T H E  P A R I S H  N E W S

St. Mary’s United Church of Christ

Silver Run, Maryland

Volume XXVI December 2005 No 11- modified for the Web.

(Previous issues available: 2004, January 2005, February 2005, March 2005, April 2005, June 2005, July/August 2005, September 2005, October 2005, November 2005)

 

FROM THE PASTOR

What fills your heart?  Is there room for the Christ Child as we approach this Christmas season?  The season of Advent provides us with the opportunity to prepare ourselves for a meaningful celebration of the Christmas holiday.  As the first season of a new liturgical year, Advent anticipates the coming of the Messiah into the world to establish God's rule in our hearts and in our lives.  We are led once more to the banks of the Jordan River to encounter John the Baptist and hear his message of repentance and make ourselves ready to welcome God's anointed one.  Will we hear the message of Christ's coming as good news, or bad news, or old news that is not news at all?  Will we greet the savior with joy and excitement or will our hearts be weighed down with the cares and burdens of this world? For so many of us, the challenge of the Advent season is to make our hearts ready to receive the Christ Child.  Some of us enter this holiday season dealing with disappointment and despair.  For others of us, this is a fearful time that fills us with anxiety and dread. Still others of us are living daily with pain and hurt and sorrow that often times seems impossible to bear.  For all too many of us, our lives are filled with so much busyness that our hearts and minds are crowded with the trivial and the mundane affairs of the world's choosing.  We have left ourselves with little time to focus our attention on the things of the Spirit, even the gift of God's own divine self given to us as the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in the manger at Bethlehem . The words of the Christmas Carol encourage us to true repentance: "Let every heart prepare Him room…" The opportunities of Advent are lost when our lives remain untouched by good news of God's gift to us.  To us, to you and to me, is born the savior who is Christ, the Lord.  May we use these weeks before us to empty our hearts of all that keeps us from welcoming the Christ Child.  May our hearts be prepared that we might have in them the room for all the gifts of Christmas that God bestows upon us.  May the hope and peace, the joy and the love of this season be God's gift to each and every one of you and yours.

Grace and peace,
Dick

ADVENT WORKSHOP


On Saturday, December 3rd, 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.


ADVENT ENVELOPES

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.


ELECTIONS

On December 4th, there will be a Congregational Meeting following worship to elect Consistory members and the Nominating Committee for the year 2006.  All members are urged to attend.


SPECIAL CONCERT

On Saturday evening, December 3rd, 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!



WHITE GIFT SUNDAY

December 4th 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 distribute by Brenda  & Molly , 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.

LIVE NATIVITY
CAROL SING

On Sunday, December 18th, 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 6:00 and 7:00 PM.  Bonnie K. will be directing this presentation by the children and youth of our
Sunday School.  At 7:30 PM, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a carol sing led by our praise band, Winds of the Spirit.  All are invited to attend.


A CHRISTMAS CANTATA

Plan now to attend our Sunday morning worship service on December 18th at 10:00 AM to hear this year's Cantata performance by our St. Mary's church choir.  A Shepherd's Tale is a recent cantata written and arranged by Dave & Jean Perry that features narration by an old shepherd and includes bells, flute, and a children's chorus.  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!



CHRISTMAS FUND OFFERING

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 18th, 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.


CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES

On Saturday, 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
and bell choir.  At 11:00 PM, we will meet for a Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service with special music provided by members of our praise band, Winds of the Spirit.  The sacrament will be administered by intinction.  We will also gather at 10:00 AM on Christmas Morning, Sunday, December 25th, for a service that will include carols and communion.  All are welcome to come and share in the blessings of these holiday services as we  celebrate the birth of our savior.  Hope to see you there!


JEANNE BECHTEL RETIRING

       After twenty-eight years of faithful service, Jeanne Bechtel will retire as our church secretary at the end of 2005.  Jeanne has served us with distinction and dedication and has been the familiar face and voice of St. Mary's church for all who have had contact with her in her role as our church secretary.  She is responsible for establishing the position of church secretary at St. Mary's as an essential part of our church life together and we will miss her day to day presence in the church office and will always remember her fondly.  A special celebration to honor Jeanne is being planned by the Church and Ministry Committee to be held at 5:00 PM on Saturday, December 3rd. Contact the pastor if you would still like to make a reservation to attend.


FLOWER CALENDAR  - 2006

The Flower Calendar for the year 2006 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.


ANNUAL REPORTS DUE

A reminder all reports from committees, organizations, officers, staff and groups of St. Mary's Church are now being received. All reports are due in the church office by January 2, 2006 for inclusion in the Annual Report.


ARTICLES FOR  JANUARY NEWSLETTER

Articles for inclusion in the January, 2006 newsletter should be in the church office by December 18.  The office will be closed during the week between Christmas and New Year.

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