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Easter Bells
People often think of bells belonging to Christmas. How many of us have decorated cookies shaped like bells or heard them ringing through familiar carols?
At St. Martin’s, we give thanks for bells all year long—especially for the joyful offering of our bell choir. But for many of us, the only time we personally get to ring bells in worship is at Easter.
I didn’t grow up with the tradition of ringing bells at Easter, perhaps because I didn’t grow up attending the Easter Vigil. Now, it has become one of my favorite parts of Easter.
While I was in seminary in New York City, my mom came to visit during the Triduum. We attended a different church for each service: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. For the Vigil, we went to St. Mary’s in Times Square, a place known for its “smells and bells.” I had learned about the tradition of ringing bells at Easter, but my mom had not yet experienced it.
At the moment of proclamation, when the darkness gives way to light and the Church announces the Resurrection, an elderly man in a white dinner jacket, seated just two pews in front of us, pulled out a bell the size of my head and began to ring it with full-hearted joy. My mom and I had front-row seats to the most exuberant celebration of the risen Christ. We both felt it—chills, laughter, and yes, I’m pretty sure my mom had tears of joy.
I now keep a bell that I ring only on Easter. It is adorned with a colorful peacock—an early Christian symbol of resurrection and eternal life. It sits on the bookshelf in my office, a quiet reminder of the joyful noise we make together when we proclaim the astonishing truth: Jesus is risen, and Love lives.
I hope you’ll bring a bell to church—whether for the Easter Vigil on Saturday night or on Easter morning. Ring it with abandon, with joy, with wonder... maybe even with a bit of defiance.
Let the whole world hear the good news: Christ is risen. And Love lives in you.
| | | | Join us for Worship this
Sunday at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. | | |
Great Vigil of Easter, April 4
8:00 p.m. Baptism and First Eucharist of Easter
Easter Day, April 5
9:00 a.m. Youth Prep for Egg Hunt
10:00 a.m. Worship Service
11:00 a.m. Egg Hunt
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Paschal Candle
Symbolizing the risen Christ as the "Light of the World" who dispels darkness, the Paschal candle is blessed and lit from new fire at the Easter Vigil. The candle remains in the sanctuary during the 50 days of Easter, and is used during baptisms and funerals to signify Christ's victory over death, passing from life to death and back to life. Our new Paschal Candle has been specially prepared for it's debut at Easter Vigil.
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Easter Concert
Sunday, April 12, 3:00 p.m.
HyeSung will be performing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the York College Wind Ensemble on Sunday, April 12, 3:00 p.m. at York College. If you are looking for an exciting event to attend after Easter, this will be a wonderful opportunity. Click here for location details. Click here for sample performance.
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Registration Open for VBS 2026!
Get ready for an unforgettable week of fun as St. Martin’s-in-the-Field hosts Cokesbury’s “Snowball Mountain Challenge” VBS the week of July 27-31! Registration is now open. Click here and sign up today! Our VBS is powered by the gifts of volunteers. We’d love to have you join the team. Contact Tabitha Carman.
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St. Martin’s Chili Cook Off With Special Guest Judge: Bishop Carrie!
Sunday, April 26, 11:30 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Do you have a mean (or nice) chili recipe? Or would you rather eat than cook? Now is your chance for both. Any chef can enter and any attendee can come and taste and vote for the best. $5 per person, $20 per family, and $1 per vote. St. Martin’s Chili Cook-Off fundraiser helps fund the upcoming J2A Youth Pilgrimage. This year we are thrilled to welcome special guest judge: Bishop Carrie! Prizes awarded in different categories for the tastiest chili. Chili sign up coming soon. For details visit our website.
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St. Martin’s Christmas Mart Returns
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Mark your calendars: the Christmas Mart is back in town! This is more than just a craft fair. It’s a festive tradition, a celebration of local talent, and a joyful gathering that brings our whole community together. How do we make it happen? With YOU! We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our Christmas Mart Committee. Lots of prep needs to be done to make the Mart successful and fun for everyone. And we’d love for you to be part of it! Interested? Talk to: Amy Theune, 410-353-7664; Kate Cleven, 410-703-7130.
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Claggett Youth Summer Camps
Adventure, friendship, and faith come together at Claggett over the summer. Camps for a variety of ages, including a generational camp. Find dates and details on Claggett's website.
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SPAN Opportunities This Month
SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) serves our neighbors by helping them through a critical or emergency situation. SPAN is currently in need of: Paper Towels, Pull Ups 4-5T, Diapers 6+, Canned Potato, Canned Yams, Meal Helpers, Side Dishes, Parmesan Cheese, Condiments, and Cooking Oil. Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. For details about SPAN visit: www.spanhelps.org/support_us.
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Pastoral Care Announcement
Are you presently housebound and unable to get to church on Sunday? The Eucharistic Visitor team is here to serve you! One of us will come to you on Sunday or during the following week to bring you communion and the love of the St. Martin’s family. Contact the church office if you would like a visit. If you would like to join this special caring ministry contact Don Nicholson.
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Children & Youth Formation
All classes not meet Easter Sunday and resume April 12. Regular classes resume next Sunday, 9:00 a.m.
Children and youth are welcome to join any time.
- Sunday School (K-Grade 5): SMES Art and Science Rooms
- Rite-13 (Grade 6-8): Lower St. Martin’s House
- J2A (Grade 9-10): Lower St. Martin’s House
Youth grades 11 and up meet alternating Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. For details, contact Rev. Grace.
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Children’s Chapel
During the 10:00 a.m. service children from 3 years old to 2nd grade are invited to experience an age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word. See Sunday’s bulletin for details.
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Faith and Fellowship
Class will not meet Easter Sunday and resume April 12. Regular classes resume next Sunday, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Adult Formation is a time of both faith and fellowship at St. Martin’s. Our engaging and conversational classes are taught clergy and parishioners alike. Come build community and grow closer to God with us! Click here for our schedule of events. Contact Rev. Lauren.
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Study on Book of Job
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (Zoom)
All parishioners are invited for the EfM version of theological studies on Book of Job to be followed by “JB”, the Pulitzer Prize play by Archibald MacLeisch. Join us Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m. For details and Zoom link please contact Charlie Fitzgerald.
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Nursery Care
Available for infants and children ages 4 and under on Sundays from 8:45 - 11:30 a.m. Located in Parish Hall, see an usher for directions.
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Walkin’ Loves
Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 a.m. (Kinder Farm Park)
Lace up your shoes and join our Walkin’ Loves group for fresh air and fellowship. Meet 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.
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From Prophet to King Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (St. Martin’s House)
Are you watching House of David on Amazon Prime and want to know more? Join us as we explore Samuel 1 and 2 which take us from the birth of the prophet Samuel through the reign of King David. Join us starting Tuesday, November 11. We will be using the book “1 & 2 Samuel” which can be ordered here on Amazon. Contact Cindy Neseth.
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Midday Bible Study
Thursdays, 12:00 noon (St. Martin’s House)
Join us for this weekly Bible study and connect with God’s word. Meetings are held in the conference room of St. Martin's house. Bring a Bible. Contact Julie Reiter.
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Shepherd Group
Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. (via Zoom)
Join us for a Zoom group discussion of the readings for the upcoming Sunday. All adults welcome. For Zoom link and details, contact Susan Griesmyer.
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Announcing the New Head of School
Join us as we herald the good news from the Head of School Search Committee, that a new leader has answered the call to join St. Martin's Episcopal School. Welcome Dr. Tracy Bonday, an experienced educational leader who will begin her term in July. Read full article here.
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SMES Gala & Auction: Come Sail Away! - Saturday, April 18
Please join us at the gala! Tickets are now on sale for the biggest social and fundraising event of the year. This is the one school event you do not want to miss! Gather your friends and family and put a table together, or purchase individual tickets for a night of excitement, friendship, and fun, benefiting the students and teachers of St. Martin’s Episcopal School! Enjoy an evening full of adventure. Purchase your tickets today!
| | | 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: Bp. Carl, Bruce, Stephen, Alex, John, Rosemary, Alec, Mary, Eileen, Susan, Cris, Barbara, George, Jim, Kiera, Marie, Emma, Brett, Katie, Lew, Karen, Suzanne, Greg, Bruce, David, Joey, Michele, Kerry, Carter, Amalia, Kip, Wilma, Merla, Mike,
the Carman family, Kevin, Sarah, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Gemma, Anne, Beckett, Sarah, Grace, Emerson, Lucy, Alex, Jack, Finn and David.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY: Rolph and Joan Townshend.
| 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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