When you are a kid, it seems as though Christmas is never going to come. For adults, however, it always comes too soon! In fact, doesn't it seem as though Christmas comes earlier every year? We know Christmas is coming every year, so it's never too early to prepare. We also know that Jesus is coming -- are you prepared? Worship with us Sunday to learn more! ~ Pastor Todd

Marvin's Kids Secret Santa Shop 2022 will soon be under way! Volunteers are needed to help bring joy to underprivileged families. Help is needed on the following days:

Monday, December 12 & Tuesday, December 13

Help set up the Santa Shop - Contact Sandy James

Wednesday, December 14

Packing food boxes - Contact Sandy James

Saturday, December 17

Help run the Santa Shop - Contact Nell Hodge

REMINDER: If you signed up to purchase gifts for a child and have not yet brought them to the church, please drop off your gifts at the church atrium or Commons Room closet by Sunday, December 11th. Thank you!

DRIVERS URGENTLY NEEDED

The Golden Corner Food Pantry has a great need for 

back-up, substitute drivers to pick up food donations at local grocery stores during the months of December, January and February. Drivers must have a pickup truck or SUV and be able to lift up to 50 pounds. 

Several of their regular substitute drivers will be temporarily unavailable during those months. For more information, please contact Diane Caster or text/call 910-599-2512.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) needs our help. Due to two devastating hurricanes which hit the Southeast this fall, UMCOR is running short of “Flood Buckets” containing cleaning supplies to be sent to those impacted by these storms. As this year's Advent Giving Project, the Saint Mark Service/Missions team has decided to provide UMCOR with at least 50 of these flood buckets.

If you would like to provide a bucket, please click on the links below for instructions. Please fill your bucket with cleaning supplies and return them to the church Atrium (leave under stairs) no later than January 1, 2023. Please contact Service/Missions chairperson, Alicia Spivey with questions. Thanks for your support!

CLICK HERE for detailed instructions on assembling a bucket.

CLICK HERE to watch a quick video from UMCOR on how to assemble a flood bucket.

Saint Mark disciples, week five of our 2023 Pledge Campaign was not a good one. We only received 3 pledges, bringing our total received so far to 154. We hope to finish the campaign with 185 pledges. Remember, you can put your pledge card in the offering basket on Sunday at church, or you can mail your pledge card to the church, or you can fill out the pledge card online at the Saint Mark UMC website. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

Peter Salis, Stewardship Team Leader

COME SUPPORT OUR SAINT MARK

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS

It's that time of year-- the Salvation Army's little red buckets are all over town, with cheerful bell ringers standing next to the buckets, hoping to see a few dollars dropping through the slot. Those dollars add up to rent, utilities, food and clothing for low-income families right here in Oconee County. If you weren't able to sign up to ring the bell, can we ask you to make an effort to stop by and encourage our Saint Mark bell ringers by dropping a donation into the bucket while they are on duty? Look for Saint Mark disciples standing by the buckets on the following dates:

Saturday, December 10 at the Ingles in Seneca (Children & Youth)

Saturday, December 17 at the Ingles in Seneca

Saint Mark's Chancel Choir and Festival Ensemble will present a Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 11 at 4pm in the sanctuary. Special guest this year will be harpist,

Kari Novilla. Kari is currently working on a double master's degree in classical harp and jazz harp at London's Royal Academy of Music. She completed her bachelor's degree at Indiana University's School of Music and is a native of Morristown, TN.  

UWF Holds Christmas Faire II!

Did you miss the Christmas Faire a couple of weeks ago or find that you forgot to get something special for a neighbor or friend? Or do you wish you had grabbed 

another pumpkin bread or soup mix? Now’s your chance for a “do over”!

The UWF will hold a “mini sale” of decorations, cookbooks, and craft items in the atrium on Sunday, December 11 from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. Please stop by and select something special for someone special! Prices have been reduced on many items! Remember that all proceeds benefit local missions in Oconee County.

Questions or special requests if you can’t make the sale? Contact Becky Hazelwood.

The children's musical "A Shepherd's Story" will be presented during the traditional worship service on Sunday, December 18. This cute musical tells the story of Jesus' birth through the eyes of the shepherds (all of whom are in elementary school and anxious to share with the congregation their costumes, songs, and speaking parts!)

Time To Say Thank You!

We are so blessed at Saint Mark with a wonderful staff. 

They are always ready to help and do a great job making sure our church runs smoothly.  

At this special time of year, the Staff Parish Relations Committee sets aside a time when you can make a donation to the church for "Staff Appreciation". We have designated November 28 - December 10 as the time for you to make a gift to honor our church staff. Just make a gift to the church and designate it as "Staff Appreciation Offering".  

On December 11, we will get a total of the gifts made and divide it among all staff, based on the number of hours they work each week.

This is a great and easy way for you to say "thank you" to our staff and help make their Christmas a little brighter. In advance, thank you so much for your participation in this project.  

Debbie DuBose, Chair SPRC

• December Birthdays
• Pickle Ball Mondays
• Opt-In for Texting

Events for 2023 are being planned. Stay tuned!