Please keep the Diocese of Chicago in your prayers as we elect our new Bishop this Saturday. The election will be held virtually and voting delegates will be voting online. I will be voting along with the three lay delegates from our parish, Dorothy Nyberg, Stacy Cook and Cheri Dudek. Anyone who is not a voting delegate who wishes to watch the election may go on the diocesan YouTube page. The electing convention will convene at 9:30 a.m., beginning with Morning Prayer.
This Sunday we are celebrating the Third Sunday of Advent, and you are invited to join us for Morning Prayer on Zoom at 9:00 a.m. followed by a virtual coffee hour. We are also live-streaming a Eucharist celebration at 10:30 a.m. from our sanctuary. Please see all the links in this newsletter. I am grateful to Del Smith who will be playing the piano for our live-streamed service.
If you have any pastoral care concerns or need communion please do not hesitate to contact the office.
Blessings,
Rev. Fran
Online Worship for Sunday, December 13
Join us every Sunday morning for Morning Prayer, followed by a virtual Coffee Hour. Just because we can’t meet in church, doesn’t mean we still can’t pray together and share some fellowship time! If you aren’t able to join via video on your computer, you can still participate by phone!
To participate by phone only: 312-626-6799; phone meeting ID: 826 0737 1151
If you are participating by phone, you can access the same service document that Zoom participants can see by clicking here. The Zoom link, phone number, and ID will remain the same every Sunday.
10:30 a.m. Live-streamed Service(no in-person worship; clergy, pianist, and camera operator only.)
This service will also be recorded and available to watch at any time. The bulletin for the service is available here. It will remain the same for both Advent live-streamed services, so you only need to print it once.
ADVENT
SERVICE
SCHEDULE
3rd Sunday of Advent – Dec. 13
9:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Prayer on ZOOM
10:30 a.m. Eucharist, live-stream only
Wednesday, Dec. 16
8:00 p.m. A Celtic Compline on ZOOM
4th Sunday of Advent – Dec. 20
9:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Prayer on ZOOM
Note: The St. Mary’s Advent Lessons & Carolsservice from 2015, featuring our Sanctuary choir, is now available to watch on our YouTube channel. Enjoy!!
Advent Devotional Available Online
Living Well Through Advent 2020resources are available on the Living Compass website. There you will also find the annual Advent Devotional, which you may download at no cost. (An e-book version is available for 99 cents through Amazon). You may also sign up to receive daily readings via email, join the Facebook discussion group, and access all past daily readings.
To participate by phone only: 312-626-6799; phone meeting ID: 849 6974 4895
If you are participating by phone, you can access the same service document that Zoom participants can see. Click here to view/print out the service. (The Zoom link, phone number, and ID will remain the same every Wednesday.)
Christmas through Epiphany Service Schedule
Christmas Eve – Dec. 24
A pre-recorded Candlelight Christmas Eve Service will be made available on our YouTube channel, which may be watched anytime after 3:00 p.m.
Christmas Day – Dec. 25
9:00 a.m. Christmas Service on ZOOM
First Sunday after Christmas – Dec. 27
9:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Prayer on ZOOM
Second Sunday after Christmas – Jan. 3
9:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Prayer on ZOOM.
In addition, there will be a pre-recorded sermon available on St. Mary’s YouTube channel.
Feast of the Epiphany – Jan. 10
9:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Prayer on ZOOM.
10:30 a.m. Eucharist, live-stream only
2020 Pledge Payments
This week pledge statements were mailed out to all pledging members of the parish, indicating contributions received by St. Mary’s through Tuesday, December 8. Any additional contributions for the 2020 tax year, need to be in the office by Monday, December 28.
Thanks to all parishioners who have turned in their 2021 pledge card. If you have not returned your card yet, it’s not too late. Please get them to the office as soon as possible, so the 2021 budget can be finalized. For those members requesting pledge envelopes for 2021, they will be available in January.
Rest in Peace: Bishop Victor Scantlebury
On December 5, Bishop Jeff Lee wrote to the diocese with news of the death of the Rt. Rev. Victor Scantlebury, who served as assistant bishop in the Diocese of Chicago from 2000 to 2011. At the time of his death, he was interim bishop of the Diocese of Central Ecuador. Long time parishioners will remember Bishop Scantlebury’s visit to St. Mary’s in 2008, when he confirmed several members of the parish. He also presided over the confirmations of many other youth and adults from St. Mary’s at Deanery Confirmations, which were held at other churches. Bishop Scantlebury was a dynamic, engaging preacher, quick-witted, and a pleasure to be around. May he Rest in Peace. Please keep his wife, Marcia, his children and grandchildren in your prayers. The letter from Bishop Lee can be read here.
Co-Wardens Steve Brooks (1/21), and Mike Higgins (1/22)
Treasurer, Cate Williams
Stacy Cook, Amy Koegel (1/21)
Heather Horeled, Lorraine Taylor (1/22)
Cheri Dudek, Dorothy Nyberg (1/23)
We Pray For
Parishioners: Peter, Betsy & Galen, Cindy, Gail, Heather, El & Dorothy, Matthew, Emmett, Kristi, Elizabeth, Glenice, Shirley, and Margaret
Family/Friends: Jeff, friend of Gail Head; Elizabeth, sister of Bill Wayne; Tom, Nicholas (infant) and his family; Billy, Mark, Chris, Douglas, Tom, Mark, Andi, Maria, Greg, Wayne, Scott, Sue, Sarah, Dave, Brynn, Neil and Des, Kyle, Rick, Sylvia, Jess, Joanne, Lauren, Lynn, Kay, Saul, Brian, Sarah
