T H E  P A R I S H  N E W S

St. Mary’s United Church of Christ

Silver Run, Maryland

Volume XXVII December 2006 No 10- modified for the Web.

(Previous issues available: 2004, 2005, 2006, January '07)

 

FROM THE PASTOR

 Christmas begins with expectation. The visions of our imaginations the hopes of our hearts, the deepest longs of our souls, all these are fulfilled only by the grace of a loving God. The Christmas story began long before Mary and Joseph set out from Nazareth toward Bethlehem. The Christmas story had a its beginnings in the hopes and longing of God's people for a deliverer, a savior, a messiah, God's own anointed one. Sin, oppression, and evil are still realities that we face. We are surrounded by the effects of human greed and selfishness, cruelty and hate. Poverty and war and corruption continue as basic facts of our human existence. The question is what do we expect? Do we expect God to act" do we expect that God has the power to act? Do we expect that God's Will is to act and intercede on humanity's behalf?

Advent is not only a time of preparation but also a time of expectation for the coming of the Christ Child. Our worship life is patterned to remember the story of Jesus: his birth, his crucifixion and death, his resurrection and his empowering of us by God's Holy Spirit. But the story begins with expectation. this is our season of expectation. As a church, we continue to live into the exciting future that lies before us. As God's people we can scarcely imagine the world that our gracious and loving God has in mind for us.  This is our time to dream. This is our time to imagine. This is our time to trust that God will act on our behalf by sending to us the Anointed One, the Christ. May each of us experience the excitement. May each of us savor the joy, and know God's peace that overcomes our deepest fears. May each of us receive the Christ Child with open arms and open hearts. may our trust in God make this a season of expectation for each of us, so that we too with shepherds and wise men alike might recognize the miracle that is Christmas both this Christmas and forever.

Grace and peace,   Dick

 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

On Sunday evening, December 24th, our Church will hold tow 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 our praise band, Winds of the Spirit. 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!

LIVE NATIVITY AND CAROL SING

On Sunday, December 17th, 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 will be directing this presentation by the children and youth of our Sunday School, with a few big people assisting! At 7:30 PM  we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a carol led by our praise band, Winds o the Spirit. All are invited to attend. 

A CHRISTMAS CANTATA

Plan now to attend our Sunday morning worship service on December 24th at 10:00 AM to hear this year's Cantata performance by our St. Mary's church choir. A Celebration of Christmas is a cantata by Donald Moore and Ruth Elaine Schram that features both traditional and original music that is in keeping with the spirit of this blessed time of year. 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 thsi wondrous occasion. Bring a friend and share the joy!

LET'S GO CAROLING

Young and old are invited to join together for a time of Christmas caroling with our friends at a local nursing home on Sunday evening December 10th.  We will gather at teh church at 6:30 PM. This is a way to celebrate the holiday that is both fun and meaningful. Additional drivers are helpful. All re welcome to participate.

   WHITE GIFT SUNDAY

December 3rd is White Gift Sunday. This is the Sunday to bring your gifts for Homewood at Plum Creek and Springfield Hospital Center. Thanks to all sho help to show our caring and concern for others as we share our gifts this holiday season.

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 24th, 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. 

ADVENT COMMUNION

The season of Advent begins on Sunday December 3rd. We will begin our celebration of this time of joyous expectation with a traditional worship service including Holy Communion served at stations in the front of the sanctuary during our 10:00 AM worship hour. This Sunday will also be observed as White Gift Sunday. All are welcome!

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.

ADVENT WORKSHOP

Plan now to attend this year's Advent Workshop which will be held on Saturday, December 2nd, 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!

CHILDREN'S ADVENT WORKSHOP

Join us Saturday, December 2nd at 9:30 AM to trim the tree. We will be making bird friendly decorations to hang on the pine tree outback. Wear play clothes, this will get messy! Parents are encouraged to stay and help. The fellowship committee will be providing a light lunch. Donations of peanut butter, cranberries, raisins, birdseed and pinecones are needed. See Sherry, Lisa, or Michele for more information. 

ELECTIONS

On December 3rd there will be a Congregational Meeting following worship to elect Consistory members and the Nominating Committee for the year 2007. All members are urged to attend. 

ANNUAL REPORTS DUE

A reminder to all committees, organizations, officers, staff and groups of St. Mary's Church, annual reports are now being received. All reports are due in the church office by January 2, 2007 for inclusion in the Annual Report.

FLOWER CALENDAR - 2007

The Flower Calendar for the year 2007 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 your 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.

PRAYER CONCERNS

Prayer is a vital aspect of our spiritual life and we are all in special need of it from time to time. At St. Mary's we may express our prayer needs and receive support for ourselves and for those whom we care. There are different ways in which to do this. You may call the church office and have someone placed on the prayer chain. The prayer chain consists of a group of concerned folks how will hold your concern in confidence as they pray for you or for the person or situation you deem needs prayers. You may also call the church office to have a name placed on the prayer list that appears weekly in the bulletin. These names will remain on the list for a limited time, about one month, unless you request the name(s) remain longer. There is also a prayer concern box, located in the front of the church near the vestry door, where prayer cards may be inserted. The prayer request cards are locate din the church pews for your use. This is a more private way to express needs. We emphasize that prayer concerns are considered private matters and are kept in confidence. Please do not hesitate to call upon these means available to support you and others in times of difficulty and stress.

GOSPEL CONCERT

The gospel music trio "New Season", featuring Sandi Aldredge, Neil Bollinger and Doug Seipp will present an evening of music to include sounds of the season right here at St. Mary's on Saturday, Dec 2nd at 7 PM. Come get an early look at the decorated sanctuary and enjoy the music.

 

STEPHEN MINISTRY CORNER

Please continue to pray for our Stephen Ministry here at St. Mary's. This ministry focuses on God as the one who cures as we care. There is still time for anyone to apply to become a Stephen Minister. Please talk to Pastor Scott, Steve or Dorothy Ellen as soon as possible if you are interested or have any questions. Stephen Ministry training will begin on Sunday evening, January 7th.

ARTICLES FOR JANUARY NEWSLETTER

Articles for inclusion in the January, 2007 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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