THE COLLECT
A lmighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
Acolyte/Assisting Ministers training
March 10, 9:15-11:30 Why a training? Acolyte, cross bearers, chalicers, vergers and torch bearers need to be able to as prayerful as possible in worship. When we are trained apart from just before a Service, then, we are much more confident in what we are doing and much more able to fully enter in to worship. This is especially true for youth and children, as we want them to feel as confident as possible exercising their ministry at worship. Our time together will be being with breakfast at 9:15 provided by Mother Sue and then to training. Please, mark your calendar. If you would like to participate in this important ministry, please, join us on that day. We would love to have more of us serving God and God's people 'at the Altar'. Blessings and thanks. ~  Christian+ and Margaret
Lunch Bunch is a group of young(ish) St. Markians who enjoy eating together. Join us March 11th after the 10:30 service. We'll go to Palace of India and enjoy their delicious buffet. Childcare IS available. Kids will eat pizza, watch a movie and play downstairs. Please RSVP for kids if you can so we can order pizza ( laurakozminski@gmail.com ). Hope to see you there. 
Explorations and Renewal in Christ
This group will explore the Christian Tradition, what it means to be an Episcopalian and what our Traditions teaches. These sessions are open to everyone and will prepare parishioners who wish to be confirmed or received or to reaffirm their faith for an upcoming Service with the Bishop. The next meeting will be Sunday March 11 from 12:10 pm to 1:10 pm in the St. Mary’s Chapel. If you are interested in being part of this discussion, please, sign-up at the Welcome Desk with your best contact information and availability.
We are excited to tell you about a new AmazonSmile promotion that will launch soon. Amazon is tripling the donation amount to 1.5% when customers make their first eligible smile.amazon.com purchase from March 12 - 31. This is a great opportunity to increase St Marks Episcopal Church's AmazonSmile donations by shopping at smile.amazon.com .
3x your impact! From March 12-31, Amazon is tripling the donation rate on your first smile.amazon.com purchase! Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/38-1456054 and Amazon donates to St Marks Episcopal Church.
Lift Every Voice and Sing
The Healing Racism Ministry has organized the purchase of 220 copies of Lift Every Voice and Sing , a hymnal that brings together hymns from the Episcopalian African American tradition. Individualized bookplates will indicate whether the hymnal was purchased in memory, in thanksgiving, or in honor of someone. Each hymnal is $20. Orders will be taken throughout Lent. If you would like to order please include payment with the completed form in the envelopes provided and place it in the collection plate.
First Sunday of March
Tour Historical St. Marks: Tour St. Mark’s following the 10:30 am Eucharist. If you would like to learn more about the church’s history and architecture, meet at the main doors on the west side of the sanctuary following the postlude for a brief tour. Docent Donley Mackey will conduct the tour.
Food Pantry Donations:  The downtown Food Pantry provides an emergency supply of food and personal care items to people in need. Our local pantry is at Westminster Presbyterian Church. We encourage you to bring non-perishable food items to help support our neighbors in need.
Lenten Prayer Requests

Prayer request cards are available during Lent on the Resource Tables. Please, feel free to fill-out a prayer request and place it in the basket on the Mediation Altar in the south transept. Ask God to hear your prayer and to be attentive the request which lives on at the Altar. You might decide to also light a votive candle, a living flame representing your prayer. ~   Fr. Christian+
Lenten Wednesdays 2018
Please, join fellow parishioners and me each Wednesday in Lent from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Our series is a study of the book,  Holding Up Your Corner"  by the Rev. F. Willis Johnson. This Wednesday we will meet at St. Philip's. Our evening will begin with soup and bread at 6:00 p.m., and our program will begin at promptly at 6:30.
Books will be available tonight: $15/copy
St. Philip’s Lenten Fish Fry’s
will be held on March 9, March 23, from 5 pm to 7 pm. St. Philip’s is on 558 Henry Ave. Pre-orders preferred but walk-in welcome. 616-656-0694. $8-$10. Please see the fliers at the Welcome Desk
GENTLE YOGA
 is offered at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on 3 Mile between Fuller and Plainfield on Tuesday & Thursday nights from 6-7 pm. Yoga is a great practice for the mind, body, and spirit and can definitely add even more meaning to your journey through Lent. A minimum $5 donation, if possible, helps support this ministry. Jeff Brown and Angel Hayden, certified yoga instructors, teach the classes on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
Join us for Lent Madness
The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo. Vote daily for your favorite saint at lentmadness.org. Grab a bracket off the parish hall bulletin board.
Youth Formation:
• Oasis meets every Wednesday evening at St. Andrews. St. Andrew's is at 1025 Three Mile Rd NE, between Plainfield and Fuller. Dinner is offered beginning at 5:45 pm., and programming for all ages, youngest to adult, runs from 6:30-7:30 pm.
• For more information on any of these youth activities, please contact Jeff Brown.
Jeanine De Bique and Rebecca Pacheco in Recital
March 18 at 5pm
Recognized as an artist of "dramatic presence and versatility" (Washington Post) Trinidadian soprano Jeanne De Bique  possesses "genuine star quality, a voice of exceptional beauty" (New York Amsterdam News). She recently thrilled Grand Rapids audiences with her exquisite performances as soprano soloist in the Brahm's Requiem and the Grand Rapids Bach Festival with the Grand Rapids Symphony. 
Sustaining St. Mark’s Ministry in 2018

Thanks to all who sustain our ministry together at St. Mark’s with pledges and offerings. We have pledged $425,550 toward our common life in 2018.  Last week, we received $7,809 contributions in  
                                         pledges and offerings.  

                                 R eceived YTD                      Needed                    Difference
YTD Contributions:         $ 148,388                        $  97,787                    $ 50,601
A reminder that we gratefully received 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.) Want more details about the Parish’s giving or finances? Please email questions to Finance Manager, Pam Stevenson pams@stmarksgr.org or our Treasurer, Sharon Buursma sbuursma@msn.com .
 
Join us on Sundays for
Faith Formation
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.
Assisting Worship This Sunday


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. 

MC/Chalicer/Healing Minister:  Father Christian Brocato or Margaret Stretton
Crucifer/Acolyte:  Mark Lee
Greeter/Welcome Minister:  Brenda Holland
Usher:  Tom Burr
Altar Guild:  Margaret Stretton
Lector:  Margaret Stretton
Social Hour: Laura Kozminski
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
  St. Mark's Episcopal Church
134 N. Division Avenue
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Office#: 616-456-1684