REIGN OF CHRIST
Even after Israel had experienced the vagaries of kings, they still longed for a true king to set things right. He would have the king’s title of Anointed One (Messiah); he would be the “one like a human being” (Son of Man) given dominion in Daniel’s vision. Jesus is given these titles, even though he is nothing like an earthly king. His authority comes from the truth to which he bears witness, and those who recognize the truth voluntarily listen to him. We look forward to the day he is given dominion, knowing his victory will be the nonviolent victory of love.
This Sunday at St. Mark's
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Sanctuary
9:50 am - Sunday School - Sunday School Rooms
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE FOR BERNAL GATEWAY CHILDREN AND YOUTH
We will be collaborating with Lutheran Social Services in assisting their staff with the Christmas Potluck Party at Bernal Gateway Apartments. There are 43 children and youth living at the apartments. We will be providing a couple of presents for each of the children. A Giving Tree has been set up—one in the Narthex and one in Heritage Hall—with tags for each of the children. On each tag is the gender and age of the child. YOU may take one or more tags and purchase a present ($12 – 15) for each tag that you take. Please return the present (unwrapped) to church by Monday, December 10, and place it in the box by the small Christmas tree in Heritage Hall or bring it to the Church office. Make sure to attach the tag securely to the present.
The Party is on Wednesday, December 12, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. If you are available and willing to assist with the party (setting up, serving food, and distributing presents), please contact Jane Borg at (415) 826-4787. If you are in the mood for baking, we also have been requested to provide dessert pies for the Party—deliverable to the church office by Tuesday, December 11.
QUARTERLY MINISTRY TEAM LEADER MEETING WITH PASTORS ELIZABETH AND RON
On Nov. 29, we will hold our Ministry Team meeting at 7:00 in the conference room of the Urban Life Center.
All Ministry Leaders are invited to attend to hear about the Annual Vision for Ministry, congregational goals, and governance changes. Please come and meet with other leaders for support and communication.
JOYOUS GENEROSITY COMMITMENTS - PLEASE TURN YOUR COMMITMENT IN!
As of this week, we have received $340,819 in commitments with a total of 81 commitments out of a possible 188 giving units, totaling 43% participation. Thank you for everyone who has made a commitment! Our goal is to have everyone participate by sharing their commitment to St. Mark’s ministries. Please bring your commitment card to worship and place it in the offering plate, mail it to the church office, or go online and fill out your commitment card on the website: stmarks-sf.org/giveagift. Every commitment has a direct impact to St. Mark’s ministries and our goal is to have 100% participation!
Thank you, The Stewardship Team
JOIN US AFTER THE SERVICE THIS SUNDAY FOR PUMPKIN PIE & WHIPPED CREAM!
Greg Jahnke & Deb Freeman of Thrivent Financial will be hosting this holiday treat after each service this Sunday down in Heritage Hall. Please come and enjoy the goodies and learn a little about how Thrivent Action Teams & Thrivent Choice Dollars can benefit St. Mark’s and other non-profits. Also hear about how Thrivent helps Christians be wise with money and inspires generosity in the community.
PROPERTY TEAM DAY SATURDAY DECEMBER 1, 9:00AM-12:00PM
All members of St. Mark’s are invited to join the Team as we hang the Advent Wreath and tackle our ToDo list of minor repairs and cleaning. Enjoy fellowship and treats while we continue our stewardship of this beautiful building. Please contact Tim Bohan if you are able to attend, timelain@pacbell.net 415-6945-9499
ADULT FORUM, DECEMBER 2 – VISIT TO CORDERO DE DIOS
On Sunday, December 2, the delegation from St. Mark’s that visited our sister congregation, Cordero de Dios, in San Salvador will be at the Adult Forum at 10:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room to share stories about their recent trip to visit the members of that congregation as well as the Lutheran Church in El Salvador. Come and hear about all of the exciting encounters and interactions that these 15 members of St. Mark’s had during this 6-day trip.
CALLING ALL ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS!
Preparations are underway for the St. Mark’s Christmas Pageant! If you have participated in the past you know it is a great event. If you haven’t, please consider starting a new tradition this year! All families are welcome, and there is a role for everyone!
The Pageant is at 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Call time will be 4:00 p.m. Rehearsals are Saturday, December 15 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (although we will likely stagger the rehearsal so not everyone has to stay the entire time), and Sunday, December 23 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Note this change from previous years! The second rehearsal is on Sunday so we don’t have to break the set down after rehearsal, and to free up that final Saturday of December. We will make sure there is enough food for everyone to eat for lunch.
Please contact Matt Helland (helland@nka.com) if you plan to participate or if you have any questions.
ST. MARK’S ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS DEVOTION BOOK TO BE DISTRIBUTED ON SUNDAY, DEC. 2
This daily devotional book has a personal devotion and prayer written by a member of St. Mark’s. Each day you can enjoy a devotion as a part of your Advent and Christmas celebrations. Pick one up in worship on Sunday, Dec. 2, the 1st Sunday in Advent.
LITURGICAL CALENDARS TO BE DISTRIBUTED ON SUNDAY, DEC. 2
The new Liturgical calendars will be distributed on Sunday, Dec. 2 so don’t forget to pick one up along with your Advent devotion book.
2019 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
Our 2019 Membership directory will be in production soon and we want to make sure we have the most up-to date information. Please send any address changes to Stefani at lawrence@stmarks-sf.org by January 2. Thank you!
ELCA GOOD GIFTS
If you are looking for an opportunity to give a Christmas gift in honor of someone in your family, you may want to consider the ELCA Good Gifts Program. Purchase a chicken, a goat, a share of a well, farming tools, school supplies for children, mosquito nets, a share of a start-up for women through this program, etc. Your gift will be used where it is most needed within the wider category of each gift that you have selected. You may go to ELCA.org/goodgifts or call 800-638-3522 for more information and the purchase of a gift(s). A couple of catalogs will be on the table in Heritage Hall for your perusal as well.
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE
U.S. WILDFIRES
Wildfires are raging across California, destroying thousands of homes and wiping out the town of Paradise, located north of Sacramento. Multiple deaths have been confirmed and large-scale, mandatory evacuations are in place for multiple communities across the state’s impacted areas as first responders work to gain control of the fires.
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response designated for "U.S. wildfires" will be used to help those affected by wildfires until the response is complete. Together, we can help provide immediate and long-lasting support. Please give today: https://community.elca.org/uswildfires?erid=9c2a8624-4b01-4640-ba53-ed688cdb6211&trid=9c2a8624-4b01-4640-ba53-ed688cdb6211
DO YOU DAILY TEXT?
You may text every day on your cell phone, but what if you had a text stream that has been going since the year 1731? You would have the Daily Text, bible verses read worldwide for 287 years. The print version has an Old Testament and a New Testament verse plus a prayer for every day of the year. You can order this small book from Greg Gomez for $8.00. Please email me at solresolgomez@mindspring.com, or call me at (415) 533-5203. I have to put in the order by Nov 30, and I will arrange delivery at the church usually before Christmas. Daily Text is also available online.
DONATE FLOWERS
St. Mark’s members and friends can sign up to donate flowers for the chancel on a Sunday by placing your name on the chart for the Sunday you wish. We still have dates available in December for Advent so please sign up!
Your donation can be in memory of a loved one or in honor of a particular occasion. Please go to www.stmarks-sf.org/flower-donations/ to sign up on our online chart. If you are unable to sign up online please call the office (415-928-7770).
The donation is $50 and can be paid via check in the offering plate. Please note “Flowers” in the memo of the check. If you would like to submit your payment online please click on the donate tab on the main page on St. Mark’s website and enter your flower donation under the “other” option and write flowers in the box.
WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Greg Jahnke, Katja Jackson (11)
Lectors...Randy Schieber (9); Deborah Halladay (11)
Communion Ministers...Mark Semonian, Matthias Will (9) Steve Ernst, Jane Borg (11)
Altar Guild...Jane Borg
Acolytes...Emma Gray, Alison Schieber
Sacristans...Pam Reynolds
Ushers...Louis Gutierrez, Marisa Lee (9) Larry DeSpain, Gail Culp, Cal Culp, John Elford (11)
Fellowship Hour Chairs...Nadine Robinson, Kimberly Hamilton-Lam
Next Week’s Fellowship Hour Chairs...Andrew Sallach, Elaine & Tim Bohan