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Lent and Easter at Saint Mark
 Ash Wednesday, March 9, marks the beginning of the season of Lent, the forty-day season leading up to Easter day and the Easter season. Because the church considers every Sunday to be a little Easter, Sundays are not counted as part of the forty days and instead are referred to as “Sundays in Lent.”
During Lent, ancient Christians mourned and repented of their sins, so it was appropriate for them to show their sincerity by having ashes on their foreheads. This custom has persisted in the church as secular society has changed around us and is most appropriate on Ash Wednesday, when we begin a period of sober reflection, self-examination, and spiritual redirection.
Lent is a season of encounter with Christ, of instruction, initiation, and growth as a church in common life and ministry. It is a “time for putting aside the sins and failures of the past in light of who we are yet to become by the grace of God.” Many people give up something for Lent as a spiritual practice/discipline. You might also consider taking on a new practice as a means of getting closer to God. Lent is a deep, rich time in which we prepare for the Easter season.
Calendar of Events
Ash Wednesday, March 9
- Dinner, 6:15 pm, in Wade Hall
- Worship Service, 7 pm, in the Sanctuary
- Imposition of Ashes
 Passion / Palm Sunday, April 17
- John Rutter's Requiem, featuring the Chancel Choir, conductor Jane Burke, organist/continuo John Richardson, with soloists and Chamber Orchestra
- during both morning worship services
Tuesday, April 19, through Good Friday, April 22
- A self-guided Holy Week meditation
- Stations will be placed throughout the Sanctuary, Chapel and the 2nd floor of the education building; station #1 is outside the Interactions/Couples Class Room 206
- A booklet will be available to lead you through each station
- Allow about 45 minutes to complete.
- For more information, contact Rev. Mandy Flemming.
NO Wednesday Fellowship Dinner, Wednesday, April 20
- NO dinner or program is scheduled due to the Maundy Thursday meal and worship service on April 21
- Standing reservations for Wednesday Dinner will carry over to Thursday.
Maundy Thursday, April 21
- Seder-type meal, 6 pm, in Wade Hall
- Standing reservations for Wednesday Dinner will carry over to Thursday
- Foot-washing service in Sanctuary between meal and worship service
- Worship Service, 7 pm, in the Sanctuary
- Meditation Center is available for children during Worship Service
- No nursery child care will be available for children under age 4 will be available for Maundy Thursday service
Good Friday, April 22
- A labyrinth will be on the front lawn from 11am - 6pm (weather permitting).
- Worship Service of prayer and meditation, noon, in the Sanctuary
- Tenebrae Worship Service, 7 pm, in the Sanctuary
- During the evening service, a separate, age appropriate worship opportunity will be offered for children ages 4 – 10, led by Children’s Minister Jackie Jenkins in the Meditation Center in Room 112 on the first floor of the Education building.
- No nursery child care will be available for children under age 4 will be available for Good Friday services.
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 23
- 9-11 am, at McKoy Park in Decatur
- The Children’s Council is requesting donations of candy (individually wrapped pieces) for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 23. We need to have all candy donations (or cash donations to purchase candy and small “egg stuffers”) collected by Sunday, April 10. There will be collection baskets in the narthex or you can give your donations to Jackie Jenkins. Questions? Contact Amanda Lockhart.
E aster Sunday, April 24
- Sunrise service, 7 am, on the front steps of the Sanctuary
- Holy Communion will be served at both the 8:45 am and the 11:15 am worship services
- Youth confirmation
- Rev. Dr. Beth LaRocca-Pitts will preach all 3 services
- Please bring flowers to church Easter Sunday to decorate the cross
Easter Brunch
Tickets for Saint Mark's Easter Sunday Buffet Brunch will be available each Sunday and on Wednesday nights. Credit cards, cash and checks will be accepted for the advance tickets priced at $21.95 for adults, $15.95 for seniors and students (13 and older), and $8.95 for students ages 6-12. Children 5 and under will be free, but they must have a ticket. Tickets are available for seatings at 10:30, 11:15, 12:00 and 12:45. Advance tickets are available through April 21 from Phil Hulst. Tickets for any remaining seats may be purchased at-the-door on Sunday, $25 adults, $20 seniors and students; children and youth prices will remain the same.
The brunch is being catered by Bridge Catering. The Easter Brunch menu: Fresh Fruit of the Season, Assorted Danish, Muffins, Breads, Cinnamon Rolls, Bagels, Biscuits, Cream Cheese, Butter, Honey and Jellies, Vegetable Strata, Grilled and Chilled Whole Side Salmon Garnished with Smoked Salmon and Capers, Pasta Primavera, Roast Prime Rib of Beef with Horseradish Cream and Stout Au jus, Sugar-Glazed Spiral Sliced Baked Ham With Horseradish Plum Sauce, Caesar Salad, Herbed and Buttered Yeast Rolls, Bouquetier of Fresh Vegetables, Scalloped Sweet Potatoes, Apple Pear Bread Pudding With Orange Caramel Sauce, Assorted Mini Sweets, Assorted Juices.
A covered-dish Easter picnic is offered by the Activities & Recreation Committee on Easter Sunday, 3pm, at the home of Larry Lucas (4053 Brenteresa Court, Snellville). Come enjoy great food, friends & fellowship along with games & homemade ice cream. Cash prizes for the Easter hat contest including the most beautiful, best theme, and funniest hat. More info: Larry Lucas, 770-736-0065.
Resources & Opportunities
 Lenten Devotional Guide - daily devotionals written by members of the Saint Mark congregation
Easter Mission Offering
Serving the poor and the most vulnerable of our city and our society is at the very heart of what we strive to be about at Saint Mark, and it is the time of year once again when we ask you to keep this tradition alive by giving a special Easter Missions offering. Tough economic times continue to present challenges to all of us, but especially to those who struggle to maintain the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, safety and hope for a better day. Through your generous support, we continue to provide these things to countless individuals who come to the doors of Saint Mark for direct assistance as well as through organizations that are supported by Saint Mark. This year, our Easter Missions offering will go to help a number of agencies and programs including Break Thru House, Senior Citizens Services of Metropolitan Atlanta, the Georgia Tech Wesley Foundation, John Hope Elementary School, Habitat for Humanity, as well as our mission teams to Honduras, Appalachia, and the Hinton Rural Life Center. More information ...
Meditation Center
- Children, accompanied by a grown-up – and grown-ups alone – are welcome to come experience the various forms of prayer throughout the Lenten season
- Each Sunday during Lent, 8:45 am until 12:30 pm, in the Children's Reading & Meditation Room 112
- During the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services, if children would like to be in the Meditation Center instead of attending the sanctuary service, Rev. Jackie will meet them there and stay with them until the end of the services
 Let's DECORATE!
Palm / Passion sunday is April 17. David McFadden needs some volunteers to help with Palm Sunday decor on Saturday, April 16, 1 pm. And then again on Saturday, April 23, 9 am, to arrange the Easter lilies? He needs volunteers and "budding" florists; no, really, he needs some people with floral background. If you can help or for more information, contact David McFadden.
Easter Lilies
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) - just print & fold to make your own Devotional Guide booklet. 