Weekly Worship Service
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to Follow – 10:00 AM
Lighting of the Advent Wreath Candle – The Wheeler Family
Gospel read by – Rev. Jane Wells
Sermon by – Rev. Cindi Brickson
Lay Readers –
Jim DeLuca (Opening Acclamation)
Catherine Neuschler (Collect of the Day)
Ginny DeLuca (1st Reading)
Jessie Wheeler (2nd Reading)
Erika Scheurer & Elias O’Brien (Nicene Creed/Baptismal Questions)
Todd, Max, and Theo Reemtsma (Prayers of the People)
Pam, Jessie, and Jenevieve Wheeler (Our Father)
Cathy McNaughton (Prayers and Blessings)
Jennie Ward (Final Blessing)
Music Leaders – Vonda Humburg
Technical Assistance – William Welsh & Brian Nerbonne
For the Zoom worship service on December 13, 2020 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 330173
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 921 8033 3901
To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 921 8033 3901
If asked for a passcode, use 330173
For the service bulletin for the 12/13 service, CLICK HERE
Worship Team
Advent Message
On Sunday, December 13, Advent III, the Candles of Hope, Peace and Joy will be lit. The candlelighter will say: “Christ, be our light. As we light this candle for all God’s people, we accept the joy and the challenge of being God-bearers. We say “yes” to God’s offering of the unknown. God, as we wait for your promise, give light, hope, peace and joy.” The response is: “God, Fill us with joy on the path of life you have made known to us. Give us the generosity of spirit to lift up those with heavy hearts, hold them gently and walk with them. God, bless us with joy.”
Why is the Advent III candle pink/rose in color? Per Anne Green: Pink/Rose is for joy and love and rejoicing-sort of a “break” from the solemnity of Advent.
What can I expect at St. Mary‘s Worship services?
All the worship services in Advent are planned and led by parishioners…there will be no priest presiding and there will be no communion or spiritual communion. We’ve worshipped in the styles of the 7:45am and 9:00am services, and this Sunday, Advent III, we’ll worship in the 11:00am style. This service will include folks who generally attend the 11:00am worship service. Please join them as they introduce us to their worship style and give us the opportunity to experience it for ourselves.
What’s New?
CLICK HERE for a link to the First Message from the 12/6/20 service
CLICK HERE for a link to the sermon from the 12/6/20 service
CLICK HERE for a link to the complete recording of the 12/6/20 service
CLICK HERE for a link to the complete recording of the 11/29/20 service
For the near future, a link will be provided in each Weekly for the previous week’s service for those that may have missed it or would like to watch it again.
Feedback is welcome!
We always welcome your feedback as it helps us to know what speaks to you and works for you…and it helps us in planning liturgy for upcoming seasons and services. Feel free to direct your feedback to any of us on the Worship Team: Terry Alewine, Cindi Brickson, Paulette Briese, Ginny DeLuca, Anne Green, Anne Hanson, Nina Johnson, Jim May, Cathy McNaughton, Brian Nerbonne, Trevor Sannes, Lisa Stratton and Tim Welsh.
Click HERE to give feedback. Thanks!
Community and Carols
Sunday, December 13th at 4 PM
We are creating a new version of Lessons and Carols for these unprecedented times. We will come together by sharing St. Mary‘s family Christmas Traditions. We will compile them into a video – mixed with Christmas Carols and spoken word.
To join Community and Carols CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 812588
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 990 3113 1004
A Season of Traditions: Recipes!
For over 20 years it has been a tradition at St. Mary‘s that following Lessons & Carols, families gather in the decorated Undercroft to the wonderful smells of a meal lovingly prepared by volunteers. While we are unable to gather together in person this year for this wonderful meal of roast pork with cherry sauce, minted peas, apples ‘n greens salad, rice pilaf, white bean and kale gratin, trifle, and chocolate cream cake, we can share the recipes so that perhaps you can make some or all of these items at home. Hopefully next year we can gather together once again to share this meal in person. Please click on the link below for the recipes and if you decide to make a few items, please share pictures that can perhaps be posted in the next Weekly!
CLICK HERE for recipes. Send pictures to communications@saintmarysepiscopal.org .
Recipes shared by Julie Thomas. (Thank you, Julie!)
Pastoral Care
Is there something on your mind?
In your heart?
For confidential prayer requests, reach out to Rev. Cindi at: pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org
The Pastoral Care Team meets (by Zoom) on
Mondays at 7:30 PM. All are welcome!
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link.
How to contact Rev. Cindi:
pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org or 612-998-5136
The Pastoral Care Team is looking for your prayerful support.
We are beginning a prayer chain ministry! If you would like to join the chain, or would like more information about how it will work, please reach out to Rev. Cindi. Come pray with us!
Your Christmas Offering?
One of our parishioners asked recently about whether we’ll be taking up a Christmas offering. Absolutely!! However, given COVID-19, Santa won’t be dropping by your home to pick it up! You’ll need to make a special effort to get it to St. Mary‘s. That special effort involves some of your time to make out a check, find an envelope, put on a stamp and get it in the mail. Please put “Christmas Offering” in the note section of your check so we code it appropriately in your individual contribution record. And, yes, the address to send it to is the same as that for your regular contributions that you mail to St. Mary‘s:
St. Mary‘s Episcopal Church
1895 Laurel Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104
Of course, for those of you on auto-pay, you can certainly send a Christmas donation via auto-pay, as well, or send a separate check via mail. We check the mail daily, so sending any regular contributions or special Christmas offerings is safe through the mail.
And another reminder (see last week’s Finance Update) to please send in your 2021 pledge by December 15th if you haven’t done so already. We need your pledge!
Thanks everyone for your continued financial support!
Rex Holzemer, Treasurer
651-308-4895
Upcoming Events at Saint Mary‘s
Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups for the week of 12/11 – 12/17
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow.
10:00 AM
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Community and Carols
4:00 PM
Monday, December 14, 2020
Pastoral Care Team
7:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at
pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org or 612-998-5136
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Finance Committee Meeting
6:30 PM
Contact finance@saintmarysepiscopal.org for the Zoom link
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Adult Ed./Book Study
7:00-8:30 PM
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact
Nina Johnson at nina@jazmn.net or 651-308-8663
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Saint Mary‘s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click here to contact Julie
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service Via Zoom
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark
7:00 PM
MEETING ID: 958 0236 2199
Passcode: 047188
Sunday School Online:
MiaLisa McFarland Millares will send out an email with readings, activities,
and links for videos and discussions to all on our Constant Contact list.
If you receive this email, you are on the list.
Visit the St. Mary‘s Calendars page for more information on what is happening.