The Feast of Martin Luther King, Jr.


January 18th, 2026 

10am Service



The Rev. Megan Anderson Gartin Presiding

The Rev. Rodney Davis Preaching

The Rev. Katie Holeman Deacon &

Children's Homilist

The Rev. Mike Ferrito Assisting




5pm Contemplative Prayer Service

Sermon - The Feast of the Epiphany, January 4, 2026

Sermon - The First Sunday of the Epiphany

The Baptism of Jesus

January 11th, 2026

The Rev. Megan Anderson Gartin Preaching

Annual Meeting & Potluck!

Sunday January 25, 2026


St. Michael's annual meeting will be immediately following the 10am service with a potluck brunch. Bagels and schmear will be provided. If you want to bring a dish, please advise the office. During the meeting we will be voting for Vestry Members and Diocesan Delegates and taking a look back at 2025 and forward to the future.

STEWARDSHIP & Giving Statements


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.


2025 Giving Statements were mailed out this week, please contact Kate in the office if you have questions.

Office Announcements

Office Closed - Monday, January 19th 


The office will be closed on Monday January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend!

Update on Sr. Tina 


Sister Tina had a wonderful visit with her family in San Diego over Thanksgiving week.  She wondered if she was up to the trip initially, but it ended up being a meaningful and heartwarming time together. 


She underwent another round of chemotherapy in early December, which brought on nausea, and other difficult symptoms, especially overwhelming fatigue.

 

She stayed at the Phinney’s home while they were in Hawaii in December, and with the assistance of a number of St. Michael’s friends, took care of their adorable dog, Moxie. She celebrated Christmas with Paul Phinney in their home and returned to her apartment the day after Christmas.


December was a very difficult month for Sister Tina.  She is unable to eat a normal diet and has lost significant weight.  She lost feeling in her feet and lower legs, likely as a result of chemotherapy.  She has overwhelming fatigue and weakness. 


She met with her oncologist on December 30 and discerned that she is not willing or able to continue with chemotherapy.  She made the decision to go into Hospice and will meet with Hospice providers Saturday, January 3.


Sister Tina is sad about where she finds herself at this time but also knows that due to her outstanding medical care and support, that she has had over two years of life after her Stage 4 diagnosis in November of 2023.


Sister Tina deeply appreciates your care and support. Friends, family and clergy have been a tremendous source of strength and comfort. She finds it is too much to have personal visits, but she welcomes your prayers and cards or letters at this time.  She feels your love.


Peace and Love,

Sister Tina Francesca

Written on her behalf by Lisa Sargent  

Scam Alert - PDF Directory Requests


We are continuing to have scam emails circulate. Some of the newest are requests for a PDF copy of the directory and they have gotten more sophisticated including people first and last names in the phoney email addresses. If you ever receive an inquiry like this please be sure to verify the request with a phone call and as always, clergy and staff will never email asking for discreet favors. Thank you.

St. Michael's Learn & Connect

SAVE THE DATE - Sunday February 8 - Coffee Hour


As you are all aware Rev. Megan's due date is quickly approaching and we would like to hold a little celebration in honor of the Gartin family's newest arrival! We will be hosting a baby shower at Coffee Hour on Sunday February 8 immediately following the service. More Details to follow in next week's Messenger.

Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop

Saturday, January 31

9am – 12:30pm in the Friendship Center


Are you looking for a way to explore or deepen your relationship with God?


In our introductory workshop to Centering Prayer, you will learn about a monastic way of praying distilled from the 14th century classic book - The Cloud of Unknowing. Centering Prayer consists of simply sitting in silence with God—beyond thoughts, words, and emotions—and opening our mind, heart and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery.


The basics of centering prayer will be taught along with actual practice of the prayer in community. In this guided workshop, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and share experiences with the presenter and fellow participants.

All are welcome.


Please RSVP by emailing centercossa@gmail.com


$30 donation - Payment instructions will be emailed after registration.

Dinner & Documentary

FAKE Searching for truth in the age of misinformation

Sunday February 1, 2026

 

Please join us for our next Dinner & Documentary session on Sunday, February 1, 2026, where we will view FAKE. This PBS documentary focuses on how the average person can decipher fact from fiction in the current times where the sheer volume of news available can be overwhelming. This series draws from common sense, critical thinking skills, and universal standards of journalism to give viewers the tools to discern fact from fiction in news reports, identify fake news, and evaluate the biases of real news.

 

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. Our next scheduled Dinner & Documentary date will be March 1 focusing on two short documentaries about immigration, deportation and sanctuary.

St Michael's Reads the Acts and The Epistles of the Apostles

Led by Meghan Humlie, Dawn and Tyson Wright

Tuesdays at 6:30pm on Zoom

 

Come along with the Apostles and the early church as they learn and grow and follow in the Way of Jesus and spread God’s Kingdom. Our new reading plan started January 1st and runs through February. You can pick up printed copies of the reading plan on the usher's desk by the doors of the sanctuary,in the church office or use this link for a pdf.

 

This reading plan is designed to be done on your own, but it can also be fun to discuss what you are reading with a group. Everyone is welcome to join our zoom discussion group on Tuesdays from 6:30-8 pm, The link is on the church website, or you can email the church office.

St. Michael's Continuing Studies & Offerings




More info on the above offerings found here.

Upcoming Social Article Additions


In the coming weeks we will be incorporating brief social article additions as space allows for subjects such as:


Recipe Corner

Do you love Aunt Rita's tater tot casserole? What budget crock pot dish is your go-to? Share with us.


What Are You Reading?

What's on your nightstand? Do you have a favorite devotional you want to share?


We invite you to share short article segments with the office and we will include as space allows in upcoming messengers. It is advised that the main subject of the article be kept to approximately 200 words or less.

St. Michael's Serves in the Community

Volunteers Needed

Winter Respite

Mondays, January 26th & February 9th

Carmichael Presbyterian

5645 Marconi Ave, Carmichael

 

Join us as St. Michael's once again works 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 30 guests each day. St Michaels is responsible for Monday's, January 26 and February 9. We will also be collecting gently used coats, sweaters, boots all in adult sizes, clean sleeping bags or blankets and new underwear and socks.


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.

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, January 31
  • Friday & Saturday February 6 & 7

There are sign-up sheets located on the board in Johnstone Hall. St. Michael’s needs 30 volunteers to fulfill our sponsorship. Volunteers can signup for one or more of the three Build for Unity dates. 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.

Saturday February 28

Parish & Johnstone Halls


Come pack meal bags that reach hungry people throughout the world. It is a very fun event and a great opportunity to gather as community to do something for those in need. Last year we packed over 10,000 meals that went to support those in need in Philippines. Come be a part of this super fun event!

 

Please sign up on their website. If you have questions or need help please contact the office. If you are willing to help with set up or clean up please let us know!

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

St. Michael's Worship & Music

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

Piano Meditation by John Cozza

   

Scriabin-Prelude in c# minor for Left Hand Alone, Op. 9/i   

 

January 6 is the birthday of Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915), a classmate at the Moscow Conservatory and contemporary of Sergei Rachmaninov, and a virtuoso composer/pianist in his own right. When an injury to his right hand forced him to give that hand some rest, he composed several works for the left hand alone, including this haunting, Chopin-inspired Prelude.

On-Going Announcements

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.


Giving Thanks with Flowers!


You can 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


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.

St. Michael's Episcopal Church
2140 Mission Avenue, Carmichael CA 95608
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