The audio cuts for St. Mark's Chapel's 6th Sunday of Easter 10 am family service on 05-26-19. This was our monthly family service at which nearly every laity ministry was performed by the Sunday School students. 
One of the visitors in the pews was Bishop A. Robert Herschfeld and his wife. Bob is a former rector of St. Mark’s who was visiting some long-time parishioners. He was consecrated bishop of the diocese of New Hampshire in 2012.

Recorded tracks:

>>  Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)

>>  1st Reading:  Acts 16:9-15 (Lucas Anderson)

>>  Psalm Response:  Psalm 67 (Ethan Hanzlik)

>>  2nd Reading:  Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5(Lucas Anderson)

>>  Gospel: John 14:23-29 (Rev. Brian Blayer)

>>  Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• Hear ye, hear ye:  All are invited for wonderful morning of prayer, conversation, food, and fun as we share ideas about who we are as a congregation and where God is calling us.  This Saturday,  9am-12 noon. Breakfast will be served at 8:30am.  
• United Thank Offering/Last Sunday Offering for May to be collected this Sunday.  Please remember your blue and white boxes.
• A Message from Maggie Breen, North East Regional Missionary
  The North East Region Leadership Team is seeking to fill 4 spots—three lay people and 1 clergy representing 4 different parishes. The Leadership Team meets once a month on a date/time/place that works best for the group.  As a member of the leadership team, you would be expected to help plan Convocations each year and help with planning the annual convention as needed. Currently parishes represented on the leadership team are:  St. Georges, Bolton, St. Peter’s, South Windsor, Trinity Brooklyn, Christ Church, Pomfret, and St. John’s, Vernon.
• Did you miss the opportunity to sign up for serving on the Altar Guild?  There is still time.  Sue DeWolf and Gale Morrow will do the training this Sunday following the 10am service. Please consider serving St. Mark’s this way.
• Vacation Bible School    July 29-August 2    9am-12:30pm
  Once again, St. Mark’s is partnering with Storrs Congregational Church to offer kids an opportunity to engage with the Bible through music, song, and imagination. Vacation Bible School is free, and open to the first 50 children, ages 4-11  from our congregations who register.  Registration details coming soon.
  
  

Best wishes, Linda

The audio cuts for St. Mark's Chapel's 10 am 5th Sunday of Easter service on 05-19-19. An interesting thing happened during the sermon. Rev. Brian asked for a show of hands of those in the congregation who came from other faiths. All of the 30 or so raised their hands! Rev. Brian was the only one who was raised an Episcopalian.

Recorded tracks:

Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)

1st Reading:  Acts 11:1-18 (Laurie Gypson)

2nd Reading:  Revelation 21:1-6(Laurie Gypson)

Gospel: John 13:31-35 (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

The audio cuts for St. Mark's Chapel's 10 am 4th Sunday of Easter service on 05-12-19. Today was Mothers Day, and Rev. Brian managed to blend this holiday with the Gospel message of Jesus as the shepherd.
My apologies for the delay. I was dealing with several technical problems that decided to rear their ugly heads.

Recorded tracks:

Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)

1st Reading:  Acts 9:36-43 (Anne Flamming)

2nd Reading:  Revelation 7:9-17(Anne Flamming)

Gospel: John 10:22-30 (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• Hear ye, hear ye:  All are invited for wonderful morning of prayer, conversation, food, and fun as we share ideas about who we are as a congregation and where God is calling us.  Saturday, May 25 9am-12 noon. Breakfast will be served at 8:30am.  
• Did you get a UTO box last Sunday?  Extras are available on the table in Goodwin Hall.  Through the United Thank Offering, men, women and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God.  These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings.  Those who participate in the UTO have discovered that thankfulness leads to generosity.  UTO combines these generous offerings to fund significant projects that make a real difference in the work of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion and a real difference in people’s lives.  Boxes will be collected on May 26 and are the Last Sunday Offering for May. 
• Prayers of the People—It is a wonderful practice in the Episcopal Church to pray each week for those we love or may have died.  Thank you to those who have let us know your prayer requests.  Please continue to update the list with the office on a weekly basis.
• Did you notice how lovely and refreshed the church landscaping looks?  Many thanks to Sue Gagnon for bringing in a crew to do spring cleanup, weed and mulch the beds around the building. 
• Thank you to everyone who made the St. Mark's Day Picnic and Ministry Fair a big success!  And thank you to those who signed up to participate in the various ministries.  Delighted to have so many new volunteers!
• Oh boy, Oh boy!  It is a boy for Wei Zhang and John Bovay. Welcome to baby Matthew!
• UConn graduation is this Sunday!  Congratulations to all graduates and their families.  It is a day to celebrate.  However, it may impact getting to St. Mark's.  Please plan accordingly.Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts and  and important women in your life.  It takes a village. 

Best wishes, Linda

The audio cuts for St. Mark's Chapel's 10 am Feast of St. Mark service on 05-05-19. 

Recorded tracks:

Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)

1st Reading:  Isaiah 52:7-10 (Mark Healey)

2nd Reading:  Ephesians 4:7-8,11-16 (Mark Healey)

Gospel: Mark 1:1-15 (Rev. Brian Blayer)  

Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• Last night's Organ Concert was delightful and many thanks to  everyone who made it a memorable evening--especially to Kathy and David Pepin who housed Clara one evening and Sue and Bill Cook who hosted the reception.  And cheers to Charlie Houmard for guiding the Organ Concert Series.  The next concert will be on September 20 with Christa Rakich from St. John's West Hartford, performing.
• Love organ music?  Tomorrow is the day. The First Friday Recital for May is “Bach or Not” Eight Preludes and Fugues,  formerly attributed to J. S. Bach. Enjoy this lively collection of pieces that are favorites amongst organists and audiences.  Whether or not they were composed by Bach does not negate their charm. Bring your lunch and a friend, come and go as you please.  Please note that this will be the last First Friday recital until September 6.
• It is Party Time!  Even if the weather does not cooperate for a BBQ this Sunday.  Please bring a food item to share.  And check out the tables at the Ministry Fair to learn more about the many ministries at St. Mark's.  All this excitement follows the 10am service.
• In the Sunday bulletin this week, you will find a United Thank Offering (UTO) box to collect coins for the blessings of daily living.  Those who participate in the UTO find that thankfulness leads to generosity.  Boxes will be collected on Sunday, May 26.  UTO is the Last Sunday Offering for May.
• Hear ye, hear ye:  All are invited for wonderful morning of prayer, conversation, food, and fun as we share ideas about who we are as a congregation and where God is calling us.  Saturday, May 25 9am-12 noon. Breakfast will be served at 8:30am.  
• Congratulations and best wishes to Mengyu Hu and Jared Henderson as they celebrate their wedding this Saturday.  
• Future Dates:   Vacation Bible School  dates have been announced--July 29-August 2 from 9-12:30 at Storrs Congregational Church.  Registration information will be available soon.   Calling all cyclists:  the 2019 WAIM Steeplechase Bike Tour will be on Saturday, August 17.  For more information: steeplechasebiketour.org

Best wishes, Linda