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The First Thursday of December 2014
The Call
is a published twice each month by
St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church

Submit all articles and announcements to [email protected]

The next Call will be published on December 18th
 

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 "City Come Again"

Christmas Music at the Cathedral 

 

December 8th

 

 

Beautiful choral, handbell, and organ music provided by William Jewell College will be featured in an hour-long service at


 

12:00 noon Monday, Dec. 8th

at

Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral

415 W. 13th St., Kansas City, MO

 

Handbell and organ music begins at

11:30 a.m. and seats fill up quickly.

 

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      Benedictine Prayer & Study Group

 

Tuesday, December 9

6:30 - 8:30 pm

(Compline starts at 8 pm)

 

House of Grace Upper Level

Contact Arnetta Johnston at 816-331-7015

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   Confirmation 

 

We are in the process of working with the diocese to set a date for our next round of confirmations, receptions, and reaffirmations. Accordingly, we would like to get a head count for the number of potential candidates within our parish. If you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you to consider any of these spiritual milestones, or would like additional information, please contact Father Lynch at the church office, or Tammy Garrison at (816) 352-4067, or by email at [email protected].

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Youth Info

 

SMM Youth Schedule

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Fr. Marshall's Blog

 

Episcopal Chaplain at the Bedside

 

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From your Rector

 

This letter comes to you after the first Sunday of Advent when we realize that we are thoroughly planted in the season with all the preparation for Christmas. But I want to again emphasize that it is important not to be sucked into the hustle and bustle of the secular propaganda that tempts us to focus more on Christmas, and all its commercialism, and not the "reason for the season".

 

This Second Sunday will be highlighted by the story of John the Baptist as the one prophesying the coming of Jesus. We also know that John struggled with those who confused him with the coming Messiah. Ponder our gospel reading for Advent II:

Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way;

the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

`Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight,'"

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

John's baptizing of Jesus reminds us of our own baptism and our own commitment to die to our sins and be raised by Christ, in the same manner as Jesus experienced it in the physical and spiritual actions done on that day by God the Father and John the prophet.

 

As we reflect on the Advent messages of, preparing, watching and being ready for Christ's return, I am most grateful that we have the opportunity to share together in this season.

 

Advent II also allows us to experience the story of the Bishop of Myra or the one better known to us as St. Nicholas. Here is some history and a typical story that surrounds the mystery of this venerated saint. This article comes from a web source "The St. Nicholas Center"- St Nicholas Center

 

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

 

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals-murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th.

 

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

 

One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value-a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home-providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is a gift-giver.

 

Perhaps you share this tradition of hanging stockings by the fire place or in a special place in your home in hopes that St. Nicholas would bless you also with his gifts. We do in our house and it is one of the special traditions that has followed our family story since I can remember.

 

Stories like this add to the mysticism of Advent and Christmas. These stories warm the hearts of many of us, especially in times when good deeds and acts of kindness seldom get recognized.

 

May we all be so touched by these stories, and the so many other stories that come out the mystical traditions of our faith, whether through folklore or truth, that we are compelled to help those less fortunate than we are, knowing that acts of kindness never go unrecognized by God.

 

It is my prayer that we can all rest for a few moments to allow Christ to enter our hearts and lives and to feel his presence as a true reminder of the "reason for the season".

 

I leave you with our collect for Advent II from the Book of Common Prayer, page 211, and because there will not be another article from me until after Advent III, I encourage you to look ahead to the next collect that calls us to "stir up God's power to come among us".

 

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to
preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our
Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Blessings to all!          

                   David+
 


 

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Join us for a visit from the Bishop of Myra

after worship on Sunday,

December 7th

 

 

 

In honor of the Feast Day of St. Nicholas (Dec. 6), we will have a special coffee hour this Sunday.  Invite your friends and bring your cameras, there will be a special time for photos with St. Nic! 
 

 

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Christmas Pageant  

5:30 pm Christmas Eve

 

We will have our annual children's Christmas Pageant again this year during the 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service.    

 

This Sunday, there will be a brief meeting for all interested adult assistants and youth helpers right after church.

  

There will be three rehearsals;

 

Sunday, Dec. 14 after worship

Sunday, Dec. 21 after worship

Sunday, Dec. 25 at 4 pm with pizza supper for kids

 

We encourage adults and members of our youth group to be involved helpers.   After the final rehearsal Christmas Eve we will have pizza for the kids and then get into costumes for the service.

 

Families are encouraged to let us know if they want to be a part of this event.  We know that this is a busy time of year so we ask that you try to make at least one rehearsal before Christmas Eve and then the Christmas Eve rehearsal.

 

There are some reading parts which will be assigned soon, so if your child is interested in one of those, please contact Ian Coleman by December 7th.  Any communication about the pageant can be directed to Ian Coleman at [email protected] or 816-781-6701.

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The Annual Better Than Ever Christmas Dinner

and White Elephant Gift Exchange


 

 

This event is always a "not to be missed" fun experience!!  Once again Ida and Ted Cox (12323 Ash, Overland Park, KS 66209) will host this event.

December 13th

5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Please disregard any communications the date as December 20th


 

If you would like more information or you have not already signed up, please do so by contacting Lou Petrakos at 816-941-2299 or to sign-up online click here.  


 

St. Mary Mag Basics Classes

A Foundation for Faith


 

St. Mary Magdalene Basics is a series of 3-5 week courses that give us a foundation for the faith we live together as a parish in the Episcopal Church. It's not an indoctrination, but a chance to roll up our sleeves, learn, discuss and apply the core pieces of who we are as Christians and Episcopalians. These classes are important-and so we ask a commitment to attend the all days in each series.

 

Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings and will include a light supper at 6:30 pm, class from 7 - 8 pm and we will end with Compline. Childcare will be provided if needed. Registration for all classes is open. Please email the rector at [email protected] to register.


 

Click here to see details for each class.
 

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new-year-header5.jpg
 

Well it isn't 2015 yet, but it is not too early to plan to work at St. Mary's Kitchen on the third Saturday of the month.  In January we will serve on 1/17 and in February on 2/21.  What a way to start the New Year by helping those less fortunate, but still our neighbors, by preparing a meal to share and serving others.  Why not make a New Years resolution to serve at least once a quarter at St. Mary's Kitchen or as often as you can.


If you don't want to wait until 2015 to get started, just sign up on the sheet in the narthex for December 20.  For more information, contact Cyndi Troyer 816-686-3849 or Mike Barnes 816-210-0394 for more details.

 

The scheduled dates so far:

November 15, December 20, January 17, and February 21

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