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Worship Times
Sundays, 8 & 10 am
Nursery available at 9:45
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Coffee Hour fellowship follows both services;
join us for treats, and conversation
 Children's Worship meets every Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
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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
(term expires)
Marge Smith, Warden
(1/19)
Cate Williams, Warden
(1/18)
Peter Becker, Treasurer
Judy Tracy, Clerk of the Vestry
Members:
(1/18) Michael Choquette, Mark Cornelissen, Dan McLauglin
(1/19) John Amrein, Peter Carroll, Jerry Kolarczyk
(1/20) Tracy Higgins, Judy Thornton, Sally Van Vranken
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Monthly Events
The next CRYSTAL LAKE FOOD PANTRY volunteer opportunity is in January. Date will be announced soon. Contact Chris Bednaroski if you can help. Shift times are 9:30-Noon, and Noon-2:30.
A LABYRINTH WALK is normally held on the second Saturday of every month, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon, in the Great Hall. All are welcome.
The next scheduled walk is
Saturday, January 13.
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 services are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St. The next service will be held Tuesday, December 26.
A FREE COMMUNITY MEAL
is offered at St. Mary's on the third Saturday of every month. The meal is served from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and ALL are welcome. There is no RSVP required. Free will donations will be accepted. Please watch the newsletter and website for the menu, which will be published a week or two before the event. The next Community Meal is this Saturday, December 16.
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We Pray For
Parishioners
: Susan, John, Dn. Barb, Jim, Pat, John, Bob, Heather, Charity, Sharon, Cameron & Linda, the Wayne family, Matthew, John, Karen, Ann, Galen & Betsy, Bob, Harry & Marion
Family/Friends
: Billy, Kay, Mike, Gary, Cheri,
Kevin, Kelly, David, Johnny, Bob, Susie, Nanci, Carole, Donna, Sue, Mary, Diana, Kelly Marie, Lori, Kurt, Gail, Regina, Katie, Darcy, Irene, Julie, Betty, Barb, Raven, Sue, Susan, Nancy, Maggie, Nicci,
Brian,
Sarah,
Judie
Those Who Have Died and Those Who Mourn Them
Peter, brother of Sara Amrein; Diane, cousin of Mike DeThorne
Those Serving in the
Armed Forces
Jeremy, Ryan, Terry,
Dan, Corey
12.18 Leah Spychala
Galen Vargason
Sydney Derbas
Dustin Lake
Samantha Wild
12.19 Jimmy Karnick
Jackie Wayne
If you would like your name added to the birthday / anniversary list, please contact Amy in the Parish Office.
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From the Rector
Dear Friends & Parishioners of St. Mary's,
During this Advent season as we prepare for the birth of Christ, I invite you to ask yourself, what are you are expecting? Sometimes we miss the presence of God in our lives because we are not expecting God to show up, we are not seeking anything new or different, we have convinced ourselves that nothing new can happen. Yet, we are reminded by Paul in his letter to Corinthians, that the presence of Christ changes everything. "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold the new has come." (2 Cor. 5:17). During the season of Advent we are not preparing for an observance, we are preparing for an experience, the experience of God making all things new. May you experience God in your life this Advent and Christmas. May you keep an open mind and an open heart to the new life that Christ longs to give us.
Please join us this Saturday evening for our monthly community meal from 5:00-7:00 p.m. This is a great way to gather with friends and to meet new people. All are welcome.
See you all this Sunday,
Fran+
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Last Chance for Christmas Flowers and Greens
If you are interested in donating poinsettias or greens for Christmas, in honor or in memory of someone, please sign up on the flower chart in the Narthex. ($15). There are donation envelopes available near the chart. They may be dropped in the collection plate, or brought/mailed to the church office. Thank you!
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Spiritwear Reminder
If you ordered items from the recent St. Mary's Spiritwear Sale, please remember the items will be
available for pickup this Sunday, December 17, in the Great Hall. Payment may be made in cash, or checks made out to St. Mary's. If you have any questions, please contact
Tracy Higgins.
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If you have not yet turned in your pledge card for next year, please drop it off, or mail it in at your earliest convenience. If you did not receive a pledge card, there are extras on the table in the Narthex. Cards may be mailed to or dropped off at the office, or put into the collection plate on Sunday mornings. Thank you to those who have made a pledge for 2018.
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Whenever you did one of these things for someone overlooked or ignored,
you did it for me.
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PADS Dinner This Sunday
St. Mary's is once again supporting the PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) program by providing a meal this Sunday, December 17, at Bethany Lutheran. Thank you to Mary Frake who is coordinating the PADS Ministry for St. Mary's. Thank you to all the volunteers that support this ministry!
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Thank You For Your Generosity!!!
 Thank you to everyone who purchased gifts and/or gift cards for families in need through the ReVive Family Christmas Basket Program. The families and individuals who received the gifts have written thank you notes to show their deep appreciation for your generosity. These cards are on the bulletin board in the Great Hall.
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CHRISTMAS USHERS NEEDED
We are still in need of ushers for the following Christmas services.
This is especially important during the holidays, as we will likely have visitors with us. If you can help, please contact Amy in the office. Thank you!!
2 Ushers:
10:00 pm
Christmas Eve
1 Usher:
9:00 am
Christmas Day
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Presiding Bishop's
Christmas Message
There is a Christmas message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry now available on the national church website. Please click here to view the video.
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Remaining Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Services
3rd Sunday of Advent - Dec. 17
8:00 a.m. service
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hymns with organ
10:00 a.m.
service - guitar and key board
4th Sunday of Advent - Dec. 24
8:00 a.m.
Eucharist - no music
(Please note this is the only service for Advent 4; there is no 10:00 a.m. service)
Christmas Eve - Dec. 24
5:00 p.m.
Children's Candlelight Communion Service with a special visitor, building the crèche, and carols. For the young and the young at heart.
10:00 p.m.
Christmas Carols led by the Choir followed by a Choral Eucharist.
Christmas Day - Dec. 25
9:00 a.m.
Christmas Day Eucharist with Carols
Sunday after Christmas - Dec. 31
8:00 a.m.
Eucharist
10:00 a.m.
Eucharist with carols
Feast of the Epiphany - Sun. Jan. 7
8:00 a.m.
Eucharist
10:00 a.m.
Eucharist with Choir, with Children's Epiphany Procession
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