St. Mark Lutheran Church

CrossBeams A publication of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Mount Prospect, Illinois

April 2014

Volume 53 Issue 4

Urubamba…Ollantaytambo…MachuPicchu…Sacsayhuaman…Cusco…Pachamama These souvenirs of my vacation are wonderful, tongue-rolling words from the Quechua language, spoken by indigenous highlanders in central Peru. The things they name are as fascinating as the words themselves: Urubamba, a market town and roaring, rapids-filled glacier-fed river; Ollantaytambo, royal estate and stronghold of the 15 th century Inka Pachacuti; Machu Picchu, sacred ceremonial retreat surrounded by Vilcamayo, the sacred river; Sacsayhuaman, zigzag walled fortress, maybe of Illapa, the thunder god; Cusco, puma-shaped city, navel of the world; and Pachamama, earth-mother, goddess of fertility. To go far away, to see the sites and hear the sounds of the destination, is true pleasure for me. But pleasure is not enough: wherever I land I look for links to where I’ve come from that help me understand where I am. I don’t look for similarities, so much as I look for parallels; not ‘we have this in common’, but ‘what you have here is like this what I have there’. That’s what I did on the afternoon Lanny got sick. Maybe it was bad guinea pig (a local delicacy) at lunch, maybe it was altitude sickness; no matter, he was bedbound in Cusco while I off to the highlands. After standing awestruck beneath the towering, 200 ton megaliths of Sacsayhuaman, I went to a healing ceremony led by a Quechua shaman, the curandero; I thought, “Oh, like doctor, like pastor.” He handed three coca leaves to me, told me to blow on them three times while asking for my needs to be met; I thought, “Oh…three…the sacred number, sky, earth, sea; Father, Son, Holy Spirit.” Then he tapped me gently on head, back and legs with his chonta (wand) while murmuring sacred words; I thought, “Like a blessing.” As I laid my leaves in the sacred bundle, I prayed for Lanny’s recovery; our guide added three coca leaves in Lanny’s name and the ceremony continued. When all the leaves and sacred elements—spices, herbs, shells, earth and food—had been added, the shaman wrapped the bundle with wool cord and burned it, waving the smoke in all directions; I thought, “Like the psalm: let my prayer rise up as incense before you, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141) When I returned to our room, Lanny was sitting up and feeling, much, much better, almost well, in fact. Maybe it was the antibiotic he’d taken that had done the trick; or…maybe it was the work of the curandero and our prayers that had brought about Lanny’s recovery. To effect Lanny’s cure, did God work through modern scientific means or through ancient spiritual means? I simply don’t know! What I do know is that all healing comes from God! Our God, too big to pigeon-hole or box up neatly, is beyond all human understanding. Our God, the God of all creation, is an awesome God whose ways are mysterious, yet marvelous. Thanks be to God!

See you in the pew!

Pr. Linnea

Notes from the Vicar Well, March is upon us, and we’ve seen the far side of fifty degrees Fahrenheit for the first time this year. The snow is (occasionally) melting, and we’ve begun to wake from the long dark Winter and look to the coming Spring and Summer. And as we awake from our hibernation of sorts, we pick back up some activities which we laid by the wayside during the winter and put renewed energy into the ones we maintained. I’ve been busier than ever around the church, planning worship, writing sermons, working with the youth, and even preparing to actually ‘gasp’ graduate in May—an event which for me has been a very, very long time coming. It’s been a challenge to balance everything I need to do with everything I want to do and still leave some time in my schedule to simply be. With the coming of spring, we can often become extremely excited and motivated to be more active and to fill the longer daylight hours with more planned activities. There are suddenly so many more options for things to do, it can be almost overwhelming! The return of light and warmth reaches us in a deep, primeval place and awakens our Spirit in new ways. During this time of excitement, we also practice a time of preparation and reflection in the season of Lent. This journey that we undertake each year can be a time for us to focus some of that renewed spirit inward, and use it to return to God’s call for us in our lives. Lent is often seen a season of guilt—of making ourselves feel bad by focusing on our sinfulness and need for repentance. However, this does not really reflect the true purpose of Lent. The goal of self-examination is not guilt and shame, but rather a sense of need for God’s presence in our lives, and a renewed understanding of the meaning of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. Lent is a complicated tradition in the church, and one which too often is rejected whole because of a misunderstood purpose. As we proceed through this season together, and as we prepare for our Lord’s death and ultimate resurrection on Easter, it might be fruitful to set aside some time to reflect not only on our human nature as both Sinners and Saints, but also on Lent itself, and the role it plays (or doesn’t play!) in our lives. Through opportunities like our midweek worship, we can come together and support one another in re-dedicating ourselves to God’s Word. The story doesn’t end with guilt, just as Jesus’ story didn’t end on the cross. So, as you look outside, and watch the snow disappear with excitement and relief, let the changes in the world be a reflection of changes in your heart—let your Spirit renew and fill you up as you go forth in the Light of Christ. Amen! Yours in Christ, Niles Thoughts from the Loft You’ve all heard me improvising quite a lot recently. It’s something I enjoy very much. You may wonder how I do it. What exactly is the art of improvisation? I almost always base my improvisations on hymn tunes. When doing this, I take the text and the harmonies of the hymn into consideration. A knowledge of music theory, or the nuts and bolts of music, is necessary. However, the necessity to take risks in order to create coherent pieces of music is essential. All of this must be done with Grace. I hope you enjoy these Lenten and Easter seasons, times which fill us all with music that gives us peaceful, hopeful delight. In Christ’s name, Tim

SpringFest 2014

What’s Happening in Youth & Family Ministry? Christian Ed is for All Ages WOW & Children’s Church meet the needs of preschool-5th graders. On Wednesday afternoons, we watch a short movie clip of a New Testament story from the Holy Moly curriculum, have discussion and do a craft/activity to go along with the story. In Children’s Church on Sunday mornings, we review the stories introduced at WOW. The children also participate in activities and/or crafts. FaithWalk , our confirmation program, is on Wednesday nights, where we are also studying the New Testament. Large group sessions are lead by Pastor Carl Anderson, Bob Schultz, Rich Adam, Paul Erbe, Pastor Linnea Wilson and Vicar Niles Eastman. Eleven FaithWalk students, and four adult chaperones, participated in the Youth Quake retreat at the end of January. Special thanks to Diane Mockenhaupt, Joni Beaudry, Jill Galyon and Vicar Niles for being chaperones! Thank you for the great congregational support during our fundraisers – Jam & Jelly Sale and the Bake Sale. All proceeds were used to help offset the cost of the retreat. Shine!, for high schoolers, meets on Sunday nights for food, faith, fellowship and fun! Shine! has been helping pack for the Backpack Ministry. Thanks! Peace be with you! Jill Galyon, Interim Youth Coordinator

On April 27th, the parents of the youth of St. Mark will host our 2nd SpringFest at the Center. This event is a wonderful opportunity to gather the community for food, fun and fellowship; proceeds go toward the annual TeenServe mission trip, Leadership Lab, 2015 Youth Quake and Retreat. SpringFest features games, food, raffles and entertainment for all ages! To make this event a great success there are 3 ways you can help: Donate your time! Come participate by joining a committee. Donate a raffle prize/basket! Do you have a flair for putting together a gift basket or just want to donate some items to make one, we need YOU. We are looking for sports items – game tickets, spirit wear, etc.; gift certificates; something you made – jewelry, purses, candles, etc; electronics; stuffed animals. Or sponsor a game – donate cash and signage of your generosity will be displayed. Contact Karen Fleming at [email protected] or 847-490-7702. Bring your friends and family! Get the word out so that this is a huge success.

A tisket, a tasket, let's fill a Head Start Easter basket! LSSI has asked us to help fill the baskets for children at its Rogers Park program. Last year we filled 64-surely we can do it again! Add your goodies to the basket in the Great Room hallway; or fill a pew envelope and mark it "BASKET". Items to include: small stuffed animals, colored pencils, washable markers, puzzles for small hands, wrapped candies, empty eggs, grass, baskets, Matchbox cars, bubbles, books, and bright socks.

CrossBeams

CALENDAR Tuesday, April 8, 3-8pm Lenten Evening of Prayer for Women Sanctuary, Great Room, narthex Friday, April 11, 12 noon Lutheran World Relief Spring Luncheon Manzo’s Banquets Reservations due April 1, $23 Contact Mary Ann Anderson, 847-394-0639

“Thinking Globally, Acting Locally”

Guest Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Dean Lueking Wed. & Tues., April 16 & 22 Quilting -- 2nd floor, Education wing Call Mary Ann Anderson, 847-394-0639 for times. Friday, May 2, 12:30pm May Friendship Day Potluck

“Through God Our Hands Can Serve” Elk Grove Presbyterian Church

Sunday, May 4, 11am – 1pm Rachel’s Day Awareness and Picnic outside at the Center

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + An Invitation from Metro Chicago Synod Women of the ELCA President

“If you are looking for a Christian organization that promotes the well-being of women and children and at the same time make new friends and have a good time, this is the organization for you …. We want women to connect with other women in our synod, exchange ideas and learn what possibilities are out there for Christian women in our society.”

April 2014

Especially for Young Women Café E-zine Do you tend to think of Women of the ELCA as an organization for “older” ladies? Take a few minutes to check out Café, an online magazine geared to young adult women – boldcafe.org. For ten years it has been a resource for young women who want to talk about their faith and their lives. Give it a try – see what you think!

Young Church Women United Leadership Retreat

Calling all young women! Mark your calendar for July 18-20 to be part of the second young women leadership retreat at the Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center in Lincoln Park. Are you currently active in Church Women United, your church or your denomination? Are you told you are a great leader or want to focus on what is important to you? Then you fit the qualifications to attend the retreat. Questions and interests can be sent to [email protected].

Treat Yourself to Spiritual Refreshment Don’t miss the chance to join with more than 1000 other ELCA women from across the country! Women of the ELCA 9th Triennial Gathering

“Of Many Generations”

Charlotte, North Carolina Thursday-Sunday, July 24-27, 2014 Speakers, worship, workshops Servant events, films, exhibit hall More info available at welcatg.org. Contact Gail Radtke, 847-255-297

It’s

CLOSET CLEANING

Time!

Holy Family resale depends on us to fill their shop. On-the-Spot pick-up, St. Mark parking lot, April 6, 7:3- to 11:30 am (before and after worship). Newer electronics ok, no T-shirts or shoes. Large item pick-up available—ask Pr. Linnea

What’s Happening in our GLOCAL church

Go to the ELCA website for details and information. www.ELCA.org/global-link

An Invitation: “A Lenten Evening Of Prayer For Women” Tuesday April 8, 2014 For All Women of Faith. 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm Open House In the Great Room & Sanctuary

MEN’S MINISTRY Men's Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner Friday May 2, 2014 At The St Mark Center 6:00 pm: The doors open 7:00 pm: Dinner is served Tickets: $35 each person Watch for more information.

Guest Column

Everyone is invited to submit an item of interest Send us an article for the next issue![we reserve the right to edit for space and/or content] “They may be poor, but they are not poor in spirit.” --Pepe On a recent trip to Peru, our goal was to visit Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Located in the Andes Mountains 8,000 feet above sea level, it was a challenge to reach. Our guide Pepe was trustworthy and attentive, so there were very few legitimate concerns as we traversed the rugged terrain. With travel fears minimized, we could focus on the journey, because as is often the case, the journey was at least as important as the destination. Along the way, we were struck by the beauty and majesty of Peru, but equally impressed by the joy of the people despite the deep poverty in that developing nation. Indeed, as I reflect upon much of my travels—both as missionary and tourist—many of the happiest people I have met have also been the poorest. In most cases, one could emphatically say, as Pepe did about his Peruvian brothers and sisters “They may be poor, but they are not poor in spirit”. Being poor is something most of us try to avoid since hunger, homelessness, and vulnerabilityto-predators are often a natural consequence of that state of being. Since having money seems to equate with freedom and security, many of us spend lifetimes in the pursuit of poverty avoidance and wealth accumulation. After Pepe made his statement about “poor in spirit”, I had a nagging memory about a similar phrase in the Bible. There is a type of poor to which Jesus referred in His Sermon on the Mount. It had nothing to do with earthly wealth, but everything to do with the priceless reward that is “the kingdom of heaven”. Acquire wealth, or not, but focus on becoming the poor in spirit. There is a paradox at work here. If people are financially poor, they do not have to be poor in spirit. Yet, whether wealthy or poor, we should strive to be poor in spirit. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ list of Beatitudes included, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” I was confused! Was it good or bad to be “poor in spirit”? Here’s my best effort to clarify this apparent discrepancy: just because someone is poor does not mean that he or she must conduct their life without vitality. Some of the most vital people I have read about were some of the poorest. Two examples are Mother Theresa and St. Francis of Assisi. When Jesus spoke of “the poor in spirit”, He was referring to those who acknowledge that we are spiritually bankrupt without God. It is the opposite of the arrogant and self-confident who treat God as irrelevant; and it is not the haughty ones who have it all figured out. Being humble, acknowledging God’s ownership of everything, having an attitude of gratitude and of service— these are the qualities that Jesus blessed with the title of the poor in spirit. As we continue our healthy spiritual journey, may we be filled with vitality and happiness no matter what our financial situation; but may we also humbly acknowledge our spiritual poverty without God. Then, no matter what our financial circumstances, our reward is the kingdom of heaven because Jesus has called us the poor in spirit. In God’s Love,

Lanny Wilson

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

-- Matthew 5:3

Lent Continues: Wednesday April 2 Wednesday April 2 Wednesday April 2 Wednesday April 2 Wednesday April 2 Wednesday April 2 Wednesday April 2 Wednesday April 2 Friday April 11 Saturday April 12

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9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

11:00 am Lenten Worship 11:30 am Lunch 12:00 pm Lenten Study 7:00 pm Lenten Worship 5:45 pm Soup Supper 6:30 pm FaithWalk 7:00 pm Lenten Worship 7:00 pm Lenten Study 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross 9:00 am First Communion Class

Holy Week: Passion Sunday April 13 12:00 Palm Sunday Passion Sunday April 13 8:00 am Chapel Service Passion Sunday April 13 10:00 am Worship Wednesday April 16 11:00 am Lenten Study Wednesday April 16 7:00 Pm Lenten Study Thursday April 17 7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Worship Friday April 18 7:00 pm Good Friday Worship Easter Sunday April 20 7:30 am Easter Sunday Chapel Service Easter Sunday April 20 8:45 am Easter Breakfast Easter Sunday April 20 10:00 am Easter Sunday Worship ------------------------------------------------tear off to give a friend!----------------Lent Continues: Wednesday April 2 & 9 11:00 am Lenten Worship Wednesday April 2 & 9 11:30 am Lunch Wednesday April 2 & 9 12:00 pm Lenten Study Wednesday April 2 & 9 7:00 pm Lenten Worship Wednesday April 2 & 9 5:45 pm Soup Supper Wednesday April 2 & 9 6:30 pm FaithWalk Wednesday April 2 & 9 7:00 pm Lenten Worship Wednesday April 2 & 9 7:00 pm Lenten Study Friday April 11 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross Saturday April 12 9:00 am First Communion Class Holy Week: Passion Sunday April 13 12:00 Palm Sunday Passion Sunday April 13 8:00 am Chapel Service Passion Sunday April 13 10:00 am Worship Wednesday April 16 11:00 am Lenten Study Wednesday April 16 7:00 Pm Lenten Study Thursday April 17 7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Worship Friday April 18 7:00 pm Good Friday Worship Easter Sunday April 20 7:30 am Easter Sunday Chapel Service Easter Sunday April 20 8:45 am Easter Breakfast Easter Sunday April 20 10:00 am Easter Sunday Worship

St. Mark Lutheran Church 200 South Wille Street Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056-3121 April 2014

St. Mark Lutheran Church 847/253-0631 Fax 847/253-0631 [email protected] Lead Pastor Vicar Music Director Parish Administrator Preschool Director

Staff Linnea Wilson Niles Eastman Timothy Spelbring Nancy Hundley Kris Lebrecht

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Sunday Worship Chapel Service ~ 8 am Worship Service ~ 10 am Fellowship/Education Hour 9 am Office Hours Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Friday 8:30 am – 12 pm noon