Advent-4 (Yr A) Dec 18, 2022

The Celebration of Holy Eucharist

The Fourth Week of Advent

Thank you for your donations to the Christmas Project and the Food Pantry

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Dayton, Ohio, December 18, 2022, 10:30am

Note: the service is being livestreamed and recorded and will be available on our Facebook page.

If you’re new to St. Mark’s please see an usher for a welcome packet so we might acknowledge your visit and include you on our email list for weekly updates and information regarding St. Mark’s and the Diocese of Southern Ohio. The RESTROOM is located to the right as you enter the building.

Throughout the service the people’s responses are in italics; directions are in bold italics.

If you prefer a gluten-free host please notify an usher prior to the service.

PRELUDE:

“Savior of the Nations, Come!” J.S. Bach

WELCOME: The Rev. Rowena Mae MacGregor

Lighting of the Advent Candles

Please stand

Celebrant: We light these candles as a sign of the light of Christ that has come into the world in preparation for the full manifestation of God’s kingdom:

Celebrant: The nations shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Celebrant: The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.

Celebrant: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.

Celebrant: The Lord will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel (God is with us.”)

Celebrant: God of hope, you draw us from the exile of sin with the good news of restoration; comfort us with the expectation of your saving power made known to us in the coming of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PROCESSIONAL:

“Sing of Mary, pure and lowly” The Hymnal 1982, #277

1 Sing of Mary, Pure and lowly, virgin mother undefiled;

sing of God’s own Son most holy, who became her little child.

Fairest child of fairest mother, God the Lord who came to earth,

Word made flesh, our very brother, takes our nature by his birth.

2 Sing of Jesus, son of Mary, in the home at Nazareth,

toil and labor cannot weary love enduring unto death.

Constant was the love he gave her, though he went forth from her side,

forth to preach, and heal, and suffer, till on Calvary he died.

3 Glory be to God the Father; glory be to God the Son;

glory be to God the Spirit; glory to the Three in One.

From the heart of blessed Mary, from all saints the song ascends,

and the Church the strain re-echoes unto earth’s remotest ends.

The Liturgy of the Word

Please remain standing

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. (with gusto!)

Celebrant: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy Name through Christ our Lord. Amen.

COLLECT OF THE DAY:

Celebrant: The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.

All: Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE: Please remain standing

“Prepare ye” Godspell Laura Leach, soloist, and congregation

Soloist: Prepare ye the way of the Lord; prepare ye the way of the Lord. (Sung twice)

Congregation:

Prepare ye the way of the Lord; prepare ye the way of the Lord. (Sung twice)

Please be seated

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH:

Reader: Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.” (7:10-16)

Reader: The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Please stand

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS:

Reader: Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

Reader: In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your strength and come to help us.

Reader: Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Reader: O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your

people?

Reader: You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have given them bowls of tears to drink.

Reader: You have made us the derision of our neighbors, and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

Reader: Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Reader: Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.

Reader: And so will we never turn away from you; give us life, that we may call upon your Name.

Reader: Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. (80:1-7, 16-18)

Please be seated

A READING FROM PAUL’S LETTER TO THE ROMANS:

Reader: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1:1-17)

Reader: The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Please stand

GRADUAL:

“Watchman, tell us of the night” (v. 1-2) 1982 Hymnal, #640

1 Watchman, tell us of the night,

what its signs of promise are.

Traveler, o’er yon mountain’s height,

see that glory-beaming star.

Watchman, does its beauteous ray

aught of joy or hope foretell?

Traveler, yes; it brings the day,

promised day of Israel.

2 Watchman, tell us of the night;

higher yet that star ascends.

Traveler, blessedness and light,

peace and truth its course portends.

Watchman, will its beams alone

gild the spot that gave them birth?

Traveler, ages are its own;

see, it bursts o’er all the earth.

Please stand

THE GOSPEL:

Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Celebrant: Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. (1:18-25)

Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.

GRADUAL:

“Watchman, tell us of the night” (v. 3) 1982 Hymnal, #640

3 Watchman, tell us of the night,

for the morning seems to dawn.

Traveler, darkness takes its flight,

doubt and terror are withdrawn.

Watchman, let thy wanderings cease;

hie thee to thy quiet home.

Traveler, lo! the Prince of Peace,

lo! the Son of God is come!

Please be seated

THE SERMON

Please stand

THE NICENE CREED:

All: We believe in one God the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Please stand or kneel

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:

Reader: In this season of hope and expectation let us lay before God the petitions of our hearts; calling upon the One who has promised to act faithfully on behalf of all those who pray in Jesus’ name.

Reader: In preparation and expectation, we pray that the leaders of nations may turn their hands from violence and iniquity and embrace instead the ways of righteousness and peace. Let us prepare the way of the Lord.

Reader: In preparation and expectation, we pray that the community of Riverside, its churches, schools, and residents, continuing to work together with ever increasing effort, may provide for the relief of poverty, hunger, drug addiction, and homelessness so that the children in our midst may grow up in peace and be surrounded with love, encouragement and support. Let us prepare the way of the Lord.

Reader: In preparation and expectation, we pray for the sick and those who suffer from any adversity, those named on the parish prayer list and remembering especially, the Webster family, the Sharp family, Mary-Anna and Welch family, Linda, the Berta family, Wayne, Don, the Phillips family, the Darnell family, Judy, Juanita, Rob, Mary, George, and Vern; that they may be supported by the presence and prayers of family and friends, and so experience the healing power of our Redeemer. Let us prepare the way of the Lord.

Reader: In preparation and expectation, we pray that this congregation, called to be a community of prayerful contemplation and action, may continue to be shaped by God’s hand, strengthened by the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, and enriched by the Holy Spirit in this season of expectation. Let us prepare the way of the Lord.

Reader: In preparation and expectation, we pray for the departed, remembering especially Ruby Webster, that they may rejoice as they are called into fellowship with Christ by the One who is ever faithful. Let us prepare the way of the Lord.

Reader: In preparation and expectation, we pray for the coming of God’s kingdom realized within us by the gift and movement of the Holy Spirit: Let us prepare the way of the Lord.

Celebrant: In the psalms of David, in the words of the prophets, and in the dream of Joseph, your promise, O God, is spoken and takes flesh in the womb of the Mary. May Emmanuel find welcome in our hearts, take flesh in our lives, and be for all peoples the welcome advent of redemption and grace. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose Day draws near; your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Please kneel or stand

THE CONFESSION:

Celebrant: Let us commit our lives to Christ’s way of hope and peace as we confess our sins against God, our neighbors, and all our relations:

All: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves; we are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Celebrant: May almighty God, by whose providence our Savior, Jesus Christ, came among us in great humility, sanctify you with the light of his blessing and set you free from all sin. Amen.

Please stand

THE PASSING OF THE PEACE:

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

The congregation offers the peace of God to one another.

Please be seated

BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY PRAYERS: Birthday: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber (12/21).

ANNOUNCEMENTS Libby Nicholson, Sr. Warden

OFFERTORY SENTENCE:

Celebrant: Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and make good your vows to the Most High. Let us with gladness present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord.

Thank you for your generous weekly gifts.

The day-to-day mission and ministry of St. Mark’s

is funded primarily by gifts received in the offering plate each week.

OFFERTORY

“A Light Will Shine” Lloyd Larson Laura Leach, voice

Please stand

PRAYER FOR THE OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE:

Celebrant: Let us pray. Most Holy God, the author of life and creator of all that is, receive and bless my offering this day; that the currency of worldly value may become the currency of transformation through the worship and work of this community. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE GIFTS OF FOOD:

Celebrant: Remembering Jesus who fed friends and strangers on the hillside, bless these gifts of food for the hungry in this community.

Celebrant: United in Christ, instill in us sincere appreciation for the food on our tables and the will to provide for those who are hungry. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Celebrant: Give us grateful hearts, good Lord, for all your tender mercies, and make us ever mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE CHRISTMAS PROJECT GIFTS:

Celebrant: Most Holy God, as we prepare to celebrate your greatest gift to us, Jesus, your son, keep us mindful that all that we possess has been given out of your holy abundance.

All: In the spirit of reciprocity, we offer before you these gifts of “wants” and “needs” and for the provision of food for the children and families whom this parish is supporting this Christmas.

Celebrant: We beseech you Holy God to pour out your blessing upon these gifts and sanctify our good works so that they might begin and end in you,

All: in remembrance of your generous mercy and never failing love; in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Liturgy of the Table

To receive the sacrament, please approach the celebrant by way of the center aisle and returning to your seat by way of the side aisle. The common cup is available for those who feel comfortable drinking from it; please do not dip the wafer in the wine – per Bishop Smith.

Those not receiving the sacrament in either kind are invited to come forward for a blessing; cross your arms across your chest to indicate this to the Celebrant who will administer the blessing. If you are unsure about receiving the sacrament please make an appointment with The Rev. MacGregor

who would be delighted to speak with you.

Please remain standing

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER B:

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

THE SANCTUS: Wonder, Love, & Praise, #851

All:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

You may stand or kneel

Celebrant: We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

Celebrant: On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and give it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to the, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Therefore, according to his command, O Father,

All: We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory.

Celebrant: And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. +Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.

People: AMEN! (with gusto!)

THE LORD’S PRAYER:

All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

FRACTION ANTHEM:

“O Lamb of God” 1982 Hymnal, #S157

All:

O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION:

Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the People of God.

The people may now come forward to receive the Sacrament.

THE PRAYER OF RECEPTION FOR THOSE PARTICIPATING ONLINE:

(to be said by those at home)

Blessed Jesus, with your faithful people at every altar of your church where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I offer my praise and thanksgiving. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and the life to come. Amen.

Please stand

COMMUNION HYMN:

“Lo, how a Rose e’re blooming” 1982 Hymnal, #81

1 Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming

from tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse’s lineage coming

as seers of old have sung.

It came, a blossom bright,

amid the cold of winter,

when half spent was the night.

2 Isaiah ’twas foretold it,

the Rose I have in mind,

with Mary we behold it,

the Virgin Mother kind.

To show God’s love aright,

she bore to us a Savior,

when half spent was the night.

3 O Flower, whose fragrance tender

with sweetness fills the air,

dispel in glorious splendor

the darkness everywhere;

true man, yet very God,

from sin and death now save us,

and share our every load.

POST COMMUNION PRAYER:

Celebrant: Let us pray.

All: Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

SENDING OF EUCHARISTIC MINISTER:

Officiant: Carol, we send you out to share Holy Communion with members of the St. Mark’s community unable to be with us.

People: May you carry the prayers of all of us as you take this sacrament of Christ’s presence.

Officiant: May those who receive it from you be strengthened and encouraged in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE BLESSING:

Celebrant:….. +And may the blessing . . .

RECESSIONAL:

“The King shall come when morning dawns” (v. 1-3) The Hymnal 1982, #73

1 The King shall come when morning dawns

and light triumphant breaks;

when beauty gilds the eastern hills

and life to joy awakes.

2 Not, as of old, a little child,

to bear, and fight, and die,

but crowned with glory like the sun

that lights the morning sky.

3 The King shall come when morning dawns

and earth’s dark night is past;

O haste the rising of that morn,

the day that e’er shall last;

DISMISSAL:

Celebrant: Alleluia! Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

POSTLUDE:

“Carol For The Fourth Sunday Of Advent” Alexis Chauvet

THE ALTAR FLOWERS are given by Mike and Katherine Wagner in celebration of Elizabeth and Sean’s birthdays.

THE CANDLE IN THE SANCTUARY LAMP remains lighted throughout the week to indicate and honor the eternal presence of Christ and has been dedicated this week by Jim and Jackie Hoskinson in in memory of Jim’s brother, Stephen Hoskinson.

Prayers for the Week of December 18:

FOR PEACE.

For those who have died:

For all those who died by suicide: remembering especially teens and young adults who took their own lives this week;

For the people of the Ukraine – and all nations striving for peace and just governance;

For medical and wellness practitioners, who are assisting people with mental, physical, and financial conditions and issues related to the Covid pandemic;

For the homeless: remembering especially those who lost their homes due to flooding and fires in this nation and around the world in recent weeks; and the homeless of Dayton;

For all those addicted to heroin, remembering especially the youth who died this week from overdose;

For our enemies; For the safety of all American military and civilian personnel where ever they serve, remembering especially all those serving at Wright-Patterson AFB;

For those who struggle with the basic necessities of life after natural catastrophic events, especially those misplaced by earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, drought, fire, mudslides, and tornadoes;

For those who suffer from a lack of water without which there can be no life;

For the work of Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) and for the millions of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide who wander the lands of the earth in search of safety, food, water, employment, and family, and whose suffering is greater than we can ever know.

For those in our prayer cycles:in the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church of Kenya; in the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for Trinity, Belaire, Church of the Advent, Cincinnati, Good Samaritan, Amelia;

For St. Mark’s Families in our parish prayer cycle.

For those parishioners celebrating birthdays.

For those parishioners celebrating wedding anniversaries.

For those on our parish prayer list.

For those who suffer from illness, grief, or any other adversity.

For faithful animal companions and those who care for all animals.

For the mission work of this congregation: The Christmas Project, Canterbury Court, CARE House, St. Paul UMC Food Pantry, Hope 4Riverside, and Neighborhood Bridges; and for all the non-profit groups who use our Community Building;

For our Diocesan Bishops: for the Rt. Rev. Wayne Smith, Bishop Provisional; The Rt. Rev. Kenneth Price, the Rt. Rev. Nedi Rivera, and the Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs;

For our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry;

For Transitional Deacon(s): Don Carlson;

For postulants for holy orders in the DSO: Phoebe Myhrum Bentley, Maggie Gough, Catherine Duffy, Alane Osborne, Libbie Crawford, Gayland Trim, Molly Cook, Victoria Lewis, Kate Meeks, Kyle Schenkewicz, Gregory Williams, and Amy Cochran.

For the search for a new bishop for the DSO: Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For all faith communities as we navigate the way forward in a world being transformed by a number of crises – that we remain faithful in our devotion to God and open to constant change and ongoing self-evaluation.

GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY

THIS SUNDAY– 4 ADVENT– HOLY EUCHARIST – DECEMBER 18:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Voice: Laura Leach, as available

Acolyte(s): Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Scott Kelly

Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers:

OT/PS: Gary Welch

EP/POP: Gabriel Walch

Chalice Bearers: Elizabeth Wagner-Weber and Carol Williamson

Eucharistic Minister (Home Communions):

Carol Williamson, as available

Tech/Facebook Live: TJ Walch

Ushers: Dave Reuter and Tony Rubino

Counters: Dave Reuter and Tony Rubino

Altar Guild: Janet Reuter and Stephanie and Gary Welch

Coffee Hour Host(s): Jim and Jackie Hoskinson

Open/Close: Wagner/Rubino

***NEXT SATURDAY– CHRISTMAS EVE – DECEMBER 24, 7PM:

Celebrant: The Rev. Rowena MacGregor

Music Director/Organist: Donna Larsen

Voice: Laura Leach, as available

Acolyte(s): Jackie Hoskinson, Elizabeth Reuter and Gabriel Walch

Lay Eucharist Ministers: Readers:

OT/PS: Jackie Hoskinson

EP/POP: Judy Rudd

Chalice Bearers: Kendall Rubino and Jim Rudd

Eucharistic Minister (Home Communions):

Carol Williamson, as available

Tech/Facebook Live: Gary Welch

Ushers: Ginny Tuxhorn and Jim Rudd

Counters: Carol Nancarrow and Jim Rudd

Altar Guild: Janet Reuter and Stephanie and Gary Welch

Coffee Hour Host(s): N/A

Open/Close: TBS

Christmas Flowers: To be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin

Candle Dedication: Jim and Jackie Hoskinson

Happening this Week at St. Mark’s:

THIS SUNDAY (4 Advent, December 18): HOLY EUCHARIST, 10:30am, in-person and on Facebook Live; SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES: Jr./Sr. High class, 9:30am; Elementary School and Early Education classes, 10:30am; COFFEE HOUR; FINAL WEEK FOR DSO ADVENT SERIES, 7-8:30pm, Zoom (final)

MONDAY: PARISH OFFICE,10am-1pm; SAA MEETING, 6:30am, Lounge; AA MEETING, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

TUESDAY: PARISH OFFICE,10am-1pm; TOPS MEETING, 10:am, Lounge; NA MEETING, 7:30pm, Lounge; YOGA FOR 12 STEPS, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

***WEDNESDAY: PARISH OFFICE, 10am-1pm; CHRISTMAS PROJECT SHOPPING, PACKING AND DELIVERY, meet at 10am at Meijers then church to sort and pack.

THURSDAY: PARISH OFFICE, 10am-1pm; SAA MEETING, 7:30pm, Lounge

FRIDAY: PARISH OFFICE CLOSED; There are no events this day

***SATURDAY (CHRISTMAS EVE, December 24): HOLY EUCHARIST, 7pm, in-person and on Facebook Live; AA MEETING, 7:30pm, Parish Hall

***NEXT SUNDAY (CHRISTMAS DAY, December 25): Please note that there will be no service this day.

Places to be, things to do:

***THANK YOU!!! to everyone who has so generously given to the Christmas Project this year and for the volunteers who will be helping to shop, sort, pack and deliver next week. This is the final week to donate funds for the food for the nine families that were adopted by St. Mark’s this year. On Wednesday, December 21 at 10am, volunteers are asked to meet at Meijers to pick up the food and then to meet at the church to sort, pack and deliver to Help Me Grow.

THANK YOU!!! for your gifts of food for the St. Paul UMC Food Pantry collection today, Sunday, December 18.

THE VESTRY will have its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 21 at 7:15pm in the Fellowship Room.

MARK’S CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE will be at 7pm on Saturday, December 24. There will not be a Christmas Day service.

ATTENTION COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Your Annual Meeting Reports will be due in the office no later than Monday, January 16. The annual meeting will be Sunday, January 29.

RUBY WEBSTER’S MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at St. Mark’s on Saturday, January 21; visitation from 10-11am, service at 11:30am, reception at St. Mark’s to follow.

St. Mark’s Classifieds:

***FINAL DAY FOR CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS: Please use the envelopes provided in the Narthex.

LIONS CLUB COLLECTION OF USED ITEMS: St. Mark’s is now collecting used eye glasses, hearing aids, cell phones, plastic pill bottles (remove labels), and plastic bags (to be recycled into benches). Please use the box provided in the narthex for all items but the plastic bags.

2023 SIGNUP SHEETS: The 2023 Sign-up forms for Flowers, Eternal Candle Dedication and Coffee Hour Hosting are now posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

LESSONS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE: Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14(15-20), Psalm 96.

FEASTS TO OBSERVE THIS WEEK: