 |
|
Call For Submissions:
If there are any events, articles, or stories you would like to see featured on the website, please send email to the St. Mark's Webmaster If you covered an event, please include photos and a write up describing what happened at the event or describing what is happening in each picture. Thank you for helping to make your site better. |
 Visitors Center |
|
Worship Schedule: Sundays |
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church 531 West College Avenue (Flint and College) Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401 Phone (870) 932-2124 Fax (870) 932-2068  Click on the map above to see an enlarged picture or Click here for the interactive map |
| Frequently Asked Questions What is an Episcopalian? What is the Episcopal Church? What do Episcopalians Believe? How do Episcopalians Worship? What is Open Communion? |
St. Mark's VideoSpecial thanks to Robert Steed who authored this video on St. Mark's Episcopal Church. View the video... |
| What is an Episcopalian? A person who belongs to the Episcopal Church. What is the Episcopal Church? The Episcopal Church is a member of the Anglican Communion; derived from the Church of England and sharing with it traditions of faith and order as set forth in its Book of Common Prayer. The Anglican Church is made up of all churches that are in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury is located in England, and he or she serves as the spiritual head of the Anglican Church. Unlike the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, the Archbishop serves only as a leader and guide, and does not make rules or laws for the Church to follow. The Episcopal Church is the term we use for that branch of the Anglican union located in the United States. What do Episcopalians Believe? There are three basic sources of Episcopal Church beliefs: 1. Scripture (the primary source) The Old and New Testaments contain the essence of Christian doctrine. They reveal God to humankind, and tell of our response to God in history. The Bible helps us to know God's will, revealed supremely through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Scriptures are the word of God, proclaiming that Jesus&emdash; both God and human being&endash;is Christ, the Messiah. 2. Reason (gifts of the Holy Spirit) The Episcopal Church does not control interpretation and practice. Instead, members are encouraged to use reason to explore and comprehend God's works; to make responsible moral decisions under the guidance of Scripture, the ordained ministry and in response to sincere prayer. 3. Tradition (wisdom of generations past). Tradition helps us to interpret Scripture; lets us share experiences of early Christians and believers of every era; preserves hymns, prayers, etc., that keep our faith alive; strengthens our faith. Through its continuity and consistency, tradition helps preserve essential truths through liturgy. Interpretation of the faith varies somewhat from parish to parish, but within the framework of these basic guidelines: 1.) The Holy Trinity : God is three persons or beings in one. God the Father: infinite, omnipotent, good. God the Son: the joyous union of both God and human being, whose life and death and resurrection set us free from bondage of sin and death, and reunited us with God our Father in love and forgiveness. God the Holy Spirit: God's power of love moving within us and among us in mysterious and unexpected ways. 2. Salvation : the end of our separation from God; the beginning of a new life, lived according to God's will; gained by us because of Christ's sacrifice, when he took all of our sins upon Himself and paid for them with his life; every Christian should witness to Christ's sacrifice and express the living truth of this sacrifice to the world (which is called "evangelism"). 3. The Church : the people of God; all baptized people are the members and all play an equally important role in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. ONE: one Body under one Head, Jesus Christ. HOLY: the Holy Spirit dwells in it and its members. CATHOLIC: universal; holding the faith for all time, everywhere, for everybody. APOSTOLIC: continuing in the Apostles' teaching and fellowship. (The Apostles were the authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ's original disciples ["followers"] and Paul.) 4. Worship : a joyous response to God's love; an expression of hope for salvation; a chance to praise God and receive strength and forgiveness; a way to share faith with other believers. For a full outline of the faith, please see the Catechism in the back of the Book of Common Prayer. How do Episcopalians Worship? The Episcopal Church is liturgical , i.e., it has formal rites and instructions for public worship. We use three central texts: 1. The Bible 2. The Book of Common Prayer (contains calendar of Church year, order of Bible readings, orders of services, and some of the most beautiful prayers ever written) 3. Hymnal The Book of Common Prayer tells us that private worship is not always adequate; religion is a fellowship. You relate to the whole church through your parish, your local church community. Being with a community of believers inspires us, nurtures us, encourages us, and comforts us. W hat is the structure of the Episcopal Church? Within the Episcopal Church all people are ministers. Some are called into special ministry positions to which they are "ordained." These are deacons, priests, and bishops who are together called "clergy." All others are called "lay people." All participate in the work of the church and all participate in its governance. Their special functions are described in the Catechism The service of Holy Baptism ends with the following: Celebrant : Let us welcome the newly baptized. Celebrant and People : We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood. These words are a reminder that "the people" are sanctified participants. "Episcopal" means "governed by bishops." An unbroken line of bishops may be traced back to the early church commissioned by Jesus. Bishops are the spiritual overseers of their dioceses (groups of churches, parishes and missions), which elected them to office. Bishops act as counselors to clergy; ordain ( or "invest officially with priestly authority") priests and deacons; consecrate(or "bless, invoke divine care for") other bishops; administer Confirmation (a mature affirmation of one's faith); are final counselors in church matters. Together, bishops share responsibility for the welfare of the church. Priests are parish leaders. The full scope of their duties covers every pastoral, spiritual and educational activity. Specifically, priests celebrate the Eucharist, baptize, pronounce absolution from sins, and perform many other duties. Deacons assist priests in parish work, or minister in missions or unorganized parishes. They cannot perform sacramental acts of the priesthood; though not allowed to celebrate the Eucharist, they may minister the consecrated Holy Communion at a service, to the sick, etc. Open Communion All baptized Christians-no matter age or denomination-are welcome to "receive communion." Episcopalians invite all baptized people to receive, not because we take the Eucharist lightly, but because we take our baptism so seriously. Visitors who are not baptized Christians are welcome to come forward during the Communion to receive a blessing from the presider. At the end of the Eucharist, the congregation prays once more in thanksgiving, and then is dismissed to continue the life of service to God and to the World. |
|
| Worship Schedule: Sundays 8:00am -Holy Eucharist (No Music) 9:30am - Sunday School 10:30am - Holy Eucharist (Music) First Wednesday 6:00pm - Holy Eucharist and Healing Service followed by Potluck Supper Weekdays (Monday - Friday) 8:30am - Morning Prayer |
| Group Meetings: Sundays 5pm - Education for Ministry Class Mondays 2:45pm - Dream Journey Group(every other Monday) Tuesdays 7pm - Theology of Literature (Jo Ann Steed) Wednesdays 7pm - Scripture Study (Letter of James) |
| Dates to Watch: May 4 Church Periodical Club Ingathering May 11 United Thank Offering Ingathering May 15 Men's Club Golf Scramble May 18 EFM Graduation/Honor Graduating Seniors May 31 Vestry Retreat June 8 Bishop’s Visit and Confirmation June 16-19 Vacation Bible School |