9aug23

A Message from our Rector,

Father Grant Wiseman

Dear Parish Family,

Wednesday, August 16th, and there are events planned that we would love for you to attend as well. To kick off the year, Back To School Picnic is on Friday, August 25th, and we will have a table set up to welcome parents and invite them to join our church. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Robin Dreyfuss (robindreyfuss@gmail.com) or me. There is another event at the end of the month as well where we would love to have participation from the parish. 

The school needs additional employees for Aftercare and is looking to hire at least eight more people to help. The pay is generous. If you or someone you know wants to obtain additional income, please contact Nicole Willi, HR Director (nwilli@saintmarks.com).

In September, we will begin our Family First Fridays. Anyone interested in helping plan those events, please contact me. Our coffee hour will be back in the Parish Hall probably a week from this Sunday. Please stop by and check out the new meeting space in the Ministry Center.

Yours in Christ,

Father Grant

Sunday’s Gospel; Matthew 14:22-23; It’s Been A Stormy Sunday! – 8/13

I can’t take it anymore! Illness, Money problems! Lost my job! Then, this Sunday’s gospel depicts Jesus walking atop these storms of life. At first, Peter trusts Jesus, and also walks atop the troubled waters, but then he doubts, and begins to sink.

Sunday’s lesson? Whatever our pains, discouragement or even impending death, Jesus calls us to trust. Believe in His message; take His hand and walk on your troubled waters. (Norm Carroll)

Sundays’ Coffee Hour – South Chapel

Due to construction taking place in the Ministry Center, coffee hour after each service is held in the South Chapel of the Church and can spill out to the Memorial Garden weather permitting. Please note that there are tables and chairs set up in the South Chapel for all to sit and visit comfortably. We are seeking coffee hour sponsors. You may sign up by filling in the form (8 am or 10:30 am) that is located on the table in the South Chapel. Thank you for your support.

From The Music Department!

This Sunday, August 13th, during our 10:30 am service, we will have a special guest soloist who will sing a well-known and loved solo by Charles Gounod, O Divine Redeemer. Heidi Salonia is a very talented artist who has won many awards for performances of bel canto music. She has performed internationally in opera, oratorio, and solo recital. She was trained extensively in classical ballet, and she has much theater experience. The congregation will have a wonderful musical experience with this talented artist. Heidi is also a Certified Trauma Therapist with a private practice that services our fire rescue, police, military and public.

Last Sunday, our Chancel Choir performed a superb rendition of a Nathalie Sleeth anthem titled Seek and You Will Find. I am so proud of the accomplishments of this dedicated group. Our work together is a joy.

Gordon Roberts, Music Director

Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church

Church and School Upcoming Events – Time to Participate!

Please take some time to enjoy the adorable Saint Mark’s school children!  On Tuesday, August 15th, our Church will be sponsoring a table during the school’s Orientation

from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., inside the gymnasium. We will have gifts from the church, and several opportunities for our Saint Mark’s families to join. You do not have to come the entire time. If you have an hour, PLEASE LET ME KNOW when to expect you. Come and enjoy the fresh, young faces! Email me at robindreyfuss@gmail.com or call 954-610-2000.

Here’s another fun-filled opportunity! We are sponsoring a tented space with a table during the school’s Back to School Picnic on the Athletic Field, from 5:30-7 p.m. on August 25 (Friday)! We have a job… passing out mini-waters to thirsty children. Waters and coolers will be provided. Just come, sit, and enjoy companionship with other parishioners and laugh with the children. Once again, email me at 

robindreyfuss@gmail.com, or call 954-610-2000.

We would love to have you join the fun group!

Thank you everyone!

Robin Dreyfuss

Numbered Giving Envelopes – Now Available

If you have requested giving envelopes, please note that your numbered envelopes are located on the counter at the entrance of the church. Please remember to sign for your envelopes, as they are registered in our Realm giving system. If you did not order envelopes, but would like to receive a set of envelopes, please contact Kelly Harris (kharris@saintmarks.com).

Let’s Stay in Touch

We are continuing to make an effort to keep our contact records up to date. If you are new to Saint Mark’s, or if any of your contact information has changed, please let us know! Simply fill out the blue card that can be found in the pew rack with your current contact information, and either place it in the collection plate, or hand it to an usher. Also, you can send your information to Ken Arruda, Junior Warden at kenarruda@comcast.net at your earliest convenience.

Name Tags

We are encouraging everyone to wear their name tags! If you would like a Saint Mark’s name badge or need a replacement (or a second card to keep in your car!), please see an usher and your card will be ready for next Sunday. If you would like your ministry affiliation to be displayed on the tag (e.g., Choir, Guild, ECW, etc.), please let us know. Also, you may reach out to Ken Arruda, Junior Warden at kenarruda@comcast.net, and he will receive your request.

Daughters of the King (DOK) – Prayer Requests

Saint Mark’s Chapter of The Order of the Daughters of the King is a spiritual sisterhood of women who are called to pray for concerns in our parish. If you have a special request for prayers please fill out a card in the pew rack and place it in the black lock box located in the South Chapel, or you may reach out to Mindy Hardial, DOK Chapter President at mindyedsall@gmail.com, or Billie Hairston at bchair@bellsouth.net. All requests for prayers are handled confidentially, and must be placed in the black lock box instead of the Sunday’s offering collection plates.

Important Links to our Activities Calendar and Sign-Up to Receive Our Weekly Email Newsletter

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. 

Let Us All Pray Together Daily

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.