December 6-13, 2018
Living Christ in This World
THE BANNER: Join us in the Great Hall this Sunday, December 9, at 11 AM for Breakfast with Saint Nicholas. Members of CSMSG Youth Ministry will serve breakfast while attendees make crafts and hear the true story of Saint Nicholas from the man himself. Remember to leave your shoe in the hallway outside the Great Hall to receive a special treat. Click here to  RSVP .
SUNDAY SCHEDULE .
December 9 .. . The Rev. Peter J. Speropulos
December 16 .... The Rev. Andrew J. Archie
December 23 … The Rev. Joseph Chambers
What a night! Over 350 people took part in either Advent Lessons & Carols or Advent Family Night on Sunday. People came from near and far to hear our beautiful Choir. Downstairs, young families were taking part in Advent arts & crafts and dinner. It was a joyous night made possible by your support! Thank you for your pledge! 
As of Sunday we have received 261 pledges for a total of $1,481,974.84. Our goal is $2,000,000! 
Please contact the Church at 314.721.1502 or Laurie at Laurie@csmsg.org if you need a pledge card. 
Each and every pledge makes a difference. Thank you for your pledge!
THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, December 9
BREAKFAST WITH ST. NICHOLAS
Hear the true story of Saint Nicholas and enjoy pancakes and sausage made by the Youth Ministry Sunday, December 9, in the Great Hall, following church services and classes.The cost is $20 per family.

RECTOR’S FORUM : Please join the Rector as he leads a study of “Caesar and the Christians” from 10:30-11 AM in the Taylor Room. Everyone is welcome.

FAITHFUL GENERATIONS ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS: will meet on Sunday, from 10:30-11 AM in the Wydown Meeting Room. All interested adults are welcome to join conversation revolving around issues of family life in Christian families. 

NICARAGUA POINSETTIA PICK-UP: Plants ordered from the Nicaragua Mission poinsettia sale are available for pick-up this Sunday, December 9 from 9 AM until Noon in the Great Hall. Thank you to everyone who placed an order to help support next year’s mission trip to Nicaragua.

THE ADVENT GIVING TREE is in the Great Hall. This year we are helping St. Louis Crisis Nursery, a local organization that helps prevent child abuse and neglect by providing short-term emergency shelter for children whose families are in crisis. Please take an ornament or two from the Giving Tree in the Great Hall and return it unwrapped before December 17.

CSL BAZAAR: Did you miss the Church Service League Bazaar on December 4? Come see the great remaining items still for sale today in the Library from 8:30 to 11 AM. It’s your last chance for some great bargains, so don’t miss this!

NAMETAGS: Please wear your nametags. If you cannot find your nametag, please write your name on the clipboard in the Wydown Narthex. A nametag will be waiting for you on the clipboard next week.
Did you know that the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first performed on Christmas Eve at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall, England, in 1898? Edward White Benson, at that time the Bishop of Truro, desired the locals to come to church (perhaps instead of the men going to the pubs!) rather than have the choir go around to the homes of the parishioners to sing carols. It was very successful and two years later, he formalized the service for Christmas Eve. Benson later became Archbishop of Canterbury. 
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus that is traditionally followed at Christmas. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books, and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns, and choir music. The readings are always the same while the carols and hymns may vary.
THIS WEEK
Monday, December 10
MONDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: The Earth Came to Help: Advent and the Book of Revelation - In this season of waiting, we conclude our survey of the Bible with three weeks on the Book of Revelation. As Israel waited for her Messiah, so we too wait for his return. All ladies of the parish are welcome on Mondays from 9-9:45 AM in the Armstrong Room.

 Tuesday, December 11
 CHURCH SERVICE LEAGUE/ECW: Church Service League returns to a normal schedule on Tuesday, December 11.
10:30 AM: Bible Study with Fr. Peter Speropulos
11:30 AM: Holy Eucharist, St. Mary’s Chapel
Noon: lunch: reservations to Sandra Vuitel ( sandravuitel@gmail.com or 314.300.8858) by 3 PM Sunday, December 9. 
12:30 PM: Bazaar wrap-up 

STEAK & STORIES: In the Great Hall at 6 PM, Robert Garrick will speak about Christmas Films: Three Stealth Favorites . Robert is a film enthusiast of long standing and will share his insights and experience, specifically about Christmas films. This will be a great chance to revisit your old favorites and learn of some that you may not think of as Christmas films. This should be a good way to get in the spirit of the season. Cost: $20. Please RSVP by Noon on Monday, December 10 to reception@csmsg.org .

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS AND MUSIC OFFERINGS: Please turn in Christmas Flowers and Music offerings by Tuesday, December 11.

Thursday, December 13
CSMSG BOOK CLUB: Before he died last spring, Skip Schumacher planned to lead the Book Club in a reading of two spy novels by John LeCarre: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold and A Legacy of Spies . In honor of Skip, we will continue with that plan. We will meet in the Library at 7:30 PM on December 13 and January 10 and 17. Please read the first half of The Spy Who Came in From the Cold for the first meeting. Contact Jan Jacobi at 324.725.0859.

BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW : The Brotherhood of St. Andrew will meet in the Sverdrup Room at 7 PM for its monthly meeting/discussion. This is a men’s Bible-based group dedicated to Prayer, Study, and Service with a mission of bringing men to Jesus. If you are interested in learning more about this group, email Mike Bickel at BICKEL485@aol.com .

Friday, December 14
HOLY EUCHARIST: Please join us on Friday at 7 AM in St. Mary’s Chapel for Holy Eucharist.

FRIDAY MORNING WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY: We will be studying the Gospel of John. We meet Friday mornings in the Library from 7:30-8:30 AM.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, December 16
CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE ‘Tis the season! The bake sale will be in the Great Hall on Sunday, December 16. If you’d like to help out by baking, selling, or buying, we’ll put in a good word for you with Santa. Sign up on the YM webpage. Proceeds benefit the Youth Ministry scholarship fund.

A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS: 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. Please plan to join us at 5 PM for this very special liturgy marking the centenary of this beautiful and deeply meaningful Christmas tradition.

WOMEN'S RETREAT: Save THIS date: Weekend Retreat - Friday, March 1 - Saturday, March 2, 2019 (held at the Mercy Center). Our Women’s Retreat leaders, Gail Watkins and Nancy Enderle, invite you to a new understanding of the term "spacious." At the Retreat, you can begin to listen for God’s voice and actions in your everyday life. Come, be still, and pause. Please contact Laurie at Laurie@csmsg.org if you have any questions.

Sunday, May 19, 2019
PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM: The Church of St. Michael & St. George is offering a pilgrimage to the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in North Norfolk, England. Led by Fr. Jeremy Davies, the former Canon of Salisbury Cathedral and a beloved friend of CSMSG. Jeremy has put together a s pecial week with acce ss to areas only Jeremy could talk his way into! Join us for this special journey of spiritual formation in community. See more information here or contact Laurie Brown at Laurie@csmsg.org or 314.721.1502.
ORDINATION OF LAURIE ANZILOTTI DECEMBER 21
NEW ASSISTANT RECTOR
The Rector is pleased to announce that on Sunday, January 13, 2019, the Rev. Tom Albinson will join the clergy staff of The Church of St. Michael & St. George as Assistant Rector. Tom is a priest in the Church of England currently serving the combined parishes of St. Giles’ and St. Margaret’s in Oxford, England. He has been ordained for six years. Tom is married to St. Louis native Anna, and comes with a dog named Steve. We look forward to their arrival at the start of the new year.
FOLLOW UP ON OUR WWI VETERAN CPL. BATDORF: John Tyler recently found additional material on Cpl. Batdorf and has written a “supplemental paper” on the corporal. This information will be included in the Church archives in honor of Cpl. Batdorf. Batdorf Supplemental Information.pdf . Thank you John for all of your time and talent !
HURRICANE EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT
RESPONSE FUND FOR HURRICANE EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT (ERD) , the Episcopal Church’s primary instrument for providing disaster relief, has people on the ground offering direct assistance to those affected by storms. We will be sending a gift from The Church of St. Michael & St. George to ERD to assist the victims of the hurricanes. If you would like to contribute to this effort, please enclose a check in the envelope found on the table in Narthex, payable to CSMSG, and indicate Episcopal Relief and Development in the memo. 
SHELTER MINISTRY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS!
The Church of St. Michael & St. George (we welcome volunteers from all faiths!) has been providing a hot breakfast on Sunday morning to the families at the Shelter for over 25 years. Please consider devoting time to help! We welcome all volunteers - if you are willing, we can use you! Families can volunteer together, and youth - you can earn service hours.
Gateway 180 Shelter is located at: 1000 19th St, St. Louis, MO 63106
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Nick Clifford at 314.973.6322 OR ( NICKCLIFSR@YAHOO.COM ).
JTM WOMEN'S MINISTRY FUND
By now, you've heard the devastating news about Jan Torrisi-Mokwa. Jan was invaluable in enhancing the Women's Ministry at The Church of St. Michael & St. George, as well as founding the ECW Steering Council by lovingly guiding the group through a process that brought our value and mission statements to fruition. One of the ways that her memory will be honored is by establishing a fund to support the Women's Retreats that Jan so dearly loved. The money will be used to pay for retreat leaders as well as provide scholarships for attendees. If you would like to contribute, please make your check payable to CSMSG and note "JTM Women's Ministry Fund" in the memo. Please contact Laurie Brown at Laurie@csmsg.org if you have any questions.
DONATE ONLINE WITH YOUR PHONE!
You can donate online to your favorite ministry by texting on your cell phone. This feature is provided by ACS, the church's data software. Download instructions.
‌
WELCOME!
Please review the CSMSG weekly
e-newsletter to keep abreast of our events. Visit our online calendar for event informatio n. 
"IN THE LOOP!" 
A hearing loop for hearing aid and cochlear implant users has been installed in the main sanctuary. Loop listeners are available for those without a compatible hearing device. more  
PASTORAL CARE
Is there someone you haven't seen recently at Church? If you or someone you know is ill or hospitalized, please let us know how we can help. Please call us at 314.721.1502 or contact Debbie at communications@csmsg.org or Laurie at Laurie@csmsg.org .

RECENT TRANSITIONS






ALTAR FLOWERS
Order Sunday Flowers online here