ALTAR GUILD - MAY 2018
PENTACOST IS MAY 20 - WEAR RED!
ALTAR GUILD
Easter Sunday was five weeks ago, but did you know that we are still in Easter season until Pentecost on May 20? That day, it’s traditional to wear red and do the readings in several languages, recalling the Holy Spirit coming down to touch people of every nation.
What were your memories of Easter Sunday? Didn’t our church look beautiful? Tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and lilies surrounded our altar as we celebrated the Risen Lord. Thank you to our Altar Guild and those who became “members for the day” for their help in making that possible. Special kudos to Fal Gibson for doing the flower arrangements for the altar and throughout the church. Fal also enabled all of us to take part in our traditional Flowering of the Cross.
Sunday, May 13 is Mother’s Day. Envelopes are available in theNarthexif you would like to give flowers “In Thanksgiving For” or “In Loving Memory” of your loved ones. You may also send the information directly to the church with your donation. The deadline for names to be printed in our Sunday bulletin is Monday, May 7.
Are you interested in finding out more about our Altar Guild or Flower Guild? We would love to have you be a part of this ministry! Please speak to an Altar Guild member or to Fr. Isaias.
~ Jane Ames
*** And a little note from Christie ...
Buenos Días Señoras y Señores!
Muchas gracias for the beautiful garden basket I won as a raffle prize on our April Diocesan Altar Guild trip to the marvelous, historic Trinity Church, Wall Street! This was an answered prayer – because no sooner had I said to myself, “I would love to start garden- ing!” when God heard, and provided. The Lord never ceases to amaze!
Thank you so much, Jane, for your untiring work, dedication and love for the Altar Guild, the altar and the Lord. You are an inspiration. It was a joy to learn so much history about Trinity Church and its sacristy. Thanks also to our dear St. Margaret's family who continues to be patient with me as I learn more about Altar Guild service. God’s abundant blessings to all!
~ Christie
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ARCHIVE - ALTAR GUILD
APRIL 2018 MESSAGE
APRIL DIOCESAN ALTAR GUILD INVITATION
You're invited to on the spring trip to historic TRINITY CHURCH, Wall Street on Saturday, April 21, 2018.
Roundtrip Coach Fare and Church Tour: $25 (from four locations)
- Church Tour Only: $5 (provide own transportation)
- Note: Church tour begins at 10:30 a.m. followed by Noon Day Prayers
- Bus leaves St. Paul’s at 3 p.m.
- Lunch on your own. Free time to visit
Paul’s Chapel, Freedom Towers, Oculus and more.
Please see Jane Ames for more information about this trip. All are welcome!
More April 2018 News
As I write this article, we are preparing for Palm Sunday, which begins the holiest week of the church year. Of course, the following Sunday begins the most joyous day and season of our Christian year, Easter.
For our Altar Guild, the time spanning Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday is our busiest time of the year. I’ve often said St. Margaret’s Altar Guild is the most amazing altar guild in the Diocese of Long Island, and I will say it again! Although we are small in number, we are large in our accomplishments. From hand-making your palm cross lapel pins to preparing for a service every day during Holy Week, we are “doing some-thing” either in the sacristy or the sanctuary. On Maundy Thursday after commemorating The Last Supper of our Lord, we strip the altar in preparation for Good Friday, the day when Jesus said, “It is finished,” and died on the cross.
But, no matter how tired we are, the fatigue disappears when we enter the church either at the Easter Vigil or on Easter Sunday and see our beautiful sanctuary filled with flowering plants around the altar. On Easter morning, there is a large cross to be filled with flowers by our parishioners. Jesus’ tomb in the garden of Joseph of Arimathea is now empty. We are filled with joy at the beautiful sight as we shout, “Hallelujah! He is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!”
Thank you to our Altar Guild members and all members of the parish who worked together to make this day glorious.
~ Jane Ames
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2018 ARCHIVE - ALTAR GUILD
2018 MARCH ALTAR GUILD
As we approach the end of the Lenten Season and prepare for the joyous celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord on Easter, the Altar Guild has some very busy days ahead.
Friday (April 7) is the day we meet to make the palm crosses that will be distributed at both Palm Sunday Services. If you’d like to help, we’ll teach you how to do it - join us at 10 a.m. in the Conference Room.
On Maundy Thursday (April 13), the Altar Guild will host its Annual Potluck Supper at 6 p.m. Along with the delicious dishes that our wonderful St. Margaret’s families always bring, there will be a special treat this year. Have you ever wondered what Jesus and his disciples might have actually eaten when they gathered for the Passover meal? You are invited to our Tasting Table to find out. (The Maundy Thursday service follows at 7:30 p.m.)
On Saturday (April 15) Altar Guild members will polish our silver and brass, arrange the flowers and appointments that adorn the altar and sanctuary, and work to bring our worship space to life again as we prepare for the first service of Easter, the Great Vigil of Easter (Saturday at 7:30 p.m).
You will receive an Easter greeting from St. Margaret’s in the mail, listing the services during Holy Week and Easter. An Easter Flower envelope is included for flowers given “In Memory Of,” or “In Thanksgiving For” a loved one. Please include the names of those you wish to remember, and return the envelope to church by Monday, April 10 (in person or mailed). Names will be printed in the Easter Bulletin.
May each of you have a meaningful Holy Week and a Glorious Resurrection Sunday.
~ St. Margaret’s Altar Guild
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2017 ARCHIVE - ALTAR GUILD
December 2017
When I started to write this article for The Message, I was completely taken aback. Three weeks till Christmas, how can that be? The week before Christmas is always a very busy time for Altar Guild members. And because Christmas Eve is on a Sunday and the last Sunday in Advent is the same day, preparing the church will be a bit different this year.
Dates to mark on your calendar:
Dec. 17 (Sunday) The Annual Greening of the Church will immediately follow the 10 a.m. service. We will need strong men and boys for this event. Decorating the church with the pine roping is always a challenge. How did we do it last year? Pictures never seem to have the answers, but when the process is completed, we hear, “It looks great, even better than last year!” Wreaths will be put on the inside windows of the church and on all entry doors. Red bows will be placed on the outdoor wreaths only. There will be additional needs for many hands!
A light lunch, prepared by our Altar Guild members for all of our hard-working church angels, will be served in the undercroft.
Dec. 22 (Friday) Poinsettias will be delivered by 10 a.m. and will be prepared for placement in the sanctuary on Dec. 24.
Dec. 24 (Sunday) Immediately following the 9:30 a.m. service, our Christmas “angels” are again needed to help the Altar Guild to quickly prepare the sanctuary for our 4 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service. By working together, our Altar Guild members will be able to leave the church before noon.
Envelopes for Christmas Flowers are available in the narthex. Please indicate whether your donation is given “in memory of” or “in thanksgiving for” your loved ones. You may also send an e-mail to Altar Guild Treasurer Lois Bisca at lobisc@optonline,net with the names and intentions. Your Christmas Flowers offering may be placed in the offering plate or mailed to the church.
