Weekly ScheduleSundays, 10 a.m., Holy Eucharist 5th Sunday, Morning Prayer Midday Prayers Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. Midday Prayer with Prayers for Healing, in the library. Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing is offered on the Third Wednesday of the month at 11:30 a.m. in the library. MusicMusic is an important part of an Episcopal celebration, as we lift our voices to God in praise and thanksgiving. We sing from the 1982 Hymnal, and we use the Wonder, Love and Praise (WLP) and Lift Every Voice and Sing (LEVAS) hymnals, as well. Sometimes we sing pop or folk hymns, too. Music Minister Lee Yezek plays a beautiful Jardine organ located in the choir loft, as well as a grand piano in the chancel. The choir is open to all, no matter your musical background. The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:45 p.m. and on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am. The choir sings an anthem nearly every Sunday between September and June. Holy seasons are special for the choir, when we sing particularly fine music, and bring in instrumentalists. A few times a year we organize a youth choir, with members between the ages of 6 and 13, which sings easy but fun music. If you have any questions, please contact Lee Yezek, Minister of Music, lyezek@gmail.com SermonsIf you missed Rev. Suzanne’s weekly sermons, listen to them here: How to Get Involved in the Worship ServiceAltar Guild The Altar Guild is a special lay group charged with the maintenance and preparation of the altar and its furnishings. Members also supervise decorations and flowers. Anyone interested in joining the St. Mark’s Altar Guild is invited to contact Rev. Suzanne or Fran Fletcher at 508-397- 5087. Training is provided. Altar Servers and Lectors We welcome new readers, chalice bearers and altar servers (torch bearers and crucifers) at any time during the year. Training will be provided. Torch bearers generally should be in at least 3rd grade, and crucifers in at least 7th grade. Adults are also welcome to this ministry. Please contact either Suzanne or Jacqui Carlon if you or your child are interested. Ushers St. Mark’s ushers serve as the “first line” of greeting for parishioners and visitors to our Sunday services, distributing service bulletins, passing the offering plates and presenting the gifts, facilitating the Communion queue and policing the pews after the service. For those new to our parish family, or for anyone looking for an opportunity to serve, ushering is a great way to help out for just a few Sundays a year. If interested please contact Jim O’Reilly at jkoreilly01450@yahoo.com or talk to him at any of the Sunday services or coffee hour. Choir Anyone can join the choir, under the direction of Minister of Music Lee Yezek. No musical training is required, just a love of singing. The choir meets once a week to rehearse anthems for Sunday Prayer Chain The St. Mark’s Prayer Chain is a group of volunteers who pray privately for those in need of prayer. It is a wonderful way to support church members, family and friends. If you have a Prayer Chain request, please contact the church office at secretary@st-mark.org Outreach Outreach is how we seek to make Christ known to the world. Current ongoing outreach ministries include the Eliot Meal, the Middlesex Meal, food pantry collections, can tab collection, the Westford Preschool, blood drives, the Chocolate Festival, the Walk for Hunger, and others. The Outreach team provides opportunities for, and welcomes your involvement in, the projects we support throughout the year. For more information, see the Outreach pages Coffee Hour Each week, parishioners volunteer to host coffee hour after the 10 a.m. service to encourage fellowship and share yummy food and drink. Coffee hour hosts are expected to make the coffee (coffee and instructions provided), set up a few tables and chairs, and share some goodies, which don’t have to be homemade. Some people bring juice for the kids or those who don’t drink coffee. Providing milk and/or half-and-half for the coffee drinkers is also recommended. Sunday School Teaching The St. Mark’s Sunday School takes place during the 10 a.m. service and is taught by volunteer teachers using a written curriculum. We are always looking for new volunteers who enjoy interacting with our youngest parishioners and teaching them about Jesus and the way of God. No experience is required, and lots of support is provided. For more information, visit the Sunday School web pages, and/or contact Judy Hilton jakhilton@aol.com |