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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 meets every Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
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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
(term expires)
Marge Smith, Warden
(1/19)
Cate Williams, Warden
(1/18)
Peter Becker, Treasurer
Judy Tracy, Clerk of the Vestry
Members:
(1/18) Michael Choquette, Mark Cornelissen, Dan McLauglin
(1/19) John Amrein, Peter Carroll, Jerry Kolarczyk
(1/20) Tracy Higgins, Judy Thornton, Sally Van Vranken
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Monthly Events
The next CRYSTAL LAKE FOOD PANTRY volunteer opportunity is in January. Date will be announced soon. Contact Chris Bednaroski if you can help. Shift times are 9:30-Noon, and Noon-2:30.
A LABYRINTH WALK is normally held on the second Saturday of every month, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon, in the Great Hall. All are welcome.
The next scheduled walk is
Saturday, December 9.
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 services are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St. The next service will be held Tuesday, December 26.
A FREE COMMUNITY MEAL
is offered at St. Mary's on the third Saturday of every month. The meal is served from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and ALL are welcome. There is no RSVP required. Free will donations will be accepted. Please watch the newsletter and website for the menu, which will be published a week or two before the event. The next Community Meal is Saturday, December 16.
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We Pray For
Parishioners
: Jim, Pat, John, Bob, Heather, Charity, Sharon, Cameron & Linda, the Wayne family, Matthew, John, Dn. Barb, Karen, Ann, Galen & Betsy, Bob, Harry & Marion
Family/Friends
: Mike,
Gary, Cheri,
Kevin, Billy, Kelly, David, Johnny, Bob, Pete, Susie, Nanci, Carole, Donna, Sue, Mary, Diana, Kelly Marie, Alyssa, Lori, Kurt, Gail, Regina, Katie, Darcy, Irene, Julie, Betty, Barb, Raven, Sue, Susan, Nancy, Maggie, Nicci,
Brian,
Sarah,
Judie
Those Who Have Died and Those Who Mourn Them
Diane, cousin of Mike DeThorne
Those Serving in the
Armed Forces
Jeremy, Ryan, Terry,
Dan, Corey
12.9 Jennifer Kolarczyk
12.10 Jim Kent
If you would like your name added to the birthday / anniversary list, please contact Amy in the Parish Office.
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From the Rector
Dear Friends and Parishioners of St. Mary's,
As we continue to observe the season of Advent and prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Christ, I invite you to contemplate how you will open up your life more fully and make room for the Christ who comes. It is easy for us in the midst of our often busy overburdened lives to forget that God is always trying to get our attention, and that making room for God is part of our spiritual task. The Christ who came at Christmas is always seeking to enter our lives anew, to show us new ways of being and new possibilities that we have never imagined. Yet often we are either too busy to notice, or "too certain of our own certainty" about the way our life should go, and we fail to pay attention to God's urgings for our lives. During the season of Advent, I invite you take time out to pay attention to God in your life. Spend some time in prayer, reading a meditation book, or sitting in the quiet. If you are looking for an opportunity to engage in quiet and prayer, think about attending our Labyrinth Walk this Saturday from 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 Noon. (We will meet in the Great Hall). As Christians we are called to continually realize the presence of God in our lives and in the world. May you have a holy Advent journey.
I am delighted to share with you the news that parishioner, Mike Choquette, has been made a Postulant for Holy Orders for the Diaconate in the Diocese of Chicago. This official word came on Saturday as Mike completed his interview weekend with the Commission on Ministry and the Bishop of Chicago. Becoming a Postulant is the next step in Mike's being ordained a deacon. This is a time of continued discernment and formation as Mike prepares for ordination. Mike will keep us informed over the next 2-3 years about his journey as he continues to study, take classes, and attend trainings. Please keep him in your prayers. Congratulations Mike!!!
Please consider making a pledge to St. Mary's for 2018 if you have not done so. Your pledge dollars and mine fund our budget and the ministries that we wish to engage in the coming year. Just a gentle reminder, as we come to the end of year we are in need of people to finish paying their 2017 pledges so that we can cover all of our expenses. If you have a financial need and cannot pay your pledge please speak with me or one of the Co-Wardens so that we can make the proper adjustments to our finances. We truly do rely on our pledges, as they are our main source of income. Thank you to everyone who made a pledge for 2018, we are grateful for your generosity.
Thank you to the Choir and Sandy for a lovely, "Advent Lessons & Carols Service" this past Sunday. It was a wonderful way to enter into Advent. I also wish to thank all the volunteers who helped make the senior lunch for 45 seniors absolutely wonderful! Thank you to all who participated.
Many Blessings,
Fran +
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December Volunteers Needed
Light Bearers
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). We still have openings for the 8:00 a.m. service on December 10, 17, and 24. A sign-up sheet is available in the Narthex.
Christmas Eve Ushers
We are looking for two ushers for the
10:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. If you will be attending that service, and would like to help, please contact
Amy in the Parish Office. Thank you!
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Christmas Flowers and Greens
If you are interested in donating poinsettias or greens for Christmas, in honor or in memory of someone, please sign up on the flower chart in the Narthex. ($15).
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December Community Meal
You're invited to join us
Saturday, December 16
th,
for our next
free
, monthly
Community Meal.
Chef Tom is whipping up a delicious, new menu:
Pastitsio (
Greek Lasagna
), bread sticks, salad, and dessert
.
Meals are served between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Remember, this meal is open to anyone, and no RSVP is required. There is no charge for the meal, but free-will donations are appreciated. Bring your family and friends! If you would like to volunteer, contact Tracy Higgins.
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If you have not yet turned in your pledge card for next year, please drop it off, or mail it in at your earliest convenience. If you did not receive a pledge card, there are extras on the table in the Narthex. Cards may be mailed to or dropped off at the office, or put into the collection plate on Sunday mornings. Thank you to those who have made a pledge for 2018.
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Spiritwear Reminder
If you ordered items from the recent St. Mary's Spiritwear Sale, please remember the items will be available for pickup on Sunday, December 17, in the Great Hall. Payment may be made in cash, or checks made out to St. Mary's. If you have any questions, please contact
Tracy Higgins.
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Whenever you did one of these things
for someone overlooked or ignored,
you did it for me.
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PADS Dinners
St. Mary's is once again supporting the PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) program by providing meals at the PADS Shelters during the winter months. Our next Sunday to provide meals is
December 17.
We are looking for volunteers, including older youth, who would like to cook, shop, and/or serve the evening meal at Bethany Lutheran Church. Thank you to Mary Frake who is coordinating the PADS Ministry for St. Mary's. Please contact Mary and let her know how you can help. Thanks for your support!
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Remaining Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Services
2nd Sunday of Advent - Dec. 10
8:00 a.m.
Eucharist
10:00 a.m.
Eucharist with Choir
3rd Sunday of Advent - Dec. 17
8:00 a.m. service
-
hymns with organ
10:00 a.m.
service - guitar and key board
4th Sunday of Advent - Dec. 24
8:00 a.m.
Eucharist - no music
(Please note this is the only service for Advent 4; there is no 10:00 a.m. service)
Christmas Eve - Dec. 24
5:00 p.m.
Children's Candlelight Communion Service with a special visitor, building the crèche, and carols. For the young and the young at heart.
10:00 p.m.
Christmas Carols led by the Choir followed by a Choral Eucharist.
Christmas Day - Dec. 25
9:00 a.m.
Christmas Day Eucharist with Carols
Sunday after Christmas - Dec. 31
8:00 a.m.
Eucharist
10:00 a.m.
Eucharist with carols
Feast of the Epiphany - Sun. Jan. 7
8:00 a.m.
Eucharist
10:00 a.m.
Eucharist with Choir, with Children's Epiphany Procession
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