THE COLLECT
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
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Advent Retreat
Father Christian is offering a retreat titled “Mary, the Mother of Jesus” on December 9 from 9:30am to 11:30am. Pictured here is “The Annunciation”, a painting by Henry Ossawas Tanner created to depict the moment when the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God. Wish to hear more? A sign up sheet will be on the welcome desk in the Narthex.
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During the Advent Season, the Giving Tree stands in our sanctuary ready to accept our gifts of warm hats, gloves, mittens, scarfs, fleece blankets and warm coats. Toiletries for both men and women are also good choices. Soon the tree becomes a wonderful Symbol of Giving and Gratitude as the branches fill with our gifts to our breakfast café neighbors.
The children of our parish and their families will fill Gift Bags with these and other gifts the week of Christmas, and we will distribute them on Christmas Eve morning which is Sunday, December 24.
May our Giving Tree be a reminder of all that we have been given and of our promise to Jesus that we will love our neighbor as ourselves.
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Advent 2017
Next Sunday begins the beautiful Season of Advent. It is a season of introspection, hope and anticipation. Please, see the three Advent Resources available for Christian formation on the Resource Table at the North Transept. In addition to the joint Advent Devotional from St. Mark’s, Bethlehem Lutheran and St. Andrew’s Cathedral, here is a link to the online vesion:
https://view.flipdocs.com/?ID+10001746_538059
. We will begin our Advent with a formal procession and singing of a Litany asking God to be with us throughout our Advent Journey. We will have an Advent Wreath making event during the 10:30 Social Hour. The Rite of Reconciliation is offered during Advent. Please, contact me for an appointment. Blessings for a holy Advent Season. ~
Christian+
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17
AT 5:00PM
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The season of Advent is celebrated with readings and new and traditional carols in anticipation of Christ's coming.
Join us for an evening of Lessons & Carols with the St. Mark's Choir, directed by Gregory Crowell and accompanied by St. Mark's organ scholar, Brendan Hollins.
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With the St. Mark's Choir
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News of our Journey Together
Journey to Generosity Update
We've received 126 pledges so far this stewardship season. With so many new parishioners, we believe that we have the potential of 240 possible pledges for our life together. We have received pledges of $360,078 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
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FIRST SUNDAY FOOD DRIVE
December 3rd
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St. Mark’s would like to sincerely thank those who generously donated 285 cans of food during the First Sunday Food Drive.
We are looking forward to a even more successful collection on December 3rd.
It is just wonderful how we come together for a common goal: to help those in need in our community. Please consider donating one of the Top Five Foods needed: tuna, canned beans, peanut butter, jelly and canned chili.
Donating one can of food can make a difference!
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Grace Episcopal Sudanese Church English service & lunch
Sunday, December 10th
Grace Episcopal Sudanese Church invites you into fellowship with them celebrating with a traditional Sudanese Lunch @ 11:45am followed by Holy Eucharist in English @ 1:00pm.
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Addtional coat racks are available by the entrance to the Sanctuary
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This Wednesday will begin four weeks of studying the book
Being Christian
by former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Copies of the book are available at the front desk of the Parish House. Our Wednesdays will begin with a potluck at 6:00, presentation and discussion at 7:30 and Evening Prayer to follow. All are welcome.
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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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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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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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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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MORE WAYS TO GIVE TO ST. MARK'S
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Christmas is 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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An easy way to be generous
Please return completed form to our Finance Manager
,
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"Soup's On For All" Service Opportunity Our youth have enjoyed serving at this fundraiser for God's Kitchen the last few years and event organizers are eager to have our group volunteer at this coming January's event. The date for this year's event is Monday, January 29th, in the evening, at The B.O.B. Our help would be needed from approximately 6:30 pm- 9 pm and this would also include a meal for each volunteer. Please let Jeff Brown know very soon, if your child would like to help, as it greatly helps with planning and/or if you need a permission slip.
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi
We will have our annual December outing to the movies on Friday evening, December 22, to see the latest Star Wars film. The evening will begin with dinner at 5, followed by the movie. The movie is two hours and half hours long. The churches will pay for dinner and the movie, but youth should bring money for any additional purchases, such as snacks during the movie. This is a middle and high school outing and RSVPs are requested by this Thursday, December 14. Please see Jeff Brown for a permission slip.
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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
$ 3,261
in contributions in pledges and offerings.
Contributions Received YTD
Needed YTD
Difference
$479,360
$531,852 $ -52,492
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
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