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Worship Times
Sundays, 8 & 10 am
Nursery available at 9:45
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Coffee Hour fellowship follows both services
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Children's Worship,
10:00 am
(Preschool - 2nd grade)
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Sunday School, 11:00 am
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Clergy & Staff
Rev. Barbara Bishop, Deacon
Amy Noe, Parish Administrator
Sandra Molyneux, Organist and Choir Director
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Parish Vestry
Michael Higgins, Co-Warden
Cate Williams, Co-Warden
Peter Becker, Treasurer
Judy Tracy, Clerk of the Vestry
Members: John Amrein, Peter Carroll, Michael Choquette, Mark Cornelissen, Jerry Kolarczyk, Marge Smith, Janet Stiff, and Alison Wild
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Monthly Events
The next CRYSTAL LAKE FOOD PANTRY volunteer opportunity is Wednesday, December 7. Contact Chris Bednaroski if you can help. Shift times are 9:30-Noon, and Noon-2:30.
CENTERING PRAYER meets the first and third Tuesday of every month, at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall. Contact Rev. Fran with any questions, or for more information.
TAIZE is an ecumenical, meditative common prayer, incorporating song, chant, scripture readings, and silence. People of ALL faith traditions are welcome this monthly candlelight service. The next service will be held at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St., on Tuesday, December 20, at 7:00 pm.
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| We Pray For Daphne, Dn. Barb, Karen, Jim, Chris, Sue, Thelma, Ann, Galen, Betsy, Meg, Bob, Pat, Harry & Marion, Don, Brian, Gene, Kathy, Kelly, Olan, Diane, Vicki, Sarah, Carol, Glenn, Tom, Kathy, Betty, Andrea, Mary, Judie, Josh, Jessica, Shane, Bill, Diane, Wendy, Beverly, Mark, Elliott, Wendy Those Who Have Died George, Maxine, Carl Those Serving in the Armed Forces Jeremy, Zack, Ryan,Terry, Scott, Dan, Corey, Nicholas, Tyler, Ross
Birthdays
11.23 Luke Spychala
11.27 Kathy Vernsten
Anniversaries
11.27 Harry & Marion
Dillon
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From the Rector
Dear Friends and Parishioners of St. Mary's,
This Sunday we are entering the season of Advent. It is a season marked by anticipation, hope, and patient waiting as we prepare for the birth of Christ. Please join us this Sunday for Advent Lessons and Carols at our 10:00 a.m. service. The 8:00 a.m. service for the first Sunday in Advent will have a Eucharist as usual. Let us gather in prayer and song and make a space for God to enter. Let there be room for him in the inn of our hearts and at the center of our lives.
I wish all of you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving.
Rev. Fran +
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Christmas Basket Program IMPORTANT REMINDER
A big THANK YOU to all who signed up to sponsor one or more of 26 individuals for the ReVive Center's Christmas Basket Program.
Please return all gift cards and gift items (new and wrapped) back to the Great Hall by this Sunday, November 27, 2016, by 11:00 a.m.
*Volunteers are needed to help
organize the boxes on Sunday, November 27, right after the service.
*Volunteers are needed to load the boxes onto the ReVive Center truck on Wednesday, November 30 at 10:00 a.m.
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Pledge Card Reminder
If you have not yet returned your pledge card, please do so as soon as possible, so the finance committee can begin work on the 2017 budget. If you did not receive a card, there are extras located on a Narthex table. Cards may be mailed to or dropped off at the office, or put in the collection plate on Sunday.
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Thanksgiving Office Hours 
The Parish Offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday, on Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25.
In addition, Rev. Fran will be out of the office, Wednesday afternoon, November 23, through Friday, November 25. If you have a pastoral emergency, please call Co-Warden, Cate Williams, at 815-354-4313, and she will contact the on-call clergy.
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Game Night Fun!
Youth, 6th grade and up, and all adults are invited to join us for Game Night, the Friday after Thanksgiving. Bring your favorite games and have a great time with your parish family and friends. Pizza, soda, and snacks will be provided. (No turkey!)
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Advent Begins November 27
Light Bearers Needed
During the season of Advent, families or individuals are invited
to
light the candles on the Advent Wreath
. It is a very special moment to
bring the light
into church
at the beginning of the service
,
and then light the Advent candle(s). W
e encourage interested households to sign up
for a particular Sunday; the sign-up
sheet
is available
on a Narthex table.
Advent Lessons and Carols
One of the very special traditions of our Anglican heritage, during the season of Advent, is the observance of a
Service of Lessons and Carols
, a service many Episcopal congregations have adopted, and one that has come to be a joy for those who have participated in it over the years at St. Mary's.
This liturgy begins with a lovely Bidding Prayer, and continues with a series of Scripture readings, each followed by a carol or hymn. The lessons trace the story of God's relationship with Humanity, from Creation until the promise is given of the birth of the Messiah.
A readings sign-up sheet is available on a Narthex table.
This year the
Lessons & Carols
service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on
Sunday, November 27
.
The 8:00 a.m.
liturgy
will be celebrated as usual on this day.
Please note the Eucharist will only be celebrated at the 8:00 a.m. service.
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Senior Holiday Luncheon
St. Mary's Seniors - please join us for a holiday luncheon on Saturday, December 3, in the Great Hall, beginning a 11:30 a.m. This is a festive occasion not to be missed. Please RSVP to Amy in the parish office. All seniors and their friends are welcome.
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Christmas Flowers
The Christmas Flowers sign up sheet is now posted in the Narthex. If you would like to donate poinsettias for the sanctuary ($15), please sign up, and also note the intention of your gift (in thanksgiving for..., or in memory of...). Donation envelopes are located below the sign up sheet. Thank you!
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Christmas Services
Saturday, December 24:
5:00 p.m. Family Service w/hymns
10:00 p.m. Candlelight Service of Carols, followed by the traditional festive Choral Christmas Eucharist.
Sunday, December 25:
9:00 a.m. Christmas Eucharist, w/hymns
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