CHURCH EVENTS FOR FRIDAY, 12/13:

• No Events Scheduled

Special Announcements

The Giving Tree
The “Giving Tree” is in the Narthex…please pick up your tag!  Canned and non-perishable foods are also being collected.  Deadline is Dec 15.

St. Mark Inclusivity Statement

“We are a community that values and celebrates diversity in order to fulfill the work of the Holy Trinity.  Examples of now existing diversity in our congregation, which we intend to nurture, grow, and celebrate include, but are not limited to, persons of varying: race, national and ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic circumstance, mental/physical health, political persuasion, and theological perspective.  As a congregation, we pledge to demonstrate not only through words, but our actions that when we say all are welcome, we really mean it.”

Advent

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, which means "arrival" or "coming") is the first season of the liturgical year.  It begins four Sundays before Christmas, the Sunday falling on or nearest to 30 November, and ends on Christmas Eve.  Traditionally observed as a "fast", it focuses on preparation for the coming of Christ, not only the coming of the Christ-child at Christmas, but also, in the first weeks, on the eschatological final coming of Christ, making Advent "a period for devout and joyful expectation."

This season is often marked by the Advent Wreath, a garland of evergreens with four candles.  Although the main symbolism of the advent wreath is simply marking the progression of time, many churches attach themes to each candle, most often 'hope', 'faith', 'joy', and 'love'.

Liturgical colour: violet or purple; blue in some traditions.