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Welcome!
Radically Open to God
The SMC Mission is to
Love God, Love Others, and
Serve
the World.
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Join Us for Worship
SUNDAY
8 am
Holy Eucharist
10:15 am
Choral Eucharist
6 pm
Contemporary Eucharist
Healing Service
7 am
Holy Eucharist
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Your Vestry Members
Treasurer
Craig Maughan
Secretary
Todd Pittenger
Andrew Cole
Kathy Cox
Betsy Culpepper
Stephanie Higgins
Edye McNickle
Mike Robertson
Jan Tillman
Meggen Wilson
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Contact Us
Associate Minister
of Pastoral Care
Ashleigh Gonzalez
Submissions for the E-Messenger should be emailed to the Church Administrator by Tuesday at 5 pm for that week's edition. The E-Messenger is distributed every Thursday.
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Reflections from Fr. Rick
Daily Returning to God
Like any relationship, in order to thrive, we need to spend quality time with the person. As we spend time in conversation, sharing our stories over a meal or on a long walk, or simply being together reading a book, our relationship strengthens and grows.
It is true as well for our relationship with God. The 40 days of Lent are an opportunity for us to set apart space and time to improve our conscious contact with God, to return to God with all our heart.
For me, reading scripture daily is very important to strengthening my relationship with God. For example, during Lent I will read the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel according to Matthew chapters 5-7 each day. It seems to be just enough that I can read, contemplate and pray in a few minutes. As the days pass, I begin to see how the story of my life intersects with the story of Christ. You can try it or commit to reading four Psalms each day thereby completing the book in 40 days.
If you are looking for some help, there are numerous resources online that allow you to receive a daily email (or visit their site) devotion along with scripture. Here are a few that you can click on the link to check out:
THE SOCIETY OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST
SSJE is an Anglican monastic community in New York and the brothers have developed a lovely Lenten devotional entitled 5 MARKS OF LOVE. It's definitely worth checking out.
Each day the monks provide a scripture, reflection and questions to lead you through Lent. I think it's exceptional.
Lent is a time to turn our hearts toward God as we prepare for Easter. I pray that you will implement some of these daily practices and discover an ever deepened relationship with God.
In Christ's amazing love,
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we welcome and accept you, and we trust God to take you where God wants you in God's timing. We want to be a safe place for you to experience God's grace, love, and presence with us. Welcome home, Beloved.
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Mite Boxes and Lent Coupons 
Meggen Wilson gave the Vestry report on Sunday and introduced a new outreach project with Mite Boxes! Each parishioner was given a box with a pack of coupons with tips on how to live generously and with gratitude throughout Lent. Monies raised in the Mite Boxes will be put toward the EYC youth mission to Jamaica this coming summer. NEED A BOX AND COUPONS? Visit the church office! Mite boxes are due on Easter Sunday.
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Join Us for Lent 2017
Lent Morning Prayer
Monday- Thursday
Beginning Thursday March 2nd
7 AM in the Chapel
Stations of the Cross
Beginning Thursday, March 2nd
6:30 PM
Lent Suppers
Beginning Wednesday, March 8th
Potluck Meal shared beginning at 5:30 PM
Time of teaching and discussion with Fr. Rick at 6:30 PM
"Falling in to Grace"
Note: A program from ages birth through High School will be available on Wednesday evenings
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Acolytes, Parents & St. Michael's Family
On Sunday, March 19
th we will be celebrating the ministry of the Acolytes and commissioning them for their service to the church and world as they assist in leading this community in the worship of the Triune God. This will take place during the 10:15 am service.
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The E-Messenger Turns 1!
This week marks the one year anniversary of the E-Messenger, SMC's weekly newsletter sent to all parishioners via email. Watch for some changes in the coming weeks intended to streamline information and upcoming events. Questions? Comments? Email Holly Hatcher at hhatcher@hatcherins.com. |
A Message from St. Anne's Altar Guild
In
preparing for worship during Lent, we made a decision to replace some of the altar coverings, lectern hangings and vestments used during this solomn season. The paraments (as they are collectively called) that we currently have are very old, heavily stained, a
nd quite frayed. While we are secure in knowing that God's grace
and promise
are not dependent o
n the condition
of our coverings on the
altar, we are
thankful that, as a Church family, we are
able to purchase some replacements that will continue to reflect our gratitude, honor and respect.
We are also grateful that these new paraments provide
an
additional opportunity for you to memorialize one piece or all with an embroidered dedication, on a beautiful set that will have its own sacred history of service at St. Michael's.
If you would like more information
about the items purchased, their cost, and memorial options, please contact Linda Wendell, Altar Guild Directress, at 407-493-4021.
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Vestry Report - Feb. 21
REMINDER: Vestry meetings are open to all St. Michael's members.
Vestry meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month except July in the church conference room. Finance committee meetings begin at 6 pm and the Vestry meets at 7 pm. All are welcome. The next meeting will be March 21st.
This month Fr. Rick discussed his desire to streamline the 10:15 service down to an 1 hour and 15 minutes. He also shared his plans to add a family friendly service beginning September 20. This condensed service will be inbetween the 8:00 and 10:15 services and designed for folks who are "unchurched" and have limited time on Sundays for a full service.
Susie Didea is Senior Warden this year. Roger Trubey will serve as Junior Warden.
Assignments were handed out for Vestry members to focus on Newcomers, Administration, Outreach and Youth and Children.
A new usage policy has been put in place for our kitchen and facilities. We will begin charging a minimum usage fee of $100 for all groups who desire to use Quigley Hall. Scouts and The Gathering are exempt from the fee.
The kitchen cooking use is now restricted to only St. Michaels' events, The Gathering and the Scouts. All other groups must bring in catered food.
The Preschool is in need of a baby nursery. We are working with groups who use our classrooms and store their "seldom used equipment" to create a room for infants and babies. This is also needed on Sundays.
Budget-
Pledged income is up. Expenses by the staff are down this month . But, we are down almost $26,000 on income. We need members to get their pledges caught up quickly.
Outreach- There was an extraordinary response to our Sock drive. We collected over 2,500 pairs of new socks. Clearly, our parish wants to perform more outreach and service. The Vestry is deeply committed to providing more opportunities to serve and give. We plan to expand our outreach to other groups such as the Christian Service Center, Orlando Union Rescue Mission and others.
A Lenten "Coupon" book and mite box event begins this Ash Wednesday. Coupons with a daily offering tip are available in the church office and were available at Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday services. Please return your filled mite boxes Easter Sunday.
Proceeds will go to fund the Youth Summer Mission trip to Jamaica.
Look for a revival of ECW and a men's ministry. We know this is something members are looking forward to seeing revived.
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VBS 2017 Registration Opens
June 19 - 23, 2017
9 am - Noon
The VBS Registration site is up and running!
We are looking for adults and youth to lead our children during VBS. You can also register to volunteer through the link above.
Fees: Preschool - $50 and Elementary School - $25
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Youth News
Hire A Youth -- And Get Your Car Washed!
Car Wash Set For March 5th
OUR FINAL CAR WASH is scheduled for March 5th at the church...let's set a new record for money raised to help with the Jamaican Mission Trip!
For donations, our youth will wash your vehicles, even during worship! We start at 8:45 am and stop when the last car is done! Monies raised will help defray their cost for going on this mission trip, where we'll build/repair homes & churches, visit the Manchester Infirmary, and lead VBS! Tell your friends & neighbors!
The high school students registered for the Jamaican Mission Trip are also available for washing windows, raking leaves, general housework, and other chores in return for donations for the Mission Trip. The cost per student for this amazing opportunity to grow in Christ is $1,500 each. Contact Mike Beam to schedule some helping hands, and help send our kids to Jamaica!
To get more information on our events, check out our Facebook page at either "St. Michael's EYC" or "St. Michael's Young Adults" or on Twitter at @StMichaelsYYA.
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Club 412 had a great time at Pirate's Cove last Sunday!
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, April 9 -- Purple Lemonade Stand after church
Sunday, May 7 -- End of Year party. We are going to Extreme Laser Tag
VBS -- June 19-23. Register using the link in article above!
Visit Us at Sunday in the Park!
March 12th Noon - 5 pm
Come visit us at our booth! We will be at Dartmouth Park promoting our ministry and VBS. Stop by for some popcorn and a chance to win a free week at VBS!
Food Drive Blesses Many
Thank You!
Children's Ministry collected 413 nonperishable food items for the Christian Service Center last month. Here is a picture of Tiffany and St. Michael's Sexton, Eddie, delivering the food.
Lenten Programs and First Communion Instruction begins March 8th.
We are in need of a teacher for Camp R.O.C.K. (1st - 3rd grade)
We need someone to lead Camp R.O.C.K.'s Lenten Program.
This is a fun class to lead, a way to connect with the kids and an easy curriculum to follow. What a great experience it would be to lead our children through the Lenten season! Email
Programs will be offered for ages 3 through adults and our nursery will be open for the babies. Please email Tiffany at tiffany@stmichaelschurch.com if you plan to attend First Communion Instruction
Camp Sonshine - Ages 3-5
Led by Cindy Sills
Veggie Tales - Faith in God
Kids learn from Dave and the Giant Pickle that even little ones can do big things when they have faith in God. With God, all things are possible!
Camp R.O.C.K - 1st - 3 rd grade
Teacher: We need someone to lead this class!
What's In the Bible
Jesus is the Good News! Matthew, Mark, Luke & John take you through the 400 years between the Old and New Testament sharing about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Club 412
Club 412 will join Mike Beam and the youth department in their Lenten Program
First Communion Class (Club 412 room)
1st - 5th grade
Teacher: Tiffany Stieger
Do this in Remembrance of Me:
A Communion Class for Young Children and their parents (parents are required to attend). This program is especially designed to help young children (and their parents) learn more about the important sacrament of Holy Eucharist. We will discuss the basic history of communion, what it symbolizes and why this sacrament is so important.
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Music Notes
Music Dept. Begins New
Outreach Ministry
FEED OUR COLLEGE PARK SCHOOLS
THE MINISTRY OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT:
We primarily serve to INSPIRE and IGNITE THE PASSION of all of us to go forth from worship eager to "Be Christ" to the broken world outside our church doors! Some things we sing or play may also cause someone to look inward, to reflect on their "Walk with Christ" or to give thanks for the presence of Christ in their lives. At the least, as the
Prayer for Church Musicians & Artists notes, we pray that St. Michael's parishioners do catch "glimpses of the glory of God"!
This is all well and good but it is mostly "inward" looking -- even though a possible result noted above is a parishioner inspired to go out into the world ready to serve. Over the past few weeks we have been discussing what "OUT-REACH" we could do, especially after Andrew heard of the number of Edgewater High School students who eat two meals there every day. We have decided to FEED OUR COLLEGE PARK SCHOOLS.
This will be an on-going part of the Music Department. A big red container will remain in the Choir Room. When it is full of non-perishable items our members have donated, we will deliver to one of the College Park Schools that may be somewhat low in their Food Pantry supplies. This picture is the result of one announcement last Wednesday, and the collections received by Sunday. It was delivered to Edgewater High School on Monday, as they are presently low in their supplies.
Soli Deo Gloria -- To God be the Glory!
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PRAYERS
Adam,
Ann R., Anne, Arel, Barbara, Blair, Brent, Britt, Burke, Carolyn, Cathy, Cassie, Darcy, David, Dinorah, Doris, Elbert, Elgin, Ellen, Finn, Fletcher, George, Jackie, Jane, Janice, Jenny, Jimmy, Joan, Joseph, Judy, Kim, Leigh, Mary C., Marci A., Marci B., Mary B., Mary C., Mary, Michael, Miriam, Mrytle, Naomi, Natalie, Norma, Pat, Ron R., Sara Nell, Scott, Sonia, Sue, Sydney, Vic, Walter
BIRTHDAYS
Kim Piercy, Christina Favazza, Scott Shearer, Ella Eagen, Lesa Foster , Courtney Steinhaus, Peter Hackler, Ed Borsoi, Arthur Barksdale IV ,
Tery Davis, Adelaide Harmon,
Hans Kairies, Todd Pittenger, Amanda Ross, Connor Higgins
Bob & Carolyn Gosselin, Jonathan & Kayla Mitchell
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Reminder:
Prayer list names will rotate off after a three month period unless we are made aware that an individual needs to remain on the list.
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