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Growing in the Dark
This week’s Advent program discussed the creative works of darkness: God breathing over the darkness at the start of creation, a seed germinating in the darkness, each of us formed in the darkness of a womb. Things grow in the dark—we grow in the dark.
We talked about examples in scripture of God growing God’s people in the dark: God inviting Abraham to look up at the stars as a symbol of God’s promises in the dark of night, God sending the Angel of Death to pass over homes in the darkness to free the Hebrew people, God calling Samuel in the darkness to raise up a faithful prophet.
And then we responded to these questions:
- What is your darkness?
- How is God inviting you to grow in this darkness?
- What support do you need to grow?
I named my own darkness as grieving the loss of my dad, grieving the loss of the community that has held my family for the past decade, and the darkness of the unknown as I discover my place in this new community. Some named the loss of a spouse or a friend, some named the overwhelm of a packed schedule, some named financial anxiety, some named the growing conflict in our world, some named the literal darkness of a shorter winter day.
Discerning how God might be inviting us to grow in the darkness was a little harder because sometimes that growth is something we can only name in hindsight. So we talked about how God had grown us before, and what God might be up to now.
Naming what we need to grow is helpful because in some cases it reminds us of what we already have: a friend or family member who loves us, a listening ear, laughter, prayer, shared wisdom, good books, an opportunity to press pause, our church community.
No matter your darkness, no matter how you are growing, God loves you, St. Martin’s loves you, and you are never alone.
Click here to share your own reflections on growing in the dark.
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Thanks to all who responded to last week’s Advent invitation to consider what keeps us up at night and how we give that to God. This word cloud is a graphic summary of those responses.
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Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | |
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Christmas Flower Dedications and Memorials
DEADLINE is This Sunday, December 15. To make a dedication or memorial for a loved one for Christmas please use the forms in the Narthex or click the below button to order online. $35 minimum donation requested.
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Buy Your Wreath from J2A
This Sunday, Dec. 15
We still have wreaths for sale! Find us in Parish hall during Holiday Sharing from 9:00-10:00 a.m or following the 10:00 a.m. service in the Narthex. Support our J2Aers for their 2025 Pilgrimage and buy your wreath this Sunday. Contact Rev. Nathan.
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EYC Laser Tag
This Sunday, Dec. 15, 5:30 p.m. (Parish Hall)
We’ll take over part of the campus for a Laser Tag battle royale. One of EYC’s greatest events. Youth and friends grades 6th-12th are all invited. Contact Rev. Nathan.
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Advent Nights & Advent Lights
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m. (Parish Hall)
On December 18, join us at 6:30 p.m. for a contemplative “Longest Night” Blue Christmas service, which honors the broad spectrum of feelings we may experience alongside the joy of the Christmas season. Contact Rev. Lauren.
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Christmas Pageant Sign Up
Here is all the information you need to sign up your family for a great Christmas pageant at St. Martin’s:
Sign-up by December 15! Click here.
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Rehearsal on Sunday, December 22 at 11:15 a.m. Additional rehearsals for those with speaking parts on December 8 and December 15 at 11:15 a.m.
- Christmas Pageant is Tuesday, December 24, 4:00 p.m.
- Arrival time for the cast is 3:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
- Children, grades 4-8, can sign up to be considered for Mary, Joseph and speaking/reading roles.
- Kids, ages 4 through grade 5, can sign up to be Angels or Shepherds.
- Young children, ages 3 and 4, can be animals.
- Parents can sign-up to help out with the fun.
To sign up or volunteer click here. Contact Rev. Nathan.
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Pray for Our Holiday Sharing Families
Please join your fellow parishioners in committing to pray every day until Christmas for one of the families we are sponsoring this Christmas season. We will email prayer ideas to those who sign up here.
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Epiphany Baptisms
Sunday, January 5, 10:00 a.m. (Sanctuary)
Join us at the 10:00 a.m. service, as we do all in our power to support the persons baptized in living out their new life in Christ, and in renewing our Baptismal Covenant. If you or a member of your household would like to be baptized, please contact a member of the clergy by December 23. Contact Rev. Lauren.
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Vestry Nominations
Our Annual Meeting will be February 2 (early!) this year. Which means we are seeking nominations for the next vestry class. The outgoing class is serving as the Nominating Committee along with one representative from the other two classes and two at-large members of the church. Nominees must be pledging members in good standing. Nominees should also be prayerful, trustworthy, caring and wise. If you would like to nominate someone or be considered as a nominee, please contact Jeannine Theoret. The Nominating Committee will share a slate of four candidates in early January.
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Church Office Closings
The church office will be closed from December 24-January 1. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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SAVE THE DATE: The Rev. Lauren R. Holder’s Installation
Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
You are invited to attend The Rev. Lauren R. Holder’s installation at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Details to come.
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Women’s Weekend at Claggett
February 21-23, 2025
Join Rev. Lauren and other women from St. Martin's-in-the-Field for a women's retreat with women across the diocese at Claggett Conference Center. The Keynote Speaker will be Bishop Carrie Schofield-Broadbent and the theme for the weekend is Love in Action. Sign up online.
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Service Times for Christmas
Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m.
Service of Holy Eucharist & Pageant
Christmas Eve 9:00 p.m. (Prelude 8:30 p.m.) Service of Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Christmas Day 10:00 a.m.
Service of Holy Eucharist, Rite II
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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 Gospel of Luke. We will be using the LifeChange Study Guide on Luke which can be ordered on Amazon, click here. Contact Cindy Neseth.
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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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Nursery Care
Care is available from 8:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Sundays for infants and children ages 3 and under. Located in Parish Hall, see an usher for directions.
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Shepherd Group
Thursdays, 4:30 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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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. Drop your kids off for Sunday School and/or youth group, grab a cup of coffee or a donut, and join us. This group is open to all adults. Contact Chris and Liz Lucas.
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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 from 3 years old to 2nd grade 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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Gift Cards to Support J2A
Our J2A Youth Group is selling gift cards for 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 to set up an account and order online contact Amber Kaltz.
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Voices Wanted
We are actively seeking additional voices and bell ringers to join our vibrant music ministries. If you share a passion for both music and God, we invite you to join us. Contact Dr. HyeSung Hwang.
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SPAN Opportunities for DECEMBER
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 SPAN’s December’s theme is “Home for the Holidays.” Please consider donating items that are needed on a daily basis around the house like: baby wipes, diapers, toddler pull ups, Depends for men and women, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer.
Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. For details about SPAN click here.
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Interested in Becoming a Mustang
Want to learn more about our school, which offers programs from Preschool – 8th Grade? Click here to schedule a personal tour or register for our January 15 Open House.
New student applications for 2025-26 must be received by January 8, 2025 for Preschool and siblings of current students. The deadline is January 31, 2025 for all new K-8 applications. Tuition Assistance is available. Contact Kira Dickson, Director of Admissions.
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Rabb Lecture featuring Bishop Michael Curry
The John L. Rabb Lectures in Contemporary Theology & St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ellicott City will proudly present The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, The 27th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, as keynote speaker at their annual lecture. Join the conversation on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at All Saints Hall, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 9120 Frederick Rd. 21042. Cost $40.00, includes a light breakfast and a boxed lunch. Register at http://bit.ly/RabbLecture-2025
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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. | |
NEW PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: Sara, Anna May, Wilma, Alana, and Joey
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ONGOING AND LONG-TERM PRAYERS: David, Lisa, Stella, Vivian, Mike, The Carman family, Kevin, Sarah,
Kevin, Melanie, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Cameron, John, Alex, and Linh.
This Sunday’s altar flowers are given in thanksgiving for the blessings God has given the Killip family and in memory of Mary Ina Bourdon.
| eLet 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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