Living Christ in this World
December 11-17, 2020
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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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SUNDAY WORSHIP at 8 AM, 9 AM and 10 AM this Sunday, December 13, 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
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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A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
Sunday, December 20 at 5:00 PM
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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Thanksgiving at The Church of St. Michael & St. George |
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STEWARDSHIP
THANK YOU to everyone who has made a pledge for 2021! As of December 9th, we have received 217 pledges for a total of $1,357,658. Fifteen pledges were new and out of the 217 pledges, 121 pledges increased from last year. Each and every pledge, no matter the size, makes a difference! Pledges allow us to budget accordingly for 2021 and also continue to further our mission of “live Christ’s life into the world.” While there was not a chance to drop off pledges at the altar this year, it is not too late to pledge. Please consider pledging by either sending in the pledge form you received in the mail or pledging online at www.csmsg.org. If you have any questions, please contact Alexis Azar Posnanski at aposnanski@csmsg.org or 314.721.1502, ext. 4044. Thank you for your pledge.
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REGISTER FOR DECEMBER 13 OUTDOOR SERVICES |
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ADVENT LECTIO BEFORE LUNCHTIME
Join Fr. Tom on Thursdays at 12:30 PM to prayerfully read the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel passage. Contact Fr. Tom at talbinson@csmsg.org for the Zoom link.
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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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SAVE THE DATE FOR A WINTER WOMEN'S RETREAT,
Saturday January 30th 9:15 AM - 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! More information to follow.
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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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Advent Giving Tree Gratitude Thank you for your generous response to the Advent Giving Tree program. The volunteers at Episcopal City Mission were grateful for the boxes of gifts and the monetary donations to the Youth in Detention outreach ministry. After picking up our donations, parishioner and ECM volunteer Tom Guignon shared the following:
"WOW! I was beyond impressed. Never have I seen such a response for the kids!"
These gifts will be distributed to youth in St. Louis area juvenile detention centers. This outreach is especially important this year as the children are not allowed visitors. Thanks to your generosity, every child in detention will have at least one gift to unwrap.
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PB&J Drive - Join us as we support the 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– Christmas Party and Movie Night! 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 - 7:30 PM via Zoom (Meeting ID: 884 7379 2689; Passcode: 836302). On Wednesday, December 16, we will discuss Lesson 7.
THURSDAY MORNING PLAYGROUP - Parents of newborns to preschoolers are invited to meet online over a cup of coffee. The next gathering will be this Thursday, December 17th at 10:30 AM via Zoom. Please e-mail marty@csmsg.org to receive a Zoom invitation.
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CHURCH SERVICE LEAGUE: All ladies of the church are invited to either or both sections on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
Schedule:
..10:30-11:30 AM: Bible study, Book of Daniel, via Zoom with Fr. Tom Albinson
11:30 AM-12:00 PM: Break
12:00-12:30 PM: Meeting begins via Zoom (lunch not provided)
12:30-1:30 PM: General Meeting followed by Nativity presentation
No meetings or Bible Study on December 22 & 29. We resume next year on January 5.
Zoom ID and password provided Sunday prior to meeting by email. If you are not receiving CSL emails, contact Sandra Vuitel at sandravuitel@gmail.com.
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, 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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CHRISTMAS/THANK YOU CARD
Calling all members of the parish! Advent is fast approaching, and it's time to think about how we will observe it during the next four weeks. Advent is more than just treat-filled calendars and lighting candles; it is a time for us to prepare ourselves to greet the Christ Child. We can do this through prayers, fasting and almsgiving. Almsgiving, however, doesn't have to mean giving money; it can also mean giving of ourselves and taking the time to think of others.
In this very difficult season of COVID-19, it is especially important to think of the healthcare workers who are bearing the brunt of this crisis, which is likely to worsen during the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Would you be willing, as part of your Advent preparation, to take a moment each week to send a Christmas card with words of thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at four of the St. Louis area hospitals where COVID patients are being treated? A simple card, handmade if you or your kids are crafty, would lift the spirits of those who are working so hard on our behalf.
If you would like to participate, all you need to do is prepare one card each week and mail it to "The Doctors, Nurses and Staff of the COVID Ward" at one of the four hospitals listed below - or choose your own if you prefer. It is sure to be a moment of light in a time of much darkness for all of them.
St. John's Mercy Hospital
615 S. New Ballas Road
St. Louis, MO 63141
St. Luke's Hospital
232 S. Woods Mill Road
Chesterfield, MO 63017
SSM Health St. Mary's
6420 Clayton Road
Richmond Heights, MO 63117
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
1 Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63110
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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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