The First Sunday in Lent

There is a Saturday evening service this week in Chapel at 5pm

8AM            Holy Eucharist Rite I
9AM            The Adult Forum and Youth Groups
10AM          Holy Eucharist Rite II & Sunday School

Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday, March 10th - Remember to "Spring ahead" Saturday evening before going to bed

The Way of Love

We’ve been exploring The Way of Love in the Adult Forum, and we’re going to kick that exploration up a notch or two this Lent. Each Sunday of Lent we will be focusing on one of the 7 practices of the Way of Love. This Sunday we’ll be looking at the practice of learning.

Spring Rummage Sale - April 5th & 6th  

Mark your calendars, join the fun!

We need significant donations of your unwanted goods. Tell your friends and families of the opportunity to donate to our fund raiser. We also need your help during the week. Everyone of all ages can get involved.
Set Up will be Sat, March 30th at 9:30AM.  
Sorting and Pricing will be from Sunday, March 31st 1:00 Pm – Thursday, April 4th. Sale will be Friday, April 5th from 9:00 - 2:00 PM and Saturday, April 6th from 9:00 - 2:00 PM.
Clean Up will be Saturday, April 6th at 2:30 PM.
Please consider volunteering in this important fund raiser in any capacity possible. Let us all help make this Rummage Sale another huge success for St. Mark's. Thanks. Harry Woods, Kit McLaughlan and Annabelle Wilmer

Sunday School 

We are continuing to use the Digin program.  We are starting a new module this winter,  Digging Into Discipleship. Digging Into Discipleship brings a fresh approach to growing a lifelong relationship with God. As kids explore God’s character throughout the Bible, God transforms them from the inside out. Kids discover what it means to reflect the heart of God in everyday life.
As a reminder to new families; children preschool up to 5th grade meet in the large classroom by 10 am. We start our Chapel service at 10 where we are joined by the youth groups R13 and J2A for a brief service and singing then back to the classroom for our weekly short video and lesson and most often a fun craft or science project related to the bible lesson.   Children are back with their families ahead of communion.
All children are welcome, regular members and visitors alike. Adults of all ages are welcome to help or teach a class.  All materials are provided and lessons are available in advance on line.

Save the Date - Father Rick's 10-Year Anniversary Celebration

Mark your calendars: Sunday April 14th we will have a special coffee hour celebration and then a Cocktail Party on Saturday evening, April 27th, from 5:30-7:30pm 

Making Donations to St. Mark's

While we encourage all members to pledge, you do not have to make a pledge to use offering envelopes. Simply contact Doug and he will provide envelopes to you. This will facilitate the correct recording of your donation.
We know that some of our regular attending members put cash in the offering plate week-by-week. Some of you may want your contribution to be anonymous—and we thank you for your generosity. If, however, you would like to be credited for your donation, please indicate on an envelope your name, or contact the recording treasurer,Doug Post, at dougpost140@gmail.com (or  908.766.6621 )and he will see to it that the donation is properly attributed to you. This will then be reflected in the quarterly and annual giving statements that can then be useful come tax time.

Art Studio

Come and join us for painting on a Tuesday, 12pm to 3pm in the large Sunday school classroom.  We work on our own projects and help each other out.  It’s fun, relaxing, and we’re a friendly group.
Any questions, contact Jenny Phillips 908-451-9638, jrpw26@gmail.com

Lost & Found

We have a basket in the Narthex that contains hats, gloves, glasses, etc...  Are you missing something?

The sixth annual Freedom House 5K Run & 1 Mile Fun Walk

Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, NJ.  Duke Island Park is a certified 5K course with a flat running path along the Raritan River; the one-mile fun walk will share part of the 5K course making for a great leisurely and scenic walk. This event is dog friendly as long as our furry companions are on a leash. With exhibitors, music and prizes it will be a great morning to come out to support a worthy cause and help reduce the stigma associated with the disease of addiction.
With the rising heroin epidemic, this event gives us a chance to promote health and wellness in the community while helping raise awareness and funds to help with Freedom House’s mission of reuniting families torn apart by alcohol and drug addiction.
If you miss the on-line registration option, – no worries – we will be accepting day of registrations beginning at 8:00 AM. Please note that registering the day of will be slightly higher than if you pre-register.   We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Register using this link:
https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Bridgewater/FreedomHouse5KRunWalk

Dismantling the Racism Machine - A Manual and Toolbox

Wednesday, March 13, 6:00-7:15pm at St. Bernard's Church
Dr. Karen Gaffney uses the metaphor of the Racism Machine to expose systemic racism and the social construction of race. The book shares “the history of race, including whiteness, starting in colonial America, where the elite created a hierarchy of racial categories to maintain their power through a divide-and-conquer strategy.” – from the publisher, Routledge
A book discussion group will meet from 6:00-7:15 p.m. on Wednesdays, March 27, April 10, April 24, and May 8. All are welcome to participate. Dr. Gaffney returns on May 15 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss action steps included in the toolbox.
To learn more or to register contact the Parish Office: 908-766-0602 or Admin@StBernardsNJ.org.

Snow Policy

For weekday/weeknight events and activities, we will follow the Bernards Township Board of Education. If school is cancelled, or if school evening activities are cancelled, then St Mark’s will be closed during those times as well.
For Sundays, barring some catastrophic event, there will ALWAYS be at least a 10AM service. All parishioners are strongly urged to use their best judgement, and not to attempt any feats of heroism to get to church. On occasion we will cancel the 8AM service while roads and walks are cleared. This will be communicated by email by 7AM.
The 10AM service is nearly always broadcast live on Facebook: facebook.com/stmarksbr Every effort will be made to ensure that snowy Sunday 10AM services are indeed broadcast. Please be sure that you are on the St Mark’s mailing list, as any cancellations or notices will be communicated by email. You can sign up for the list on the website, or by calling the church office at (908) 766-9058.