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Email: office@stmarysucc.org
Page last updated: Decemeber 3, 2004
T H E P A R I S H N E W S
St. Mary’s United Church of Christ
Silver Run, Maryland
Volume XXV December, 2004 No 11 - modified for the Web.
Advent Workshop - December 4
Children's Christmas Activity - December 4
Special Concert - December 4
White Gift Sunday - December 5
Christmas Stocking Collection - December 5 deadline
Elections - December 12
Christmas Program - Live Nativity - December 19
Christmas Cantata - December 19
Christmas Fund Offering - December 19
Christmas Eve Services - December 24th
Anticipation breeds excitement. Advent is the season of the Christian year in which we look forward to the coming of Christmas. We know that Christmas Day will soon be here. We can hardly wait. Everything about the holiday season appeals to the inner child within us - the lights, the decorations, the music, the presents. We don’t always understand what it is all about. We only know that we feel good when we experience it. Christmas is a time of joyous celebration, and through the days and weeks ahead, our observance of this Advent season provides the opportunity for our excitement to build in anticipation of this year’s Christmas experience.
Christmas is a time of great emotion. But while we anticipate the merriment and joy, there are many for whom Christmas is a time that only heightens life’s difficulties and disappointments. Christmas is a time to be with loved ones, but they are all alone. Christmas is a time to exchange gifts, but for them the ritual of exchanging gifts only reminds them of their poverty and drives them further into debt. Christmas is a time to remember the good times of past holiday celebrations. But their memories are clouded with tragedy and despair. Whether we approach it with excitement or dread, Christmas will have its effect upon us. The emotional highs and lows will become part of our Christmas experience this year, just as in years gone by and in years to come.
The good news is that each year’s experience of Christmas is always new and always filled with new possibilities. The story was new when the drama unfolded in the stable in Bethlehem. It was new to Mary and Joseph and the shepherds. The story has been new to each generation of Christians
The story has been new to each generation of Christians who have heard it and experienced it. We may have heard the story before, yet the story of Christmas can be new to us this year if we let the Spirit speak to our hearts the message of God’s good news to us. Like unwrapping a Christmas package with all the anticipation of what might be inside, may our excitement grow throughout this Advent season as we discover anew the wonders of God’s love found in the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying in the manger. May this Christmas be a time of excitement and wonder for us
Grace and peace,
Dick
On Saturday, December 4th , we will gather for this year’s Advent Workshop. This will be our opportunity to join together to decorate our church for the Advent and Christmas season. We will be gathering at the church at 9:00 AM and work through the morning. Lunch will be provided by the Fellowship Committee. Volunteers are needed and all are invited to participate.
During the Advent workshop, on Saturday December 4th the Children’s Department would like to invite the children to help us decorate the tree and the downstairs room for the Christmas season. We will be making ornaments for the tree and other decorations. Come join us 9:00 AM till noon and lunch will be provided. Any questions see Nancy or Stacy.
In this newsletter, again you will find an offering envelope instead of a coin folder for your Advent Offering. We invite you make use of this offering envelope by bringing it to any of our worship services throughout the Christmas season or you can mail it to the church office with your holiday donation. This year’s Advent offering will go to support our Benevolence Fund giving. And as always we are grateful for your support of our ministries and outreach at St. Mary’s church.
On Saturday evening, December 4th, our Worship committee will present a special concert provided by the Carroll County Ramblers at our church starting at 7:00 PM. For those who enjoy "Blue Grass" and "Country" music, this is a tremendous opportunity to hear live music performed in the beautiful setting of our church sanctuary. The concert is free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!
December 5th is White Gift Sunday. This is the Sunday to bring your gifts for Homewood at Plum Creek and Springfield Hospital Center. Plum Creek names were distributed by Brenda and needed gift items for Springfield were listed in the November newsletter. Thanks to all who help to show our caring and concern for others as we share our gifts this holiday season.
Deadline for items for the Christmas stockings for Shepherds Staff is December 5th. We will be assembling them on the 12th.
On December 12th, there will be a Congregational Meeting following worship to elect Consistory members and the Nominating Committee for the year 2005. All members are urged to attend.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
On Sunday, December 19th, our Christian Education committee will feature two presentations of the Christmas story in an Outdoor Live Nativity. These performances will be presented off the parking lot behind the church and will start at 6:30 and 7:30 PM. Bonnie K. will be directing this presentation by the children and youth of our Sunday School. All are invited to attend.
Plan now to attend our Sunday morning worship service on December 19th at 10:00 AM to hear this year’s Cantata performance by our St. Mary’s church choir. Written and arranged by Anna Laura Page and Jean Anne Shafferman, The Living Crèche retells the Christmas story in scripture, legend and song. The full version of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah will again be performed at the close of this year’s choral presentation. Let’s show our appreciation for all those who have worked so hard to bring this gift of music to us by supporting them with our presence at this wondrous occasion. Bring a friend and share the joy!
The Christmas Fund is a special all church offering of the United Church of Christ. Established to benefit the "Veterans of the Cross," this offering helps to offer assistance to retired pastors of our denomination and their spouses who have had to retire with inadequate retirement income. Our church will receive this special offering on Sunday, December 19th, when envelopes will be available. During this season of giving, let’s remember those who have given their lives in Christ’s service with this expression of our generosity.
On the recommendation of our Concern for Others Committee, our Consistory has authorized the encouragement of special donations to our Benevolence Fund to help those who live in our community who are struggling in difficult circumstances. In the past we have been able to offer help only with very limited resources. As the needs of persons in our area have become greater, we believe that the people of St. Mary’s church have the compassion and generosity to offer greater assistance to those who truly need it. Donations for this purpose should be made payable to St. Mary's UCC and designated as "Gifts for the Needy." Christmas time provides us an opportunity to begin this work together. Thank you for your gifts and your expressions of caring and concern.
On Friday, December 24th, our Church will hold two evening worship services. A family Christmas Eve Candlelight service will begin at 7:00 PM and will include carols and special music by our church choir. At 11:00 PM, we will meet for a Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service with special music provided by the Carroll County Ramblers. The sacrament will be administered by intinction. All are invited to join with us. Friends and family are welcome to come and share in the blessings of this holy evening when we celebrate the peace and joy that God alone provides for us in the message of the birth of Christ. Hope to see you there!
Eleven ladies attended the first meeting. We began our session with prayer. Vicki and Molly shared a slide presentation that told how this ministry began. We had discussion on how we would distribute the shawls. We had seven shawls that were knitted prior to the meeting. We blessed them with prayer. This ministry will meet the first Sunday of each month at 6:00 PM. We continue to welcome all who wish to join us in this endeavor. We will also accept donations to purchase yarns, the material cost for each shawl is about $15.00. Instructions are available if anyone would like to make a shawl for this ministry.
The Flower Calendar for the year 2005 is posted in the bell tower entryway. If you wish to place altar flowers on the altar in honor or in memory of a loved one, please sign you name on the Sunday desired and let the church office know what you wish in the bulletin for that Sunday. You are also responsible for ordering your flowers. Any questions call the church office 410-346-7977 or 410-848-3862.
We made a profit of $600.00 on our Christmas sales. A big THANK YOU to all who helped. A reminder: Easter is in March next year. Sales for Easter candy will begin January 2 and conclude March 6. It’s my hope more will join in making these sales a hugh success. THANKS, Tommie
Thank You for sharing our Parish News! If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact the church office.
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Email: office@stmarysucc.org Page last updated: Decemeber 3, 2004 |
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