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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
Michael Higgins, Co-Warden
Cate Williams, Co-Warden
Peter Becker, Treasurer
Judy Tracy, Clerk of the Vestry
Members: John Amrein, Peter Carroll, Michael Choquette, Mark Cornelissen, Jerry Kolarczyk, Marge Smith, Janet Stiff, and Alison Wild
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Monthly Events
The next CRYSTAL LAKE FOOD PANTRY volunteer opportunity is Monday, January 16. Contact Chris Bednaroski if you can help. Shift times are 9:30-Noon, and Noon-2:30.
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 next service will be held at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St., on Tuesday, December 20, at 7:00 pm.
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We Pray For
Glenice, Jo, Raven, Bill, Diana, Evelyn, Jerry, Daphne, Dn. Barb, Karen,
Jim,
Chris,
Sue, Thelma,
Ann,
Galen,
Betsy,
Meg, Bob,
Pat,
Harry & Marion, Don, Brian, Gene,
Kathy, Kelly,
Olan,
Diane,
Vicki,
Sarah,
Carol,
Glenn,
Tom, Kathy, Betty, Judie, Josh, Jessica, Wendy
Those Who Have Died
Chuck
, friend of Jerry Kolarczyk
Those Serving in the
Armed Forces
Jeremy, Zack, Ryan, Terry, Scott,
Dan, Corey, Nicholas, Tyler, Ross
Birthdays
12.15 Matthew Vearil
12.18 Leah Spychala
Galen Vargason
Sydney Derbas
Dustin Lake
Samantha Wild
12.19 Jackie Wayne
Jordan Michelin
12.21 Nathan Choquette
Anniversary
12.21 John & Lois Kemp
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From the Rector
Dear Parishioners and Friends at St. Mary's,
During the season of Advent we are called to open our hearts, minds, doors, and our lives to welcome the Christ. This Advent the Community Meal Committee and the Vestry have been working hard to prepare for our new meal program, which will officially kick off with our fundraising dinner on Saturday January 21
st
, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 per person, or $60.00 for a family. All proceeds will go directly to our meal program. If you wish to attend but find the cost prohibitive please contact me for assistance. We want everyone who wishes to attend to be able to do so. Tickets will go on sale this Sunday. This dinner is a celebration of our new ministry which will equip us with a way of being a visible welcoming sign of Christ to friends and strangers alike. The community meal will be held regularly on the third Saturday of each month from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Please join us for food and conversation. Volunteers are always welcome and needed so please let us know if you would like to help out. We are one of about 15 churches in the western suburbs participating in this type of hospitality and we have received advice, support and help from many other gracious congregations who we have been in contact with over the past year.
I am happy to report that we have received our Department of Public Health permit to run the meal program and our kitchen is almost ready for operation. We have received our new freezer and refrigerator and soon we will have our new stainless steel prep tables in place.
I would like to thank our Community Meal Committee for their hard work, as well as the vestry who have been so helpful in making all of this possible. Our committee consists of Tom and Amy Koegel, Mike Choquette, Bruce Cole, Mike and Tracy Higgins and Cate Williams. I would be very remiss if I did not thank Dick Hattan for introducing us to the idea of doing a community meal last year and for urging us to consider this type of outreach. Many more of you have already signed up to help and I am so grateful. This is a great opportunity for us to get together as a community of faith as well as to welcome many beyond our doors. Stay tuned for more information. I give thanks for this opportunity for us to capitalize on our strengths of hospitality and food preparation and to be a visible sign of Christ to all.
See you on Sunday for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Fran +
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Graduate News
Taylor Dlesk
, daughter of Doug & Carol Dlesk, will graduate this Saturday, December 17th, from The University of Iowa with a BS Degree in Human Physiology and a minor in Human Relations. While attending The University of Iowa she was an active member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, held a position as a PT aide at Mercy Hospital, and has been on the Dean's list, junior and senior year. She has been applying to graduate schools for the fall semester, and plans to get her doctorate in Physical Therapy.
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Christmas Flowers
Last chance to sign up for Christmas flowers! If you would like to donate poinsettias for the sanctuary ($15), please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex, noting the intention of your gift (in thanksgiving for..., or in memory of...). Donation envelopes are located below the sign up sheet. Thank you!
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Christmas / Epiphany Services
Saturday, December 24
5:00 p.m. Family Service w/hymns
10:00 p.m. Candlelight Service of Carols, followed by the traditional festive Choral Christmas Eucharist.
Sunday, December 25
9:00 a.m. Christmas Eucharist, w/hymns
Sunday, January 1, Feast of the Holy Name:
9:00 a.m Choral Eucharist (Note: Only ONE service this day)
Sunday, January 8
Feast of the Epiphany (transferred)
8:00 a.m. Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Choral Eucharist with Children's Epiphany Procession
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Saturday, December 24:
10:00 p.m. 2 Ushers needed
Sunday, January 1:
9:00 a.m. 2 Ushers needed
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Holiday Schedule Updates
Office Hours
: The parish offices will be closed Monday, December 26. 
Men's/Women's Bible Study
: Will NOT meet on December 24 or 31.
Sanctuary Choir
: Will NOT rehearse on December 28.
Chair Yoga
: Will NOT meet on December 26, 28,
or January 2.
Children's Worship / Sunday School:
Will
be held this Sunday,
December 18
, but NOT December 25 or January 1.
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Pledge Card Reminder
If you have not yet returned your pledge card, please do so as soon as possible, so the finance committee can begin work on the 2017 budget. If you did not receive a card, there are extras located on a Narthex table. Cards may be mailed to or dropped off at the office, or put in the collection plate on Sunday.
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