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November 15, 2026
9:45 AM English Worship
in person, on Facebook and YouTube
11:00 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM Confirmation
11:00 AM Watch & Pray
12:15 PM Spanish Worship
in person, on Facebook and YouTube
| | Flowers from November 8, 2026 | | |
November 15, 2026
Kay Graff for the gift of children: son Christopher and daughter Andrea.
Nancy Hartman in honor of son-in-law John Roby’s birthday.
Frank and Trudy Stellar in celebration of Christine Stellar Foss’ birthday.
William Turner, Jr. in loving memory of his mother Marie-Louise Turner.
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St. Mark's Lutheran Church
Congregation Meeting
Sunday, November 15, 2026
1:30 PM
Agenda
1. St. Mark’s Montessori School report
2. Presentation on Facilities Reserve Study
3. Approval of updated St. Mark's constitution to reflect the Model Constitution for Congregations adopted by the ELCA in 2025
4. Election of 2027 Council members
5. Approval of 2027 budget and report of Finance Committee
Council candidates: bios
Bill Turner
Bill is currently Council president. He also sings in the chancel choir, plays handbells, and serves as an assisting minister. He is a former teacher, librarian, and administrator and is now a licensed DC tour guide with Guide Service of Washington. He is a native Washingtonian. He has been a member of St. Mark’s since 2022.
Richard Sienkiewicz
Rich is a native Northern Virginian, including being a proud alumnus of Lynbrook Elementary School. He served in the US Army for 5 years, with tours in West Berlin and Ft Bragg, NC. He has worked as a private practice dentist, an operations director at PBS, and a patient care coordinator at Inova Alexandria Hospital. He is thankful to have found St Mark's.
Diane Tucker
Diane retired with 30+ years’ experience in leadership roles in federal facilities management, real estate, strategic planning and budget at the Pentagon Facilities Directorate, Department of Commerce and Department of Navy. Currently she serves on the Church Property Committee.
St. Marks Lutheran is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Congregation Meeting
Time: Nov 15, 2026 01:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89393019071?pwd=URIoodyxyguIgHzYjTnQfCH9qA6Y7i.1
Meeting ID: 893 9301 9071
Passcode: 5800
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Constitution Update Notice
This announcement serves as notice to the Congregation about proposed changes to the St. Mark’s Constitution for approval at the November 15, 2026 Congregation Meeting, under the change process of section *C16.04 of the Constitution. The Congregation will be asked to approve changes to bring our Constitution into conformance with the ELCA 2025 Model Constitution for Congregations, which was approved by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August 2025.
The full announcement, including background information and proposed changes can be found [here].
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Update on St. Mark’s Security Cameras
St. Mark’s new outdoor security cameras are installed and working!
| The cameras help provide greater peace of mind and security for our congregation, school families, staff, and visitors. They are another step toward keeping St. Mark’s safe while maintaining a welcoming environment for everyone. | |
The cameras cover key outdoor areas and may help discourage unwanted activity. Although no one watches the cameras around the clock, recordings can be reviewed if something happens. We are also putting procedures in place for accessing recordings and identifying whom to contact during and after business hours.
If you have questions, please contact Rodney Pendleton or a member of the Property Committee.
| From Lutheran Church of the Covenant | |
St. Mark’s is again helping ECHO by sponsoring individual families with a Thanksgiving meal, by purchasing and mailing a gift card directly to the designated family. Linda Vretos (703-455-4841 – cvretos@cox.net) will have a list of clients to receive the cards from St. Mark’s members and guidelines for suggested dollar amounts. The cards should arrive at the client’s home by November 21. There will be a separate list of clients for the Christmas meals, available after December 1. Your help is appreciated by ECHO as we continue this long-standing ECHO tradition.
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Save The Date: Giving Tuesday, December 1st
See this graphic for a description of Thrivent’s $3 Million nationwide campaign to match donations made via their giving platform on Tuesday, December 1, 2026. You don’t need to be a Thrivent member to donate using their platform. Details on how to donate will be provided as we get closer to the date. You can support St. Mark’s and/or the Life Center: both are registered giving partner organizations for Thrivent.
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Everyday Peacemaking
Bring Shalom to Your
Corner of the World
Join us on Saturday, Nov. 21, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
5800 Backlick Road
Springfield, VA 22150
Suggested donation $15 includes lunch.
Register by email to yvettemoy@hotmail.com
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Brian Newman
At 20 years old as a college student Brian had a dramatic conversion to Christ, which launched him into a life of serving God overseas for 20 years and now in the United States. He has worked in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and elsewhere for over 25 years.
In 2011, Brian founded The Isaac Ishmael Initiative to bring together the three monotheistic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Ashraf Atieh
Born and raised in a Middle Eastern family, Ashraf practiced Law for a number of years before going into ministry. He wrote theological courses for Muslim background people in the Middle East and North Africa. Since moving to the US and becoming part of The Isaac Ishmael Initiative team, he presents an understanding of Middle Eastern culture, customs, and faith.
Everyday Peacemaking Bring Shalom to Your Corner of the World
In a divided world, peace can feel out of reach. Every Day Peacemaking offers a biblical framework and four practical dimensions: perspective, proximity, presence and practice. Discover how to build redemptive relationships, embrace differences and bring shalom to your family, community and corner of the world.
Join us Nov. 21, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at St. Mark’s to hear Brian Newman, director of Isaac-Ishmael Initiative and his associate Ashraf Atieh. Suggested donation $15 that includes lunch. Register with an email to yvettemoy@hotmail.com
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2026: Filled Christmas Stockings for
Children of Wise and Hazard
Once again, we want to ensure that impoverished children in Wise and Hazard get some Christmas smiles from our filled Christmas Stockings, sewn by St. Mark’s Quilts and More. Larger toys, board games, and fun items/toiletries are also welcome; even toys in good condition that are no longer “in play” will find a new home where they will be cherished! Of course, warm socks, hats, mittens, and hooded sweatshirts (any size) are also appreciated.
Here are some ideas—many fun items can be found at your local dollar store:
Children’s books
Small toys/matchbox cars
Lego kits
Stuffed animals
Yo-yos
Puzzles
Slinky
Play dough
Pads of paper/Colored Pencils
Crayons/coloring books
Dolls/action figures
Toothpaste and toothbrushes (child soft)
Chapstick
Tube socks (small child- teenager)
Bins marked for Wise/Hazard are now in the Narthex. If you would like to contribute dollars, please so note on your check made out to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and I’ll purchase coloring books and other toys. Please note the date change for the end of the collection period is now Sunday, November 22. Sorting/packing will take place on Tuesday, November 24; any volunteers to help do this will be greatly appreciated. Please notify Linda Pendleton if you can help.
Thanks so much for helping these children feel valued by having a little something special for them at Christmas.
~ Linda Pendleton
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Birthdays This Week:
Nov 15: Colleen Clark, Wendy Sheaffer, Bonnie Vigil
Nov 16: Sofia Alvarenga Espinal
Nov 17: Kenia Espinal
Nov 18: Kyra Langwiser, Olivia Milly Mantilla
Nov 19: Gayle Parsons
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Birthdays Next Week:
Nov 23: Alice Haupt, Allison Hernandez‑Cardenas, Marlys Renner
Nov 25: Tony Bovill
Nov 28: Lori Barnes
Nov 29: John Powers
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PRAYER LIST
Angela Argueta –Dave Appler—Joyce Langley—Bob Webb—Alexandra Davis, friend of the Quesenberry’s—Patrick, relative of Kay Graff—Ryan and Carrie Dalessi, cousin of Alice Real—Oscar José Araujo Mejia—Kimberly, niece of Angela Argueta—Chuck and Sadie Light—Yariel Canas and family—Jamine, sister of Marta Fuentes—Cheryl Richardson—Pr Judy Chapman, friend of the Triolos—Jenny De la O—Sara Escobar—Estebana, grandmother of Oscar Polacios—Don Whitley—Marta Fuentes—Jennifer Willet, niece of Edie and Peter Weekly—Andy Winesett, son-in-law of Jane Zuidema—Willie Robinson, cousin of Cheryl Dwyer—for all who suffer from natural disasters—an end to unrest, conflict, and war around the world; and peace and protection for the armed forces and their families—the grieving families and friends of Liseth Reyes, family of Angela and Juan Argueta; Tim Gray, family of Kay Graff; Ilene Solenberger, wife of former member John Solenberger; Michael Forest, friend of Edie Weekly; Sue Moorefield, former member of St. Mark’s; Barbara Barrett, friend of Cheryl Dwyer; Barbara Norine.
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It’s time to renew our support for St. Mark’s flower ministry. Flower dedications make possible the outstanding floral displays that grace the chancel area every week. These dedications are an opportunity to lift up a loved one or special occasion, or simply acknowledge the glory of God. Flower dedication forms are available in the narthex and at this link. A donation of $25.00 is requested for each dedication. Please return the completed form(s) to the church office by December 15 with a check payable to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for the total donation for all dedications.
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Dwelling in the Word Bible Study
Our Thursday morning Dwelling in the Word Bible Study meet on Thursdays at 10:30 AM, via Zoom. (The link is on St. Mark’s website calendar.) We are continuing with the study of the Gospel of Matthew. No prior Bible knowledge is required to participate in these engaging conversations as we seek the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, information about the texts, and transformation of our lives that we might more fully live into the image and likeness of God we were created to be.
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Men’s Bible Study
The Men's Breakfast and Bible Study group is reading the Gospel according to Matthew and invites all men, young and old, to join us each Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM for a stimulating journey into the Scriptures. We meet in the Lounge and via Zoom (see the link on the church calendar on our website) and enjoy a light breakfast of pastries, coffee, and other treats.
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Midweek Eucharistic Liturgies
Wednesdays at 10:45 AM
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