Upcoming and Announcements
Upcoming Feast Days
The church year brings us a burst of energy just before the program year of the parish starts to quiet down for the summer. Today is the Feast of Pentecost, when we give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church and in our lives. Jesus promised that the Spirit would bring truth and power to the church, and we pray that God makes us ready and worthy to receive these gifts.
The next Sunday, May 26, is Trinity Sunday, when we focus on the mystery of God’s revelation of God’s self as a trinity of persons perfectly united in a solitary will and force of love. We keep the ancient custom of singing Te Deum - the church’s great hymn to the Trinity - on this Sunday at the end of mass while a pair of thurifers fill the sanctuary with smoke to carry our prayers and praises up to God.
Sunday, June 2 is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, when we give thanks for the gift of the Blessed Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. The gift of this sacrament animates our parish at a profound level; we are a community that gathers as Christ’s Body to be fed Christ’s Body so that we can serve Christ’s Body.
Saint Mark’s Singers Spring Concert, Sunday, May 19 at 4 p.m.
The Saint Mark’s Singers will sing Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria for their spring concert. This Baroque classic will sparkle featuring soloists from the ensemble. A reception will follow.
Solemn Evensong, Sunday, June 2 at 4 p.m.
The Parish Choir will be joined by the Boys & Girls Choir to sing Evensong on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. The Canticles will be the Second Service by Kenneth Leighton, along with music of Herbert Howells, Cecilia McDowall, and Gerald Finzi anthem Lo, the full, final sacrifice. There will not be Benediction due to the Eucharistic Procession with Benediction at High Mass in the morning.
Saint Mark’s at Pride, Sunday, June 2
Saint Mark’s will join with several other Episcopal churches in Center City to participate in this year’s Pride Festival. If you would like to volunteer to help with set-up, clean-up, staffing the booth, or marching in the parade with a banner, please contact Mother Mazur. Can’t help out, but would like to support this witness? We are also accepting donations towards the cost of a sponsorship. Donate on Realm or in the offering plate with “Pride Festival” in the memo line.
Walking Tour of Old City Churches, Sunday, June 9
Spend a late-spring afternoon exploring Old City! Jay Blossom will lead a walking tour from Saint Peter’s through the heart of Society Hill up to Christ Church, followed by visits to Arch Street Meeting House, Independence Hall, and Mother Bethel AME Church, Athenaeum of Philadelphia with many walk-by stops along the way. Gather at the Parish Hall at 1:15 p.m. to take the bus over to St. Peter’s at 3rd & Pine. Please bring: 1. Your own brown-bag lunch to eat in the churchyard of St. Peter’s. 2. Comfortable shoes for extensive walking. 3. One or two bottles of water. 4. Bus fare (your bus pass or any credit/debit card with contactless payment will work for the $2 fare). Dress for the weather!