SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning.As the dark- ness increases we turn toward the light of Christ's coming. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who wel- comes all, especially the poor and meek of the earth. We wait with hope for that day when the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and there will be no more hurt or destruction. From the Lord's table we are sent in the spirit of John the Baptist to proclaim that in Christ the kingdom of God has come near.
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children's Time - Sanctuary
9:45 am - Sunday School - Sunday School Room
10:00 am - Confirmation - Youth Room
10:00 am - Adult Forum - Voices and Places: Stories from the Global Lutheran Family - Auditorium
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Parents with Kidlettes - Heritage Hall
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
12:15 pm - Opening Reception: Palestine: Unlimited Photo Exhibit - Heritage Hall
3:00 pm - SF Lyric Chorus Concert - Sanctuary
SESSION 6 - TOGETHER BY GRACE: SIX WEEKS OF INTRODUCING THE LUTHERANS WITH PR. ELIZABETH EKDALE, DR. KYLE SCHIEFELBEIN, AND DR. MARGARET MCLEAN - TODAY AT 10:00AM IN THE AUDITORIUM
Today's Theme: Voices and Places: Stories from the Global Lutheran Family
Who are the Lutherans and what do we believe? How do we live out our faith in the world? As we begin this upcoming year of commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, join Pastor Elizabeth, Margaret and Kyle for six weeks of exploring local and global Lutheran identity.
This interactive adult forum is designed for novices and the experienced alike using the book Together by Grace: Introducing the Lutherans as the primary guide for the journey, each session combines focused topic questions, prayer, readings from the book and Small Catechism, and discussion of diverse experiences of Lutheranism.
INTERFAITH WORLD AIDS DAY WORSHIP, DEC. 4
Since St. Mark's initiated this powerful commemoration and call to action many years ago, we cannot let fatigue, fading memories and decreasing infection rates of AIDS stop us from coming together to pray and unite in our work and ministry to ght this pandemic.This year the Interfaith Service for World Aids Day will be held at Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St. (@16th St.) on December 4th at 4:00 pm. We will gather around the theme "Where Our Hope Is" reflecting, on our past and renewing our commitment towards the future with hope. We hope that you are able to come with your friends and families.
ADVENT LUNCHEON AND FAIR AT FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY
Today, members and friends of St Mark's are invited once again as guests of our Unitarian neighbors across the street. We had a wonderful time last year at this event and look forward to it again.There will be festive music, baked goods and crafts to purchase including products from Bethlehem. The cost for the lunch is $10 and all are invited to attend beginning at 12:00 pm.
SPIRITUALITY AND AGING: COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS
Join Pr. Tita and Pr. Elizabeth on Mondays, Dec. 5 and 12, from 11:00 - 12:00 for
supportive conversation and strategizing about dealing with the holidays and the "December Blues".
Everyone welcome - especially seniors! Location is in Brockie Lounge of Martin Luther Tower apartment complex.
FESTIVE CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY PARTY FOR ALL ST MARK'S SENIORS AND MARTIN LUTHER TOWER RESIDENTS
Join MLT residents, the MLT board, staff, pastors, friends and family for a wonderful evening of holiday cheer on Dec. 9, Friday at 5:00 in Heritage Hall.
The cost is $5.00. Sign up in the Martin Luther Tower office or call 415-885-1084. Please bring your $5.00 to the office by Dec. 5 in order to reserve your spot. Dinner and festivities included! Bring new white socks as a donation to the homeless community.
VOLUNTEER FOR THE INTERFAITH SHELTER
St. Mark's will be participating in the San Francisco Interfaith Council Winter Shelter program and will be hosting Dec. 10th-Dec. 17th and Jan. 15th-Feb. 4th.
Please consider volunteering for this very worthwhile ministry. Volunteers will be needed to serve at both Breakfasts and Dinners. Please contact John Elford at 415-490-7966 or jbruceelford@gmail.com if you would like to participate in this ministry, which helps so many people in need at this time of the year.
ADVENT VESPERS, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7, 7:00PM
The choirs of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and St. Mary's Cathedral will again join forces for what has become a highlight of the Advent season. This year, the service will be at St. Mark's and will feature the music of J. S. Bach (settings of Nun komm der Heiden Heiland for organ and his cantata BWV 61 based on the chorale scored for choir, soloists, and strings), a new work by John Michael Trotta (Veni, Veni, Veni, 2015), Johann Eccard's lovely setting of " Maria Went to the Hills" and Jakob Handl's masterful setting of the Lord's Prayer.
This service promises to be a wonderful escape from the hectic pace of the work-week, and a wonderful opportunity to contemplate the meaning of Advent in our lives. Join us for the service a reception afterward in Heritage Hall, where we will engage with our neighbors from the Cathedral, and enjoy the photo exhibit installed there.
PREPARE ST. MARK'S FOR CHRISTMAS!
Join in the merriment on Saturday, December 17, from 9 AM until 12 noon, as we prepare St. Mark's for the Christmas season. With your help, we'll put the trees in place and decorate them that morning. Shepherds, Wise Ones, and Angels are welcome to lend a hand - or some myrrhth - after they've rehearsed their pageant roles!
PALESTINE: UNLIMITED
TODAY we celebrate the opening of "Palestine: Unlimited," a photography exhibit by young Palestinian artists and media students in Bethlehem. Enjoy Palestinian treats with your coffee downstairs as you view their world through the lens of their cameras!
CALLING ALL ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS
It's already time to begin casting for our special Christmas Eve Pageant at St. Mark's! This family-friendly narration of the events surrounding the birth of baby Jesus includes a wonderful cast of angels and shepherds of all ages and wise men and their assistants. The Christmas Pageant will be on Christmas Eve, December 24th at 5pm. There will be two rehearsals on Saturday, December 10th at 9am and December 17th at 9am. Be sure to mark your calendars! There are many roles available including stage crew and costuming. If you are interested in being a part of the Christmas Pageant, then please email Mari Tuominen at maridesigns@earthlink.net.
HOLIDAY CHILDCARE
On Dec. 24 and 25, St. Mark's nursery care is closed. Parents can use the nursery on their own but must remain with their children in the nursery. Nursery care will resume on Jan 1 and is available from 8:30 - 1:30 pm.
MOSAIC TELEVISION SHOW WITH PR ELIZABETH - DEC. 18
Tune into KPIX (channel 5) at 5:00 am as Pastor Elizabeth interviews members of the Greek Orthodox clergy from the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland.
Father Tom Zaferes and Father Ninos Oshaana shares with Pr. Elizabeth their passion and stories about serving as Greek Orthodox priests. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about orthodoxy and this particular congregation in Oakland.
NEW JOURNEYS IN FAITH GROUP STARTING IN THE NEW YEAR
All are invited to join this newest group of Journeys in Faith. Take advantage of this opportunity and set aside time this winter and Lent for faith reflection and renewal. Together, we journey to Easter, learning more about our faith and faith community. And, together we consider and prepare for joining St Mark's, being baptized, or affirming our baptism. Weekly meetings begin Sunday, January 8th. If you are interested or have questions, contact Liv Beck (beckliv@gmail.com) for more information.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENT INSERTS
Please click the link below to see the insert for this week.
Advent/Christmas, Dec. 4
WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Sharon Reinbott (9); Kyle Schiefelbein, Steve Ernst (11)
Lectors...Robert Rathmell (9); Margaret McLean (11)
Chalice Bearers...Marisa Lee, Nadine Robinson (11)
Acolytes...Grace Ekdale-Hoch, Clovis Curl (11)
Sacristan and Altar Guild...Richard Boyle, Ed Chitty
inistry of Welcome...Pam Cheung, Kimberly and David Lam, Tina Niu, Pedro Ospina, Linda R. Jackson (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Dana Utz, Catherine Hurley
Next Week's Coffee Hour Chairs...John Elford, Marge Okuley, and Hiroko Nagata
PRAYERS OF THE PARISH
Cassie Allen
Ginger Armstrong
Debbie Brant & Ted Bernardi
Diana Bock
Natalie E. Bock
Riley Brooks
Jo Chadwick
Corrine Cottrell
Marilyn Desmond
Bonnie Elliot
Jack Heiter
Carolyn Johnson
Taylor Jones
Stephen Krefting
Arnold Lehmann
Margaret Massialas
Roderick Mobley
Stan Moeller
Lee & Irma Opitz
Ryan Parker
Cassie Pili
Marc Randal
Travis Schwartz
Matt Seiples
Tim Selander and family
LaVonne Strutz, mother of Geri Bailey
Mary Sukanya
Pastor Rebecca Swee
Dana Utz
Jerry Witherspoon
Brent Wolfe
For the baptism of Faith Carole Mueller
For Joan, mother of Barbara Engmann in hospice care
For all military personnel, especially Will Lehmann in Afghanistan
For the growing families of St. Mark's, especially those who hope for and those who are expecting children
For the Kigali Parish of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda
For the Cordero de Dios congregation in El Salvador
For our Missionary, Pastor Kate Warn, YAGM coordinator in Rwanda
For all Christians in the Holy Land, especially Bethlehem
For the people of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia
For the Kindergarten Cynthia Espinoza in Paraguay
For MLT Residents who are hospitalized or in hospice care
Every effort is made to keep the Prayers of the Parish current.
Please email lawrence@stmarks-sf.org to add, remove or update a name on the prayer list.