"Pentecost Spirit" of Joy Lutheran Church

Prayers Requested

Electronic Giving Form

Celebrating 186 years of Service

Happy Memorial Day, in honor of all those who served our country.

Events

Garden Day

Saturday, May 27 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Lend a hand to clean up, mulch and plant the gardens at St. Mark's. If you are able to help, please let Marie McKendall (mack752@att.net) know.

Sacrament of Baptism this Sunday, May 28

Congratulations to our seven candidates:

Lark Huber, Maxwell Hudson Muschiana, Nikko Sky Muschiana, Richard Muschiana, Stellan River Muschiana, Adan Calif Razik, and Thalia Faith Rozeboom.

More Upcoming Events:

June 2nd–4th Festival of the Arts Parking Lot Fundraiser

June 11 Celebration, Fr. Christian’s final Sunday at St. Mark’s

June 18 Bishop of the Diocese presides at both Services

Be the Help & Grow Our Community!

Food Pantry Items needed for the Month of May: Pasta and Pasta Sauce (canned preferred)

Safe Church, Safe Communities

Required Training

Every 3 years, all church clergy, staff, vestry and everyone volunteering with children or vulnerable adults must recertify their Safe Church training. Compliance is audited by the diocese annually. Training options:

Sunday, June 4th from noon-3:30 p.m.

at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on 3 Mile. St. Mark's welcomed.

RSVP to Deacon Alex Quick, children@standrewsgr.org.

Online

Please reach out to Evan Knill or Jeff Brown, evank @stmarks.org or jeffb@stmarksgr.org.

This fall at St. Mark's, details to come.

Additional calls for volunteers will be posted at the Welcome Desk. If you'd like to give of your talents, and build stronger connections at St. Mark's, but aren't sure where to begin, contact Kate at the front desk. (officeadmin@stmarksgr.org, 616-456-1160)

From Your Ministries

Prayer for the Transition

Holy Spirit of God –

So many come to our Parish for a sense of home. The consistency and constancy of our community provides a special peace, a haven. Now, our Parish family faces a change which may be frightening or discomforting. We ask for calm and an openness to hear every voice. May we remind ourselves and one another: We are in God’s hands.

We ask for Shalom–balance, patience and peace.

May we find our hearts strangely warmed by this process.

May we find strength, joy and endurance. Amen. (Laura Kozminski)

Change in the Eucharist Offering

Worship Ministry met on May 4. It was decided that as of June 2023, the practice of adding wine to wafers will be discontinued. The Intinction Cup for 'dipping' will continue to contain consecrated wine and be offered. A return to offering a Common Cup will be delayed for now. The current bulletin format will remain as it eliminates multiple worship aids for visitors, our senior parishioners and all at worship. ~ Worship Ministry

Please "friend" St. Mark's on Facebook and subscribe to the YouTube Channel. Many thanks! ~ Communications Ministry

Safety Ministry Monthly Showcase

A big thank you to our Safety & Security Ministry for all their hard work. Please read this impressive list of 19 security projects they have completed or partnered on, plus more plans ahead.

Safety Projects at St. Mark's

Announcements & Celebrations

Grand Opening this week!

Open Door Bakery

storefront at 144 S. Division

In the words of our friends at Degage Ministries:

"The Open Door Bakery offers hope and opportunity through the communal art of baking.

Our passionate team of bakers includes past and present residents of the Open Door Women’s Center at Degage Ministries. All of the bakery profits directly support this overnight shelter for women in crisis."

2023 Pledge Card

If you have not yet pledged for 2023, we are graciously still accepting pledges towards our life together. Pledge cards are available at the Resource Table and the Welcome Desk.

Please join us as you are able!

New to St. Mark's? Welcome!

Sunday Services at 8:00 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. (recorded live)

Healing Prayer during Holy Communion, near the piano in the South Transept

Mid-week Eucharist at noon on Wednesdays

St. Mark's Episcopal Church is a growing, welcoming, and affirming community of faith in a vibrant urban community. In our worship and in our service to the community, we proclaim that all people are worthy of God's love. We celebrate and uphold the dignity of all people whose ethnicity, cultural heritage, and denominational traditions are examples and celebrations of God's love. We welcome visitors and parishioners from all social, political, and educational backgrounds, and all abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We affirm all people and celebrate diversity, as we work to fulfill God's love for all people as a community of faith.

Parking and Restrooms on Sundays

Please, respect the handicap parking spaces at St. Mark’s, especially on Sundays. These are needed by many parishioners.

Consider the free metered parking on Pearl, Ionia, Lyon, Fountain and other streets near the church, the upper and lower levels of the GRCC building on Fountain Street, and the Ellis Parking Lot at 210 Ionia just west of Lyon Street. For Sundays only, white validation tickets for the Ellis lot can be found from an usher or greeter.

Main floor restrooms are limited. The second floor has additional restrooms.

Sunday Children's Opportunities

During the 10:30 Service, in the Lower Level.

For more info and to volunteer, contact Evan Knill, Director of Children's Formation: evank@stmarksgr.org.

Grand Rapids Episcopal Youth

For info on virtual and in-person youth group meetings as well as events and activities, contact Jeff Brown, Director of Youth Ministries at jeffatgrey@gmail.com

Baptisms at St. Mark’s

The next opportunity for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism will be on June 18th with Bishop Singh. If you are interested for yourself or your child, see Fr. Christian.