Each Sunday we will be live streaming our English service at 10:00 AM on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to watch- just click the "Join online services button on the right!) If you miss the service, you can always watch it later at this link!
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Follow along in the Book of Common Prayer, The Holy Eucharist: Rite One on page 323 (or the Online Book of Common Prayer)

Today's Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45

Invest In Hope: Martha said to Jesus, “But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him." John 11:22

The spirit of Jesus present in the church continues to give us what we need to accomplish our mission of love and compassion.

COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) CLOSURE: At the direction of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, St. Mark’s is cancelling all IN-PERSON worship services, classes, meetings, and events until at least April 20, 2020. We will continue to provide services online on St. Mark’s Episcopal Church’s Facebook page. Additionally, we will post services provided by the Diocese of Arizona and the National Cathedral. The Church office is closed to walk-in traffic at this time in order to limit exposure. In addition, clergy and staff will work remotely as much as possible. For Pastoral Emergencies, please call Fr. Gerardo Brambila at 602-405- 4588. If you have additional questions, you may also call Parish Administrator, Gloria McManus at 480-560-9505

How To Find Us: We will be broadcasting various services on BOTH Facebook pages: St. Mark's Episcopal Church-Mesa, AZ—or—St. Mark's Episcopal Church Mesa; with additional service information on our website.  

Invest in Hope Matching Capital Campaign: We have a family in our parish that is willing to move their bequest forward from their deaths into 2020, where it will be sorely needed. But they would also like to have other parishioners participate. So they invite and challenge us to give to the campaign, and they will match our donations dollar for dollar, up to $50,000 on their part. Write "Match" in the memo line of your check to identify your contribution or if giving cash, make sure to  include your name and “match” in the envelope. You can mail your donations or pledges to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 322 N. Horne St., Mesa, AZ 85203, or securely give online through Faith Street.

Upcoming Ministry Meetings: NONE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Mark Your Calendars:

• Wednesdays at 10 am - we'll be streaming Stations of the Cross on Facebook
• Saturdays at 10 am - we'll be streaming a Holy Eucharist Service in Spanish
• Our Food Pantry will continue to operate by outside, drive-through food distributions on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month until further notice.
• For now, our April 26 St. Mark’s Day service and celebration is still on the calendar. We will reevaluate the situation in mid-April as it pertains to worship services, meetings and events and act in accordance with the Diocesan directives and guidelines. 

Full announcements and prayer list (pdf)

Each Sunday we will be live streaming our English service at 10:00 AM on our Facebook page. If you missed today's service, you can watch it now!

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Follow along in the Book of Common Prayer, The Holy Eucharist: Rite One on page 323 (or the Online Book of Common Prayer)

Today's readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

We pray that you are all well. Take care of yourselves, and those around you.

For parents who are looking for Sunday School activities - there's a free 6-week program that we had just started in the 1-4 grade class that teaches about the sacraments we celebrate in the Episcopal Church. It's a free download available here.

Some other resources for prayer and worship at home:

• Forward Movement is offering an array of free resources to support individuals, families, and groups as they worship and pray at home.
• A Morning at the Office - an Episcopal Morning Prayer Podcast
• Episcopal Church Publishing has a free pdf of the Book of Common Prayer, as well as some other free devotions.
• Reflections on the Stations of the Cross
• Habits of Grace - a weekly video meditation with Presiding Bishop Curry

Today's Readings: Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42

Noticias Re"Mark"ados (anuncios en español)

Invest In Hope: Moses cried out to the LORD, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." Exodus 17:4

Being a leader isn’t always easy. Stewards are called to be leaders in faith, which involves sacrifice, courage, humility and a commitment to the words of Jesus, “What you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me.”

Invest in Hope Matching Capital Campaign: We have a family in our parish that is willing to move their bequest forward from their deaths into 2020, where it will be sorely needed. But they would also like to have other parishioners participate. So they invite and challenge us to give to the campaign, and they will match our donations dollar for dollar, up to $50,000 on their part. Write "Match" in the memo line of your check to identify your contribution or if giving cash, place in a giving envelope found in the pews and write your name and “match” on the front.

Life Line Screening: A leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, is pleased to offer a preventive health event at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on 3/21/2020. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems –see flyer in Narthex for more information. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. There are three ways to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call toll-free 1-888-653-6441 or visit http://lifelinescreening.com/ communitycircle or text the word "circle" to 797979

Daughters of the King Shoe Drive: Members of the DOK are asking for gently worn or new women’s shoes (please no sandals, flip flops or heels) for women leaving prison as some have no shoes when they are released.

Altar Guild: Members of St. Mark’s, we need your help to carry out the tasks of the Altar Guild for all services (before and after mass). Please talk to Father Gerardo if you are willing to help. Thanks in advance!

MarkDowns Thrift Store Sales: Parishioner Sale on Sunday March 15 and March 22: everything 1/2 off! In addition, our thrift store will be holding a Spring Fling Sale on Thursday March 19 (9 am—1 pm), Friday March 20 (9 am—1pm) and Saturday, March 21 (9 am-3 pm).

Upcoming Ministry Meetings:

• Daughters of the King: April 8, 11 am
• Altar Guild: March 21, 10 am
• St. Mark’s Brotherhood: Rescheduled; date to be determined
• Bishop’s Committee: Tuesday, March 24, 5:30 pm

Mark Your Calendars:

• Laying on of Hands and Anointing with Oil, last Sunday of every month
• Stations of the Cross: Wednesdays at 10 am with Lenten program to follow (bring a bag lunch); Fridays at 6pm beginning with Soup Supper and Lenten program, followed by the Stations of the Cross. Soup Supper Hosting Schedule:
  • March 20: Cursillo and MarkDowns Thrift Store
  • March 27: St. Mark’s Singers/Pastoral Care
• Cursillo Ultreya-CANCELLED
• Life Line Screening, Saturday, March 21, 9 am-4 pm; info flyers available in the narthex 
• Sunday, April 5, Palm Sunday-regular service times; procession with Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band
• Maundy Thursday, April 9, 7 pm-Foot washing and stripping of the altar
• Good Friday, April 10: Stations of the Cross at 11:30 followed by service at 12 pm
• Easter Sunday: 6 am Sunrise; 8 am Spanish; 10 am English
• St. Mark’s Day-April 26-one bilingual service with potluck to follow 

Full announcements (pdf)

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

As your priest I am concerned for everyone’s well being, both physically and spiritually. After prayerful consideration and consultation with my wardens, I am making the following temporary alterations to our worship services:

1. Wednesday service including Stations of the Cross and Friday Lenten Program with Stations of the Cross will continue as scheduled.
2. During Sunday services, please observe the following guidelines:
   1. Instead of passing the offertory plate from hand to hand, it will be placed on a table in the front of the sanctuary and parishioners may place their offerings directly in the plate.
   2. During the Peace please avoid handshakes, hugs, and other physical contact, instead please acknowledge the Peace will a loving word, thought or gesture.
   3. During communion, until further notice, I will administer only the Host as a full communion.
   4. ​During Lion’s Den, hand sanitizer will be available on a table near the serving table. I strongly encourage everyone to please use the sanitizer prior to selecting snacks or beverages. I am asking each ministry that hosts Lion’s Den to wipe down the tables with disinfectant that will be provided.
3. Pastoral care team visits will occur only in parishioner’s homes. Only I will make visits to parishioners in assisted living or hospital facilities, that way I am the only one at risk, minimizing exposure to our church family.
4. Temporarily, I would like to begrudgingly ask our members to avoid trips to the office during the week unless absolutely necessary. Please call ahead to make an appointment.
5. For now the Food Pantry and MarkDowns Thrift Store will continue to operate as normally scheduled until further notice as we anticipate that there will be an increased need for these ministries as this pandemic continues. Those volunteers are asked to take reasonable precautions and additional cleaning measures.

I continue to urge everyone to stay home if they are not feeling well, to wash their hands regularly, cough or sneeze into their elbows, and all the other reasonable precautions. Have faith, pray constantly and for each other. God will get us through this difficult time, together.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gerardo Brambila+

Helpful resources:

• CDC updates and recommendations regarding COVID-19
• The Episcopal Church's online resource page regarding COVID-19
• Episcopal Relief & Development