He has Risen Indeed
THE COLLECT
O  God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.   Amen. 

Parking alert due to Race
Due to the Gazelle Races this Sunday most of Northern Grand Rapids will be blocked off. Please approach the church from the South side of Grand Rapids and note that the use of the Ellis lot this Sunday may not be permitted
Hindu Temple Tour
April 25 at 10 am you are invited to tour the Hindu Temple of West Michigan (4870 Whitneyville Ave Ada). Please sign up at the Welcome desk if Interested.
The Walk For Good Food (formerly called the Hunger Walk) is fast approaching and will take place on Sunday, May 6th at 2:30 pm.

We know that many of you enjoy a good walk with friends, so think about joining your friends from St. Mark’s to walk so that others may eat. ACCESS supports our Breakfast Cafe so having a good team to support their efforts to raise funds would be a kind thank you to them. Look soon for a link on our website that will allow you to register. We will also sign folks up after church during the month of April. Another way you may help is to consider a business sponsorship of this event. There are sponsorships at many levels. The $150.00 “Ground Breaker” level offers your business name recognition on the walk web page and on social media blasts. Our church office will have more information on sponsorship levels if you are interested. Thanks so much for your support of this event at any participation level that may work for you.
St. Mark’s is once again happy to host CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Kent County’s Pinwheel Garden. CASA is a local non-profit that recruits and trains volunteers to be advocates for children in foster care due to abuse or neglect. Each pinwheel represents one abused or neglected child in foster care in 2017…a total of 863 in all. St. Mark’s has supported CASA through our Outreach Ministry, and some parishioners have been volunteer advocates for the organization. You can learn more about CASA and the work they do at www.CASAKentCo.org ., or by contacting Angie Brown at angela.brown@kentcountymi.gov
All Ministries
At our second All-Ministries Meeting, parish leaders, and anyone else interested gathered to discuss how to work together on events in the second half of the year. We always gather in January for the Annual Meeting, but that looks back at the past year. The formal structure doesn’t invite conversation. In the All-Ministries Meeting last Thursday, thirty-seven of us looked ahead. The structure was minimal, leaving plenty of room for discussion. Ideas were welcome, and they flowed, as did the good will and energy the meeting generated. We’ve begun a practice essential to our health as a faith community. Jesus didn’t work alone. Neither should we. Join us later this year for the mid-fall All-Ministries Meeting!
--Catherine Frerichs, Chair, Strategic Planning
Exploration and Renewal in Christ
Sunday April 29 at 12:15 pm, this session will explore a series of questions and answers about the Episcopal Tradition in an easy format for discussuion. Please, join us in the Chapel at 12:15 pm. All are welcome.
Spring Wednesdays at St. Mark’s
Beginning May 2 and running through the middle of June, we will again offer an adult Christian formation series on Wednesday evenings in the Parish Hall: Potluck Supper at 6:00; Presentation and discussion at 6:30; Compline (Night prayer) at 7:30 or thereafter. The first presenter will be Imam Dr. Sahibzada from the Islamic Center of Grand Rapids. We have begun a partnership with the Islamic Center in hopes of mutual exchanges and greater fellowship with our Muslim sisters and brothers. A flier for six-week Series will be forthcoming, and a sign-up sheet for the potlucks will be at the Welcome Desk. Please, plan to be with us for this spring’s series. Many thanks! ~  +Christian
Parking for Sunday Services

  1. Street Parking is available on Pearl, Ionia, Lyon, Fountain and other streets near the Church. 
  2. Parking is available in the Parish’s lot, the upper and lower levels of the GRCC building on the corner of Division and Lyon (access from Lyon) and the Ellis Parking Lot at 210 Ionia just west of Lyon Street. 
  3. For the GRCC building on the corner of Division & Lyon (lower level) the gate will automatically rise when you enter and exit. 
  4. For the Ellis Lot - Please, pick up an exit ticket from an Usher, a Greeter or at the Front Desk of the Parish House. Parking is free. A green ticket is required to accompany the parking ticket and to exit the lot.
Lift Every Voice and Sing Hymnals arriving daily. Very exciting!
Reminder to Register
Rev. F. Willis Johnson, author of "Holding Up Your Corner" in Grand Rapids on April 28th: Dr. Johnson will lead a presentation from 10-3pm at St. Mark's, Grand Rapids and will preach at a service at 5pm at St. Philip's, Grand Rapids. Registration is $20 which includes lunch. This event will qualify for Healing Racism certification following the completion of a set of questions afterward.
Books are available at the front desk for $15
Sudanese Dinner
Sudanese Grace Episcopal Church Service and Food Sale April 22
PLEASE LINK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
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 $24.474 contributions in  
                                         pledges and offerings.  

                                 R eceived YTD                      Needed                    Difference
YTD Contributions:         $ 238,855                        $  183,351                    $ 55,504

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 (Library, 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
  St. Mark's Episcopal Church
134 N. Division Avenue
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Office#: 616-456-1684