Saint Mary’s Weekly News
December 22, 2013 – The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Our prayer concerns for this week
For healing: Marge Devine, Nat Fenollosa, Andrew Leighton, Roger Murray, Peg Pierce, Dolores and John Rich, Jen Rothbart, Lynne Shepherd Eileen Shortell, and John Unfricht.
Pledge Envelopes for 2014 will be available next week. We will provide them for those who have requested envelopes in the past few years, and there will be a sign-up sheet outside the Guild Room if you do not have them but would like to do so.
The Annual Sparkles Concert: “A Child Is Born” -
Rescheduled for 4 pm this SUNDAY afternoon
This seasonal program is presented by a chorus, some of Maine finest solo singers, period baroque instruments (violins and oboe), lute, and organ in a program that will lift your spirits. Interspersed throughout the evening will be readings from the King James Bible, and poetry from masters of all ages read by Saint Mary's rector, Father Nathan Ferrell. After the concert you are invited to an elegant reception to end the Advent Sparkles Season. Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, with a family cap of $40.00, and are available on line at stmaryschola.org, at the parish office, at coffee hours or at the door.
Stewardship Update
Thank you to all who give so much to our life here at Saint Mary's. We are so blessed to have so many contributing time, talents and/or treasures. As you may recall, our stewardship campaign was not on the typical annual schedule last year. Pledges were made during Lent. We hope that you'll continue your pledge as we pass into 2014. We'll begin our stewardship campaign in January so stay tuned for more information. There are some among us who like to give annually in December or January. If that timing is better for you and your budget, please feel free to continue. You can let Beth know your intention for 2014. And thank you for all you do to enrich the ministries and programs here at Saint Mary's!!
Youth Ministry Notes
“The Middlers”
The Middlers are “on break” during the holidays and will restart in early 2014!
Godly Play - Christian Formation for our younger Christians
We offer a Montessori-based program called Godly Play to learn about God, the Bible, and the Church with our children. Family Chapel begins at 9:15am followed by Guiding RAY classes (age 4 through 5th grade) begin downstairs in the Parish House at 9:30am. The nursery also opens at 9:15 for our infants and preschoolers.
There will be no Chapel or classes on December 29. These will resume on January 5.
Serving The World
Thanks to all who gave gifts to the Saint Mary’s Giving Tree this year
TODAY, December 22nd, is our Soup Kitchen Sunday
The Fourth Sunday of each month, Saint Mary’s prepares and serves a hot meal to the clients at the Preble Street Soup Kitchen. We need people to (a) go around 10:30 to help with the cooking and set-up; (b) to arrive about 11:45 to assist with table service; and/or (c) to help with clean-up beginning at 1:00. Bless you. Questions? Please call Marian McCue at 761-1936 or mmccue@maine.rr.com
Haiti Mission Team reporting: January 5 & 12
Becky, Kelly and Bruce will share their experience in Haiti with the parish by photo, video and storytelling at our Twelfth Night Potluck & Epiphany Eucharist on Jan. 5 at 5 pm. Then Becky will be our preacher on January 12 and share about their experience of hands-on mission work in light of the Gospel message. Don’t miss it!
Meetings, Gatherings and Events
Twelfth Night Potluck, Eucharist and Mission Program
Sunday, January 5th - SAVE the DATE!!!!
Let’s join together to celebrate the twelfth night of Christmas and the Epiphany. Epiphany means to show, is a season of light, when Christ is shown to be the light of the world. During Epiphany, we follow the wise men and the disciples as they learn to follow Jesus and what it means for us to follow Jesus. What a perfect time for our missionaries to Haiti to share their experiences with us! There is a sign-up sheet by the Guild Room.
Art and Faith Dialogue Group
Everyone is welcome to join this open group discussion at 9:15 am on Sundays in the Guild Room. This group will convene again on January 5 and continue to make plans for a potential Lenten art show.
Spiritual nourishment for all: Thursdays at Saint Mary’s
Our 10:30 am Study and 12 noon Healing Eucharist will be offered again on January 2.
Saint Mary's Book Group - NEW and corrected
will meet on Monday, January 27 at 2:00. We will discuss Wallace Stenger's "The Spectator Bird". It is a tongue-in-cheek novel about aging. Everyone is welcome! Please come! Call Jean Wandel 781-4940 for more details.
Pastoral Care
Communicating with Fr. Nathan
Feel free to contact Fr. Nathan at any time if you wish to speak with him. You can e-mail him directly at nathanferrell@smary.org or call him anytime on his cell at 609-410-7573.
Eucharistic Visitors take Holy Communion to those unable to worship with us on Sunday morning. The Eucharistic Visitor today is Deacon Christine Bennett. During the week if you or someone you know needs communion, please call the Parish Office. If you wish to learn more about this special ministry, feel free to speak with Deacon Christine.
This Week’s Calendar at Saint Mary’s
Sunday 22 8:00am The 4th Sunday of Advent: Traditional Eucharist
9:15am Art and Faith Discussion group
10:00am The 4th Sunday of Advent: Christmas Pageant & Eucharist
10:30am Preble Street Soup Kitchen work begins
4:00pm Sparkles SCHOLA Concert at S. Mary’s
Monday 23 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
Tuesday 24 THE EVE OF THE NATIVITY
10:00am Order of St. Luke
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
4:00pm Christmas Eve Family Liturgy
6:00pm Christmas Eve Family Liturgy
11:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Mass
7:00pm AA in Auditorium
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Wednesday 25 THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
Parish Office Closed
10:00am Christmas Day Eucharist
Thursday 26 Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr
Parish Office Closed
12noon Noonday Prayer - wherever you find yourself
Friday 27 Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
Parish Office Closed
12noon Noonday Prayer - wherever you find yourself
4:00pm Wedding rehearsal
5 - 7pm Community Souper Supper
5:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Saturday 28 The Holy Innocents
3:00pm Smith - Duchin Wedding
Sunday 29 8:00am The 1st Sunday of Christmas: Traditional Eucharist
10:00am The 1st Sunday of Christmas: Contemporary Eucharist
Beth Shaw
Parish Administrator
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road (Route 88)
Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-3366
www.smary.org
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