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“But why is God so kind to me? Why has the mother of my Lord come to me?”
~ Luke 1:43
Elizabeth says these words to Mary who comes bearing Jesus. It is a time of joyful anticipation, as Elizabeth bears an unexpected child too—Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist. God is at work through these two wonderful and faithful women. Through them and the children they will bear God alters all of history. And so, Elizabeth greets Mary in glad expectation. God is at work! The child Jesus is Lord. The Lord who loves us, cares for us and saves us.
We now come to the Fourth Sunday of Advent this weekend. We will hear once again the story of Elizabeth and Mary. We will sing Mary’s song. And, now our preparation continues, with joyful anticipation of Christmas and the celebration of Christ’s birth. Our young people will rehearse their pageant. Our office staff prepares a multitude of bulletins.
The flower and altar guilds will be preparing the church. Our worship leaders and clergy will gather to ensure all is ready for our Christmas services. And the choir continues to rehearse some beautiful Christmas music.
We celebrate that God continues to be at work. Even now, God works in ways we don’t expect or often even know about to bring salvation, lift up the poor and to make all things new. God walks among us in Jesus, who is Emmanuel, God with us. Please join us this Sunday, and for our Christmas services as we celebrate and worship Jesus, our savior and our Lord.
May God bless and keep you and those you love, this Advent, this Christmas and always,
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ADVENT GREETINGS FROM THE VESTRY | |
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I hope you’re all finding the joy of Christmas in your busy lives. I want to share some updates from our recent vestry meeting.
First, thank you to those who supported our holiday sharing program. We also want to thank you for keeping your 2024 pledges current and to those who have already submitted their 2025 pledges. We are grateful to all of you who continue to support our church and all its wonderful ministries.
We are currently about $73,000 short of our preliminary budget number for 2025. Please continue your discernment around pledging if you have not pledged already.
We are continuing the search for our next Vestry class. If you feel called to serve, please contact myself or Rev. Lauren. Additionally, we are also looking for two people to co-chair the outreach committee.
Lastly, we are looking forward to Lauren’s installation service on January 14. As is customary, the parish gifts the Rector something meaningful. Rev. Lauren would like to add a cope to St. Martin's vestments. Click here for details and how to make a donation.
Thanks for your continued support and dedication to our church community, as well as your continued prayers. If you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any of the Vestry members.
Blessings,
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Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | |
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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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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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Epiphany Take-Home Blessings
Starting on January 5 we will have kits with all the materials you need to perform a simple blessing for your home. We will furnish the pre-blessed chalk, and a simple short service bulletin for you. Kits will be available for pick up from the front porch of the church. Remember to send photos of your chalked door to: communications@stmartinsinthefield.org. For questions 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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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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Church Office Closings
The church office will be closed from December 24-January 1. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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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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EYC: Bowling
January 5, 5:30 p.m. (AMF Southdale Lanes, 8056 Jumpers Hole Rd., Pasadena)
Whether you have mad bowling skills or are aiming for the ten pins for the first time we hope you will join us for a fun time. Dinner is included. All youth and friends in grades 6 through 12 are invited to take part in the fun. Contact Rev. Nathan.
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Celebration of New Ministry: 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. Reception for follow. As is customary, the congregation presents a gift to a new rector. For Lauren, we wish to have a Cope added to the vestments of the church. Click here for details or to donate.
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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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We will not have Christian Education classes on Sunday, December 29.
Classes resume Sunday, January 5, 2025.
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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: The Hilton family, Edmund, Stewart, Sara, Anna May, Wilma, Elana, and Joey.
FOR THOSE WHO DIED: Frank Hilton
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ONGOING AND LONG-TERM PRAYERS: Lisa, Vivian, Mike, The Carman family, Kevin, Sarah, Kevin, Melanie, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Ellie, Jarod, Trinity, Howard, Kathy, Trent, Cody and Maureen.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY: Bob and Joyce Lee and Nathan and Rachel Erdman.
| 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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