Christ Has Risen, Alleluia!
THE COLLECT
A lmighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
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

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church
"GOSPEL PRAISE II "
SATURDAY, April 28, 2018 @ 5:00 PM
Women's Spa Day
May 10
May 10 is Women's Spa Day and needed are donations of summer clothes.  
Please consider donating any clothing that is cool, light to our St. Mark’s Boutique for Spa Day. Toiletries, practical shoes, such as sneakers are also needed. Clean clothes helps provide a great deal of relief to a homeless neighbor after being out on the streets all day, so any donation is appreciated. Please, drop off the donations anytime during office hours or on Sunday. If you have any questions, please contact Marissa Lee,   leemarissa@icloud.com
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 level 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 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!
Ministry Opportunities:
  • Stewardship Meeting - This dynamic ministry meets to discuss stewardship throughout the year and to plan for the Fall season of giving. If you would like to join us, please come to our potluck at the Rector's house April 30 at 6 pm. All are welcome.
  • Property Ministry - May 7 - The property ministry will meet on Monday at 7:30 pm. There are numerous important issues to discuss. Please, join us if you are interested and available. Thanks
  • Lectors/Intersessors training - May 19, 9:30 am - All readers are invited to this retreat and workshop whether you are a seasoned reader or just wish to join this ministry. The theology of proclamation will be discussed and passages from Scripture will be used for practice in church. Come! Join us!
GROW YOUR HEALTH
Therapeutic Adaptive Gardening Workshop Friday May 11 8:30am to 4pm
at St. Philips church (you do not need to be a cancer survivor to attend)
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 $7,633  contributions in  
                                         pledges and offerings.  

                                 R eceived YTD                      Needed                    Difference
YTD Contributions:         $ 247,287                        $  195,574                  $ 51,713

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