When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,* so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds* you have been healed. ~1 Peter 2:23-24 | | |
Dear St. Martin’s,
I write to you on Good Friday. The day we remember Christ’s death on the cross. The cross is central to the Christian faith. On the cross, Jesus gave up his very life to save you and the whole world from sin and death. On the cross, Jesus endures evil and death and vanquishes it. The world throws all the evil it can at Jesus. Jesus faces down that evil for you, for me, for everyone. If you read this today, I urge you to join us for our Good Friday service this evening at 7:00 p.m. to contemplate the vastness and fullness of Christ’s sacrifice and the healing and salvation it brings. By Jesus’ wounds you have been healed.
But that is not the end of the story, is it? On the third day Jesus rises again. Jesus defeats death and makes all creation new. This is the foundational proclamation of the Christian faith. Jesus has risen. Sin and death do not have the final word. Jesus will never die again. He lives now. And the offer of eternal life awaits you too. There is nothing that will happen in your life, in this country or in this world that God won’t ultimately redeem. On Saturday, we will have our Easter Vigil service at 7 p.m. This is a service like no other. It begins with fire and darkness and ends with light and joyful alleluias. If you have not been to the Easter Vigil service, you have never been to a service like this. Come join us to celebrate in drama, and light, in baptism and communion and in the joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus died for you and the whole world. And yet, Jesus lives, now, forever, and for all time. You are saved. The world will be reborn. Christ makes all things new.
May the Lord bless you and keep you on this holy weekend. May the worship we share together and the love of Christ and the power of his death and resurrection make you and all things new.
Yours in Christ who died and rose again,
| | We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. ~ Romans 6:9-11 | | | | Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | |
Remember to bring your bells to the Easter services so we can ring in our “Alleluias” for Easter! | | | | |
Popsicle Playground Playdate
Sunday, April 27 following the 10:00 a.m. service
After church we are hosting a popsicle playdate to connect parents of Sunday School age kids. Join us on the playground behind the church. Spend time with other parents, Rev. Lauren and Rev. Nathan while the kids play. For details contact Rev. Nathan.
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Walkin’ Loves
Every Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 a.m. (Kinder Farm Park)
Lace up your shoes and join our new Walkin’ Loves group for fresh air and fellowship. Meet us for a walk on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:00 a.m. at Kinder Park, off of Kinder Rd, near the small playground. The loop is 2.4 miles, mostly level, and takes about 45 minutes to complete. All ages and fitness levels welcome. Contact Julie Reiter, 443-875-1457.
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Sign Up for VBS Today
July 28- August 1
St. Martin’s is offering Vacation Bible School for kids ages four to 12 years old. For $50 you can register your child for half-day VBS, which would be from 8am to 12pm, or for $75 we will have a full-day of VBS, from 8am to 3pm. To register click here or contact Tabitha Carman.
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Job Loss and Support
Several people in our parish have been affected by recent Federal reductions in force. And several people in our parish have voiced an eagerness to support people in transition. If you have recently experienced job loss, or are anxiously awaiting the possibility of job loss, please let Rev. Lauren know. If you would like to support people experiencing job loss, please let us know.
| | Please note the church office will be closed Monday, April 21. | | |
Night at the Races Gala & Auction
Don your best Derby hat and get ready for an unforgettable night of fun at our School's largest annual fundraising event, our Gala & Auction on Saturday, May 3rd at Chartwell Golf & Country Club. Your evening includes cocktails, seated dinner, live and silent auction, and dancing with music by the Dan Haas Band! See you at the races!
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Bingo Night at Light House Shelter
Friday, May 2, 4:30-7:00 p.m.
You’re invited to share a meal and enjoy a few games of Bingo with our neighbors from the Lighthouse Homeless Prevention Center. Volunteers (ages 11+) are needed to help make this outreach opportunity successful. Sign up today! Contact Rachel Erdman.
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Need Gift Cards?
Our J2A Youth Group is selling gift cards in support of their pilgrimage. For every card purchased, they receive a percentage back. These cards make great graduation gifts, but most importantly can be used for everyday purchases. Give a card to yourself to buy your everyday groceries. It’s a easy way to support the youth at St. Martin’s without costing you extra. To place an order or set up an account contact Amber Kaltz.
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SPAN Opportunities for APRIL
SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) serves our neighbors by helping them through a critical or emergency situation. St. Martin’s supports SPAN’s mission this month by asking for donations for April’s theme is “Spring Cleaning.”
Please donate household cleaning items: soaps, laundry detergents, sanitizing wipes and sprays. Additionally, sanitary items and baby diapers especially in the larger sizes are especially helpful.
Of course we’re also happy to collect anything else you’re willing to share. Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. For details about SPAN click here.
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Faith and Family Group
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
St. Martin’s Faith and Family Group is an inclusive community dedicated to nurturing faith and service in our families. Open to all. Contact Chris and Liz Lucas.
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Children and Youth Programs
Sundays, 9:00 a.m.
- Sunday School (K-Grade 5): SMES Art and Science Rooms
- Rite-13 (Grade 6-8): SMES History Room
- J2A (Grade 9-10): Lower St. Martin’s House
- YAC (Grade 11-12): St. Martin’s House
Register your student today, just click the link: Sunday School (PK-Grade 5) and Youth Ministry (Grades 6-12).
For questions contact Rev. Nathan.
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Children’s Chapel
During the 10:00 a.m. service, from before the reading of the Gospel to the Peace, children 4 and up are invited to experience an age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word led by Children’s Chapel adult leaders. Contact Rev. Nathan for details.
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Nursery Care
Care is available from 8:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Sundays for infants and children ages 4 and under. Located in Parish Hall, see an usher for directions.
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Tuesday Night Group
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (Virtual)
Our goal is to help to deepen our understanding of our theological beliefs and how they may impact our everyday lives. Readings are based on Christian Theology from a variety of authors. Join us on Tuesday evenings via Zoom from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Contact Charlie Fitzgerald, 410-353-4719.
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Bible Challenge Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (St. Martin’s House)
Join us for a 16 week study of the Acts of the Apostles. We will be using the LifeChange Study Guide on Acts which can be ordered on Amazon: click here. Contact Cindy Neseth.
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Shepherd Group
Thursdays, 4:00 p.m.
Join us for a group discussion of the readings for the upcoming Sunday. All adults welcome. This group meets via zoom every Thursday afternoon. All are welcome. For zoom link and details contact Susan Griesmyer.
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Midday Bible Study
Thursdays, 12:00 noon (St. Martin’s House)
Join us for a weekly, midday Bible study and connect with God’s word. Meetings are held in the conference room of St. Martins house. Bring a Bible. Contact Julie Reiter, 443-875-1457.
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Would you like to join us on our Eastertide pilgrimage from Maryland to Alabama? Thanks to technology, you can virtually walk with me and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission pilgrims to the places where God’s people lived into resurrection hope, through public witness, where iconic events in the civil rights movement happened. As we experience this transformative journey you can also become witnesses.
Join us in prayer as we make our way through Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma April 21-25. The pilgrims in Alabama will share daily reflections and experiences with you in a variety of ways – prayers, photos, images, and videos will be available on our Facebook page, through emails, and on the Maryland Episcopalian storytelling website. Please consider becoming a prayer partner.
Sign up here to receive Prayer Partner email messages from our pilgrimage. Read daily posts on Maryland Episcopalian. Follow us on Facebook: @episcopalmaryland and @bishopcarriesb, and on Instagram: @bishopcarriesb
May God grant us strength and courage to identify racial injustice and oppression that is happening now, and in our history, with honesty and integrity.
| | Your Prayers are Invited... | Prayer is the universal way people of faith stay connected, both with one another and with God. You are invited to pray daily for our parish family, for your own needs, and in thanksgiving for all that God has blessed you with this day. | |
PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: Michele, Kerry, Charter, Eliana, Matthew, Julia, Sarah, Amalia, Edmund, Anna May, Joey, Kip, Wilma, Merla, Lisa, Mike, The Carman family, Kevin, Sarah, Kevin, Melanie, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle. .
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Lori, Bill, Lloyd, John, Ben, Austin, and Debbie.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: David and Ann Bacot Edwards and John and Marilyn Dirks.
| Let us know if you have a specific prayer request so we can hold you in our daily prayers. | | |
ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELD EPISCOPAL CHURCH
375 Benfield Road, Severna Park, MD 21146
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