February 4, 2018 – The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Serving The World
Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday
Please join the youth of Saint Mary's and be part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with those in need. Please give generously on Super Bowl Sunday.
MORE THAN 28 YEARS AGO, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group:
“Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl
football game, help us be mindful of those
without a bowl of soup to eat.”
Since that day, more than $135 million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring. It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around the Big Game into the nation’s largest celebration of giving and serving.
Through this mission, young people learn what it’s like to make a positive difference in the world – as they collect food for the hungry and compassion to those in need.
Be a part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with those in need. Please give generously on Super Bowl Sunday.
Souper Supper: 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month - 2/9 & 2/23
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).
St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center: Blankets needed!
Saint Elizabeth’s is a shared effort housed at St. Luke’s where the mission is to distribute non-food essentials, clothes, and small household items to the needy among us. A group from Saint Mary’s goes to assist every sixth Tuesday morning. Our next turn is February 13 at 9 AM. All are welcome to participate!
In the meantime, St. Elizabeth’s is having a Blanket Drive in January. They are looking for gently-used woolen or cotton blankets or comforters (no lightweight throws please.) Bring to our collection box outside the Guild Room or drop off at St. Elizabeth’s on Mondays or Tuesdays.
Youth Ministry
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
Our Guiding RAY programs for all young people ages 1 to 14 have begun with exciting plans for the program year! We gather all together beginning at 9:45am with classes beginning at 10am. For more information on Guiding RAY, please visit our website www.smary.org . The Nursery opens at 9:45am for our youngest disciples in the Guiding RAY area every Sunday morning for the later Eucharist.
This Sunday in Guiding RAY :
Mark 1:35-37: Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
Our Bible lesson tells about a day when a lot of people were looking for Jesus. They were looking for Jesus because they needed something that only he could give them. We will join Simon and his companions and be looking for Jesus. . Are you looking for Jesus?
The Royal School of Church Music Choirs
Each Sunday the Angel Choir and St. Cecilia Choir will meet at 9:15 in the downstairs Choir room of the Parish House to participate in a joyful session of singing under the inspired leadership of Priscilla Rigg.
Following the 10 o'clock service, the youth choir children will meet in the downstairs Art Room for snacks and an enjoyable 30 minutes to learn the fundamentals of music and singing, with Mrs. Rigg in the Guiding RAY great room, and with Bruce Fithian in the Choir Room, using the highly acclaimed RSCM workbooks. To learn more, send a message to RSCM@smary.org .
Casco Bay YOUNG LIFE : Dodgeball Tournament!
Monday, FEB 5 at 7 PM. Get a team together for wicked fun in the gym at First Baptist Church on Canco Rd, Portland. FMI, visit www.cascobay.younglife.org .
Events and Happenings
The MOTH Storytelling at Saint Mary’s: beginning Feb. 4
SUNDAYS 9:15-9:55 AM in the Guild Room. A story sharing opportunity for parishioners around various topics. Drop in at any time. Very casual! Topics include: your first job, your grandparents house, summer camp, favorite pets, learning to swim… FMI, contact Erin McGee Ferrell 856.630.9832
Mardi Gras Messy Church Pancake Supper and Talent Show at Saint Mary’s: February 11, 4-6 PM
Dust off your taps shoes!! Entertainment at its finest will occur the Sunday before Mardi Gras! Andrea Myles-Hunkin, the shy, modest, parishioner will be MC of the TALENT SHOW. The last time this took place was three years ago, and we had a great turnout of both spectators and talent.
This year we’ll begin with mask-making, a prayer, packing up the Alleluia for Lent! Then we’ll gorge on Pancakes and the entertainment begins!! We want everyone to have fun, relax and laugh away their winter blues right before the Lenten season.
Click here to sign up for the Talent Show or sign up at the table outside the Guild Room. For more information or to talk about your act, please contact Andrea Myles-Hunkin at mylesfromhome@msn.com
February 14 is Ash Wednesday: The Invitation to a Holy Lent
There will be multiple opportunities for everyone to observe this special day of fasting, prayer and self-denial. In addition, if anyone would like ashes brought to a homebound member, please call the Parish Office right away. Our Ash Wednesday schedule will be:
· 12noon: Ash Wednesday liturgy – in the Sanctuary
· 4pm: Ash Wednesday for Families and Youth – in the Chapel
· 6pm: Ash Wednesday liturgy with music – in the Sanctuary
Our Lenten Programs begin soon!
Be Still: Monday evenings in Lent 5:30 – 6:30, beginning Feb 19
There is no more precious season than Lent to search for moments of peaceful communion with God in the Father James Chapel. Through chanting, meditation, scripture reading and silence, we can promise that you will leave the chapel with a sought-for peace, calm and renewal. Please join us!
Centering Prayer: Friday mornings in Lent 7am beginning Feb 16
Start your Friday with a few quiet moments in the Chapel or with silent guided centering prayer or enjoy the simple silence as the morning sunlight fills the chapel. However you spend your time or however long your stay, give yourself the Lenten gift of quiet prayer time with God in sacred space.
The Good Book Club, beginning February 11
All around the world, Episcopalians will read the Gospel according to Luke during Lent and the Book of Acts during the Great 50 Days. Join the movement as we explore the entire story of Jesus’ life as told by Luke and the experiences of the earliest disciples as shared in Acts. There are a ton of resources available to assist and inspire you at this website: www.goodbookclub.org.
Lent Madness: beginning February 15 Join in the fun and learning!
Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen, and so forth to the Elate Eight, the Faithful Four and finally the Golden Halo is awarded on Holy Wednesday. Brackets are available at http://www.lentmadness.org/ or outside the Guild Room in the parish house.
Other Lenten links and resources:
SSJE: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
Community Care & Nurture
Please pray for the Bishop search process!
God of Grace, we give you thanks for all of the blessings of our common life and ministries as the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, and for our leaders who are guiding us through this season of change. Grant to the Discernment and Transition Committees open hearts, minds, and spirits as they receive the Holy Spirit's gifts of faith, hope, and love to aid their work. We ask also that you send courage and vision to our next bishop of Maine as she or he discerns your call. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Wisdom Seekers: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
This Bible study group meets weekly in the Guild Room. Everyone is welcome! We are now discussing each week’s Advent scriptures in depth.
Chapel Eucharist: Thursdays in the Chapel at 12 noon
This is an informal time (in a beautiful space!) to gather at the Lord’s Table with a meditation on the scripture or the saint of the day and prayers for healing.
Noonday Prayer: every other weekday in the Chapel
Pause for 10 minutes of prayer together. 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, our bishop, and our own daily life with God.
Communicating with Nathan+
Feel free to contact Fr. 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 on weekends or when he’s away.
Prayer Concerns for this week: Nolan Farris, Douglas McCormack, Lee Lamphere, Arthur Markos, Patti Braswell, Richard Harris, Ellen Hitchcock, Frank Rheaume, Stewart Stalnecker
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 4 The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (Souper Bowl Sunday !!!)
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:15am The MOTH at Saint Mary’s
9:15am RSCM Choirs rehearse in the Choir Room
9:45am Nursery opens
9:45 am Guiding RAY gathering - classes begin at 10am
10:00am Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
Monday 5 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
6:00pm Portland Community Chorus rehearsal in auditorium
Tuesday 6 7 - 9am BNI in the auditorium
9:30am Art Group using the Auditorium
10:30am Wisdom Seekers in Kneeler Room
12noon Noonday Prayer
1:00pm Staff Meeting
1:00pm Get Stitching group
3:30pm Executive Committee
6:00pm Schola Rehearsal in Sanctuary
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room (Beginner’s Al-Anon 6:30pm)
Wednesday7 9:30a-12 GC Judges Council meeting in the Kneeler Room
12 noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
6:00pm SinG rehearsal in Auditorium
6:30pm ORI in Guild Room
Thursday 8 10:00am Habitat Run planning meeting in the Guild Room
12noon Chapel Eucharist in the Fr James Chapel
1 - 4pm Oratorio Chorale in the Auditorium
7:00pm Saint Mary’s choir rehearsal
Friday 9 9a-12n Building & Grounds meet for projects
12noon Noonday Prayer – stop and pray wherever you are
5:30pm Al-Anon meeting in the Guild Room
Saturday 10 9a – 3p Vestry Retreat
Sunday 11 The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:15am The MOTH at Saint Mary’s
9:15am RSCM Choirs rehearse in the Choir Room
9:45 am Guiding RAY gathering - classes begin at 10am
10:00am Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
4:00pm Mardi Gras Messy Church Talent Show+
Congratulations Jonathan and Chelsea Terris Scott!!
Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
