Sunday, December 09, 2007

Announcements for Week Ending December 16th, plus The Messenger

Announcements

Those who have not yet estimated
their giving please use the pledge cards and envelopes located at the end of each pew. You may simply drop the completed cards in the collection, mail them or bring them by the parish office.

Bazaar spillover sale today (Sunday, December 9th) – Parish groups and artists only. Pick up that special gift you missed last week – join us in the Parish Center for coffee hours after both Masses. Ten Thousand Villages unsold items must be returned soon, so this is your last opportunity to support fair-traded village crafts worldwide.

Social Concerns Meeting TODAY (Sunday, December 9th) after 10 AM Mass, Womble Library. All welcome to join us as we talk about concerns and end-of-year use of funds YOU have already donated. Starts 15 minutes after the organ postlude ends, so pick up your coffee and head over.

THE BARNABAS GROUP of encouragement for those who have experienced a loss at sometime meets monthly. Next meeting is Monday, December 10 at 11:30 AM, at the Old Pueblo Grill located at 60 North Alvernon Way. Please call Peggy Speece with your reservation.

E.C.W ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON will take place on Wednesday, December 19 at 10:30 am in the Parish Center. All women of the parish are invited. Reservations made on the sign-up sheet in the back of church. The cost of the luncheon is $6.00. Won’t you join us? The last day for reservations is no later than Monday, December 17.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS - the special beauty of St. Michael’s Christmas worship is the work of many people. Not all can be directly involved, but all can contribute to the Christmas Flowers and Decorations. Please use the Christmas Flowers envelope for floral donations.

PLEASE NOTE: Fr. Harnsberger’s celebration of the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood scheduled for next Sunday December 16 ~ 10am has been postponed to a later date.

THANKS TO ALL (too many to name) who helped make St. Michael’s Advent International Bazaar a success with great food, wonderful music, and unique gifts. Three parish artists and 28 outside and parish related socially committed groups participated. At least $8,860 changed hands (with one group left to report). Our free space is a great gift to worthy projects, from African Team Ministries to Zambian Children’s Fund. Thanks especially to the school / church maintenance staff, church office, church wardens and Social Concerns’ event coordinator.

Don’t forget your “Angel Food” for last minute Christmas gifts.

SOCIETY OF ST. MARGARET’S ALTAR SOCIETY WILL MEET ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 15TH FOLLOWING THE 8:30 AM SERVICE AT THE MARY ALTAR. THIS MEETING WILL BE PLAN THE HANGING OF THE GREENS FOR CHRISTMAS. ALL ALTAR GUILD MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO ATTEND.

Opportunities for Giving

Today is the Second Sunday of Advent. Angel Tree tags are available for pick-up from the Christmas Tree at the back of church. Please be sure to sign the sheet on the usher’s table so that we will know what children’s names have been taken.
This year we have 33 children and will also be buying groceries for Christmas baskets for several of the families. I appreciate all the donations you have made in the past for the Angel Tree project. This year I need all the gifts returned to the office or brought to the tree no later than Sunday, December 21. Margie Doyle will be helping me with wrapping and delivery this year.
Please remember to include the tags for return if any of the items are the wrong size or color. Most stores will give these when the gift is purchased. For any of you who would like to participate but are unable to shop, let me know and I will be glad to take care of it for you.
May God Bless all of you during this wonderful time of the year. Please call me if you have any questions or have any problems with your gifts. Thanking you in advance for your generosity – Ancelyn Smith

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS EMBRACED BY OUR EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Achieve Universal Primary Education and Empower Women
How could the people of our parish of St. Michael and All Angels work toward the realization of this goal?


And now: the Messenger! PDF file - click here. (warning: large file!)