St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Celebrating 186 years of Service

The Second Sunday of Advent

December 4, 2022

A Proud History and A Bright Future!

Christmas Tree Decorating This Sunday!

We will have our Christmas Tree Blessing and Lighting on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. prior to the Sacred Sounds Concert. We're asking parishioners to help decorate the tree during the 10:30 Social Hour this Sunday beginning at 12:15. We'll have the lights and ornaments ready to go. You could bring an additional ornament as well. Please, plan to come and join in the fun both at 12:15 and then at 4:30 for a brief prayer and singing of Christmas Carols. ~ Christian+

Christmas Tree Lighting and Carols, December 4 at 4:30 p.m.

Bundle up and join us for Christmas Carols and the blessing and lighting of the newly planted Christmas tree on the lawn of the Parish House. Stay for the Sacred Sounds Concert at 5:00 p.m.

Sacred Sounds Concert December 4 at 5:00 p.m.: Hannah De Priest, soprano, is praised for her impeccable singing and vivid performances. She is in high demand on both sides of the Atlantic. Joining the Prize Winner of the 2021 International Cesti Vocal Competition is the celebrated pianist, Michael Pecak. You will not want to miss this event. This concert is free but donations to the Sacred Sounds program will be graciously accepted. The concert will be followed by a reception in the parish hall. 

We continue collecting items for

Westminster Food Pantry

on the first Sunday of each month

Our food local food pantry is very grateful for our generous support and we appreciate the many items and donations you are able to provide.

Although we take the collection to the pantry after the first Sunday of each month, we appreciate your donation at any time.

December’s featured item is cereal and January cans of soup.

Questions? Please contact our deacon, Jan, who is instrumental in our connection to this community ministry. 

Advent/Christmas for Children

In our Church School, we teach our young ones about the season of hope

and anticipation for the coming of Jesus. 

Celebration of Life: Wendell Chivis

Our beloved brother in Christ and member of our Staff, Wendell Chivis, passed away on Wednesday, December 1. He now rests in peace. The Visitation will be on Friday, December 9, from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. the Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, December 10, at 11:00 a.m.  The Visitation and the Service will take place at Messiah Baptist Church, 513 Henry Avenue SE, Grand Rapids. The Service will be an ecumenical celebration between the Episcopal and Baptist Traditions. Bertha, Wendell's wife, worships and is employed at Messiah Baptist Church. Please, pray for her and their family's comfort and plan to be with us for the Visitation and/or the Celebration of Life. ~ Christian+

Sunday Forums in Advent: Join us for Advent Sunday forums in the Canterbury Room on Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Teams of individuals from the Adult Formation Ministry will lead presentations and discussions on "All Earth is Waiting: Good News for God's Creation at Advent." Sessions will be from 9:30 to 10:15. Please, join us if you are able. ~ Adult Formation Ministry

Wednesday Forums in Advent: Please, join us for several unique opportunities in Advent on Wednesdays, Dec. 7 and 14. We will have supper together as we have this fall and then retreat to the St. Mary's Chapel for a combination of reflections and prayers by candlelight from 6:30-7:45. The themes will be longing, hoping for hope, active anticipation and preparation and Taize-style chants will be part of our evening together, as we journey together in Advent toward Christ's coming again.  Adult Formation Ministry

Labyrinth Walk offered Dec. 21

On Dec. 21 there will be a candlelight Labyrinth Walk in the Parish Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. You’re invited to pause in the final hectic days of this season, to be still and be in communion with God and other pilgrims. If you’re not familiar with walking the labyrinth, it is an ancient spiritual practice, a walking meditation, a path of prayer, used by Christians since the fourth century. The Labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. Come any time and stay as long as you wish.

Advent of Hope Daily Reflections

Engage this Advent with a daily devotion in the collaborative reflections booklet. Below are links to the microsoft word printable version as well as a link to the colorful flip-booklet. Hard copies are available on the resource table in the North Transept.

Living Compass - Advent 2022 Devotional

Practicing Simplicity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind

Hard copies of this Advent devotional are available beginning this Sunday at St. Mark's. Please, feel free to take one. Please, consider this resource for Advent along with others that are provided. ~ Christian+

Advent Event: From Grieving to Joy, December 6, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Please, join me and others for prayer, reflection and discussion at the

Catholic Information Center, 360 Division Ave. South

(See flyer in the Parish House Foyer) as we gather for an evening in Advent. 

I volunteer at the CIC and hope that you will want to be with us

for this unique Advent opportunity. 

Also, there is a need for a few volunteers at the Center on the following: 

Preparation of packets on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 10:30-11:30 a.m. 

Set-up on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. 

Clean-up after the event on Tuesday, Dec. 6 8:45-9:30 p.m. 

If you can help, please, contact me at church or via my cell or sign-up at the Welcome Desk in the Parish House.  Blessings. ~ Christian+

Sanctuary Giving Tree: Our annual Giving Tree will be dedicated this year to providing additional winter clothing to our homeless neighbors and Breakfast Cafe guests. While we had a generous outpouring of gifts in October to provide many of these items, we are experiencing an increase in the number of newly homeless neighbors. Beginning this Sunday, November 13th, please consider bringing hats, scarves, gloves, and socks to carefully place on or below the tree in the south transept. These items will be distributed at the Christmas Breakfast Cafe in December. Thank you for your generosity. ~ Outreach and Social Justice Ministry

The Kent Philharmonic Orchestra presents a Christmas Concert

for All Ages, Friday Evening December 9, 2022 7:30 p.m.:

The Kent Philharmonic Orchestra presents a holiday concert featuring The Carol Symphony by Victor Hely-Hutchison. This is a great way for the family to celebrate the Christmas season with music for a reasonable price. The St. Cecilia Auditorium is located at 24 Ransom NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Tickets are available at the door.

Episcopal 101: An Inquirer's Journey, January - April 2023: 

If you wish to be Received into the Episcopal Church, to be Confirmed in the Episcopal Church or to Reaffirm your faith as an Episcopalian, please, consider this opportunity at St. Mark's. All participants will be expected to prepare the materials whether in attendance or not, and that only a minimum number of sessions can be missed. A variety of days and times will be offered to try and accommodate as many schedules as possible. If needed, I will schedule a make-up session or two. A sign-up sheet is available at the Welcome Desk in the foyer of the Parish House or you can contact me as well. 

Many thanks. ~ Christian+

Upcoming Events

Advent II Dec. 4: Christmas Tree Lighting and Carols at 4:30 p.m. and

Sacred Sounds Concert, 5:00 p.m.

Advent Sunday Forums Dec. 4,11 and 18, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Catholic Information Center Advent Event "From Giving to Joy",

Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Advent Wednesday Forums Dec. 7 and Dec 14: Supper at 6:00 p.m.,

Forum from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Advent III Dec. 18, 5:00 p.m., Sacred Sounds Festival of Lessons and Carols

Labyrinth Dec. 21: Prayer from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Services at 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Christmas Day at 10:30 (only)

New Year’s Day (Sunday) Services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.