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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 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, December 20, at 7:00 pm.
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We Pray For
Raven, Bill, Diana, Evelyn, Jerry, 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, Judie, Josh, Jessica, Wendy
Those Who Have Died
Chuck
, friend of Jerry Kolarczyk;
George
, friend of Dn. Barb Bishop;
Maxine
, friend of Daphne Starr;
Carl
, uncle of Chris Bednaroski
Those Serving in the
Armed Forces
Jeremy, Zack, Ryan, Terry, Scott,
Dan, Corey, Nicholas, Tyler, Ross
Birthdays
12.9 Jennifer Kolarczyk
12.12 Georgia Lake
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From the Rector
Dear Friends and Parishioners of St. Mary's,
Advent is a season of hope, contemplation and expectation. It is a season of shorter days and growing darkness but it is also a season that is moving toward the light- the light of Christ. This season I invite you to take time out of your busy schedule and to contemplate how you will prepare for the coming of Christ. How will make room in your life for the hope that was born into the world over 2,000 years ago? All of us are called to journey back to Bethlehem, not so that we can linger in nostalgia, but so that we can more fully grasp and understand how it is that Christ will become visible through us. Let us journey as individuals and as a community of faith to make the light of Christ more visible and real to a hurting world. I hope to see you all this Sunday as we continue our Advent journey. You are also invited to be with us this Saturday for an Advent Labyrinth Walk in the Great Hall from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 Noon. This is a time to contemplate the Advent journey we are on, a time of quiet mediation and prayer.
I want to take this opportunity to thank John and Cate Williams and Eileen Flynn for the lights that now hang outside at the circle drive entrance, at our front door and in the courtyard. Stop by when it gets dark if you have a chance.
See you all on Sunday,
Blessings,
Fran+
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A Very Special Note of Thanks
What a lovely day last Sunday, as together we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of my ordination to the Diaconate. My thanks to Fran for her kind words, and to Sandy and the choir, for singing my favorite anthem, "Come Build a Church". After all, that's what we've been doing together these past 25 years - sharing in the love of Christ with each other, and those we've met along the way.
I am grateful to have served at St. Mary's in various roles, especially making pastoral calls, serving at the altar, reading the Gospel, and preaching. Our individual conversations have always been special.
Thanks to all who have come to see me, and for your phone calls. It's been a pleasure and honor to have shared these past 25 years with you. As St. Paul says, "I thank God always upon my remembrance of you".
Peace be with you in this Holy Season.
Blessings and Love,
Dn. Barb
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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 / 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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Light Bearers / Ushers Needed
Sunday, December 18:
8:00 a.m. Light Bearer(s) needed to light Advent wreath
Saturday, December 24:
10:00 p.m. 2 Ushers needed
Sunday, January 1:
9:00 a.m. 2 Ushers needed
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Community Meal Update
Mark your Calendars for Saturday, January 21st, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for our "Community Meal Fundraiser".
This dinner is a fund raiser for our monthly free community meal, which will begin on February 18th, and be held each month on the third Saturday of the month from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tickets to our fund raiser dinner are $25.00 a person, or $60.00 for a family. All proceeds will go toward the community meal. We will be selling tickets starting the middle of December. The fund raiser will also give us chance to have a "dress rehearsal" of our actual monthly meal, so that we can have a practice run through of cooking and serving for the large crowds that will be with us. So please buy a ticket and bring family, friends and neighbors and join the fun.
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Pledge Card Reminder
We've had 75% of the pledge cards returned - THANK YOU! Our goal is 100%. 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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