Saint Mary’s Weekly News
December 14, 2014 – The Third Sunday of Advent
Sparkles NEWS for December 14
The Sparkles Fair is over for the year. Despite the less than ideal weather, we did well financially, showed a beautiful, welcoming and friendly face to the community, and made new friends within our Parish family – just what the Sparkle Season is all about.
There are still baskets left filled of coffee and soup mix in the Guild Room.
So many of you helped to make this all happen and we offer our heartfelt thanks to ALL. We would like to offer special thanks to a few folks without whom we could not do this: Jessica LaPlante (boxwoods) and Babs Bell (jewelry) stepped in as new chairs and did amazing work. Other special thanks go to "The Hunks of Saint Mary's" and our section chairs: NormaJean Brillant, Mary Ann Mclean, Barbara Murray, Shelly Maher, Jennifer Gregg, and our very special Beth Shaw.
This Sunday afternoon will be the Schola Concert and Reception, and we offer special thanks, also, to Nadine and Bob Timberlake for being chairs of the reception. It promises to be lovely. MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Blessed New Year from Onnie Hastings and Jan Mordarski, Sparkle Co-Chairs.
December 14th is the Sparkles Benefit Concert
Sing We Noel a joyous celebration of the season. The St. Mary Schola offers its annual SPARKLES Concert to benefit Saint Mary’s Church. This program includes medieval processions, a mystical chant by Hildegard von Bingen, magnificent motets by Praetorius and Schütz, as well as haunting masterworks by Poulenc. Bach’s invigorating Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-flat Major will feature splendid string soloists, accompanied by harpsichord and lute. The concert will conclude with the entire Schola ensemble of singers and musicians coming together to perform a joyful Christmas anthem by Purcell. Enjoy the concert and a gala reception for price of entry: $15 adults; $12 seniors and students; $40 family. Tickets available on-line ( www.stmaryschola.org) or at the door. St. Mary’s Schola Concerts also held at the Cathedral of St. Luke on Friday evening, December 12 and in Brunswick on Tuesday, December 16; visit the Schola website for more information.
Advent Quiet Day: “COME TO THE QUIET”
Saturday, December 20 from 9 AM to 12 Noon. YOU are invited to take ONE, TWO or THREE hours in quiet retreat for your own spiritual growth during this Advent season. Led by Deacon Christine and meeting in the Chapel, this is time set aside for you to spent intentional time with God and to prepare yourself for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
Stewardship 2015 Update
We are all God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Cor. 3:9)
Thank you!! Our total keeps growing. We have reached $130,620 pledged by 72 families to support our mission and ministry. Please take a moment during this busy time of year to contemplate your support for St. Mary’s. We’re hoping to complete our campaign by the January 25th at our Annual Meeting. If you need a pledge form, please contact Janet Bowne (janetbowne@maine.rr.com; 781-3844) or Beth Shaw, Parish Administrator (781-3366 admin@smary.org) and we’ll send one to you. On the pledge form, you can indicate how you wish to set up your payment, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. We also provide instructions on stock transfers for those wishing to make a gift of securities. Thank you for your support!!
Saint Mary’s Advent Snowman-Angel Tree
Thanks to all who were able to answer this call to fulfill a child’s Christmas wish. Unwrapped gifts should by now be back under the tree in the foyer of the auditorium with the tag on them to ensure the families receive them in time for Christmas. For more information contact Betsy or Jim Stoddard 829-2026 jbstod@myfairpoint.net
Serving The World
Emergency Fuel Fund
Please consider making a special offering to enable our support of those who need help with their heating bills this winter. Envelopes are available in the Prayer Books and in the Narthex. Thanks from the Outreach Committee and all those who you will help!
Christian Formation Notes
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
There will be NO Guiding RAY classes next week, due to the Children’s Christmas Pageant at 10 AM. Family Chapel will also not be offered.
The Nursery will remain open for our youngest disciples in the Kneeler Room beginning at 9:45 AM.
Youth Ministry
Young Life Club: every Wednesday at 7:17 PM !
LAST CLUB BEFORE CHRISTMAS BREAK! This Wednesday night at 2 Town Landing Rd (the Herdrich family house), all high schoolers are invited to come and bring a friend. You can park in the town lot across from the Town Landing Market.
High School Service Group: December 12, 26, 28
This group serves as a vehicle for service, fellowship and spirituality for all high schoolers. We will focus on two of S. Mary's established outreach programs: Preble Street Soup Kitchen (on the 4th Sunday of every month) and Souper Supper (on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month.) Please see the Sign-Up Table outside the Guild Room. Or contact Anne LaFond (alafond@maine.rr.com or 781-8820) with your dates/times or any questions you might have.
Meetings, Events & Notes
Wisdom Seekers Small Group: Tuesdays at 11 AM in the Guild Room
***NOTE THE CHANGE IN TIME! Everyone is welcome to join this open Bible study and discussion group led by Deacon Christine.
Healing Eucharist: every Thursday at 12 noon in the Chapel
All are welcome for a brief, informal time of Communion with a group discussion of the Scriptures or the life of a saint, prayers for healing and the laying on of hands.
Pastoral Care
Communicating with Father Nathan
Feel free to contact Nathan+ at any time if you wish to speak with him. You can e-mail him directly at nathanferrell@smary.org or call his cell anytime at 207-310-0268.
Eucharistic Visitors
These are trained ministers who take Holy Communion to those unable to worship with us on Sunday morning. The Eucharistic Visitor this Sunday is Stan Eaton. If you or someone you know would like Communion brought to them, please call the Parish Office. If you wish to learn more about this very special ministry and how you might get involved, feel free to speak with Deacon Christine ( deacab@maine.rr.com ).
Prayer Concerns for this week:
For healing: Bill Cloud, Tom Donaldson, Judy MacDonald, DeeDee Fournier, Cindy Horton, Clare Marie, Sandy Pauly, Suzanne Bauer, Michelle Bilodeau, Paula Gardner, Arthur Markos, Peg Pierce, Wendy Pierce, Dennis Pike, Ann Tholen.
For those deployed: for Mark Winter, and for all active-duty military personnel and their families.
IF YOU WANT TO ADD NAMES TO THE PRAYER LIST, write them on the Sunday Prayer List found in the Narthex or contact the Office (781-3366 or smary@smary.org).
This Week at Saint Mary’s
Sunday 14 8:00am The Third Sunday of Advent: Traditional Eucharist
9:00am Coffee Hour & The Moth @ Saint Mary’s
9:30am Family Chapel & The Middlers
9:45am Guiding RAY classes begin
10:00am The Third Sunday of Advent: Contemporary Eucharist
11:00am Coffee Hour continues
4:00pm Sparkles Concert: “Sing We Noel” by the St. Mary Schola, followed by a gala reception
Monday 15 11a-2p Garden Club Silver Holiday Tea
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
6:00pm Vestry Meeting (rescheduled from Wednesday)
Tuesday 16 11:00am Wisdom Seekers
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
1:00pm Get Stitching group
1:00pm Staff meeting
1:00pm Kneelers group
2 - 4pm Facebook Marketing for Churches Webinar
4:00pm Pastoral Visitors
6:30pm Beginner’s Al-Anon in the Chapel
7:00pm AA in the Auditorium
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Wednesday 17 January AVE deadline
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
Thursday 18 12noon Healing Eucharist in the Chapel
4:00pm Boy Singers of Maine
7:00pm Choir rehearsal
Friday 19 Parish Office is closed on Fridays
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
6-9pm FHS Basketball Team dinner in auditorium
5:30pm Al-Anon meeting
Saturday 20 9am – 12 Advent Quiet Day: Come to the Quiet
3:00pm Pageant Full Dress Rehearsal – All Welcome
Sunday 21 8:00am The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Traditional Eucharist
9:00am Coffee Hour & The Moth @ Saint Mary’s
10:00am The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Christmas Pageant and Contemporary Eucharist
11:00am Coffee Hour continues
en
Beth Shaw
Parish Administrator
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
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