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October 25, 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 October 18, 2026 | | |
October 25, 2026
Nan Ackerman in loving memory of her aunt, Mildred Smith Schmeltz.
The Black family in loving memory of their parents, Marjorie and Gary Black.
Mary Lou Carroll in loving memory of Bobby Carroll.
Nancy Hartman in celebration of Jennifer and Tom Denner’s anniversary.
The Kalmar family in loving memory of Jack’s father, John Kalmar, Sr.
Chris and Janet Michaelsen in loving memory of Chris’ paternal grandmother, Agnes Schroeder Michaelsen.
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End-of-October Military Packages Collection
Sunday, November 1 will be the official collection day for our end-of-October collection—we are stretching the date just a bit so you can get rid of any leftover Halloween candy, get it out of your house and on its way to some hungry, homesick deployed troops! You know you can always leave items in the box on second floor by the office.
This month, we are sending to a group of deployed Air Force folks. This is what their commander, Lt. Col. Ted Ornelas, says: We are the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, in an Undisclosed Location. Eight squadrons provide vital installation and mission support to numerous combat mission generation force elements across two diverse operating locations. The team of military professionals integrates security forces, civil engineering, base communications, logistics readiness, medical services, force support, and operational acquisition to directly enable the warfighter. Additionally, the Group provides crash and structural fire protection services, base defense, advance lifesaving medical response, leads base emergency management support, and directs explosive ordnance disposal.
We will be grateful for anything you are able to send. American snacks (such as cookies, brownies, candy, coffee, and jerky) are hard to come by, and toiletries are always very welcome.
I will pass the packages along to my First Sergeant and Chaplains to ensure the items are distributed to our younger airmen, who might be on their first deployment.
This is why we do this—especially happy to be sending to young troops away from home for the first time—thank you very much, from them and from us!
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Women of St. Mark’s are again invited to attend one of our meetings—you will be warmly welcomed! We meet in small groups monthly, with “combined” meetings in December and May. (Tabitha meets year round.)
Esther Circle will meet at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, November 4 at the Friendship House. Nan will be hostess and provide the Bible study from the Fall 2026 Gather magazine—Session 2, “Bold Faith on an Unexpected Journey.”
Deborah Circle will meet on Wednesday, November 4 at 7:00 PM via ZOOM. Cindy will lead the program from the Fall 2026 Gather magazine—Session 2, “Bold Faith on an Unexpected Journey.”
Martha Circle will meet in the lounge (with ZOOM available) on Tuesday, November 10 (due to Election day) at 10:00 AM. Mary Lou will be hostess and Linda will lead the program from the Summer 2026 Gather magazine—Session 3, “I am worthy because you are.”
Tabitha will continue to meet every other Friday night at 7:00 PM at Friendship House. They continue to support all members with hope for the future.
WELCA also sponsors a “monthly project” to support causes about which we feel strongly. For November, our project will be In-kind gifts for stockings/other needs for children in Wise, VA and Hazard, KY.
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Help to Welcome Our Visitors!
The Welcome Committee is looking for a few friendly souls to greet visitors as they arrive on Sunday mornings.
We identify potential visitors (with help from the ushers!), give a warm friendly welcome, hand out Information Packets, and answer any questions. Visitors may fill out a contact card before they leave if they are interested.
The time commitment is minimal, just one Sunday per month. No meetings required, just the reward of meeting new people and sharing our enthusiasm for St. Mark’s with them.
Please talk to Kathy or Bill Dinnison for more information.
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Support for Yariel’s Cancer Treatment
You heard it mentioned in church on Sunday that Yariel’s family has requested financial assistance with his cancer treatment medication. He has been responding well to the therapy, but the bills are adding up. If you feel led to help carry some of the financial burden, you can make a check payable to St. Mark's and indicate Canas Support in the memo or follow this link for online giving.
https://secure.myvanco.com/YM6H/campaign/C-16KWE
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Stewardship Corner—Please Check Your Electronic Giving
If you contribute to St. Mark’s via the “Donate Online” button, your online payment is processed by Vanco. There are two things we suggest that you look at in your Vanco giving:
Processing Fees
Vanco charges St. Mark’s with a 2.7% processing fee for credit card donations, and only 1% for the bank account direct payment.
- If you can choose the Bank Account option instead of Credit Card payment, more of your donated dollars will reach St. Mark's.
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If you choose the option labeled “I would like to help offset the processing fees associated with online giving”, it will increase your payment above the amount you entered, offsetting the processing fees. This option is selected by default.
Your e-mail receipt from support@vanco.com does not tell you how much of your donation went to processing fees: this is seen only when you make your donation selection online.
Is your Vanco payment on autopilot?
For some of us who set up automatic recurring payments, it has been a while since we adjusted the amount of those payments. We would like to encourage all of our members, no matter how they donate, to consider increasing our donations for each new year to keep up with inflation! While the automatic payments let us “set it and forget it,” we recommend having a periodic look at those saved payments.
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Save the Date - November 15 - Congregation Meeting
Please make plans to attend our Congregation Meeting on Sunday, November 15, at 1:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. The Congregation Meeting will take place both in person at St. Mark’s and via Zoom. We need your participation to ensure that we have quorum. Zoom login information and agenda details to be provided as we get closer to the date.
At this meeting, we will vote to:
- Approve the 2027 St. Mark’s Operating Budget.
- Approve changes to the St. Mark’s Constitution, to bring it into conformance with the latest ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations. See related announcement below.
- Elect Congregation Council Members.
- Approve other business to be announced.
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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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Family Movie Night — Everyone’s Invited!
Gather the whole family and join us for a fun-filled movie night on Friday, October 30, at 7:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall!
We’ll be watching Disney and Pixar’s Coco (rated PG)—a colorful, heartwarming adventure celebrating family, music, and the memories that connect us.
All ages are welcome, so bring your family and friends for a great movie and a wonderful evening together!
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White House Ornament Sale
Sunday, October 25- Sunday, November 1
St. Mark's Youth are selling White House Ornaments again this year as a fundraiser. The 2026 ornaments commemorate America's 250th Anniversary and cost $25 each. Pre-order online or in the narthex on 10/18, 10/25, and 11/1. All orders must be placed by November 1. Payment (cash or check made out to St. Mark's Lutheran Church) is due at time of pick up, either after the 11/15 congregational meeting or by arrangement with the church office. Proceeds benefit the St. Mark's youth activities.
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Birthdays This Week:
Oct 26: Kay Graff
Oct 27: Lynn Mazzello, Brian Meiser
Oct 31: Nancy Mower, Margit Tumbleson
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Birthdays Next Week:
Nov 1: Peter Weekly
Nov 2: Mileidy Guardado
Nov 7: Janet Michaelsen, Bruce Wahl
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PRAYER LIST
Chris Michaelsen—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—Barbara Norine—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.
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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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Midweek Eucharistic Liturgies
Wednesdays at 10:45 AM
We will commemorate St. Cyprian of Carthage,
d. Sept. 14, 258
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Please Participate in Scouting for Food November 14
Scouting for Food is Scouting America National Capital Area Council’s largest annual community service project. Its aim is to help feed families in need by collecting non-perishable food and distributing it to local food pantries and food banks throughout the Washington, DC region. ECHO will receive the collected donations of local troops. Its success will help ECHO maintain food distribution for weeks to come if our community participates.
Here is how it works:
On Saturday, November 7, Scouts will distribute notices at homes throughout their communities to let people know about the food drive and provide specific instructions for each neighborhood.
On Saturday, November 14, Scouts will return to those homes to collect the bags/boxes of food donations and deliver them to the designated non-profit food pantry. ECHO is designated for donations from our community.
Participation helps those in need and inspires young Scouts to continue in community service, living out the Scout Oath “to help other people at all times."
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CROP Walk on November 8
Part of the proceeds from the Burke Fairfax CROP Walk will benefit ECHO’s work right here in our community. Join the hundreds of fellow community members who will walk to raise money and awareness of global hunger issues. You can find out details of the walk and how to register or donate at burkecropwalk.org.
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ECHO’s Current Needs
Right now, ECHO’s Food Pantry needs pasta sauce, canned fruit, rice, dry beans, cooking oil, pancake mix, canned meat, tuna, sardines, tomato sauce and paste.
As the chilly air returns to our area, please consider donating winter coats, hats, and gloves to keep everyone warm this winter. We are especially in need of adult coats and large-size coats for children. Just make sure that zippers zip and there are no stains or rips. Athletic shoes are always a high priority, too. If you have nearly new shoes that aren't quite right for you, they may be perfect for someone else.
ECHO’s Housewares Department needs 3- and 5-quart pots with lids, large frying pans with lids, towel sets, bathmats, and small kitchen appliances such as coffee makers, toasters, rice cookers, instapots, etc.
There are a few vacancies for weekly volunteers as well as some leadership opportunities. Needs change monthly. To discover the volunteer positions that are open now, and to reach the Volunteer Coordinator for more information, go to echo-inc.org, look for “Get Involved” at the top of the page and click on “Volunteer Opportunities” to find a job serving the community that might fit your schedule and your interests.
ECHO’s Donation Door is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Volunteers are there to assist donors and provide receipts for those who want them. ECHO is open one Saturday morning a month, and donors should check our website, echo-inc.org to determine which Saturday.
Give a Local Family the Gift of a Holiday Meal
To provide cheer at Thanksgiving and Christmas, ECHO matches donors with families who have expressed a desire to receive groceries for a holiday meal. Donors may deliver (uncooked) food that they purchase or send a food store gift card by mail so that families can shop for themselves. The groceries should be delivered, or cards should be mailed to arrive by November 22 for Thanksgiving and December 20 for Christmas. To sign up to sponsor a family, email Linda Vretos after November 1, or send a message through ECHO’s website, echo-inc.org. Click on Seasonal Programs under the Donate tab.
Holiday Gifts for Children
Each December, ECHO provides toys and gifts for children up through age 15 whose families are struggling financially. Donors can help with this happy program by donating new children's toys or teen gifts (not gift-wrapped, please) no later than FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4th. Donations can be delivered to our donation door (door #6) weekdays between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM, or Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Popular items are scooters with helmets, riding toys, and family board games, activities, art supplies and transformers. See a complete list of suggestions at ECHO’s website under the “Donate” tab.
Upcoming Dates to Note
October 31 - Yard Sale, St. Bernadette’s Gym
November 4 - Executive Committee Meeting
November 7 - Saturday Opening
November 8 - CROP Walk
November 11 - Closed for Veterans Day
November 16 - Board of Directors Meeting
November 21-22 - Thanksgiving Meal delivery deadline
November 26-27 Closed for Thanksgiving
December 5, 6, 8 - Holiday Toy Program
December 12 - Saturday Opening
December 19-20 - Christmas Meal delivery deadline
December 23-31, January 1 - Closed (reopening January 2)
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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 (currently in Chapter 13). 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 currently studying Matthew 5 and the Sermon on the Mount. Please save Wednesday mornings 9:00 AM-10:00 AM to join us for light breakfast, coffee, and Bible Study. We meet in the Lounge and via Zoom. (See the link on the church calendar on our website.)
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