Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
St. Mark's offices will be closed Thursday & Friday, November 23-24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
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THE COLLECT
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
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News of our Journey Together
Journey to Generosity Update
Last week, we reported that we were off to a great start in our Journey to Generosity season of giving. As of Thursday this past week, we had received 111 pledges toward our life together in 2018. Since we have experienced significant growth over the past year, we have determined that there is the potential of 240 giving units for 2018. Our goal for giving has been set at $400,000. We have received pledges of $337,848. We are very thankful to everyone who has made a pledge and sincerely ask that more of us commit to offering a financial pledge for 2018. The proposed budget for 2018 is $620,000. We ask that we all pray for the success of our stewardship season and that being as generous as possible will enable us to gratefully meet our financial commitments in the coming year. God bless you for your prayers and sharing of gifts so that we and others might have life.
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An easy way to be generous
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MORE WAYS TO GIVE TO ST. MARK'S
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Black Friday, Cyber Monday & Christmas are right around the corner! Why not shop and donate to St. Mark's at the same time!
Amazon Smile is when customers shop on AmazonSmile (
link to smile amazon
) AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.
Please earmark St. Mark's as your charitable organization. We can be found under the organization name of:
St Marks Episcopal Church - Grand Rapids, MI.
As the saying goes " A little money goes along way!"
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THIS SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 19th
at 5pm
Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus
Sean Ivory, Conductor
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This superlative ensemble of young voices never fails to thrill with their "luminescent" singing. (The Grand Rapids Press)
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Our Daily Bread:
A Christian Formation publication produced here in Grand Rapids is now available on the Resource Tables of the Church along with
Day By Day
. We offer this new daily devotional which contains a brief Scripture text and a reflection for each day for the next three months. It is our hope to continue to provide this spiritual resource. If you know of someone who cannot be with us here, please, feel free to take a copy to them with our greeting. Thanks.
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A four week study will begin November 29 using the book
Being Christian
by Rowan Williams, the former archbishop of Canterbury. This will be a study of Baptism, bible study, prayer and Eucharist. Please let Megan know if you would like a book for a charge of $5 for this Advent study.
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Trinity Institute 2018: Values in Action
February 2-3, 2018
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We all want to create a better world—and that requires action and connection. Discerning shared values is crucial to forming powerful partnerships and moving forward with courageous intention. Explore how you and your community can set a collaborative course at Values in Action, a Trinity Institute conference designed to help you get grounded and connected so you can get going.
This year’s conference features leading activists, theologians, authors, and experts on how to integrate core values into strategic and effective action, including the Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church; Michelle Alexander, author of
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
, and Pádraig Ó Tuama, poet, theologian, and mediator.
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Advent Meditations
A booklet of Advent daily meditations is available for you on the resource table in the north transept. If you would like an electronic copy the link for this booklet
is
https://view.flipdocs.com/?ID=10001746_538059
.
These spiritual devotions are comprised of daily scripture and meditations written by parishioners and clergy from the Cathedral of St. Andrews, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and St. Mark’s. This years devotions center on waiting and contemplation. Also available for you are two other Spiritual Advent resources;
Jesus God’s Promise
and
These Four Weeks of Advent
.
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Healing Racism Ministry Notes:
Please plan to join us for a discussion of Richard Rothstein’s
The Color of Law
which details how federal housing policies in the 1940s and '50s mandated segregation and undermined the ability of black families to own homes and build wealth. The discussion will take place at 7:00 pm. on November 30th. (239 pages including Frequently Asked Questions).
Words to ponder:
Equity and equality are two strategies we can use in an effort to produce fairness. Equity is giving everyone what they need to be successful. Equality is treating everyone the same. Equality aims to promote fairness, but it can only work if everyone starts from the same place and needs the same help.
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DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, SOCKS WILL BE COLLECTED FOR THE LAGRAVE FOOT CLINIC AND OUR NEXT WOMEN'S SPA DAY.
NEEDED ARE LARGE SIZE WARM WINTER SOCKS FOR WOMEN AND MEN.
THANK YOU!
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Transportation needs:
We have three college students (Calvin and GVSU) as well as some senior members who have expressed a desire to attend our worship service but need a ride to and from church. If this is something you are able to provide, please contact Megan in the office and she will be able to give you contact information.
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With so many Parish meetings and activities happening alongside outside meetings, we really need all Ministry Chairs to double-check with Megan Harding, Parish Office Coordinator,
before
scheduling an event to ensure the availability of date, time and space. Many thanks!
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Christmas Eve & Christmas Pageant
For the 5pm Christmas Eve Family service, our Children’s Choir will lead the music and the children will present our annual Christmas Pageant. Children need to be at church at 3:45pm Christmas Eve to robe and be ready for rehearsal to begin at 4pm. The service will be at 5pm. We will rehearse during Sunday morning formation starting December 10. There will be a dress rehearsal on Saturday December 23rd from 9:30am-noon. We will serve a pancake breakfast, then begin rehearsal no later than 10:15am.
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Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
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Please, join me in celebrating Thanksgiving with the dynamic interfaith community of our city on Monday, Nov. 20, at 7:00 p.m. The Service has been planned and prepared by members of at least fifteen different religious communities, and I can assure you that it will be most uplifting with songs, dance and reflections from a number of religious traditions. I have been honored to serve on that team and hope you will join me for the 17
th
Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2700 Fulton Street E, Grand Rapids! ~
Christian+
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Calling all Bakers and Cookie Lovers!
St. Mark’s annual Cookie Walk will be held December 10 after the 10:30 Eucharist. Bakers are invited to bring their cookies to the kitchen before the service. Afterwards, for $5 per bag, all may enjoy an array of freshly baked cookies. Funds collected will go towards Children’s Formation programming.
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Join us on Sundays for
Faith Formation
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9:15am—
Childcare
(Nursery, lower level) available for infants - kindergarten
Children's Choir Rehearsal
(upstairs children's chapel) for 1st-6th graders. No audition, all are welcome.
We Make the Road by Walking
(upstairs Youth Room) for High School - Adult. Overview of the whole Bible, organized around the traditional church year.
Devotional Book Group
(Canterbury Room, main floor) for adults. Exploring faith and spiritual practices.
10:30am—
Childcare
(Nursery, lower level) available for infants - 2 years
Preschool/kindergarten
(Activity Center, lower level) chapel and formation for ages 2 through kindergarten.
Elementary
(Main classroom, upstairs) chapel and formation for 1st through 4th grades.
Middle
(Youth Room, upstairs) formation for 5th through 8th grades.
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Assisting Worship This Sunday
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A copy of the Assisting Minister Schedule, through January, is now available at the Parish Office Coordinators desk. If you are unable to serve in the
role listed, or if the above information is incorrect, please contact the coordinator of your ministry (listed below), or the office. Also, if you feel called to any of these ministries, you are encouraged to speak to the coordinator or Father Christian.
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The names of those in need of prayer will remain on this list for two months, and then will be removed. If after that time, you wish to continue having them held in prayer, please contact the
Church Office
.
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Sustaining St. Mark’s Ministry in 2017
Thanks to all as we sustain our ministry together at St. Mark’s with pledges and offerings. We have pledged
$337,974
toward our common life in 2017. Last week, we received
$ 9,776.00
in contributions in pledges and offerings.
Contributions Received YTD
Needed YTD
Difference
$467,975
$509,220 $ -41,245
A reminder that we gratefully receive pledges at any time throughout the year. Pledge cards and envelopes are available on the resource table in the church, which can be given as cash, check, or direct deposit. Direct Deposit from your checking account may be set up with the financial manager for whatever frequency you desire (weekly, monthly, annually for pledges or one time gifts).
Want more details about the Parish’s giving or finances? Please email questions to Finance Manager,
Pam Stevenson
or our Treasurer,
Sharon Buursma
.
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Have you noticed the
GREEN
collection box on the welcome desk?
When you bring in your SpartanNash receipts you are helping the Meals on Wheels program of West Michigan (MOWWM). For every $150,000 in receipts collected, MOWWM receives $1,000 in aid. This provides 200 meals to seniors in our community.
For more information on MOWWM,
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Retail Stores:
Family Fare
D&W
Forest Hills Foods
ValuLand
VG’s
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Donations for Altar Flowers
Flowers add beauty to the sacred spaces of our church. They are a gift to God and all those that attend our Sunday worship services. A contribution to our Flower Fund is a meaningful way to honor and remember a loved one. It is also tax deductible. If you are interested in making a donation to our Flower Fund, here's how it works:
- Write your name on the desired Sunday on our flower form and on our Flower Calendar (located at the Welcome Desk Bulletin Board)
- Dedication for Altar Flowers will be listed in the Church Bulletin
- Please make checks payable to St. Mark's Episcopal Church and indicate "Altar Flowers" on the memo line.
Please note: there are no flowers during Lent; special collections are taken for Christmas and Easter.
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Morning Prayer at St. Marks
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My House Shall be Called a House of Prayer
Parishioners are always welcome to pray in the Church whenever the Parish Office is open:
Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Morning Prayer booklets are available in the Canterbury Room for private prayer, Monday through Friday. The booklet is an adaptation of Morning Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer and Mission St. Clare.
Please come to the Parish Hall for entrance to the Church.
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If you are new to St. Mark's, we're delighted to have you here. We invite you to make an appointment with Fr. Christian, so he can welcome and learn more about you! Also, please consider making a pledge, a gift of your financial resources, as part of your commitment to our life together and the ministry of the Parish. All who call St. Mark's their 'Parish Home' are enthusiastically encouraged to give of ourselves, our time, our talents and our monetary resources in support of our mission to serve God and God's people at St. Mark's. Pledge envelopes are available from Pam Stevenson, our financial manager. Contact her at
pams@stmarksgr.org
or call her at 456-1684, ext. 21.
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church
134 N. Division Avenue
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Office#: 616-456-1684
Email: meganh@stmarksgr.org
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A direct and compelling headline
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