26jul23

During the summer months Saint Mark’s Book Club meets on the fourth Thursday via Zoom. On July 27th at noon, we will discuss The Silent Builder by Marilyn Weigold. If you are unable to obtain the book from the library (it is available from Amazon), an alternative is The Engineer’s Wife by Tracy Emerson Wood. They both tell the same fascinating story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge shortly after the Civil War. Either book will suffice for our discussion. Contact Terry Gaw; tagaw@aol.com if you need the zoom meeting link with the ID and password. (Terry Gaw)

“Jesus, why teach in parables?” He responds, “Because my message is so challenging that I must clothe it in gentle coverings.” In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus describes a man finding an enormous treasure buried in a field (there were no banks then). The riches were so massive, he sells everything to buy the entire field. This treasure represents the kingdom of God. Now, the pivotal question: do I prioritize God’s kingdom or wealth, image and power? (Norm Carroll)

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).

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.

We are collecting school supplies for the Pantry of Broward. Please view/or download the flyer which list the supplies that are most needed. All supplies collected will be delivered to the Pantry of Broward on the first Monday, August 7th, along with our monthly food collections received on Sunday, August 6th.

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.

Next Sunday we have a special guest, mezzo soprano Erika Vasallo, who will be singing Vivaldi’s Qui seeds ad dexteram Patris from his well known Gloria. 

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.

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.

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.

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.