipeg by plane to Toronto, 3 days of fun bus travel to sight see places like Niagara Falls, then 3 days at CLAY in Waterloo, return home by plane)
WHERE: CLAY takes place in Waterloo, ON and you will stay in residence at Wilfrid Laurier University
WHAT is INCLUDED:
- 3 day sightseeing bus trip from Toronto to Waterloo (Aug 7-9)
- Accommodations along these 3 days
- Programming – all of the activities that take place during CLAY (Aug 10-13)
- Accommodations in Laurier Residence from Thursday, August 10 to Sunday, August 13
- Meals – three meals per day from Dinner on Thursday through Lunch on Sunday
- Transportation to all scheduled activities during the gathering
COST: approximately $2000* per youth, a cost breakdown is below:
You can email Wei-An at youth@stmarkslutheran.ca to let her know if you have any questions.
Click below to visit the information webpage for CLAY 2023!
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Did you know that St. Mark's collects used stamps for the Canadian Bible Society?
Save your stamps! It takes a pound of stamps to buy 1 Bible - they can be brought in and placed into the envelope on the bulletin board by the mailboxes.
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There continues to be a patch of dangerous ice on the East stairs off the parking lot and we are asking people to avoid using those steps. Please use the South door with the ramp instead.
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The February newsletter from the Urban is ready for viewing. Click HERE to read what's new and happening at the Urban.
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Offering via PAD - Time to Review?
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Do you use the Pre-Authorized Debit option to give a regular schedule of offerings to St. Marks?
If yes, please take a moment to consider what level of financial support you can provide in 2023. Like most households, our expenses are on the rise. If you have the means to increase your regular contribution, complete the PAD change form found HERE. and return it to the church office. A reminder that all PAD giving is directed towards general operating expenses. Gifts designated to a specific purpose must be made using an offering enveloped or via e-transfer (see below).
Not on PAD? Take a moment to consider signing up for the PAD system. More details about how PAD works can be found on our website.
If PAD is not for you, a reminder that St. Mark's can accept donations via e-transfer. Use office@stmarkslutheran.ca for the email address and include a note in the message box of your financial institution's e-transfer function to indicate if any portion of your gift is for a designated purpose (e.g., Lutheran Urban Ministry, Urban Meals, Memorial Fund, Luther Village, etc.)
Thank you for taking a moment to think about how you will be able to financially support the congregation's mission and ministry in 2023.
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Need a copy of the church directory?
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Over the past few weeks, several members have received emails from someone posing as Pastor Zsofi. We are unsure as to how member email addresses have fallen into the hands of scammers. As a precaution, we have removed both the telephone/email directory and pictorial directory from the church website.
If you would like a copy of either of these directories, please contact the church office and an electronic version will be forwarded to you.
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You can find out what's happening at St. Mark's in the coming weeks by viewing our online calendar.
CLICK HERE to view the calendar.
To have something added to the calendar, contact Lori in the church office.
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Brian Lorch has taken some vacation time for about a month in his role of E-News editor. During the period of January 27 - Feb 16, please send items for inclusion in the E-News to Jen Polet no later than 2 PM on Thursdays. Jen can be reached by telephone (204-487-6271) or email (jpolet@neptuneproperties.ca).
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My carpal tunnel flares up just watching this artist create his portraits using a pen and their name - over and over again.
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Office Hours
Tuesday-Thursday 9AM - 4PM
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