November 12, 2017
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
THIS WEEK AT ST. MARK'S
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WORSHIP
Tuesdays:
12Noon
- Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers
Sundays:
8:00 am
- Holy Eucharist
10:30 am
- Holy Eucharist with music
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Are you interested in meeting and socializing with other members of St. Mark's? Join the Lunch
Bunch THIS SUNDAY (November 12th) after the 10:30 service. The Lunch Bunch is a group of young(ish) adult members of the congregation who gather monthly to walk to a local restaurant for fun and fellowship. Childcare is available! Meet near the Parish Hall after the service.
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News of our Journey Together
Off to a Great Start!
Last Sunday, Commitment Sunday, enabled us to receive 85 pledges so far this stewardship season. With so many new parishioners, we believe that we have the potential of 230 possible pledges for our life together. We have received pledges of $287,510 toward our goal of $400,000 which we very much need to get close to a balanced budget for 2018. We are very grateful to all of us who have made a pledge and strongly encourage more of us to consider and make a pledge for our ministry in 2018. Please, pray
that more and more of us will consider and pledge for 2018. A reminder that pledge cards are in all the pews and at both entrances to the church. A proportional giving chart is available on the stewardship bulletin board in the foyer of the Parish House. God calls us to give of ourselves, our time, our skills and our treasure (monetary gifts) as part of our journey in following Jesus. May God continue to bless us for all the gifts we have
been given individually and as a community of faith.
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An easy way to be generous
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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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Please stop in to see the new arrangement of pews in Anglican chapel style for prayer and also meeting space. Many thanks to those who worked to make this happen.
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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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As Jesus did, St. Mark’s welcomes children of all ages as integral members of the body of Christ, and we welcome the sounds and activity that accompany them! There are a number of spaces and activities designed for children to experience and participate in worship; we trust families to work out the best option(s) for them and their child(ren) on any given day. One of the newest options is our Children’s Worship Area, located in the front-right section of the sanctuary. This area is designed for our young children to quietly engage in age-appropriate activities while experiencing worship in the sanctuary along with their families.
As we share space together, we appreciate your feedback. Please take a moment to check out the adjustments we’ve recently made to this area, as we seek to better serve everyone who worships at St. Mark’s.
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Longtime and very active members of St. Mark's, Henry and Cathy Capogna, will be moving to North Carolina to be with family, especially their grandson Spencer. Their last Sunday with us will be November 12th. Please join us for a special Social Hour after the 10:30am service. We will greatly miss them! May God be with them in their journey.
The Capogna's new address:
308 Cypress Landing Trail
Chocowinity, NC 27817
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On the large wall of the Parish Hall are numerous sheets of paper, the results of a process known as ‘Mutual Ministry Review’. That process involved Canon Bill Spaid from the Diocese, members of the Vestry and the former Rector Search Committee, Fr. Christian and other professional staff. Please, take a look at the seven questions and the texts which flowed from our discussions. Some things will look familiar while others will perhaps be quite surprising and joyfully delightful. Please, take a look!
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Fall Wednesdays at St. Marks
Our next presentation is on November 15 with Potluck at 6:00 p.m., presentation/discussion from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, followed by Evening Prayer. The Rev. Dr. Phil Johnson will be speaking Wednesday evening on
Lead Like a Heretic: How to Challenge the Status Quo - and Thrive.
What do Pope Francis, Florence Nightingale and Steve Jobs have in common? They're all heretics. And we desperately need heretics to rise to the challenge of workplace disengagement. In his book,
Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us
, marketing guru Seth Godin contends that "Heretics are the new leaders. The ones who challenge the status quo, who get out in front of their tribes, who create movements....Suddenly, heretics, troublemakers, and change agents aren't merely thorns in our side - they are the keys to our success." Heretics lead from the inside-out. "If a man loses pace with his companions," reflected the American philosopher Henry David Thoreau, "perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured, or far away." Lead like a Heretic is a guide book for leaders at all levels to hear their inner "drummer," and fully engage, fully energize and fully empower followrs. Lead like a Heretic will inspire, challenge and encourage leaders to make a world of difference.
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High Altar Kneelers:
The needlepoint kneelers at the High Altar were originally crafted and served at the former Episcopal Cathedral in Kalamazoo. They have been at St. Mark’s for a number of years. We’re experimenting with using them which also enables us to open the walkways on both sides of the platform to the chancel level. Please, take a look, as they are beautifully handcrafted.
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Healing Ministry:
If you are interested in being a part of the Healing Ministry please meet in the St. Mary’s chapel at 12:10pm next Sunday on November 19.
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Wednesday evening Adult Formation for Advent:
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 course.
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21st Century Giving
at St. Mark's
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, direct deposit, or on-line.
If you prefer to use your smart phone and debit card, we are now using Square Cash to collect online gifts.No account set-up is required. When using Square Cash, there is a 3% transaction fee taken from your online gift. Please consider adding an additional 3% to your online gift so that 100% of your donation or pledge will go to the church.
St. Mark's is now set up to take mobile donations from your smart phone and debit card through Square Cash. Please enter the web address below into your browser, access the Square Cash app, or scan the QR code below. No account set-up is required.
Cashtag: $stmarksgr
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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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Addressing Climate Change:
A Way Forward November 15
th
6:30 pm @ St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 1025 3 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids MI 49505, Presented by Dr. Kenneth Piers, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Calvin College.
Find out how you can help solve climate change.
Supported by Citizens Climate Lobby of Grand Rapids chapter Citizens Climate Lobby is a grassroots, non-partisan organization with over 500 chapters around the world, including 15 in Michigan. CCL empowers citizens to become effective advocates for Carbon Fee & Dividend, a form of carbon pricing that puts a steadily rising fee on fossil fuel producers and returns the net revenues to American households as monthly dividend.
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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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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
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Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2700 Fulton Street E, Grand Rapids! ~
Christian+
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Wednesday evening Adult Formation for Advent:
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 course.
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Join us on Sunday's 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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The GRCC garage off of Winchester Alley is
no longer
available to us for parking on Sundays. As an alternative, GRCC is offering
Ramp 1 garage
(brown brick bldg north of our lot)
at Lyon & Divison
for Sunday parking.
A reminder that the
Kendall College parking lot
across from the front entrance to St. Mark’s (the SW corner of Pearl Street at Division) is available for free parking on Sundays. ( Please do not park in staff parking spaces). Parking meters are free on Sundays as well and spots are often open on Ionia, Pearl and Lyon Streets.
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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
$ 10,608
in contributions in pledges and offerings.
Contributions Received YTD
Needed YTD
Difference
$457,332
$497,904 $ -40,572
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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