3may23

As we move toward summer, we know that many in our parish will be headed north and our services will have some lower attendance. We will still be working hard to focus on implementing our vision for the next several months and begin building a foundation for future growth and ministries at Saint Mark’s. I thought I would share with you the product of our vestry retreat.  If there is an area that is listed on the Next Six (pictured right) about which you feel called to work, please let me or a vestry member know.

Yours in Christ,

Father Grant +

The Pantry of Broward, one of Saint Mark’s ministries, has suffered severe loss during Fort Lauderdale’s deluge, estimated at $150,000 in damages. All perishable and frozen foods, carpeting, computers and documents had to be discarded. If you wish to make a donation, please visit www.thepantryofbroward.org. If you can volunteer some time, please email volunteer@thepantryofbroward.org or call 954-358-1481. If you can host a food drive with your friends, company, school, organization, etc., that would be so helpful. PLEASE BRING FOOD ITEMS to CHURCH on SUNDAY. You may also, email ashlie@thepantryofbroward.org for a list of food items needed. Their need is great. Thank you for your generosity!

“I worry about my finances!” “My child is in trouble!” If only I could stop drinking! So many worries! Still in this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus counsels.  “Don’t let your hearts be troubled;”

How can He say that? Is it because Jesus knows God’s love is unconditional: that no worldly worry can disrupt His and our relationship with God? We are safe and secure because we rest in God’s love, and that is indestructible. Thank God we are loved forever! (Norm Carroll)

Our next ECW meeting will be held on Saturday, May 13th at 10 am in the Ministry Center. Hope to see all you gals. Please bring your Lenten Cards to church if you haven’t turned them in yet. We will be discussing what we can do to help Saint Mark’s. One of the items to discuss is the planning for the Christmas potluck luncheon in early December. It’s never too early to start. We certainly had a lot of food and fun this past December. Let’s do it again! (Becky Fogleson)

Please click through and enjoy all the beautiful music Gordon Roberts created for Easter with the Saint Mark’s Chancel Choir! 1) Hallelujah Chorus by Beethoven from the Mount of Olives: https://youtu.be/TfuCwpVKk2k. 2) The Trumpet Shall Sound from the Messiah by Handel, sung by Aaron Venable: https://youtu.be/HoWGLaqcQ5l. 3) I Know That My Redeemer Liveth by Handel, sung by Else Anderson: https://youtu.be/bwOLHXHE8ww.

4) Let the Bright Seraphim by Handel, sung by Doreen Fiorelli: https://youtu.be/heyk9GvKM7s. 5) Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah by Handel:

https://youtu.be/76vW6huqk1o.

(Robin Dreyfuss)

Our church web address is www.saintmarksftl.com. To view up-to-date, easy-to-read church and school schedules of meetings and activities CLICK HERE, this is a very useful tool. If you want to receive the weekly Parish Newsletter via email please sign up at https://saintmarksftl.com/#subscribenow and complete the Constant Contact form located on the right side of the web page. If you are interested submitting an article to our weekly Parish Newsletter email dorothyseibert@comcast.net. 

Father Grant has a daily prayer blog which he starts each morning. He shares this with all who would like to pray together at www.atwinfather.com. When you go to the prayer of the day, there is an option to receive the daily prayer in your email inbox so that you don’t have to type it in every day.

While there are certainly times where a priest is the appropriate caregiver, or perhaps is someone specifically requested, the responsibility for ‘the love and care of one another’ is bestowed on each of us by baptism and commandment, and not by ordination. Congregational care is provided when faithful people are present and listening compassionately while the faith of others is being tested; and also, when we can utilize our ‘spiritual’ gifts and acquired skills to address someone’s ‘temporal’ needs. In so doing, we are preaching, practicing, and personifying Christ’s unconditional love. If God has placed upon your heart a desire to grow this ministry, please seek out a member of your Vestry and share your thoughts on how best to proceed, and how you can contribute.

Father Grant can be reached by email at gwiseman@saintmarks.com, or at 954-334-0131. Our congregation can be reached by contacting the church office . . . seeking your input.

We invite you to post on our church website blog, https://saintmarksftl.com/submit-post/, which helps us keep up with the sharing of information. All information will be reviewed and considered for posting on the church website, Facebook page, and Instagram, as well as in this Parish News.