the prefect’s post st. gregory’s...gift tags, listing the names and wish list items of each...

The Prefect’s Post S t . G r e g o r y ’ s

E p i s c o p a l

C h u r c h

December 2018

*Mission & Outreach Updates;

2

&

Parish Christmas Party

4

Mother Lily’s Message

5

Supper House Pictures

6

*Bits & Pieces

You are Invited!

7

Server Schedule & Cal-endar

8

&

9

2019 Altar Flowers

Poinsettia Donations

10

&

11

Birthdays & Anniversaries

*Dates to Remember

12

Christmas Eve Services Monday, December 24th Early Service at 5pm

No Music ———————————————-

The Christ Mass begins at 10pm.

Carols & Holiday Music begin at 9:30pm

No Christmas Day Service

Fourth Sunday in Advent is

December 23rd this year.

Lessons & Carols Service at 10am

Advent Noontime Program

The Advent Wednesday Noon lunch, soup and bread and book discussion start November 28th. This year’s book, I Witness by The Rev. Kate Moorehead, “invites us to enter the story of salvation with our hearts and minds wide open, experiencing the miracle of Jesus through the

eyes of witnesses: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the shephes, the wise men and others. And Moorehead encourages us to bear witness ourselves — to the marvel & majesty of a babe born in a manger, of Christ our King.” Mother Lily will lead the discussion in each session; the books are provided. The program will continue on December 5th, 12th, and 19th.

Two projects will gather Christmas gifts for Muskegon's neediest families. Our traditonal “Adopt-a-Family Christmas Tree” will support a mom and her 3 school age children. A new program, “Teen Town Christmas Giveaway,” will reach teens.

Teen Town Christmas Giveaway: Disadvantaged teens can be a forgotten group at Christmas, not covered in the usual toys-for-kids donations. MAP (Mission for Area Peo-ple) sponsors Teen Town to fill this gap. Teen Town is a “Christmas Store” open only to parents. They will shop for items to please their teens. The gifts are then wrapped gratis by MAP staff. The families are carefully vetted. Teens themselves do not visit the store. A Teen Town box in the Narthex will collect donations from St. Gregory''s. You can leave

gifts there through December 17. A list of suggested items appears below.

Adopt-a-Family Giving Tree: The Tree in the narthex will be decorated with gift tags, listing the names and wish list items of each family member. Parishion-ers are invited to take a tag, purchase a gift and provide a Merry Christmas for a family of four, selected by the Salvation Army.

• The family head is Latrisha, a widow who juggles work and her daughter's

frequent hospital visits, and provides a happy home life for her other two. She loves making popcorn with the little ones and snuggling in for a movie night. Family Game Night is another favorite tradition.

• Durke, age 11, loves Legos, basketball and anything Harry Potter. Mom says, “He is a child-like

teenager, high tech like a teen, but he'll also play on the floor with his action figures. He's a funny, loving, warm-hearted kid”.

• Izabel, age 9, has congenital heart disease and is in and out of the hospital She has a passion for

arts and crafts, especially painting and creating things with her hands. Outdoors she loves “basketball and building snowmen.”

• Kassidy, an 8 year old girl, loves playing outdoors, but also enjoys girly items, princesses,

makeup, and My Little Pony. But she also enjoys outdoor play. Mom describes her as "a Quarter-back Princess... .she can get down and dirty in the dirt, but likes to look pretty doing it."

• Adopt a Family Details: Be sure to put your name and the gift tag number on the Sign-Out Sheet.

That ensures each person gets the items they want. The sheet is next to the Tree. Please do not wrap the gifts. Include the sales/gift receipt especially for clothing gifts. Deadline for donating gifts is December 16.

Food and Fellowship: St. Gregory's will help at two programs that provide food and fellowship to those in need. Tuesday December 11 we'll team up with St. Paul's to serve at the MAP Supper House. We'll meet 3:30 PM that day atTemple United Methodist church in the Heights. To volunteer contact Barb Huff. Saturday December 29 we'll help at the Community Breakfast, 8:30 – 11 AM at First Congregational Church on Jefferson. Let Jim Horan know if you'd like to help.

Updates

The Prefect’s Post December 2018

Mission & Outreach


Coffee Talk: Charlotte Johnson from the Youth Empowerment Project at Community enCompass will be the special guest at Coffee Talk. December 2, 2018. After the service stop by for coffee hour treats and learn about this valuable program for Muskegon area teens. "YEP" helps teens step towards adulthood with job and college entry guidance, summerwork experience, teen tutoring, nutri-tion and cooking classes and much more. Mobile Food Pantry: The Boy Scouts are bringing the Pantry to St. Gregory's December 15, the first of four quarterly visits. Congratulations to the Scouts for sponsoring this important work! Outreach will provide “hospitality” for the event, inviting Truck clients indoors for coffee, cocoa and warmth. Next Outreach Meeting: Anyone can join us at the next Outreach meeting, January 6 right after the service. We'll share ideas for serving the community and plan projects for 2019.

Teen Town Gift Suggestions

Bath and perfume sets from Meijer or Walmart

Sports watch or running watch (avoid gold or accordion style bands)

Cross-body style purses

Small watch with a fun color band

iTunes Card ⬧ Fast food gift cards

Journals and colored pens

Fuzzy blankets ⬧ Fuzzy slippers

Adult coloring books (mandala's, etc.) and colored pencils

Bubble bath and lotions

PJ bottoms (girls or boys)

Hoodie sweatshirts (girls or boys)

Men's cologne (AXE is popular)

Basketballs

DVDs

Teen Books

Graphic novels

Continued

Misson/Outreach committee

Will meet on Sunday, January 6th at

11:30am.


Altar Guild Christmas Work Bee Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to get ready for Sunday, Wednesday and holiday services? Much of what you see on the altar, including the bread, wine and linens that are used, are duties that members of the Altar Guild perform on a weekly rotation of members.

Pre-Christmas and pre-Easter work bees are scheduled to do the extra cleaning required for these special services. Polishing the brass and silver, cleaning the sanctuary and enjoying each oth-ers’ company while these bi-yearly tasks are completed are just

some of the things this small but dedicated group accomplishes. Extra hands are always welcomed. This year work bee will be Saturday, December 15, at 10am in the church/altar guild sacristy. Come lend a hand and check out what this ministry is all about!

“Be of Good Cheer!”

A Young & Old Kids Christmas Party will celebrate the holiday in a number of ways for all ages!

On Sunday, December 9th, during Fellowship Time following the 10am Guitar Eucharist, the Parish Life Committee will sponsor a joyous,

fun-filled time for all ages. There will be easy decorations to make, Christmas games to play, lunch will be served, Christmas cookies, of

course, hot chocolate for the kids and Wassail or spiced hot wine in ad-dition to coffee or tea for the adults.

Following the festivities, choir members and anyone who wants to join in, will be caroling at the homes or facilities of parish members who

have difficulty attending our regular services. We will car pool from the church and will be accompanied by the guitar players when indoors. Rain or shine, Snow or not, we will travel from place to place to bring

Holiday Greetings and Cheer to those who can’t join us on a regular basis.

Join in on some or all of the festivities on the 9th! It will be truly time of “Good Cheer”!


Mother Lily’s Message

Dear Friends, During our pledge drive David Wells gave a stewardship homily. In his homily he talked about two things which I wish to emphasize in my mes-sage this month. The first was about all of things that happen around here and make this place run (not just run, but run well) and the second thing he talked about was inviting others to join us in worship. I call the people who get things done around here the quiet ministers of St. Gregory’s. Operating a church with building issues, programs, and services to both parishioners and the community can be a daunting enterprise, un-less you have those quiet ministers who go about their business making

things right and making things happen. And, they do so without a great deal of fanfare. They just do it out of their love of God, their love of this place, and their love of the community here at St. Greg’s. We couldn’t be in better shape than we currently are when it comes to our qui-et ministers. Look around you and you will see something which happens or exists strictly because of our quiet ministers. Thank you to them. You know who you are! The second item is about inviting someone to St. Gregory’s this year. First, ask yourself what is it that brings you back here week after week. Lynne Gill stated, at a recent Vestry meeting, that he found the truth here, after being exposed to other traditions. I found this to be a deep-ly, moving insight. If it is the music, the liturgy, Eucharist, the preaching, the community, please share what it is and persuade another person to experience what you have experi-enced, or maybe, help them find their own passion within this worshipping experience and community. We are a loving church. It is time to share that love with others who have not had the privilege of knowing our community, yet. If you see some new faces in church, invite them to coffee hour. Invite them to your table at coffee hour, or sit with them at theirs. En-gage them in conversation. Build relationships. We are to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed. Here are two ways in which it can be, and is, done. There are those out there searching, trying to find meaning and purpose in life. They may find it here. Have confidence in that thought. Go and invite! Blessings to you all, Mother Lily + *If you are going to be alone this holiday season and would like to spend time with others, please let someone in the church know.


November Supper House Volunteers

Serve this Community Dinner Program

St. Gregory’s has partnered with St. Paul’s to provide volunteers the sec-ond Tuesday each month at the Sup-per House located in Muskegon Heights in Temple Methodist’s facili-ty. The Mission & Outreach Committee will be signing up volunteers every month to help dish up food, serve and set-up and clean-up the space where the meal is served. Volunteers report at 3pm and finish about 6pm. Various jobs are availa-ble; socializing with those who come for the meal is encouraged. If you would like to help out in fu-ture months, watch for announce-

ments and sign-up sheets. It’s a wonder-ful outreach experi-

The Prefect’s Post The Prefect’s Post December 2018

Bits & Pieces

Christmas Eve Service

We are looking for anyone that would like to participate in the 10pm service on December 24th.

Please see Linda Scheerer if you would like to participate in one of the many roles for the glorious service to celebrate the Birth of Jesus.

Annual Meeting

As in the past, we will be serving brunch at the Annual Meeting on January 20th following the 10am service. If anyone is interested in making a breakfast casserole, quiche or breakfast bread/muffins, please see Marti Johnson or Linda Scheerer.

Year End Reports

Please submit all year end reports to Marti Johnson no later than Monday, January 14th so that they can be put into a booklet for the Annual Meeting on January 20th .

2018 Contribution Statements Now is the time to catch up on your pledge so that it can be included in your

personalized contribution statement for the 2018 calendar year. Inquiries should be made to Marti Johnson, Treasurer, for specific information. Statements for

tax purposes will be available at the Annual Parish Meeting, January 20, 2019.

You are invited to

Doug and Jocelyn's Annual Christmas Party!

Potluck, BYOB. Musicians are welcome to bring in-

struments for a jam, we'll also have dancing!

Euchre tables will be set up and of course we'll have our annual White Elephant Gift Exchange.

Open invitation, so bring your friends and/or family.

Saturday, December 29, 7 pm to 11 pm.

3100 Creekview Ln, Muskegon, MI 49444.

December Servers

December

2

Advent 1

10am Eucharist

December

9

Advent 2

10am Eucharist

December

16

Advent 3

10am Guitar

Eucharist

December

23

Advent 4

Lessons &

Carols

10am

December

30

10 am Eucharist

December

24

Christmas

Eve

5 &

10pm

LEM LEM LEM LEM LEM LEM Linda Scheerer Lynne Gill Lou Manak David Wells Linda Scheerer 5pm: David

Wells 10pm: Linda

Scheerer

Reader Reader Reader Reader Reader

Dean Huff Barb Huff Jocelyn Shaw Dean Huff TBA 10pm: Alister Jackson

Altar Guild Altar Guild Altar Guild Altar Guild Altar Guild Altar Guild

Marti Johnson Marge Collinge & Tracy Damm

Jeff Closz Jocelyn Shaw Marti Johnson Jocelyn Shaw

Fellowship Fellowship Fellowship Fellowship Fellowship

The McCleary’s Parish Life Committee

Volunteers Needed

Michelle Bourdon

Bobby Kurien

Eucharistic Visitor

Eucharistic Visitor

Eucharistic Visitor

Eucharistic Visitor

Eucharistic Visitor

Linda Scheerer Linda Scheerer Linda Scheerer Linda Scheerer Linda Scheerer

Sunday School

Teachers

Sunday School

Teachers

Sunday School

Teachers

Sunday School

Teachers

Sunday School

Teachers

Robin Bazzett & Shelby Schweri

Heidi Jackson & Shelby Schweri

No Class; chil-dren take part

in service

Shelby Schweri No Class


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2018 Altar Flower Remembrance Donation

There are two options for floral arrangements:

1- Prepay the church: make your check out to St. Gregory’s for $25 per Sunday, with flower fund on the memo line. The arrangements will be purchased by the Church through LeFleur.

2- Buy your own flowers and use our vase liners. Contact Jocelyn Shaw to pick up the lin-ers. Be sure to have the flowers at the Church by Saturday evening.

Chart of Available Dates

(We do not have flowers for Lent or Advent, and Christmas and Easter flowers

are ordered separately)

Please enter your name, the date on which you wish to have flowers, and the names of the people you are honoring (in Thanksgiving or in Memory)

Turn in this form and your check to Jocelyn Shaw by the end of January (unless you want

flowers in January in which case the deadline is mid-end of December)

Additional forms are available on the Narthex table.

Jan 6 March 3 June 2 Aug 4 Oct 6

Jan 13 June 9 Aug 11 Oct 13

Jan 20 Apr 28 June 16 Aug 19 Oct 20

Jan 27 June 23 Aug 25 Oct 27

May 5 June 30 Sept 1

Feb 3 May 12 July 7 Sept 8 Nov 3



Feb 24 July 28 Sept 29 Nov 24

Your Name Date In Thanksgiving In Memory

(


Christmas Poinsettia Altar Flower Donations

Donation checks should be made to St. Gregory’s with “Christmas Flowers” in the memo, and can be attached to this form. Place in the Offering Plate at any service

through December 16th, or they may be sent or dropped off to the Church Office by Wednesday, December 19th. Forms are also available in the Church Narthex.

Names for the Christmas Bulletin

Please list those to be remembered and by whom: In Memory of: Given by: ___________________________ __________________________ ___________________________ __________________________ ___________________________ __________________________ ___________________________ __________________________ In Thanksgiving: Given by: ___________________________ __________________________ ___________________________ __________________________ ___________________________ __________________________ ___________________________ __________________________


Greeting Cards Needed

It’s one of those “quiet ministries” Mother Lily mentioned in her “Monthly Mes-sage”. It’s the birthday, anniversary and other occasion cards that parishioners receive from “St. Gregory’s”. And in to-day’s technological world, it’s so nice to get something special in the mailbox! This is Mary Closz’s ministry that she’s been doing for many years. (Now you know who!!) If you have extra greeting cards you would like to donate to this ministry, Mary would love to have them. Or, if you find some deals on cards, they would be greatly appreciated. Cards can be dropped off in the Office or given directly to Mary. Either way, she will bless your contribution to her ministry.

Episcopal 101 Class Resumes Ever wonder why Episcopalians do what we do, believe what we believe? Now you can get answers to all your questions about the Episcopal Church and the various lit-urgies that are offered. Mother Lily will resume her Episcopal 101 class beginning in January on the 2nd & 4th Sundays & will continue through the spring. The class is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the church. It’s a relaxed setting to ask questions and have an open discussion on new topics in every session. Stop into any ses-sion and learn something new!

1200 Seminole Rd.

Norton Shores, MI 49441

231-780-2955

Find us on Face book

Connect with us on our website:

www.stgregorysmuskegon.org

Email: [email protected]

Mother Lily: [email protected]

The Episcopal Church Welcomes You!

December Celebrations !

Birthdays 1- Heidi Jackson 3 - Lynne Gill 4– Nancy Wells 15– Marc Lakatos 19– Lillian Schweri 26– Alister Jackson 27– Eligia Reyna 31– Mike Olthoff

3– Lynne & Barb Gill

Anniversaries

Coming Up…

Sunday, December 9 All-Parish Christmas party & lunch during Fellow-

ship, followed by caroling at shut-ins ------------------------

Saturday, December 15 Altar Guild Christmas Workbee, 10am;

Boy Scout sponsored Mobile Food Pantry truck, 1pm

------------------------------------- Sunday, December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent

10am Lessons & Carols Service Vestry Meeting, 11:30am

+++++++++++++ Christmas Eve Services

Early Service at 5:30pm (no music) ++++++

9:30pm-Carols; 10pm– Christ Mass -----------------------

Sunday, January 20 Annual Meeting & Brunch following the

10am Eucharist

the prefect’s post st. gregory’s...gift tags, listing the names and wish list items of each...

Documents