Sundays are when we regularly join together as a church community to share in The Eucharist together. In the Book of Common Prayer, the whole service is entitled the Holy Eucharist. The first part of the service is designated the Word of God. It usually includes the entrance rite, the lessons and gradual psalm, the gospel, the sermon, the Nicene Creed, the prayers of the people, the confession of sin and absolution, and the peace. The second portion of the service is designated the Holy Communion. It includes the offertory, the consecration of the bread and wine in the Great Thanksgiving, the communion of the people, and the concluding prayers of thanksgiving and dismissal. A blessing may be given prior to the dismissal.
Under this ministry is included the important work of the Chancel Choir, organist, hand bells, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, prayer leaders, visiting Eucharistic ministers, Vergers, Acolytes, Altar Guild, Linen Guild, Flower Guild, and ushers. Traditionally two services are offered each Sunday, Rite I at 8 am and Rite II at 10:30 and a short Wednesday afternoon Prayer and Healing service. Special services have been offered to include Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, Evening Prayer during Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Blessing of the Animals. (Eucharist definition borrowed from www.episcopalchurch.org)
Under this ministry is included the important work of the Chancel Choir, organist, hand bells, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, prayer leaders, visiting Eucharistic ministers, Vergers, Acolytes, Altar Guild, Linen Guild, Flower Guild, and ushers. Traditionally two services are offered each Sunday, Rite I at 8 am and Rite II at 10:30 and a short Wednesday afternoon Prayer and Healing service. Special services have been offered to include Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lessons and Carols, Christmas Eve, Evening Prayer during Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Blessing of the Animals. (Eucharist definition borrowed from www.episcopalchurch.org)
music
Chancel Choir
The purpose of the St. Mark's Choir is to lead music in worship, to develop worship and music skills, to teach a love of singing the music of the church, and to encourage the development of faith in Jesus Christ.
Our music program is under the direction of Beth Nichols.
The choir practices September - May on Wednesdays from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm.
Canterbury Ringers
Ringing handbells is a team sport! Enjoy great fun and fellowship while developing the art of ringing handbells. Music reading is necessary, but not prior ringing experience. The handbell choir is directed by Sandra Smith Franklin, and rehearses September - May on Wednesdays from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
If you are interested in or would like more information about the music offerings at St.Mark's contact Beth Nichols b[email protected]
The purpose of the St. Mark's Choir is to lead music in worship, to develop worship and music skills, to teach a love of singing the music of the church, and to encourage the development of faith in Jesus Christ.
Our music program is under the direction of Beth Nichols.
The choir practices September - May on Wednesdays from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm.
Canterbury Ringers
Ringing handbells is a team sport! Enjoy great fun and fellowship while developing the art of ringing handbells. Music reading is necessary, but not prior ringing experience. The handbell choir is directed by Sandra Smith Franklin, and rehearses September - May on Wednesdays from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
If you are interested in or would like more information about the music offerings at St.Mark's contact Beth Nichols b[email protected]
Service
Acolyte
Eucharistic Ministers
Altar Guild - Altar Guild members work in pairs and are responsible for setting the Altar for Sunday and Wednesday services as well as any other special service. In addition to setting the Altar for Holy Eucharist, Altar Guild members are responsible to care for the various Altar furnishings. For information on becoming an Altar Guild member, contact Martha Minor.
Linen Guild - The work of the Linen Guild is behind the scene, but is an essential part to the sacred celebrations of the church. Members of the guild are responsible for the cleaning, care and repair of our Eucharistic linens Contact Cathy Houser if you are interested in being apart of this guild.
Flower Guild- Members of this guild are on teams that rotate weekly and all members participate at Christmas and Easter. Many of the members of the guild have trained at the week long course at the National Cathedral in Washington. The guild's ministry is to make our worship space inviting by using natural elements of God's great creation.
Vergers- One of the relatively new jobs in the worship area at St. Mark’s is that of verger. The office of verger goes back as far as the 12th century in the Church of England. If you see coronations or royal weddings from England, the procession is led by a verger. Originally the verger’s job was to lead the procession and clear the animals and riffraff from the aisles so the bishop could make his way. It is traditional for the verger to go first in the procession, but at St. Mark’s and several other churches in our diocese, the cross goes first, followed by the verger. At St. Mark’s, the verger organizes the acolytes and checks to be sure Eucharistic Ministers and lectors are all present. The verger may also act as crucifer, gospeler , Eucharistic Minister or lector. In a nutshell, the verger takes care of the details so that the service flows smoothly. The verger carries a ceremonial rod called a virge. The typical robe of a verger is a black open front gown worn over a black cassock. We have 2 verger gowns, one trimmed in black velvet and one trimmed in red velvet. Some of the vergers in our diocese have gray robes. Twenty years ago vergers were found only at the cathedral or in larger churches. Today there are over 275 vergers in the Diocese of Atlanta.
Ushers
Eucharistic Ministers
Altar Guild - Altar Guild members work in pairs and are responsible for setting the Altar for Sunday and Wednesday services as well as any other special service. In addition to setting the Altar for Holy Eucharist, Altar Guild members are responsible to care for the various Altar furnishings. For information on becoming an Altar Guild member, contact Martha Minor.
Linen Guild - The work of the Linen Guild is behind the scene, but is an essential part to the sacred celebrations of the church. Members of the guild are responsible for the cleaning, care and repair of our Eucharistic linens Contact Cathy Houser if you are interested in being apart of this guild.
Flower Guild- Members of this guild are on teams that rotate weekly and all members participate at Christmas and Easter. Many of the members of the guild have trained at the week long course at the National Cathedral in Washington. The guild's ministry is to make our worship space inviting by using natural elements of God's great creation.
Vergers- One of the relatively new jobs in the worship area at St. Mark’s is that of verger. The office of verger goes back as far as the 12th century in the Church of England. If you see coronations or royal weddings from England, the procession is led by a verger. Originally the verger’s job was to lead the procession and clear the animals and riffraff from the aisles so the bishop could make his way. It is traditional for the verger to go first in the procession, but at St. Mark’s and several other churches in our diocese, the cross goes first, followed by the verger. At St. Mark’s, the verger organizes the acolytes and checks to be sure Eucharistic Ministers and lectors are all present. The verger may also act as crucifer, gospeler , Eucharistic Minister or lector. In a nutshell, the verger takes care of the details so that the service flows smoothly. The verger carries a ceremonial rod called a virge. The typical robe of a verger is a black open front gown worn over a black cassock. We have 2 verger gowns, one trimmed in black velvet and one trimmed in red velvet. Some of the vergers in our diocese have gray robes. Twenty years ago vergers were found only at the cathedral or in larger churches. Today there are over 275 vergers in the Diocese of Atlanta.
Ushers