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Dear St. Martin’s Family,
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been together for a year. It’s also hard to believe I am writing my very last lead for the Epistle.
God has done so many things in the past year. I am not the same person I was when I started as your Interim Rector last August. I know you have all grown and changed as well. Most churches decline during an interim period. You have thrived. You’ve expanded ministries, started a new worship service at Brightview, and strengthened the relationship between church and school.
I am so grateful for our time together. I am grateful to God and to each one of you. Paul begins his letter to the church in Philippi by saying, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Phil 1:3) I am carrying these words in my heart as I prepare for my last Sunday with you. Every time I remember St. Martin’s, I will thank God.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you as well. Thank you for welcoming Scott, Noah, and me. Thank you for being faithful in prayer. Thank you for your generosity and faithfulness.
I also want to thank those parishioners who have stepped up to lead St. Martin’s during this year of transition. Thank you to our Profile Committee, Search Committee, and Vestry. You have been excellent partners in interim ministry. Thank you to our amazing church staff, especially Rev. Nathan, who consistently helped me understand the St. Martin’s way to do things.
I will miss you. Saying goodbye is hard, even though we always knew that we would say goodbye all too quickly. However, I know that God has been with you through the past year, and I believe that God will be with you after I am gone.
Thank you.
Christ’s peace,
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~ The Reverend Joshua Rodriguez-Hobbs, Interim Rector | | |
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Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | |
Thank You and Farewell for Rev. Josh
This Sunday, July 28, following the 10:00 a.m. service (Parish Hall)
This Sunday we bid The Reverend Josh Rodriguez-Hobbs, our Interim Rector, good-bye and thank him for his service this past year to St. Martin's.
You are invited to a special reception following the 10:00 a.m. service this Sunday, July 28th to celebrate Rev. Josh's ministry at St. Martin's.
We are collecting a special "purse" for Rev. Josh to start his new ministry and to thank him for the many ways he has enriched the life of our parish family. From thought-provoking and powerful sermons to adult education classes, Rev. Josh has given a great deal to St. Martin's this past year.
To donate, please make your check out to "St. Martin's" and in the memo write, "For Rev. Josh." You can drop off or mail you check to the parish office, attn: Jory Bender, or you can put it in the collection plate on Sunday morning. If you would like to donate online click here. Be sure to select "General Donation" fund and put "For Rev. Josh" in the memo.
Thank you in advance for your generous contribution!
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Nursery
Our nursery is available from 9:45-11:30 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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Summer Concert Series
Last summer we began the Beethoven Project, performing all 10 violin sonatas. Our journey continues with the sonatas from Op. 30. Written in 1802, the year of the Heiligenstadt Testament, these pieces highlight Beethoven’s creativity and emotional depth despite his struggles. We invite you to join us and experience his captivating music at two venues this year: Peabody Conservatory on August 3, 3:00 p.m. and the Church of Epiphany in DC on August 6, 12:00 noon. For details click here or contact Dr. HyeSung Hwang.
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Summer “Meet & Eat”
Wednesdays through August 21, 6:00 p.m.
Join us Wednesday evenings for fellowship and delicious food. Suggested donation is $5.00 per person or $20.00 per family. Burgers/Hot Dogs/ Chicken and drinks provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. For questions or special dietary needs please contact John Theune.
Heat Advisory: Please note that if the temperature outside is 90 degrees or more we will eat indoors.
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A Friendly Reminder
Rev. Josh and Rev. Nathan never ask for gift cards or money via email. Always double-check the sender name and confirm the sender's address on any email that requests a gift or donation. If in doubt, call the sender directly to verify the message you received is legitimate. Learn how to avoid and report gift card scams.
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Parish Summer Office Hours
During the summer the parish office will be open Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and closed on Fridays.
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Backpack Buddies Needs Summer Help
Our Backpack Buddies program helps nearly 20 children each week during the school year by delivering food for food-insecure children to take home for the weekend. One of our school partners has identified children who need our help over the summer. Volunteers are needed to shop for and deliver food to four homes in Severn on Friday mornings. Grocery costs will be reimbursed. Food ideas will be provided. You don’t need to be available every week! Any efforts to help are greatly appreciated. To sign up or for more details, contact Sarah Parkison.
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Summer Bible Study
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
No study on this Sunday, July 28, we will resume August 4.
Want to understand Old Testament history better? Want to see how Israel’s experience of God intersects with their experience? Join us and take a deep dive into the Book of Kings. We will study political crises, theological challenges, and sharpen our skills at reading the Bible. Together we will also draw strength, courage, and examine our own struggles to be a people faithful to God. Please note there is no child care available this hour during the summer. Contact Greg Church.
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Bible Challenge Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (St. Martin’s House)
Come and study the Book of Proverbs with us. Join us whenever you are able over the summer. The study guide can be purchased online. Contact Cindy Neseth.
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Sunday Altar Flower Sponsorship
Do you like Sunday's Altar flowers? You can make a flower dedication to give glory to God and bring focus to the cross during our Sunday services. Click here for our online form.
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The following programs will resume in the fall: Sunday School, Youth Classes, EYC,
Shepherd Group, Bible Workbench and Parents’ Group. | |
SPAN Pantry is Sparse
Summer is a slow time for food donations. When you are picking up snacks for the pool throw a few extra items in the cart to help your neighbors. SPAN's most wanted list includes:
> Breakfast items: pancake mix, syrup, oatmeal, cereal, coffee and tea
> Canned meat and fish
> Instant Potatoes
> Peanut butter and jelly
> Pasta, sauce and other canned tomato products
> Basic toiletries: shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, soap
> Basic cleaning products: paper towels, laundry detergent, dish soap
Please put donations in the bins in the Narthex. For more information about SPAN, call 410-647-0889, email spanhelps@yahoo.com or visit www.spanhelps.org. Financial donations may be made through the website.
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July Outreach Collection:
Hope for All
The Outreach Offering will be on the second Sunday of the month and will go to support Hope for All. Hope For All is a Christian ministry whose mission is to provide basic furniture, household items, and clothing to people in our community who are without the financial means to meet their basic needs. Hope for All strives to offer stability to their daily lives and hope for their future. If you want to learn more about Hope For All, visit their website.
Click here to donate online and put HOPE FOR ALL in the memo area. For details contact Kathy Berge.
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SPAN Opportunities for JULY
SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) serves our neighbors by helping them through a critical or emergency situations. St. Martin’s supports SPAN’s mission this month by asking for donations for SPAN’s July’s theme - “Summer Fun.” Donate items such as bottle water, sunscreen, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, and baby wipes. Other useful items are shelf stable foods like rice, beans, pasta, pasta sauces, popcorn, as well as canned vegetables and fruits. Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. For details about SPAN click here.
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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. | |
Prayer for our Rector-Elect
Gracious Lord the giver of all life and blessings, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit we have called Rev. Lauren to be our next rector at St. Martins-in-the Field Episcopal Church. We pray that by her words and good example she may continue faithfully serving you and be a benefit in your Holy Church. May that same Holy Spirit give each of us all wisdom and imagination, energy and drive, that together we will have the ability to make ministries continue to happen in this church and in the larger community. Hear the prayers of your faithful people that in our vocation and ministry each of us may continue to be instruments of you and your blessings. We pray this in the unity of the Holy Trinity, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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NEW PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: Ed, Inez, Sarah, and Dora.
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ONGOING AND LONG-TERM PRAYERS: Scott, Olivia, Mike, The Murray family, Ben, Melanie, Jeanne, Philip, Bunny, Sara, Gloria, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Jason, Charles, Nicholas, Cindy, Kris, James, Brett, Jen, Rachael, Liam and Christopher.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: Carter and Susan Askren, Mark and Helen Kellogg, Derek and Linda Heiss, Jim and Sandy Sacre, and Richard and Karen Fields.
| 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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