Lenten Resources for Worship and Study

Ash Wednesday Liturgy and Ashes to Go March 5, 2025

On Ash Wednesday March 5, 2025 St. Mark’s is offering an Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist service with Imposition of Ashes in-person and via Zoom and Ashes to Go. The worship service and Ashes to Go are free. Everyone is welcome.

The Ash Wednesday Liturgy with Imposition of Ashes will be offered in the church sanctuary at 5:30PM in-person and via Zoom. Masks are optional. If you wish to participate via Zoom, please contact The Reverend Nancy Threadgill at revnancy-stmarks@atlanticbbn.net or (814) 535-6797 in advance of the service to obtain the login information.

If you do not have time to participate in an Ash Wednesday worship service, but would like to have ashes imposed on you, try our Ashes to Go in Central Park, downtown Johnstown. The Reverend Nancy Threadgill will be on hand to impose ashes from 8:00AM-10:00AM and 2:00PM-4:00PM.

Ashes are imposed (laid) on the heads of participants on Ash Wednesday as a sign of mortality and penitence. The ashes are imposed with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265). Ashes are typically imposed by inscribing a cross on the forehead. The imposition of ashes has been practiced on Ash Wednesday since the ninth century. Anyone who desires to receive them is welcome to do so.

Ham Loaf Sale Taking Orders through March 6

Ham loaves are for sale frozen with glazing sauce and baking instructions included.  A one-pound loaf costs $9. A two-pound loaf costs $17. Pre-ordered loaves will be available for pickup at the Church Office beginning March 20. To order ham loaves, call (814) 535-6797 or email stmarks@atlanticbbn.net. Please schedule a pick-up time when you place your order. Proceeds from the ham loaf sale benefit ECW Ministries and St. Marks.

Lenten Quiet Day Saturday March 22 from 9:00AM – 1:00PM In-person and via Zoom

A Quiet Day provides respite away from the busyness of life, a time to reflect, and rest in God’s presence. During alternating quiet time and guided meditations, participants find spiritual

refreshment through prayer, reading, journaling, drawing, or walking meditation. Participants are asked not to talk until after final prayers. The event concludes with a communal vegetarian lunch. Quiet Days frequently are held during Advent and Lent. Though the structure of the event remains the same from year to year, the topic differs for each event. The topic of our 2025 Lenten Quiet Day is “What is the purpose of Lent?” The event is free. All are welcome. If you wish to participate via Zoom, please contact The Reverend Nancy Threadgill at revnancy-stmarks@atlanticbbn.net or (814) 535-6797 in advance of the event to obtain the login information.

Sunday Worship Service 9:00AM In-person & via Zoom

Our Sunday worship service starts at 9:00AM throughout February and March 2025. Our service returns to an 11:30AM start in April. All services are available in-person and via Zoom. Coffee hour follows the service.

We offer Holy Eucharist Rite II most Sundays. On the fourth Sunday of each month we offer Holy Eucharist Rite I. If our Priest is unavailable, we offer Morning Prayer. Masks are optional. All are welcome. The worship service bulletin is available under Worship.

To join us via Zoom, please contact The Reverend Nancy Threadgill at revnancy-stmarks@atlanticbbn.net or (814) 535-6797 in advance of the service to obtain the login information.

Holy Week and Easter Sunday Activities Will Be Posted Here Soon

Advent Resources for Worship and Study

Advent 2024 begins Sunday December 1. As we prepare for the coming of the Christ child, many of us will begin to think about a special Advent practice. A variety of resources for people of all ages are available here.

Advent and Christmas Activities

All Worship Services may be attended in-person or via Zoom. Bulletins for the Worship Services will be available at the Worship Service Bulletin tab under Worship in the menu above. The services are free. All are welcome.

If you are not feeling well, please participate via Zoom. If you wish to participate via Zoom, please contact The Reverend Nancy Threadgill at revnancy-stmarks@atlanticbbn.net or (814) 535-6797 in advance of the event to obtain login information.

Our Annual Stewardship Campaign is Underway

The 2025 Stewardship Campaign Letter and the 2025 Pledge Card are available under “Stewardship” on this website. If you wish to pledge, please print out the 2025 Pledge Card, complete it and return it to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church office, 335 Locust Street, Johnstown PA 15901 or stmarks@atlanticbbn.net. You can donate by using the “Donate” tab under “Stewardship” or on the main menu.

We will nominate and elect new Vestry Members for a three-year term to begin October 1, 2024. Our Senior Warden will present a “Report on the State of the Parish.” After the meeting, we will share a potluck brunch. Please try to attend this important meeting and bring a dish to share.

Our Sunday Worship Service Time Has Changed!

Our service now starts at 9:00AM (an hour earlier than in the past). Services will continue to start at 9:0AM throughout September and October. In November and December 2024, our service will start at 11:30AM. All services will be available in-person and via Zoom. Coffee hour will follow the service.

Why the change? Bishop Ketlen has asked our Priest-in-Charge, The Reverend Nancy Threadgill to provide Sunday Holy Eucharist for both St. Mark’s and our sister parish St. Francis-in-the-Fields, Somerset. Both parishes surveyed their parishioners last autumn to see what service times they preferred. Both parishes selected these two times. We are testing the waters to see how this schedule works for both parishes in preparation for our sharing a full-time Priest-in-Charge in the near future.

We will continue to offer Holy Eucharist Rite II most Sundays. On the fourth Sunday of each month we offer Holy Eucharist Rite I. If our Priest is unavailable, we offer Morning Prayer. Masks are optional. All are welcome. The worship service bulletin will be available under Worship.

To join us via Zoom, please contact The Reverend Nancy Threadgill at revnancy-stmarks@atlanticbbn.net or (814) 535-6797 in advance of the service to obtain the

Starting September 1, 2024 our service will start at 9:00AM (an hour earlier than in the past). Services will continue to start at 9:0AM throughout September and October. In November and December 2024, our service will start at 11:30AM. All services will be available in-person and via Zoom. Coffee hour will follow the service.

Why the change? Bishop Ketlen has asked our Priest-in-Charge, The Reverend Nancy Threadgill to provide Sunday Holy Eucharist for both St. Mark’s and our sister parish St. Francis-in-the-Fields, Somerset. Both parishes surveyed their parishioners last autumn to see what service times they preferred. Both parishes selected these two times. We are testing the waters to see how this schedule works for both parishes in preparation for our sharing a full-time Priest-in-Charge in the near future.

We will continue to offer Holy Eucharist Rite II most Sundays. On the fourth Sunday of each month we offer Holy Eucharist Rite I. If our Priest is unavailable, we offer Morning Prayer. Masks are optional. All are welcome. The worship service bulletin will be available under Worship.

To join us via Zoom, please contact The Reverend Nancy Threadgill at revnancy-stmarks@atlanticbbn.net or (814) 535-6797 in advance of the service to obtain the login information.

Saturday’s Kitchen September 7

St. Mark’s will be serving at Saturday’s Kitchen September 7th from 10:30AM to 12:30PM. We are in need of at least 6 volunteers to help assemble dinners and serve. Please call Kitty Batrus at 814-288-1848or email kittyb2666@gmail.com

Fall Clean Up Sunday, September 15 Following the 9:00 AM Service (Rain date on Saturday September 28)

Bishop Ketlen will be here Sunday, October 6th. We want the church to look nice for her visit. Over the summer the weeds have cropped up and the plants have grown like crazy. The courtyard and garden beds in front and on the side of the church are in much need to pruning and trimming. We’ll gather after the 9 AM service to get started on the clean-up. If we need more time, we set aside Saturday, September 28 as the rain date. Wear your work clothes to church. Bring your favorite yard tools: gloves, rakes, and small garden tools. We will supply bags and boxes for the weeds and other trimmings. If everyone can do a little, we can get it done.

Annual Parish Meeting & Potluck Brunch Sunday, September 22 Following the 9:00 AM Service

We will nominate and elect new Vestry Members for a three-year term to begin October 1, 2024. Our Senior Warden will present a “Report on the State of the Parish.” After the meeting, we will share a potluck brunch. Please try to attend this important meeting and bring a dish to share.

Join us on Sunday Morning at 10:00AM for Holy Eucharist Rite II in-person or via Zoom. On the fourth Sunday of each month we offer Holy Eucharist Rite I. Masks are optional. Coffee hour follows the service. All are welcome. The worship service bulletin will be available under Worship. To join us via Zoom, please contact The Reverend Nancy Threadgill at revnancy-stmarks@atlanticbbn.net or (814) 535-6797 in advance of the service to obtain the login information.

BBQ Pulled Pork Take-out Picnic Lunch Order Deadline: Monday August 5

Each lunch consists of a BBQ pulled pork sandwich,* macaroni & cheese, coleslaw and two cookies. * A vegetarian option (veggie crumbles in BBQ sauce) is available but must be requested when placing order. Price per meal is $10.00. The lunch is take-out only and must be ordered in advance. To order, call (814) 535-6797 or email stmarks@atlanticbbn.net. Order Deadline: Monday August 5, 2024 at 5:00PM. Pre-ordered lunches can be picked up on Saturday August 17 from 11:00AM – 1:00PM. Proceeds benefit St. Mark’s ministries.

Compline at The Rectory Wednesday August 14 at 7:00PM In-person and via Zoom

The service of Compline is the “goodnight prayer of the church.” The Rectory is located at 102 Leila Street in Southmont Borough, Johnstown. Service bulletins will be provided. A period for fellowship will follow the service. Wine, cheese and crackers will be available.

Please bring a chair if you would like to sit. The event is free. All are welcome. If you wish to participate via Zoom, please contact The Reverend Nancy Threadgill at revnancy-stmarks@atlanticbbn.net or (814) 535-6797 by noon on August 14.