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The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today’s readings both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will be no more war or suffering. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us this day as the word and meal that strengthens our faith in the promises of God.(from Sunday and Seasons).
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ADVENT 1
Worship with Us In-Person
Service of Holy Communion
10 AM for Worship Service.
Coffee and conversation following the service in the Parish Hall.
Worship with us Online
Not able to attend in-person or still not comfortable in larger group settings? Join us for worship online by watching the livestream of the service on YouTube. Just click the button below to watch. Note that the service is recorded and can be watched at time more convenient to you. Again, just click the button below.
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Worship Resources
The Online Worship page on our website has links to the following worship resources:
Click below for links to the following worship resources:
- Appointed scripture readings
- Prayers of the People
- Children's bulletin
St Marks has pivoted to a "Mask Friendly" space, including worship. Those wishing to continue to mask while in the building are welcome to do so.
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Those to Remember in Our Prayers
Adeline Adams, Geraldine Adelman (Brenda's mother), Jose & Gloria Ayala (Ludvigs & Andrea Ayala's parents), Mel Berg, Shannon Braun St.Clair (Roxanne Duguay's friend), Renee Brickner (Chris Lewis’ friend), Martha Corzo (Daniel Corzo's mother), Rob Dojack, Roxanna Duguay, Michelle Emond (daughter of Iris Daniels-Rowe), Tim Fennell (Kate Fennell's husband), Randy Fiks (Brenda Adelman's brother-in-law), Larry Fuhl (brother of Darlene Trindall and Eileen Burt), James Golas, Terry Hercus, Dwight Hermiston (friend of Wade Quehe), Chris Hlady, Alfred Hoas, Emil Hoas, Evelyn Hoas, Eleanor Janke, James Juce (Esther Juce's brother), Bill Palmer, Dorothy Penner (Rudy Roman’s sister-in-law), Diane Pero (Alma Juttner's daughter), Dave Pohl (Rob Nelson's brother in law), Sylvia Reagh, Don Ross (Kris Wegert's friend), Brian Rowe, Victor Santa (Lori Nelson's father), Harold Slippert, Earl Skundberg (Inga Skundberg's brother), Christina Taylor, Gerald Toupin, Joanne Yager.
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The Congregational Council, at a special meeting held on November 17, affirmed the three strategic priorities it identified in 2019. Our facilitator that evening challenged us to think back over the past year and list aspects of congregational life and activity that reflected these themes.
We invite you to do the same thing. A place to start would be to read this issue of the E-News with the three themes in mind. How does what's happening in this and the coming weeks speak to one or more of the strategic emphases?
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Christmas Hamper Campaign Update
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THANK YOU TO THOSE who have already contributed to the 2022 Christmas Hamper campaign. To date, we have received just over 1/2 of our goal of $3,000.
It's not too late to support the campaign. You can donate by placing an envelope in the offering plate on Sunday, by mailing a cheque to the church office or by sending an e-transfer using the email address office@stmarkslutheran.ca
When donating, please remember to indicate on your envelope or in the message box of the e-transfer that your gift is for the Hamper Campaign.
You or your family can also help by volunteering to shop and pack all food items for one sponsored family or to deliver a hamper during the week of December 14th to 20th. Confirmation students and their families will be invited to help with deliveries, and we will need a few extra folks to help. Please contact Rhonda Lorch at rlorch@shaw.ca if you can help with shopping or delivering hampers or if you need more information.
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Angel Tree Project to support kids at "The Urban"
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Can you help us make Christmas merrier for kids who attend programming at the Lutheran Urban Mission in downtown Winnipeg? We're looking for donations of 35 coloring books and 35 sets of crayons.
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When making your purchases, please try to select a coloring book that could be given to either a girl or a boy. Also, choose a box of crayons or markers with no more than 8-12 colours. That way, all children will receive similar gifts.
When you take a card or cards off the tree, please replace it with one of the angels found in the basket under the tree. We ask that all purchased gifts be wrapped and placed under the tree no later than Sunday, December 4.
Special thanks to the Sunday School students who helped decorate the tree last Sunday morning.
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The St Mark’s Social Ministry Committee is currently drafting St Mark’s plan to support reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians. The centre piece of the plan will be a focus on building relationships that allow reconciliation work to begin.
As part of building those relationships, we have been invited to attend a Community Hymn Sing at Epiphany Indigenous Anglican Church on Sunday evening, November 27, 2022 at 7:00pm. Epiphany Indigenous has moved into their new home in the former St John’s Lutheran Church at 370 McKenzie St.
Please join us if you are able.
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Congregational Meeting - December 11
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There will be a special congregational meeting following the service on Sunday, December 11 for the purpose of approving a congregational budget for 2023.
We hope as many as possible can attend in person. For those not able to be at the church, there will be an option to participate via Zoom.
More details will be emailed to members in the coming week. Those who we know are without email access with receive the info via Canada Post.
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Finger Food Potluck this Sunday
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The tradition of post-worship service potluck lunches has returned to St. Mark's. Please plan to stay after worship for food and good conversation on Sunday November 27.
Items should be easy to eat / finger foods such as open-faced sandwiches and buns, cut fruit, veggies and dip, etc. Also, we encourage everyone to also bring a “tin for the yellow bin”. Food items are being collected for Harvest Manitoba.
We celebrate and give thanks for another sign of the transition back to more normal times.
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Financial Update on General Offerings
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NOTE: A detailed breakdown of October giving by category is not yet available. We do know that compared to last year, overall October giving was down $2,500. To reach our year-end goal, $72,000 in general offerings will be required over the remaining two months of the year.
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Advent Devotions - Luther Seminary
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FLING WIDE THE DOOR is the title of a daily devotional series produced for the Season of Advent by Luther Seminary, St. Paul. MN.
For each day in Advent, the resource offers a short reflection and prayer based on lyrics from the hymn "Fling Wide the Door".
You can download the resource by clicking HERE.
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Items needed by "The Urban"
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We received a note from Rhonda Gorham, manager of The Urban, that they are gearing up for the distribution of Christmas gift bags. They have a need for the following:
- New or gently used stuffed toys and/or hand puppets. There are 35 kids on the Christmas list under the age of 10
- Adult mitts and/or gloves
- New or used Men's zippered winter jackets (especially sizes L and XL)
- New or used Men's winter boots
- New men's socks
Items can be dropped off at St. Mark's. Look for the designated collection area in the Parish Hall. Deadline for donations is Sunday, December 4.
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Tuesday morning bible study with Pastor Zsofi continues this week. We meet at the church at 10:30 to look at how the scripture readings for the coming Sunday vary across Bible translations. You're invited to bring your favourite Bible and join in the conversation and enjoy a cup of coffee.
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Poinsettia Sale - Order by December 3
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Again this holiday season, our Youth Group is participating in the Fundraiser with Shelmerdine. Please consider purchasing a beautiful Poinsettia, Door Swags or a gift card for someone special. Gift cards can be purchased for $25, $50 or $100 value. The Poinsettias come in red, white, pink, peppermint or jingle bell (dark pink with white spots) are are only $20, Door Swags are $35.
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Please order here: https://www.shelmerdine.com/winter-fundraisers/
This fundraiser will only run for 8 days- November 25th to December 3rd so get your orders in!
Merchandise will be available for pick up on December 10th at the church - more information to follow closer to the day.
You can also choose to purchase a Poinsettias or Door Swag voucher. Purchasing a voucher allows you to support our fundraiser but pick up the item yourself at Shelmerdine's while you shop for other items in store.
Any questions, please reach out to Judy Grossman at jgrossman2004@yahoo.ca or 204 223 2107.
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Invitation from MNO Synod Office
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Brian Lorch has temporarily assumed the role of E-News editor. Please send items for inclusion in the E-News to him no later than 2 PM on Thursdays. Brian can be reached by telephone (204-489-1054) or email (bjlorch@shaw.ca).
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Ways to support St. Mark's financially
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We are grateful for the support the St. Mark's community continues to provide as we transition out of pandemic protocols. Giving throught the Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) program remains the largest source of financial support. About two-thirds of our financial receipts come from PAD gifts. PAD commitments along with other offerings make it possible for St. Mark's to fulfil its mission and ministry goals.
More information about the PAD option for giving is available here.
Other ways to give include:
1. Place a gift in the offering plate on Sunday morning.
2. E-transfer funds using office@stmarkslutheran.ca as the email addresses.
3. Mail a cheque made payable to St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
4. Drop off a cheque or cash during our regular office hours (T-Th 9AM - 2 PM).
Please note that unless otherwise indicated, all offerings are allocated to our general fund which is used to cover regular budgetary expenditures.
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You can find out what's happening at St. Mark's in the coming weeks by viewing our online calendar.
CLICK HERE to view the calendar.
To have something added to the calendar, contact Lori in the church office.
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Got an idea you'd like to share for possible inclusion in our Lighter Side feature? Send images or hyperlinks to videos to bjlorch@shaw.ca.
Thanks.
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Office Hours
Tuesday-Thursday 9AM - 4PM
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