What Do You Choose?

A Message from Fr. Mike

What Do You Choose?

Trunk or Treat? Please contact the office if you're willing to hand out candy on Saturday, October 23. Come have fun with us!

"Many trunks make many smiles."

—The Rev. Mike Rau

Friends,

If you've read ahead, you might have discovered that this Sunday's gospel reading is about the rich young ruler. This passage has inspired many the quotable quote. But are we focusing on all there is to learn from it? Are there obscure invitations for you to consider? I think so, and I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you.

Meanwhile, I need to acknowledge the difficulties we are having with our livestream. We have been trying to diagnose the root of the problem for more than six months, working with a handful of people who have been trying, yet failing, to address them. I'm praying the latest theorized solution will work, but there are a few steps we need to make, which may take time. Please know your frustration matches mine, and we're working hard to fix things. Thanks in advance for your patience.

Blessings,

Mike+

Week of October 10 at St. Mark's

Sunday, 10/10

Gift Shop is open: Please stop by after both the 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. services to buy that perfect item for someone special, or just shop for yourself.
Coffee Hour is in Gray Hall immediately after each service. New Members & Visitors, please look for the “Welcome Table” with the flower arrangement.

Monday, 10/11

Church Office closed in observance of Columbus and Indigenous People's Day
No Morning Prayer
Community Dinner, served at 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm. (Second and Fourth Monday each month); The dinners serve anyone interested in loving fellowship and a delicious meal. Volunteers are also needed. Please contact the office for more information.

Tuesday, 10/12

Men’s Morning Fellowship at 10:00 am: This is a weekly opportunity for Men’s fellowship. The meetings are currently held online via Zoom. Please contact the church office for the Zoom meeting details. This week's theme is "The Mind of Christ."

Wednesday, 10/13

Wired Word Discussion Group at 10:30 am via Zoom; Lessons are based on the week’s news with scriptural references that usually spark stimulating discussions. For more information and/or to be added to the group list to receive the meeting link and discussion material, please contact the church office
Youth Group: Middle School meets at 6:00pm – 7:00 p.m. and High School meets 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Choir Practice meets in the choir room in Gray Hall at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, 10/14

Contemplative Prayer at 4:00 pm in the narthex for quiet, meditative prayer

Friday, 1015

53rd Annual Diocesan Convention: Annual gathering and business meeting of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida; Friday’s opening worship service will be held at the Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota at 5 p.m. Guests are welcome to watch the Saturday business meeting via livestream. For more information, guidebook, and livestream links, go to the diocesan webpage at https://episcopalswfl.org/convention.html.

Saturday, 10/16

Eucharist at 4:30 p.m. in the sanctuary

Click here for LIVE STREAM and BULLETIN

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, October 19: St. Mark’s Book Club meets at 10 a.m. in Gray Hall. October’s book is The Book Women of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson.

Saturday, October 23: Trunk or Treat will be 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. (cars arrive at 5p). We need folks to sign up to distribute candy from their trunks. To reserve your spot, please call or email the church office.

Saturday, November 6: Lay Ministry Training and Luncheon, 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. If you're an usher, greeter, reader, acolyte, and/or lay eucharist visitor, or interested in serving in any of those roles, you're invited to the training and luncheon. Please respond to your ministry lead or contact the church office to RSVP.

Sunday, November 7: Celebration of All Saints' Day (tr.), Please see the bulletin insert to submit names of deceased loved ones to be remembered. Drop completed forms in the offering plate or church office. Deadline to submit names is Monday,

November 1, 2021.

For more information about any programs or upcoming events, to be added to the parish prayer list, or to schedule some time to talk with clergy or staff, please stop by the church office, call (941) 488-7714, or email [email protected].