Announcements for January 6, 2008

Sunday, January 6, 2008

 9:30 am - Coffee Hour, Sunday School, Pastoral Care               

Monday, January 7, 2007

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Friday, January 11, 2008

Sunday, January 13, 2008

   9:30 am - Adult Forum #1, Sunday School, Coffee Hour

Costa Rica Mission Trip- Please plan on attending our next mission trip planning meeting after the 10:30 service on Jan. 27th.  The objective of this meeting will be to listen to a recap of the advanced trip made by Amy Sparks, Gretchen Thill and Michael Tinsley so that we can tentatively identify what project(s) we may be interested in supporting during next summer's mission trip.

To all who participated in the Family Advent Wreath making: Please disassemble your wreaths, bring the greens to the Burning of the Greens on the 6th and return the base. There is a box just outside the church office. Please return them by January 13th. We are saving the bases for next year. Thank you!

Epiphany - Join us tonight at 5:00pm for our Annual Epiphany Pageant in the    Sanctuary. The Burning of the Greens will follow the pageant on the lawn. Don’t forget to bring your favorite dish to share with your church family for our Covered Dish Dinner in the Parish Hall to follow all the Epiphany celebrations. 

Pledge Envelopes - To all that turned in a pledge card, please pick up the box of envelopes with your name on it. Boxes are located at the back of the church. If you have not turned in a pledge card, you can still do so. If you have not turned in a pledge card, but would still like to have envelopes, please call the church office.

New Year = Sign –Up Sheets - Please come by the Parish Hall to sign up for 2008 Flower Dedications. The cost is $75 and can be shared between 2    families if desired. The poster is located on the mailroom door. Also please stop by the     nametag board and sign up to “host” a Hot Dog Sunday in 2008. Please see Jackie McWhorter for more details.

Adult Forum - Preparing for Resurrection - “Preparing for Resurrection” can be a daunting and unsettling journey. Who    better to walk the way with than your friends at church? On three Sundays in January, the 13th, 20th and 27th, St. Mark’s clergy will offer an Adult Christian Formation Series during the 9:30 hour to address end of life issues. Week One will focus on how Christians make faithful decisions about when to preserve life and when to let go. The characteristics considered in assessing quality of life, and who should make decisions about our health care and living arrangements when we become incapacitated or impaired, will also be addressed. Reverend Hollar   facilitates the discussion this week. Durable Health Care Power of   Attorney forms will be   available to take home and complete. Week Two, a guest speaker from North Mecklenburg area Hospice will present the dying   process with emphasis on navigating the course with dignity. Week Three, Deacon Jane Holmes leads a session on making our own funeral arrangements. A summary of the burial office, the   theology of the service and individual planning guides will be worked through. The series is designed to help members articulate their own wishes and develop skills for addressing family dynamics around these emotional and tender issues. Please see Deacon Jane or call the church office for more details.

Newcomers Reception– Please join the Clergy and Vestry of St. Mark’s for a Newcomers Reception, January 20th at 2-4 pm at the Schroeder’s house. Please RSVP to mesamike4@aol.com.    Babysitting will be provided. All are welcome.

Costa Rica Night is right around the corner! Food!   Prizes!   Trophies! Allison Rhinehardt and company singing your favorite Broadway tunes!!!!! Saturday, January 26th, 6:30-9:30PM at Independence Hill Baptist Church. Tickets are $30.00 each or enter a pot of chili and get in free! Buy your tickets before/after church, Monday-Friday in the church office, or call Amy Williams @ 704-875-3313. Help us support our fellow parishioners as we prepare to do great work in our companion diocese of Costa Rica.