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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;
join us for treats, and conversation
 Children's Worship, 10:00 am (Preschool -2nd grade) 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, and Marge Smith
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Monthly Events
The next CRYSTAL LAKE FOOD PANTRY volunteer opportunity is Monday, January 16. 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, January 24, at 7:00 pm.
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We Pray For
Walter, Joe, Madeleine, Glenice, Dn. Barb, Jo, Raven, Bill, Diana, Evelyn, Jerry, Daphne, 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, Judie, Josh, Jessica, Wendy
Those Who Have Died
Richard, partner of Jerry Kolarzyk's uncle, Joe;
Chuck
, friend of Jerry Kolarczyk
Those Serving in the
Armed Forces
Jeremy, Zack, Ryan, Terry, Scott,
Dan, Corey, Nicholas, Tyler, Ross
Birthdays
12.25 Emmett Kenyon
Lydia Kenyon
12.26 Alec Thune
Kristine Thune
Chris Russell
12.27 Mike Higgins
Tanious Massoud
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From the Rector
Dear Friends and Parishioners of St. Mary's,
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, my prayer for you is that you will come to deeply know the love, peace, and hope that came into the world over two thousand years ago in Bethlehem. I pray also that this Christmas we may have a renewed sense of our call to bring the hope and love of Christ to all whom we encounter, and to a hurting world.
I am aware that many of you are struggling with issues of grief, loss, and other family matters during this holiday season. I also know that many in our community are dealing with health issues and the illness of loved ones. Please know that I am holding you in prayer daily.
For those of you who are traveling, may you reach your destination and connect safely with family and friends.
If you are in town I hope that you will be able to join us for worship as we celebrate this holy season. Our worship schedule is listed below.
I wish you, your family, loved ones and friends a joyful blessed Christmas.
Fran+
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Christmas / Epiphany 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
Sunday, January 1, Feast of the Holy Name:
9:00 a.m Choral Eucharist (Note: Only ONE service this day)
Sunday, January 8
Feast of the Epiphany (transferred)
8:00 a.m. Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Choral Eucharist with Children's Epiphany Procession
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Holiday Schedule Updates
Office Hours
: The parish offices will be closed Monday, December 26. 
Men's/Women's Bible Study
: Will NOT meet on December 24 or 31.
Sanctuary Choir
: Will NOT rehearse on December 28.
Chair Yoga
: Will NOT meet on December 26, 28,
or January 2.
Children's Worship / Sunday School: Currently on Christmas break. Both will resume on Sunday, January 8.
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Christmas Poinsettias
Thank you to everyone who donated the poinsettias for our Christmas services:
John & Sara Amrein, Brown Family, Steve & Betty Buenning, Jose & Marci Cantu, Gary & Thelma Chesterfield, Choquette Family, Barbara Dick, Lynda Drake, Fr. Bill Hoelzel, Fran Holliday & Eileen Flynn, Jim & Kathy Kent, Art & Char Maday, Rick & Amy Noe, El, Dorothy, and Saphire Nyberg, Sandy Plate, Charles & Jane Shanlever, Del & Marge Smith, Ted & Judy Thornton, Sally Van Vranken, Galen & Betsy Vargason, John & Cate Williams.
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Thank You Altar Guild
Many thanks to the Altar Guild members,
and special helpers, who helped decorate the church
in preparation for our Christmas services:
Carol Dingle, Betsy Vargason, Barb Fritz, Judy Thornton, Cate & John Williams, Sharon Duffy, John Amrein, his step-daughter Melissa Cardenas, and her daughter, Angela Cardenas
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"Let's Eat Together" Community Meal Fundraiser
Saturday, January 21 ~ 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Please join us in the Great Hall at St. Mary's, as we kick off our Community Meal ministry. Tickets are $25/person or $60/family. All proceeds go towards the
Let's Eat Together Free Community Meal
, which will be held the 3rd Saturday of every month, beginning February 18. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the Parish Office, Fran Holliday, or Mike Choquette.
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Kitchen Under Construction
Over the next few weeks we will continue to make repairs and changes to the kitchen. We will label drawers and cabinets, and post signs where we have moved items if needed. You may already have noticed the addition of a commercial refrigerator and freezer. These changes are being done to upgrade our kitchen for our Community Meal program. In just a few weeks, you will see our kitchen running very efficiently and smoothly. Have ideas or suggestions? Please share them with Fran, or other members of the Community Meal team.
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Pass the Salt Please
We know the winter is here now. You can help St. Mary's this winter to be as safe as possible. By each exit door, we have a snow shovel and ice melter. While our snowplow company is doing a great job with fresh snow fall, you can help with the in-between times. If you have time, clear the walk way if needed, and spread a small amount of ice melter on the walk area. Just like with table salt, a little goes a long way. If it is below about 20 degrees, the melter will not help much. Just be careful, walk slow and help clear the walks when needed.
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Broken Kneelers
If you notice a broken kneeler, please contact Pastor Fran or one of the Co-Wardens (Mike Higgins, Cate Williams), and we will remove it. We are trying to find replacement parts so that we can repair the kneelers but for now, we do need to remove them. And God will hear your prayers even if you are not kneeling down! (or so we are told).
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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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