Stir up your power, and come! The psalmist’s plea in Psalm 80:2 has become familiar to us in the Advent prayers. Isaiah wants God to rip the heavens open. Both cry out for an apparently distant, angry God to show up, to save, to restore. When we hear Jesus describing the coming of the Son of Man with stars falling from heaven, it can sound dire and horrible, not like anything we would ever hope for. But when we really look at the suffering of people God loves, we can share the hope that God would tear open the heavens and come.

THIS SUNDAY AT ST. MARK'S
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Sanctuary
9:50 am - Sunday School - Sunday School Room
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Adult Forum - Fireside Room
“The Mystery of Eve and Adam” with Pr. Ron
10:00 am - Parents with Kidlettes - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Journeys in Faith - JIF Room
10:05 am - Confirmation - Youth Room
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
4:30 pm - SFNM Volunteer Appreciation Event - Auditorium
7:00 pm - SF Performances Concert: NY Polyphony - Sanctuary

ADULT FORUM - 10:00AM IN THE FIRESIDE ROOM - THIS SUNDAY
December 3, 10, & 17“The Mystery of Eve and Adam” with Pr. Ron
This story at the beginning of the Hebrew Scriptures probably is one of the most used, and sometimes abused, stories in the entire Bible. For over 20 years, Pastor Ron delved into various interpretations of this story without satisfaction. Finally, through a process of inquiry and Biblical research, he discovered a new and original interpretation of this story that explains so much about the meaning of the curses that God addressed to the serpent, the woman, and the man. His book was published in 2012, and continues to be a challenge to many of the more traditional interpretations of this ancient story. Come and hear more about why this story could be a critique of the monarchy that dominated the nations of Israel and Judah for centuries.

December 17 in Heritage Hall: Stories from El Salvador
The 9-member delegation from St. Mark’s that traveled to visit our sister congregation, Cordero de Dios, in El Salvador over the week of Thanksgiving will be showing slides and sharing stories from their time in San Salvador. The 6-days were filled with many wonderful and intense experiences that reflected the joys and the pain of the members of this community. Everyone is encouraged to come and share in this experience in Heritage Hall at 10:00 a.m. The delegation included the Helland family, the Beck/Greig family, Mary Ritter, and Pastor Ron.

GIFTS FROM BETHLEHEM PERFECT FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS!
St. Mark’s friend CLAIRE ANASTAS has beautiful, meaningful olive wood nativities and ornaments, hand-carved statues, silver jewelry, hand-embroidered scarves and shawls and many more items - all hand-crafted by Palestinian artisans, with original designs by Claire herself and others. Claire is here in San Francisco until January 7. You may contact her right now at (415) 385-1714, (415) 285-4424 or email: claireanastas@gmail.com. Peruse Claire’s website for gift ideas or to order from her shop in the Holy Land at anytime: <www.anastas-bethlehem.com.> And be sure to look for these Bethlehem handicrafts at St. Mark’s on December 10 after both worship services. Every item helps the person who made it remain in the Holy Land as a witness to our faith!

JOIN THE ST. MARK'S CHOIR ON TOUR!
On Sunday, December 10 at 4 pm join with the St. Mark’s Choir as they journey all the way to St. Mary’s Cathedral (across Gough Street) where they will collaborate with the choir of St. Mary’s under the direction of the Director of Music, Chris Tietze. This joint Lutheran/Catholic Advent Vespers has become a seasonal tradition, and alternates between St. Mark’s and St. Mary’s each year. The service is less than an hour long, and is a wonderful close to the day as we watch the light fade from within the Cathedral. Take advantage of this opportunity to contemplate the Advent of Our Lord in an inspiring environment with beautiful music.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS GIVING
Your financial gifts throughout the year to St. Mark’s have made a difference:

St. Mark’s and Martin Luther Tower seniors enjoy a monthly lunch and field trips
Adults engage in bible study and reflection growing in their relationship with God and each other
Homeless receive a safe place to stay and warm meals to eat
Talented musicians offer their gifts in praise to God
Pastoral Care is provided for persons needing support in stressful times
Youth stretch their faith and learn about the love of God through service to the community
Babies and toddlers are cared for in our safe nursery environment on Sunday mornings through our friendly and professional child-care providers

Your gift, no matter its size, is meaningful. Making a commitment to St. Mark’s ministries is easy with a commitment card (available in the Narthex or by calling the church office) or online at stmarks-sf.org/give

No gift is too small - it is your participation which matters the most!

If you have not yet turned in your 2018 commitment card, please do so at your earliest convenience.

Thank you,

St. Mark’s Stewardship Team

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Actually, we are beginning a new liturgical year on the First Sunday of Advent which is December 3. We will be giving every worshiper on that Sunday their very own liturgical calendar in color. You can follow the rhythms and seasons of the church year by utilizing this very helpful calendar. Happy New (Church) Year!

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE
A Christmas Giving Tree is set up in the Narthex and in Heritage Hall. The tags on the tree will designate the gender and age of a child at Bernal Gateway Apartments where Lutheran Social Services provides support services for the residents. They will be having a Christmas Party at the apartments for the children on Wednesday, December 13, and St. Mark’s will be providing the gifts for the children and youth. Look for a tree in the Narthex and Heritage Hall. Please take one or more tags, purchase a gift ($15 – 20) that is age-appropriate, and put it (unwrapped) in the box in Heritage Hall by Sunday, December 10. Be sure to affix your tag to the gift. Join in this Advent ministry and you will bring lots of joy to these children and youth. Also, if you would like to assist at the Christmas Party with serving food or passing out presents, or would be willing to provide a dessert (homemade pies have been requested), please contact Jenny Hart (hartx4@hotmail.com.

CALLING ALL ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS!
Please click on this Christmas Pageant link to sign up now! Casting has begun 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 Saturdays, December 16th at 9am and December 23rd 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.

A WELCOME RITE FOR INQUIRERS AT THE 11:00 AM SERVICE THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday at the 11:00 a.m. worship service, those who are interested in affirming their baptism and joining St. Mark’s will be welcomed into the Journeys in Faith ministry by the congregation at the beginning of the service. Later in the service, these inquirers will receive a Bible for their journey and receive a blessing as they pursue their ministry in daily life.

WOMEN'S MONTHLY STUDY GATHERINGS
All women are welcome to come and study together at our evening and/or morning Women of the ELCA Gatherings. In December our groups will meet on:

First Tuesdays – December 5 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Conference Room in the Urban Life Center. All women are invited to come for dessert and fellowship for the first half hour and then discussion until 8:30. This month we will discuss The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.

Second Tuesdays – December 12 from 11:00am to 1:00pm in Heritage Hall.
All women are invited to celebrate Christmas with the San Francisco Women of the ELCA at our annual Christmas Luncheon. The program featuring Pr. Ron Moe-Lobeda will begin at 11:00 and luncheon will be served at noon. A donation of $10 is encouraged.

If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Smith at 415.285.7438 or
suzathome@comcast.net.

CHEFS NEEDED FOR OUR COMMUNITY DINNERS IN ADVENTS
Do you like to toss salad? Make soup? Bake a casserole? We are looking for volunteers willing to prepare a simple meal for 15 - 20 people for our community dinners in December on Wednesday evenings: Dec. 6, 13 and 20. The dinners begin at 6:00 in Heritage Hall followed by our Advent Worship Service in the sanctuary. Thank you - contact Pr. Elizabeth or Pr. Ron if you can help out. We can reimburse you for your expenses through the generosity of a Thrivent Action Grant!

PR. ELIZABETH'S UPCOMING MOSAIC TELEVISION SHOW, DEC. 10 AT 5:00 AM ON KPIX CHANNEL 5
Do you like to toss salad? Make soup? Bake a casserole? We are looking for volunteers willing to prepare a simple meal for 15 - 20 people for our community dinners in December on Wednesday evenings: Dec. 6, 13 and 20. The dinners begin at 6:00 in Heritage Hall followed by our Advent Worship Service in the sanctuary. Thank you - contact Pr. Elizabeth or Pr. Ron if you can help out. We can reimburse you for your expenses through the generosity of a Thrivent Action Grant!

SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Sunday School will not meet on 12/24 and 12/31. We will resume on January 7th with a Big Group.

We will be making “Stockings for the Homeless”. Please bring donations to fill the socks anytime over the next few weeks. We will be collecting them at Sunday School. We need items such as: toiletries, granola bars, toothbrushes and floss, antibacterial soap, breath mints.....What ever you think the men in the shelter would appreciate, that would fit into a pair of socks.

INTERFAITH HOMELESS SHELTER AT ST. MARK’S
St. Mark’s will be participating in the San Francisco Interfaith Council Winter Shelter program and will be hosting Dec. 9th-Dec. 16th and Jan. 15th-Feb. 4th.

Please consider volunteering for this very worthwhile ministry. Volunteers will be needed to serve during 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. You can also sign up at http://www.stmarks-sf.org/serve/.

ST. MARK'S FOOD PANTRY
If you would like to participate in a solution to the World Hunger problem, right here in San Francisco, there’s an easy way to make a big difference in 300 local families’ lives. Join the St. Mark’s Food Pantry Distribution group. We’re a fun intergenerational group that bond together over the business of distributing food from the SF/Marin Food Bank to qualified participants. There’s a job for every age and body type. We would love to have you. Our next distribution date is: Saturday morning, December 2 at Old First Church (Corner of Sacramento and Van Ness). Free Parking in Old First Church Garage on Sacramento St.

7:30 – 9:00 AM Unload
9:00 – 10:30 AM Distribute
10:30 – 11:30 AM Clean up

AGING AND SPIRITUALITY GROUP
Join Pr. Elizabeth every Monday from 11:00 – 12:00 in the Brockie Lounge of Martin Luther Tower for this time of sharing and support. What are the challenges of aging in today’s world? What are the joys and surprises? How has your faith changed and grown with aging? All these questions and more are for us to ponder and consider together. This is a safe place to share your feelings, frustrations and joys about aging. All are welcome.

WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Rachel Boles (9); Pam Reynolds, Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero (11)
Lectors...Randy Schieber (9); Jo Chadwick (11)
Chalice Bearers...Nadine Robinson
Acolytes...Pam Cheung and Mel Hartshorn
Altar Guild...Jane Borg
Sacristans...Ed Chitty, Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero
Ushers...Kimberly and David Lam, Jon Moeller (9) Pam Cheung, Larry DeSpain (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Barbara Bock
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Nadine Robinson, Kimberly Hamilton-Lam