Vespers in Commemoration of September 11, 2001 on 9/11 at 6:00 PM

All liturgical churches observe some form of Evening Prayer (vespers), a practice that has existed since at least the middle ages. Glowing candles, chanted psalms and appointed readings mark this time of reflection at the close of the day. This is an appropriate time to remember all of those who perished in the terrorist attacks on our country ten years ago. With them, we remember the first responders,our leaders, our people serving in the military, and those whose lives have been forever altered - and we offer our prayers for peace.

There will be hymns, prayers, silence, and music by the Festival Choir.

All are welcome. Please join us.

Bach Vespers on November 6, 2011 at 6 PM

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) is widely regarded as one of the most important composers of church music and certainly the most important composer of Lutheran church music. St. Mark's tradition of Bach Vespers - the singing of a Bach cantata as the musical offering within a Lutheran service of evening prayer - is twenty years old. This year we continue the tradition by singing cantata no. 180, Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (Deck yourself, my soul, with gladness)written for the 20th Sunday after Trinity.

Singers from the community are heartily invited to sing for this service which will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra comprised of members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Rehearsals will be held on Saturday mornings from 10 - 12. The dates of the rehearsals are October 15, 22, 29, and November 5th (dress rehearsal). We would be happy and honored to have you sing with us. There is no charge to sing, but we do need to know you are coming to be sure we have enough scores! Please contact Tony Cruz (vespers@comcast.net) for more information.

Hiring an orchestra, purchasing scores, and other costs require us to ask for monetary donations to present this important music and continue the tradition. Your contributions are welcome!

Photo Credit: Bill Daugherty from Bach Vespers 2007 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme

Interview with a Choir Member: Carl Moser

Carl Moser moved to Florida from Texas in 1979 when he came to do an internship at the Regency House, a retirement community. It was there that he met Bill Daugherty who drove the St. Mark’s van to Regency House to pick up Mrs. Krueger and Mrs. Schicker. Bill discovered that Carl was a Lutheran and invited him to attend worship at St. Mark’s. Carl accepted the offer and began singing in the choir almost immediately! When I asked Carl if I could interview him for a Messenger article, he consented immediately.

Why do you sing in the choir?I love to sing in a group and do beautiful anthems that lead a worship service.

Do you have a favorite choir memory?I enjoyed the choir retreats that we used to have. They were led by Jim Rindelaub and were held at the Marywood Retreat Center – a great way to start the church year after a summer break. Morning worship on the dock (over the St. John’s River) was very special.

How are you involved at St. Mark’s besides singing in the choir and ringing handbells?I have served on Council as well as on the Nourish and Celebrate teams. I’ve also served on a Call Committee. I’ve also been active with Family Promise and have taught Sunday school and confirmation classes.

What would you say to someone who was considering joining the choir?We’re a fun group. If you have a love of music, this is a great place to learn more and lead worship for the congregation.

Thank you, Carl, for your dedication to St. Mark’s and its music ministry!

Ascension Day Celebrated Outdoors! June 2, 2011

Summer Music Fun: Dinner and A Show!

Our singing and handbell choirs don’t usually rehearse during the summer months.

This summer is going to be different!

We will work on POP music, tunes from Broadway and cinema, and who knows what else!?! We would love to have any guest singers so please invite your friends. (If you are reading this on my blog, then invite yourself - but contact me first so I'll have enought music!)

Our Wednesday night rehearsal schedule will look like this:

5:30 - 6:30 bell rehearsal in the nave
6:30 - 7:00 Bring Your Own Dinner! I hope that ringers will stay late and singers will come early for some fellowship and chit chat. Bring a brown bag or stop at a drive-thru on your way to church.
7:00 - 8:30 choir rehearsal in the music suite

We will rehearse on the following evenings:
June 8, June 15, June 22,June 29, July 6, July 13

Our concert, Dinner And A Show, will be on Wednesday evening, July 20th, at 7:30. Please invite friends and family for fun and fellowship. Details are still being worked out about the dinner. It may be catered, it may be potluck; whatever the fare, it will certainly be fun!

Prayers of Intercession for Easter 5

The Prayers of Intercession used in worship on Easter 5(May 22nd) were written by our confirmation class. Thanks to Jordan, A.J., Evan, Rebuen, and Luke.


Send your Holy Spirit, O God, so that all troubled or fighting countries may come to an agreement and have everlasting peace and justice. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Send your Holy Spirit, O God, to your church here at St. Mark's and around the world so that all our brothers and sisters may come together in love. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Send your Holy Spirit, O God, so that all families and those who live alone can worship you. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Send your Holy Spirit, O God, so that the sick and lonely will be comforted and strengthened spiritually and physically, especially (names inserted). Help them see your everlasting light in their time of need. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.

Photo of St. Mark's by Bill Daugherty

June 19th at 7:30 PM: The Bells of Christ Church from Savannah, Georgia

The Bells of Christ Church is an auditioned handbell choir of teens and college-aged youth from Christ Church (Anglican) in Savannah, Georgia. This year, St. Mark’s will be the first stop on their tour. The group has performed in Washington D.C., Colonial Williamsburg, and at the International Music Festival, Spoleto, in Charleston. Their concert includes a history of handbells and testimonies from the ringers. This is an event you will not want to miss!

The group performs under the direction of Mark Williams, Minister of Music at Christ Church, established in 1733, in Savannah, GA.

An offering will be taken and all are welcome!