December 2017 THE MAGNIFICAT. Christmas Eve. December 24, :00 AM 4th Sunday in Advent. 5:00 p.m. family service with Christmas pageant

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1 Page 1 December 2017 The Head of this Church Bishop Rector Assisting Priest (retired) Deacons Administrative Assistant Bookkeeper Children s Formation Director Nursery Director Youth Minister Youth Minister Youth Minister Youth Minister Praise Ensemble Chancel Choir Organist Senior Warden Junior Warden Chancellor Treasurer Jesus Christ Rev. Edward J. Konieczny Rev. Dr. Mark D. Story Rev. Jim Hunkins Rev. Nancy Bridges Rev. Bill Hesse Debbie Griggs Kay Zumwalt Lisa Jones Donna Costello Chris Hand David & Jill Youngblood Roger Webb Elizabeth Bolt Chris Rathbun Chris Weigand Guy Nembhard Dr. Karl Nelson Betsy Banks Dewayne Crunk Mike Ryan Tom Ferguson J.R. Rounsavall Christmas Eve December 24, :00 AM 4th Sunday in Advent 5:00 p.m. family service with Christmas pageant 7:00 p.m. Organ without choir 9: 00 p.m. Choir Contact Us office@stmarysedmond.org Phone (405) Facebook.com/stmarysedmond St. Mary s School (405) Head of School Pamela Dockter Christmas Day 9:00 a.m. service only

2 PAGE 2 This coming Sunday marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. The season of Advent is upon us. Those who are new to the Episcopal Church are learning that seasonal changes in the church s year are delineated by changes in color. The color changes symbolize spiritual motifs or orientations to time. Contrary to some, Jesus did not establish the seasonal color coding of the liturgical year, nor are the colors prescribed in canon law. The colors emerged over time by common use. However, there is something Darwinian about the color schemes. The dominant Roman use was never able to create an altogether unified approach to the use of color in the Church s worship. The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Salisbury, England was an ecclesiastical version of Darwin s Galapagos Islands. Distinct usages evolved at the Cathedral with regard to color, and the traditions associated with Salisbury Cathedral became known as the Sarum Rite or Usage. Roman use prescribed (and continues to do so) purple or violent for the seasons of Advent and Lent. The use of these two colors directs the worshipper s attention to the royal character of Jesus and the penitential nature of the two seasons. The color intentionally brings the seasons of Advent and Lent together in a way that was significantly tied to penitential spirituality of the Middle Ages. In fact, over time, Advent became known as a Little Lent. The Sarum Rite allowed the worshipper to differentiate the seasons of Advent and Lent by using the color blue during Advent and Lenten Array during Lent. During Lent, we will use the Lenten Array color scheme in our worship. The base color of unbleached linen (sackcloth) was (and is) intended to remind the worshipper that we come into God s presence with a spirit of humility. The complementary colors of black and oxblood foreshadow Holy Week and our Lord s Passion. The use of these colors tells us that Sarum s Lenten Array treated the season of Lent in a similar fashion to the Roman Rite. It simply used different colors to mark time during the season. Advent will arrive in a few days and it will bring with it Sarum Blue. It is no coincidence that The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary would be drawn to the traditional color of the Mother of God during the season that prepares for the Feast of the Incarnation. From Sarum s perspective, Advent is the season that celebrates the pregnancy of time. It is the season of expectation and hope. During Advent, the Church prepares to celebrate the birth of its Savior and waits with hopeful expectation his return. The color blue embodies the hopefulness that accompanies both the expected birth of a child and the anticipation of being reunited. It symbolizes the obedience of a young woman who willingly submitted her life to the will of God and God s call to the Church to be vigilant in its watchfulness.

3 Page 3 (continued from page 2) The color that evolved out of the liturgical life of The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary has arrived at St. Mary s, Edmond. I pray that it serves to awaken the hope that is in us and that our common life will inspire others to follow Jesus Christ as Lord. Come Lord Jesus. Mark+

4 PAGE 4 Building Excitement: How God will transform this land into our church home!

5 Page 5 Nominations for the 2018 Diocesan Convention and 2018 Vestry It is time to nominate for vestry candidates & delegates to the 2018 Diocesan Convention. Hard copy forms are available in the Narthex or you can download from the church website. Nominations must be received no later than noon, Sunday, January 14, 2018 ***Mark your calendars for the Annual Meeting***

6 PAGE 6 CHRISTMAS PAGEANT St. Mary's Christmas Pageant Christmas Eve, December 24 5:00 P.M. Rehearsal will be Saturday, December 23 TBD. All children who are interested in being in the Christmas Pageant, please contact Lisa or lisa.shirley.jones@gmail.com.

7 Page 7 Note: -African Ministries will be also held Sunday, December 10

8 PAGE 8 St. Mary s Youth Hit a Home Run St. Mary s Episcopal Youth (Edmond) had a great night at Mitch Park on Monday, October 24th. The Youth and their leaders sacrificed their last evening of fall break to be buddies at a Miracle League game, supporting one of their own parishioners with special needs. The group was quick to say YES when asked by Donna Costello, one of their youth leaders, if they would like to help. Many of the youth and other leaders know Costello s son, Peter, who has played on Miracle League for many years. No surprise that they would choose one of Peter s game nights to participate as buddies for the first time. Miracle League of Edmond is an organization that provides an opportunity for children and adults with special needs to play baseball. The teams play a shortened game of just two innings. There are no outs and no scoring, but plenty of fun and comradely amongst the players and the buddies. We have grown to 12 teams, each scheduled to play once a week for 8 weeks during both the Fall and Spring seasons. We are fortunate to have great buddies to help and encourage our players, stated Margo Price, director of the Edmond organization. She went on to say, I was so pleased to see St. Mary s youth here to support Peter, his mom, and all the players. I was not surprised by the care, compassion and encouragement shown by our youth and our leaders at these games tonight. They are generous, faithful and sincere in their walk with Jesus and their desire to help others, remarked Costello. Before the night s games were even over, the youth were asking, When can we do this again? Spring 2017!!! If you would like to learn more about Miracle League of Edmond, please visit

9 Page 9 We seek to be formed into the image of Christ. This is done through spiritual formation, and at St. Mary's we strive to offer something for all ages. Sunday School (10:00 to 10:45) Fr. Mark s class meets in the Library at the west end of the building. Introduction to a Gospel Wired Word meets in the room in the middle hallway bathrooms. Looking at current events from the Gospel perspective The Seekers meets in the middle room of the west hallway. Cultivating a more personal relationship with Christ Children s Formation gathers in rooms upstairs in the west hallway. The basics of faith with snack, Scripture, and Prayer Youth meet in the Canterbury House, west end of the playground. A great group learning to live out Faith in their daily life Thursday Mornings (when scheduled) Bible Study from 9:30-11:30 in the middle room in west hallway. Wednesday Nights Youth Group worship together and discuss the depths of faith Meet in the Canterbury House by the playground Chancel Choir 6:30 pm 8:00 pm Meets in the Choir room Friday Nights The 1st Friday of each month is Men s Dinner: Sign up sheet is by the T.V. in the Parish Hall. The 2nd and 4th Fridays each month: singles group (Whole in One) 5:30 PM in the Library followed by dinner out together *The Church also hosts a women s bridge group, Scouts, UCO s Pre-School for the Hearing Impaired, Ryan s Case which is a number of volunteers who make pillow cases for patients at OU Children s hospital, a group that meets for Thai Chi, and there are many additional opportunities to support, serve, learn, and grow in the love of Christ..

10 PAGE 10 Monthly Events.. Ladies Bridge Game The games are the 2nd Thursday of each month in the Parish Hall. All women are welcome. For more information, call Carol Cleveland Whole in One The meetings are the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month in the church library at 5:30 p.m. then dinner out together or potluck. All singles are invited to join us. UCO Food Pantry The UCO Food Pantry especially needs canned beans, canned fruit, baby diapers and feminine hygiene items. Just a dollar or two of grocery store items truly helps a family in need. UCO students are especially grateful to you!! Altar Flowers Flowers for the Altar sign up sheet and forms are posted in the North hallway across from the kitchen. Sign up dates are available. Please sign your name on the date and fill out the form if you would like to place flowers on the altar, In Memory of, In Thanksgiving for and/or a special occasion. Please fill out a form and turn into the office or place in offering plate. Please keep this ministry alive by donating, Sixty dollars or more. For more information contact, Diane Wilson. (405) or dshelby1954@yahoo.com Ministry Blanket The blankets that we provided this year are fleece blankets that carry great meaning, for each knot in the fringe symbolizes a prayer. One-by one the knots are tied by individual parishioners at the end of each service. One-by one the blanket recipient is lifted-up to God by a caring congregation. A blanket is freely and reverently offered to anyone in St. Mary s Episcopal Church Community. A donation of $10 is accepted for those outside the community. We respectfully accept all inquiries regarding this Ministry in care of Mary Lambert at wmlambert@hotmail.com. *The Church also hosts Scouts, UCO s Pre-School for the Hearing Impaired, Ryan s Case which is a number of volunteers who make pillow cases for patients at OU Children s hospital, a group that meets for Tai Chi, and there are many additional opportunities to support, serve, learn, and grow in the love of Christ.

11 Page 11 A Very Giving Christmas St. Mary s is participating in a Very Giving Christmas this year. Please visit the tree in the parish hall, take a gift tag, buy the item, and return the item by Sunday, December 10th, when we will have an ingathering celebration. Please do not wrap the items. Items on the tree include things like: Baby and toddler toys, hygiene sets (ie: lotion sets, shave kits, cologne/perfume), Bikes of any size, household items (ie: crockpots, small vacuums, coffee makers) What is a Very Giving Christmas? Families selected through Catholic Charities' and Sunbeam Family Services programs and partner agencies receive the opportunity to visit St. Nick's Shoppe and select gift items to place under their Christmas tree. When the parents enter St. Nick's Shoppe, they can visit two shopping areas: one with gifts for children and another with gifts for the parents or general household use. Each family receives Santa Bucks based on the size of the household. Volunteers guide the parents through St. Nick's Shoppe and assist with gift-wrapping. To give back to the community which so generously supports this program, each family member participating in A Very Giving Christmas volunteers a set amount of time in the community. This volunteer time must be completed prior to visiting St. Nick's Shoppe. SISU Youth Services SISU, an emergency teen shelter, is in need of canned food items, underwear and socks. NO WHITE. See display in Parish Hall for details. On December 10 th between the services, Jaime Caves, President of the Board of Directors for SISU, will give a very short presentation followed by a reception and ingathering of the items for SISU and Sunbeam.

12 PAGE 12 Men s Dinner in St. Mary s Parish Hall December 1, :00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. UCO Pantry Reminder I would like to challenge us to focus the next few weeks on helping the UCO Food Pantry during the upcoming holiday season. The UCO Food Pantry box just sits there with a few items in it; let s fill the box with what they really need. The first focus is Protein in the form of 1) Canned meat and 2) Canned beans. Canned meat- Ham, Tuna, Chicken, Canned Beans all different types of beans, not just baked beans. Please as you shop please pick up an extra item or two for the UCO Food Pantry! In the coming weeks we will focus on other items of great need, like Women s hygiene items and canned Fruit. Contact Chris Hand with questions

13 Page 13 St. Mary s Garden News Christmas Advent Altar Flowers Remember a loved one with Christmas Altar Flowers Given by (Name): Current Address: Telephone Number: In Honor of: In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for: Please print neatly on this form and return to the office or mail with your donation to St. Mary s Episcopal Church, 325 East First Street, Edmond, OK., or fill out the pew envelopes and place in the offering plate. Please make checks payable to: St. Mary s Episcopal Church and on the memo line, print: Christmas Altar Flowers For more information, contact Diane Wilson, (405) , or dshelby1954@yahoo.com DEADLINE TO HAVE YOUR NAME INCLUDED IN THE SPECIAL CHRISTMAS BULLETIN IS: SUNDAY, DE- CEMBER 17, 2017 (Any donated amount is appreciated to keep our ministry alive.) We are looking for vase donations for disbursement of the Altar Flowers to those who are ill.

14 PAGE 14 December Birthdays. 12/1 Jim Dougherty 12/2 Connor Starkey 12/3 Carolyn Evans 12/4 James Rainey 12/5 Tim Bridges 12/7 Richard A. Peters 12/8 Noah P. Hand 12/9 Debbie Hand 12/9 Ryan Harris 12/9 Mary Johnson 12/11 Zachary J. Rule 12/14 Emily Baker 12/14 Dorothy Dinsmoor 12/14 Yoshiko Weigand 12/15 Mary Ann Morey 12/16 Warren D. Berryman 12/19 Nathan B. Folmar 12/20 Michelle Hasenfratz 12/20 William McNatt 12/21 Bob Gregg 12/21 Sara Memmott 12/21 Randy Unda 12/22 Evan Kerzinger 12/22 Paige L. Seknicka 12/25 Dixie D. Pearson 12/26 Lauren Carter 12/27 Laurel E. Corbin 12/27 Deborah Lindley 12/27 Cynthia McCook 12/27 Joe Sawyer 12/28 Don Courts 12/29 Catherine Plotkin Rejoice in the DATE you were born! "This is the Day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24 NKJV