During the Faith Formation hour on Sunday, December 4th we will hold our 2023 Annual Meeting in the Fellowship Hall. Along with the items below, the 2023 budget that will be reviewed during the meeting can be found here. Hard copies will be available in the commons and on December 4th.

In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life,

we commend to almighty God

Kirk Monroe Johnson

Kirk Monroe Johnson, 68, passed away at his home in Spruce Pine, NC on November 18, 2022, due to complications related to heart disease. He was born on August 5, 1954, in Augusta, GA, the firstborn of Victor L. and Val B. Johnson. Kirk resided in Spruce Pine, NC and Vero Beach, FL. To read Kirk's full obituary click here.

Kirk's Celebration of Life will be held in the St. Mark's Sanctuary on Saturday, December 10th beginning at 11am and will be followed by a reception for family and friends.

If you are able to provide refreshments or help set-up/clean up, please let the church office know by either calling, emailing, or by signing up using this link or on the Sign-up Central Board.

During Advent we pray "Come, Lord Jesus," as we prepare our hearts and our lives for the coming of the Lord. As the days grow shorter, we invite you to gather with us around prayer, scripture, and song as we point to the light of the Christ who comes not only as a baby in a manger, but who will also come to make all things new.  

BEGINNING TONIGHT 11/30 @ St. Paul's

Ecumenical Church Mid Week Advent Services Dinner @ 6pm with the Service beginning @ 7pm

Christmas Pageant and Potluck breakfast , and Caroling

December 18 - 10:00am

Mark your calendars for an important schedule change! On Sunday, December 18 we will have ONE service at 10:00am, which will include our Christmas Pageant. After worship, plan to join your church family for a potluck breakfast in the Fellowship Hall, followed by caroling to members and friends to spread some holiday cheer. Coffee and juice provided. Bring a breakfast casserole, fruit, or baked good to share. Questions? Contact Deacon Katie

Worship Service Changes

As you prepare for the busy Christmas Season, please note there are a few changes in the times that we will worship together in December.

Christmas Pageant, Worship, Potluck, & Caroling

• Sunday, December 18th - One Service beginning at 10am

Christmas Eve Worship

• Saturday, December 24th - 4pm, 7pm, and 10pm

Christmas Day Worship, Cinnamon Buns, and Carols

• Sunday, December 25th - One Service beginning at 10am

New Year's Day Worship

• Sunday, January 1st - Regular Schedule will resume with 8:30am and 11am Worship Service

Note the St. Mark's office will be closed Monday, December 26th through Friday, December 30th

as all staff will be on vacation.

Parish Administrator - Name Change

As many of you know, our parish administrator, Danielle, got married in May. Moving forward, she will be using her new married name of Danielle Barker rather than Danielle James. If you see this new name reflected in mail, emails, or other communications please know this is correct. You will have to go into your email contacts and update Danielle's contact information from James to Barker to reflect this change in email communications. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the church office and Mrs. Barker will be happy to assist you!

Faith Based Summer Camp

Deacon Katie and Pastor Matt agree- faith based summer camp is one of the best ways to instill faith in young people, and St. Mark’s wants to help your child(ren) attend camp this summer. We are blessed to have Lutheridge, Lutherock, and Camp Agape all right here in NC, and if your child(ren) attends one of these Lutheran camps, St. Mark’s will contribute $250 toward the registration fee (or up to $500 for family camp). Registration is open now, and prices will go up in March, so register now!

Want to see some familiar faces at camp?  Pastor Matt and his family will be attending family camp at Lutheridge June 11-14. We hope you’ll make camp a priority for your family this year!

Yarn Angels - Cancelled

Yarn Angels will be Cancelled during the month of December. They will resume meeting on January 10, 2023. Merry Christmas to All!

Parents Night Out

Saturday, December 10th 4pm-7pm

Dinner, Christmas crafts, games, and a movie! This event is for all children of St. Mark’s, as an opportunity to have fun at church while parents have a night to shop, have dinner out, or take a well deserved nap. Donations will be accepted and will benefit the St. Mark’s Youth Group.

Sign up central bulletin board or contact Deacon Katie!

LMM Spouse Christmas Dinner

Saturday, December 9th @ 6pm

The Lutheran Men in Mission are having their 2022 LMM Spouses Dinner at 6PM on Friday, December 9th at the Fireplace Restaurant. Contact Bob Mihara for more information or to RSVP. There will be no meeting Saturday meeting on 12/10.

Thanks-Giving Tree

St Mark's "Thanks-Giving Tree" is in the Commons! Check out the gift tags to find something that you would like share with someone.  Perhaps an animal for a family struggling to feed itself? A Bible for an inmate in one of our prisons? A toy for a child? Clothing for someone in a hospital being cared for by "Our Voice"? 

Our Voice is on the Giving Tree because they have an urgent need for jackets. This non-profit organization advocates for the strong survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking in Buncombe County. It's one of those subjects we don't hear much about on the nightly news, but certainly takes place right here (often!) in our mountain communities. Even in certain Facebook groups there are people coming forward all the time looking for help from abusive situations. It is heartbreaking. When a survivor is on the run, or on a housing waiting list, they are many times living outside. Jackets are needed as the wonderful folks of Our Voice do all they can to support these individuals and get them to a place of safety and, ultimately, a place of happiness and true joy. Thanks be to God for all of you who are able to provide one little piece of the safety they need NOW!! God's Work, Our Hands 

Take a tag or two from the Tree, and return with a gift(s) by Sunday, December 11th. No wrapping is needed! Checks should be made out to "St Marks Lutheran Church", listing the gift on the bottom of the check, placed in the offering plate, or below the Tree.

December 4th @ 8:30am

Greeters

Dan Dudde

Mary Dudde

Usher

Ken Lane

Deborah Lane

Altar Guild

Ken Clark

Acolyte

Lila Niedenthal

Assisting Minister

Mary Brady

Reader

Dan Dudde

Communion Assistant

Becky Sachenmaier

December 4th @ 11am

Greeters

Anne Blackwell

Alice Silver

Usher

Tom Biltz

Beth Biltz

Altar Guild

Bonnie Richards

Acolyte

Eileen Cram & Erick Smith

Assisting Minister

Beth Korb

Reader

Susan Denne

Communion Assistant

Vickie Hauser

Live Stream

Trey Doss