The Second Sunday of Advent
8AM Rite I Holy Eucharist
9AM Rite 13 & J2A will meet this Sunday
YAC meeting in Father Rick's office
Alpha in Heritage Room
10AM Rite II Holy Eucharist & Sunday School
Holiday House Tour Fundraiser
Our first-ever St. Mark's Holiday House Tour Fundraiser is scheduled for
Saturday, December 9th from 2:00-6:00p.m.
where you will be immersed in all things Christmas in two beautifully decorated homes for the season.
Visit the Pierson Family’s house at 347 Grist Mill Dr., Basking Ridge
from 2:00-4:00 p.m. where you will enjoy light nibbles.
Visit the DeFeo Family’s house at 54 Church St., Liberty Corner
from 4:00-6:00p.m. where you will enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres & libations.
The event is open to ALL St. Mark's parishioners, their families & their friends.
Be sure to invite members of your book groups, golf foursomes, PTO, etc. & make it a festive day all around.
The cost of the event is $30 per person
Stewardship
Thank you so much for your 2017 support. Pledge statements for 2017 up to November 30 are available in the Narthex, please collect them after church. Thank you.
A huge thank you to the 90 families who have pledged so far! The vestry are planning the budget for next year, if you’d still like to pledge please let us know as soon as possible, so that we can plan accordingly. We’re up $285,000 in pledge for 2018. We still have a way to go to get to 2017’s level, that was $296K and we have goals of:
Increase to 2017 pledge:
3% increase: $305K
5% increase: $312K
10% increase: $325K.
When we all join together we can achieve great things. Your generosity truly makes a difference to St. Mark’s and it’s our opportunity to thank God for all the blessings that we have.
Thank you!
Flower Guild Request
The Christmas Season is upon us!
Please remember to place your weekly flower memorials & Christmas flower offerings with the church office.
Our coffers are light & we will be filling our church with fresh wreaths, beautiful decorations, live poinsettia's, Christmas trees & other supplies.
Please call Ann in the church office to make your offering.
With thanks & in faith, Patti Pierson, Flower Guild ChairHoliday Ham, Turkey & Chicken Collection
for Food Bank
The Food Bank said they would prefer hams and roaster chickens as they have lots of turkeys!
“We delivered 46 hams, turkeys and chickens in time for Thanksgiving! Please keep them coming in for Christmas.”
As we do each year, it is time once again to extend the blessings of the holiday to those in need by helping to fill their holiday tables with joy and good food. This year, we will collect hams, turkeys and roasting chickens through Sunday, Dec 17 to help the Food Bank Network of Somerset County have enough donations to give out at their various locations throughout the season. We will have a cooler by the front door each Sunday, or you may place your donations in the refrigerator or freezer in the St Mark’s kitchen at any time. Don’t forget that many supermarkets are offering hams and turkeys to their loyal customers at this time of year. We will also have a collection basket in the Narthex.
Gifts at the Creche Service
Quite a long time ago, we heard from Marie Scannell at the Somerset County Food Bank that the children of her families did not always get much for Christmas. And, even worse, that many times, they did not have warm clothes for the winter. From that observation has developed a cherished tradition for St Marks. We decided to bring presents of clothing for these children......outfits, sweaters, coats......something new and warm to wear in the winter months to school.
We wrap and label them Boy/size Large or Teenage Girl/size 6, etc. and we bring them up to the altar during the Creche service. Some of us tuck in a candy cane or matchbox car - feel free to include a toy. But, all of us feel the joy of sharing with others.
Please join us during the Creche Service with your present to the children at the Food Bank.
Thank you!
Sunshine Group
For many years, members of our parish have visited elderly parishioners who are no longer able to get out on their own. We would like to formalize this activity: Would you like to help out? Do you know of an elderly parishioner who you feel might benefit from visits? If so, please talk with Nancy Brangaccio or Jan Williams.
Art Studio
Come and join us for painting or other arts and crafts on a Tuesday in the Arts Studio downstairs. We usually arrive at around noon and finish by 4:00pm. Come for as long as you like. We work on our own paintings, have a great time together and help each other out. For more info contact Jenny Phillips 908-451-9638.