THE COLLECT
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
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Celebrate Black History Month 2018
The theme for this year’s celebration of Black History Month,
African Americans in times of War,
“suggests that contemporary conditions, past and present, give us cause for critical pause in our studies and deliberations to consider the specific and unique issues faced by African Americans in times of war.” Please, see this link and consider ways in which you and your family might celebrate this month in dedication to the contribution of our African American sisters and brothers to society. At St. Mark’s, we continue our collaboration with St. Philip’s Episcopal Church and will share this year’s Wednesday Lenten Series in collaboration with them. This month, we will begin a campaign to purchase 225 hymnals,
Lift Every Voice and Sing,
a hymnal of our Tradition which incorporates many beloved hymns from the African American Tradition in worship. We have ordered a new Parish House banner for the balcony. The text remains the same, “God is love” and will be placed over the traditional colors of the African American flag, red, black and green. May God bless us as we remember and celebrate! ~
Christian+
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Annual Meeting
Many thanks to everyone who attended last week’s lunch and meeting. Also, many thanks to all those who submitted reports and those who prepared food for our time together. Copies of the full report are available on the Resource tables and the Welcome Desk. A link for an online version is
below:
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Renewal in Christ
Thanks to so many for a very successful 181st Annual Meeting of the Parish this past Sunday. With perhaps a greater number in attendance than in anyone's memory, delicious chili and other food, and a spirit of joy and trust, we celebrated our 'life together' for which I'm very grateful. 'Success' in ministry is not measured in numbers. Numbers are benchmarks, to be sure. As I said in my Report, success in ministry is really measured in spiritual growth. I do believe that we are growing spiritually, at least, I certainly pray for that. I will soon propose that we embark on a new project of spiritual growth and renewal for us at St. Mark's. If you are interested in being part of that discussion, please, sign-up at the Welcome Desk with your best contact information and availability.
Please, see this article from Forward Movement which is really chocked full of provocative information about spiritual growth in the Episcopal Church.
Blessings and many thanks to all who attended and participated in our Annual Meeting. For me and I hope for all those in attendance, it was a time of joy and delight. Blessings! ~ Christian+
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Souper Bowl Sunday
The over 7,000 individuals served from the Westminster Food Pantry in 2017 selected 17 items from a list of approximately 50 products each visit; From dish soap, to rice, beef stew, crackers, and yes, also soup. In fact, almost always soup. Soup is a staple for our Heartside neighbors. It's hardy, tasty, easy, can be mixed, often it can even be opened without a can opener. Soup is a vital component for many. Remember Souper Bowl Sunday, February 4 and let's fill the shelves!
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church tours
On the first Sunday of each month, you may take a tour of St. Mark's following the 10:30 am Service. If you would like to learn more about the church's history and architecture, meet at the main doors of the west entrance to the Sancturary following the postlude for a brief tour.
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Jerusalem: A Film at IMAX-3D: As part of my commitment and work with the Kaufman Interfaith Institute, I am purchasing fifteen tickets for this award winning film on the City of Jerusalem at Celebration Cinema North on Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. A sign-up sheet is at the Welcome Desk for the first fourteen parishioners who wish to attend and who sign-up. The cost is $15/ticket. Please, plan to join me for the event which will be followed by a discussion with four local pastors who will have just returned from Israel. Let me know if you will attend and would like to gather for dinner beforehand.
~ Fr. Christian+
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Trinity Institute Conference
You’re invited to attend Values in Action, a Trinity Institute Conference. This annual conference takes place in New York City and at partner sites around the country via live stream, including at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. The conference is on February 2, 2018 at 5:30 pm and February 3, 2018 from 8:15 am to 5 pm. A fee of $20 includes Friday dinner and Saturday lunch. 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 we can set a collaborative course forward at this year’s conference.
Come for the speeches, panels, reflection groups, and networking events. Leave with new skills, ideas, inspiration, and a greater capacity to take action rooted in core values and powerful partnerships. To register for Trinity Institute at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids, MI visit
edwm.org/news_and_events.html
. For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Christian Brocato, Rector, ChristianB@stmarksgr.org or Mar
issa Lee at leemarissa@icloud.com.
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NIGHTS
Beginning this February will be a series of "Dinner Nights", previously known as Foyer Dinners, giving parishioners an opportunity to meet for fellowship in small groups. Interested adults can sign up individually or as a couple and will be placed into groups of no more than 8 people with the plan to schedule a minimum of 3 meals before Summer. A kickoff potluck will happen on Sunday, February 25th at 5pm in the Parish Hall. For this introductory meeting, there will be childcare with activities and a meal available downstairs but future scheduled dinners are intended to be adults only. A signup sheet is on the welcome desk and we ask that you also include what you can bring to our potluck (salad, entree, beverages, etc.) as well as how many children will be joining us downstairs.
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Sacred Additions
Three recent additions and arrangements; 1) Repurposing of hand carved wood from the former High Altar found in the basement, cleaned and added to our lovely columbarium; 2) New dossal (dark blue curtain) added to the Altar of the St. Mary’s Chapel; 3) Seating arrangement for the Sacramental Rite of Reconciliation in the St. Mary’s Chapel; 4) View of Chapel with new pew arrangement. I hope these will be meaningful to us. Please, come and see!
- Christian+
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The Flu Season
is upon us and to be mindful of one another we have a large bottle of hand sanitizer at each entrance in to the Sanctuary.
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The Sacred Sounds Concert: originally scheduled for Sunday, February 18 has been postponed. Please watch for an announcement of a new date in the near future.
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Kaufman Institute: Interfaith Understanding Affinity Groups: As part of my work with the Interfaith Institute, please consider attending one or more of the groups which are or will be meeting. A handout is available at the Resource Tables with the amazing listing of Affinity Groups. We are all invited and encouraged to participate in these opportunities for interfaith dialogue and formation. For more information, please, see the handout and/or contact me. Thanks.
~ Fr. Christian+
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Parish Life Opportunity
The Parish Life ministry at St. Mark's is looking for new volunteers! We are a very active committee and are involved in many fun social activities at St. Mark's. We would love to have new members join our happy group! If you are interested please contact Judy Fetterhoff at 446-9319 or 534-5361.
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Personal request: Mature, responsible and gainfully employed female parishioner looking for an opportunity to house sit or share housing after April 1st. Please call to speak with Mother Sue if you have availability and she will put you in touch with this parishioner.
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Keeping a Holy Lent
The Lenten devotional, a collaboration between St. Marks, Bethlehem Lutheran, St. Andrews and the First United Methodist church has arrived and is available for you on the resource tables. Thank you to Anne Armour who worked so hard to edit and publish as well as those who wrote these wonderful and meaningful meditations.
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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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St. Mark's Episcopal Church
134 N. Division Avenue
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Office#: 616-456-1684
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