Operation Christmas Child - Your help is needed! It's shoebox time! Kindly help support this Samaritan's Purse Christmas mission outreach by filling

10.07.12 WeeklyUpdate
***

Operation Christmas Child - Your help is needed!

occ1

It's shoebox time! Kindly help support this Samaritan's Purse Christmas mission outreach by filling shoeboxes with useful and fun items for the world's neediest children. There are two ways to participate:

At home: You and your family can prepare shoebox gifts at home, using either plastic shoeboxes or your own wrapped standard-sized shoeboxes (please wrap the box and lid separately). There is a shipping charge of $7 per box. No time to shop? We’d be pleased to accept financial donations to offset the cost of shipping the boxes from the Parish Packing Party. All boxes are due by Sunday, November 11th. Brochures are available in the Narthex, on the table near the parking lot entrance, and in Cranmer Hall.

At St. Mark’s: Please join us on Sunday, November 4th after services (no Sunday School that day) for a Parish Shoebox Packing Party in Cranmer Hall. We have lots of pre-purchased items waiting to be packed. All are welcome – please feel free to bring a friend. We will need box wrappers, packers, and labelers. Pizza, salad and drinks will be provided.

Please see Diane McTigue with any questions or donations (215-942-9173). Thank you!

***

Grace Church - donations accepted

373029 110201209005912 846343179 n

Grace Church is in need of used clothing for girls ages 10, 6, 4, and 2; a set of bunk beds; bedding and towels. The girls were removed from their home after their father/stepfather ran into their home to evade arrest, following a high-speed chase last month. The girls have been taken in by their aunt, who has a two-bedroom apt. and works full-time. The girls have been living in deplorable conditions (largely unsupervised, doing all their own cooking & laundry, unbathed; maggots in the living room, etc.). Some public assistance may be forthcoming, but right now the children and their aunt are in real need, both materially and spiritually. They have no church. We hope to show them the love of God and to speak the Gospel to them. If you have items to donate--especially school clothes, please call Grace Church at 610-583-2770.

On October 13 we at Grace Church are holding a yard sale to benefit Christ Academy. We welcome any donations you care to make, including larger furniture items. Because our storage space is at a premium, we are requesting that donated items not be brought to us before October 8. For those unable to bring items to us but who have substantial contributions, we will try to arrange pick-ups. If you have questions, please feel free to call us at 610-583-2770.

***

Usher Meeting - This Sunday

Men who serve as ushers are invited to a very brief informational meeting this Sunday, immediately following the service. The meeting will be held in the sanctuary.

***

The Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist

st luke icon

Please join us for Holy Communion at 6 pm on October 18th.

All are invited to the Rectory for dinner, following the service. RSVP to jsspatterson@gmail.com or 215-884-7660 if you plan to attend dinner.

***

Unique Ministry Opportunity

temple

Temple University's "Homestay Program" helps international students find homes in which to live while studying at Temple.

St. Mark's own Dennis Serge coordinates the program. Read more here.

***

Briefly Noted:

yard work

Landscaping Work continues!

Many thanks to Chris, Naomi and Owen Morris who planted a hedge row along the side entrance this past Saturday.
If you took home flannel board sheets to cut out - please return them! We are missing a few pieces to our new flannel board set.
The painting of the exterior of the church begins next week! (The painters were delayed due to the recent rainy weather).

***

On the Calendar:

Holy Communion Oct 18th, 6pm - Feast of St. Luke. Dinner following.
Acolyte Training Retreat Oct 19-20 (hosted by All Saints, Wynnewood).
Octoberfest Youth Event at St. Mark's Church. Oct 21-22. Read more.
Church Lunch with diocesan youth (after service). Oct 22. Speak with Sue Rodgers for more information.
Father/Son Retreat. Oct 26-28.
Holy Communion, the Vigil of All Saints (time TBA). Oct 31st.
Diocesan Council - Nov 1-2.
Shoebox Packing Party. Nov 4 (also: Daylight Savings)

1px