St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Celebrating 186 years of Service

Christ the King Sunday

Eucharist for all ages

November 20, 2022

A Proud History and A Bright Future!

This coming Sunday November 20

+ Christ the King Sunday

+Eucharist For All Ages

+Our Annual Christmas Fair

+Advent Wreath Making

+Ingathering and Blessing of Food & Items for Westminster Food Pantry

+Our Giving Tree is up!

+Youth Group

Come, taste, shop and see all that is happening at St. Marks

Get a jump start on your shopping at our Christmas Fair

following the 10:30 a.m. Service on Sunday

*Global Gifts (A Fare Trade Company)

*Heartside Ministry Art for Sale

*Open Door Bakery (Degage cookies)

Downtown Food Pantry Thanksgiving Ingathering

to be blessed this Sunday

Thank you to everyone who made a donation to the Westminster Food Pantry Ingathering. We will bless this food and articles during the 10:30 a.m. Service this Sunday. The food will then be delivered to the pantry this week. It is not too late to bring in items this Sunday. Please note that we will collect food and item donations on the first Sunday of each month. Thanks again.  

Youth Group Recap

The past month has been a full one for our Grand Rapids Episcopal Youth (G.R.E.Y.). We've met for youth group after church, had Sunday morning formation, taken our annual Cedar Point trip, been official youth delegates to diocesan convention, and participated in the Charge retreat at Great Wolf Lodge. We thank God for all these experiences, new and strengthened friendships, and deepening our faith!

Jeff Brown, Director of Youth Ministries

Advent begins Sunday, Nov. 27th! Get ready THIS SUNDAY

(Nov. 20th) by making your own Advent wreath. If you have an Advent wreath form at home, bring it! If you need one, we'll have plenty of supplies (including candles).

This workshop is fun for all ages. 

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.

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 Retreat, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: During Advent, the Church invites us to reflect on the coming of Christ. Please, consider taking time to retreat and to consider Advent themes of anticipation and hope through the lens of the 13th Century mystic, St. John of the Cross. Using his prayers and quotes from his mystical writings, we will take time for reflection, silence and writing to explore the spirituality of Advent and its potential benefits for our lives of faith. A sign-up sheet is available on the Welcome Desk of the Parish House or contact me, and I will add your name for you. A light lunch will be provided. ~ 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. 

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

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+

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.

The Parish Life/Hospitality Ministry is happy to announce that we are planning another trip to the Civic Theater for our annual holiday musical on Sunday, December 11 for the 2:00 matinee:  This year they are performing Mary Poppins! We have the group rate if we have 20 or more. Tickets are $28.00 for adults and $16.00 for students. That is a $7.00 savings with the group rate. We also are planning on a complimentary luncheon prior to the play at the church. This play will fill up fast so the sooner you sign the flyer, which is on the Welcome Desk, that will insure your reservation. Please send your check to Pam Stevenson, our bookkeeper. She has a box in the office. Remember that your check will insure your reservation. Deadline for reservations is December 2.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration: Nov. 21, 7:00 p.m. Please, join me and many others in celebration of religious diversity while offering thanks together in this year's Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration sponsored by the Kaufman Interfaith Institute. The Service will be at Temple Emanual, 1715 Fulton, Grand Rapids. All are welcome as we choose gratitude for the many gifts which are ours. ~ Christian+

Upcoming Events

Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration, Nov. 21, 7:00 p.m., Temple Emanuel

Advent Retreat, Dec. 3, 10:15 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

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.