January 11, 2023

I am looking forward to the annual meeting on the 22nd of January. We will have a combined service on that Sunday at 10:00 followed by the annual meeting. Lunch will be served at 11:30 in the parish hall. Our school dining service Flick will be providing the food. We have so much to celebrate and to look forward to as we begin this new calendar year. 

Next month’s Family First Saturday event will be held in the Parish Hall and will be a Karaoke Night. We ask that you bring an Appetizer to share and whatever you would like to drink. I will be excited to see what songs people choose.

We are upgrading the sound and video system in the church and are looking for volunteers to learn to run both the video and soundboards. Ideally, we will have a team of people who are willing to share the load. Please consider helping us out. It is an important ministry of the parish.

Yours in Christ,

Father Grant +

The ECW meeting will be held on Saturday, January 14 at 10 am in the Ministry Center. We are looking forward to seeing you all. We had a very successful Christmas potluck luncheon. Thanks to those who helped, as well as all who attended. We look forward to having more events. We can discuss this during our meeting on January 14th. (Becky Fogleson)

Gospel: John 1:29-42; Are You the Lamb of God? – 1/15

John exclaims of Jesus: “Behold the Lamb of God!” But what does that mean? Surely it refers to the lamb the Hebrews consumed before leaving Egypt, and its blood that saved their very lives. John was pointing to Jesus as their Savior. Because we are disciples of Jesus, He is calling us to be saviors also: saviors of friends, relatives, and all whom we touch. We of St. Mark’s accomplish this by the way we love each other. (Norm Carroll)

TRUE Fund is designated as one-time financial assistance for those with an emergency need. All applications received are maintained confidentially. TRUE Fund Committee members Christy Hatzfeld and Doug Reynolds review the applications for approval. For assistance or additional information please contact the church office at 954-563-5155.  

On January 22, 2023, we will hold our Parish Annual Meeting in the school’s dining hall following the single 10:00 am service in the Church. There are six (6) members of the Vestry whose present terms will conclude. All but two of those members, if they so choose, are eligible to run for a full term in the upcoming election by virtue of their having completed terms shorter than 3 years. We will also select delegates (2) and alternates (2) for next year’s Diocesan Convention. If you feel that God is placing in your heart a willingness to represent the best interests of your fellow congregants in either of these roles, please share your desire with Father Grant, or a member of the Vestry, so that your name might be placed in nomination at our Parish Annual Meeting. (Harry Richardson, Junior Warden).

The book club will meet in the South Chapel of the Church at 11:30 am beginning with lunch, and the discussion of a Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry follows from noon until 1:00 pm. Contact dorothyseibert@comcast.net if you have any questions.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services were wonderful, joyful events at Saint Mark’s. We have a gallery of photos on our church website. (click here to view the gallery)

So much glorious Christmas Music from Saint Mark’s Christmas Eve Service. Please take time to listen, and re-listen in the calm of January. O Holy Night sung by Doreen Fiorelli, soprano (click here to view); My Child’s Eyes sung by ASAEL Cuesta Cardona, alto, and Alleluia from the Christmas Oratorio by Saint Saens sung by Elyse Anderson, Doreen Fiorelli, Asael Cuesta Cardona and Aaron Venable of the Saint Mark’s Choir (click here to view). Click here to subscribe to our choir YouTube channel. (Robin Dreyfuss)

Thank you to all of our youth (Khaleed, Kailey, Kylie, Clara, Liliana, Reiss, Emily, and Samantha) that are currently serving as our acolytes on Sundays during the 10:30 am service. If your child is interested in serving please contact Ryan Brukardt at ryan.brukardt@gmail.com for training. Community service hours will be provided.

CLICK HERE to view up-to-date, easy-to-read church and school schedules of activities, a very useful tool.

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.

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.

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/

Got news to share? We’d love to receive your submission at: https://saintmarksftl.com/submit-post/