Why Worry

Matthew 6:24-34
Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-- you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."
SCRIPTURES

Isaiah 49:8-16a

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Matthew 6:24-34

Psalm 131

WELCOME VISITORS

You honor us by your presence in worship today. Let us know if there is anything you need to feel more at home. Also, please fill out a visitor’s card and place it in the alms basin or hand it to the priest. The announcements contain information on upcoming events and activities. We would love to have you join us for any or all of them.
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thanks Christopher Griffin for being our musician today.

Thanks to Sam and Jalete Nelms. For teaching Children’s Sunday School today.

Katherine Files , granddaughter of Heager and Nettie Hill was featured on Daytime Alabama. Katherine is a high school senior at ASFA. As part of her senior course requirements she is to compose and choreograph an original dance composition to be performed in a recital by other students.
Church Women United will meet at St. Mark’s March 4, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. There will be a World Day of Prayer service. Mary Williams extends this invitation to male and female. There is no fee to attend. Sundra Smith will furnish music for the gathering.
Next Sunday, March 6 is our first Sunday luncheon. Cassandra Joseph and Jalete Nelms have chosen a Mardi Gras theme. A sign up sheet has been circulated and you should have received an e-mail. There are suggestions in parentheses but feel free to bring whatever you would like.. When you place your online choice make sure to click “Reply All” so that others will know what you plan to bring and there won’t be an overabundance of one thing.
Ash Wednesday service will take place March 9, 2011 at noon.

We are invited to St. Stephen’s, to tell the story of St. Mark’s. Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 5:45-7:30 p.m. is the date and time. All of us have been invited for one of their Lenten suppers and program. Rides will be arranged for those who will need them. This is an exciting opportunity to share our story and ministry with St. Stephen’s. At that time we will invite St. Stephen’s to join us here to take the course, “Just Neighbors.” This is a curriculum designed to educate about poverty and then empower the participants to serve.

St. Mark’s Lenten program proposed for 9:00a.m. March 27, April 3, April 10. During these sessions there will be more details regarding three of the vestry’s goals.
1. Ministry to youth and young families
2. Outreach ministry
3. Fund raising

LAY READERS FOR MARCH 2011

March 6 Sylvia McClain

March 13 Mamie Hymes

March 20 Paul Goldman

March 27 Mary Williams

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Second Sunday In Lent

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Psalm 22:22-30

Romans 4:13-25

Mark 8:31-38

SCRIPTURES for the MONTH of MARCH

Subscribe to daily Lenten devotionals on your home computer here

ANNOUNCEMENTS

+ 2009 Lenten Season

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

228 Dennison Ave. SW

Birmingham, AL 35211

205- 322-8449

+Wednesday, March 11, 2009 6:00pm - 7:30pm Program, Supper, and Compline&nb sp; (Speakers to lead discussions)

+Wednesday, March 25, 2009 6:00pm - 7:30pm Program, Supper, and Compline(Speakers to lead discussions)

+Sunday, April 5, 2009 10:00am Palm Sunday Service

Thursday, April 9, 2009 6:00pm Maundy Thursday Service

Friday, April 10, 2009 6:00pm Good Friday Service

Sunday, April 12, 2009 10:00am Easter Sunday Service ;Easter Egg Hunt (After Service)

+SUNDAY SCHOOL -Intergenerational Sunday School began today in the Parish Hall and will continue each Sunday from 9:00 - 9:45 am. All ages are welcomed. During this time the children will be practicing their songs for church Easter morning.

The youth made cinnamon pretzels during Sunday School.

Customarily the pretzel was Lenten food. It was made only of flour, water and salt. It reminds us, today, that in times past Christians fasted from milk, butter, eggs, cheese, cream and meat. The form of the pretzel symbolizes the arms crossed in prayer.

+The Adult class will remain the same during Lent. The class will meet separately and continue to study the current curriculum.

+ Maundy Thursday observes the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his Disciples.During Lent we will be sponsoring a food drive. There will be collection boxes in the narthex. How fitting to distribute food to those who are hungry on Maundy Thursday. More details to come
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+Mark your calendars and make plans to come and be a part of a special Lenten program, "History of St. Mark’s " this Wednesday, March 11th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. here at St. Mark's. Supper will follow. The guest speaker will be Mr. Bertram Perry, son of Rev. Bertram Perry who was the first Black priest at St. Mark's. Come share in the early reflections of St. Mark's. We look forward to seeing you this Wednesday.

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Be a part of a music CD Singing has always been a huge part of our life together at Camp McDowell. It is how we worship, build community and have fun. For generations we have been singing “wonderful, wonderful” songs and sharing them with friends and family. This Spring, we are going to make a LIVE recording of our favorite camp songs and we need your help! For more information click the link

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

Today's March birthdays yielded an all male assemblage.

(left to right)Titus Battle, Cecil Washington standing in for daughters Nikia Washington and Nikara Washington, George Ladd standing in for son Jason Ladd, dressed in brown shirt and blue jeans Aaron Joseph, Paul Goldman, and Heager Hill

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The Young Lions Travel To Tuskegee University

by Titus Battle

The Young Lions met today at St. John's Episcopal Church. We had the distinct honor of having Al Jones, a 14 year old pianist join us and play music. Al is also a student in the Birmingham Public Schools in good academic standing and we are going to solicit his help in motivating other students we mentor to do well academically.

The Young Lion's subject of discussion today was concerning "Family" and the importance thereof. Our African American Hero today was Ida B. Wells an educator whose central mission was to save the Black man from being murdered. I was the teacher today and shared my personal story about being a homeless New York child at the tender age of 14. Personally, I have never spoken about this issue and it surprised me that it brought my heart to tears.

Next Saturday from 8 a.m. - 10.30 a.m. we will be at St. John's again on the subject of Family. Members and non-members are welcomed. Any man from St. Mark's is welcomed and encouraged to stop by for the entire 2 hours or for 20 minutes. You can give an encouraging talk and break camp. The more men we have dropping by the better the chance of our children succeeding. We are expecting Dr. Brian Sims next week. He holds a couple of Medical Degrees from U.A.B. and is a husband and father. Hopefully, he will bring other young African American doctors to assist him.

Finally, anyone is welcomed to bring breakfast or if you want us to have lunch together, we will eat it. God bless you all for your prayers and support of this ministry. Please note that this ministry would not be possible without the Spiritual guidance and wisdom of Rev. Deacon Carolyn Foster. Please make contact with her if the Lord informed you to be a part of this ministry for disadvantaged children. Rev. Deacon Foster can be reached at 205.322.8449. Leave a message and she will contact you. Peace.