This Week At St. Martin's

Welcome Back Pastor Ellen

The new church year begins with

Advent 1 - November 30

Sunday St. Martin's enters the liturgical season of Advent, which is our time of preparation for the birth of our Savior at Christmas. Not only does the theme and tempo of our worship change, but there are changes in the church as well. The communion rail has been installed around the altar, and the bread and wine will be distributed at the rail. Please notice the instructions in the bulletin for receiving communion.

Mop & Hammer Call for Volunteers!

This Saturday, November 29 at 8AM, Mop & Hammer will decorate the church for Advent and Christmas. There are trees to raise, wreaths to hang, and other tasks to get St. Martin’s ready for the Advent and Christmas seasons. We need more hands for this large project! Please contact Essic Williams (Essic@saintmartins.org) to volunteer.

Oh, did we mention breakfast tacos?

Decorating the Chrismon Trees

Chrismons, meaning "Christ monograms," traditionally are white and gold designs made from Christian symbols that signify Christ. If you have a few minutes after the late service this Sunday, November 30, please plan to help decorate the trees with our Chrismons. It doesn’t take very long and the trees look beautiful when we’re finished

Advent Midweek Prayer Service

Wednesday evenings at 6:15pm in the Chapel, beginning December 3. We will gather to pray, read, and reflect together each week. A simple soup supper will be served at 5:45pm in the Parlor.

Christmas Poinsettias

on sale during Advent

Purchase Christmas poinsettias in the church lobby on November 30, December 7, and December 14. Plants may also be purchased online through Realm through Sunday, December 14. The poinsettias cost $15.00 each. 

GIVING TO GROW 2026

Discipleship and Stewardship CAMPAIGN

Your Council and Finance Committee thank you for your enthusiastic response to the 2026 Giving to Grow discipleship and stewardship campaign. As of November 25, we have received 83 pledges for a total amount of $560,250.

Time with the Pastor

Drop in for a chat, share your hopes and concerns, ask a question, or whatever you want. Pr. Ellen is looking forward to seeing you! Tuesdays 2:30-3:30 or by appointment

Many Thanks to Our Preschool Parents!

Due to the generosity of the St. Martin’s Preschool, enough product was donated to the Lunch Bag Ministry for approximately 100 lunch bags. We extend our gratitude to the parents and staff of the preschool for their gracious participation in this ministry.

Hope in Motion -

Making their Season Merry and Bright!

Thanks so much for your generous response.

All the gift tags have been taken! Please remember to return unwrapped gifts by December 7.

Contact Kathy Edgar for more information kedgar@saintmartins.org

Tree of Kindness

Thank you for your generosity in adopting 50 participants from Upbring’s Tree of Hope. Serves is transitioning our Tree of Hope into a Tree of Kindness. Please take an ornament from the lobby tree as a reminder to practice simple acts of kindness. If you would like to share your story, email serves@saintmartins.org.

Advent Serves Opportunities -

Service is one of our core values at St. Martin's and the Serves Committee would like to draw your attention to some serving opportunities available during Advent. Whether you are new to us and wondering how to get involved with our service ministries, or if you're feeling overwhelmed, adrift, or defeated by the current state of the world and you've decided today's the day you want to jump in, help, and make a difference, please click here for a current list of opportunities or feel free to check in at the welcome desk for a copy of the list. Email questions to serves@saintmartins.org

SMLC Serves at Bread for All on Monday, December 1st 

Bread For All, operating out of Faith Presbyterian located at 1314 E Oltorf. is one of the primary outreach ministries of St. Martin’s. There are two shifts, packing (10am-1pm) and distribution (4:45-6:30pm). In addition to onsite assistance, monetary and product donations are welcomed. Diapers sized 2, 5, 6 are a particular need.  Shift 2 is now being organized through a sign up system so please click here to sign up. If you have any questions or need help using the sign up link please email serves@saintmartins.org.  

December at St. Martin’s

December 3 Advent Prayers

5:45 Light Soup Supper

6:15 Advent Prayer Service Chapel

December 10 Advent Prayers

5:45 Light Soup Supper

6:15 Advent Prayer Service Chapel

December 14 TLU Vespers click for details of program

4:00pm

December 17 Advent Prayers

5:45 Light Soup Supper

6:15 Advent Prayer Service Chapel

December 21 ~ Weihnachtsfest German Worship Service

4:00pm

December 24 ~ Christmas Eve Worship Services

4:00pm Jazz Service

7:00pm Traditional Service

10:00pm Traditional Service

December 28 ~ Lessons & Carols

10:00am

 Samaritan Fund - Monthly Benevolence

This month’s benevolence supports the Samaritan Fund, which provides

urgent assistance to neighbors in need—from covering bus fare to stable housing, emergency hotel stays, utilities, and other essential expenses. Gifts are distributed at the Pastor’s discretion. To contribute, select Monthly Benevolence at saintmartins.org/giving. “A Samaritan…came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him…Jesus said, ‘Go and do likewise.’” — Luke 10:30–37

News from the Youth

Faith Formation- 10am on Sundays.

Youth in grades 6-8 meet in Youth Room 148

Youth in High School meet in Room 150

Upcoming Events:

December 20 - 3pm - Youth Christmas Party

January 7 - 7pm - High School Game Night

January 14 - 7pm - High School Game Night

We Remember in prayer   

Leah and Emily and their family; family and friends of Bill Greaves; Harvey Kitzman; family and friends of Bob Kitzman; Dieter Fust; family and friends of Dan Richards; Ursula; Bob Russ; Eric; Catherine; San Marcos shooting victims; Ellen Wallace; Emily Chandley; Call Committee for Second Pastor; JoAnn Buerger

We Continue to Pray For

Eugene Trautman; Kent Michelson, Diane Bergstrom, Deb Johnson, Bill Martin, Sam Gourley, Ronnie Johnson, Peter Jordahl; Walt Knauff, Arvid Larson, Pat Larson, Doris McGaughy