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 November 2005 No 10- 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)

 

FROM THE PASTOR

After the death of Moses, the task fell to Joshua, son of Nun, to lead the ancient Israelites across the Jordan River to enter the promised land.  It was an exciting time yet an anxious time.  It was a time to yet once more reflect upon their past and how far they had come.  It was a time to remember those like Moses who would be with them only in spirit as they crossed into the new land.  It was also a time to anticipate their future in this new land and plan for the tasks that would need to be accomplished upon their arrival.  But most importantly, this was their time to experience the crossing itself, to know what it felt like to follow God and venture forth into the excitement of the unknown.

As we enter these closing months of 2005, we are preparing to leave behind that which is past, ready to embrace that which lies before us.  Yet in all things, we as the people of St. Mary's UCC acknowledge with thanksgiving all that God continues to accomplish among us.  In this month of November, we have the opportunity once again to remember with gratitude the lives of those who will journey with us into the future only in spirit.  At our annual observance of All Saints Communion on Sunday, November 6th, we will gather at the Lord’s table to speak the names and treasure the remembrances of those who continue to travel with us in our hearts.  On Sunday, November 13th, we will anticipate our future in the year ahead.  Sunday, November 20th, we will have the opportunity to give God thanksgiving and praise for blessings too wonderful to have imagined and possibilities too exciting to have conceived.  Yet still, with thankful hearts we will enjoy the moment of our time together as we prepare to enter the land of God ’s promised tomorrow.  We conclude our worship experiences this month with our observance of the first Sunday in Advent on November 27th.  Our praise band, Winds of the Spirit, will be featured at our Contemporary Praise Service at 10:00 AM which will include the sacrament.  A traditional service will also be offered in the Vestry at 9:00 AM.  As we prepare to enter a new year together, as we prepare to meet the Child of Promise, we do so with hearts filled with gratitude for all that is past and all that awaits us in the new land into which God is leading us.  As we make the crossing together may our spirits be united in the joy of all that awaits us. Grace and peace, Dick

 

ALL SAINTS’ COMMUNION

We will celebrate All Saints Sunday on November 6th 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!

 

THANKSGIVING DONATIONS

            The Concern for Others Committee is encouraging the congregation to bring in canned and boxed food items as well as paper goods to donate to Carroll County Food Sunday.  We call this effort Stocking God’s Shelves with Goods for God’s People.  Beginning with the first Sunday in November and continuing through Thanksgiving Sunday we invite the congregation to bring forward their donations to the front of the Sanctuary during the first hymn.  Let’s see how high we can stock God’s shelves as we remember the needs of others.  Monetary gifts will also be received during our offering on Thanksgiving Sunday for the work of Carroll County Food Sunday.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary’s UCC and thank you for your generous support.

 

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.  A traditional style service in the Vestry will also be available at 9:00 AM.  All are welcome

 

JEANNE IS RETIRING

            After twenty-eight years of faithful service, Jeanne 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 during the dinner hour on Saturday, December 3rd.  Save the date and plan to attend.

 

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 reminds us that we are: Richly Blessed for Generous Living.  Inspired by the words of 1Timothy 6, we are encouraged to remember God’s blessings and to share generously 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 13th, 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.

 

  ADVENT WORKSHOP

Plan now to attend this year’s Advent Workshop which will be held on Saturday, December 3rd, 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!

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 27. Order blanks will be in the November bulletins, or call the church office.

WHITE GIFT SUNDAY – December 4

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, styptic pencils, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorants, washcloths, Kleenex, hair dressing, combs, shirts, sweaters, ties, gloves, socks, caps, slippers, pens, stationary, handkerchiefs, bandannas, good grooming items for ethnic groups. 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!

      CHURCH SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY

Beginning November 6 and lasting until Christmas, the Elective’s Class will be doing an Advent study entitled “The Light Will Shine.” Quoting from the study text,  “this study is designed to provide fresh perspectives on the journey through  Advent to Christmas and beyond, and to highlight the underlying message of the traditional texts and themes for the season.” The study is intended to equip us “to see beyond the hustle and bustle, glitter and glamour of commercial Christmas to the good news of great joy that forms the very foundation of our faith.” Everyone is welcome to attend the Elective’s Class anytime. The class meets every Sunday morning in the North Room from 9:00-9:45 AM.

 MARK YOUR CALENDAR

The Mothers’ Class Family Banquet will be held on November 12th at 6:00 PM at the Taneytown Activity Building , Taneytown , MD. The usual delicious Roast Turkey and Fried Oyster dinner will be served. The tickets will be $13.50 Adults, $6.50 for Children 5-10 and under 5 Free. There is a sign up sheet in the back of the church or see Betty. This is not a money making project so we expect you to be responsible for the tickets you reserve so the class is not stuck with extra costs. Deadline to sign us is November 6th. Please come and join in a night of GOOD Food, GOOD entertainment and a GREAT night of fellowship.

 

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

This year our Christmas program is entitled “Our Family Memories of Christmas.” The children will be interviewing older members of their family or the congregation about their memories of Christmas. The interviews were done during October and need to be collected so they can be incorporated into the play.

The program will be performed during the worship service on a Sunday in December. Some of the children will e asked to read one or two of the answers from their questionnaire. Some of the children can be narrators and others will play parts of Mary, Joseph, Innkeeper, Angels, Shepherds

Thanks to all the parents for working with the children to get the interviews. We will need volunteers to help with the costumes and the play. For questions or to help call Nancy, 410-346-7881.

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS

The Children’s Department will be collecting items for Christmas stockings to be donated to Shepherd’s Staff ministry. We will collect these items during the month of  November. We need donations of: coloring books, crayons, “Nativity” books, hats, gloves, socks, toothbrushes and small toothpaste.

The children will decorate and stuff the stockings. The box for donations will be in the vestry. Questions, see Nancy  or Stacy.

         A CLEAR PATH

This winter the Carroll County Bureau of Aging is starting a new program called A CLEAR PATH. This program will provide assistance with snow and ice removal for isolated older adults, age 60 and over, and individuals with disabilities, age 50 and over. Individuals requesting the service must live in Carroll County and have medical needs which would require their sidewalks and driveways to be shoveled.

To find out if you qualify for this program or if you know someone who would benefit from this service please contact the Program Coordinator, Brenda Shipley at 410-386-3802.

If you are interested in volunteering to assist with snow  and ice removal please contact Volunteer Carroll at 410-456-3984.

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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Page last updated: October 30, 2005

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