Advent Week 3:  
The Gospel of Luke
from our Advent Book Study Awaiting the Already

In the four Gospels, there are four different expressions of anticipation for the coming of Jesus. As Magrey R. deVega states, "Mark wrote with urgency and a sparse narrative style, and Matthew wrote with an ominous tone. John wrote with poetic flourish. But Luke wrote with a song in his head."  Mary must have been belting out a pretty tune as she traveled to visit her cousin Elizabeth. As they meet, they broke into a duet.  Let us bear witness to the coming birth of our Christ and join in the song of the angels.
Advent Book Study 2016
Awaiting the Already:Journey through the Gospels

Study Sessions:  
Mondays at 10 a.m.with the Rev. Jane Hague
Mondays at 6:45 p.m. with Valery Weekley
Sundays at 10:20 a.m. with the Rev. Peter Mayer

We'll journey through each of the the Gospel narratives, showing us what parts of the Christmas story come from which Gospel, to help us recognize that each Gospel writer invites us to encounter a fresh experience of the birth of Christ. The first week we have explored Mark. This Sunday is the Gospel of Matthew. (See Jane's message above.)

Books can still be purchased on Sunday mornings during coffee hour, in the church office, and  online here.
Warm Tree for Donations
In the church narthex this season
Deadline for donations is Dec. 18

On Sunday as you enter the church you will notice a Christmas tree in the front narthex. This tree will have new ornaments our youth group created on Monday evening with a list of winter items (hats, gloves, blankets) needed by a group of students at our local Severn River Middle School. Volunteers are needed to take an ornament, purchase the items listed on it, and leave them grouped together in a bag with the ornament included either under the tree or in a designated box in the parish hall.
A Blue Christmas
Wednesday, Dec. 14 - 3 p.m.
Tea reception follows

Blue? Yes, blue as in the blues. As in "I am feeling blue." Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other disease that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregation and community. We are providing a sacred space for people living through dark times. Please join us and invite someone in your life who is "blue" this season.
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A Quiet Christmas
Wednesday, Dec. 21 - 7 p.m.

A meditative, reflective service for those needing a quiet setting away from the hectic schedule of this season to celebrate Christ's birth.
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Remembering a Loved One with Christmas Decorations 

Wish to honor or remember a loved one this Christmas? Email your name, the person's name, and whether you are honoring or remembering them to Laura Tayman at [email protected]. Poinsettias are $25 and wreaths are $45.  You can purchase online here or write a check out to "St. Margaret's Church" with "Christmas Flowers" in the memo line and drop by the church office or put in the collection plate on Sunday.  Orders are due by Dec. 18th.
Christmas Meal Baskets

Parishioners are asked to provide a Christmas dinner for local needy families this season. The Missions Commission will provide the hams; volunteers are needed to provide the fixings for the rest of the meal and deliver it to the recipient a few days BEFORE Christmas Day. No cooking involved. Hams -or turkeys for any who abstain from pork - will be available at the church on Sunday, Dec. 18, or by separate arrangement. You will receive the name of your recipient and complete delivery instructions from coordinator Barbara Marder. If you can help, please contact her at 410-518-9978 or [email protected]. 
Annual Christmas Caroling
Sunday, Dec. 18 after Sunday School

All are welcome to join us as we head outside the church walls to bring holiday joy to those parishioners that are homebound.  We are looking to sing and visit for about 90 minutes, at which point we will return to the church for a pre-Christmas party for youth (middle and high school students). Please let Jenelle or Jeff know if you would like to participate and if you can drive. 
Children's Epiphany Pageant
Sunday, Jan. 8, 10:20 am--Performance
Saturday, Jan. 7, 9 am--Costumed Rehearsal

Parent help is needed with costumes and with pageant preparation and performance. If you plan to help, please let Jenelle know.
Bible Women Study-Advent

This week, we skip ahead to cover Elizabeth and Mary. Our Thursday morning classes continue at 9:15 a.m., our next monthly session will be on Dec. 18 at 10:15 a.m. in the conference room, and this week's video is posted below. It's never too late to join us!  Click here for more info.


Elizabeth
Elizabeth
REMINDER -- We will again need Christmas greens (pine, holly, magnolia leaves, etc.) for decorating the sanctuary and parish hall for Christmas. Please plan to leave your clipping donations on the steps by the annex building doors by Dec. 23rd.
Christmas/New Year's at St. Margaret's

  Christmas Eve

4 p.m. service in Sanctuary & Parish Hall (Childcare provided)
Children's Prelude -- Contact James Fitzpatrick ([email protected]) 
if a child wishes to perform

7:30 & 10:30 p.m. -- Choral Prelude & Service
(Childcare provided at 7:30 p.m.)

Christmas Day

10 a.m.

New Year's Day

7:30, 9:00, 11:15 a.m.
Breakfast Potluck at 10:15 a.m. -- Bring a breakfast casserole to share!

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Church Calendar
         Remembrance - Reflection - Celebration 
325 Days to 325 Years
Starting Tomorrow Dec. 1 
*A short daily posting about the history of St. Margaret's
starting 325 days until the church's 325th anniversary*
Posted on our Facebook Public Page 

Not a Facebook regular? Want to receive it by email?
Email [email protected] to get on a special email list!
 Important Notes about End-of-Year Giving

*Stock or bond giving for 2016 is now closed. All gifts received will now go towards 2017.

*Please alert Elizabeth Radley ( [email protected]) if you plan to gift any stock to the church ahead of time. We need to have your name and the name of the stock that is gifted ahead of time.

*Automatic drafts from your bank need to be scheduled by you no later than Monday, Dec. 19 if you want it credited to 2016. (It can take 6 to 7 business days to process and be mailed to our office.)

*All checks must be in the church office by 2 p.m. on Dec. 28 to be credited for the 2016 fiscal year. Any financial donations of any kind that are received after that time will have to be credited to fiscal year 2017.
St. Margaret's Church | 410-974-0200 | i [email protected] | www.st-margarets.org