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 November, 2004 No 10 - modified for the Web.

(Back to current Parish News)

 

 

Message From the Pastor

How thankful are we? We can look around and see those who have more than we do. We can look at other churches that are larger than we are or have more resources or more program opportunities. Yet we are no doubt aware that there are others who are envious of us. There are those who would trade their lives with the poorest of us. There are churches that would be ecstatic to trade their problems for ours if they could also trade their scarcity for our abundance. The question of thankfulness is whether we have learned to appreciate that which has been given to us or instead to focus on that which has not.

How thankful are we? We are now entering the season of Thanksgiving. In our church we have become accustomed to using this time to ponder God’s gifts to us and rejoice in the abundance that we do possess. We are also accustomed to use this time to reflect upon our commitment to the ministries of our church and our willingness to share our resources in support of our common witness to the Spirit of Christ at work in us and through us. We are also learning that this is a season for us to be generous in our sharing with those who remain hungry while we enjoy the bounty of our great annual harvest feast.

How thankful are we? The challenge of this season is to move from the outward appearance of thanksgiving to a true thanksgiving of the heart, to awaken to the reality of God’s blessings showered upon us, and experience the joy of thankful living. Thankful living is compassionate living. Thankful living is living with caring and concern. Thankful living is responding to the grace of God with thankful loving toward all with whom we share the blessings of a loving God. My hope for us this Thanksgiving is that both separately and together we can embody thankful living and thankful loving. My hope for us is that separately and together we can answer the question "How thankful are we?" with the exclamation "How thankful we are!"

 

Grace and peace,  Dick

 

ALL SAINTS’ COMMUNION

We will celebrate All Saints Sunday on November 7th at our 10:00 AM worship service which will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion service in the pews. This service will also offer us an opportunity to remember the names of those whose passing we continue to mourn. All are invited to participate with us and join us at Christ’s table. Hope to see your there!

 

Honoring Veterans

Sunday, November 14th we will be honoring our Veterans. All veterans are encouraged to bring pictures, artifacts, uniforms etc., from their time of service in the military. A table will be available in the Vestry Sunday morning to display this memorabilia. All veterans are encouraged to participate as we honor those who have helped keep our country free over these many years.

 

CONFIRMATION CLASSES

The pastor reminds everyone that Confirmation Classes are continuing during the Sunday School hour each Sunday. Youngsters who are currently in grades 7 and 8 who are interested in joining our church should speak with the pastor as soon as possible. There is still time for those who are interested to become part of this year’s class. The date set for our youth to join the church is Pentecost Sunday, May 15th.

 

From the STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

We are again in the middle of our annual stewardship campaign. This is a time to reflect on how far we have come and to look forward in the direction we want our church to grow. Over the next few weeks, we are asking you to prayerfully search your soul and make a commitment to the ministry of our church and our witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This year’s theme: Sharing Our Gifts is meant to remind us that we all have received gifts from God and we all have gifts to share as we do God’s work together.

You will soon receive this year’s mailing from The Stewardship and Enlistment Committee. Please read over the materials, pray about our church’s future, and fill out the enclosed commitment card. These cards can be mailed to the church office or placed in the Treasure Box at our worship service on Sunday, November 14th, when they will be consecrated to the glory of God and to the future of Christ’s church here at St. Mary’s. Thank you for your continuing support of this ministry that we share together.

 

From the FINANCE COMMITTEE

As you review the Treasurer’s Report for the end of September, you will note that our General Fund is starting the last quarter of the year with a deficit of over $7,000. While we have been blessed with the results of our giving so far this year, we continue to need the best efforts of all of us if we are to close the gap by year’s end. Especially as we approach the holiday season, please remember to support the basic ministries of our church through your giving of your pledges and donations to the General Fund.

 

HOMEWOOD AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

On two Sunday mornings, November 7th and 14th, persons are invited to join the Auxiliary of Homewood at Plum Creek. The dues are $2 per person and you will receive a Pocket Calendar for 2005. To join, please see our Auxiliary representative, Gladys, in the vestry following these November Worship Services.

 

Family Banquet

The Mothers Class will sponsor their annual Family Banquet again this year on November 13th at the Taneytown Activity Building, Taneytown, MD.

Supper will be served promptly at 6:00 PM and will consist of the usual of the usual Roast Turkey and Fried Oysters. Prices will be the same as last year – Adults $13.00, Children 5-10 $6.50 and Under 5 free.

A special program is being planned so come and enjoy a delicious meal and a wonderful evening of fellowship.

Sign up sheets will be available or contact the church office. Deadline to sign up will be November 7th.

 

BUS TRIP - JUST A REMINDER

The bus trip to the American Music Theatre is on Saturday, November 20. Space is limited get your reservation in by signing up in the Vestry or by calling the Church Office.

When: November 20th

Where: American Music Theater

2004 Christmas Show

Cost: $50.00 per person includes

Dinner and Bus Ticket

Sign up sheet in the Vestry.

Any questions see Tommie or call the church office.

 

 

Candy Fundraiser

It’s time to start our Wolfgang Candy sales. Order books will be on the back windowsill of the sanctuary. Please sign sheet if you take a book. Also a book will be left on the sill for church orders. Please participate to make this our best sale ever. The deadline for candy orders will be November 21 and pick up day will be December 6. 

 

ADVENT COMMUNION

The season of Advent begins at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend on Sunday, November 28th. We will begin our celebration of this time of joyous expectation with a Contemporary praise service including Holy Communion at our 10:00 AM worship hour. All are welcome!

 

ADVENT WORKSHOP

Plan now to attend this year’s Advent Workshop which will be held on Saturday, December 4th, starting at 9:00 AM. This will be our opportunity to join together for decorating our church for the Advent and Christmas season.

The Fellowship Committee will provide a light lunch for all who would like to join with us. Hope to see you there!

 

NEW CLASS FOR CHILDREN

We have a new class in the Children’s Church School this year. Bonnie K. is teaching a class for children under three during the Sunday School hour. Anyone with children under three are welcome to bring them. This class is held in the nursery. Any questions see Bonnie or Nancy.

 

Shepherd's Staff Christmas Collection

The Children’s Sunday School will be collecting items for Christmas stockings for Shepherd’s Staff. We need people to donate the following items: coloring books, crayons, candy canes, nativity books, hats, gloves, and tissue boxes. We will be collecting these items for the entire month of November. There will be a box in the vestry and a box downstairs next to the children’s office for your donations. Any questions see Nancy or Stacy.

 

WHITE GIFT SUNDAY – December 5

Donations for Homewood Homes and Springfield Hospital residents should be brought in on this date. Names of Homewood at Plum Creek residents are available from Brenda for specific gifts.

For Springfield residents, the following items are much needed and would be very much appreciated:

For Men – shaving cream, shaving lotion, after shave, New electric razors, talcum powder, liquid soap, shirts, sweaters, gloves, socks, hats, slippers, underwear, pens, stationary, washcloths, Kleenex, handkerchiefs, bandannas, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, cologne.

For Women – cosmetics…lipstick, powder, makeup, etc. hair ribbons, barrettes, non-aerosol hair spray, talcum powder, perfume, lotion, washcloths, toiletries—shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, hand cream, slippers nightgowns, robes, sweaters, gloves, underwear, pens, stationary, liquid soap.

For either sex – puzzles, books, word find books, playing cards, all occasion cards, key chain, video tape, cassette tape, holiday cards.

Please remember on all wrapped gifts to note on the outside as to contents, and mark for male, female or either. Thank you!

 

Poinsettias 

Poinsettias to beautify the sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas Season will be available through the Worship Committee. Price $8.00 Deadline to order is November 22. Order blanks will be in the November bulletins.

 

Email: office@stmarysucc.org

Page last updated: November 1, 2004

by webmaster@stmarysucc.org