Weekday Offerings & Special Events

Please check with the Church office, 388-2681, for additional details on any event.

Mondays
(Preschool Nursery provided from 9:00 a.m. – noon)

Mothers of Preschoolers
Second and fourth Mondays 9:30 -11:30 a.m. Youth Center
The purpose of MOPS International is “to nurture every mother of preschoolers by meeting her distinct needs to the glory of Jesus Christ.” Meetings include fellowship, programs, arts and crafts, and outreach programs. Loving volunteers provide childcare.

The theme for this years’ programs is: Dwell Well--heart, home and planet.

Moms in Ministry
Second Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Grace House
All mothers are invited to gather for fellowship, spiritual direction and education, as well as welcoming new families into the parish family

EFM (Education for Ministry)
9 a.m.-noon Grace House
EFM offers an opportunity for lay group study, prayer and theological reflection. Participants meet weekly in small groups with a trained mentor for nine months.

Tuesdays

Wednesdays
(Preschool Nursery provided from 9:45-11:45 a.m.)

Women’s Covenant Group
9 -11 a.m. 5345 Ortega Blvd
If you have yearned for a closer relationship with God and for an intimate community to be a part of and to journey with, we warmly encourage you to join this newly formed Covenant group. Here you will be safe, valued, supported and stretched. Our time together will include; prayer, scripture, teaching, and sharing.

Precepts Class
Every Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Hope House
This group will be starting Kay Arthur’s study, Covenant. The concept of covenant and God’s covenants with his chosen people will have a profound impact on our understanding of how the Old and New Testament fit together. Please call Deanna Lewis, 384-8560, for more information.

Mothers with Young Children Bible Study
Every Wednesday, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Grace House, begins September 12
This class is designed for St. Mark’s moms who are expecting or have children age three years or younger. Besides having fun and fellowship, will read and discuss various books that apply to our stage in life. This year we will begin by reading Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver, available in the St. Mark’s Bookstore. Anne Beard, Norma Basford and Amy Slater 389-1720, will lead this study.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Every Wednesday, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Library, September 5-November 15
Take a mid-week, mid-day break and attend the Wednesday Morning Bible Study followed by Eucharist in the Chapel. Everyone is welcome at the informed but informal study of scripture. Laura Magevney will be facilitating this class while the Rev. Sandra Moyle is on sabbatical. This fall we are studying the Book of Acts, using the Interpretation Bible Study, Acts, by Charles C. Williamson, which is available in the bookstore. Many people who come to the Bible Study also like to attend the 11:30a.m. service of Holy Eucharist in the chapel. Spring dates and topics may be found on the St. Mark’s website.

Kerygma
Most Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Leatherbury Hall
Keryma will begin on Wednesday, April 2, and end on April 30, with the theme People Reflect About God. This session will cover the imponderables such as, How there can be suffering in a world that God created? We will read Job and other pertinent material. First week will be “Thinking About Who God Is” and will explore questions such as Can God Be Influenced? and Can God Be Located?, as well as, the many names for God. Second week be “Asking How God Can Be Both Just and Loving” and will focus on Job and Jonah. Third week will be “Knowing the Unknowable God” and will explore revelation. Last (4th) week will be wrap up.

Wednesday Night Live
Wednesday nights in April; 6 p.m., Children, grades 3-6, Hope House
Families will eat together in Leatherbury Hall, and then while adults enjoy Kerygma Bible Study, children ages 3-6th grade can go to Hope House for a lesson, craft and games. Nursery for younger children will also be available. Contact Laura Magevney at lmagevney@stmarksjacksonville.org for more information.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS HELD ANNUALLY

Please check with the church office (388-2681) for additional details on any event.

Annual Cutting of the Greens
Volunteers are needed for Annual Cutting of the Greens on Saturday, December 1st, 2007 in Leatherbury Hall. Bring a pair of gloves, strong clippers and a friend or two and we will provide the food and festive environment as we prepare the greens for the Advent Fair.

Advent Fair
Sunday, December 2, 2007 from 9:30 to 11:30 in Leatherbury Hall. Begin the blessed season of Advent by making a wreath for your home or a friend. All supplies to make an Advent wreath, as well as other crafts and activities, including painting ornaments, will be available during the Christian Formation Hour. Please call 388-2681 to reserve a place for your family. A donation of $10 per wreath is requested.

Family Caroling Night
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 from 5 - 7 p.m. Join us for hot chocolate, cookies and caroling. After meeting in Leatherbury Hall at 5 p.m. we will go caroling to various homes within the parish community. This is a wonderful service opportunity during the holidays. Help bring some cheer to members of the St. Mark’s family. All families are welcome to help make this St. Mark’s tradition a special one.

Christmas Tableau Information
On Christmas Eve the 5 p.m. service will resemble a conventional service, but with a dramatic presentation of the Christmas story by the first through sixth grade Sunday school students instead of the homily. There will be a Eucharist and the children will sing anthems. If your child would like to participate in the tableau he or she needs to attend Sunday School on a regular basis in November and December. On Sunday, December 23rd we will have a dress rehearsal where costumes will be distributed. If you would like to help with the tableau or have any questions, please contact Laura Magevney, 388-2681.

Visit from the Magi
Interested in hosting royalty this Christmas season? Sign up for a visit from one of the three kings. On Christmas Eve, at three of the services, a king from a nativity set (or crèche) will be sent home with a St. Mark's family, complete with a devotional guidebook/ scrapbook. Each evening the hosting family will have the opportunity to have a devotional time with their king and add their thoughts, memories, a drawing or photo to the scrapbook. The following day, the host family visits another parish family and passes the king and his book along to a new household. On Epiphany, January 6 all those who have hosted a king during the past two weeks are invited to join the procession at our Epiphany celebration, complete with a child-friendly service, kings cake and the burning of the greens. If you are interested in helping with or learning more about this fun event, contact Laura Magevney, 388-2681 ext 212.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper On Shrove Tuesday parishioners gather in Leatherbury Hall for a dinner of pancakes, sausage, bacon, with a pancake-topping station. Games and crafts are available for children of all ages. A bonfire in the courtyard will be used to burn palms for the Ash Wednesday services the next day. Bring your palms from last year’s Palm Sunday services to add to the fire. This event is sponsored by Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS).

Palm Sunday Procession
On Palm Sunday our 8:45 service begins at the youth center deck with a procession that includes a live donkey, sheep and goats. Come early and spend some time with the animals before the service begins.

Agape Feast on Maundy Thursday
In the life of the early Christian church, believers often gathered over an Agape meal, or “love feast” of bread, wine, cheese and other simple foods before worship. Here they would read the latest letters from the apostles or retell the stories of Christ’s ministry. Come to a recreation of this early Church tradition. Call the church office, 388-2681, to sign up to bring items to share with others at the Agape Feast. Even if you cannot bring something to eat, please come anyway. In God, there is abundance! Infant and toddler child care is available, and there will be craft tables in Leatherbury Hall for children age 3 and up.

Pentecost Celebration
On The Day of Pentecost St. Mark’s celebrates with birthday cake in Leatherbury hall. Since Pentecost is the time for brilliance, red in all its restraints and outbursts shows up in balloons, streamers and other decoration. Children of all ages can “catch the Holy Spirit” by making Pentecost spinners are other crafts.

Vacation Bible School
An exciting week of fun and learning for children ages three years through sixth grade. Older youth are encouraged to volunteer.

Kidz Night Out!
5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sometimes kids are ready to get out of the house and parents need a break! We provide childcare, dinner, movies, and games while parents get a night off! Your children may bring a friend or meet one there. Come in your pj’s or dressed ready to play. You may drop off your child at any time. $20 for the first child. $5 for any additional child. 3 months to rising 6th graders welcome. Watch for published dates as reservations are required, Laura Magevney, 388-2681.

Blessing of the Animals
Bring your pets to the front lawn of St. Mark’s to celebrate the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The clergy will offer special blessings for each pet -- furry, scaly or otherwise! Children love to see their special pets receive a blessing. Treats for animals and people will be provided.