E-Messenger November 16, 2017
Welcome!
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Radically Open to God

The SMC Mission is to 
Love God, Love Others, and  Serve  the World.
Join Us for Worship  
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7:45 am
Holy Eucharist

9-9:30 am
Children's Family Service

10:15 am
Choral Eucharist

6 pm
Contemporary Eucharist


12:15 pm
Healing Service
 

7 am 
Holy Eucharist 

Ministry Links
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Church Events
Your Vestry Members
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Senior Warden
Junior Warden
Treasurer
Craig Maughan
Secretary
Todd Pittenger

Andrew Cole
Kathy Cox
Betsy Culpepper
Stephanie Higgins
Edye McNickle
Mike Robertson
Jan Tillman
Meggen Wilson

Contact Us
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Rector
The Rev. Rick Luoni

Associate Minister
of Pastoral Care
The Rev. Diane Souder 
diane@stmichaelschurch.com

The Rev. Carter A. Smith  

Church Administrator
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.

(407) 843-8448

2499 N. Westmoreland Drive
(Corner of Bryn Mawr)

Your Church Home
 in College Park

 
Reflections From Fr. Rick

I am the church! You are the church!
We are the church together!
All who follow Jesus,
all around the world!
Yes, we're the church together!

If you've been around St. Michael's for more than a week there's a good chance you've heard this hymn. Perhaps you've found yourself singing it on occasions like I did the other morning while fixing myself a cup of coffee.  It's become the closing standard at our new Children's Family Service.  Andrew gathers among the people, we all hold hands, and we sing it as a PROCLAMATION and REMINDER of a deep spiritual truth -- you and I, through our baptism in Jesus Christ, are the CHURCH. As God's chosen people we share in the privilege and responsibility of a purpose that is bigger than any individual -- the Gospel.
 
It takes the church to be the church -- folks who are committed to asking not what the church can do for them, but what they can do for God as the church. It is when we work TOGETHER and are involved in the common mission and vision of serving God's purpose and proclaiming with our words and actions the reconciling love of God in Jesus Christ that we are functioning as God intended.  
 
I'm so excited as I look around St. Michael's, I see more and more people actively involved in being the church! Perhaps this is why God is doing so many amazing things through us: numerous new families are finding a spiritual home at St. Michael's, new outreach ministry to Lake Silver Elementary and Edgewater High, a new youth ministry team has formed, new ushers & greeters, along with spiritual formation and development through our current teaching series The Good and Beautiful God, and all the other vital ministries that make us the church.
 
I pray that God continues to work through us to fulfill his dream for St. Michael's and College Park as we offer God our gifts and remember: "The church is not a building; the church is not a steeple; the church is not a resting place; the church is a people."
 
In Christ's love,
 
 
Thanksgiving Eucharist -- 10 am in Chapel

Join us for a Thanksgiving Eucharist on Thursday, November 23, 
at 10 am in the Chapel.

Parish Office Closed and No Messenger Next Week

Just as a reminder, the Parish office will be closed beginning Wednesday, November 22 at noon and will reopen on Monday, November 27th at 9 am.

There will not be a Messenger newsletter next week.  It will resume on Nov. 30. The deadline for each Thursday's edition is close of business on Tuesday.
 
Help Provide a Happy Thanksgiving for All God's Children!


We are working with a local service provider to provide seven thanksgiving day meals for elderly clients and their families that are food insecure.
The list of desired foods is provided below. If you would be willing to help please email Mike Robertson at Mike@StMichaelschurch.com or call the church office. 

UPDATE:We have had four families step forward so far! Thank You!
                              We only need three more to fill this need.

 
We will continue our "Feed the Lambs" food project on the third Sunday of this month. Our goal over the holiday season is to provide supplemental support to the children who will be missing breakfasts and lunches at school while they are at home on extended breaks. This can stretch an already tight food budget and by stepping in to fill that gap we can eliminate one worry that may make the holidays harder than they need to be.

 
Please join us for November Supper Club on  Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 pm. 

Hosted by  Walter and Laurie Carpenter
922 Valencia Avenue

To  RSVP   email Edye McNickle at Edythe.mcnickle@yahoo.com or
sign up in Quigley Hall before Sunday, Nov. 10.

Plan on bringing your favorite dish to share!
 
Thank You, St. Michael's Altar & Flower Guilds

The hard working, behind-the-scenes Altar and Flower Guilds were Commissioned on Sunday and blessed by Fr. Rick to well deserved applause from the congregation.   Thank you to all of our devoted members who make the sanctuary so beautiful week after week!  

Altar Guild Members:
Linda Wendell, Directress
Millicent Barbaro,  Lavelle Basden - alternate,  Mary Boone alternate,  Deborah Cook,  Susie DiDea - alternate,  Janina Garner,  Therese Gentile,  Dottie Harris,  Marti Lisa,  Julie Motzel,  Samantha Payne,  Eva Quinones,  Sara Seater,  Kathy Shearer,  Susan Sullivan,  Suzanne Thomas,  Peggy Trubey - alternate,  Dale Urbaniak,  Emilie Vick,  Luis Santana,  Graham Dunn,  Mary Lowry

Flower Guild Members:

Katrena Luoni, Susie DiDea, Kathy Cox, Peggy Trubey, Niki Nash, Anna McPherson, Kim Piercy, Melissa Harmon, Meg Bjoring, Dottie Harris, Ruth Einsig, Mary Ruth Houston, Betsy Culpepper, Therese Gentile, Margie Spraggins, Ashley Thomas, Judy Tracy, Andrew McPherson, Carolyn Thomas, and Margorie Thomas.
Prayerfully Consider Your Pledge


Please prayerfully consider how you can support SMC financially for 2018.  Pledge cards can be mailed back to the church, placed in the Offering Plate or online giving is available through the website.

Love God, Love Others, and Serve the World...through your support of your neighborhood church!  Thank you!
Thank You for Supporting Operation Christmas Child!
                 

           


Many thanks to the SMC church family for donating 97 shoeboxes that will be given to children worldwide as part of the annual Operation Christmas Child project of Samaritan's Purse.  

Hugs to Cindy Provencher, her mother-in-law Colleen Provencher, and Eleanor Ackermann who helped Ellen Demetree go through the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes and ready them for delivery to the local Drop Off site.   
 
 After unloading all the shoeboxes, the volunteers at the local Drop Off site gather to pray over them before packing them up to send to Boone, NC. These volunteers have truly SERVED THE WORLD!
Morning Prayer During Advent

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Please sign up to be a part of Morning Prayer during Advent, Monday through Thursday, at 7 am in the Chapel, beginning on Monday, December 4th through December 21st. 

The sign-up sheet is available in the Chapel or the Church Office during the week. The service lasts about 20 minutes.   

If you have been thinking about intentionally engaging in the Advent season this year, consider joining us in this prayer and worship.  Laminated copies of the service are available for everyone's use and each person who is involved will have the necessary lessons prepared for them.

Anyone may lead Morning Prayer!   
The Gathering Needs You -- Tuesday, November 28th
 
The Gathering is in need of  5 or 6 additional people to serve on Tuesday, November 28th, at the Coalition for the Homeless.

For more information or to serve call or text Therese Gentile at   407-222-2017.

St. Michael's 2nd Annual Family Advent Festival


Friday, December 1
6 - 9 pm
 
Come one, come a ll, stay for a while or stay for it all!
 

6 - 7 pm   Spaghetti dinner fundraiser
6 - 9 pm   Crafts, tree decorating, refreshments and Christmas carols.
7:30 pm   A surprise appearance from St. Nicholas!
8 - 9 pm   Christmas Karaoke!
 
 
Youth Department : Spaghetti Dinner
(all proceeds go to the Youth Department Costa Rica Mission Trip!)
 
The Gathering: Dessert- glazed bread pudding
 
Staff:  Refreshments -Hot chocolate station
 
Altar Guild: Refreshments - Wine
 
A special appearance from St. Nicholas!
Children's Ministries and Preschool:
Cross generational art projects for toddlers to seniors!
 

Flower Guild : Woodland crowns, advent wreaths
Music Department : Christmas Karaoke

If you are willing and able to provide transportation to a senior or a person in need of a ride, please contact Rev. Diane Souder to coordinate at Diane@stmichaelschurch.com or 407-843-8448

Children's Ministry 
Annual Christmas Pageant  Dec. 24 at  5 pm
 
Pageant rehearsal schedule:
December 3rd, 10th & 17th 
11:30 am-12:30 pm.
  • Angels (including heavenly host) and soldiers do not need to attend the first rehearsal.
  • Animals only need to attend the last rehearsal on 12/17.
  • Call time will be at 4:30 pm on Christmas Eve. 
  • After the pageant the kids will quickly change to attend the 5 pm service with their parents.  Make sure to save them a seat!  All pictures should be taken before the performance.
Daddy Daughter Dance Planning Meeting
Come and help plan our 2nd Annual Daddy Daughter Dance!  We will have a meeting on Friday, December 1st at 9 am in the Parlor to brainstorm and to begin the planning process for this special event.  We hope to see you there!
The Daddy Daughter Dance is hosted by St. Michael's Family Ministry.

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.  Psalm 127:3

Children's Ministry Director Tiffany Stieger
Youth and Young Adults

EYC (youth group), middle & high school meets at 5:30 - 7 pm this Sunday, starting in Quigley Hall. FREE dinner, games, worship and small group discussion. Bring friends!

Acting Director of Youth Ministries Deacon Greg Favazza
Southwind Middle School Retreat
December 8 - 10

The retreat is right around the corner!
 
Deadline for Sign-up & Payment: Nov 27
Payment: $140
 
Consent forms are located outside the Youth Office or contact Greg  Greg@stmichaelschurch.com
 
Please, let us know if you have any questions!
Feed My Lambs

It's the 3rd Sunday of November, so our "FEED MY LAMBS" Bag Tree will be in the Narthex for all services this coming Sunday.   As always, please take a bag and fill it, bring it back during the week or the following Sunday.  The list of needs will be in each bag.
 
Some Music Ideas for the Coming Feast!

Here's a short article on the NPR website giving a few suggestions of musical titles and albums for next Thursday's Gathering to Give Thanks.  Here it is: Thanksgiving Soundtrack


Director of Music Ministries Andrew Walker

Listen to or read the Music & Scriptures for this coming Sunday by clicking this link:   
Sunday's Scripture & Music
PRAYERS
Alex, Ainsley, Andrew, Ann R., Ann P., Arel, Audrey , Austin, Barbara, Benny, Bill B. , Bill M ., Brian, Britt, Brittany, Buckley, Burke, Carolyn, Cliff, Curt, Dale, Diane, Dinorah,  Donna, Elbert, Elgin, Elizabeth; Emilie, George L., George G. Happy, Jen, Jennifer, Jenny, Jim, Joan, Joann, Jordan, Judy, Kim, Lew, Linda, Lucie, Maeve, Mary, Marci, Marcy, Martin, Muriel, Naomi, Resa, Robert C, Robert G., Scott, Sylvia, Walter C, Walter V.


BIRTHDAYS
16: Jerry Williams, Beth Foster, Heather Gentile, Essie Dowdell 17: Alice Belden, Louise Borsoi, Eddie Edmondson, Tina Bryan, James Saunders 18: Bette Grogan 19: Jerry Chicone, Jr., Steve Milbrath, Jonathan Mitchell, Alex Houston 20: Bob Wollam, Kaylin Tauriello 21: Walker Clayton, Kyle Telan 22: Jeff McFadden, Jeannette Smith 23: Edward Rescigno, Karen Hackler, Anne Hovarter, Thomas Smith-McGehee, Patrick Booth, Mason Barnhart 24: John Webb, Jr., Jim Schomberg 25: George Gafford, Charles Smith, Melanie Olivier 26: Michael Higgins, Megan Turner 27: Walter Carpenter, Sr. 27: Paul Frickman, Kim Hays 28: Carter Smith, Katie Singhofen 29: Paul Bryan, Jon Eichelberger 30: Eric James, Andrew Walker, Kimmons Wilson
 

ANNIVERSARIES
19: Blair & Sara Howard 23: Logan & Karen Baker; Quentin & Sammi Caruso 26: John & Karen Hackler 28: Dino & Rose Casterline  29: Ronny & Anna Mobley


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.

To place someone on the prayer list, please contact Deacon Carter at Carter@stmichaelschurch.com or Rev. Diane at Diane@stmichaelschurch.com.

 
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