The Severn Light. W orship Schedule. Christm as M essage

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1 The Severn Light St. Stephen s Episcopal Church Severn Parish Crownsville, Maryland November 2012 Advent-Christmas Edition IN THIS ISSUE: Christmas Services Page 1 Special Thank You Page 2 St. Stephen, Patron... Page 3 175th Anniversary Page 4 Memories of Christmas Page 5 News and Notes Page 6 Poinsettias Page 7 Musical Notes Page 8 W orship Schedule M onday, D ecem ber 24, Christm as E ve 5:00 p.m. Family Eucharist w/ Children s Pageant 8:30 p.m. Christmas Carols with the Choir 9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist Tuesday, D ecem ber 25, Christm as D ay 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Eucharist Sunday, D ecem ber 30, A R em em brance of the Feast of St. Stephen Our 175th Anniversary celebration begins The 8 and 10 a.m. services will be a celebration of Holy Communion according to the Rite of the 1789 Book of Common Prayer in use at the time of the founding of our parish in Sunday, January 6, The F east of the E piphany This Feast commemorates the coming of the Three Wisemen to the place of Christ s birth. We will have a special theme that day: We all have gifts to bring. Lenten Program Page 9 Church School Schedule Page 10 **This newsletter is either ed to those who have online capabilities or sent through the postal system for those who don t. If you have a delivery preference, please let the church secretary know. Christm as M essage In the m idst of a busy season, take tim e for the Lord. L et your heart find peace and m ay Christ be born anew in your life. In G od s Peace, Father Hagerman

2 PAGE 2 NOVEMBER 2012 THE SEVERN LIGHT. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO. Pete Coakley, for all his hard work coordinating our VERY INVOLVED and VERY INTENSIVE heating & cooling renovations Jim Blackwell and Brian Shay for our new curb sign post Melissa Bednarik, her extended family, and the Ladies of the Guild for their work on the Holiday Bazaar Don Chandler and the members of our Choir who combined their extensive talents with others to perform Mozart s Requiem All the VOLUNTEERS who dedicate their time and energies to provide meals to the homeless each month The members of My Brother s Keeper for their ministry of warmth The members of the Altar Guild who provide beautiful flower arrangements each week The parent Volunteers and young adult Volunteers who assist each week in our Nursery and Church School classrooms The Volunteers who are dedicated in providing delicious Coffee Hour treats each week The Berned, Shay, DiBenio, and Blackwell families, who provided a wonderful Trunk or Treat event For the energy and enthusiasm for our emerging Children s Ministry Mike and Margaret Duffy for their dedication to HOLIDAY SHARING George Balkoski for his ministry of STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR The members of our VESTRY for their dedication to leadership Our active presence assisting families in our community through the Crofton Christian Caring Council (CCCC)

3 THE SEVERN LIGHT NOVEMBER 2012 PAGE 3 St. Stephen the Patron Saint of Our Church Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen. The opening of this popular Christmas carol points to some important things to remember about St. Stephen. Respected and revered widely in the Christian world, St. Stephen s Feast Day is December 26th, the second day of Christmas a prominent date but easily overlooked in the Christmas season. Good King Wenceslas, a Czech King and Christian martyr himself (d. 929), looks out on the Feast of Stephen when a poor man came in sight gathering winter fuel. The connection with the poor is appropriate: The ministry of St. Stephen begins as he is appointed first of the Seven Deacons in the Acts of the Apostles (6:1-6) to oversee the daily distribution of food to the poor widows of the church community. Stephen is described as being a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. (6:5) Stephen was a compelling preacher and teacher: Jesus as the promised Messiah is the new temple of the faith, but Israel has always been slow to accept the dramatic activity of God in fulfilling his promises. In Acts (7:2-53) Stephen clearly makes his case in reviewing salvation history and showing the pattern of God s actions and revelations and the people s resistance. This is a threatening message and Stephen is stoned to death in a burst of mob anger without a judicial hearing. He dies echoing the words of Jesus, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. (Acts 7:60-Luke 23:34) On our parish banner, the stones refer to St. Stephen s manner of death, the palm to his spiritual victory, and the gold crown to his crown of glory in being the first martyr of the Christian Faith. We will officially begin the celebration of our 175th Anniversary by remembering the Feast of St. Stephen on Sunday, December 30th at the 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services. We will draw on the 1789 Book of Common Prayer in use for the first fifty-four years of our parish. Hymns from that era, some of which are still in our hymnal, will also be used. As I consider the strongest shaping influence the spirit of St. Stephen brings to our ministry, I think of Stephen as Deacon (servant ministry). Over the years to the present and into the future we have often been at our best in serving the needs of others. Our newest Children s Ministry of Service is true to our theme that in our anniversary year we are Honoring our Past and Building our Future. From My Brother s Keeper and the ten years of the Appalachia Service Project to the Crofton Christian Caring Council, the Spirit of St. Stephen still guides us. Father Hagerman

4 PAGE 4 NOVEMBER 2012 THE SEVERN LIGHT EVENTS St. Stephen s Episcopal Church Severn Parish th Anniversary Honoring our past - Building our future Sunday, December 30 Celebration of the patronal feast of St. Stephen Sunday, January 6 Feast of the Epiphany: We all have gifts to bring Sunday, February 3 Annual Meeting with Election of Vestry Members Sunday, April 21 Panel and History Talk Saturday, May 4 Spring Dinner and Historic Tour Sunday, June 30 Bishop Sutton s visit: A celebration of our anniversary and our ministry with children and youth- Confirmation and a VBS Presentation Sunday, October 6 Homecoming PROJECTS The 175 th Anniversary History Project Theme: The history of the Church is built on stories of faith, hope and love entwined Faith-The Rev. Henry Asquith and the founding of St. Stephen s-severn Parish 1838 Hope-The Woodward Family: How grieving the untimely loss of a daughter (Edith) built Woodward Hall and the Celtic Cross Memorial ( ) Love-The ministry of My Brother s Keeper as an embodiment of a strong ethic of service. Bring us your stories of Faith, Hope, and Love. Throughout the Year -Join us in sprucing up our grounds and improving our buildings -We are preparing a historic church tour and collecting historic artifacts -A quilt is being prepared Bring us your ideas. We are just beginning to plan. The next Anniversary Planning Meeting is Monday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. in Woodward Hall.

5 THE SEVERN LIGHT NOVEMBER 2012 PAGE 5 Memories of Christmas The Family of Margaret and Meade Turner In the middle to late fifties and early sixties, St. Stephen s was truly a country parish. There had been no addition yet, and talks had just begun about building a new Parish Hall. Many of the parishioners names were the same as the family names we still hear at St. Stephen s today. It was our family tradition, at that time, to decorate the church for Christmas. Our grandmother, Evelyn Stockett Turner, was a member of the Altar Guild. She recruited her sons and grandchildren to assist her with the task. She loved Christmas, and we couldn t wait to help. Our father, Meade Turner, would tell us to dress warmly and get out to the truck. He would help us climb onto the back of our big flatbed farm truck. Tall sides were in place to keep us safe and to hold and protect the treasures we were about to gather. Off we would go to get our grandmother, Uncle Reggie, and maybe a cousin or two. Off we would go across the fields looking for greens. The men would cut large branches of pine and holly from the woods that were next to the fields. Our grandmother directed them to get branches that had berries and pine cones. We would watch from our special high place on the back of the truck. The best part were the cedar trees. They grew wild in the fields and along fences. Our dad and uncle would look for four large trees. It was important that they match in size. The four trees would sit in the four corners of the church. Always the trees were cut from fields on our farm property, maybe the area where the Wegman s shopping center now sits or sometimes from the fields behind our farm house on Johns Hopkins Road. Much time was spent finding the perfect trees. We all agree that the best memories are of the cedar trees. They smelled so good and were so big. Cedar trees, we were told, had a spiritual significance. Then we were off to the church. We got to help unload the trees and greens. In the church we would watch as the cedar trees were placed at either side of the altar, and then in the corners in the back. The holly and pine were banked in the window over the altar table. All the window sills were filled with greens. The big ladder came in and one of the men would climb up to place holly across the large hanging lights. (These same lights hang in the narthex.) Finally we were done. The church had been swept and it was time to go home. The church was so beautiful. The cedar trees were so big and green. It looked and smelled just like Christmas! We are fortunate to have been in this parish for so many generations. The youngest of us doesn t have this memory, but we have often told her this story. She remembers other Christmases at St. Stephen s, especially the wonderful mitten trees. God s blessing and Merry Christmas! Evelyn Appleman Arlene Rayburn Teri Gillen Meade Turner Carol McNemar

6 PAGE 6 NOVEMBER 2012 THE SEVERN LIGHT GUILD NEWS & NOTES: Spring, Summer, Fall, and soon Winter. Hope it has been a great year for all. We would like to thank everyone for all the help with the fund raisers we have had during the year. Our Spring Fling is to raise funds for the new floor in the Parish Hall. The Fall Dinner is to raise funds for all of the Guild Outreach Projects. Our total profit for the Spring Fling (2012) was $2, The Cooler Raffle was won by Eileen Brady (friend of Marsha Thompson). The total raised for the new Parish Hall floor thus far is $12, Our first estimate was $14,000. We have recently received another estimate for $12,500. & expect one more in the near future. However we will not be able to get anything done until the old boiler has been removed. All funds from the Spring Fling go strictly to the new floor. We appreciate all help, as we feel this should be a Parish function and not just the Guild. The new floor will benefit everyone in our Parish. Unfortunately we had to cancel the Fall Dinner due to the hurricane and power outage. I appreciate everyone that signed up to help and hope you will volunteer next year. We will also have the traditional "Spring Dinner" in celebration of the 175th Anniversary of St. Stephen's in May. The Christmas Bazaar was small but with the Silent Auction, Bake Sale, Vendors, Luncheon and Bushel of Crabs Raffle we raised $3, The Bushel of Crabs was won by our own Mary Brown. Our next Guild meeting will be our Christmas Luncheon to be held at the home of Carol McNemar on Thursday, December 6th at 11:30 a.m. Looking forward to seeing all our Guild members there. Again, thanks to all for your support. HAVE A SAFE & BLESSED HOLIDAY!! Melissa Bednarik Guild President Stewardship Pledge Status The Stewardship Committee is grateful that Lorin Selby and Pete Coakley have stepped up to assist the Stewardship Pledge Committee. Sue Hoge will be consulting on the dollar amount budget requirements and the use of our pledge dollars. At the Prayer and Blessing of all received pledges on November 25, there were 60 Pledges received. We are now on the 50 yard line since our goal is 120 pledges. Pledge cards may be delivered to the church office, put in the offering plate on Sundays, or if you prefer, in the pledge box in the narthex. Extra pledge cards are available if needed. George Balkoski Stewardship Co-Chairman THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS Everyone is familiar with the song The 12 Days of Christmas and its funny verses. But it had a serious purpose when it was written. The song s gifts are hidden meanings to the teaching of the faith. 1 The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ 2 Turtle doves the Old and New Testaments 3 French Hens Faith, Hope and Charity 4 Calling Birds The Four Gospels 5 Golden Rings The first Five Books of the Old Testament 6 Geese A-laying the 6 days of creation 7 Swans A-swimming the Seven Sacraments 8 Maids A-milking the 8 Beatitudes 9 Ladies Dancing the 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit 10 Lords A-leaping the 10 Commandments 11 Pipers Piping the eleven faithful Apostles 12 Drummers Drumming the 12 points of doctrine in the Apostle s Creed Think about this the next time you hear or sing The 12 Days of Christmas. Gail Brooks

7 THE SEVERN LIGHT NOVEMBER 2012 PAGE 7 CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS A wonderful way to honor your loved ones at Christmas is to donate poinsettias to help decorate the church as we prepare for the birth of Christ. Order your thanksgiving and/or memorial poinsettias using the form shown and place it with your check in the collection plate or give to the church secretary. Plants are $8.00 each. LAST DAY FOR ORDERING IS Sunday, December 16. After Christmas, take your plants home and enjoy for many months. Christmas Poinsettia Order Form Name $8.00 each In memory of In thanksgiving for Last day for ordering is Sunday, December 16, 2012

8 PAGE 8 NOVEMBER 2012 THE SEVERN LIGHT Musical Notes Advent is already here! Christmas is coming! Music at St. Stephen s brings joy and lots of warm fuzzies...especially when we sing carols in the next few weeks. What is your favorite carol? (Let me know; we ll try to program it in worship.) A big thank you! And a big Bravo! to our Choir for their excellent work on Mozart s Requiem again this fall (November 10). Singers from St. Stephen s included: Lynn Bernard, soprano; Toni Hoffer, alto; Jim Dietrich, and Chuck Sands, basses. I played the organ. Seton Parish and Crofton First Baptist contributed many singers and funds as well, along with Crofton Community Singers and their director (who sang soprano), Marilyn Miles. Though the performance was rated the best ever of the past 6 years requiem performances we ve done in this format, the expenses were also the highest, due to the need to engage supplemental singers, and the need for a relatively large orchestra to perform this work properly (3 trombones, e.g.). I commit each year to making up whatever is not paid by others toward these expenses, as a memorial to my deceased daughter, Kristine Chandler. Several have given generously: Lynn Bernard, Jim Dietrich, and Gail Brooks, to whom I am very grateful! Should the Spirit so move you, please join in contributing (checks should be made to St. Stephen s, marked Requiem.) The same appeal applies to the fund for special musicians we normally hire (4 instruments, one or two singers) at Christmas Eve for the 9:00 p.m. service to enhance our praise on that very important occasion. Thank you in advance for your help! Your generosity in past years has enabled us to maintain St. Stephen s tradition of musical excellence in praise of our God and Savior. St. Stephen s celebrates its 175th Anniversary beginning December 30. We d like to sing a historical version it turns out it s the one Judy Collins & others use of Amazing Grace at that time; the tune originated in Appalachia about the time of our church s construction. The melody is given, along with two harmony parts, in shape-note form in the publication Virginia Harmony, Maybe the Choir will add the part singing! Happy Anniversary, St. Stephen s! And a blessed Christmas to all. Yours for church music, Don Chandler, Ch.M. Organist-choirmaster FEEDING THE HOMELESS From January 14 January 21, Seton Parish will house and feed approximately 35 homeless men through the Winter Relief Program of the Arundel House of Hope. St. Stephen s is participating in this outreach by providing dinner for them on Wednesday, January 16. The menu is the same as last year s: Western Barbecue. We have recipes available to make dishes ahead of time. We will need people to help prepare the food and serve it. If you would like to participate in some way, please contact Carol McNemar ( ) or Nancy Cole ( ) to find out what you can do to help. EMERGENCY CLOSINGS There are occasions when we must cancel programs and services here at St. Stephen s because of inclement weather or power failure etc. If there is a question of whether an event or service will be cancelled, there are several ways of obtaining the answer: 1. Clusters: Clusters attempt to contact parishioners through or phone calls. (You must be signed up to be on the Cluster list.) 2. Church Phone Message: You may call the church phone number and listen to the message on its voice mail. 3. TV or Radio: We will post the closing on WBAL TV and on WTOP Radio.

9 THE SEVERN LIGHT NOVEMBER 2012 PAGE 9 Lenten Program 2013 The Story of the E piscopal Church Thursdays in L ent 7-8:30 p.m. in W oodw ard H all SCHEDULE: February 21 February 28 March 7 March 14 March 21 R oots in the A nglican R eform ation E arly A m erican H istory F rom Jam estow n to the R evolution The Call to M ission The 19th and 20th Century The B aptism al Covenant as the Statem ent of our F aith and M inistries W e are P art of Som ething B igger than O urselves- F rom Congregation to D iocese to N ational Church to A nglican Com m union to O ne H oly Catholic and A postolic Church A s w e celebrate our 175th A nniversary as a parish in the E piscopal Church, it is good to take a deeper look at the denom ination of w hich w e are a part. This is a very good program for those preparing for A dult Confirm ation or R eception in the E piscopal Church, P arish L eadership, and anyone interested in deepening their spiritual resources in the A nglican tradition. C ontact the office if you are interested or if you w ould like to know about resource books. A ll are w elcom e! F ather H agerm an

10 PAGE 10 St. Stephen s Episcopal Church NOVEMBER 2012 THE SEVERN LIGHT Severn Parish 1110 St. Stephen s Church Road Crownsville, Maryland Phone: Fax: st_stephens@verizon.net Office Hours: MON-FRI 8:00 am to 5:00 pm The Rev. Steven W. Hagerman, Rector CHURCH SCHOOL NOTES We ALL have an extremely busy time of year fast approaching. A letter has gone out to all the Church School families detailing the particulars. These are the highlights: Sunday, December 2nd ~ Advent Family Sunday The younger children will decorate the Jesse Tree in Church during the 10:00 AM Service Saturday, December 22nd ~ NOON to 1:30 PM Christmas Pageant Rehearsal with Pizza Lunch Monday, December 24 th ~ Christmas Pageant ~ 5:00 PM Service All children who will be in the Pageant must be in the Parish Hall by 4:45 PM Sunday, December 23rd & Sunday, December 30th No Church School Classes Sunday, January 6th ~ The Feast of the Epiphany Church School resumes Please contact Berney should you have questions about any of these dates and/or events /shbjh@verizon.net HOLIDAY SHARING The tags for Christmas giving are on the Holiday Sharing bulletin board in the Parish Hall. Please take a tag and bring that item(s) in. The due date is Sunday, December 23. Food and gifts will be delivered after the 10:00 a.m. service that day.