Entries for the 4th Sunday of Advent, Dec. 23, 2018

Sorry, there's no sermon recording this week due to recording problems.

Announcements for 12-23-2018 - The 4th Sunday of Advent.pdf
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Dear Friends:

It is almost Christmas!  Are you ready?  St. Mark's is almost ready--music prepared and practiced, bulletins are done (the copier is weary) and soon the Altar Guild will work its magic and make the chapel look, oh, so festive.  So many opportunities  to celebrate the birth of Jesus
 

• Christmas Pageant with Mary and Joseph, angels and magi, shepherds and baby Jesus.  The old, old story will be told once again this Sunday at the 10am service.  
• Celebrations of the Nativity of Jesus will be celebrated on Christmas Eve at 4pm and 10pm. Bring your enthusiastic and joyous voices to sing the familiar carols announcing the birth of the baby in the manger who was wrapped in swaddling clothes. 
• Christmas morning will be another celebration and more singing. Holy Communion and carols at 9am.  

In other news:

• Congratulations!!  Many thanks to everyone who made Friday’s readings and carols program a spectacular success.  Charlie Houmard’s leadership made for a lovely presentation of the Christmas story with readings and carols.  So many made the evening a success from choosing reading selections, to beautiful décor and a fabulous reception following the glorious organ and brass music.  A stellar event.  Check out the pictures on the bulletin board in the lower hallway.
• The Last Sunday Offering for December, to be collected next Sunday, will go to Mansfield Human Services Special Needs Fund to help families in Town needing assistance to warm their homes, feed their families or other supports.  Thank you for your generosity.
• First Friday Organ Recitals:  Beginning on Friday, January 4, there will be an organ recital on the first Friday of each month. Charlie Houmard invites you to bring a sandwich and a friend.
• News from the Episcopal Church in Connecticut:  On Sunday, May 19 at 3PM, ECCT will hold a Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration for couples married fifty years or more.  The event will be held at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford.  Also, the celebration will recognize those same sex couples who have been together 50 years and are now married.  The liturgy will include the renewal of marriage vows and presentation of commemorative certificates to couples.  If you wish to receive an invitation, please let the office know.   
• End of Year Giving:   All monetary contributions to the church to be recorded for 2018 must be received in the office or postmarked by December 31st.  And it is never to late to return your pledge card.

I am sure Santa will leave something wonderful for all of you under your tree!

Best wishes, Linda