Saint Mary’s Weekly News
December 11, 2016 – The Third Sunday of Advent
Celebrate Honor Serve 2017
Please take time to prayerfully consider your 2017 pledge to Saint Mary’s. We’ve been blessed with over 99 households pledging $196,506, but we are still a ways from our goal of $285,000. It’s a busy time of year but pledging helps us meet our obligations and plan to grow our ministries. Pledge forms are in the Narthex and in the Parish House. Once completed, please return (confidentially) to Beth Shaw, our Parish Manager. We need everyone to play their part. Thank you!
Contemporary Language Usage at 8 AM
Once again, in this Advent season we will experiment with the use of contemporary language texts (Rite II) at our 8 AM Eucharist. It is important for everyone to become accustomed to these texts, as the old Elizabethan texts will be discontinued at some point in the future. Change is difficult, but necessary. Please speak with Nathan+ if you have thoughts or concerns about this experiment.
"Be Still" : every Monday in Advent, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Especially for busy parents, a time to “Be Still” is offered each Monday of Advent (December 12, & 19). This is time for quiet in the Father James Chapel. Time to breathe, re-center, reflect, to “be” with God. Come for five minutes, or come for the hour!
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SPARKLES NEWS
The Sparkles Fair is over and this afternoon's Schola Concert and Reception will mark the end of this Sparkles Season. We hope you will join us later today!
We were blessed with excellent weather for Fair Day, we had a good number of shoppers and we met our budget goal of $12,000 (final numbers will be a bit higher than that). We showed a welcoming and beautiful face to the community and we made new friends within the Parish family--just what we hope for during this festive season.
There are still quite a number of bags of Sparkles special blend coffee (donated by Coffee by Design) and Bell Tower Teas---these are in the auditorium and there is an honor box in which you can leave your cash or check.
So many of you helped to make this all happen and we offer our heartfelt thanks to all. Special thanks go to our very special section chairs. Two things we did new this year----lighting the Memorial Tree as part of the Thanksgiving Eucharist and making Advent Wreaths during coffee hour and both were quite successful.
And, of course, we could never do this without the men who help with all the moving and lifting, so special thanks to them. And to Roy Packard for his excellent care of our facility--we sometimes create quite a mess!!!
And, most especially, we want to thank our hardworking and always smiling Parish Administrator, Beth Shaw. Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Blessed New Year from Onnie Hastings and Jan Mordarski, Sparkle Co-Chairs.
Sparkles Schola Benefit Concert: Today, December 11, 4 PM
Natus est a joyous celebration of the season. The St. Mary Schola offers its annual SPARKLES Concert to benefit our parish family. If you want to experience the mystery of medieval song, the glory of early music, and hear some of Maine's best singers and players celebrate this season, please come. Bruce will present a brief early music lecture at 3:30PM. $20 adults. Students are free. The concert is followed by an elegant reception hosted by Bob and Nadine Timberlake to end the Sparkles season. Tickets may be available at the door – IF any are left! Come early to grab your seat.
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 Sanctuary Prayer Books and in the Narthex. Thank you for all those who you will help!
St. Elizabeth’s has cold hands to warm up!
As cold weather approaches, one of the biggest needs at St. E's is winter gloves (and mittens) for children, women and men. However, the biggest need is for large and extra-large gloves for men. As you prep for winter, you may find a pair that you rarely use and we urge you to contribute them to St. E's. It is unbelievable how many people appear on bitter cold Tuesday mornings, with no gloves at all. (If you are shopping and see gloves on sale...consider buying them and sending them in as your contribution.) Thanks in advance! Please drop them off in our St. Elizabeth’s box next to the sign-up table outside the Guild Room.
Saint Mary’s Advent Snowman Tree – gifts due back by December 11!
We look forward every year to having an Advent Giving Tree! Here is an opportunity to become engaged in the spirit of giving this Christmas. Saint Mary’s, together with the Salvation Army, are hosting a “Snowman Giving Tree. Snowman tags will be on the Christmas tree with a child’s gift request. Kindly take a tag, purchase item(s) on the tag, and bring back to Saint Mary’s. Unwrapped gifts should be back under the tree no later than December 11 with the tag on them to ensure the families receive them in time for Christmas. FMI, contact Betsy Stoddard (829-2026 or jbstod@myfairpoint.net).
Souper Supper: 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month – 12/9 and 12/23
Our free suppers in our Parish House Auditorium open to anyone and everyone. Please consider dropping in sometime between 5 – 7 PM on either evening for dinner served in a family-style setting and consisting of a hearty soup, salad, bread, homemade desserts and beverages. And we are always looking for more servers to join the Souper Supper Team. FMI, contact Jennifer Gregg (jenniferanngregg@gmail.com or 781-2665).
Youth Ministry
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
Our children’s programs is in full swing; for more information on our Guiding RAY or Godly Play programs, please visit our website www.smary.org
The Nursery is open for our youngest disciples in the lower level of the Parish House beginning at 9:30 AM every Sunday morning.
Children's Handbell Choir
Children will be performing a Handbell Carol at the 4:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve (Children are asked to arrive by 3:30.) Practice time will be before Guiding RAY on 12/11 (roughly 9:45am). Please sign your child up if they are interested in joining the Children's Handbell Choir.
The Pageant REHEARSAL: Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2:30 pm participant arrival time
Everyone is called to show up at 2:30 PM in costume and prepare for our full-dress rehearsal performance that will begin at 3pm for onlookers – a great time for grandparents, neighbors and friends to come and watch. While the children get ready to begin, there will be a discussion with parents about the Royal School of Church Music and our hope to launch this program here in 2017.
Royal School of Church Music - Saturday, December 17, 2:30 p.m.
Join Bruce Fithian for an informational discussion about the Royal School of Church Music. This is an amazing program that we will be offering to our youth. The Royal School of Church Music is part of an international, ecumenical organization dedicated to promoting effective and inspiring music-making in worship and in the wider community. We hope you will join us!
click here to learn more about RSCM click here to listen
2016 Christmas Pageant: Sunday, December 18 at 10 AM
It’s only a week away! Practice this Sunday, 12/11 until 12:00; costumes will be handed out before and after church. FMI: please contact Julie Otte at 781-2322 or juliemomotter@aol.com
For older Guiding RAY youth: The Bible and Legos
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth graders are invited to a special series of Bible lessons using Legos. The youth will meet during the 10:00 AM service in the Guild Room and will follow the same schedule as Guiding RAY and be in church to join their families for the Eucharist. Building Faith Brick by Brick, a book by Emily Given, offers a culturally relevant, hands-on way to explore faith stories that we hope will engage our youth while learning the stories of God.
Young Life Club: Monday nights at 7:31 PM!
Every single high school student in the Casco Bay area is INVITED to gather for an amazing Club at Laine Legere’s house (56 Quiet Lane in Portland). This is crazy fun and growing each week. FMI: visit www.younglifecb.com
Community Care & Nurture
Wisdom Seekers: every Tuesday at 10:30 AM
This Bible study group meets on Tuesdays in the Guild Room. Nadine Timberlake is the group leader. All are welcome, because there is always room for anyone who wants to study the Bible and discuss its meaning for our lives today.
Thursday Eucharist: every Thursday in the Chapel at 12 noon
This is an informal time to gather at the Lord’s Table with a meditation on the scripture or the saint of the day, time for group discussion, and prayers for healing. It usually lasts about 45 minutes. All are welcome!
Noonday Prayer: every other weekday in the Chapel
Pause for 10 minutes of prayer together. Everyone is welcome! You are also invited, wherever you may be, to STOP and PRAY with us in the Spirit at 12 noon for those in need, for our parish family, for our bishop, and for your own daily life with God.
Communicating with Father Nathan
Feel free to contact Nathan+ at any time if you wish to speak with him. You can call or text his cell anytime at 207-310-0268 or e-mail him directly at nathanferrell@smary.org but know that email is checked rarely during the weekends or when he’s away.
Prayer Concerns for this week: David Bates, Lynda Conner, John Delaney, Sarah Gorman, Talie Harris, Betty Hessemer, Joyce Maranville, Allie Matthews, Roger Murray, Emily Otte, David & Grace Robinson, Stewart Stalnecker, Phoebe Wysor, Bucky and Tri Nguyen.
IF YOU WANT TO ADD NAMES TO THE PRAYER LIST, write them on the Sunday Prayer List in the Narthex or contact the Office (781-3366 or smary@smary.org).
This Week at Saint Mary’s
Sunday 11 Third Sunday of Advent
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist: using new texts in Advent 9:00am Coffee hour begins
9:30am Family Chapel – in the Chapel
10:00am Choral Eucharist
11:00am Coffee hour continues
12:30pm Memorial Service in sanctuary
3:30pm Schola pre-concert lecture in Sanctuary
4:00pm Sparkles St. Mary Schola Concert & Gala Reception
Monday 12 10:00am Garden Club workshop in LL Great Room
11a - 2p Garden Club Silver Tea
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
5:30pm BE STILL in the Fr. James Chapel
Tuesday 13 8:30-11 Saint Marians volunteer at St. Elizabeth’s
9-12:30 Art Group in Auditorium
10:30am Wisdom Seekers Bible Study in Guild Room
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
1:00pm Get Stitching in the White Wool Room
1:00pm Staff meeting
7:00pm AA in auditorium
7:30pm Al-Anon meeting – in Guild Rm (Beginner’s at 6:30pm)
Wednesday 14 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
6:00pm SinG rehearsal in auditorium
6:00pm Vestry meeting in the Guild Room
Thursday 15 8:30-10am BNI in auditorium
12noon Thursday Eucharist in the Chapel
7:00pm Choir rehearsal
Friday 16 Parish Office is closed on Fridays
12noon Noonday Prayer – wherever you are
5:30pm Al-Anon meeting
Saturday 17 8:30am Altar Guild Clean-up
9:30am Flower Guild decorating for Christmas
2:30pm Royal School of Church Music discussion
2:30pm Dress rehearsal parent & child arrival
3:00pm Full Dress rehearsal performance - Open to all!
Sunday 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist: using new texts in Advent 9:00am Coffee hour begins
9:30am Nursery opens
10:00am Our Christmas Pageant and Choral Eucharist
11:00am Coffee hour continues
Beth Shaw
Parish Administrator
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
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