Saint Mark Presbyterian Church |
|
Second Sunday of Easter
Zoom Worship 10am - prelude 9:50am
Holy Communion
-
Bible reading: 1 John 1:1-4 & John 20: 24-31
-
Sermon: “reach out your hand”
|
|
Sunday Worship
Sunday worship will take place over Zoom at 10:00 with a prelude beginning at 9:50. The bulletin and information to join the Zoom call will be sent out Saturday afternoon.
Sharing worship information
We are glad to see so many friends and family from across the country joining us for worship! If there is someone you would like to receive the worship information (Zoom invitation and bulletin), please pass along their email to Christina office@saintmarkpresby.org so she can add them to the list.
|
|
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering
As a lovely reminder, the Easter time of year provides the opportunity for Presbyterians to join millions of Christians through-out the world with the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. The following video is just one example of how the offerings are used: https://vimeo.com/320337801 This special offering supports disaster response, refugee assistance, and community development to help people start new lives, and work together to strengthen their families and communities. It is an unique opportunity to share God’s love with people experiencing great, great need. Please give with a generous heart by sending a check or going to the giving section of www.Saintmarkpresby.org where you will find a line for “One Great Hour”. Thank you for sharing your gifts with those whose lives have been turned upside down by forces beyond their control.
Consider donating blood
Due to the COVID-19 crisis there is an urgent national blood shortage. This has affected many people, including members of our congregation, who are not able to receive the blood they need due to the shortage. If you are able to donate blood, please consider doing so. There are many places you can donate blood. Here is the link to the American Red Cross National Capital Region. https://www.redcross.org/local/dc-va-md-de/about-us/locations.html
An Update from the Covid-19 Task Force:
- While the blooming of Spring, warmer weather and the numbers of vaccinated people bring hope to us all, we are also aware that cases continue to rise in our county and state and that there are still many unknowns about the impact of the spreading variations. Therefore, the Covid-19 Task Force continues to recommend that Saint Mark continue online services and activities.
- However, we are beginning to work with the Worship and Music Ministry to discuss and discern what a responsible return to in-person worship activities might look like, which will include a hybrid option so that anyone who wishes, may continue to worship with us virtually.
- The Task Force will continue to monitor all available data and rely on a consensus among public health experts to guide our decision making for the best and safest time to resume the use of our facilities to be used.
- Caring for the Body of Christ is our utmost concern. We will move deliberately and as slowly as is necessary to keep the members of this Body safe.
|
|
The CAT is here!
Many of us remember the congregation assessment conducted in 2015. It was an online survey that measured the congregation’s opinions on various aspects of Saint Mark and how well we do God’s work in the world. The Session used the data to better understand where we are strong as a church and where we have opportunities to improve. Since it’s been six years since our last survey, and we are in the process of calling a new pastor, Session has decided now is a good time to repeat the process. Not only will the data be helpful to Session, but it will be very helpful to the Pastor Nominating Committee as we speak with candidates.
The survey was launched the week of March 22nd and is conducted online. It was distributed via email, using our regular email mailing list. It’s a very simple process that should pose no challenges. If anyone has a concern with completing the online version of the survey, please contact your Deacon and we’ll provide whatever assistance is required.
|
|
DC Diaper Bank + Manna Food Donations - April 11
New Members class, April 13
On April 13 at 7:30 pm a new members class will take place over Zoom. Pastor Shelby will lead a discussion for anyone interested in learning more about the life of Saint Mark and potentially joining the church. For questions or to RSVP, please email Pastor Shelby: associate@saintmarkpresby.org.
SPRING WOMEN'S CENTER MEAL OPPORTUNITY
Join the Mission Ministry team in providing dinner and breakfast for the women at the Interfaith Women's Center on April 18th! Sign up to provide a portion of the Sloppy Joe Dinner or Waffle Breakfast HERE. Contact Ray Mountain, Carl or Nancy Shea or Jocelyn Callister with questions.
Book Lovers
Next meeting is Wednesday, April 21 @ 1:00 PM. Pastor Shelby will lead us in discussion of Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi. For more information and the Zoom link, contact phylnorrie@gmail.com.
Good News Gazette
Good News Gazette is coming out in two weeks! Don't forget to send your news and photos (Easter activities, spring break outings, college students coming home, etc.) AND photos of your CATS to phylnorrie@gmail.com.
Mini-Womens Retreat
On Saturday April 24 from 9-1 we will have a mini womens retreat outdoors on the church grounds. Please email Pastor Shelby (associate@saintmarkpresby.org) to sign up. Masks and distancing will be required. Rain/weather date is May 1.
Vacation Bible School is back!
Learn, play and grow at VBS this summer! On August 10-12 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm we will have a masked, distanced, safe VBS. More information to come. Participants and volunteers can register here: https://forms.gle/8zkYfJimiEH29LcEA. Please register each participant and/or volunteer separately.
Need help registering for the COVID-19 vaccine?
There are deacons available to help you fill out the online form if you need tech assistance!
In our prayers prayers week:
~ Gail Dufek's mother Claire Balentine passed away last week. Please keep Gail and her family in your prayers.
~ Pray for the Pastor Nominating Committee, hard at work on the steps to finding us a new pastor: Alison Bennett, Jenn Carr, Elodie Domenge, John Hagner, Karl Kaufmann, Song Park, Dick Pavlin, Maryse Pierre-Louis and Diane Wirono.
|
|
Our Core Values: Commitment, Community, Compassion, Hospitality, Mission & Spiritual Growth
Saint Mark Presbyterian Church
10701 Old Georgetown Road
North Bethesda, Maryland 20852
941-350-4375 (cell) Pastor Scott Wilson
301-530-8143 (office) Pastor Shelby Etheridge Harasty
301-530-8142 Office Administrator Christina Stefanelli
301-530-0600 Main Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
