Sunday April 5
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
10am Sunday Service on YouTube (Audio only on Zoom) (No Facebook on Sundays)
11am Coffee Hour on Zoom
Visit our website, stmarksbr.org for links and schedules to all upcoming services, prayer meetings, music offerings and more.
(Scroll to the bottom of this note for links, also)
NEW: All LIVE services can be seen directly from the front page of our website
We’ve had some trouble with Facebook recently. It seems that they are struggling with bandwidth. YouTube seems to be much more stable.
Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday, April 5
10am Service on YouTube and Zoom dial-in
Maundy Thursday, April 9
10am Morning Prayer on YouTube and Facebook
Good Friday. April 10
10am Morning Prayer on YouTube and Facebook
12pm Good Friday Service on YouTube and Facebook
Holy Saturday, April 11
10am Morning Prayer on YouTube and Facebook
7:30pm Diocesan-wide Vigil Service, a link will be available on our website
Easter Sunday Morning, April 12
10AM Service on YouTube and Zoom dial-in
The Warden's Corner
I would like to give a big round of applause to Father Rick for keeping St. Mark’s alive and well during this difficult time. The online presence he has created for St. Mark’s Church services and programs is phenomenal. I know I have truly enjoyed watching the service on Sunday, seeing all the volunteer readers and chatting at Coffee Hour. Our physical doors may be closed but participating online has been wonderful to keep us active and connected with St Mark’s through services, prayer groups and coffee hour.
There is some enjoyment from this enforced quarantine. I have heard from and have had video chats with friends and relatives who are just checking up. It is a good time to reach out, everyone is home. I have been getting some things done around the house without the distraction of places to go. It is a nice quiet time for families to be together, watch movies, read a book or work on a puzzle. Life feels a little slower and at times quite peaceful.
Having said that, this is a trying and worrisome experience and hopefully will become a historical note very soon. Thanks and prayers for good health go out to our essential workers and those who have been affected by COVID 19. Until we can all be together again at St. Mark’s stay safe and healthy. Give Rick’s online programs and services a try, St. Mark’s is here for you.
Sincerely,
Joan Graff
Senior Warden
Every Day
There is a service streamed LIVE on Facebook and YouTube every day at 10am. We will be doing this for the duration of this crisis. If you miss these services you can always watch the service later on Facebook or on our YouTube channel
We are also going to be using Zoom for the daily 10AM services - audio only. Anyone can call in using their regular home phone.
Prayer Group
We have started a prayer group that will meet on Zoom twice next week: Tuesday at 6:30PM and Wednesday at 7:30AM. This is for anyone and everyone who has concerns on their hearts, or who just wants to join in prayer with a group of other people. The format is very simple, and you can share as much or as little of the prayer requests that are on your hearts. The links are available on our home page.
Outreach:
Red Cross Blood Drive, Thursday, April 9th at St. Mark's
There is a great need for donations at this time. You may read all about the safety measures the Red Cross is taking here.If you are healthy and able, please consider signing up for this blood drive - you really may be saving a life.
Emergency Food Drive
Curbing Hunger has initiated a Food Drive for the Somerset County Food Bank. The need right now is great, and it’s only going to get worse. Click here to contribute.
Ham Collection
The Food Bank has said that they DEFINITELY want hams for Easter. If you want to drop one off, please call the office or Rick (301) 697-9139 and we’ll get it to the freezer and then to the Food Bank.
Laughter in the Pews
Laughter in the Pews
Finance Update
2020 YTD Financial Results (through March)
·Operating Income is $135K, $3K (or 2%) above budget. Full and partial year pledge income received in January and February and higher than expected donations received YTD have been offset largely by lost income in March from the cancellation of the March Rummage Sale and reduced Building Use Donations, due to COVID-19 social distancing measures.
·Operating Expenses is $88K, $6K (or 7%) below budget, driven by Buildings and Grounds favorability (snow removal savings, insurance) and timing of expenses.
·Operating Net Income is $47K, $9K (or 22%) above budget, driven by favorable pledge income (offset by COVID-19 induced March income shortfalls) and overall expense favorability.
·Note on the financial impact of COVID-19
The Vestry and Finance Committee are monitoring closely the impact of COVID-19 on St. Mark’s finances and are working through steps to mitigate financial risk, including postponing notable non-essential expenditures. The Vestry and Finance Committee will apprise parishoners of any financial implications and mitigation plans as the pandemic evolves.
Alleluia! Easter is Coming Soon!
Father Rick has kept our spirits lifted - let's continue to inspire each other and display our traditional Easter garden outdoors since we can't be together at this time
If you would like to join in the JOY, please donate an Easter bulb plant, cut flowers from the store or your garden (in a vase with water) and place them around the cross in front of the church on South Finley beginning on Good Friday, right through Easter Sunday.
Let's have a cheerful and beautiful Easter celebration!