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WELCOME!
LOVE GOD.
LOVE OTHERS.
SERVE THE WORLD.
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IN-PERSON WORSHIP
SUNDAYS AT 7:45 AM & 10:15 AM
ONLINE WORSHIP
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"...although we have been separated from you for a little while-in person but not in heart-we eagerly desire to see you again face to face." I Thessalonians 2:17
Togetherness is a hugely important aspect of life. It unites us, gives us security, much-needed support and a sense of belonging, and encourages us to love one another. Togetherness is, without question, central to human experience. To feel a sense of belonging means that we feel we are in the right place; that we feel welcomed, wanted and loved-to know that "I am home."
We know this all too well at St. Michael's, where we refer to each other as a family. We take care of one another not only because it is the right thing to do, but primarily because the bond of love that has grown between us moves us to do so.
With the many obstacles and challenges of COVID-19, one thing it has taught me is the value of being together as a family-- togetherness is about love, not a location. By God's grace may we never take of our identity as a family and our need for one another for granted.
Early Christians were compelled by God's love and desire to be with them. They understood that they were better together - deeply connected through shared conviction, passion for God's purpose, and a deep love for each other that changed lives and the world around them.
We can still deepen our relationships and have the spiritual impact today that the first century Christians had on the world, by redefining and rethinking what togetherness truly is.
Togetherness is a choice. As we move into 2021 and tread through the recovery of this pandemic, I ask for us to consider the importance of the gift of our "togetherness" as a family and to restore our commitment to our communal life together whenever possible, after all, we are family.
In Christ's love,
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REMEMBERING LUCY
One of St. Michael's Founders
Lucile "Lucy" Ellison Bower entered life eternal on January 14, 2021 at age 99. One of St. Michael's founders, along with her husband Harry, Lucy began her long history as a communicant in Duckworth's Garage in 1948. A steadfast and active member of the parish since then she will be missed by her family and this church community. Lucy participated in the life of St. Michael's in St. Mary's Guild (women met in homes to study a book or saint and have fellowship), ECW -Episcopal Church Women, Bible Studies with Fr. Quigley after Wednesday Eucharist, and Vestry among others. She was the first female Senior Warden in 1974. In her later years Lucy attended the Sunday 6PM service in the chapel where her favorite hymn was "Surely the Presence of the Lord is in This Place." Parishioners describe Lucy as a sweet Southern lady of charm, dignity, wisdom, joy, peace, and humor. In October her family arranged a drive-by COVID style birthday party to celebrate her 99th birthday. For several hours cars were lined up all down her street waiting their turn to stop in front of the house to wave and shout greetings to the birthday girl sitting like a queen on her throne in her armchair on the front stoop with a beaming smile and enjoying every minute. A Celebration of Life will be held this fall and to commemorate her 100th Birthday. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that contributions be made to St. Michael's Episcopal Church or the Orlando Union Rescue Mission. Well done, good and faithful servant. |
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2021 VESTRY NOMINEES
ASHLEY BEDELL The church has been an important part of my life since I was born. Raised a Presbyterian in Bartow, Florida, I attended our church's preschool, youth club, bible studies, youth group, family camps, choir, family night suppers, etc! I was introduced to the Episcopal church during law school and fell in love with the rituals and traditions. My husband Frank is a life-long Episcopalian and my father-in-law an Episcopal priest who married us and baptized our two sons, John, now 18, and Nate, 16. St. Micheal's first became part of my life when I joined the wonderful ministry that is the Monday Night Women's Bible Study Group. The boys attended St. Michael's for their preschool education and received their first communion here, as well. The boys are active with EYC and have attended several mission trips with the group. Frank is a former Vestry member and has served and continues to serve on various committees within the Church. St. Michael's is a special place for us and is an important part of our lives together. We walk to church and are friends with many College Park families. I received my undergraduate degree in Sociology and Political Science from Vanderbilt University and my law degree from Florida State. I have the very best job in the world as Mom to John and Nate and I teach fitness classes on the side. I am honored and deeply touched to have received a nomination to serve on the Vestry and am humbled by the opportunity to work with others in spreading the LOVE of God.
MARY RUTH HOUSTON Mary Ruth and her husband, John, have been members of St. Michael's since 1991. Mary Ruth is a lector and intercessor, an active member of the Flower Guild, and a carilloneur (yes, the people behind the green curtain who play the bells!). Back in the olden days, before her daughters were grown she also taught Sunday School. Mary Ruth served on vestry in the early 2000s, and looks forward to the opportunity to do so again. Mary Ruth and John have two grown daughters, both of whom were christened and confirmed at St. Michael's. Alex works for a not-for-profit in Boston, Massachusetts and Sara is a social worker in Austin, Texas. John is a psychology professor at Rollins College. Starting in 2011, Mary Ruth and John decided to take up mountain climbing and hiking as their avocation, and since that time have climbed over 18,000 foot mountains and trekked in Tanzania, Russia, India, Albania, and Ecuador, to name a few. When she isn't climbing mountains or working on her hiking blog FromSwamptoSummit.com, Mary Ruth practices law as the head of the labor and employment practice group and co-office managing partner of the Orlando law office of Shutts & Bowen.
EDYE MCNICKLE I have been a member of St. Michael's since 2001 after I transferred from Christ Episcopal Church in Castle Rock Colorado. My spiritual journey began in the Methodist Church where I worshiped with my family though early adulthood. I learned about the Episcopal Church while living in Castle Rock, Colorado where I fell in love with the sacredness of the services, a warm supportive community, and a spiritual reconnection with God. My love of the Episcopal Church remains strong and has strengthened through my work with St. Michael's. I am delighted to be nominated to serve on the 2021 Vestry. The majority of my professional life has been as a college teacher, and administrator. Currently I am an adjunct professor at Rollins College teaching in Psychology and the Liberal Arts colleges. Previous teaching experiences occurred with University of Phoenix, University of Denver, and Arizona State University. My academic degrees focus on Management, Leadership, Organizational Development and Social Work. My children and grandchildren live in Trenton, New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York and that has been a significant challenge during COVID -but plans for family gatherings are in the works for summer. With my children so far away, I am truly blessed by knowing and worshiping with the St. Michael's community-you are my family, church, and community home.
ED MURPHY Ed is the son of Robin, and Bob (RIP), husband to Joanne and father of Katie (in DC). He is a database software analyst for Oracle where he has worked the past 20+ years. St Michael's has been his parish home since he was baptized here at a month old. In his youth he was active with EYC and an Eagle Scout in Troop 200; in his adult life he has served the parish in numerous capacities which included a term on the Vestry 2008-2010. He misses serving the altar as an LEM and as the Acolyte Warden which he hopes to resume when full services become the norm again.
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ST. MICHAEL'S ANNUAL MEETING: SUNDAY, JANUARY 31
St. Michael's Annual Meeting will take place Sunday, January 31, following the 10:15 service, online and in-person. In-person, we will gather in the Church.
TO JOIN US ONLINE FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING: CLICK HERE
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EYC WINTER NIGHTS: CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY - JANUARY 24
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RSVP FOR SERVICES THIS SUNDAY
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THERE ARE 3 WAYS TO JOIN IN WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY:
IN-PERSON AT 7:45 AM & 10:15 AM AND ONLINE AT 10:15 AM!
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OUTREACH UPDATE
Samaritan Village is a safe home and therapeutic program for adult survivors of sex trafficking. Samaritan Village offers one of the only long term residential programs for survivors in Central Florida. Our holistic, trauma-informed care model combines a variety of therapies to help women heal and move towards healthy, empowered, independent lives.
We will be partnering with them to screen a 20 minute version of their film "One Village" as a way to raise awareness of the issue of human trafficking here in Orlando and what St. Michael's can do in partnership with Samaritan Village to promote hope and help women heal.
The virtual screening will be on January 28th at 7pm. Simply put, I chose a later time because I'd like this to be appointment viewing. I would love it if you could get home, finish dinner and give this subject your undivided attention. Sex Trafficking in Orlando is a very real issue, and in the age of COVID it is taking an increasingly brutal toll on our most vulnerable communities. Please join us.
Registration is required for this zoom presentation.
Peace And Justice Institute At Valencia College
Some of you may not know that I serve on the Faith Community Advisory Team for the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College. Last year I attended a screening of the film "Resilience" and it changed the way I view our Outreach programs and how important they are to our community.
The institute is offering a free virtual screening of the film and discussion on February 11th at 6:30 pm.
Description: THE CHILD MAY NOT REMEMBER, BUT THE BODY REMEMBERS.
Researchers have recently discovered a dangerous biological syndrome caused by abuse and neglect during childhood. As the new documentary Resilience reveals, toxic stress can trigger hormones that wreak havoc on the brains and bodies of children, putting them at a greater risk for disease, homelessness, prison time, and early death. While the broader impacts of poverty worsen the risk, no segment of society is immune. Resilience, however, also chronicles the dawn of a movement that is determined to fight back. Trailblazers in pediatrics, education, and social welfare are using cutting-edge science and field-tested therapies to protect children from the insidious effects of toxic stress-and the dark legacy of a childhood that no child would choose.
To learn more about the work of the Institute: CLICK HERE I pray that you will join me in these events. As always, if you have any questions about any of our outreach efforts, you can contact me via email at mike@stmichaelschurch.com or via phone at 407-900-1785
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HOLY COMMUNION AT HOME
We have "pre-consecrated" bread and wine available for those who will continue to join us in worship through YouTube available for pick-up at the church office.
WHEN TO PICK- UP COMMUNION:
- THURSDAY JANUARY 21 & 22
- 9AM to 5PM
- CHURCH OFFICE
HOW TO STORE COMMUNION PRIOR TO SUNDAY:
You should store the sacrament in a respectful place in your home, perhaps placing it in a vessel and then putting it in protected place. Prior to participating in the online worship service Sunday, place the sacrament on a table. Be sure to create a reverent environment perhaps lighting a candle. During the service at the appropriate time during the Great Thanksgiving, you can receive the sacrament and share it with those in your home who are participating with you. Please consume all the elements.
* Please note: Gluten free elements for those with allergies and/or intolerances are available by request. Please email ashleigh@stmichaelschurch.com by end of day Wednesday to ensure the elements will be available for pick-up Thursday and Friday. |
Jesus calls his first disciples, this week as heard in the Gospel of Mark. Simon, and his brother Andrew are called, then James and John. He said to them:
Their response is so incredible, it truly testifies to what it must have been like to be in the presence of the Son of God. For example, how about you? Sitting in your office, going about your daily tasks, and some stranger comes up and says "Follow me and I will make you an evangelist for the Kingdom of God...." Would you go? What would it take to have you do that?
PRELUDE MUSIC AT 10:00 AM
1 On "Assist us, Jesus, to endure" S. Karg-Elert (1877-1933)
2 Adagio Flor Peeters (1903-1986)
3 Musette J. Ibert (1890-1962)
549 Jesus call us; o'er the tumult
They cast their nets (hymn anthem) Percy/Draesel Jr.
Just off the hills of brown;
Such happy, simple fisher-folk,
Before the Lord came down.
2 Contented, peaceful fishermen,
Before they ever knew
The peace of God that filled their hearts
Brimful, and broke them too.
3 Young John who trimmed the flapping sail,
Homeless, in Patmos died.
Peter, who hauled the teeming net,
Head down was crucified.
4 The peace of God, it is no peace,
But strife closed in the sod.
Yet, brothers, pray for but one thing--
The marvelous peace of God.
Sanctus: S-130 Schubert
Fraction: S-170 Whoever eats this bread
Closing: The Summons
POSTLUDE
CONTACT ANDREW AT ANY TIME -
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PRAYERS
Alice, Amy, Ann K., Ann R., Arel, Barbara, Becky, Benny, Bill H., Bill T., Brayden, Chris, Colin, Craig, Dan, David, Deirdre, Ellen, Emilie, Gail, George M., Gylla, James, Jamie, Jasper, John, Jonathan, Kathy, Kezia, Kim, Kristina, Laura, Levi, Lindsey, Lisa, Martin, Mike F., Mike S., Nate, Nayim, Patty, Peter J., Steve, Susan, Walter
REST IN PEACE
BIRTHDAYS
21: Evan Casterline, Victor Dickinson, John Hackler IV, Ann Redmond 22: Adrian Fallas, Caleb Hall, Jamie White 25: Karen Hamilton, Sara Howard, Eden Smalley 26: Bill Brightman, Mickel Griffin, Pat Kiester
ANNIVERSARIES
22: David & Kimberly Corso 24: Philbrook & Nancy Sargent, Butch & Patty Tew 25: Mike Beam & Vantrease Harris-Blair, Garrett & Ginna Cortese, Irfan & Marcia Kazmi 27: Charles & Leslie Berridy
Reminder: To place someone on the prayer list, please contact Deacon Carter at
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