Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray, “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas.
On this final Sunday in Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the power of sin and death.
THIS SUNDAY AT ST. MARK'S
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children's Time - Sanctuary
10:00 am - Confirmation - Youth Room
10:00 am - Adult Forum - Christians: Lost in World Events? - Auditorium
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
12:15 pm - Palestine: Unlimited Photo Exhibit - Heritage Hall
4:00 pm - SF Choral Artists Concert - Sanctuary
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ST. MARK'S CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Our worship services for Christmas are joyful and lively events. The services also are quite involved with extra details to make them even more worshipful. If you would like to assist with the following, we would be so grateful.
1. Video the Christmas Pageant service: 5:00 on Dec. 24
2. Assist with the special lighting needed for the 7:00 and 10:30 services on Dec. 24 (we will train you)
3. Usher and welcome visitors: needed for all services - 5:00, 7:00 and 10:30 on Dec. 24; 10:00 am on Dec. 25
Please contact Pr. Elizabeth or. Pr. Tita if you can help - we would be so grateful!
ADULT FORUMS - DIG DEEPER INTO “PALESTINE: UNLIMITED”
Today: : “Palestinian Christians: Lost in World Events?”
The Rev. Mitri Raheb of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem will participate in a video conference with Dr. James Zogby, advisor to the President on Middle Eastern Affairs. They will talk about Christianity in the Holy Land and challenges to its future there.
Adult Forums will be on Christmas break and resume on Jan. 8.
2017 PLEDGE CARDS - PLEASE TURN THEM IN!
On Nov. 27, we celebrated our Forward in Faith - Lifted by Love 2 campaign with a thanksgiving meal and fellowship.
We invite you to return your completed pledge card. You can place it in the offering plate, mail it to the church office, or pledge on-line via the St. Mark’s website: www.stmarks-sf.org
Your pledges will enable St. Mark’s leaders to make decisions regarding expanding or decreasing areas of ministry in 2017. Your pledges and all your gifts of time, talents, and treasures support all of St. Mark’s ministries.
For example, we are planning to call a new Associate Pastor in 2017 - your pledge will support the salary of this gifted and talented pastor.
Thank you for turning in your pledges and for your generosity in giving throughout the year!
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.
CHURCH OFFICE CHRISTMAS HOURS
The Church Office will be closing at 12:00PM on Friday, December 23 and will re-open on Tuesday, December 27 at 9:00 AM.
SEEKING CHURCH COUNCIL NOMINEES
The Nominating Committee (Marisa Lee, Mark Semonian, Suzanne Smith, Pr. Elizabeth) seeks St. Mark's members with a love for ministry and an interest in leadership to serve on Church Council in the upcoming year. Please contact Marisa Lee (marisalouie@gmail.com, 650-303-3111) if you would like to learn more about Council service and explore running for Church Council during the annual meeting in January.
SUPPORT ST. MARK's THROUGH YOUR AMAZON PURCHASES!
St. Mark’s is enrolled in Amazon Smile, which donates 0.5% of every purchase to charitable organizations. Make your Amazon purchases through the St. Mark’s Amazon Smile portal, using your Amazon log-in: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-1418294
You will see eligible products marked as “Eligible for Amazon Smile donation” on their product detail pages. Note that recurring Subscribe-and-Save purchases and subscription renewals are not currently eligible for donations.
PLEASE CONSIDER PURCHASING A HYMNAL IN MEMORY OF OR HONOR OF A LOVED ONE.
We are in need of 25 additional hymnals - the cranberry colored hymnals in our pews. Each hymnal will be embossed on the front with St. Mark’s
Lutheran Church San Francisco.
On the inside of the hymnal will be a nameplate which will include the name of the donor (or anonymous) and the name of your loved ones. The cost is $30. Please note your information on your check or on a separate piece of paper and submit to the office in care of Stefani Lawrence.
Please send all hymnal donations by Wednesday, Jan. 4. Thank you!
ANNUAL INTERFAITH MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR OUR HOMELESS DEAD
Click here for more information
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.
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.
ENJOY THE CONVENIENCE OF ELECTRONIC GIVING
St. Mark’s would like to remind you that we offer the ease and convenience of electronic giving as a way to automate your regular weekly offering. We offer several methods of electronic giving including: 1) Direct Debit Giving automatically transfers funds from your checking or savings account to the church. 2) Credit & Debit Card Giving: make offerings automatically on a predetermined schedule using a credit or debit card. You can visit www.stmarks-sf.org to set up an automatic donation plan, change your donation plan, make a one-time donation or view your online donation history. As you contemplate future contributions, please consider electronic giving. Authorization forms and additional information are available at the church office.
MLT MONTHLY SENIOR LUNCHEON
St. Mark’s Seniors! Please join us on January 12 in Heritage Hall from 12:00-1:30 pm for the first 2017 monthly luncheon for our residents of Martin Luther Tower. The cost is $5 to be paid by January 3 in the MLT office. Luncheon options include either Chicken and Dumplings with string beans or Rice Pilaf with Grilled Vegetables & Tofu. They both come with salad and dessert. Live piano music accompaniment will also be provided for all to enjoy. See you there!
WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Richard Boyle (9); Greg Jahnke; Kyle Schiefelbein (11)
Lectors...Robert Rathmell (9); Matthias Will (11)
Chalice Bearers...Marisa Lee (9), Steve Ernst (11)
Acolytes...Linda Jackson, Katherine Lam (11)
Sacristan and Altar Guild...Richard Boyle, Ed Chitty
Ministry of Welcome...Debra Varian (11)
Coffee Hour Chair...John Elford, Marge Okuley, and Hiroko Nagata
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Marie-Jose Baum and Kate Knickerbocker
PRAYERS OF THE PARISH
Cassie Allen
Ginger Armstrong
Debbie Brant &
Ted Bernardi
Diana Bock
Natalie E. Bock
Jo Chadwick
Corrine Cottrell
Marilyn Desmond
Bonnie Elliot
Carolyn Johnson
Taylor Jones
Arnold Lehmann
Margaret Massialas
Roderick Mobley
Stan Moeller
Lee & Irma Opitz
Ryan Parker
Cassie Pili
Marc Randall
Travis Schwartz
Matt Seiples
Tim Selander and family
LaVonne Strutz, mother of Geri Bailey
Mary Sukanya
Marlo Tellschow
Dana Utz
Jerry Witherspoon
Brent Wolfe
For Keith, son of Barbara Bock
For Joan, the 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 Singapore, Indonesia, East Timor
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.