Justi Schunior, our Assistant Rector, will be away this Sunday, January 29.  She will return to her office on Tuesday, January 31.

9.00 AM – Holy Eucharist: Paul Abernathy, Presider

9.00 AM – Children’s Chapel: Kristen Hawley, Seminarian, Leader

10.00 AM – Sermon Seminar: Paul Abernathy, Preacher (Sermon Title: "A Statute of Liberty")

11.15 AM – Holy Eucharist: Paul Abernathy, Presider & Preacher

5.00 PM – Holy Eucharist: Paul Abernathy, Presider & Preacher

3rd & A Streets, SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 543-0053

Service Notes and Music

Prelude  Concerto Grosso, Op. 6 No. 8, Adagio – Allegro – Adagio, Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), arr. Jan Vermulst

Opening Hymn 493 – O for a thousand tongues to sing, Tune: Azmon

Hebrew Scripture  Deuteronomy 18.15-20

Sequence Hymn 536 – God has spoken to his people, Tune: Torah Song

Gospel  Mark 1.14-20

Offertory Anthem O Saviour of the World, John Goss (1800-1880) – Chancel Choir

Presentation Hymn 119 v. 1, Tune: Dix

Sanctus and Fraction Anthem: William Mathias

Music During Communion

     Hymn 339 – Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness, Tune: Schmucke dich
     Hymn 448 – O love, how deep, how broad, how high vv. 1-3, 6, Tune: Deus tuorum militum
     LEVAS 19 – Wayfaring Stranger, American Folk Song, arr. Horace Clarence Boyer

Closing Hymn 616 – Hail to the Lord’s Annointed, Tune: Es flog ein kleins Waldvogelein

Postlude  Concerto Grosso, Op. 6 No. 8, Vivace – Grave – Allegro, Arcangelo Corelli, arr. Jan Vermulst

From Paul Roberts Abernathy, Rector

My Dear Parish Family,

St. Mark’s is something of an anomaly.  Although a Christian congregation, we, in our communal practice, do not insist on uniformity of belief.  Our Mission Statement, in part, declares that we are “an open community, welcoming people wherever they are on their faith journey.”  This cardinal and cherished tenet of our life together has a distinct history, its root found in late 1950s-early 1960s period of the revival of what was then a moribund St. Mark’s.

Still, St. Mark’s also is an Episcopal congregation, one that is a part of the Diocese of Washington, which, in turn, is a part of the national Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA), which, in turn, is a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion centered in Canterbury, England, which traces its beginnings back to the Reformation period of the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

Hence, we walk a delicate balance, holding out our hand of welcoming inclusivity and, in our other hand, holding on to our Anglican/Episcopal heritage, one with a specific history and, thus, a way of understanding belief and ethics, theology and liturgy.

Sometimes I think that we do the former more earnestly than we know that latter.  To that end, I invite you to join me for an exploration of the history, theology, and liturgy of our particular branch of Christendom.  “What’s An Episcopalian?”, a 4-session course designed as a primer in preparation for Confirmation in the Episcopal Church, is also an opportunity for any of us to examine the 500-year old ground on which we stand.

The course schedule: Sundays of February 5, 12, March 4, 11, 2.00-4.00 PM, in the Adams.  (Fee: $25.00 voluntary contribution to defray costs.)

If you plan to attend (and I hope you do!), so I’ll know how many for whom to prepare, please send me an email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

As always, love and peace,

Paul

From Cecilia Monahan, Senior Warden

Greetings All,

This is the time of year when thoughts turn to Vestry service. I may be a little biased, having served for two very enjoyable years on the Vestry before beginning my wardenship, but I recommend highly serving on our parish policy body.

Vestry membership is, at St. Mark’s, comparatively light duty, but it is essential to the smooth running of our communal life. The Vestry meets on the third Sunday of each month except for August, which is meeting-free, and each member serves as liaison to one of our parish pillars: Outreach, Worship, Christian Education, the Arts and Parish Life, or to a standing committee, such as the Middle East Working Group. The Vestry deals with issues that affect the whole parish, including studying and approving the annual budget, the work of the Vision 2020 capital campaign, and charters for new organizations.

The St. Mark’s Annual Meeting is on Sunday, March 11, after one 10:00 am service, and voting is open to all pledging members. Activities for children and nursery care will be offered. We will elect three new Vestry members who will each serve a three-year term, and one Diocesan Delegate, who will serve a three-year term as well. The Senior and Junior Warden positions are open for a one-year term, but please know that Phil Guire and I are both prepared to serve for a second year, if the parish so wishes. As well as elections, there will be a community-wide discussion of the Vision 2020 Capital Campaign.

If you are pondering a run for the Vestry or Diocesan Delegate, please reach out to a member of the Nominating Committee: Vicki Street, Ed Corr, Susan Sedgewick, Jim Brooks, Ray Hahn, Erika Lehman, Cecilia Monahan, Phil Guire, Paul Abernathy (ex-officio) and Justi Schunior (ex-officio). Nominating forms will be available at the welcome table in the nave beginning this week and will be sent out electronically through the Yahoo group. Please check the service bulletin for more details as they become available.

Cecilia