The next Fellowship event is on Friday, Dec. 2nd at 6:30 p.m. It’s movie night! Emmet Otters Jug-Band Christmas will be the main event with a Classic Christmas movie as an opening act. There will be popcorn and some other light snack. Please join us to enjoy in the fellowship of our parish. See you then!
The altar flowers are given in memory of Patricia Orr by Susan Suter.
Please give a warm welcome to our long term supply priest, Bill Fleming. We are so blessed to have him with us this morning!
St. Nicholas returns!! On Sunday, Dec. 4th, during the 10:00 service, St. Nicholas will be making a return visit to St. Mary’s. All the children will be invited to leave their shoes at the front of the church to receive gifts just as the legend of St. Nicholas describes. St. Nicholas will also stop by during the service to speak with the children and tell them the story of his life. Families will be invited to take home an advent calendar and corresponding mite box. The collections in the mite boxes will be donated to the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. These funds will be used to support the educational needs of children throughout the Holy Land by means of scholarship, teacher training, books, and supplies.
Angel FISH program: Thank you to everyone who has “adopted” a needy child for Christmas. All gifts (unwrapped) are due back to St. Mary’s by Sun., Dec. 4th. Be sure to include the “control number” for the child on each gift. “Bonus Table” gifts are still needed and include hoodies, winter coats for children from ages 8 – 17, pajamas for boys ages 6 – 10, pajamas for girls ages 6 – 17, sports items, craft items, art supplies, bubble bath, make-up kits, perfumes, toiletries for males, scented candles, hair dryers, curling irons, Fisher Price or Play School toys, board games, etc. Also needed are batteries, holiday wrapping paper, and gift cards. Thank you for your support.
A variety of Advent devotion booklets are available on the table at the back of the sanctuary. If you have not already done so, please take a booklet on Sunday morning.
The “Brief Tree” will make its first appearance on St. Nicholas Day in the Gathering Space for our annual underwear and sock donations. Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation, and Christmas is a time of giving, not getting. Please give generously to the “Brief Tree.” Our gifts will be given to the Love INC Clothing Closet.
The next Venture Crew Meeting will be on Sunday, Dec. 4th from 5 – 7 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Brian or Kim Kelly.
Parents’ Day Out Event: The Youth Group is pleased to host our younger members from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10th, while their parents go do whatever! The event is free, but Youth Group members will be earning community service hours. Entertainment and snacks will be provided. If your child has food allergies, please bring an appropriate snack. A sign-up sheet is in the Gathering Space.
Youth Group News: Please plan to be at the church for the Parents’ Day Out event on Sat., Dec. 10th. The event begins at 10 a.m., but please arrive at 9:30 to help with setup. There is work to do in preparation for the Christmas Pageant as well as young kids to entertain. Please sign up on the sheet outside our room downstairs. See Bree Schultz if you have any questions.
2012 offering envelopes are available in the Gathering Space. Please pick your box up on Sunday morning. If you don’t see your name and would like envelopes, please leave a note on Janis’s desk.
The next Vestry Meeting is Tues., Dec. 13th at 7:00 p.m. If you are unable to attend, please let Pete or Mike know in advance.
In case of a pastoral emergency, please contact one of our wardens: Pete Trumbore at 248.225.9548 or Mike Tyler at 248.860.4138.
Please mark your calendar! The annual Christmas pageantwill be held on Sunday, Dec. 18th at the 10:00 service. Please plan to attend and bring friends and family. The dress rehearsal will be on Sat., Dec. 17th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The rehearsal will end with a light lunch. Some Sunday School time will be used to practice parts and to become familiar with the script, so please try to have your children attend Sunday School each week. Children in the nursery are welcome to participate. They will be cast as animals in the manger.
Join us on Sunday, December 18th following the 10:00 service as we decorate our church for Christmas. There will be roping to hang and pews and tress to decorate. Many hands make light work, so please consider staying after the service for a bit to help out. Please see Stacy Tines if you have any questions.
St. Mary’s Book Club will meet on Tues., Dec. 13th at 12:30 p.m.to discuss The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Story of Surprising Second Chances by Amy Dickinson. Everyone is invited to join us! We will be meeting at the home of one of our members. Please contact Susan Suter at 248-620-6524 for more information, and don’t forget to bring your lunch!
All 2011 contributions need to be turned into the church office by Sun., Dec. 25th at 11:15 a.m. All financial records and reports for 2011 will be closed out that day. If you are behind in your pledge, and you are able to bring it up-to-date, please do so by the 25th so your 2011 contribution record will be correct. If you need information regarding the status of your pledge, give Janis a call on Monday or Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. or send an email to office@stmarysinthehills.org.
The Love INC Household Goods Ministry, “Bed, Blessings, & Beyond” is in dire need of pots & pans and blankets. The “Little Luxuries” ministry needs items such as hair care products, hand soap, deodorants, shaving supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tampons, pads, perfumes, make up, etc. These ministries are located at Christ the King Church on Drahner Rd. in Oxford and the donation hours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 – 12. You can also place your donations in the Hamm Room collection boxes and they will be taken to Christ the King Church. Thank you!
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Children’s Christmas Eve Service: 4:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve services: 8:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. (no child care)
Christmas Day: 10:00 a.m.