I wish all of you a blessed Christmas. I pray that all of you will experience again or for the first time the love that came to us over 2,000 years ago with the birth of the holy child. I pray that you will hear and believe the words the angel spoke on that Judean hillside, “Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news of great joy for all the people: for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord,”
In this newsletter you will find a link to our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service which is available to view anytime on our YouTube channel. We also have a bulletin for you to download or print off so that you can enter the St. Mary’s sanctuary from your home and worship with us. I invite you to sing along with all of the carols and to light your own candle at home. A special thank you to Gail Head who played the organ for this service, and also to Tom and Amy Koegel who recorded it and made it possible for us to bring you this lovely service. This celebration of the Eucharist with carols and a sermon was pre-recorded so that you can watch it at your convenience and see the decorations in our sanctuary. On Christmas morning, December 25, you are invited to join us on Zoom at 9:00 a.m. for a special Christmas service with music. This service will be followed by a Zoom coffee hour. On the First Sunday of Christmas, December 27, please join us at 9:00 a.m. on Zoom for Morning Prayer and a virtual coffee hour.
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas season.
Rev. Fran
Parish Offices Closed
The parish offices are closed for two weeks for the Christmas / New Year holidays. Fran and Amy will return to the office on Monday, January 4. If there is a pastoral emergency, please contact Rev. Fran.
Please note: Voicemail, email, and regular mail will continue to be checked daily. Bank deposits will continue to be made; so please make sure any pledge contributions for 2020 arrive in the office by Monday, December 28.
This is the final newsletter for 2020. The next issue will be sent Thursday, January 7. We will also continue to email reminders for Sunday Morning Prayer on Zoom, and any services that are posted on our YouTube channel.
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.
Christmas through Epiphany Service Schedule
Christmas Eve – Dec. 24
A pre-recorded Candlelight Christmas Eve Service on our YouTube channel.
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
National Church Information
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has posted his Christmas message online, including a video, and the text. You can view his message here.
Washington National Cathedral has several online offerings for the Christmas season, including Christmas Eve Eucharists, as well as an organ recital and Carillon recital. You may view them individually, or register to have them delivered to you via email. All the information can be viewed on the Washington National Cathedral website, under "upcoming events".
Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity
St. Mary's is scheduled to staff the Crystal Lake Food Pantry on Wednesday, December 30. If you have time off during the holidays, please consider helping out. Shift times are 8:30-10:30 am., 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., and 12:30-2:30 p.m. ContactCate Williams and let her know you'd love to volunteer! Thank you!
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: Cheri Dudek, her husband, Tom, and family; Peter, Betsy, Cindy, Gail, Heather, El & Dorothy, Matthew, Emmett, Kristi, Elizabeth, Glenice, Shirley, and Margaret
Family/Friends: Ted Neale, former parishioner; Sylvia, mother-in-law of Cheri Dudek; 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.
Those Who Have Died
Galen Vargason
Raymundo, uncle of Lorraine Taylor
Brett Coleman, friend of the parish
Those Who Mourn
Betsy Vargason and the family of Galen; Lorraine Taylor and the family of Raymundo;
the family of Brett Coleman and the Crystal Lake community
Those Serving in the Armed Forces
Jeremy, son of John & Carolyn Kuykendall
Birthdays December 24-January 6 (no anniversaries)
