St. Mark's Episcopal Church Troy

06/02/2026

06/01/2026

Today on June 1st, we pause to remember the Story of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This is a fairly late feast, going back only to the 13th or 14th century. It was established widely throughout the Church to pray for unity. The present date of celebration was set in 1969, in order to follow the Annunciation of the Lord and precede the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.

Like most feasts of Mary, it is closely connected with Jesus and his saving work. The more visible actors in the visitation drama (see Luke 1:39-45) are Mary and Elizabeth. However, Jesus and John the Baptist steal the scene in a hidden way. Jesus makes John leap with joy—the joy of messianic salvation. Elizabeth, in turn, is filled with the Holy Spirit and addresses words of praise to Mary—words that echo down through the ages.

It is helpful to recall that we do not have a journalist’s account of this meeting. Rather Luke, speaking for the Church, gives a prayerful poet’s rendition of the scene. Elizabeth’s praise of Mary as “the mother of my Lord” can be viewed as the earliest Church’s devotion to Mary. As with all authentic devotion to Mary, Elizabeth’s (the Church’s) words first praise God for what God has done to Mary. Only secondly does she praise Mary for trusting God’s words.

Then comes the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Here, Mary herself—like the Church—traces all her greatness to God.

05/31/2026

On this First Sunday after Pentecost or Trinity Sunday, we were so fortunate to hear Joel Williams grace us with his homily.

He reminded us that the word “Trinity” is not in the Bible, but rather is fashioned as God is all that is good and light, Jesus is our leader and all that is good exemplifying a life lived for love, and the Holy Spirit our comforter.

He further reminded us that we are all evangelists as we are told by Paul. There was a comforting assurance when we were reminded that doubt is a part of faith, not a lack of it.

So we are to live in peace and move forward with the assurance that Jesus’ peace will be with us.

2 Corinthians 13: 11 - 13

05/31/2026

Please join us for First Monday Lunch at noon tomorrow in the parish hall of St. Mark’s, June 1st. Invite a friend!

05/30/2026

Just a little humor for us to enjoy today to celebrate the joy we all share being Episcopalians!

05/27/2026

Today we pause to remember Ember Day, a quarterly period of prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving in the Christian liturgical calendar.

Observed over a Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday four times a year, they mark the changing seasons and are traditionally used to thank God for the harvest.

The Four Seasons of Embertide occur on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday immediately following these key points in the church year:

Spring (Lenten)
After Ash Wednesday
Summer (Pentecost)
After the Day of Pentecost (Whitsun)
Autumn (Michaelmas)
After Holy Cross Day (September 14)
Winter (Advent)
After St. Lucy's Day (December 13)

The term "Ember" is an English corruption of the Latin phrase Quatuor Tempora, which translates to "the four times" or "the four seasons".