Christmas Worship St. Mark s Lutheran Church

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1 Spokane, WA December 2016 Vol. 2016, No. 10 Advent Compline at St. Mark s Take a break this Advent. On Wednesdays, November 30, December 7, 14, and 21, beginning at 7:00 pm, we will be using the service of Night Prayer also known as Compline. This worship service lasts between twenty and thirty minutes. Following our worship time we will serve wine, juice, crackers and cheese for a brief fellowship time. Christmas Worship St. Mark s Lutheran Church Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24 4:00 pm: Holy Communion, Candlelight Family Worship 6:00 pm: Holy Communion, Candlelight and Carols 11:00 pm: Holy Communion, Candlelight and Carols with the Chancel Choir Christmas Day Worship 10:00 am: Holy Communion There will be no other services on Christmas Day Bob Schmidt has built a new Advent wreath for St. Mark s which will hang in the sanctuary as we prepare for Christmas. He and his wife Ruth are finishing the wreath with its covering of greens. See story page 9.

2 MONEY MATTERS October 2016 Operating Budget Year to Date Fund Giving Giving Expenses Budgeted Net - YTD General $ 63, $ 566, $ 585, $ 616, $ -19, Mortgage $ 9, $ 71, $ 58, $ 58, $ 12, October expenses are always high, and this year is no exception. However, this month we actually shrank the gap between giving and expenses from September, a positive sign for us. I am happy to report we have received a large number of stewardship pledge cards back. It is not too late to return your card. It is so helpful to project what we will be working with financially for 2017 when we have a rough idea of what people are willing to commit. When filling out your pledge card, please take a moment to consider going to our Simply Giving program, which is an efficient and easy way to consistently give throughout the year. Loris Stupel Financial Secretary NOTE THIS CHURCH COUNCIL St. Mark s Church Council will meet on Monday, December 12, at 7:00 pm in the conference room. OFFICE CLOSURE The St. Mark s Church Office will be closed on Friday, December 23 through Monday, December 26, and Friday, December 30 through Monday, January 2, FLOWER CHART A new flower chart will be posted by the front door in the narthex soon! Thank you to those who provide flowers for our services in memory or honor of someone, or in celebration of a special event. Please sign up and include your phone number next to the date of your choice. Questions: Jane in the office, WWL (Walking With the Light) AND CONFIRMATION CLASSES WWL/Confirmation classes have concluded for the first session. Classes resume for 5 th through 9 th grade students on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at 6:00 pm. EMPTY NESTERS This group will not meet in December. Watch for dates and details in the January newsletter and Sunday Bulletins. ADULT FORUM On Sunday, December 4, at 9:45 am, Pr. Eric will lead us in the adult forum on the topic Embracing Conflict as Opportunity. There will be no other forums in December. We will resume our Adult Forums on Sunday, January 8, at 9:45 am. 2

3 MESSAGE FROM PASTOR KATE Deep darkness is creeping up around us. As the heat and light of the sun diminish, it would be natural to hunker down and keep warm in our dens, as creatures in the wild might do. Here in the north, people would once have been focused on the essentials for survival: preserving food, building up woodpiles, knitting hats and mittens, bringing in livestock. Looking at the natural world, we see creation responding to the encroaching darkness. Deciduous trees strip down to bare bones, furry creatures hibernate, feathery ones fly south. All are adapting to the threat of cold and darkness in various ways. With the dwindling light and weakening warmth, people could get anxious, even fearful. The growing season is gone. The sun is low on the horizon. Does life fade with the light? The dark end of the year is coming and we have no control over nature s course. There may even be a sense of loss at the winter solstice and the end of another year. Our communities meet the solstice by adding little lights everywhere, outlining buildings and homes, sidewalks and driveways. Trees gleam and windows sparkle. We mark the end of the year with loud feasts and bright parties. The darkness is dispelled in short bursts of merriment that fade away. At the same time, the people of God wait through it all with a sense of expectation. We know that with this darkness comes an opening for a new beginning. We enjoy the celebrations but also spend time waiting quietly in the dark for the One who brings new beginnings. While the sun is fading, we light candles. One a week, on a wreath. Candles in our homes and candles in our church. Candles on window sills and candles by altars. In the silent glow, our souls remember that Jesus is the Light of the world and the source of all life. And the Lord comes to be with us, once again, in the darkness, bringing light and life. Moments spent alone in devotions or together at evening prayer are times we are fortified against whatever kinds of darkness we may experience in our lives. The practice of Advent deepens our hold on the mysteries of life in Christ. And, even better, in such times we experience the hold God has on us. The poignant and beautiful refrain of Advent echoes across the centuries: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. (Isaiah 9:2) Soon, soon, the Light of life will be born to us again. The music of the manger begins its lullaby. We will raise our candles once more to honor the baby Savior and sing like the angels on the first dark, dark Christmas night. Besides the dark skies, it was dark times in that part of the world. But Light was breaking in and would keep on breaking through. We remember the past. We look forward with hope. Joyous Light in our darkness; we celebrate you, Christ our Lord. Blessed Advent and Joyous Christmas, Pastor Kate GIVING TREE HAS EARLY DEADLINE The Lutheran Community Services & SPEAR Giving Tree is up and covered with the Christmas wishes of the LCS foster children as well as the SPEAR children. Each child has a wish or two on the tree, including something practical like clothing, and something for fun. Some wishes cost a bit more, so perhaps a couple of our families could go together and purchase a gift. Just take a tag from the tree, purchase and wrap the gift beautifully. Put the original tag on the gift and return it to the church by Sunday, December 11. Both LCS and SPEAR have parties planned the week of December 11 th. Please be mindful of this return date so that all of the children s wishes are fulfilled. Give a child a wonderful Christmas! Contact Susan Hagen with any questions. GERMAN CHRISTMAS SERVICE COMING The German American Society has scheduled their annual German Christmas Service in English and German at St. Mark s on Sunday, December 18, at 3:00 pm. All are welcome! 3

4 CAROLS AND COCOA HERALD THE JOY Join us for Christmas caroling and cocoa Sunday, December 18, 6:00-7:30 pm. We will carol around the St. Mark s neighborhood and return to the church for cookies and cocoa! Ann Benson will lead our caroling. Don t miss this opportunity to enjoy the spirit of the season with your St. Mark s friends and neighbors. All ages welcome! SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Rehearsals for the St. Mark s annual Christmas pageant will be during the Sunday School time 9:45 am - 10:30 am on Sunday, December 4 and December 11. All ages will begin in the sanctuary on those mornings. There will be no Sunday School on December 18, December 25 and January 1. Classes will resume on January 8, at 9:45 am, with an Epiphany Party in the fellowship hall to kick off the new year! CHRISTMAS PAGEANT All Sunday School kids are involved in the annual Christmas Pageant. It s a great way to bring the Christmas story to life for them. We try to keep it as low-key as possible, doing most of our preparations during Sunday School. You won t want to miss it! Rehearsal #1: Sunday, December 4, 9:45 am DURING SUNDAY SCHOOL. Rehearsal #2: Sunday, December 11, 9:45 am DURING SUNDAY SCHOOL. Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, December 11, 3:40 pm. Parents: Bring your kid to church, then go enjoy the Smorgasbord at 4:00 pm. We ll feed them pizza after rehearsal and then you re all set t o e n j o y t h e C h r i s t m a s P a g e a n t Performance: Sunday, December 11 at 5:00 pm. Any questions or interest in helping out? Contact Ann Benson at: annmbbenson@gmail.com or ). THE SMORGASBORD IS COMING! Plan to join us Sunday, December 11, at either the 4:00 pm or 6:00 pm sitting. Some may want to attend the Sunday School Christmas Pageant at 5:00 pm, either before or after you eat. We will be doing things a little differently this year for the first seating only. If you arrive early, we ask that you wait in the narthex until we are ready to serve, to avoid interrupting the pageant rehearsal. We'll have coffee and maybe even some Christmas carol singing. This is a potluck of epic proportions! St. Mark s provides the meat (including lutefisk) and beverages, you bring your family s favorite holiday side dish to share and we all have a wonderful Scandinavian-inspired fellowship meal. We encourage you to bring a dish from your tradition, whatever your heritage. Cheerful accordion music serenades the evening and beautiful Lucia Brides sing for us while serving cookies at the end of the meal. We would love more participation from new and seasoned members! Decorating takes place most of the day Saturday, December 12 th, and we can always use extra help on the cleanup crew. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex, or call Loris Stupel at , if you would like to help with this festive event. 4

5 JOYFUL PENGUINS Sunday, December 4, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Cost is $25 St. Mark s member, Kelly Richards, will instruct you with step by step instructions to paint a one-of-a-kind, winter-themed masterpiece. All ages (5+) are welcome to participate in this paint and sip class. We ll be sipping cocoa and tea! Proceeds from this event benefit the congregational trip to Costa Rica. Sign up in the church office or contact Susan Hagen at or youth@stmarks-spokane.org. STEWARDSHIP DRIVE CONTINUES: GIVE BOLDLY Thanks to all who responded to our Stewardship Drive in November to Give Boldly by returning your pledge card. Your generous response helps the church council as it makes budget decisions for For those who have not made a commitment, please consider how you will support the programs and mission of St. Mark s next year. Pledge cards may be mailed to the church, placed in the offering plate or left in the office. Blank cards can be found in the pews or office. Thank you for your support!! BITE 2 GO ASSEMBLY SCHEDULED Join us on Tuesday, December 13 th, for a Bite 2 Go food assembly at Second Harvest Food Bank. Second Harvest partners with schools and community partners, like St. Mark s, for Bite 2 Go, to get weekend food supplies to children in need during the school year. The Bite 2 Go kits include a good mix of healthy, kid-friendly, easy-to-open, single-serving, non-perishable food items to cover four meals and three snacks over the weekend. Every Friday, staff members at participating schools put the packages of food discreetly in the backpacks of students in need. You can help by assembling kits on Tuesday, December 13 th, from 5:30-7:30 pm. Volunteers must be age 9+ to participate. St. Mark s has 20 spots reserved so please RSVP by ing Susan Hagen at youth@stmarksspokane.org or signing up on the Youth Board. Once you RSVP, Susan will provide you with registration instructions for you and your family. ANNOUNCEMENTS Births Jonah William Bray, son of Matt and Felicia Bray, grandson of Bob and Brenda Bray and greatgrandson of Bill and Jackie Sachse. Abigail Kay Warren, daughter of Elizabeth and John Warren and granddaughter of Roger and Kathy Chase. Deaths Barbara Bowen Orville Moeller Sympathy Family of Merle Arneson, father of Dale Arneson Family of Leilani Morrison, sister of Martin Waidelich and aunt of Anne Barker Family of Barbara Bowen, mother of Nancy Plourde Family of Orville Moeller 5

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8 THANK YOU Thank you to all who participated in our Annual Bazaar. Whether you baked treats, assembled a basket, purchased a raffle ticket or spent hours pricing quality used items, each of these things and more contributed to our goal of raising money for benevolences. We are still balancing our numbers, and will let you know next month where the money we made from the Bazaar is allocated. Every contribution, big or small, is valuable to this ministry. Loris Stupel Event Coordinator Dear St. Mark s, Thank you for all the Mary Care cards, the visit from Pastor Eric and the phone calls after my knee surgery. I appreciated all the prayers and good wishes. Thank you! Bob Filo Dear St. Mark s Lutheran Church, Thanks to all the people who sent me cards of condolence! I miss you all and should be back in church SOON!!! Grateful blessings to all of you! Marian Pearson. Dear Mary Cares, Your dedication to making each day brighter to those who have been ill or recovering from surgery is amazing. Your cards and notes are greatly appreciated, as well as the beautiful prayer shawl. May God bless each of your for caring. Bob Walker Dear Mary Cares Members, Your wonderful cards and notes are much appreciated! Your support and healing prayers are inspiring. Just being remembered helps in this horrible cancer battle. You give me strength when I feel hopeless. God bless you all! I shall survive! Yours, Nancy Bowen Plourde P.S. Thanks also to James Nelson, Patti Berg and Dick Thiel! Dear Prayer Shawl Ministry Group, Your prayer shawl was a nice surprise and appreciated. Pastor Kate delivered it to me on her visit to me at home. You made my day special. The shawl creation and giving to those needing prayer is a wonderful project. It is always a good feeling to know someone cares and that the shawl is a reminder of God s presence. Thank you so much. Whenever I look at the shawl I think of your group and your caring. Sometimes when there is not such a great day it really lifts my spirit. Elaine Thorne Social Ministry Opportunities to Serve Submitted by Pat Manz SPEAR, Spokane s East Central Children s Ministry, is looking for additional board members who would be willing to meet once a month on Mondays. We especially need people interested in children and families, but also people with backgrounds in administration, finance, and fundraising. SPEAR has a little lending library in the yard. Books for children and adults are always appreciated. We have been collecting little gifts for children to give their parents at Christmas. We seem to have plenty of items for mothers, but not enough for fathers! Little tape measures, work gloves, hats, etc would be great. 8

9 NEW ADVENT WREATH MARKS SEASON OF WAITING Bob Schmidt has constructed a new hanging Advent wreath for the St. Mark s sanctuary. The large wreath, about three feet across and weighing about 50 pounds, is constructed of laminated plywood painted silver to coordinate with chancel furnishings. The form is then wrapped in greenery. Bob and Ruth came to St. Mark s in 2006 from another St. Mark s in Anchorage, Alaska. He is retired from the Air Force and also has skills as a cell phone engineer. His interest in woodworking goes back to his school days. The candle holders on our sanctuary pillars also are Bob s work. Faith and Fellowship Groups NEW KNEELERS ARE FOR YOUR USE You will notice in the front corners of our worship space, two new kneelers. Thank you so much to Don Patterson who built these two kneelers, also known as Prie Dieu ( pray God ), for St. Mark s. They are for your use during the week, before and after worship, or during communion. Feel free to take time to light a candle in memory or honor of someone you wish to hold in prayer, or for a situation happening in your life or the world. You may take time to pray. Often the act of lighting a candle can help focus our prayer. May God continue to bless you in your prayer life! Pastor Kate and Pastor Eric WALKING CIRCLE First Friday, December 2, 10:00 am Walking Circle women will meet at the church. (This group regularly meets on the second Friday of each month, but will meet one week earlier in December only.) The group will carpool to the Davenport Hotel for their annual Christmas Tree Elegance viewing, and will have lunch in the hotel. The January meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 10, at 10:00 am, when the group will plan their monthly walk and events for All women are welcome! SATURDAY EVENING POTLUCK First Saturday, December 3, 6:30 pm Great food! Great fellowship! Bring your favorite dish (serving 8-10 people) and join this fun group! On the first Saturday of each month you are welcome to join us for a potluck immediately following the 5:30 service. SCRIPTURE AND COFFEE Tuesdays, December 6, 13, 20, 10:30 am Questions: Church office, Bible-based conversation in the conference room with Pastor Eric or Pastor Kate to study the Scripture texts. The group will not meet on Tuesday, December 27, but will resume conversation on Tuesday, January 3, continued page 10 9

10 GROUPS, continued from page 9 EAT, PRAY, LAUGH First Tuesday, December 6, 7:00 pm Questions: Pastor Kate, Eat, Pray, Laugh will meet in the Parish House. All women are invited to this support group for conversation, laughter, prayer and refreshments. RUTH CIRCLE Second Thursday, December 8, 11:00 am Questions: Pastor Kate, Following a program from the pastors there will be a potluck lunch. Any woman who attends this church is invited to attend. ST. MARK S MEN S GROUP Second Tuesday, December 13, Time TBA This group meets each month on the second Tuesday with various speakers and topics in the parish house. They will be having their annual holiday dinner at a location and time to be determined. Stay tuned for more details in future St. Mark s Sunday bulletins. SUNRISE SAINTS AND SINNERS Second & Fourth Wednesday, Dec. 14 & 28 6:30 am Questions: Roger Chase, This Men s Group meets at The Chalet Restaurant on 30 th and Grand Blvd. We promise you'll have lots of laughs, crazy discussions about everything as well as breakfast. All men are welcomed, saints or sinners! MOVIE DAY AT ST. MARK S Second Wednesday, December 14 Questions: Patti Berg or Dick Thiel, Enjoy an afternoon of fun, fellowship and film. Watch the movie with popcorn and snacks while watching The Polar Express. CANCER SPIRITUALITY GROUP Third Sunday, December 18, 12:00 pm Questions: Elaine Orness, This group reaches out to those who have cancer or have had cancer, and for family members and friends. The group will meet in the conference room. St. Mark s member Dr. Liz Grosen will be the facilitator in December. A light soup luncheon will be served. THEOLOGY ON TAP Third Monday, December 19, 7:00 pm Questions: Pastor Eric, Great conversation and fellowship with this 30ish or younger group at Two Seven Public House in Lincoln Heights. One of our pastors will lead a discussion and buy a few appetizers to share. DIAKONIA GUILD Third Thursday, December 15, 11:30 am This month there will be a Christmas luncheon at Manito Country Club. Social time at 11:30 am, with no-host luncheon at 12:00 pm. (Note change of date from usual meeting day.) Please RSVP to Betty Quinn at or Diakonia is an auxiliary of Lutheran Community Services. The members meet monthly at various locations with a speaker from LCS. BOOK GROUP Last Wednesday, December 28, 7:00 am St. Mark s Book Group meets monthly at Forza Coffee in Lincoln Heights. The book to be discussed in December is The Tsar of Love and Techno: Stories by Anthony Marra. All book lovers are welcome to join any discussion! 10