One way of looking at the difference between ministry and missions involves the questions of "where" and "to whom". Ministry takes place within the body of Christ, missions happens outside the walls of the church. For instance, if your Men's Ministry group goes to put a new roof on the house of a shut-in who is a member of your church - that's ministry. If however, the next weekend your group goes right next door to her and puts a roof on the house of a non-believer - and tells that person that you're doing it in Christ's name - that's missions. Both are important. Our men need to find out what their spiritual gifts are and find their place of service within the life of their church. Men also need to be on mission with God, telling the good news of Christ as they go.
The Mission of St. Marks outreach is to share the Love of Christ by helping people in need in our surrounding community of Gaston County NC. St Marks’ ministers participate in the following outreach missions assisting hundreds of people every year who are in need; Crisis Assistance Ministries (CAM), Habitat for Humanity, Backpack Weekend Food Program, Blessing Bags, Counseling, Prayer Shawls, Salvation Army, Family Promise, Meals on Wheels, Heritage Oaks, 2nd Helping Pantry, School Supplies, Comfort Kids and more.
The Ministries of our parish help us to welcome the stranger, worship with thanksgiving and praise, sharing fellowship and stories, learn the Word of God, and ultimately become the Body of Christ in our community.
St. Mark’s is involved in many programs, and they can all use more help. Please consider donating time to one of the programs below.
We all have been given gifts of the Holy Spirit to serve God and to serve others. Sometimes those gifts lead you to sing in the choir. For others, their gifts call them to teach Sunday School or Bible Studies. St. Mark's is known within our community as a church that does more with fewer people. At St. Mark's we live out the Gospel every day in many ways.
At Family Promise of Gaston County, we are committed to helping homeless families in the surrounding area to achieve lasting independence. We do this by providing safe shelter, meals, and support services for these families. We partner with...
Habitat for Humanity is a partnership, not a giveaway program—Habitat’s homeowner families buy the houses that Habitat builds and renovates. Habitat homeowners also invest hundreds of hours of their own labor working alongside volunteers. As a...
Our clergy, staff, and vestry can assist you in learning more about the many opportunities to serve. Please contact the office for more information.
The handbell choirs play at special services at St. Mark's and at other events. We invite you to join us, whatever your age or musical experience. The Handbell Choir is an entry-level choir focusing on basic handbell techniques and offering music...
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Have you ever wondered who are those men and women who process into the church on Sunday mornings, following the choir and dressed in long white robes? They are members of St. Mark's Lay Eucharistic Ministry (LEM). They are baptized and...
Lectors read the Old Testament and Epistle lessons during services. They also may lead Morning Prayer in the absence of the Priest. They are all volunteers, trained in the public reading of scripture, who have been licensed by the Bishop through...
St. Mark's is beginning our Live Streaming Ministry to reach out to our members who are homebound. Our team members will operate computer software, audio mixer, and video cameras that connect through the internet to people watching our services...
Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers meals to individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals. The name is often used generically to refer to home-delivered meals programs, not all of which are actually named...