This Week's / Recent Announcements

  !!!

Whom have YOU invited to join us at
St. Mark's ?

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Don’t forget to set your clocks 
for the
Day of Change 
Please bring in your loose change next Sunday

to help the hunger right here in Dayton.

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Easter Flowers

If you wish to contribute towards the cost of the Easter Flowers, donations envelopes are in the pews or at the Usher’s Table.

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Pancake & Sausage Supper

Has been moved to Sunday, March 14th after the church service
Suggested donations of:
$3.00 per person Or $10.00 per family        family

He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lake side, He came to those men who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: “Follow thou me!” and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is.

--- (concluding paragraph, The Quest for the Historical Jesus, Albert Schweitzer)

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The 2010 Church Directories are now available;

located by the piano.

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 Sparkle Day 2010

Saturday, March 27

9:00-Noon

Every year about this time, it's been a St. Mark's tradition to spend a Saturday morning "sparkling up" our church sanctuary in preparation for Easter. We invite all parishioners -- young and old -- to assemble, roll up their sleeves, and assist in this very worthwhile (and fun) activity. Plus, pizza and soft drinks will be served when our work is complete. For more information please contact Wayne Harper.

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 Adult Forum -- February – March

During the months of February and March (at those same times), we will continue our walk through the Old Testament as we explore the book of Exodus. This epic story became the core of Israel’s self-understanding and provided a foundation for Christians’ observance of Lent and celebration of Easter.  Please join us!

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Lent 2010

Worship Services

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Christ Episcopal Church 
(68 E. Church St., Xenia)

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 
5401 N. Broad St. (Fairborn)

Ash Wednesday, February 17
Holy Eucharist with the (Optional) Imposition of Ashes
St. Mark’s -- Noon and 7:00 p.m.
St. Christopher’s -- Noon and 6:30 p.m.

Weekdays
St. Mark’s – Wednesdays, Noon, 
Holy Eucharist
Christ Church – Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m., Healing Prayer Service
St. Christopher’s – Tuesdays, Noon and 5:30 p.m., Healing Prayer Service
The Episcopal Church in Dayton Lenten Series: 
Dying to Old, Rising to New: Life in the Spirit

In every generation, God’s people discover the truth of the resurrection. We experience death and God offers us new life, a life empowered by the Holy Spirit. Things change and a new way emerges to live as God’s people. This Lent, join us to discover the new way emerging for the Episcopal Church in Dayton. We will use Scripture, History, and Art as three ways of understanding what God is doing in our lives and in our church. The Lenten Series will be held on five Tuesday nights during Lent. The program will begin with prayer and a simple soup supper from 6:00 – 6:45 pm. The program will have three separate tracks to choose from between 6:45-8:00 pm.

1. The Story of People of God in Scripture: We will use Scripture as our guide and study together the new ways that emerge to be the people of God in every age, from Abraham through the Exodus, from the kingdom of David through the Exile. We will study how God’s way is recognized throughout time.

2. The Story of the People of God in Dayton: We will study the history of the Episcopal Church in Dayton, Ohio and work to discern the new life that God is inviting us to in our time. We will also discuss how the social changes in Dayton have shaped the churches here in the Miami Valley.

3. The Story of God’s People in Art and Culture: We will look at examples of art and culture in the Dayton area, especially how art and music have been used in our churches. Art is a vehicle through which perceptions are challenged and new expressions or ideas are made known to the world. We will discuss the impact of artistic expression and innovation on our understanding of God’s call to us today.

This program will be held at several of our deanery churches. 
We invite you to join us as you are able on this special Lenten pilgrimage! 

February 23: St. George’s
March 2: Christ Church Dayton
March 9: St. Christopher’s
March 16: St. Margaret’s 
March 23: St. Paul’s

If you are planning to attend one or more of the services listed above, please fill out the following form by clicking on the link below.  This will help the planners prepare for the soup supper being served.

https://diosohio.wufoo.com/forms/dayton-deanery-lenten-program/

Thank you!

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· Altar Flowers $30
· Sanctuary Candle $7 (for two Sunday bulletins)
· Coffee Hour

If you would like something special written in the bulletin please contact let the parish secretary the week before.

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4 FREE TICKETS TO 
THE BACK SOCIETY OF DAYTON

“”Follow the Muse” 
on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 4:00pm.
If you are interested in these tickets please let the church secretary know either by phone 256-1082 or email st_marks@ameritech.net. This is a first come first serve offer.

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 2010 Offering Envelopes

2010 Offering Envelopes are now available to pick up at the table at the back of the church. If you are a regular loose plate offerer and would like the convinces of an offering envelope please let the parish secretary know and we will be happy to get a box ready for you.

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 2010 Episcopal Calendars

are now available for only $2.00 each. If you are interested the calendars are located on the Ushers Table.

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 ALSO: Take a look at the new items on the bulletin board. The Parishioner Action Team (PAT) posted some thank you letters form the different organization they donated to with the money collected from the Aug. Yard Sale!"

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Prayer List Reduction Notice

Family and Friends:  **Most of the Names on our Prayer List have been there for several months. If you want to keep someone’s name on the list, please notify the Secretary by Tuesday.  Thank you**

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Regular Office Hours for the Church Office

Monday - Friday:  8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

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Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed...

Coffee Hour Hosts 
needed for Future Weeks!

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet & greet your church family members. If you would like more information on how to host a coffee hour please ask any Vestry Member. The sign up sheet is located on the bulletin board outside the church office.

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ST. MARK'S SOFTBALL

The season has now come to an end.  Many thanks to our fans for their support (and also to those child care providers who enabled our active roster!). We ended up 10 - 3 in the regular season and 3 - 2 in the tournament, both of which ended us up in 4th place in the league standings.  A fine season filled with fellowship and fun!  Also, find out more about St. Mark's softball by visiting our web page.

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Photo of the Month!

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Volunteers Needed!

Volunteers are needed to take a turn in the nursery during the summer. There is a sign-up on the wall by the nursery door. The time is 10:15 until the end of the service.

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Be God’s hands in the recession: We ask your prayers for all in Ohio who are suffering job loss, hunger, foreclosure, and other distress, and for the Episcopal congregations and community partners who are working to help them weather the storm. Every dollar you contribute to the Episcopal Community Services Foundation’s annual fund this Advent will go into grants to aid the frontline ministries of Episcopal churches across this diocese to provide food, rental and utility assistance, aid to the medically uninsured, and job coaching for displaced workers like the thousands who are losing DHL jobs in Wilmington.

Here is a glimpse of the kind of people you will be helping: the Hillsboro family bringing a child with cystic fibrosis home from the hospital in winter with their home out of heating oil and their budget overwhelmed. Samaritan Outreach was able to use ECSF funds to buy a delivery of propane for that family. Or another: the working woman with no insurance who needed emergency cancer surgery and whose restaurant wages could not cover the medical bills for her co-payments. Trinity, Troy negotiated down her bills and used an ECSF grant to help pay off most, resulting in monthly payments she could afford to pay with dignity.

Go fishing in your mail stack for the cheerful ECSF Gift of the Spirit mailer with a picture of Trinity, Hamilton’s after-school homework club on the back, and drop a check in it. Each dollar buys at least 4 meals worth of groceries! Or visit our website at www.ecsfsouthernohio.org and give online. Thank you! Your gifts bring hope and relief to thousands of people of all ages in need across Ohio.

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Help Needed with Lawn Mowing

We need volunteers to agree to mow our church lawn during one or more weeks from spring until fall.

If you are will to give a few hours to this important chore, please select a week (or weeks) from the list on the bulletin board just outside the church office.

One of our “veterans” will be in contact with you to provide complete information.

Many Thanks!!!

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Our On-Line Directory is Here!

Click on the Olan Mills logo below to get started to see the latest photos and names of St. Mark's parishioners.

(For security purposes the site is password protected.  The password will be announced at our Sunday Services or it may be obtained via. e-mail from St. Mark's Webmaster.)

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You already know this, because you are HERE!

But just because you are not able to make it to church doesn’t mean that you can’t share in at least part of our Sunday celebration!

Our webmaster, Dave Reuter, posts on our web site each week the scripture readings for the Sunday, the homily and the announcements. Also, if you would like some music to accompany your private worship time, you can visit http://www.cyberhymnal.org/ which allows you to choose, listen to, and learn about over 5400 hymns.

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The Baptismal Covenant

(The Book of Common Prayer, pages 304-5)

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

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St. Mark’s Focused Outreach Opportunities

>> Kemp School Community Project <<

>> Canterbury Court <<

>> CARE House <<

Contact Father Mike or Jim Rudd to learn how you can get involved! Together we can make a difference.

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“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself; and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart fro that desire. And I known that, if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

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Need to know what's happening this month or next at St Mark's???  Then click HERE!
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Weekly Scripture Readings

The Revised Common Lectionary, which lists all of the upcoming reading for the year is now listed on our web site.  From the Main Menu, go to Schedules, Scripture Readings, and then select the appropriate year of interest.  ...Or simply click HERE!

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Building and Grounds Information !!!

When you leave our buildings during the week, please be sure to close windows and doors and turn off the lights.

We have had several occasions lately when we have come in early in the morning to find stairway lights on, the breezeway lights on, a window open, and even the church office door open.

Thank you for your increased awareness of our need to keep our facilities -- and the people who use them -- secure!

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The Parish Resource Center is now...

NEW SOURCE

St. Mark's is a long-time member of the New Source (formerly The Parish Resource Center), which provides a wonderful variety of books, videos, puppets, costumes, banners and many other items - plus friendly, helpful professional assistance - to all of our members.

The Center has recently moved and is now located on Salem Avenue just north of Cornell Avenue.  Visit them on their new web site at www.nstcm.org/.

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> Providing food for a family who lost their home and possessions in a fire

> Providing needed medication to a woman who was injured by her abusive husband

> Providing diapers for a "special-needs" child whose mother could not afford them

> Assisting a family who could not afford the cost of a funeral for their infant daughter.

Thank you, and may God bless you for your generosity!

The lamp hanging in the sanctuary will need donors to keep it burning. The cost for each candle will be $6 for a two week period. Also, more than one person/family can sign-up for a candle. Each week the bulletin will announce from whom the candle was given and why. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board outside the church office.

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