 Image by Jackson David from Pixabay Invest In Hope: Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. James 1:17.
It’s easy not to remember that when we are generous, we are actually sharing in God’s generosity. Our giving is part of God’s perfect gift to us. A Stewardship Parable: Once there was a church that had a curious circumstance. There was a man in this church who pondered this circumstance deeply. You see, the giving in support of the church had very high peaks and equally low valleys. They occurred every year. After careful observation, the man observed that the descent into the valleys began shortly after the Sunday school ended for the year. He also observed that the ascent from the valley began every fall when Sunday School resumed. One year, in the midst of a low valley cycle, he sat there on Sunday morning preparing to write his weekly check to his church. He knew what he had promised to give each week and as he looked at his bank balance, he thought, “I can do better”. And so he wrote his check for a small amount more than his promise. He continued writing checks for the increased amount even as the ascent started the following fall. When the time came for him to renew his promise of financial support, he promised the higher amount. This went on for many years and the man went from being an average contributor to a tither. Can you honestly look at your own checkbook balance, or credit card statement, every Sunday and not find a way to give a little more? Mask Update: Following NEW updates from the CDC and the Diocesan Office, the St. Mark’s Bishop’s Committee has decided to update the Mask Mandate. Going forward, individuals who have been vaccinated may now attend worship services without masks if they choose. Mask wearing continues to be mandatory for people who are not fully vaccinated. We do ask that you still observe social distancing. If you feel that you are vulnerable, please continue to wear your mask. If you are sick, please stay home. All services will continue to be broadcast online. Food Pantry: Our Food Pantry will continue to operate by out-side, drive thru distribution on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The Arizona National Guard has been assisting us with this ministry however, their mission to assist us is concluding on September second. We hope to carry on, but we need help from volunteers who are physically able to push carts loaded with food to families cars. Our distributions in September will be September 14th (7am to 11am) and September 28th (7am to 11am). Our set up day s are the Monday prior from 8am to 10am. We would like and appreciate help from volunteers all four days, but any time you can spare would be most appreciated! Food Pantry Volunteers are all vaccinated and clients are asked to wear masks and stay in their cars. We welcome you to join our mission to feed the hungry in Mesa! MarkDowns Thrift Store: The thrift store will be closed for the summer. August Tithing: St. Mark’s is still present and desperately needs your support. If you normally bring an envelope with a check to church, you can instead mail that envelope to the church office, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 322 N Horne St, Mesa, AZ 85203. If you usually give loose cash to the church, you can instead write a check and mail, or you can donate via the PayPal button on the right or here through FaithStreet - on the "Choose a Fund" drop down menus, scroll to choose "St. Mark's, Mesa". You can also do online payments through your bank, through the Bill Pay option. You could even set up a recurring payment through your bank if you wish, so you will not forget. God Bless and Stay Safe, Dianne Nunez, Stewardship/Finance Chair. Looking for a Social Media Team for St. Mark's: If you are active on social media and love St. Mark's, we're looking for you! We want to develop a social media team to help coordinate our communication and engage our congregation on all our social media platforms - currently Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, in both English and Spanish. If you are interested in volunteering, have suggestions, or would like more information, please contact Anali Perry at [email protected]. Upcoming Ministry Meetings: NONE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Mark Your Calendars:
CURRENT SERVICES: You can join us for services live at the following times, or watch the recording any time at your convenience:
 Image by Jo-B from Pixabay Invest In Hope: Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69
“Where else can we go?” asked Peter. Many who heard Jesus speak and saw what he did came to the same conclusion. We are their spiritual descendants… and it is part of our task to pass on the faith to our descendants. This is a difficult task today. The example of how we live our lives may well be the most powerful way of influencing others to seek Jesus and follow after him. Mask Update: Following NEW updates from the CDC and the Diocesan Office, the St. Mark’s Bishop’s Committee has decided to update the Mask Mandate. Going forward, individuals who have been vaccinated may now attend worship services without masks if they choose. Mask wearing continues to be mandatory for people who are not fully vaccinated. We do ask that you still observe social distancing. If you feel that you are vulnerable, please continue to wear your mask. If you are sick, please stay home. All services will continue to be broadcast online. Food Pantry: Our Food Pantry will continue to operate by out-side, drive thru distribution on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The Arizona National Guard has been assisting us with this ministry however, their mission to assist us is concluding on September second. We hope to carry on, but we need help from volunteers who are physically able to push carts loaded with food to families cars. Our distributions in September will be September 14th (7am to 11am) and September 28th (7am to 11am). Our set up day s are the Monday prior from 8am to 10am. We would like and appreciate help from volunteers all four days, but any time you can spare would be most appreciated! Food Pantry Volunteers are all vaccinated and clients are asked to wear masks and stay in their cars. We welcome you to join our mission to feed the hungry in Mesa! MarkDowns Thrift Store: The thrift store will be closed for the summer. August Tithing: St. Mark’s is still present and desperately needs your support. If you normally bring an envelope with a check to church, you can instead mail that envelope to the church office, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 322 N Horne St, Mesa, AZ 85203. If you usually give loose cash to the church, you can instead write a check and mail, or you can donate via the PayPal button on the right or here through FaithStreet - on the "Choose a Fund" drop down menus, scroll to choose "St. Mark's, Mesa". You can also do online payments through your bank, through the Bill Pay option. You could even set up a recurring payment through your bank if you wish, so you will not forget. God Bless and Stay Safe, Dianne Nunez, Stewardship/Finance Chair. Looking for a Social Media Team for St. Mark's: If you are active on social media and love St. Mark's, we're looking for you! We want to develop a social media team to help coordinate our communication and engage our congregation on all our social media platforms - currently Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, in both English and Spanish. If you are interested in volunteering, have suggestions, or would like more information, please contact Anali Perry at [email protected]. Upcoming Ministry Meetings: NONE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Mark Your Calendars:
CURRENT SERVICES: You can join us for services live at the following times, or watch the recording any time at your convenience:
 DSC-0305 by Ted is licensed CC-BY-SA 2.0 Invest In Hope: “This is the bread that came down from heaven.” John 6:58
Jesus asks his listeners to see beyond the obvious, to see not just earthly bread but heavenly as well. So rather than see the stranger, we can see our brother and sister. Rather than see the needy, we can see those with less opportunity than us. Or, rather than not see at all, we can open our eyes and ears to those whom we can assist. Mask Update: Following NEW updates from the CDC and the Diocesan Office, the St. Mark’s Bishop’s Committee has decided to update the Mask Mandate. Going forward, individuals who have been vaccinated may now attend worship services without masks if they choose. Mask wearing continues to be mandatory for people who are not fully vaccinated. We do ask that you still observe social distancing. If you feel that you are vulnerable, please continue to wear your mask. If you are sick, please stay home. All services will continue to be broadcast online. MarkDowns Thrift Store: The thrift store will be closed for the summer. August Tithing: St. Mark’s is still present and desperately needs your support. If you normally bring an envelope with a check to church, you can instead mail that envelope to the church office, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 322 N Horne St, Mesa, AZ 85203. If you usually give loose cash to the church, you can instead write a check and mail, or you can donate via the PayPal button on the right or here through FaithStreet - on the "Choose a Fund" drop down menus, scroll to choose "St. Mark's, Mesa". You can also do online payments through your bank, through the Bill Pay option. You could even set up a recurring payment through your bank if you wish, so you will not forget. God Bless and Stay Safe, Dianne Nunez, Stewardship/Finance Chair. Looking for a Social Media Team for St. Mark's: If you are active on social media and love St. Mark's, we're looking for you! We want to develop a social media team to help coordinate our communication and engage our congregation on all our social media platforms - currently Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, in both English and Spanish. If you are interested in volunteering, have suggestions, or would like more information, please contact Anali Perry at [email protected]. Upcoming Ministry Meetings: NONE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Mark Your Calendars:
CURRENT SERVICES: You can join us for services live at the following times, or watch the recording any time at your convenience:
 "Bread of Life" by Jaci XIII is in the public domain Invest In Hope: “Whoever eats of this bread will live forever.” John 6:51
Jesus’ words in the Gospel make clear what he asks of us: an eternal commitment. As stewards, we care for others because they are our brothers and sisters for eternity. Our care, compassion and love are signs that we have eaten the bread of life and intend to share that life with others, forever. Mask Update: Following NEW updates from the CDC and the Diocesan Office, the St. Mark’s Bishop’s Committee has decided to update the Mask Mandate. Going forward, individuals who have been vaccinated may now attend worship services without masks if they choose. Mask wearing continues to be mandatory for people who are not fully vaccinated. We do ask that you still observe social distancing. If you feel that you are vulnerable, please continue to wear your mask. If you are sick, please stay home. All services will continue to be broadcast online. MarkDowns Thrift Store: The thrift store will be closed for the summer. August Tithing: St. Mark’s is still present and desperately needs your support. If you normally bring an envelope with a check to church, you can instead mail that envelope to the church office, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 322 N Horne St, Mesa, AZ 85203. If you usually give loose cash to the church, you can instead write a check and mail, or you can donate via the PayPal button on the right or here through FaithStreet - on the "Choose a Fund" drop down menus, scroll to choose "St. Mark's, Mesa". You can also do online payments through your bank, through the Bill Pay option. You could even set up a recurring payment through your bank if you wish, so you will not forget. God Bless and Stay Safe, Dianne Nunez, Stewardship/Finance Chair. Looking for a Social Media Team for St. Mark's: If you are active on social media and love St. Mark's, we're looking for you! We want to develop a social media team to help coordinate our communication and engage our congregation on all our social media platforms - currently Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, in both English and Spanish. If you are interested in volunteering, have suggestions, or would like more information, please contact Anali Perry at [email protected]. Upcoming Ministry Meetings: NONE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Mark Your Calendars:
CURRENT SERVICES: You can join us for services live at the following times, or watch the recording any time at your convenience:
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 We appreciate your secure online donation to St. Mark's, using either PayPal or through the Diocese of Arizona using FaithStreet. PayPal sends your donation directly to St. Mark's. For FaithStreet, please select "St. Mark's Mesa" from the drop down menu under "select a fund."
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