THE COLLECT
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever.
Amen.
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Sunday, December 24th
Advent IV
8am Spoken Eucharist
10:30am Choral Eucharist
Christmas Eve Services
5pm Family Eucharist with Children's Pageant
10pm Festival Eucharist with Choir & Brass
No Christmas Day Service
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Greening of the Church
The tradition of decorating the Church for Christmas,
“Hanging of the Greens” will take place on
Friday
,
December 22 at 3:00pm
.
If you wish to help, please Come!
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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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A special thank you to the volunteers who helped with Women's Spa Day!
Marissa Lee, Wendy Muma, Jennifer Julius, Rebecca Leacock,Judith Claytor, Phyllis Rood, Marissa Stevenson, Nicholas Lee, Bea Rocco,
Cathy Karsen, Colleen Wolfer, Tony Wolfer, Steve Muma,
Mitzie Murphy, Margaret Murkel, Debbie Taylor, Shirley Bernard,Sallie Bowie, Betsy Redman, Linda Cox, Deanna Jennings, Kerry Morey, Ashley Hopkins, Sarah Steger, Kyla Day-Feltcher, Jane Stidolph, Marie Mc Kendall, Judy Fetterhoff, Katie Johnson, Yvetta Turner, Marilyn Muma, Leigh Eicke, Jeannine Schuurmans ,
Kandace Knapp, & James Mc Norton.
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Thank you for your sock donations!
Mother Sue reports that the socks, which were given to our friends and neighbors at both the Foot Clinic and Spa Day were so very much appreciated.
Thank you to all of you with warm hearts, who provided to warm their feet!
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Advent 2017
Advent 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. 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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2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES
are available on the table in the Gathering area. Thanks again to all who have made their 2018 pledges. If you haven’t filled out a pledge card, and would like to do so, there are some available on the
Welcome
desk and R
esource
table in the Parish Hall.
If you would like offering envelopes please contact
Pam Stevenson,
Finance Manager .
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THIS 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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St. Mark’s Wall Calendar
Free wall calendars are available for you on the resource table in the north transcept. These calendars include the dates for the Principal Feasts, Holy Days, Days of Special Devotion and Reqiem Eucharist.
The book of common Prayer guides the usage for each entry in this Ordo Kalendar.
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News of our Journey Together
Journey to Generosity Update
We've received 139 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 $399,760 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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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.
Please contact Jane Stidolph, our Director of Christian formation if childcare is needed.
Jane Stidolph
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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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Devotional Book Group
Are you interested in reading interesting books & thinking and talking about your spiritual journey? Join the Devotional Book Group. We meet on
Sundays from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the Canterbury Room
. We are just beginning Richard Rohr's
The Naked Now
. Our next book will be
The Heart of Christianity
by Marcus Borg. If you are interested in either book or learning more about our group, contact Laura Kozminski (
laurakozminski@gmail.com
)
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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 6:30pm, 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.
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
$ 7,212
in contributions in pledges and offerings.
Contributions Received YTD
Needed YTD
Difference
$498,105
$554,484 $ -56,379
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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