The Third Sunday of Advent

December 14th, 2025

10am Service



The Rev. Mike Ferrito Presiding

The Rev. Rodney Davis Preaching

The Rev. Megan Anderson Gartin Deacon

The Rev. Katie Holeman Assisting & Children Homilist



Lessons and Carols will replace the 5pm Contemplative Prayer Service this Sunday

Sermon - The Second Sunday of Advent

December 7th, 2025

The Reverend Mike Ferrito Preaching

SAVE THE DATE

Annual Meeting

Sunday January 25, 2026

St. Michael's annual meeting will be immediately following the 10am service with a lunch. During the meeting we will be voting for Vestry Members and Diocesan Delegates and taking a look at 2025 and looking to the future.

2026 Vestry & Diocesan Delegates

Every year the Vestry elects new members for a three-year term. Another opportunity to serve is to represent St. Michael’s at the Diocesan convention. 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 below link to fill out an application or contact the Church Office (916) 488-3550 for a hard copy. All nominations must be submitted by Friday, January 9th.

STEWARDSHIP

Pledge cards are still being accepted for the 2026 Pledge Year. The vestry appreciates your continued support as they plan the church budget for next year. Pledge cards may be placed in the offering plate, mailed or You may set up your donation online.

Saturday December 13 - Winterdance (More Info & Tickets) 7pm

Sunday December 14 - A Service of Lessons & Carols 5pm

Join us for a coffee & cookie reception directly following the service in Parish Hall. If you are interested in bringing cookies or simple dessert please let the office know. 

Friday December 19 - Blue Christmas Service 8:30am

Wednesday December 24 – Christmas Eve Services

5pm Family Service with Pageant 

8pm Choral Service with Festival of Christmas Music

Thursday December 25 – Christmas Morning Service 10am

Sunday January 25 - Annual Meeting

Saturday February 28 - Rise Against Hunger



Check out the Website Calendar, Church Bulletin Boards & Narthex for flyers and handouts

Christmas Pageant

As is tradition at St Michaels we will have our Children’s pageant on Christmas Eve at the 5pm Family Service. If you have children interested in participating, please talk to Pastor Katie. This year the play has been written by our own Paula Frink and will be a wonderful addition to our Christmas Eve celebration. Rehearsals will be held immediately following our 10am services on Sunday's December 14 & 21.

Mercy & Social Justice

2025 Parishioner Guided Grants

Congratulations to the nominators and recipients. Through these grants, St. Michael’s shows that we love our neighbors and respect the dignity of every human being. The Grants and our parishioners involvement with these organizations reflects our continued support for mercy and social justice. 

1. Starr King Office Supplies & Student Rewards Nominated by Mary Ellen Ferguson
2. River City Food Bank Nominated by Eileen Thomas                     
3. Arden Arcade Hart Nominated by Julie Linderman
4. International Rescue Committee Nominated by Christina Manning        
5. PANC Exhibitor Nominated by Dancy Dobrenick
6. Parkinson’s Arden Arcade Support Nominated by Kay Griffin and Marcie Larkey
7. Sacramento Tree Foundation Nominated by Dancy Dobrenick
8. Kairos Prison Ministry Int'l Nominated by John Quene
9. Effie Yeaw Nature Center - ARNHA Nominated by Susan Davis

Gifts from the Heart

Thank you to all who participated. Because of your continued generosity, we provided gifts for 120 children and adults in need. Everything from toiletries, home essentials, clothing, gift cards, bikes, to drones and so much more were donated.

Special thanks to the Bugatto Family and team who once again provided curated, personalized stockings for each recipient.

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

Welcome Table ~ Sunday December 14th during coffee hour. Please stop by to enjoy a cup of tea and a cookie. We can answer questions or connect you to staff and clergy for additional support. Learn more about our various ministries and how you can become involved.

WHAT’S IN A BEGINNING

Advent Reflections with Marilyn McEntyre & Rev. Megan

Sundays at 11:30am ~ Friendship Center 

In this series we continue to reflect on Advent as a time to recognize beginnings: the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth, the Incarnation as beginning of a new age, the beginning of a new liturgical cycle, and the ways we may be invited even now to begin a new thing by the One who makes all things new. This season offers a time to reflect on our own beginnings: how we mark them, how we live in time, what it means to begin again—and again. Please note all are welcome to attend even if you missed prior weeks. Join us!

Living Compass – Living Well in Advent

The Living Compass theme for the Advent season is Practicing Generosity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind. The Living Compass Advent 

booklets will be available, free of cost. Copies are available on the Usher's table in the Narthex.

There are multiple ways you can engage with this material through Living Compass (https://www.livingcompass.org/advent)

• Sign up on the Living Compass’ website to receive a daily email of each reflection.
• Download a free PDF file.
• Purchase an e-book on Amazon for .99 cents.

Dinner & Documentary

Sunday January 4, 2026

Please join us for our next Dinner & Documentary session on Sunday, January 4, 2026. As we resume gathering once a month for a dinner and documentary evening, we’d like to hear from those of you who are interested in coming when you can. Please complete the survey HERE to insure these evenings will serve both your own sense of purpose and the common good.

St. Michael's Continuing Studies & Offerings

• Healing Circle - Second Saturday's, 11am in Friendship Center.
• St. Michael's Reads the Gospels - Tuesdays, 6:30pm on Zoom.
• Thursday Open Bible Study Thursdays at 10am via Zoom.
• Sacred Circle - Last Wednesday of every month 6pm via zoom.
• Centering Prayer - Mondays in Friendship Center at 9:00am & Thursdays on Zoom at 7pm



More info on the above offerings found here.

Weekly Services

10am Sunday Morning Worship Eucharist (also Livestreamed)

Nursery available during worship

5pm Sunday Evening Contemplative Prayer Service on Zoom

9am Morning Prayer – Zoom Monday through Thursday

8:30am Friday Morning Contemplative Eucharist

A Blue Christmas service

Friday, December 19 at 8:30am

Sometimes called a Longest Night service— will be conducted on Friday, December 19th, at 8:30 a.m. It is a gentle, contemplative worship service designed for people who find the holiday season difficult as well as for those attending to provide support for others. While December culture often emphasizes cheer, many carry grief, loneliness, stress, depression, or painful memories. A Blue Christmas service creates space for honesty, quiet, lament, and hope. There will be special prayers, Eucharist, and candle lighting. Please invite friends or relatives who may be in need of comfort during this season.

Christmas Music & Flowers

Give in Thanksgiving & in Memory

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

Please fill out our online form or you can email the office for what you are grateful for and/or for whom. Please add "Christmas Flowers & Music" to the memo line of checks and mail or drop them off to the office. You can also pay online using the drop down menu by selecting Flowers & Music in Thanksgiving and Remembering.

Please submit your messages for the bulletins by Friday, December 19th to be published in the Christmas bulletins.

Choral Masterworks by John Cozza

Traditional and Popular Hymns for Advent   

Many thanks to our choir friend David Daigh for passing this on--something to get us in the Advent Spirit and with which we can all sing along!

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.

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.

Name Tags

Name tags are available at Sunday morning check in's on the greeter cart. 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 10:00am - 1:00pm

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. Megan will be available on request. Please email revmegan@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 revdrferrito@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.