Every year, June 20, celebrates World Refugee Day. This year, the day is very different because in January the U.S. State Department issued a stop work order which ended all refugee resettlement and placement in our country. This not only denied people who had been waiting in refugee camps for years the chance to immigrate but it also cut off support for refugees already lawfully resettled in the U.S. This change is contrary to Christian beliefs and practices and to the position of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. Jesus said, “I was a stranger,and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35).

When the change occurred, Global Refuge (new name for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) was serving 6000 refugees legally admitted to this country who depend on it for
housing, food, job placement, and other services. Global Refuge president and CEO Krish O’MaraVignarajah stated, “We will not abandon our mission or the people who rely on
us.”

Because the elimination of government funding not only threatens refugees already here but also the work of Global Refuge which has resettled over 800,000 people in its 85-year history, the St. Mark Social Justice Group has launched a fundraising Web page for
members, members’ relatives, friends, and other people of good will to contribute to the work of Global Refuge.

The Web page initiative is called “St. Mark Refugee Support.” If you or someone you know feels moved, you may contribute any amount. To contribute, click on
https://secured.globalrefuge.org/p2p/site/epSWg/page/2bSwP1/st-mark-refugee-support

This campaign will continue until “God’s Work. Our HandsSunday,” September 14.

Click here for details.

Are you interested in officially becoming a member of St. Mark? We are gathering people to be welcomed as new members and would love for you to be a part of it! Contact the Church Office. 

Children's Christian Education Programs

(September - May)

Contact the Church Office for information on this program.

FaithWalk - Confirmation Program for 6th-8th grade is a collaberation between St. Mark Lutheran Church, Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church. The class meets on Mondays from 4:30pm-6pm.

Taking Faith Home are weekly flyers that are a simple tool to help your family extend their faith formation practices at home. Based on the worship scripture text for the week, each flyer contains faith-building scripture, activities and devotions to help you and your family share and live your faith together during the week. Attached are the Taking Faith Home flyers:

June 22 - 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

June 29 - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost

July 6 - 4th Sunday after Pentecost

July 13 - 5th Sunday after Pentecost

The St. Mark Book Club welcomes all readers of all ages. We meet at 1:00 PM in the Library at St. Mark on the 4th Monday each month, with the exception of December. We read a variety of books and authors and have lively discussions each month.

St. Mark Book Club 2025 Reading List

July 28 - The Lioness of Boston

by Emily Franklin
August 25 - The Lion Women of Tehran

by Marjan Kamali

September 22 - When Crickets Cry

by Mikki Brammer

July Adult Ed Forums look at Christian responses to Political Polarization

Have you heard comments such as these recently? “Our country has never been so divided since the Civil War.” “I don’t trust Republicans.” “Democrats are the problem because they are too liberal!”

How do you respond to these? Does our Christian faith offer tools to address them? Can you be a peacemaker, as Christ encourages, even if you have your own political biases?

On Sundays July 20 and July 27, the Adult Forums will look at Christian responses to political polarization. The purposes of these two sessions are tounderstand why political polarization is a moral problem for Christians, how Christian teaching can help to combat polarization, and to identify ways we can be peacemakers and bridge the gaps between people who hold different
viewpoints.

The first session on July 20 will define “toxic political polarization” and why it is a problem for Christians. It will offer two Christian moral teachingsfor dealing with it and it will help us assess our own political actions and
attitudes.

The second session on Sunday, July 27, will offer three general suggestions for ways our faith can help us combat toxic polarization. It will present how tolearn and practice specific skills that Christians can use in conversations and
will offer three basic things Christians can do.

These very timely, practical sessions draw onthe work of the non-partisan organization Braver Angels. Be “Green and Growing in Faith”!

Here is a list of activities
that are currently scheduled:

Thanks to everyone who participated in B(OLDER) U this past year. Although our program is over for the season, the
Village of Mt. Prospect continues to offer activities for seniors that you are
encouraged to participate in.

Fit 4 Life Fitness Programs

Fridays at 10:00 am in the Farley Community Room at Village Hall

● 1st Friday of Month - Zumba Gold Chair Exercise

● 2nd, 4th, & 5th Fridays - Seated Exercise with Village Nurse

● 3rd Friday -Whole Body Wellness

Exercise programs are for Mt. Prospect residents only.

Aging in Mt. Prospect - What Families Need to Know

Thursday, July 17 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Village of Mt. Prospect Board Room at Village Hall. You are invited to join us to learn about the village’s aging in community initiative and discover valuable resources to support the aging
journey. A formal presentation will be followed by a resource fair. Registration is required

847-870-5680.

If there is a topic for a lunch and learn you would like to suggest, please contact

Linda Olson or the church office.

Lunch will be served once a month following worship. Join us on July 13 to enjoy summer. A free will offering willbe collected to help cover expenses. Come by for food, fun and fellowship!
Anyone interested in assisting with the BBQs or providing a salad or dessert for any of these BBQs, please contact Kim Perlich. Future BBQ dates: August 17

We are just missing some photos of you – our members! It is important to have as many pictures as possible in the
directory to assist the new pastor, when called, to get to know us!

If you have not done so already,please submit a photo via email to the church office – stmarkmp@stmarkmp.orgby Tuesday, July 22. If you need your picture taken, Barb Bloomquist will be available on Sunday, July 20, before and immediately after worship to take your picture, just show up.

Quilters(knotters) will take a break for July and August due to the heat.

For more information, contact the Church Office 847-253-0631.

Monday, July 21 at 7pm

in the Library

This Bible Study meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7pm.

Monday, July 21 at 7pm

in the Great Room

Finishing the study of Esther using Beth Moore's study - Esther - It's tough being a woman. This Bible Study meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7pm.

Sunday, July 27

following worship

Olive Oil, Coffee, Chocolate & more

Saturday, August 2 at 6:30pm

Jameson’s Charhouse, 1702 Algonquin Rd., Mount Prospect. RSVP to Kim Perlich by Monday, July 28

Sunday, August 17, 11am-1pm
$10 per Adult, Kids Free
in the St. Mark Parking Lot

Burgers and Hot Dogs cooked on the St. Mark Grill and Ice Cream from Brain Freeze Ice Cream Cart. Musical Entertainment by Calaloo –fusion mix of Caribbean & Latin music - and our own Tim Spelbring playing
Broadway Show tunes. Come join the fun! You don’t want to miss this!

Sunday, October 5, 2025
at the St. Mark Center
Tickets now on sale Sundays in the Narthex

Doors open at Noon –
Bunco begins at 1pm
$25 per ticket thru September 15;
$30 per ticket after that
Make checks payable to BCRF (Breast Cancer Research Foundation)
Must be 18 years old to play

Contact Janice Serafini for more information