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Dragon Tales E-News October 11, 2017
www.st-margarets.org 410-974-0200
The Rev. Peter W. Mayer, Rector info@st-margarets.org
Sunday Worship at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:15 a.m.
Deadline for Dragon Tales submissions: Monday mornings
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The funeral service for Elsie Beardmore has been scheduled for
Monday, October 23 at 11 a.m. with a reception in the parish hall following.
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Chronicles (3 Kings) 29:13-14 And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious Name. "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You."
St. Margaret's is a healthy and blessed church. We have a beautiful, welcoming campus. We work hard, we have nice things, our kids play sports, we support community charities. We have a lot of reasons to pat ourselves on the back. We are celebrating our 325th anniversary this year so we must be doing something right! When things are going well there's a tendency for us to just think, "You know, I'm doing pretty good here " and we become focused on our self-reliance. We trust in God's instruments of provision rather than in God himself. We trust the job instead of acknowledging that God is the provider of the job. We trust our health instead of acknowledging that God is the provider of our health.
The extent to which we genuinely thank God for the blessings provided is an indicator of our trust. We are instructed to bring God the first fruits of our labor. That's giving to God first and giving to God what is best. What would it look like if we put church at the top of our budget planning? What if we ask ourselves the question, "Do I really trust God to provide for me?" We don't give to get; however, the scriptures teach us that if we give our tithes and offerings it will be given to us pressed down, shaken together, and running over. This happens because we are giving in obedience to God.
Stewardship is a way of life. It is the recognition that God has given us all that we have --even our lives. Nothing belongs to us. It all belongs to Him. We are entrusted with the care of those things God has given us. As stewards, we simply give them back to God, the proper owner.
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As we prepare to celebrate history of St. Margaret's during the upcoming 325th anniversary celebration, it is exciting for the Stewardship Committee to announce some history of our own.
From October 8th until October 19th, those who make a first-time pledge, renew their pledge after a two-year or more abstention, or increase last year's pledge, the pledge will be matched up to $26,800 total!
This is our largest Stewardship matching program, and we are grateful for the generosity of matching donors. With matching, we are optimistic to reach our Stewardship Campaign goal of $890,000. As of last week, we had a pledge total of $539,265 from 115 members. The matching program will make a significant impact toward our goal, and allow us to continue our legacy of being "the church that gives."
So why pledge to St. Margaret's? Stewardship supports our current programs, ministries, missions and campus upkeep while also providing support for future growth at St. Margaret's. Future campus, programming and staffing needs are all supported by our Stewardship efforts. Our growth in programs and activities has outpaced our giving, so pledging during Stewardship is important. In short, Stewardship allows St. Margaret's to be St. Margaret's.
Pledge cards are available at the church office and in the pews. We encourage you to give a gift that is meaningful and reflective of God's blessings in your life.
We ask that you pledge by October 27, 2017 to provide adequate time for 2018 budget considerations.
If we can be of any assistance, or if you would like to discuss estate giving and/or gifting of stock, please contact Stewardship co-chairs Doug Seybert (doug_seybert@yahoo.com; 703.599.8746) or Brad Callahan (brad@metacoastal.com; 443.326.3333).
Thank you for your support of St. Margaret's Church.
~The Stewardship Team
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Newcomers Dinner Coming Up on 10/15
All newcomers to St. Margaret's are invited to a dinner in their honor
THIS Sunday, Oct. 15, 5 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The event, sponsored by the Newcomers Committee, allows those new to the parish to hear from church leaders on the programs and activities offered at SMC.Children are welcome.
Please RSVP to Jane Piche at star2d2@aol.com as soon as you know you will be coming so they can plan adequately.
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Mark your calendar!
Anniversary Weekend on Oct. 20-22
A Vespers Service of Remembrance
Musical artists Carolyn Surrick, viola da gamba
and Ginger Hildebrand, violin
Saturday, Oct. 21, 5:30 p.m.
A Virtual History Tour of St. Margaret's and the Broadneck Peninsula
Saturday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.
Reflections on the Parish in a coffeehouse setting
with music featuring Third Sunday Band
Sunday, Oct. 22, Sunday Morning Services
Featuring music with Benjamin Taylor, Baritone,
currently with the Pittsburgh Opera.
Festive reception at 10:20 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 22, Choral Evensong, 5 p.m.
Led by former rector the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool
Assistant Bishop of New York
and
musical artist Fatma Daglar, principal oboe with the Annapolis Symphony
and SMC choirs performing Vivaldi's Gloria with chamber orchestra
followed by a reception
If you can bring finger foods for either reception, please email
Child care provided for all services and events.
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Activities resume next Mon. 10/16
Spirit Singers - 5:00 p.m. - in the Choir Room
St. Margaret's Chorale - 5 p.m. - Choir Room
Children's Activities - 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - in the Parish Hall
Acolyte Practice - 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. - in the Sanctuary
Youth Group - 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. - in Youth Room -
Youth in middle and high school
Adult Formation Class - 6:45 p.m. - Formation Building - Led by Ernie Tucker with a focus on the Reformation after Martin Luther
Motet Ensemble Rehearsal - 6:45 p.m. - in the Choir Room
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9:00 & 11:15 a.m.
Featuring members of the
Peabody Ragtime Ensemble
Necrology Names of Those Born and Died This Year--
We are now collecting names of
those who were born and those who have died this year for our All Saints Mass Sunday bulletin on Nov. 5.
If you have a name you wish to place on the list, please email it to info@st-margarets.org or leave it in the church office by October 30th.
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Thursday Morning Bible Study
Our Thursday morning bible study continues from 9:15-10:30 a.m. in Formation Classroom E. Childcare is available in the church nursery. All are welcome! This year's study will center on Forward Movement's publication "The Path" - the story of the Bible, excerpted from the New Revised Standard Version so that it is clear and easy to read. Participants will follow the path of God's love all the way from the beginning to the end, from Adam's creation to John's revelation.
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Grants Applications Available
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Open House on October 12, 9:15 to 11:15 a.m.
Vestry/SMDS Board Visitation Day on Oct. 13, 9:15 to 11:15 a.m.
St. Margaret's Day School Fundraiser - October 19
Spizzico/Froyo at Bay Hills
Food Drive for the Light House Shelter
Week of Oct. 23
Place donations in the
Formation Building Lobby in designated box
Registration for Kindergarten of 2018-19
begins the week of Oct. 16
www.stmargaretsdayschool.org
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Nov. 1 - St. Margaret's Guild Meeting - Fellowship Hall
Lunch at Noon, Christmas card making follows
Nov. 4 - Prayer Shawl Ministry
Admin Building - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Nov. 7 - Senior Session - Formation Classroom E
10 a.m. - with clergy and seniors 65 and over
Nov. 12 - Blue Jean Sunday Fall Campus Cleanup
after the 9 a.m. service
Nov. 18 - Holiday Bazaar & White Elephant Sale
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to load up donations for the sale
on Friday, Nov. 17 in the afternoon - please contact
the church office if you can help out
Nov. 19 - Homelessness Forum - Fellowship Hall
during coffee hour
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Parishioner Ann Lallande is missing from vases from the recent Missions Fair. If you happened to pick one up, please let her know at
a.l.lallande@gmail.com.
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Church Circle Singers in Concert @ St. Margaret's
November 17 @ 7 p.m.
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