Re“Mark”able News - 20 February 2022

Love Your Enemies, by Shira Golding Evergreen [cc-by-nc] from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Invest In Hope: “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27-28

These words of Jesus have always been difficult to follow, but in today’s world, even more so. Division and anger abound, with many families divided within themselves. Love, patience, listening, an attempt to understand… perhaps these are the virtues we need most today.

Let’s Celebrate This Christmas Together At St. Mark’s: We are announcing our fundraising drive to keep St. Mark’s a vibrant, loving, Gospel-living presence in Mesa. We need everyone’s help NOW to make it happen. There are two prongs to this campaign: one is to bring new members to our church in both the Spanish and the English service; and the second is to raise much-needed cash IMMEDIATELY. The first element will help us continue to grow our community of faith, the second is necessary to allow us to survive until Christmas, as well as grow. If we do not raise enough money, we will not be here for Christmas. We ask you to donate NOW. We have so many options that there is no excuse to give generously. You can use check, cash, online direct from your bank account, or PayPal from our website www.stmarksmesa.org. Please make a note indicating “Christmas” as the designation. We will be keeping track on a fundraising thermometer. We also continue to collect your coins as part of the same fundraiser. Every contribution helps! How far will they stretch? If you love St. Mark’s, NOW is the time to donate. As Fr. G said, “If we do not gather, we will scatter”. God Bless and let us all be cheerful givers! Dianne Nunez, Stewardship and Faithful Fundraisers Chair. 

Community Outreach: St. Mark’s has teamed up with Embry Health to provide free Covid testing on the St. Mark’s parking lot. Testing is available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7AM till 7PM.

Food Pantry: Because of the United Food Bank delivery schedules, Tuesday, February 15, 8AM-11AM will be our only distribution for the month of February. Our set up day will be Monday, February 14, 8AM-11AM. Volunteers are welcome and appreciated! Come any or both of these days! Join our team and help feed the hungry in our community! May God bless you for supporting St. Mark’s Food Pantry!

MarkDowns Thrift Store: The thrift store is OPEN on Tuesdays, 8 to 11 in conjunction with the food pantry schedule and Friday and Saturday from 9AM till 1PM. We are also open Sunday mornings, from 8:30 until 9:55 and following the 10am service on request. We are also looking for volunteers to help in the store. Please contact Diane Lewis at: at [email protected] or call or text 480-414-5497. Or Kathy Cheatham at 602-578-7538. 

Mark Your Calendars:

• Tuesday, March 1st, there will be a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper in the Parish Hall from 5 to 7PM. Ash Wednesday is March 2nd. Services will be held at 10AM and 7PM. 
• Lay Leadership Retreat at Chapel Rock: March 4-6, 2022. If you're interested in attending, contact Fr. Brambila or Randy Rogers.

​
CURRENT SERVICES: You can join us for services live at the following times, or watch the recording any time at your convenience:

• Tuesday, 12 pm—Noon Day Prayer (online)
• Wednesday, 10 am -  w/Christian Education  (in person and online)
• Thursday, 7 pm—Order of Compline (online)
• Sunday, 8 am - Spanish Service (in person and online)
• Sunday at 10 am - English Service (in person and online)

Full announcements and prayer list (pdf) 

---