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Dragon Tales E-News November 22, 2017
www.st-margarets.org 410-974-0200
Pastoral Emergency Number 443-837-5463
Sunday Worship at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:15 a.m.
Deadline for Dragon Tales submissions: Monday mornings
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Quick Links
Calendar Note: The church office will be closed Wednesday-Friday of this week for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The memorial service for Christian Tanner, son of Judi and David Tanner, has been scheduled for Saturday, December 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Margaret's.
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from the Book of Common Prayer
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole
creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for
the loving care which surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best
efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy
and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures
that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast
obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying,
through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life
again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.
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The Advent/Christmas Spire is Out!
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End of Year Giving Reminders
Deadlines for contributions to be recorded for 2017 taxes are as follows:
*Stock or bond sales need to be initiated by
Friday,
December
1
. This is because it may take
2-3 weeks
for the transaction to be processed and for our bank to receive the proceeds from the sale. Please remember to alert the church office of your gift in advance so you can be properly credited.
*Automatic drafts from your bank need to be scheduled by you no later than
Monday, December 18
.
It can take six to seven business days to process and then mail the checks to our office.
*Please mail or drop off your final 2017 contributions so that the office receives them by Thursday, December 28th.
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Honor Your Loved Ones This Christmas
Honor a loved one this Christmas by purchasing and dedicating Christmas flowers or a wreath for the sanctuary at Christmas. Your dedication will be notated on Christmas bulletins.
Costs are $25 for a poinsettia and $45 for a Christmas wreath.
Click here to download an order form. Checks should be made out to "St. Margaret's Church" with "Christmas flowers" on the memo line. You can put it in the offertory plate or drop it off in the church office.
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Help with Day School Mission Drive
Our St. Margaret's Day School is holding a drive to support Giving Back - Linda's Legacy, a local nonprofit that distributes backpacks to the homeless during Christmas week. Included in the backpacks are toiletry items. We are inviting Sunday School students, their families, and other parishioners to help. Plastic bags with a list of needed items are available in the narthex and parish hall. Items should be in the bags and returned to Sunday School classrooms or the formation building lobby by Dec.10.
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Holy Folders Needed 11/28
Once again, we need the assistance of our "Holy Folders" for our upcoming Christmas mailing. Please meet in the administrative building reception area on Tuesday, November 28, at 10 a.m. Goodies and great fellowship promised!
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Coming This Advent...
Family Advent Wreathmaking THIS SUNDAY
Join us THIS Sunday, November 26 for Advent Wreath Making during the Coffee Hour. Whether it's a long-time family tradition or a festive new one, keeping an Advent wreath is a perfect way to pause, reflect, and pray during what can be a hectic Advent season.
DONATIONS OF GREENS are necessary (and appreciated!) for this event. Please leave them at the Parish Hall front doors Saturday after Thanksgiving through Sunday morning before the 9 a.m. service.
While there will be pruning shears available to share during the event, bringing your own can be helpful. There will be a small fee to cover the cost of supplies.
To help set up and/or clean up, or offer a donation of greens (not necessary to sign up for a greens donation, but it will help with planning), text Laurie Tomko at
804-363-1432
.
*Reminder - there will be no Sunday School THIS Sunday in order for children to participate.
Advent Lessons & Carols on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. -- Childcare provided
As we begin our spiritual preparation for the birth of Jesus at Christmas, join us for this traditional service sung by the choirs of St. Margaret's. Readings from Holy Scripture, seasonal hymns and choral anthems will prepare us for the promised coming of the Messiah.
RE:Thinking Advent with the Rev. Peter Mayer
The Rev. Peter will be leading an interactive discussion of three components to help us re-think what the Advent season can mean for all of us. The discussions will take place during coffeehour (10:20-11 a.m.) in the Fellowship Hall on Dec. 3, 10, & 17.
Advent Through the Psalms
The Rev. Rhetta Wiley will explore the tradition of praying the Psalms, first examining their composition and formation into the Psalter, then the range of Jewish and Christian interpretation, and finally discussing how to claim the psalms for ourselves and take our place in the ongoing community of psalmic prayer. The program will be the adult formation program for Faith & Fellowship Monday events at 6:45 p.m. on Dec. 4, 11, and 18.
Advent Daily Devotions - Adults
This year we offer daily devotional meditations for adults with
Living Well Through Advent from the Living Compass program. The booklets
provide a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of the Advent season, an experience that will help prepare us for the true meaning of Christmas. A limited number of books are available in the narthex and church office.
Advent Daily Devotions - Families
Families are invited to sign up for daily Advent posts from our Sunday School curriculum publishing site. When you sign up, you will receive a daily email during Advent that
includes a Bible verse, ideas for family activities, and discussion questions. We know this is a busy season, so the devotionals can be completed in 5 minutes or less--or while you are on-the-go with your family!
You'll receive them in your inbox December 3 through Christmas Day.
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Foyers Christmas Event on Dec. 3
Our next Foyers event for all participants will be Dec 3 from 2 to 4 pm. in the Parish Hall. This will be an opportunity for everyone to re-connect as well as a chance for anyone interested in Foyers to come and meet with those who are currently taking part. If you are currently not a member and wish to learn more about Foyers, please join us. Beverages will be provided. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. The Lessons and Carols service will follow at 5 p.m. in the church
.
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St. Margaret's Guild Events
Christmas Luncheon
St. Margaret's Guild will hold their annual Christmas luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 11:30 a.m. at Brio's Tuscan Grille in the Annapolis Towne Center. Tickets are $30 each. Checks can be made out to "St. Margaret's Church" with "Guild luncheon" in the memo line. Deadline for purchasing is Dec. 1. Please place your checks in the Guild mailbox (in the admin office) or give to Alice Creighton.
Poinsettia Sale
The Guild will hold their annual poinsettia sale the first two Sunday mornings in December in the parish hall during coffeehour. Please stop by and buy a beautiful plant. All proceeds go toward their mission efforts.
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Calling All Young Singers!
The Spirit Singers invite new singers interested
in learning the joy of singing in a choir to join them
- Grades K - 5 welcome!
Who? All young singers (no experience necessary)
What? We sing music from around the world, accompanied by piano and other instruments/percussion
When? Rehearsals are Mondays from 5 - 5:45 pm following the school calendar
Where? In classroom C in the formation building
How? Under the overall leadership of James Fitzpatrick, parishioners Kate Caldwell and Hope Stinson offer weekly direction and guidance
Benefits: Participation in a choir is a great way to become involved in the life of the church, helping to enhance worship through music. Research has demonstrated that young singers enjoy improved discipline, math and language skills, a sense of community, new friends, and a life-long love of music.
Interested?
Contact James Fitzpatrick, Music Director 410.974.0200 or
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Worship Volunteers for Next Year
We are currently working on the serving schedule for Jan.- Easter. For all who serve on Sundays, if you have any known conflicts, please let Laura in the office know (
[email protected]) this week.
We are always looking for Eucharistic Ministers (who help serve communion), Lectors (who read the lessons), Acolytes (youth who assist in the Sunday services), Healing Team members (who assist parishioners going through challenging times), and substitutes for Children's Chapel leaders. If any of those roles sound possible for you or a family member, please let clergy know and we can put you in the next rotation of Sunday services starting in January.
We are also in need of more acolytes for the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services. For children from first through 12th grade! Please let Laura know of your child's interest in providing leadership during worship services.
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Help Needed for Winter Relief at St. Philip's
St. Philip's Church in Annapolis is hosting winter relief the week of January 2-8. St. Margaret's volunteers have been asked to make and serve two dinners and two breakfasts as we have done in the past.
We also need to supply drivers for the morning and afternoon transportation with the van.
Volunteers are needed for two evening dinners and two mornings for breakfast.
There will be a sign-up sheet on Sundays during coffee hour. Stop by and see Judy Hall to find out how you can help or contact her at [email protected].
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Join our Grants Program Efforts
A Calling for Grant Liaisons
The Grants committee is seeking 30 curious parishioners who can give a few hours this winter (February and or March) at their convenience to meet, visit or Skype new grant applicants. This liaison role helps the committee discern the final selection of grant recipients. Everyone learns and finds this volunteer opportunity rewarding.
Dozens of parishioners have done this in past years and are encouraged to do it again. Required
Training with assignments is during the formation hour on Sunday, Feb. 4 for those who have signed up.
Please contact Izzy Winn if you can. People who have never done it but are curious are encouraged to send Izzy Winn an email, text or call with questions. The Grants Committee needs you!
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Anniversary Items Still Available
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