ADVENT EVENTS
AT SAINT MARK
CHILDREN WORSHIP MOMENT
DECEMBER 1 at 10:15AM
We will begin the service with lighting of the first candle of the Christmas Wreath with the help of the children and families. Please come forward when we do this.
During the children worship moment, we
will begin building the
Nativity scene
. Laurel McClurken will help them over the four weeks in Advent to ready the crèche for the Baby Jesus’ arrival on Christmas Eve.
AFTER WORSHIP SERVICE DECEMBER 1
After the service on the 1st, we will decorate the Christmas Tree in our sanctuary. Please plan to stay for a bit so your children have a part in this celebration. There will be snacks and music and a craft activity for the kids.
REVERSE ADVENT ACTIVITIES
We will be decorating bags to fill with food for the hungry and jars to donate money to Lutheran Family Services. Each day of Advent, you can place a canned good into your bag. Or decorate a jar--on the first day of Advent, place one coin or bill in the jar; on the 2nd, place two bills or coins.... On Christmas Eve, bring the bags of food and the jars of money into church so that the blessing of Christ's birth can be shared. Please bring your own bags/jars, though I will try to have some on hand in case you forget.
TUNA FOR CHRISTMAS
On December 1 and in all December Sundays, please bring a can or more of unopened tuna cans so that we can use these as weights for our Christmas luminaries before they will be delivered to the Blue Ridge Food Pantry. There will be a special basket in the outer office to collect the tuna.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 8
St. Nicholas will appear on December 8th after the Children’s Moment at the beginning of the service to tell his story. He will then lead the young ones to the narthex where they will leave their shoes with a hope that later St. Nick fills them as promised with good things. They will return in socks to their parents in the church during the processional hymn, following the crucifer and Pastor.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES DECEMBER 24
- Family Christmas Service 5PM
- Traditional Late Night Christmas Service 11PM
Christmas Eve service at 5 pm will be especially designed for the inclusion of children. At 11PM we will have traditional service. Both services will have candle lighting with real and battery operated candles. If you come early before 5PM, you can help set up luminaries and enjoy some cookies. There are many people who use this time of celebrating Jesus birth to come to church and hear the good news. Unfortunately many who don't get invited and don't know where to go.
Don't forget to invite your friends and neighbors. All families will receive a special Christmas ornament.
