This Sunday we will light the fourth candle on our Advent wreath as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. On the Fourth Sunday of Advent we hear the story of the Annunciation of the Lord, when Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she would conceive a child by the power of Holy Spirit who would be called Jesus. Join us for our 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services, as we continue to wait in joyful hope for the coming of Christ. The choir will be leading us in singing many of our favorite Advent Hymns at the 10:00 a.m. service.
Please remember to bring in your gifts if you signed up to help our family in need this Christmas. Deacon Mike will be dropping off those gifts very soon and he needs them by this Sunday December 19th. Thank you to all of you who are shopping, we appreciate your generosity.
This Sunday following our 10:00 a.m. coffee hour we will be decorating the church and hanging the greens for Christmas. Please lend a hand if you have some time after church.
See you on Sunday,
Rev. Fran
St. Mary's Continuing Partnership with The Raue Center for the Arts
Deacon Mike will be discussing St. Mary's continuing partnership with the Raue Center for the Arts this Sunday, December 19th after both the 8:00 and 10:00 services in the Parish Hall.
If you are unable to be here on Sunday, Deacon Mike will also provide another opportunity on Zoom, next Tuesday, December 21st at 7:00 p.m.
The Christmas Flowers sign-up sheet is posted in the Narthex. If you would like to give flowers to decorate the church for Christmas ($20), please sign up and also note the intention of your gift. Thank you for helping St. Mary’s to look its loveliest this coming Christmas season!
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
Copies of Living Well Through Advent 2021, are available on a Narthex table. If you wish, please pick up a copy and take it home with you. The booklet is being provided by Living Compass, a faith-based wellness ministry founded by the Rev. Scott Stoner.
You can also download a copy from the Living Compass website. Here you will also find archived readings, and can sign up to receive daily emails, or join a discussion group.
A CELTIC COMPLINE, ON ZOOM
Beginning this evening, December 2, and continuing every Thursday in Advent, Rev. Fran and Dn. Mike will lead us in A Celtic Compline on Zoom, starting at 8:00 pm. Zoom instructions are below. There are also flyers available on a table in the Narthex with instructions and the service.
Instructions
Please log on to Zoom about five minutes before 8:00 pm and light your Advent wreath.
To join by phone: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 849 9016 7199
You may use a family Advent wreath or you may use a simple candle.
Please enter and remain in silence.
Set your camera so that we can see both you and your Advent wreath.
Dim the lights around you if possible.
Set your Zoom setting to gallery view if you can. If you can’t set it to gallery view it’s okay.
You are welcome to stay on Zoom after prayer for quiet reflection.
A Celebration of Ministry
Please Join Us as We Celebrate Reverend Fran’s Ministry
at St. Mary’s and Wish Fran and Eileen Goodbye
January 9thafter the 10:00 Service: A Celebratory Luncheon with Fran and Eileen
January 16th at the 10:00 Service: Liturgy of Departure
Please mark your calendars and save these dates
Coffee Hour Thank You and Request
Thank you to all the coffee hour hosts who have volunteered to generously provide hospitality (and some darned good snacks) in 2021. As we look toward the new year, we’re seeking to add a few more volunteers to the schedule. The ability to learn how to use the coffee maker if you don’t know how, and the willingness to provide simple snacks is all it takes. Though the parish will be facing some transitions, what is unchanged is the enjoyment you all have found in getting together after services.
It has been my great pleasure to be a part of the coffee hour crew. My belief that this ministry held a place of considerable value is what prompted me to bring out the tables and chairs to the courtyard so we could resume coffee hour outside when inside was prohibited.
A few new volunteers will make all the difference in supporting a schedule featuring a core of volunteers who will continue with this ministry. Can you help? Will you help?
Send me an email at hebmonk@aol.com as I’m working on the schedule for January through March.
With a smile I offer these:
Hebrews 13:2 1
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
1 Peter 4:09
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Eileen
Share the Joy of Christmas
with a Family in Need
A local family reached out to us and asked if we could help make their children’s Christmas joyous.
We said Absolutely!
Thank you to everyone who signed up to provide gifts - many of them have already been brought to the office. The sign-up sheet has been filled, but if you didn’t sign up and would still like to participate, we could use the following items:
Girl Age 15 months - Toy
Boy Age 10 - clothes size 10
Girl Age 12 - brand name clothes size 12
Girl Age 14 - brand name clothes size 14
Return wrapped gifts to St. Mary’s by THIS Sunday December 19th. Please place a tag loosely on the package with the age of the child.
Please contact Deacon Mike if you have any questions.
Reminder: Mask Mandate Still in Effect
Please note that St. Mary’s is still following a mask mandate that the Diocese of Chicago and the CDC is requiring. Please wear a mask at all times when inside the building. Lectors may take the mask off when reading. If you attend coffee hour, please know that masks are required and you may remove your mask when you have gotten your food and are seated. Please wear your mask if walking around the hall.
Parishioners: Cindy; El; Edward, John, Kristi, John, and Matthew.
Family/Friends: Frances, aunt of Catherine Carroll; Brent, son of El & Dorothy Nyberg; Leo, brother of Dn. Mike Choquette; Eric, son-in-law of Jean Huismann; Ashton, grandson of Sharon Duffy; Sherri, step-daughter of Roseann Gilbertson; Laura; Carelin; Dawn; Betty; Jean; Don; Millie; Nick; Tarsha; John; Pamela; Susan; Ted, Jeff, Tom, Nicholas (infant) and his family; Mark, Chris, Sarah, Douglas, Mark, Andi, Greg, Wayne, Scott, Sue, Sarah, Dave, Brynn, Neil and Des, Kyle, Rick, Sylvia, Jess, Joanne, Kay, Brian, Sarah.
Thanksgiving for Healing and Recovery
Brynn, grand-niece of Catherine Carroll; Billy, brother of Catherine Carroll
