During the Faith Formation hour on Sunday, December 4th we will hold our 2023 Annual Meeting in the Fellowship Hall. Along with the items below, the 2023 budget that will be reviewed during the meeting can be found here. Hard copies will be available in the commons and on December 4th.

During Advent we pray "Come, Lord Jesus," as we prepare our hearts and our lives for the coming of the Lord. As the days grow shorter, we invite you to gather with us around prayer, scripture, and song as we point to the light of the Christ who comes not only as a baby in a manger, but who will also come to make all things new.  

Advent Devotional

Advent is coming! Be sure to pick up an Advent Devotional in the Commons to use this season as we wait for the promised Messiah. 

Worship Service Changes

As you prepare for the busy Christmas Season, please note there are a few changes in the times that we will worship together in December.

Christmas Pageant Presentation and Worship

• Sunday, December 18th - One Service beginning at 10am

Christmas Eve Worship

• Saturday, December 24th - 4pm, 7pm, and 10pm

Christmas Day Worship

• Sunday, December 25th - One Service beginning at 10am

New Year's Day Worship

• Sunday, January 1st - Regular Schedule will resume with 8:30am and 11am Worship Service

Note the St. Mark's office will be closed Monday, December 26th through Friday, December 30th

as all staff will be on vacation.

Yarn Angels - Cancelled

Saturday, November 26th

Yarn Angels will be Cancelled this Saturday as many of its members will be spending time with loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!

Parents Night Out

Saturday, December 10th 4pm-7pm

Dinner, Christmas crafts, games, and a movie! This event is for all children of St. Mark’s, as an opportunity to have fun at church while parents have a night to shop, have dinner out, or take a well deserved nap. Donations will be accepted and will benefit the St. Mark’s Youth Group.

Sign up central bulletin board or contact Deacon Katie!

Thanks-Giving Tree

St Mark's "Thanks-Giving Tree" is in the Commons! Check out the gift tags to find something that you would like share with someone.  Perhaps an animal for a family struggling to feed itself? A Bible for an inmate in one of our prisons? A toy for a child? Clothing for someone in a hospital being cared for by "Our Voice"? 

Our Voice is on the Giving Tree because they have an urgent need for jackets. This non-profit organization advocates for the strong survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking in Buncombe County. It's one of those subjects we don't hear much about on the nightly news, but certainly takes place right here (often!) in our mountain communities. Even in certain Facebook groups there are people coming forward all the time looking for help from abusive situations. It is heartbreaking. When a survivor is on the run, or on a housing waiting list, they are many times living outside. Jackets are needed as the wonderful folks of Our Voice do all they can to support these individuals and get them to a place of safety and, ultimately, a place of happiness and true joy. Thanks be to God for all of you who are able to provide one little piece of the safety they need NOW!! God's Work, Our Hands 

Take a tag or two from the Tree, and return with a gift(s) by Sunday, December 11th. No wrapping is needed! Checks should be made out to "St Marks Lutheran Church", listing the gift on the bottom of the check, placed in the offering plate, or below the Tree.

CAT - ABCCM Pantry Cupboard

Our volunteers at the ABCCM Crisis Ministry report that certain food items are desperately needed for the pantry. Between now and Thanksgiving, add a few items to your grocery bags when you go shopping for yourself!

NOTE: ABCCM is needing volunteers too! Please pray about spending some of your time there serving those who need you. There are many folks at St. Mark's who can explain what a day as a volunteer entails.

LSC Seeking Winter Clothing

Wednesday, November 30th 10am-3pm

LSC will be holding a Winter Clothing Drive at their LSC Asheville office. Due to lack of storage space, they will be able to accept donations only during the day next Wednesday, and only during the hours of 10am-3pm. They are specifically seeking either new or very gently-used winter clothing to provide to our clients. Should you have items to donate, please feel free to drop by! For more details, click here.

Habitat for Humanity Drive-thru Dinner

December 13th, beginning at 4:30, participants will drive through a winter wonderland of lights at the Trinity Presbyterian Church “pick-up window” located on 900 Blythe St., and return home with a freshly prepared gourmet meal to enjoy with their family and/or friends. A festive atmosphere is planned with caroling on the church’s campus and a visit from Santa! Please click the button below to register for this “non-event.” Click here to register.

Faith and Fellowship - Monday, November 29th CANCELLED

November 27th @ 8:30am

Greeters

Vic Allwein

Mary Anne Allwein

Usher

Amy Zellers

Ken Clark

Altar Guild

Amy Zellers

Acolyte

George Hahn

Assisting Minister

Katie Rivers

Reader

Diane Hughes

Communion Assistant

Linda Kinsinger

November 27th @ 11am

Greeters

Eric Van Tassel

Susan Van Tassel

Usher

Scott Baumann

Alice Silver

Altar Guild

Bonnie Morris

Acolyte

Katie Rivers

Assisting Minister

Katie Rivers

Reader

Randy Warren

Communion Assistant

Eileen Cram

Live Stream

Bob Mihara