Parish Newsletter
January
Paula Ponders
January 18, 2025
Of course Mary noticed that they ran out of wine. She was the one who took everything in and reflected on it. She also was the one who knew that Jesus was the source of more. He could bring more wine, joy, blessings, and grace than the couple - or any one - could ever imagine or deserve.
Today we too notice a lack of joy in humanity. Perhaps we might share the abundance of the varied gifts that we have been given with others to spread some joy around!
I'll see you in church,
Paula+
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
We gathered on Sunday, January 19 after our morning service to begin the real work of this year - we presented a budget for 2025, endorse new members to the Vestry as well as delegates to the Diocesan Convention and the Deanery. As a community, we reflected on the hits and misses of 2024 in a slide show format. It is amazing how much we were able to cram into the last twelve months! Click here to see the slide show
Your active participation in the meeting was critical so that we have a broad perspective as we embark on a new year. As we reviewed 2024, we want to critique our efforts by marking them as KEEP, STOP, START. What events should we keep? What should we stop? What new should we start?
If you have any things that you think we need to KEEP DOING, STOP DOING OR START DOING, please email me so we can move ahead and make 2025 even better than 2024
January Deacon’s Corner
St. Michaels family,
Happy New Year to everyone! I hope and pray this new year brings peace, joy and renewed strength and health to each of you, your friends and your families.
This new year I hope to begin some new food programs to benefit those in need, in and around our community. Something we can all do together, so stay tuned.
I look forward to making some visits with you, as Paula and I will be doing some house blessings this month. If you know of someone who would like a house blessing or is in the hospital or housebound and would like a pastoral visit or maybe communion, please let me know by email or by phone. Thanks.
Let us pray: Loving God, in this new year, guide us to serve you with humility and compassion. Open our eyes to see the needs around us, our hands to serve without hesitation and our hearts to love without
limit. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
With love and peace, Deacon Rob
Good news January 18, 2025
Memorial Lamps - The experience of the pandemic is highlighting what is truly important to our community. It is apparent that the need for fresh flowers on the altar each week is not a burning desire. With that in mind, we will halt the regular purchase of flowers but continue to accept memorial donations for lamps. These donations support our worship supplies such as bread, wine, linens, candles, and oils. Please contact Tracey on reserving a date. Lamps are $7 each. Dates available 1/19 (one)
Let us pray for peace: Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP pg 815)
Sunday Schedule
Sunday Mass - 10:30 a.m. in the church!
and livestreamed.
Livestream and Recorded
click here to view
We welcome Caius Darien Mapel
to the household of God!
HELP US HELP OTHERS
Take a tag and give to our outreach efforts. Each tag should cost around $5-$10 depending on where you shop. And if you shop at Kroger, using your Community Rewards card will be a win-win for St. Michael's.
Amazon Wish List QR Code
Doing Shopping This Week?
Please pick up something for our pantry
So Many Are Hungry
This Week’s Wish List Item
The need is great! Thank you!
LAUNCHING A LUNCH MINISTRY
Deacon Rob with Brent and Sandy plan to distribute sack lunches to those on the streets. They are working with the Lincoln Park Community Police who encounter those in need. The hope is to distribute once a month starting on February 1.
As they kick off this project they ask for any support you may have. Can you donate lunch bags, napkins, food prep gloves, sandwich bags, packets of mustard/ketchup/mayo. Your efforts are a blessing to many in need!
UPCOMING BLESSINGS
HOMES FOR EPIPHANY SEASON
Paula and Rob will visit your home during January and February to mark each door with the initials of the visiting Magi - Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.
20+C+M+B+25
Please sign up for your personal visit!
CALLING ALL CRAFTERS AND CRAFTER ENABLERS
Our St. Michael Crafting Angels are on the hunt for old CDs or DVDs and buttons (7/8" to 1" round, four holes, especially if they come in matched pairs). They will be assembling these nifty card holders - needed for all gamers from Uno to Strip Poker. Let's make them happy with our castoffs. There is a basket waiting for your donations in our lobby. New crafters are always encouraged to join in the fun. Thank you!
Episcopal Relief & Development is working with local diocesan partners to assess the needs of evacuees and provide support in the coming days. As the scope of the disaster continues to unfold, we need your help. Please make an urgent gift to our Wildfire Response Fund now.
January 18th Plarning for Homeless 2pm - 4pm
January 19th Annual Meeting after Mass
We depend on your open hand to help us continue our mission to a needy world:
Our Blessing Box is emptied several times each week as we care for those in need of food. Rob has started a Go Fund Me page to help us keep the Box filled. Click on that link to make a contribution directly to the food drive.
We rely on your generosity in a special way during the Lenten season to reach out in ways we could never do alone. You can conveniently give online by clicking on the button above and choosing St. Michaels Lincoln Park. Thank you so much for anything you can do to help us reach others!
If you have benefited from any of our ministries this year
If you want the blessings of this community to benefit the lives of others
If you dream of a thriving world where St. Michael's brings greater belonging, well-being, and peace to all.
Doing Some Shopping?. - Every time you shop at Kroger, you can raise funds for St. Michael. All you have to do is swipe your Plus Card. To enroll your card or create a new account follow these simple instructions. Here's how.
It all adds up - Current 2023 year to date totals that St Michael’s has received through the Kroger program is: Kroger $95.86
We now have an Amazon Wish List that can be shopped from and will ship directly to the church
FOOD PANTRY / Blessings Box - St. Michaels is now providing for the needs of our neighbors through our Blessing Box as well as the local women’s shelter. We appreciate your donations to keep it filled. Whenever pop top cans are available they are preferred by people who don’t have kitchen facilities available. Items needed include household necessities, but are not limited to the following: Paper towels, Napkins, Toilet paper, Bath soap, Health & beauty, Toothpaste Related items, Diapers, Wipes, Feminine hygiene supplies, Dish soap, disinfectant & cleaning supplies, Shampoo & Conditioner, Laundry soap, Food items include but are not limited to: Canned Soup, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetable, Canned Tuna, Granola Bars, Instant Potatoes, Baked Beans, Mac N Cheese, Canned Pasta, Canned Meat, Cereal, Oatmeal, Box of Crackers, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Ketchup, Jar of Applesauce, Puddings, Pasta Sauce, Spaghetti Sauce
Blessings Box Specific Items - Pull top: ready to eat soups, canned pastas, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned tuna or in single serving pouch, granola bars, cereal bars, single serving cereals, juice boxes, single serve shelf stable milk, single serve pudding cups, jell-o cups, single serve water bottles (20oz or smaller),
If you are unsure what to get, please make a monetary donation
Or visit our Amazon Wish List for items
Thank you for your help in this meaningful ministry for those in need!
Click here for downloadable shopping list