Living Christ in this World
April 30-May 4, 2021
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INTRODUCING THE ALLELUIA FUND Alleluia is an exclamation meaning God be praised, uttered in worship or as an expression for rejoicing. On Easter we said, “He is risen! Alleluia!” as we celebrated Christ’s resurrection. On a much lesser but still significant scale, many of us said, “We have new roofs! Alleluia!” when an anonymous donor provided the funding for this much-needed improvement to our church.
The Church of St. Michael & St. George is introducing a new program to our stewardship efforts called The Alleluia Fund. This fund will provide money for projects outside of the church’s regular operating budget. Our historic building is something we all hold dear but its age and size demand consistent maintenance and upgrades. Developments such as advances in technology require improvements to our existing systems and other unforeseen circumstances demand our attention and funding. Rather than “return to the well’ by asking parishioners for increased pledges, this new effort will establish a way to fund the ongoing needs of our church and ensure the future of our parish.
To kick off this new effort and have some fun, CSMSG’s first event to raise money for The Alleluia Fund will be Father Tom’s Fund Razor. During the past year as Fr. Tom Albinson celebrates Morning Prayer via Facebook Live, the length of his locks has drawn great interest from many of our parishioners and regular participants in prayer. Just how long will he let it grow? On Sunday, May 23, as part of the CSMSG parish picnic, Fr. Tom has agreed to have his hair cut. How short will he go? That depends on you. The more money we raise, the shorter Fr. Tom's hair gets, from a simple trim to a full #3 buzz cut.
All donations to Father Tom’s Fund Razor will go to The Alleluia Fund to provide money for the projects on our wish list.
$1,000 – Live Streaming Enhancements
$5,000 – Information Technology (hardware and software)
$5,000 – Contracted Services/Software (business software)
$7,500 – Grounds Improvements
$10,000 – Preventative Maintenance (safety and continued maintenance of building)
$15,000 – Security (hardware and electronic security system)
$15,000 – Mechanical/Electrical (HVAC and lighting improvements)
$30,000 – Roof (additional roofing needs)
$210,000 – Structural Frame and Building (Church flooring, tuckpointing, plumbing, windows, historical refinishing)
Watch the e-news and CSMSG Facebook for updates on our fundraising efforts and more details about Fr Tom’s Fund Razor, including who will do the honor of trimming (or buzzing) Fr. Tom’s hair.
If you have questions about The Alleluia Fund or other stewardship efforts at CSMSG, contact Alexis Posnanski, Director of Stewardship & Giving at aposnanski@csmsg.org or 314.721.1502, ext. 4044.
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SUNDAY, MAY 2 Holy Eucharist services will be held indoors at 8 AM, 9 AM, and 10 AM. Those attending should use the Ellenwood doors to enter and exit the church. In addition, Children's Eucharist will be held at 9 AM in St. George's Chapel due to the forecast of rain.
Registration is required for all services using the links below, via 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.
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LIVE STREAMING 10 AM SERVICE For those unable to join us in person, Sunday's 10 AM service in the church is live streamed online at www.csmsg.org. This live broadcast of the service is posted on the home page and under Online Services. A recording of the service is available online at the conclusion of the live stream.
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COFFEE HOUR SUNDAY Coffee Hour continues via Zoom on Sundays at 11 AM. Please join us from home after enjoying in-person or online worship. Check your inbox for the invitation with the Zoom link emailed to the parish each Sunday morning.
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Visit our website for this week's schedule of services and events.
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PARISH PICNIC RETURNS The CSMSG Parish Picnic returns Sunday, May 23, following the 10 AM service. Join us for hot dogs and bratwurst provided by vendor Steve from Classic Red Hots, petting zoo from Zoo 4U, games and more. Don't miss Father Tom's haircut as part of the Fund Razor event. How short will he go? Your donations decide!
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CELEBRATING SENIORS All graduating high school seniors will be recognized during the 10 AM service on Sunday, May 2. Following the service, seniors and their families are invited to a boxed lunch picnic on the Ellenwood lawn. Contact Jess Speropulos at jess@csmsg.org for registration information.
Please join us in congratulating the Class of 2021:
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CeCe Baer
Graham Brown
Sophia Coovert
William Coovert
Ella Durrill
Seth Hadlow
Ava Kennard
Braden McDonald
Graham Mills
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Tamar Modise
Annabelle Ott
George Pace
Jack Peluso
Aidan Phillips
Walter Ralph
Liam Redington
Elise Restemayer
Lauren Sugavanam
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Caleb Thompson
Ned Thompson
Anna Walsh
Nick Walsh
Olivia Warren
Liam Weber
Morgan Weber
Sophia Weber
Olivia Whittle
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CONGRATULATIONS! Parishioners Jim and Julie Stephenson welcomed their first grandchild, Theo Stephenson, on Sunday, April 25. Theo is the son of George and Kate Stephenson. Congratulations to the parents and grandparents and welcome, Theo!
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EDUCATION EQUITY MINISTRY COLLECTION CSMSG’s Education Equity Ministry is collecting monetary donations to provide toiletries to families of students at Sumner High School in St. Louis City. Over the summer months, many families have less access to services. By sending students home with a box full of toiletries for the summer, we are helping fill that gap. Donations for purchasing supplies may be made online via Realm or by check to the Church of St. Michael & St. George. Please note For Education Equity Ministry on the check.
Since its inception in March 2021, the CSMSG Education Equity Ministry has partnered with Sumner High School to identify barriers to online and in-person instruction. We help administrators at Sumner connect with agencies in our community to provide services needed by students and families. The school has praised the ministry for its recognition that education equity extends outside of the classroom. For more information about this ministry, contact Mary Ann Cook at microann@outlook.com.
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CHOIR RECORDING ARCHIVE For the past year, the CSMSG Choir has been recording hymns and anthems for our online services of Morning Prayer. Now we are live streaming our 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist each Sunday and, though the choir is not present, they continue to record a hymn and anthem for the day which can easily be accessed by going to the CSMSG homepage at www.csmsg.org.
This is a great spiritual resource and a wonderful way to stay in touch with the work the choir is doing. Please take some time to check out the sizeable archive of recordings now available.
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FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK Keep up with the latest news from CSMSG and see pictures from our events including Palm Sunday and the Easter Vigil by following us on Facebook. Like and share our posts.
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Children's Eucharist Join us for Children’s Eucharist at 9 AM on Sunday, May 2. Due to the forecast of rain, the service will be held in St. George's Chapel. Please enter and exit through the Wydown doors. Fr. Peter Speropulos and Brett Rutledge will celebrate and Beth Wagner will provide music. Registration is required. Register for Children's Eucharist
Sip & Paint with a Purpose Visual Art for Well Being instructor Maria Ojascastros will guide participants through the creation of a unique watercolor project during Sip & Paint with a Purpose on Thursday, May 6, from 7 to 8:30 PM via Zoom. Maria uses her art skills to spread awareness of her ongoing collaboration with the Prison Performing Arts program that brings writing, visual arts, and acting to residents at the Transition Center of St. Louis.
All parishioners and friends are invited to attend this event hosted by Children’s and Parent Ministries. Grab your beverage of choice and join us via Zoom to learn about the art of watercolor and hear how the arts help boost the confidence of residents at the center as they gain life skills including employment readiness, family reunification, parenting, and money management.
Cost for this event is $10 to cover supplies and participants are asked to donate to the Prison Performing Arts program by purchasing an item from the Amazon Wish List.
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Middle School Mission Week is Back Join Youth Ministry June 7-11, 2021 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM daily to perform service projects at various organizations in our community. MSMW is open to all current 5th-8th grade students. Until the end of April, priority registration is given to CSMSG parishioners. Space is limited and this event fills quickly so register today! Register for MSMW
Sunday School on Instagram Live Join Kyle and Jess on Sundays at 11:15 AM as we walk through the Book of Acts. You can find us @csmsgyouthministry on Instagram.
Youth Group Under the Lights Join us on Sunday night from 6:45 to 8:00 PM on the playground. Masks and registration required. Register for Youth Group.
High School Small Groups – High school small group Bible studies are happening weekly. This semester we walk through the Book of Ruth. There are three opportunities for small groups this year:
- Guys Small Group - Wednesdays at 7:30 PM (in person)
- Girls Small Group - Tuesdays at 4:15 PM (Zoom)
- Girls Small Group - Wednesdays at 4:00 PM (in person)
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Colossians: Conversations on Christ and Culture This small group led by Fr. Peter Speropulos meets Wednesdays from from 6:45 to 7:45 PM via Zoom. All are encouraged to join our next meeting on May 5. Register for Conversations on Christ and Culture.
Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep Join fellow CSMSG parishioners for a discussion of this new release by Tish Harrison Warren. The group will meet on Thursday, May 13, from 7:15 to 8 PM via Zoom to discuss Chapters 12 and 13. Discussion will conclude in time for participants to join online Compline with Fr. Peter. Register for Prayer in the Night
Thursday Morning Playgroup Parents of newborns to preschoolers are invited to meet online over a cup of coffee. The next gathering will be on Thursday, May 6, at 10:30 AM via Zoom. Email Marty Chapman at marty@csmsg.org to receive a Zoom invitation.
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CHURCH SERVICE LEAGUE CSL meetings are on hold until September 7. Bible Study continues on Tuesdays at 10:30 AM using the same Zoom login. For more information contact Sandra Vuitel at sandravuitel@gmail.com or 314.300.8858.
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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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. For more details visit our website: Covid Protocols
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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. Isolation Memory Box Details
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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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