St Mark's Episcopal Church
THE COLLECT

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving­kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.   Amen.
Degage and Brooke Sunday we honor Brooke Jevicks, our connection and who fostered our partnership with Degage Ministries. We will honor Brooke who now is employed at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and wish her all the best in her new position. We will also have Paul’s Mom’s Cookies (made at Degage) for sale at the Social Hour after the 10:30 Service. Please, join us in thanking Brooke for her ministry at Degage and offer a prayer of thanks for her.
The Former Brass Sanctuary Light
The previous Sanctuary Light or sometimes called, the Chancel Light, hung above the center of the chancel between the choir stalls for several generations at St. Mark's. We are still researching the archives to determine when the magnificent hand-crafted brass light fixture in the Tudor Rose Pattern was given and dedicated. We have numerous photos and artistic renderings of the fixture which added much to the beauty of the interior of the Church. Unfortunately and unexpectedly, it 'fell' in the late 1990's and was not repaired. It is currently being restored, and several generous parishioners have offered to fund the restoration process for which we are most grateful. In our Tradition, the Sanctuary Light symbolizes the light of Christ and is always found near the Reserved Sacrament of the tabernacle. Once restored, the candle in the red glass globe will be placed in the restored brass Sanctuary Light and lifted above the chancel where it served St. Mark's for most of the Twentieth Century.  ~ Christian+
First Sunday - July 1
  • Each first Sunday we collect food donations for our local food pantry, Westminster Presbyterian Church. Bring in non-perishable food items to help support our neighbors in need.
  • Church Tour – If you would like to know more about the church’s history meet at the main doors on the west side of the sanctuary following the 10:30 a.m. postlude.
We are excited to see growth and enthusiasm at St. Mark’s and appreciate the opportunity to get to know one another and to socialize following our Sunday Worship Services. With this being said, it has been hard for individuals to pick up the responsibility to supply food for these gatherings. We therefore would like to request that our Ministry teams sign up for a few Sunday’s a year and provide both the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. social hours with treats/sweets needed. It will be up to your Ministry team to handle assignments and set up. As always/receipts may be turned in to the Financial Manager, Pam, for reimbursement up to $75 per Sunday. There will be two ways to sign up your Ministry team. Clip boards with signup sheets will still be on the Welcome Desk or you may email Megan ( meganh@stmarksgr.org ) or call (616-456-1684) to request a Sunday.

Thank you so very much for all that you are doing for St. Mark’s and thank you in advance for your assistance with our Social Hours, Megan
Receiving the Chalice
The best way to receive the chalice for Communion is to take the chalice with both hands and serve yourself prior to returning it to the Eucharistic Minister, with the exception of children.
EfM Cinema Tuesday
Tuesday, June 26th
11:00 - 1:30
1987 film Babette’s Feast
                with a run time of 43 minutes
 EfM invites graduates and those interested in EfM to join us and partake in a discussion after words.
Bring your own sack lunch. 
I am looking forward to the time together! 
Kidney Match Needed for Westminster Member
Ordination Service Invitation
June 30th
at 11:00AM

By the Grace of God and with the Consent of the People of God, The Right Reverend Whayne M. Hougland, Jr., Bishop of Western Michigan will ordain Francis Michael Berghuis,  Janet P. Gockerman and Patricia Gay Vinge to the Sacred Order of Deacons here at St. Mark’s on Saturday June 30 at 11 am.
Your prayers and presence are requested.
There will be a light luncheon to follow.  
Youth and Children Formation

  • The summer formation program for preschool - 4th grade began June 10 during the 10:30 Service. The children will be working in Creation Care, so please bring children dressed for planting and tending to our green space.
Parking for Sunday Services
Upcoming Events

  • June 24 - Degage Sunday/Blessing of the stoles
  • June 30 - Ordination for Jan Gockerman
  • Sept 19 through Oct 7 - Artprize
  • October 21 - Anniversary Dinner
Past Photo : Property Ministry is looking for photos of the mural that was near the entry door in the Nursery. If any of you have images of that mural we would appreciate seeing them. We would take scans of the your images and return your originals to you
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 $ 25,403  contributions in  
                                         pledges and offerings.  

                                 R eceived YTD                      Needed                    Difference
YTD Contributions:         $ 335,853                       $  293,361                 $ 42,492 

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.
Explorations and Renewal in Christ (St. Mary's Chapel) June 3rd at 12:15pm. 
Assisting Worship This Sunday
  St. Mark's Episcopal Church
134 N. Division Avenue
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Office#: 616-456-1684