January 12, 2025

The First Sunday after Epiphany

10am Service

The Rev. Andy Lobban Presiding

Pastor Katie Holeman Preaching

The Rev. Mike Ferrito Deacon

& The Rev. Rodney Davis Assisting

5pm Contemplative Prayer Service on Zoom - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4883550916!

The Second Sunday after Christmas

The Rev. Andy Lobban

Sunday January 5, 2025, 10am

The Feast of Epiphany - Evensong

The Rev. Andy Lobban

Sunday January 5, 2025, 5pm

Annual Meeting

Sunday February 2, 2025 - In-Person

St. Michael's annual meeting will be in person only on Sunday February 2nd immediately following the 10am service. We will serve lunch as usual and the nursery will be available for ages 0 - 6. During the meeting we will be voting for Vestry Members and Diocesan Delegates and taking a look at 2024 and look to the future.

2025 Vestry & Diocesan Delegates

Every year the Vestry elects new members for a three-year term. This term is going to be especially important for the life of St. Michael’s. In 2025 the Vestry will be selecting a new Rector and the new Head Master of the St. Michaels School will start in July. There will be a new opportunity to deepen the relationship between the school and the church.

Another opportunity to serve is to represent St. Michael’s at the Diocesan convention on Friday & Saturday, November 7 & 8, 2025. This is a chance to engage in the issues of National as well as Diocesan concern. 

If you feel called to serve on the St. Michael’s Vestry or as a Diocesan Delegate please use the following link http://stmichaelscarmichael.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/vestry-nomination-form-2025fillable.pdf to fill out an application or contact the Church Office (916) 488-3550 for a hard copy. Applications are due Sunday, January 19, 2025.

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

My dear friends in Christ,

It was with sorrow and alarm that I learned last night of the historic fires in the Diocese of Los Angeles. It is a place where many of us have family, friends, and shared history. I write to call you to join me in prayer and compassionate action around this unfolding disaster.

I am praying that our Lord Jesus Christ, who stilled the storm swirling around the disciples’ boat, would calm the storm of fire and wind surrounding our siblings in Southern California. I am in contact with other Bishops and Church leaders around the world, who are all joining us in these prayers. Our own Missioner for Disaster Resilience, the Rev. Mark G. Dibelka, is in communication with his counterparts in the Diocese of Los Angeles and Episcopal Relief and Development, even as you read this message.

My heart aches with sorrow for losses known and unknown. In addition to media reports we can all follow, we know that places of worship of all types, including Episcopal churches, have been lost or damaged in these fires. Please join me in be lifting up the courageous first responders, those fleeing the fires, those receiving those who’ve been evacuated, and all affected by these firestorms. Please use the prayer below as part of your Sunday Prayers of the People, and at weekday services.

I also call you to compassionate action:

·      Contribute to the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund for Fire Recovery. Use this link: https://bit.ly/givetofirerelief , the QR code below, or send checks to our new office address: 2394 Fair Oaks Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95825.

·      Make time today to review disaster preparedness plans for your family and congregation.

In Christ,

Prayer

Lord and Holy Protector, like the disciples who were caught in their small boat amid a mighty storm, we seek Your help for all in harm’s way in the Diocese of Los Angeles.

We pray for you to calm this deadly storm of wind and fire, as we also ask your strong protection for all first responders, all who are evacuated, all offering hospitality, and for all the leaders and people in the region. Be with those who are fearful, who are in danger, who are lost in the fog of disaster.

We pray for your beautiful creation and for all wildlife and livestock in danger. We pray for willing and committed hearts, strong in support and loving response to our suffering neighbors. May we do all we can to be healers in the aftermath.

We know that You hear all prayers, and, confident in your love, we lift our petitions to You, our God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Give

Link: https://bit.ly/givetofirerelief

QR Code: 

An evening of Music, Southern Comfort Food & Fun!

More Details and Ticket Links coming soon! 

Consider hosting a Sign Up Party!

The forms for Sign Up Parties are now available in the office, at coffee hour and via PDF below. Please put those creative juices together to come up with fun ways to host an event. Get your friends involved and share the fun, the cost or the location. Remember, all the money we raise during our fundraisers helps finance the wonderful outreach projects that St. Michael's supports every year.

Habitat for Humanity

Build for Unity

Seeking Build for Unity Volunteers!  Build for Unity is a Habitat for Humanity program where multi-faith communities come together to build houses for low-income families. St. Michaels was one of the original faith groups that started this amazing program (in 2016). Our three scheduled workdays are

• Saturday, February 1
• Friday & Saturday February 7 & 8

There are sign-up sheets located on the board in Johnstone Hall. We have 10 spots open each day. Please feel free to invite your friends and family to join us in this wonderful program. If you have questions, please connect with Terry Bridges.

Winter Respite

Monday, January 13^th

Carmichael Presbyterian

5645 Marconi Ave, Carmichael

Thank you to all who joined us on Monday, January 6th! We have one more date at Carmichael Presbyterian working with other faith communities in Carmichael to provide meals and a warm place to relax for a few hours during the coldest days of the year for our unhoused neighbors. This year Carmichael Presbyterian will be hosting and HART anticipates we will have approximately 50 guests each day. 

Our volunteer needs are:

• Kitchen volunteers preparing breakfast & bagged lunches
• 3 - 5 needed from 7:30-10:30 AM
• Greeters & Showers Attendants: Set up tables and cots; Welcome guests, make shower reservations, supervise showers, hygiene kits, and towels. Shift 2 will clean up and close.
• Shift 1: 4 volunteers needed from 8:30-11 AM
• Shift 2: 4 volunteers needed from 10:30-1 PM 

A signup sheet will be posted near the coffee table at Coffee Hour on Sunday's. Please contact Cindy Dewey if you have questions or would like to volunteer cmdewey84@gmail.com.

Regular Outreach opportunities

River City Food Bank Center at St. Matthew's - Distribution Prep every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday & Distribution every Wednesday & Friday

Carmichael HART Carmichael Presbyterian Church - Lunch program every Thursday & the Shower Ministry every Saturday

God's Helping Hands Laundry LaunderLand every 3rd Saturday of the month

Weekly Services

10am Sunday Morning Worship Eucharist (also Livestreamed)

Nursery opens at 9:30am

5pm Sunday Evening Contemplative Prayer Service on Zoom

9am Morning Prayer – Zoom, Monday through Thursday

8:30am Friday Morning Contemplative Eucharist

Upcoming Celebration of Life Services

We will be having a Celebration of life service for Jay Glad on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 10am at the church with a reception immediately following. The Service will be livestreamed and recorded to YouTube. Please contact the church office if you have further questions.

Choral Masterworks

by John Cozza, Music Director

 

Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen ("They will all come from Sheba"), BWV 65 by Bach

This week's choral masterpiece is one of Bach's cantatas for the Feast of the Epiphany.  He composed it in 1724 in Leipzig for Epiphany and first performed it on 6 January 1724 as part of his first cantata cycle. To illustrate the exotic visitors from the East, Bach "employs high horns to convey majesty and antiquity, recorders to represent the high pitches often associated with oriental music and the oboes da caccia to evoke the shawm-like double reed instruments of the Near East. Bach never came up with anything more pageant-like and eastern in atmosphere than the opening chorus." (conductor John Eliot Gardiner)

For more information, here is a link to the Wikipedia article:

Here is a translation of the text:

And here is a live performance from the Netherlands Bach Society:

St. Michael's Men’s Breakfast

Men's breakfast is on the first Saturday of every month at FlapJacks Diner. The group meets at 8am at the restaurant. FlapJacks Diner is on El Camino Ave. Please reply to Jim Dodds so he will have an idea of the numbers. If you have any additional questions, please contact the office.

Centering Prayer

All are welcome to come and pray! Centering prayer meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month on Zoom. Newcomers are welcome to come at 6:45pm for a Centering Prayer Newcomer Orientation. Centering Prayer begins at 7pm. We will offer a 20 minute centering prayer sit, followed by a variety of contemplative practices. They may include: Lectio Divina, experiential spirituality and occasionally a guest speaker. For more information, please contact the office 916.488.3550 or Chuck Schaller.



Prayers for Pregnant Women & Their Babies

We have an ongoing relationship with the Episcopal Sisters at the Order of Julian of Norwich monastery who pray daily for pregnant women and their babies. If you have name(s) of loved one(s) who are expecting that you would like to have included in the sisters' prayers, please email Fr. Rod at fatherrod@stmichaelscarmichael.org.

Giving Thanks with Flowers!

You can still remember your loved ones and celebrate important moments in your life with the gift of flowers to the church.  

If you would like to give in this way, please let the office know

and what you would like to give thanks for in the bulletin. You can send a check (or drop it off) to the office or pay on-line.  

Name Tags Available

We have name tags available at Sunday morning check in's. Please be sure to grab and wear your name tag before the service. If you are in need of a name tag please let the office know.

St. Michael's Hours

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:30am - 1:30pm

Sanctuary and Courtyard are open during office hours. Please let the office know you will be coming. Call 916.488.3550 or email.

Pastoral Hours



Rev. Andy will be available on request. Please email revandy@stmichaelscarmichael.org to schedule.

Pastor Katie will be available on request. Please email pastorkatie@stmichaelscarmichael.org to schedule.

Fr. Mike will be available on request. Please email Revferrito@outlook.com to schedule.

Fr. Rod will be available on request. Please email fatherrod@stmichaelscarmichael.org to schedule. 



Giving 

Thank you all for generously supporting St. Michael's and our ministries. We are accepting pledge payments through the mail. We are also accepting online giving. You may have to set up an account to do so. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Kate Muris.