Saint Mary’s NEWS for 22November 2020
Sunday Services to be Online until further notice
We have returned to online only worship for the time being. Outdoor gatherings are also permitted, and we are working on plans for memorable outdoor events in the weeks and months to come. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
To keep the Lord's Day, we will now join together for ONE online Sunday morning celebration at 10:30 AM. You can be part of this by watching on Facebook Live. We are working to expand online viewing options for future weeks. Download the bulletin from the revolving photo above.
One blessing of this situation is that we can now sing together on the Lord's Day! In the Sanctuary, Deacon Christine, Bruce Fithian, Fr Nathan and one lay Lector will safely space out to sing the appointed hymns, while all of you join in our joyful songs from home. In keeping with our summertime Picnic Eucharist experiment, everyone at home is invited to BYO bread and wine to our online Eucharist. As we pray the Eucharistic prayer, your household is invited to hold up your bread and wine at the same time as Fr Nathan. This way, after the Breaking of the Bread, we can all share together in Holy Communion at the same time, even though we are physically distanced.
Yes, this is not exactly the same as being physically together in our Sanctuary, but it is the best we can do for the present moment. Remember: physical distance is no barrier to the Holy Spirit! Unity in the Spirit, unity in heart and in intention, unity in love - these things matter far more than the measurable distance between us. So let us rejoice in the Lord and feed on Christ as revealed in the Breaking of the Bread.
Our hymns for Sunday:
#688 A mighty fortress is our God v. 1 & 2
#383 Fairest Lord Jesus
# 460 Alleluia! sing to Jesus! v. 1, 3 & 4
Want to practice and warm up your voice? On Thursday 19 November, we will sing these songs at our weekly Hymn Sing with Bruce. See below for the ZOOM link
Autumn Lectionary
It’s hard to believe, but we are almost to the end of Saint Paul’s Letter to the Church in Philippi. Follow Nathan’s sermons to learn about this text and how Paul’s thoughts and words connect with Jesus’ teachings in the Gospel.
Nov 22 Revelation 1.1-8 / Psalm 95.1-7 / Matthew 25.31-40
(readings selected for Christ the King Sunday)
Advent Lessons & Carols: November 29 at 10:30 AM **ONLINE**
For the First Sunday in Advent, we will ring in the new Church year with a special Advent Lessons and Carols. Ushering in the season of expectation and hope, this service will include favorite Advent hymns and solos, sung by two of Maine’s most promising young opera singers: tenor, Aaren Rivard and mezzo-soprano, Sable Strout. Hymns will include No. 60 Creator of the stars of night, No. 81 Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming, and No. 66 Come, thou long expected Jesus. There will be two favorite solos from Handel’s Messiah and a haunting lullaby by renowned American composer, Samuel Barber. Bruce will accompany the singers and play a seasonal prelude and postlude based on Advent themes.
Tenor, Aaren Rivard received his Bachelor degree from the University of Southern Maine and his Master’s degree from Wichita State University, and has appeared with prominent opera companies such as Pensacola Opera, Opera Colorado, Central City Opera, Wichita Grand Opera and Opera Maine. He has been recognized for his artistry by winning the Central City Opera’s Moriarty award and the Naftzger Association Vocal Prize. He was scheduled to make his debut with Chautauqua Opera this summer, but due to COVID-19, he has engaged the musical community with virtual concerts.
Mezzo-soprano, Sable Strout has degrees from the University of Southern Maine and Wichita State University, where she studied with Samuel Ramey. While at USM both Sable and Aaren studied with their inspirational teacher, Ellen Chickering. Sable has been featured with Charlottesville Opera, Gramercy Opera, Opera on the James, Opera Maine, and looks forward to joining the Central City Opera in the summer of 2021. Her awards include Maine’s prestigious Lillian Nordica Scholarship and The Young Artist Encouragement Award from the Lyra New York Mozart Competition.
Sparkles News: Update: Sparkles On-Line and In-Person!
Check out the online treasures!
We add to them every day!
Autumn and Christmas Decorations
China & Crystal
Household and Kitchenware
Garden & Linens
Friendship Soup & Holy Smokes
Pre-order cakes, breads & cookies
· Our Sparkles website is available for shopping 24/7. Browse from your own home, and find many of our traditional favorites, including Friendship Soup, Coffee Cakes, and Holy Smokes. We also have Jewelry, Furniture, and Home Decor items for sale. We add new things every week, so check back often. saintmarysparkles.org
· We also have in-person shopping in the Guild Room on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9am-12noon. Some of our online items will be available there, as well as other items not listed online.
· Donations Needed: All of our inventory comes from generous parishioners, so please donate gently-used treasures and put in the hall outside the storeroom in the Parish House basement. Questions? Contact Jana Burke (272-4535 call or text, or jana.burke@gmail.com) or Kathy (603-723-5145 call or text, or kathleendaisy@aol.com)
It is time for our holiday bakers to bring out their best for Sparkles!
As with everything in 2020, we will be doing our Bake Sale a bit differently. We would like you to bring your goods to be sold to the church, and we will package it up to sell online and in person. All items will be sold frozen.
Baked breads, almond cakes, coffee cakes, pies, gingerbread, stollen and your family’s Christmas favorites should be brought in labeled and wrapped for the freezer.
Cookies will be sold in 1lb. boxes of curated assortments (traditional Christmas, Spiced Holiday, Everyday Fav's) as well as smaller packages of specialties or ones for special diets (gluten free...).
Baking Goodies??
Instead of paper sign-ups, we have set up a google form for Sparkles Baking. You can check this link to see what others have already said they would do (so we have a variety or to help you decide which of your goodies to do. Not a computer fan? No problem, just email Jana (jana.burke@gmail.com) or Babs (babsi821@gmail.com) and let us know what you’d like to bring.
Please have your items labeled and wrapped for the freezer. We will put together the boxes of cookies (although a helping hand or two with this would be great).
Hymn Sing with Bruce: Thursdays at 7pm on ZOOM
Everyone is invited to join a ZOOM session to sing many of our beloved hymns. There will be a split screen where the words and music of the hymns will be visible to all. Have favorite hymns to sing? Email Bruce (bsfithian@aol.com) with requests! Absolutely EVERYONE is welcome to join and sing. This is not for choir folks alone. As Bach said, "Soli Deo Gloria" (To the glory of God alone).
On Thurs, Nov 19, we’re singing: Hymn #688 A mighty fortress is our God v. 1 & 2, #383 Fairest Lord Jesus, #460 Alleluia! sing to Jesus! v. 1, 3 & 4
Memorials, Celebrations and Thanksgivings!!
As we thank our God for our many blessings and the people who have made a mark on our lives, we light the Kyros Memorial and Celebration Tree in the season of Advent. This year, we will do this while also remembering Fr James at Noonday Prayer on Tuesday 1 December.
Send the names of those you would like to remember or celebrate by completing this form and send this form via email, or hand deliver it, to the Parish Office OR call the parish office by Monday 30 November to have the name included in in the 2020 Kyros Memorial tree list.
Saint Mary’s Angel Giving Tree
Saint Mary's Angel Giving Tree is located in the Father James Chapel. Stop by on a weekday with your child/children and choose a tag, starting Sunday November 15. There is only one item per card. However if you would like to include other gifts appropriate for your 'child', that would be most appreciative as well.
Gifts do not have to be gift-wrapped. Simply attach/tape card to your gift(s) and place under the tree by Tuesday, December 15.
Thank you so much for caring for others. FMI, contact Betsy Stoddard 809-9777 or jbstod@myfairpoint.net
Remember Fr James at Noonday Prayer
On Tuesday 1 December, Saint Mary's will celebrate a special Noonday Prayer service led by Deacon Christine in memory of Father James Dalton-Thompson on the tenth anniversary of his death. On Facebook Live, prayers will be offered and Bruce will play a joyful Bach organ work, 'In dir ist Freude' (In you is joy) as a way to remember Father James' many gifts among us. This is also the time when the names on Kyros Memorial Tree list will be shared in prayer.
At 12:30, all are invited to join an interactive ZOOM session where each person can share stories and remembrances of Fr James. Click here to join in this ZOOM session.
FMI call the parish office, 781-3366
Service to Others
Red Cross Blood Drives: Nov 28, Dec 3, 8 @ 9AM – 2PM in Auditorium
There is a critical need for blood. Sign-up today to be a blood donor and help give to those who need your blood to survive. As a bonus, all donations are now tested for Coronavirus antibodies. PLEASE donate, if you can.
Go to www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code “StMary” to make your appt.
Souper Supper To Go: 2nd & 4th Fridays, 5 – 6 PM - Nov 13
Souper Supper is in action: Second & Fourth Fridays, 5 – 6 PM for take-home distribution of To-Go meals only. FMI, just call the Parish Office at 781-3366.
Falmouth Food Pantry is looking for no-contact delivery drivers
Families in need of food are invited to come to the Falmouth Food Pantry/Town Hall site on the 1st & 3rd Friday through Nov 20. Food will be distributed to cars from 9-10:30. And if in need of the Emergency Pantry services, please call 632-2687 or 781-2996. After November 20, they are looking for drivers to delivery already packaged bags or boxes to FFP clients and leave at their door once a month. If interested in learning more, contact Nancy Lightbody at nancy@lightbody.org
Christian Formation & Youth Notes
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
November Faith at Home bags are available for whoever would like one. Please request your bag/s here. Included in the bags are tools for parents to nurture the souls of their children, as well as prayer practices and activities simple enough for the whole family to enjoy. Together, families can remember the good news that while our world changes, God is the same, God's love is the same, and God is with us through it all. Reach out to Megan Akers (guidingray@smary.org).
This Sunday Guiding RAY will have a Zoom formation at 10:00 am. This Sunday's lesson will be about a King who was born many years ago. We will do a simple craft as we talk about how we celebrate our Lord and Savior as King of all creation. Click here to Zoom with us!
Community Care & Nurture
OnLine worship
NoonDay Prayer: Monday – Friday 12noon on Facebook Live
Sunday Worship: Sunday 10:30 am on Facebook Live
These services are also linked on our website (www.smary.org on the banner titled “Community & Worship Online: COVID-19 Resources”)
OnLine Spiritual Formation
Be Still: Sundays at 9:30 AM online via ZOOM
Be Still: Mondays at 5 PM online via ZOOM
Merton Group: Thursdays at 3 pm online via ZOOM
These three groups will continue to meet online via ZOOM. If you would like to participate, send an email to Jennifer Gregg (jenniferanngregg@gmail.com) to receive the meeting login information.
Wisdom Seekers Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Wisdom Seekers is a group who gathers to study the Scriptures appointed for the upcoming Sunday; it is a great way to prepare oneself for Sunday. All are welcome to join the Zoom group at any time. FMI or for the link to participate, contact Nadine Timberlake at ntimberlake@aol.com or Beth Shaw at admin@smary.org
Communicating with Nathan+
If you need to connect with someone for encouragement, or if you need advice, guidance or prayer, please text Fr Nathan on his cell phone at 207-310-0268. Share your name and your concern. You can call or e-mail as well (nathanferrell@smary.org ), but texting is the best way to make contact.
Prayer Concerns this week: Mary Follo, Bev Knudsen, Connie Dayton, Desma Ferrell, Bethann, Tom Troeger, Noah Bilodeau, Barbara Fielding.
IF YOU WANT TO ADD NAMES TO THIS LIST, contact our Parish Office (781-3366 or smary@smary.org. This printed list is for more immediate and short-term needs. We also keep a prayer list for chronic and long-term needs. Feel free to ask about this.
Thursday 19 9-12 Mini Sparkle: Décor, China, Linen
12:00 Noonday Prayer
12-5 Red Cross Blood Drive in the Auditorium
3:00 Merton Group on ZOOM
7:00 Hymn Sing with Bruce on ZOOM
Friday 20 Parish Office closed
12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Saturday 21
Sunday 22 Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live
Monday 23 12:00 Noonday Prayer
5:00 Be Still ZOOM meeting
3 – 7 Classical Uprising Youth rehearsal in Auditorium
Tuesday 24 Sparkle in November: Décor, China, Crystal, Linen
9-12noon to see all items In-Person or shop online anytime!
10:30 Wisdom Seekers ZOOM gathering
12:00 Noonday Prayer
2:00 Staff Meeting
4:00 Classical Uprising Youth in Auditorium
Wednesday 25 12:00 Noonday Prayer
6:00 Classical Uprising Youth rehearsal
Thursday 26 Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday 27 Parish Office closed
12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Saturday 28 9 – 2 Red Cross Blood Drive in the Auditorium
Sunday 29 First Sunday in Advent
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
10:00 Guiding RAY time on ZOOM
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live
Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-3366 www.smary.org
