10 a.m. Liturgy
2026-08-23 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-30 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sanctuary, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306

Simple Summer Agape Coffee Hours
2026-08-23 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-30 11:00 - 11:30
At the helpful suggestion of several of our stalwart Agape Hosts who have been stepping in to fill frequent Sunday gaps in Agape Host sign-ups: to ease our need for Agape Hosts amidst folks’ busy summer plans, clergy will provide coffee/tea and juice and a snack from July 5 – August 30– as we continue to enjoy the truest Agape: our wonderful fellowship and conversation together after worship. We will revisit our Agape process in the fall.

Outreach Forum
2026-08-23 11:30 - 12:30
Sunday August 23, 11:30
For all parish members interested in St. Mark’s outreach and advocacy ministries, we will have a forum to highlight some of our activities with handouts about upcoming service opportunities and an invitation to share the work that you are doing with partners in our community. If you have a ministry you would like to highlight, email Rev. Kirsten: kirsten@saint-marks.com.

Youth Group Resumes
2026-08-23 17:00 - 19:00
Sunday, August 23, 5:00 p.m.
St. Mark’s teens (13-18 years old) are invited to gather in a weekly Sunday night Youth Group with the youth groups from Trinity Menlo Park and Christ Church Los Altos. The group is supported by Rev. Kirsten and her colleagues at Trinity and Christ Church, and we alternate locations. For more information, reach out to Rev. Kirsten at kirsten@saint-marks.com.

Morning Prayer
2026-08-24 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-08-25 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-08-26 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-08-27 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-08-31 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-09-01 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-09-02 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-09-03 08:00 - 08:30 | Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
All are welcome for morning prayers in the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Scripture Discussion: Revelation for Normal People
2026-08-25 19:00 - 20:30
Starting in November, the Scripture Discussion group will be reading and discussing Revelation.
We read aloud passages of Scripture and then have discussions following Study Guide materials. All are welcome; no prior Scripture background is needed,
The group meets every-other week in the Kennedy Room (or the Library) on Tuesday Evenings 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Contact Ken Bencala [kenbnc@hotmail.com] for more information.
For our discussions we will be using the Study Guide Revelation for Normal People: A Guide to the Strangest and Most Dangerous Book in the Bible by Robyn J. Whitaker
It has never been more important to read Revelation well. Whether you love it, hate it, or avoid it like the plague, the last book of the Bible’s influence permeates our cultural, political, and religious landscapes. From the so-bad-they’re…still bad actually…Left Behind series, to conspiracy theories about microchips and barcodes, to all-too-real political discourse and actions, John’s visions in Revelation reach far beyond anything their ancient author could have imagined. But what did John imagine? Who was he writing for and why? And what’s the deal with all the hideous horned beasts? Join New Testament scholar Robyn Whitaker as she uncovers the real-world contexts behind this ancient apocalyptic text. A world occupied by an oppressive empire, a marginalized people, and a God committed to justice. Where a beast overthrown was a declaration of authority and a falling star was a statement of evil’s demise. Where symbols gave voice to resistance and visions provided a glimpse of hope. A world utterly and entirely ancient. Only when we understand Revelation’s ancient contexts can we begin to find meaning from it for our own.

Men's Breakfast
2026-08-26 07:00 - 08:00
The Men’s Breakfast is open to all men of St. Mark’s. We meet every other Wednesday morning at 7:15 a.m. in the Parish Library. We typically choose a book to discuss based on a consensus of what’s on the minds of our members. Breakfast is truly spirit driven with folks bringing what they like, or nothing but themselves…all are welcome! Lively and open discussion are always on the menu.

Centering Prayer
2026-08-26 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-08-28 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-09-02 08:30 - 09:30 | Kennedy Room – St. Marks, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, California, 94306
Gather to spend time with God in quiet communion and Centering Prayer

Palo Alto Kendo Dojo
2026-08-26 19:00 - 21:30, 2026-09-02 19:00 - 21:30
Kendo is a Japanese martial art descended from kenjutsu, the traditional sword practice of the samurai. Centuries ago, practitioners developed the shinai (training sword) and kendo-gu (protective equipment) to allow for full-speed practice without the risk of injury. Modern kendo continues this tradition while incorporating a competitive sporting aspect.

If you are interested in joining, we encourage you to observe one of our practices. This will provide an opportunity to learn more about kendo and our dojo’s specific approach to training.

Please contact us ahead of time to schedule your visit at info@paloaltokendo.org. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Choir Rehearsal
2026-08-27 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-09-03 19:30 - 21:00 | Sanctuary, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306

LifeMoves Summer BBQ Needs Volunteers and Potluck Dishes!
2026-08-28 11:00 - 15:00
August 28, 11:00 a.m. at LifeMoves Opportunity Services Center, 33 Encina Ave., Palo Alto
LifeMoves, with whom we worked on Hotel deZink and maintain relationship, invites St. Markers to their Summer BBQ for unhoused clients, volunteers, and staff. If you are able, please consider signing up to donate a food dish; every contribution, big or small, helps make this a fun and memorable event for all the folks. See what they need and sign up to bring a dish at: tinyurl.com/LifeMovesbbq. Want to volunteer to help at the picnic? Email tasheana.price@lifemoves.org

Parent Night
2026-08-28 18:00 - 20:30
Friday, August 28, 2026, 6-8:30 in the Kennedy Room
St. Mark’s parents with children from infants to young adults are invited for a dinner conversation, spiritual support and updates on St. Mark’s fall family programming. To RSVP, please reach out to Michele Maia at michele@saint-marks.com.

Taoist Tai Chi
2026-08-29 10:00 - 12:00
Taoist Tai Chi introductory sessions are held at St. Mark’s Palo Alto in the Parish Hall every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Beginners are welcome to join a Taoist Tai Chi™ arts introductory sessions at any time. Group leaders will guide you through the practice which is part of an ancient tradition dating back to the 13th century. Read their Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.

8 a.m. Liturgy in Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene
2026-08-30 08:00 - 09:30 | Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
Join us for a spoken 8:00 a.m. service from the Book of Common Prayer held in the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene.

Jazz Eucharist and Annual Community Faire
2026-08-30 10:00 - 13:30
Sunday, August 30 is our inspiring Jazz Eucharist followed by the Community Faire: a grand event of music, games, food and fellowship, and of opportunity for inviting all to participate in the upcoming year’s events and ministries! All are welcome. Volunteers are needed for set up, information table hosts, servers, game captains, and clean up. Contact Virginia Rock [ginidrock@gmail.com] or Sigrid Pinsky [sigridkp2@gmail.com].

Community Faire 2026
2026-08-30 11:00 - 13:30
Community Faire 2026!
Sunday, August 30
Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye: you are ALL cordially invited to attend St. Mark’s Community Faire on 30th August. Here is a sampling of our Food, Fun and Fellowship:
—Randy Smith and his amazing Big Band are keeping the mood lively.
—Games and Prizes: Our family ministers and our fun captains, Michele Maia and Virginia Rock, will lead us in bubbles, cornhole, and gift card prizes.
—Sign-Up Boards on Tables; Look for Groups to join: Outreach, Inreach, Building and Grounds, Finance, Liturgy Support – where you will meet parishioners who love these ministries so you can join them or just get to know what’s going on.
—Viva Sanchos Taqueria: ¡Que Sabor! Taco Bar followed by ice cream sundae station and rootbeer floats.
What to do right now: Community Faire is the culmination of our efforts to communicate nearly everything going on at St. Mark’s. So we hope you will:
Learn and Pray: how would you like to get involved and share your time and talent to build Church…check out the sign up sheets that are already being offered at Agape on Sundays.
Sign up: we have a wide spectrum of activities that range from joining a commission or committee to providing help for a specific one-off event (e.g. setting up chairs). This is the one big opportunity of the year to help us resource our entire parish and, of course, you are volunteering and ‘life happens’ – so you can always change your mind if it doesn’t work out.
Help us decorate by making a pennant flag to be part of the Community Faire decorations. Supplies are available at Agape and the Children’s Ministry table after church.
Feel the Spirit: our most important goal is to develop your spiritual growth by community engagement. Jesus taught us to love one another, gather together, and serve as part of the family of God.

Good Reads Book Club
2026-09-03 16:00 - 17:00
Starting this spring and into the summer, the St. Mark’s Good Reads group will be reading and discussing Fatal Discord: Erasmus, Luther, and the Fight for the Western Mind by Michael Massing. The group meets every-other week via Zoom on Thursday afternoons. 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM
Contact Marie Highby [ mhighby@gmail.com ] for more information and Zoom link!

About the book:

A deeply textured dual biography and fascinating intellectual history that examines two of the greatest minds of European history—Desiderius Erasmus and Martin Luther—whose heated rivalry gave rise to two enduring, fundamental, and often colliding traditions of philosophical and religious thought.

“A masterly work. Massing manages to juggle the complicated biographies and life work of both Erasmus and Luther while giving the reader a well-written, comprehensive background of pre-Reformation theology.” – Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An impressive, powerful intellectual history. . . A riveting dual biography [that] reveals the social, political, and religious tensions roiling 16th-century Europe. Massing focuses on the well-known rivalry between the Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus and the German reformer Martin Luther to create a majestic, deeply informed portrait of their tempestuous times.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
