T H E  P A R I S H  N E W S

St. Mary’s United Church of Christ

Silver Run, Maryland

Volume XXVIII November 2007 No 2 modified for the Web.

(Previous issues available: 2004, 2005, 2006, Jan 07, Feb07. Apr 07, May 07, Jun 07)

 

 

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

FROM THE STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

The harvest season is the time of year for 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 is entitled The Big Secret. It encourages us to recognize that giving carries its own reward when we give in response to the love that God gives to us. You will soon receive this year's mailing fro 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 11th, when they will be consecrated to the glory of God and the 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. 

ALL SAINTS' COMMUNION

We will celebrate All Saints Sunday on November 4th at our 10:00 AM worship service which will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion served 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 you there!

ADVENT COMMUNION

The season of Advent begins on Sunday December 2nd. 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 hours. This Sunday will also be observed as White Gift Sunday. All are welcome!

ADVENT WORKSHOP

Plan now to attend this year's Advent Workshop which will be held on Saturday, December 1st, 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

Please join us Saturday, December 1st at 9:30 AM to decorate Christmas trees. During this time we will be making ornaments for our tree in the fellowship room and also bird friendly ornaments to decorate the pine tree outside. Parents are encouraged to stay and help with the morning's activities. Our projects could get a little messy, so wear play clothes. Donations of peanut butter, raisins, cranberries, birdseed and pinecones would be appreciated. The fellowship committee is providing a light lunch. Please plan to attend this morning of fun, crafts and decorating. All children are welcome. For further information see Lisa or Linda, or call the church office. 

POINSETTIAS

Poinsettias to beautify the sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas Season will be available through the Worship Committee. Order sheets will be available the beginning of November in your church bulletin or contact the church office.

THANKSGIVING FOOD DONATIONS

Again this year, the Concern of 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 into bring forward their donations to the front of the Sanctuary during the first hymn. Let's see how high we can sock 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 make payable to St. Mary's UCC an thank you for your generous support. 

HOMEWOOD AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

On two Sunday mornings, November 4th and 11th, 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 2008. To join, please see our Auxiliary representative during our Fellowship time following these November Worship Service.

VETERANS DAY

We will honor military veterans on Sunday, November 11th with a slideshow display as well as names printed in a special bulletin insert. Names for the insert will be collected up until Sunday, November 4th and are $1.00 per name with the profit donated to a charity benefiting veterans. envelopes can be found a the back of the sanctuary. Photo submissions to the slide show should be given to Sabrina. If you have previous remitted a photo. you do not need to remit another. Please contact Sabrina or the church office with questions. 

MARK YOU CALENDAR

The Mother's Class will again sponsor our Family Banquet of November 10th at Firemen's Aux. Bldg. in Taneytown, MD. We will eat promptly at 6 PM and the menu will be the usual Fired Oysters and Roast Turkey with all the trimmings. Tickets will be the same a last year - $14.00 Adults and $7.00 Children. 

Our entertainment will be Myron Dutterer who will be singing old familiar songs and will have some group singing. 

Sign-up sheets are on the back windowsill of the sanctuary or see Betty. Deadline to make reservations is Nov. 4th. Come and enjoy an evening of good food and great fellowship.

FOOD AND FAITH

On Sunday evening, November 18th, Pastor Scott and Anna Rollins will continue to gather those interested in our new adult program called Food and Faith. This is an opportunity to gather each month to share a meal and reflect of  faith issues facing us in the 21st Century. The adult series called Living the Questions provides focus to our discussions and all who are interested in being part of an open and hones setting to safely explore real-life faith issues are encourage to attend. We begin with a Soup and Sandwich type mal at 6:00 PM an end by 8:00 PM . Hope to see you there. 

CHRISTMAS CARDS AT ST. MARY'S?

Have you ever imagined what a Christmas Card would look like alive? Come to St. Mary's UCC's parking lots on Saturday, December 1st or Sunday, December 2nd and see for yourself. Living Christmas Cards will be on display in our church parking lots form 6-8 PM. From the warmth of you car drive thru the display an enjoy the sights and sounds of the Holiday Season.

245TH ANNIVERSARY PICTURES

To commemorate our 245th anniversary this year, the Evangelism & Spiritual Life committee is putting together a pictorial directory of the families of our congregation. These will be amateur photos taken on our church digital camera and every family who has their photo taken will receive a copy. No sales people will be involved. Pictures will be taken in the conference room on Sunday mornings through Nov. 18th. Sop in before or after worship on these dates and we hope to keep this process quick and simple. Thanks in advance to all who are willing to join us in the new experiment and we look forward to a completed directory in time for our January annual meeting.

HEALTH KITS

This year the children and youth will be participating in the Church World Service Kit Program. Their donations will be used to purchase and assemble Health Kits. These Kits will then be delivered to the CWS Distribution Center located in New Windsor. The Health Kits will be distributed through Church World Service sot persons in need. These Kits provide items essential to personal hygiene. Church World Service has provide Kits the world over, and make a difference in the lives of children and families.

Each Kit contains:

If you would like to donate to the Health Kit Project a collection box is located downstairs. Or, if you prefer, a donation of $12 will allow Church World Service to provide a Health Kit. For further information contact the church office. 

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Our Stephen Leader Team is continuing to recruit men and women of our congregation who are wiling to answer Christ's call to serve as Stephen Ministers. Before being commissioned as a Stephen Minister, one must completer 50 hours of useful training in Christian caring skills.This training will be lead by trained Stephen Leaders and is distinctively Christian and focuses on God as the one who cures as we care. While being a Stephen Minister requires a commitment of time ad effort, it also brings joy and fulfillment. You will grow spiritually when you serve as a Stephen Minister. When God calls you to serve, he also gives you the faith and the gifts that you will need to do His will. It may be one of the most rewarding challenges that you will ever embrace. Please think and pray about this opportunity to serve. If you decide that you would like to become a Stephen Minister, please pick up a Stephen Minister application form the church office and return the completed form to the church office by Sunday, Nov 18th. If you have any question or want more specific information, please feel free to contact any of the Stephen Leaders: Pastor Scott, Steve or Dorothy Ellen. We are excited to see what God is going to do in the live so those who undertake this ministry at St. Mary's and in the lives of those who receive care for our Stephen Ministers. 

CATCH THE EXCITEMENT!

Kids' Night Out! Calling all kids in Grades K through high school. Join us the last Sunday of every month from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM for an evening of fun and games. This will be a time for the children to get together and just have fun. Bring a friend! A light snack will be provided. Contact Lisa or Brian, or the church office, for more information.

CARROLL COUNTY UCC'S UNITE TO SERRV

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Page last updated: November 14,  2007

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