St Mark's Episcopal Church
THE COLLECT
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
Invitation from the Property Ministry
We have some painting projects going on this summer through out the building. The nursery has been completed and we are now going to start on the large classroom next to the nursery in the lower level. Our next scheduled painting dates are July 7 & 21. If you would like to participate we will be meeting at 9:30am. Please sign up at the welcome desk or contact Michelle Jennings at 616-821-6014.
After the classroom is done we will move upstairs to paint the parish hall with a completion date sometime in early September so we will be ready for Artprize.
If you would like to paint but can’t make the painting dates, you are welcome to paint during the week on your own. Mike Armour likes this schedule and you can see his handy work in the nursery. He even created the critter hole for Jane Stidolph our director. Please call me with any other questions. I would greatly appreciate any help offered.
Gratefully
Michelle Jennings
Junior Warden and vestry liaison to the Property Ministry. 
Great is Thy Faithfulness
We will open our Service on Sunday at St. Mark’s with this great hymn. We ask for strength for the journey at a time in history where we perhaps need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness forever and ever. Join us at 10:30 to sing this hymn from our new hymnal, Lift Every Voice and Sing. 
Raphael Reproduction
The large reproduction of Raphael’s Transfiguration which used to hang above the Chapel Altar has finally been re-hung at the landing of the stairwell to the second floor. Many thanks to Shawn Krueger who worked diligently to effectively mount and hang the painting. Please, take a minute to see it. It is the first time that it has been hung in many years since it was severely damaged and removed from the Chapel. Restoration is greatly needed. It still is a lovely work. Thanks, Shawn.
Ordination Thanks
Many thanks to everyone who was in any way involved in last week’s Diaconate Ordination.  The amount of time and energy involved in such a large scale diocesan event is truly significant and demonstrates the love for God and God’s people, especially our own, Jan Gockerman. Jan was one of the three people ordained to the Order of Deacon and who will now serve St. Mark’s as our deacon. Many thanks to all the helping hands and loving hearts who made the day’s liturgy and lunch a rousing success!
The Great Start Collaborative
is extending an invitation to members of the church to attend the workshop that will be held at St Marks on July 12 at 5:30 p.m. with dinner provided. This is for child care providers and parents can invite their provider to attend. All who attend will receive free new hardcover children’s books and activities to share as well as professional development credits. If you have questions please contact Judy Freeman Walker at 616-340-1529
Gift from Jean McCormick
Jean McCormick has given the Parish a facsimile edition of the First Book of Common Prayer’s Psalms and the Gospel of John which she designed. It is a stunning reproduction. Please, stop in to the Library to see this lovely edition and gift from Jean. Many thanks, Jean. 
Help the Children
Envelopes are available for contributions to help separated children from their parents who are here in Michigan. Outreach Ministry has met to discuss the best place for our contribution as a Parish. We are working to determine how best to directly help the children. Currently, we are considering the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. If you have other ideas, please, let me know. Envelopes are at the Resource Table in the front of the Church and at the Welcome Desk in the Parish House Foyer. May God bless us in our efforts to be of help to the children. ~  Christian+
Fr. Christian on Vacation
Fr. Christian will be away from St. Mark’s from July 9 – July 23 and will have limited access to Parish emails. Mother Sue will be available for pastoral needs as well as emergencies. She can be reached at 616.915.0277. If you need to reach Fr. Christian, please, call him at 617.416.5014
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 or just one of 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.
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 30 - Ordination for Jan Gockerman
  • Sept 19 through Oct 7 - Artprize
  • October 21 - Anniversary Dinner
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 $ 5,821 contributions in  
                                         pledges and offerings.  

                                 R eceived YTD                      Needed                    Difference
YTD Contributions:         $ 342,474                       $  305,585                 $ 36,889 

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