November 29, 2024

Advent begins on Sunday, December 1. That is a time that the church, in a manner of speaking, takes a deep breath. The season of Advent is a season of preparation for the coming of Christ. Not just for the celebration of his first coming. The season of Advent is first and foremost a season of preparation for the second coming of Christ.

It is a time when we stop. A time to look inward and consider what it is that we need to do to be prepared to stand in the presence of God. To ask ourselves the question – how can I, in my life, prepare the way for the Lord to come? 

You can find lots of resources for use at home during Advent in the arched bookcase in the parish hall beginning next week. There are also resources on the Advent page of the website.

On Sunday, December 1, we will be making Advent Wreaths in the parish hall both between the services and after the 10:30 a.m. service.

Throughout the four weeks of advent, worship services begin with the lighting of the Advent candles and bringing animals to the Nativity scene creche. We invite all children to process with children's formation leaders at the beginning of the 10:30 service to bring forward animals to place in the creche and to help light the Advent candles.

If you or your child would like to join, gather with Mrs. Drew, Mrs. Skoracki, and Mr. McCoy by the Giving Tree in front of the Chapel as soon as you arrive to church.

We will not have Children's Formation this Sunday so after the lighting of the candles children will join their parents in the pews. The next three Sundays (12/8, 12/15, and 12/22) after the lighting we will proceed to the Children's Formation area where we will talk about the symbols of advent.

Also check out our Jesse Tree located in the Formation Resource area in the parish hall.

Please join us on Sunday, December 8, at 4 p.m. for our annual Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols. A beloved parish favorite, the service includes music by both the Saint Mark’s Choir and the Canterbury Choir. Music will include choral works by Francisco Guerrero, Herbert Howells, Judy Hunnicutt, Ian Kellam, Robert Lehman, Paul Manz, Bruce Saylor, and Charles Wood.

Admission is free. Donations will be gratefully received in support of the Special Music Fund at Saint Mark’s.

A reception will follow. Please sign up to help with the reception in the parish hall. Please join us, and be sure to invite some friends!

The youth group is selling gift cards as a fundraiser this year. We will be taking orders through noon on Sunday December 8. The gift cards will be delivered by Sunday December 22.

You can also purchase gift cards for the Giving Tree for NNEMAP or for Star House. Those will be delivered directly.

Youth Group will meet Sunday December 1 to go to an escape room. Let Pastor Vicki know if you are planning on coming.

The return of fall weather means the return of the Canterbury Choir’s Friendship Soup Sale! The Canterbury Choir will be selling jars of Friendship Soup Mix during fellowship hour in the Parish Hall after 10:30 services on Sundays from November 24 through December 22.

The soup mixes make excellent holiday gifts for friends and family, as well as great appreciation gifts for teachers, students, babysitters, etc.

The cost is $7 for a pint size or $10 for a quart. Proceeds benefit the Canterbury Choir Fund, which supports the training and enrichment of the choir.

From 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, the Canterbury Choir will perform Christmas carols for the annual Christmas by the Clock celebration at Tremont Center (across from the church).

Come out and support our young choristers as they represent Saint Mark’s for this fun community event, which features sleigh rides, live reindeer, treats from the Goodie Shop, and an appearance by Santa Claus.

One of the things that makes Saint Mark's Christmas Pageant so special is that it is a very simple script with only a few reading parts - and no lines to memorize! Children can have fun dressing up and acting out the nativity without feeling pressure to perform. There are no auditions and there are roles for all ages and everyone who would like to participate, including those who may be in from out of town or visiting Saint Mark’s for the first time.

Music is performed by the Canterbury Choir.

Volunteers are needed before, during, and after the pageant. You do not need to have a child in the pageant to lend a hand! 

Pageant Rehearsal is Sunday December 22 after the 10:30 a.m. service.

Pageant participants are asked to arrive at church at 3:45 p.m. on Christmas Eve.  

The service and pageant is at 5 p.m.

Sign up to help and to register your child.

The flower guild will be collecting Christmas flower memorials on December 1, 8 & 15.

Contributions help pay for our poinsettias and other Christmas flowers.

Donations can be made in memory of loved ones or in honor of people in your life.

The flower guild will be in the parish hall during coffee hour and there is a form for online donations.

The Annual Cookie Walk is Sunday December 15. This is a fundraiser for Saint Mark’s Outreach Ministries.

There are two ways that you can help. 

The first is to make your favorite cookie recipes and bring the cookies to church either December 14 or 15.

The second is to purchase some cookies on the 15^th. Pick up a box, select a variety of cookies, pay per pound.

The Giving Tree is up by the chapel. We are collecting gifts for the NNEMAP Christmas shop.

Pick an ornament and purchase that gift. Bring the unwrapped gift to the tree by Sunday December 15. 

Gift cards and donations of gift wrap and scotch tape are welcome too.

You can also use our Amazon Wish List to have gifts shipped directly to Saint Mark's.

Our next Tourist in our Hometown event is Sunday December 15. We will be meeting at the Ohio Statehouse at 1:45 p.m. to join the 2 p.m. public tour.

The tours meet in the map room of the Statehouse, which is near the 3^rd Street Entrance to the Statehouse.

There is a parking garage under the Statehouse that is available to the public.

The December Epistle is on the way to your mailbox.

If yours hasn't arrived yet, you can read it on the Saint Mark's website.

Saint Mark's Migration Ministry was featured in the Diocese of Southern Ohio's (e)Connections newsletter this week.

There was also coverage of Pastor Vicki's testimony at the Statehouse and Judith Grant's election to Diocesan Council. Check it out here.

Tuesday December 3 – 7:30 p.m. – Vestry Meeting

Thursday December 5 – 1 p.m. – Knitting Group

Saturday December 7 – 5:30 p.m. – Supper Group

Sunday December 8 – 4 p.m. – Advent Lessons & Carols

Monday December 9 – 6:30 p.m. – Knitting Group

Tuesday December 10 – 6:15 p.m. – Contemplative Prayer

Sunday December 15 – 1:45 p.m. – Tourist in Our Hometown: Statehouse tour

Thursday December 19 – 1 p.m. – Knitting Group

Sunday December 22 – after the 10:30 a.m. service – Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

Tuesday December 24 – 5 & 11 p.m. - Christmas Eve Services

Wednesday December 25 – 10:30 a.m. – Christmas Day services

Sunday December 29 – 1 p.m. – Street Church in Franklinton

We need a dozen volunteers to help make our Power of Opportunity event a success. 

Are you a little bit tech savvy? Do you have a smart phone, tablet or laptop? Can you help us fund a need or check ticketholders in?

 WE NEED YOU to help us create a warm, hospitable event!

 Join us at Cameron Mitchell's The Stack at Municipal Light Plant, at 589 W. Nationwide Blvd. (across from lower.com Field). It's Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. but volunteer times vary.

Click here to learn more and sign up.

8 a.m.

Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10:30 a.m.

Holy Eucharist, Rite II