Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. “I was blind, now I see,” declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God’s beloved children. As David was anointed king of Israel, in baptism God anoints our head with oil, and calls us to bear witness to the light of Christ in our daily lives. (from Sunday and Seasons).
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4th Sunday of Lent
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
Masking is optional while attending worship services or other events at St. Mark's. We will continue to have masks available near the entrance to the sanctuary for those who feel more comfortable being masked and have forgotten to bring one with them to the church..
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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, 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.
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Pastor Zsofi Away this week
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Pastor Zsofi, Paul, and Perrin are away from March 20th until April 1st for some needed sabbath time and to visit family. If you need emergency pastoral care during this time, please contact Pastor Jenn Marlor at (204) 998-4503.
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Confirmation Class Moves Outdoors
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Last Sunday's Confirmation was held at Fort Whyte Alive. Discussion focused on what worship is and how we can worship outside of church buildings! A great day to spend some time snowshoeing and roasting bannock on a stick. Thanks to Barrett Miller for hosting. More pics can be seen on our Facebook page. (Thanks to Pastors Courtenay and Tyler for some additional photos!)
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Liturgy for the Season of Lent
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Here's some background information about the Lenten Liturgy we are using this year for the first time.
We hope to make Lent feel like something that we grow into. A pace and flow that feels comfortable. A body of texts and music that grows more and more familiar each week in its consistency.
We step into worship with the hymn Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery followed by a musical canon "Adoramus te" and lyrical Kyrie. Each of these pieces have a simplicity that is perfect for congregational singing but offers opportunity for instrumental elaboration and musical embellishment as they become increasingly familiar. They have a quality that feels "from the heart". It is my hope that by the final weeks of the Lenten season we may be able to participate "by heart" and enter the full richness of the harmonies and the texts.
All of the music that forms our liturgy is by Marty Haugen, composer of Now the Feast and Celebration, All Are Welcome, Gather Us In and many of the songs that this congregation knows and loves. (Submitted by Melissa Gingrich).
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Hosting this week (March 22)
St. Mark's Community Members
Soup and Bread @ 6:15PM
Holden Evening Prayer @ 7PM
Offerings given at the Wednesday evening services will go to
The Urban.
NOTE: Members are invited to sign up to bring soup, cheese or bread.
Please see the sign up sheet posted in the Parish Hall.
OR - Call the office to volunteer.
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Luther Village looking for Summer Staff
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Luther Village is looking to fill the following positions for the coming summer camping season.
Lifeguard for JULY- AUGUST
Must be over 18 and have a valid National Lifeguarding certificate
LV is willing to help pay for NL course or recertification if needed
Lifeguard is part of a full-time position in another area. Please contact camp if interested
Also, still looking to fill these positions:
Head Cook
Kitchen/housekeeping and Maintenance.
More information available HERE
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Friday Evening Learning Opportunity
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The study continues tonight, March 17th at 7pm, as we look into Chapter 4 "The Lord's Prayer".
You are welcome to attend the sessions that interest you, or the remaining program.
There are no longer any additional course books, but Pastor Zsófi is happy to order more as needed.
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St. Mark's to initiate Reconciliation Action Plan
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The Social Ministry Committee is pleased to provide an update about initiatives on reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians.
In October 2022, the St Mark’s Council approved the following motion:
That St. Mark’s Lutheran Church affirms that reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous peoples is a priority focus. Mark’s Council encourages Committees and Members to create meaningful and intentional efforts that amplify and put into action commitments made in our Centering for Worship each week.
Encouraged by this endorsement, Social Ministry submitted a draft Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for the Council to consider at the February 2023 meeting. The Plan was approved and you can read more about it here.
The Committee looks forward to working with other ministries at St Mark’s to lift up this priority in all aspects of our congregational life. To do so, we are establishing a Reconciliation Task Group that will be comprised of 3 or 4 people and will be responsible for advancing initiatives related to Indigenous reconciliation. If you are interested in participating in any aspect of this work, please be in touch with Jennifer Moroz or Rhonda Lorch.
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The Finance Committee is working on its report for the upcoming Annual Congregational Meeting. Here's a sneak preview of how general offerings were received last year on a month-by-month basis.
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Ways to Support St. Mark's financially.
- Via offering envelopes. Please make cheques payable to St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
- Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) - click HERE for more information about how to join the PAD program.
- E-transfers sent to office@stmarkslutheran.ca
- Gifts of securities. Please contact Brian Lorch (bjlorch@shaw.ca or 204-489-1054) for more info.
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Water and Plastics - What We Can Do!
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The Climate Justice Action Group and the BC Synod, ELCIC invite you to join the free workshop Water and Plastics - What We Can Do! on Monday, March 27, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. (Central Time) via Zoom.
Speakers at this workshop are passionate workers in the field from whom we can not only learn what has and is being done to change current realities, but what we can effectively do personally and collectively to make a difference.
To register for this event, please click here. Once registered, a confirmation email will be sent. This workshop will be recorded and made available after the event. To view the event poster, please click here. Share it among your network! All are invited!
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Help Send our Youth to CLAY 2023
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Annual Youth Group
Plant Sale
Two ways to order:
CLICK HERE for online order instructions.
or
Pick up a paper order form from the Info Table in the Parish Hall.
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PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for paper orders is March 31.
Plants will be available for pickup between 11:30am-2pm Saturday, May 27th.
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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Mid Week Noon Hour Lent Services
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The Winnipeg Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists is pleased to be presenting a series of five short noon-hour Lenten services at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 637 Buckingham Road. These services will take place from 12:15 -12:45 every Wednesday from March 1 - March 28.
Guest organist this coming week is Charmaine Bacon, McClure United Church. Each service will feature five meditative organ pieces, a hymn, scripture, and prayers.
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Serving this Sunday and next
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Thank you to those who have volunteered their time to assist with upcoming worship services. Please contact Lori in the church office to offer your time at a future service.
Volunteer Role |
March 19 |
March 26 |
Lector |
James Golas |
Rhonda Lorch |
Ushers |
Fred &Caroline Mann |
Roxie and Norm Graff |
Worship Assistant |
Shirley McLellan |
Brian Lorch |
Communion Prep |
Shirley McLellan |
Inga Skundberg |
Acolyte |
Sarah Gingrich |
TBA |
PowerPoint |
Linda Yager |
Wei An Lau |
Sound |
Nels Kristenson |
Ludvigs Ayala |
Cameras |
Taus Kristenson |
Gingrich |
Offering Counters |
Inga Skundberg/Eileen Burt |
Brian & Rhonda Lorch |
Coffee Hour |
Ed Mann |
TBA |
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Date |
Time |
Event |
March 17 |
3:30 - 7 PM |
Music Lessons - Sanctuary |
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7 PM |
Lent Study Group |
March 18 |
6 PM |
Village Green Dancers (Parish Hall) |
March 19 |
10 AM |
Sunday Worship Service / Sunday School |
March 21 |
4:15 PM |
Archimedes Math |
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7 PM - 10 PM |
Sisters of the Holy Rock practice |
March 22 |
10 AM - 12PM |
Music Lessons - Sanctuary |
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3:30 - 6 PM |
Music Lessons - Sanctuary |
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6:15 PM |
Soup and Bread |
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7 PM |
Holden Evening Prayer |
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8 PM |
Choir practice |
March 23 |
3:30 - 7 PM |
Music Lessons - Sanctuary |
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4:15PM |
Archimedes Math - Parish Hall |
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7 - 9 PM |
Council Meeting - Parish Hall |
UPCOMING EVENTS OF NOTE
- Potluck lunch following March 26 worship service
- Easter Sunday brunch following worship service
- Annual Congregational Meeting following worship on April 23
To see farther ahead, view the full calendar on our website.
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Need a copy of the church directory?
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The telephone/email directory and pictorial directory are no longer accessible 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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Please send submissions to Brian Lorch no later than 2 PM on Thursdays. Brian can be reached by telephone (204-489-1054) or email (bjlorch@shaw.ca).
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Office Hours
Tuesday-Thursday 9AM - 4PM
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