For many, the holiday season can be a difficult time, as our lives are beset by worries, grief, and unrealistic expectations of ourselves and others. Yet into the turmoil of our lives, the story of our God, who chooses in Christ to live among us, offers joy and peace that pass all human understanding.

What a privilege to share that gift with each other and with others who long to hear the good news of God’s grace. Through worship and music, service and generosity, God has made Christ’s love known to us and through us.

As we enter a new year, it is with hope in God’s promises that we move forward, not knowing what the future holds, but only that our Lord is beside us. Let us serve and love him faithfully so that the joy of his presence may be known!

Beginning January 1, Sunday worship will be held at 9:30 AM. Sunday School will resume January 15 following worship (about 10:45), but will not meet on Breakfast Sundays.

The Council hopes that this change will encourage better attendance at Sunday School. PARENTS! Please come to worship as a family and bring your children to Sunday School after worship. It’s important.

The December 11 Congregation Budget Meeting approved a 2011 budget of $356,924. This is a decrease of 4% from the 2011 budget, but will require improved giving by members, which fell significantly under budget in 2011. Copies of the budget are available in the Narthex.

The congregation will meet again at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, January 29, to receive ministry reports for 2011 and to elect Council members. All confirmed members are asked to come to celebrate our ministry and share plans for the future.

High School and Middle School Youth will visit Vertical Ventures Rock Climbing on Friday, January 13. Meet at church at 7:00 pm.

HS youth and young adults continue to work on their scarf making project for the homeless as part of Wednesday Bible Study each week at 4:00.

A Spaghetti Dinner is being planned for February 19 as a fundraiser for this summer’s mission trip.

Elementary Youth will gather to watch Dolphin Tale and/or visit Winter at the Clearwater Aquarium. Watch for a card in the mail in a couple weeks.

This year we are giving our members the opportunity to sponsor our Sunday morning refreshments as well as a dedication for the Presence Candle and flowers. Flowers & refreshments are $25.00 and the Presence Candle is $10.00. New Year Discount: Sign up and pay in January to sponsor refreshments any time in 2012 and pay just $20.

Wednesday evening activities (Cross Training) resume Wednesday, January 4. High School and Young Adult Bible Study meets at 4:00 pm, Youth Choir at 5:00 pm, Dinner at 5:30 pm (pizza until Lent), Worship at 6:15 pm, followed by Confirmation, Youth groups and Senior Choir.

Our January 4 general meeting will be the installation of officers for 2012 by Pastor Alan. Christian Service resumes on Tuesday, January 24. Thank you to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for contributing to our layette project.

Our Christmas season has been busy with the collection of bears, our Christmas program and cookie exchange, delivering poinsettias to our homebound and collecting for our Thank Offering.. Thank you to Cheryl for a beautiful Christmas program. You may still contribute to our Thank Offering at our January meeting.

The stewardship of your financial resources and your support of the ministry we share is not only necessary for the health of this church we love. It is also a vital component of your life of faith. Jesus says that where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. By investing in the work of God’s kingdom, you train your heart to follow in God’s ways; you remind yourself that Christ is Lord; and you nurture your trust in the one who provides for your every need. Pledge sheets are available in the Narthex. Challenge yourself to grow in giving and faith this year.

The need for donated blood is constant. Every day in the United States, approximately 44,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency treatment centers. It is estimated that nine out of ten people who live to age 70 will require a blood transfusion. As a congregation, St. Mark Lutheran Church has contributed to meeting those needs by hosting the Florida Blood Services bloodmobile at various times throughout the year.

Blood donation truly is a “gift of life” that a healthy individual can give to others in their community who are sick or injured. In one hour’s time, a person can donate one unit of blood that can be separated into four individual components that could help save multiple lives. From one unit of blood, red blood cells can be extracted for use in trauma or surgical patients. Plasma, the liquid part of blood, is given to patients with clotting problems. A third component, platelets, clots the blood when cuts or other wounds occur, and are often used in cancer and transplant patients. Additional blood components are necessary in the treatment of various blood disorders.

Anyone who is at least 16 years old, weighs at least 110 pounds, and enjoys generally good health is eligible to donate blood. Some of us donate because we were asked by a friend, some know that a family member or a friend might need blood some day, some believe it is the right thing to do. Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. The dates that the bloodmobile is at St. Mark are typically published in the church newsletter and bulletin. When not involved in caring for donors, the bloodmobile staff is available to answer questions you may have about donation. For more information on blood services in our area, visit www.fbsblood.org or call 727-568-5433.

This Christmas, we celebrated the birth of Christ among us — God’s Word made flesh! We saw him not only in a lowly manger, but in our own lives, as the Holy Spirit worked through us to share the love of Jesus. Thank you for your generous outpouring of God’s love this season, from our Thanksgiving dinner, where we served almost 200 meals to people in need; to our Dress-a-Bear project, which provided 70 adorable gifts to children in poverty; to our CASA Giving Tree and Christmas Party, which brightened the lives of families escaping domestic violence; to our Live Nativity entry in Dunedin’s Christmas Parade, bringing the message of Jesus’ birth to thousands; to our concert and caroling at St. Mark Village and so much more! We are also grateful to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for providing financial assistance for both our Thanksgiving Dinner and CASA activities. God’s love is made flesh every day whenever our lives point to Jesus. What a blessing to be Christ’s body in the world today! May he continue to be born in you in this new year.