Worship: December 12th, 2021

Family Worship, 9:00 am

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Traditional Worship, 11:00 am

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News & Announcements

2022 Estimate of Giving:

As we end a second year in recovery from COVID and we look forward joyfully this Advent to God’s unconditional gift of love at Jesus’ birth, please prayerfully consider gifts of time, talents, and financial commitments now and for the coming year.

2021 Giving: You’ll find multiple ways to give at saintmartins.org/giving.  You can also send a text to 73256 with “luther” and your gift amount.

As the Council plans next year’s budget, we particularly want to support and empower the vital work of our dedicated and faithful staff.  Please prayerfully complete an estimate of giving card by Sunday December 12. A secure digital form is available online at https://bit.ly/3DGkuW4.  Or download, complete, and mail your estimate.  Paper copies are available at Church.

Thank you for your faithfulness in giving.

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Toy Drive for River City Youth Foundation | Donations due Sunday, December 12
December 18, 2021 is the River City Youth Foundation’s 24th annual Merry Memories Toy Giveaway. 
SMLC high school students and youth are collecting gifts for babies to 15 year olds. The wishlist for boys and girls includes: bikes, sports balls, board games, dolls & action figures, and stuffed animals. 
Please bring items to the church by Sunday, December 12.

Baked Goods for German Christmas Service
We will be hosting a reception with baked goods following the German Christmas service on December 19! All bakers can volunteer to provide desserts by contacting Abby Adams at adams.abigail.m@gmail.com. Thank you for helping us welcome the many guests who come to celebrate Christmas with us!

Listening Session Follow-Up Meetings
Our listening session follow-up continues between worship services during Advent as we ideate on focus areas to “Love, Share, and Serve Boldly.” This concrete definition of our mission will guide future decision making about how best to use our people, money, and resources to serve God in downtown Austin. Join in room 230 or using the Come as You Are class Zoom link from 10:15-10:45 each Sunday. Dec 5: Faith Formation. Dec 12: Connecting volunteers to opportunities. Dec 19: Future membership. Find the Zoom link on the event calendar listings at saintmartins.org/events.

Advent for Families at St. Martin’s | Sundays in Advent
Starting on November 28th we will be doing our Advent for Families every Sunday through Advent following the second service! This includes: candle making, an art class lead by Stern Hatcher, an Advent calendar to donate to our homeless community, and a fundraising meal hosted by our High School students! Come celebrate the holiday season with us this year! 

Christmas in the Park: The Nativity Story | Saturday, December 18th, 6:00—8:00 pm
Let’s get into the holiday spirit! This year at St. Martin’s we are having Christmas in the Park on December 18th from 6—8pm, an event for all families to learn about the story of the birth of Jesus and to join in on a fun evening together! Cason needs your help for this! He will be setting up a table for anyone or groups of people to run tables to fully tell the story of the nativity!

Christmas Poinsettias
The Flower Guild will be selling poinsettias this Sunday and will continue sales through Sunday, December 19.  The cost is $15.00 each.  Poinsettias may be purchased at church on Sunday mornings and online.  To purchase online, go to saintmartins.org and click the “Give” button in the upper right hand corner, select “Online Giving,” click “Fund” on the Giving page, and click the “Memo” line to complete dedications for the poinsettias. 

Las Posadas at Dove Springs | Wednesday, December 22, 2021, 6:30 pm
Join our friends in Dove Springs for a traditional Las Posadas (the Inns) on December 22, 6:30-8:30pm at the River City Youth Foundation,5209 S. Pleasant Valley Road, Austin, TX. We will be taking the bus from the church at 6PM or you can meet us there. Please RSVP to Pastor Ellen for space on the bus.

Christmas at St. Martin’s

Ein Deutsches Weihnachtsfest
German Christmas Service
Sunday, December 19th, 2021
Join us for our annual German Christmas worship service! Musical prelude begins at 3:30 pm with worship in German at 4:00 pm. While everything is spoken and sung in German, the program contains a page-by-page translation for those who have challenges sprechendes Deutsch!

The Nativity of Our Lord
Christmas Eve Worship Services
Friday, December 24th, 2021
Join us for worship as we joyfully celebrate the birth of Jesus!
4:00 pm Jazz Worship
7:00 pm Traditional Worship
10:00 pm Traditional Worship
Musical preludes begin at 6:30 & 9:30 pm

A Service of Lessons & Carols
First Sunday of Christmas
Sunday, December 26th, 2021, 10:00 am
Join us for one service at 10:00 am as we read lessons and sing carols to joyfully celebrate the birth of Christ together.