St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Celebrating 186 years of Service

The First Sunday of Advent

November 27, 2022


A Proud History and A Bright Future!

We are offering two Sunday Services

at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. 

and a mid-week Eucharist at noon on Wednesdays

The 10:30 a.m. Service will be recorded live from the St. Mark's Sanctuary through our Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

A copy of the Bulletin may be found on our website, in the button below

or on the Facebook page.

Bulletin

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 +

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, 14 and 21. On 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.  On Dec. 18, the Parish Labyrinth will be on display for prayer in the Parish Hall from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Please, come and pray with this unique method for prayer and meditation. Adult Formation Ministry

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 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.

Microsoft Printable Edition
Color 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+


Free PDF version in English or Spanish

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+

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.

Upcoming Events

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.

Sunday Children's Opportunities

During the 10:30 Service, opportunities for children are offered in the Lower Level of the Parish House. Please plan to be with us, parishioners of all ages!

For more information and to volunteer to be of assistance, please contact Evan Knill, Director of Children's Formation at evank@stmarksgr.org
Prayers Requested

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the LORD's people.
Prayers Requested

Grand Rapids Episcopal Youth

For information on our Virtual and In-person Youth Group Meetings as well as events and activities, please contact Jeff Brown, Director of Youth Ministries at jeffatgrey@gmail.com

Volunteer Media and Medical Release Form
Ways to Give to St. Mark's

1.)  Mobil App Square Cash - Cashtag: $stmarksgr Web address: cash.me/$stmarksgr
2.) Online at our website at www.stmarksgr.org through PayPal 
3.)  Electronic Giving (email Pam for form – see the attachment in our e-news)  
4.)  Vanco Mobile App from any mobile device 
5.)  Pay by text - text 616-205-9714 from your phone and send in a payment
6.)  Mail in a check to the church 
7.) Gifts or Transfer of Stock
8.) Remember St. Mark's in your Estate Planning
2023 Pledge Card
Thank you for your continued support of St. Mark's!
Please see the ways to give to St. Mark's in the link below.
Link Here for Financial Update
Electronic Giving Form
Parking on Sundays

Limited parking is available in the Parish Lot. Therefore, 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 the Ellis Lot, please, pick up an exit ticket from an Usher, a Greeter or on the little table where the bulletins are in the north transept. Parking is free on Sunday only. A white ticket is required to accompany the parking ticket and to exit the lot.
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church
134 N. Division Avenue
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-456-1684
https://.www.stmarksgr.org
https://www.facebook.com/stmarksgr/
meganth@stmarksgr.org