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Email: office@stmarysucc.org
Page last updated: September 4, 2008
T H E P A R I S H N E W S
St. Mary’s United Church of Christ
Silver Run, Maryland
Volume XXIX September 2008 No 8 modified for the Web.
(Previous issues available: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Time Change - Beginning September 7th
Confirmation Classes begin - September 7th
Faith Renewal Sunday - September 7th
Gifts for the Needy - September 7th
Anniversary Celebration - September 7th
Attention all Children - beginning September 7th
Wednesday Night Bible Study - begins September 17th
Food and Faith - September 21st
Kids Night Out - Resumes September 28th
Renewal begins with faith!
Yet even our faith requires renewal and reinvigoration with the Holy
Spirit. At St. Mary’s church, we
begin each program year in September with the recognition that all that we do
and all that we are as a people of God must be grounded in a strong, vibrant,
and living faith. We celebrate Faith
Renewal Sunday each year as a time to examine the depth of our faith and remind
ourselves of our reliance upon God in all things, even for that faith which
binds us together and empowers us to carry on our ministries in the name of
Jesus Christ. This year as we
initiate our preparation for our 250th Anniversary year in 2012, we
are reminded of the long history of faithful witness and service that has been
the heritage that we enjoy as the people of St. Mary’s church.
Our faith continues to be grounded in God’s good news.
God loves us. God cares about
us. God has sent Jesus Christ into
the world to teach us, to heal us, and to empower us for service.
As faithful followers of Jesus Christ we are called upon to share the
blessings that God has bestowed upon us with a needy and hurting world.
Our world needs what we have to offer.
But to fulfill our mission and reach out to those in need, we must be
strong in our faith as a people of God and strong in our commitment to do
God’s will. Exciting days are
ahead for us. May the renewal of our
faith make us ready for all that God has in store for us as we continue to serve
together in Christ’s name.
Grace and peace, Dick
As
the days grow shorter, the weather becomes cooler and the students begin a new
school year, we at St. Mary’s will begin a new worship and Sunday School
schedule. Beginning September 7th,
Faith Renewal Sunday, the times for worship and Sunday School are:
9:15 am Adult
Sunday School &
Confirmation Class
9:30 am Children’s
Sunday School
10:30 am Worship Service
The
Praise service will continue on the fourth Sunday of the month at 10:30 am and
an additional Praise Service will be held on the second Sunday at 8:30 am.
Adult
supervision will be available in the children’s Sunday School areas for
children who have a parent or caregiver attending Sunday School at 9:15 am.
I
am looking forward to the excitement and joy of sharing God’s love in the new
program year.
Consistory
President
Pastor
Scott will be leading confirmation classes for interested youth who are in
middle school and older who would like to explore church membership.
Classes will begin on Faith Renewal Sunday, September 7th, at
the adult Sunday School time of 9:15 AM. We
will meet in the Conference Room. For
information about our confirmation program contact Pastor Scott or the church
office.
Our fall season begins with Faith Renewal Sunday on September 7th. Everyone is encouraged to gather for worship beginning this year at 10:30 AM when the sacrament of Holy Communion will be served at stations in the front of the sanctuary. This year’s Member Anniversary picture will be taken immediately following the service. Table Fellowship will be served after worship downstairs in the Fellowship Hall giving us an opportunity to see the progress of our Basement Renovation projects. Instead of having a breakfast program as in prior years, regular Sunday School classes will begin on this Sunday with adult classes meeting at 9:15 AM and children’s classes meeting at 9:30 AM. We hope that all will take this opportunity to nourish our faith and renew our commitment as we begin this new program year together.
At
this year’s Faith Renewal observance on September 7th, the Caring
For Our Own Committee will again honor church members who are celebrating
special anniversary years as members of St. Mary’s church.
Special recognition will be given this year to those who have member
anniversaries of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years in 2008, and all those who have
been members of St. Mary’s for 60 years or more.
Special invitations have been sent out to those we would like to honor,
and a commemorative picture will be taken of all of our honorees in attendance
on Faith Renewal Sunday. Everyone is
invited and encouraged to join in this special celebration.
MEMORIAL LIGHTENING PROTECTION SYSTEM
After
the completion of our new Lightening Protection System, an unexpected gift has
been made by the family of Bernard K. as a memorial to cover the total cost of
the project. Our thanks go to
Bernie’s family for their thoughtfulness and generosity as we remember him in
this special way.
With
some of our sanctuary sound equipment being damaged by a lightening strike last
year, Consistory has authorized the replacement and upgrading of our sound
system from the General Fund and has allowed the Praise Band to make some
additional enhancements to the system that are to be paid for by designated
giving through our Special Items Fund. We
owe a big thank you to Paul who has been doing most of the installation
work while on medical leave. For
those who would like to help underwrite the cost of these improvements, your
donations made payable to the church can be earmarked for the Special Music
Fund. Thank you for your generous
support.
Wednesday Night Bible Study will begin on Wednesday, September 17, 2008. The study will be a several week study on women of the Bible and will include a video series. In each video segment, actress Anita Gitschick does an outstanding monologue of one of the women in the Bible such as Sarah, Martha, and Lot’s wife.
The
Bible study group on Women of the Bible will meet every Wednesday night
beginning September 17 though October 29
from 6:30-7:30 pm. Everyone is
welcome to attend any time.
KID’S
NIGHT OUT will resume on Sunday, September 28th. Join us
the last Sunday of every month from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an evening of fun
& games. All kids in Grades K
through high school are welcome. Bring
a friend! A light snack will be
provided. Contact the church office
for more information.
Good
progress is being made on our basement renovation projects.
The new HVAC system is completed and the new family bathroom should be
ready soon. Work on the kitchen is
going well but will take a little bit longer than we originally anticipated.
Although we had some start up funds to initiate these projects, we remind
ourselves that we have had to borrow from our Endowment Fund to cover the
balance of the costs. While a letter
will be going out this month to seek funds from those who would like to help out
financially with these projects, some of us have already started to make
contributions. Together we are
accomplishing great things and everyone’s patience, support, and generosity
are greatly appreciated.
September 21st will be a Stephen Ministry Sunday during which the worship service will highlight our Stephen Ministry. This lay caring ministry had its beginning at St. Mary’s in August 2006 when its three leaders went to Pittsburgh for their Stephen Ministry training. Since then, the leaders have trained four members of our congregation to be Stephen Ministers. The Ministry continues to try to meet the needs of those members who are facing challenging times by connecting them with a Stephen Minister who is there for them during such times.
If you are interested in having a Stephen Minister or becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Pastor Scott, or the church office.
Thank You for sharing our Parish News! If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact the church office.
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