Living Christ in this World
December 18-25, 2020
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A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS ONLINE
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
The traditional and much-beloved Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, as we know it today, was adapted by The Very Reverend Eric Milner-White for use at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge on Christmas Eve 1918. In his words, "The main theme is the development of the loving purposes of God ..." seen "through the windows and words of the Bible." The Christmas story unfolds, interspersed by seasonal carols, as the story of the birth of the Christ Child is recounted through word and music. The center of the service is still found by those who "go in heart and mind" and who consent to follow where the story leads.
This year, the parish clergy, lay leaders, and choir have joined together to create an online offering of this popular service. It is offered as a part of our ongoing cycle of daily liturgies, and as a gift to the parish and the wider community.
Please be generous in sharing the link to this liturgy with your friends to help to spread the Christmas message of peace and hope.
This service will be available on the CSMSG website on Sunday, December 20, at 5:00 PM and will remain online throughout Christmastide.
O God, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
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SUNDAY WORSHIP at 8 AM, 9 AM and 10 AM this Sunday, December 20, will be held outdoors on the Wydown Playground. In response to the Bishop's request, indoor services are suspended. Those attending should park along Wydown Boulevard.
Registration is required for all services online at www.csmsg.org or by calling 314.721.1502. Registration online closes at 11 PM Saturday and registration by phone closes at 5 PM Friday. All attendees are required to wear masks.
For those unable to join us in person, online worship is available on Sunday at 10 AM at www.csmsg.org.
COFFEE HOUR continues via Zoom on Sundays at 11 AM. Please join us from home after enjoying outdoor or online worship. Check your inbox for the invitation with the Zoom link emailed to the parish each Sunday morning.
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CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
Click on the Service to register
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 20
Eve of the Nativity
Thursday, December 24
Outside on the Point
Please bring your own chair or be prepared to stand
Communion packets will be passed out to those who have registered
Online Service
Outside on the Playground
Outside on the Playground
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ:
Christmas Day
Friday, December 25
Outside on the Playground
Sunday, December 27
Outside on the Playground
Outside on the Playground
Outside on the Playground
The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Friday, January 1, 2021
Outside on the Playground
Seating is provided for services held on the Playground.
Registration and masks are required.
Click on the service time to access the associated registration link.
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Thanksgiving at The Church of St. Michael & St. George |
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Your Church Giving and
the Coronavirus Aid,
Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
The CARES Act includes up to a $300 charitable donation deduction per taxpayer. Taxpayers who don’t itemize may use this charitable deduction and it is not necessary to file a Schedule A to claim it. Only money given to tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations counts toward the $300 limit. Donated stock, furniture, clothes, or other goods and services are not eligible, nor are donations to donor-advised funds or foundations.
In addition, individuals may elect to deduct donations up to 100% of 2020 adjusted gross income. Corporations may deduct up to 25% of taxable income. Lastly, the Required Minimum Disbursement for those over age 70 years and six months is waived for 2020 for most donors. This change lowers the incentive to a donor, but the tax benefit of a qualified charitable contribution remains. As always, please consult your tax advisor to verify your eligibility.
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REGISTER FOR DECEMBER 20 OUTDOOR SERVICES |
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COMMUNION PICKUP
Due to the pandemic some parishioners have not been able to receive the sacrament for some time. Those unable to attend in-person Sunday worship may pick up a Home Communion packet for at-home distribution. Taking Holy Communion to those unable to attend worship is a time-honored tradition of the Church. This Holy Communion Pickup is a physically distanced adaptation of this practice.
The wafers will be consecrated at the 10 AM Sunday service and processed out by the priest who will be distributing the packets. The Holy Communion pickup will be from 11 - 11:15 AM on Sundays at the sidewalk near the Ellenwood entrance.
Registration is required by the Thursday prior at midnight.
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FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
Keep up with the latest news from CSMSG and see pictures from our outdoor services and events by following us on Facebook. Like and share our posts.
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CARRYOUT SYRIAN DINNER
The third annual CSMSG Syrian Dinner (carryout only) will be held on Sunday, January 10th. Orders must be placed online and will be available for pickup from the Ellenwood entrance of the church from 4:30 to 6 PM on Sunday, January 10. All proceeds support a refugee family who has settled in St. Louis. Place your online order by Wednesday January 6th.
The menu includes the following delicious food:
Hummus
A dip made of chickpeas, garlic, lemon, tahini, and olive oil. Served with pita bread.
Kousa Mahshi
Stuffed zucchini with beef, rice, onion, allspice.
Tabouleh
A finely chopped salad made with parsley, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and bulgur; mixed with lemon juice and olive oil.
Manakeesh
Similar to pizza, this dish is grilled dough with a variety of toppings to choose from, including cheese, hot red pepper, thyme, ground beef, olive oil and Mediterranean spices.
Baklava
A rich, sweet dessert pastry made of layers of phyllo filled with chopped pistachios or walnuts and held together with honey and sugar syrup.
Dinner orders must be placed online by Wednesday January 6th. Contact Laurie Brown with questions at Laurie@csmsg.org.
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TRAVELING NATIVITY Would you like to host some special travelers in your home during Advent? To aid in our preparation for the feast of Christmas, parishioners are invited to host Mary and Joseph, some shepherds, or some Magi. Members of the CSMSG Knitting Ministry lovingly created these travelers so that we may experience the traveling nativity, a modern take on the Mexican tradition of the Posada. When the travelers arrive, please unpack them from their box and create a place for them. Included in the box is a brief service to pray that we may encounter Jesus as we prepare for Christmas. Please take pictures so that we may share on social media the journey our travelers take. Use the link below to sign up to host the travelers and read more about this tradition in Fr. Tom’s Words of Encouragement.
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WINTER WOMEN'S RETREAT
Save the date for CSMSG's Winter Women's Retreat on Saturday, January 30, from 9:15 AM to 12:45 PM. The theme of the retreat is Awakening to a New Year. We have come through a dark place. What is our next step?Centering prayer can help us remember the time which drew us to Christ and to help us find God again! Details will be available soon. Contact Laurie Brown at Laurie@csmsg.org with questions.
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DON'T GET CAUGHT BY PHISHING
If you receive an email that appears to be from the Bishop or a member of the CSMSG clergy asking you to take an unusual action such as wiring money, purchasing gift cards, or opening an attachment you did not request - proceed with caution.
Phishing is the act of sending a fraudulent email to a large group of people in the hope that some will reply. Whaling is a form of phishing in which the sender forges communication to look like they are the from the “big fish" or "whale" in an organization. In our case, the “whale” could be the Bishop or our Rector. In many instances, it is not that the email account has been hacked but that it has been duplicated to appear to be legitimate.
While we are unable to stop phishing and whaling, we can do our best to stay alert and educated about these types of scams. If you receive a suspicious email do not reply or open any attachments. If you have any concerns about the validity of an email or other communication, please contact the church or the archdiocese.
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The fourth and final lesson of our Advent curriculum focuses on the scripture reading Luke 2:15-20. Jesus is born! Details and links to videos are available in the Children’s Ministry e-news. Children’s Ministry will resume in January with a new curriculum. If you have any questions or would like to receive a curriculum packet, please contact Mary Beth Tipton.
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PB&J Drive - Join us as we support St. Patrick Center this holiday season
Between now and December 18th, we need your help to collect unopened jars of peanut butter and jelly in support of St. Patrick Center. Encourage your friends, family and neighbors to donate. Once you've collected as many jars as you can, call Kyle (423.596.3186) to schedule a time to drop them off at CSMSG. We have a shelf designated for them down in the youth room. On the afternoon of December 18th we will take all of the collected donations directly to St. Patrick Center. This is a wonderful service opportunity (especially if you need service hours), as well as a great and tangible way to directly impact the lives of folks in need right here in our community. We're excited to support St. Patrick Center. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to Kyle (ktallman@csmsg.org) or Jess (jess@csmsg.org).
Sunday School on Instagram Live – join Kyle and Jess on Sundays at 11:15 AM as we walk through the Book of Acts together. You can find us @csmsgyouthministry on Instagram.
Youth Group Under the Lights Youth Group is on a break until Sunday, January 10th. We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!
High School Small Groups – HS small group Bible studies are happening weekly. We are studying the book of Philippians and discussing how our faith can give us hope in tough times. There are three opportunities for small groups this year:
- Guys Small Group – Wednesdays @ 7:30 PM (in-person)
- Girls Small Group – Tuesdays @ 7:15 AM (virtual)
- Girls Small Group – Wednesdays @ 4:00 PM (in-person)
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FAITHFUL GENERATIONS - “The Bible and Theology in Color” This discussion group meets on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM via Zoom (Meeting ID: 884 7379 2689; Passcode: 836302). On Wednesday, December 23, we will discuss Lesson 8.
THURSDAY MORNING PLAYGROUP Parents of newborns to preschoolers are invited to meet online over a cup of coffee. The next gathering will be Thursday, January 7 at 10:30 AM via Zoom.
CHRIST IN CULTURE Save the date for this seven-week course taught by The Rev. Peter Speropulos beginning Wednesday, January 13. The class meets via Zoom on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Please read Holy, the Firm by Annie Dillard in preparation. Register online to receive the Zoom link.
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CHURCH SERVICE LEAGUE CSL meetings and Bible study will not be held December 22 and 29 and will resume on January 5. Have a blessed and safe Christmas and New Year.
FAITH IN ACTION
CSMSG offers a variety of ways to help those in need in our community, especially during this crisis. Various organizations are in need of donations of food, masks, and other items. Visit our website to learn how you can help: Help Hunger Ministry
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WELCOME BABY ORLOWSKI
George Reed Orlowski (pictured with sisters Eleanor and Geneva), son of parishioners Michael and Hilary Orlowski, arrived on November 23 at 11:54 AM after a quick labor. Baby George weighed 8 lbs., 11 oz. and was 21 inches long. His parents report that he is a great baby and Eleanor and Geneva love being big sisters. We are blessed to welcome our newest member to CSMSG.
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BRING MORE SMILES TO CSMSG Support CSMSG every time you shop at Amazon by using the AmazonSmile program. It's the same selection, service, and prices you know but Amazon donates 0.5% of your purchases to CSMSG.
Here's the scoop: Simply go to smile.amazon.com and select The Church of St. Michael & St. George as your charitable organization to support. Complete this step before you begin shopping and every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation to CSMSG. Sign up today and start supporting CSMSG while you shop!
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COVID PROTOCOLS
If after attending a service at The Church of St. Michael & St. George or entering the premises you start to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, we request that you inform us, get tested as soon as possible, and notify us of the result so that we may take the necessary action. When you are waiting for your test results, we ask that you worship with us online. If you unfortunately test positive we ask that you worship with us online until you are cleared by a physician.
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SATURDAY YOGA CLASS
Parishioner Michelle Gurrola Burks teaches a free, 55-minute yoga class on Saturdays at 12:00 PM. If you are a new participant, email Laurie at laurie@csmsg.org for the Zoom invitation.
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ISOLATION MEMORY BOX
Please consider providing a COVID-19 memory to the CSMSG pandemic isolation memory box. Families are encouraged to contribute a photo and short message to capture an experience from this unusual time. For more details and to learn how to submit to this project, please click here.
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FORWARD DAY BY DAY
The Forward Day by Day daily devotion for disciples booklets are now available. Please email your mailing address to Laurie Brown at laurie@csmsg.org if you would like a booklet sent to you. The Forward Day by Day daily devotions also are available online.
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