A Message from our Rector,
Father Grant Wiseman
Dear Parish Family,
This weekend some members of our church will be attending a program about Invite-Welcome-Connect. It is a way of helping churches in engaging parishioners. If you are interested in learning more we will be talking about it and beginning to plan the implementation of it at next week’s Wednesday Night Dinner. I am also very excited about all that is going on over the next few weeks. The Dedication of the Sea Lab, the Octoberfest, and our next Family First Saturday Event should be very fun. The plan for the Family First Saturday will be to use our new kayaks and paddle boards to clean up between the bridges while having fun on the water. The event will start at 4:00 pm on November 5, 2022, and dinner of Hamburgers and Hotdogs will follow our time on the water.
 
I am grateful for all the hard work that so many are doing as we continue to redefine ourselves coming out of COVID and the Interim period. The church has an incredible energy that I believe is driving us to great opportunities for our shared ministry.  
Yours in Christ,
Grant +
Fall Wednesday Nights; Catered Dinner (10/19)
The first Fall Catered Dinner takes place this evening. Please join us if you have not made a reservation or paid for your dinner(s), we have saved you a seat! Email Kelly Harris at kharris@saintmarks.com to let him know to save you a place at the table. We are now accepting reservations for next week’s gathering.
Click on the image to your left to reserve your space today. We look forward to fellowshipping with you!
Oktoberfest – Cake Walk (10/15)
Our Church has traditionally organized and run the famous Oktoberfest Cake Walk. Our goal is to provide 35-40 cakes, cookies, brownies, pies, or any dessert you would be willing to donate. This very popular activity for our church will take place on Saturday, October 15. If you are willing to donate baked goods, please contact our church office at 954-563-5155. Desserts may be dropped off in the church office on Friday, October 14, or delivered to the Lower School Music Room, located in the gym by 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 15. The cakewalk will begin at approximately 4 pm. If you are interested in volunteering with the cakewalk, please notify Kelly Harris: at kharris@saintmarks.com. Thank you for your support!
TRUE Fund Sunday: 10/16
On the third Sunday of each month, there is a second collection received for our TRUE Fund. TRUE Fund serves the purpose to support our parishioners and the surrounding community, with one-time assistance for their emergency financial needs. Thank you for your generous donations.
Sunday’s Gospel: 10/16
Luke 18:1-8: Pray Always?
Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel to “pray always”, and Paul repeats that in 1 Thess. 5-17. This is possible only when one understands that prayer is not merely a conversation with God but a way of living, punctuated by certain exquisite moments. If I pray for hours and then curse out my co-worker, am I living in God’s presence, or proving my hypocrisy? Truly, to pray is to live as God’s child, and nourish that living with moments of intimate communion. Such Christian living requires faith, and so today, Jesus asks, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find {any} faith on earth?” (Norm Carroll)
Saint Mark’s Guild Meeting: 10/20
The Guild is composed of retired individuals who meet on the third Thursday of the month, at noon in the Ministry Center for Fellowship, Prayers, a Potluck lunch, and a program. On the 20th, after lunch, there will be a speaker from the League of Women Voters to teach everyone about gun safety in the home. All are welcome to hear the program at 1:00 pm. For additional information please contact Lynne Coughlin, at 954-741-6566.
Family First Saturday: 11/5
Please join us for Family First Saturday on November 5th from 4 pm – 6:30 pm. We will be kayaking and paddle boarding behind our school’s waterway to clean up the river between the two bridges. This will be followed by burgers and hotdogs on the dining deck. Stay tuned for more details about this fun event!
Sunday; Choir Offerings (10/9)
At the 10:30 service, we had a gorgeous rendition of Mendelssohn’s “Hear Ye Israel”, sung by our current staff alto, Samia Ibrahim, who is in reality a famous soprano! Gorgeous. CLICK HERE TO WATCH! And your choir sang a beautiful, very moving Russian song, acapella, called “Salvation is Created”. CLICK HERE TO WATCH! We hope our songs lift your heart, the way they lifted ours! (Robin Dreyfuss)
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.
Face Mask in Church – Optional
Now that the cases of COVID have thankfully abated, wearing a facial mask is encouraged, but not required. Please respect the space of those who choose to be more cautious.
Pastoral Care at Saint Mark’s
Father Grant, our rector is currently available to provide pastoral care for our parish. You may contact Fr. Grant at 954-334-0131, or by email at gwiseman@saintmarks.com.
Please check for our parish updates on the church website at: https://saintmarksftl.com/parish-news/
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All information will be reviewed and considered for posting on the church website, Facebook page, and Instagram, as well as in this Parish News.