Looking Ahead at St Mary (December 15 – 23)
Beloved in Christ,
Below you will find this week’s schedule, as well as some important notes about upcoming events.
THIS WEEK: December 15 – 23, 2024
This Week: The Advent Fast began on Nov 15 and continues through Dec 24.
Sun, Dec 15 at 5:30 pm – Lord’s Diner
Mon, Dec 16 at 6:00 pm – Advent Paraklesis
Wed, Dec 18 at 6:00 pm – Daily Vespers
Thurs, Dec 19 at 5:30 pm – Parish Council Meeting
Fri, Dec 20 at 6:00 pm – Advent Paraklesis
Sat, Dec 21 – Scroll Deadline
Sat, Dec 21 at 4:30 pm – Confession
Sat, Dec 21 at 5:00 pm – Great Vespers
Sun, Dec 22 at 9:00 am – Matins
Sun, Dec 22 at 10:00 am – Divine Liturgy w/Installation of 2025 Parish Council
Sun, Dec 22 at 11:00 am – Church School
Sun, Dec 22 at 5:00 pm – Church School Christmas Program (see note and flyer below)
Mon, Dec 23 at 6:00 pm – Advent Paraklesis
Other Notes
(1) ST MARY BOOKSTORE: Please consider stopping by the St Mary Bookstore as part of your Christmas shopping. This year, we have the Christmas Road Nativity game for families (see details below). In addition, the bookstore has many icons, books, crosses, and more for Orthodox Christians on your Christmas shopping list. The bookstore is located next to the main church hall/gymnasium. Nativity Board Game for Families. Appropriate for ages 7+ for 2-6 players. Role the dice and move your pawns across the board according to the dice to arrive at the manger where Baby Jesus is. Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manager. The three wise men arrived from afar bearing gifts. Now it’s your turn to travel to the cave, welcome the new baby, and offer him your commitment to Christian virtues as your gift. Joy and her brother Joe will be your guides. Along the way, you will have the chance to test your knowledge by answering questions on the trivia cards and have fun with surprise cards that pop up unexpectedly. The object of the game is to reach space #75 first. In addition to the trivia cards, there are also 8 Icon cards that will be used when prompted to.
(2) CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: Our annual Church School Christmas Program & Potluck is Sunday, December 22, at 5:00 pm. See the flyer below for more details. Please be sure to bring a little extra than usual for the Potluck as St Michael parishioners have been invited to join us in fellowship that evening.
(3) HUMANITARIAN NATIVITY PROJECT: Our Humanitarian Ministry Team is sponsoring a Nativity project to help re-stock our food pantry that serves several hundred people per year. To learn more details about how you can help, please see the flyer here >
(4) CHURCH HALL OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS: Once again this year the Church Hall will be open for people to celebrate after Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, December 24. The parish will not be providing any food or beverage, but people are welcome to bring their own. As always, please be sure not to drink and drive and to shut the lights off if you are the last person to leave. Please also ensure the doors are locked behind and be sure to pick up any mess you make.
(5) TEXT MESSAGE UPDATE REMINDERS: If you would like to join the St Mary text message group to receive important updates/reminders, you may do so at any time by texting @stmaryict to 81010. Please note you must include the @ sign to be able to join the group. No one in the group will see your phone number or be able to send you a message except through the parish office. You also will not be able to text others in the group, but will receive messages from the office and can respond to the office.
(6) METROPOLITAN SABA’S WEEKLY TEACHING: This week, His Eminence shares “The Nativity & Almsgiving – Part 1.” See the link to read it >
(7) TEACH ME THY STATUTES PODCAST: If you would like to listen to this week’s Teach Me Thy Statutes podcast (with Fr Aaron & Jason Ewertt), you can find it here: Teach Me Thy Statutes.
(8) PASTORAL VISITS: If you would like a pastoral visit for any reason, or if you know of a family member/parishioner who needs a visit, please feel free to contact me via cell phone at 204-6725.
Yours in Christ,
Fr Aaron
