WELCOME HOME!
Join us this weekend for worship.
Saturday at 5:30 pm on the 101st St. Beach Pavilion, or
|
|
|
|
August 13, 2021
"God, be in my mouth that I speak kindness; be in my hands that I use them to build; be in my eyes that I see the good in others, and be in my heart that I understand through all the hurts I suffer. God be in me"
|
|
Dear Family in Christ,
A wise man said that there is a God-sized vacuum in each of us. That’s why we feel empty until Christ comes to live in us. Indeed, we only find real life when the Life of Christ is allowed to pervade our lives.
The external world can overwhelm us, whether we are dealing with aging, finances, social injustice, the loss of independence, grief, illness, fear, the lack of shelter or resources, etc... News and media can invade our private places, disturb our peace and furthermore damage our well being. What are we called to do in these times of uncertainty and change? And let's face it, whether we invited the change or not, it is happening before us. What are we called to do and be in this moment?
How are we to be nourished and how do we share in our feast?
The more the world falls into its divided corners, the more I am convinced that our answers do not lie in the external world, but rather in our internal dwellings. I am convinced of that. I am convinced that the healing needed in this world and in our communities begins deep within ourselves. Unless our mind is clear, calm, and tranquil our discipleship will limp at best. Unless we are nourished we will not have a peaceful way of nourishing others in the mission field.
External people, places, or things are not the answer, each provides perhaps a temporary band-aid or momentary ease. Perhaps we get our way or indulge in our preference, get people on board who agree with us, or find our tribe and not waver, such victories are hallowed without addressing the source of despair that radiates through our longings. Remember no matter where we go, we take our minds and consciousness with us and each has a profound effect on our body and spirit.
St.Teresa of Avila said, "Lord, you are closer to me than my own breath, nearer to me than my hands and feet." As we internalize Christ, as we receive Holy Communion, we find a real, meaningful life, the life that truly fulfills us.
I invite you this week to go deeper, to explore the mystical places Christ resides within you, and to further explore those places where you've kept Christ out - where you need healing, forgiveness, or reconciliation, where you need peace. When we allow Christ in those tender places then we can begin to heal ourselves, our community, and our world.
As we receive the Holy Communion allow yourself to feel Christ's presence in every one of your cells. Be nourished and be well.
See you all Sunday!
Blessings,
Mo. Allison+
551-697-6133
|
|
If you would like a pastoral visit or a visit from one of our
Eucharistic Ministers, please contact Mo. Allison.
|
|
Come and meet St. Mary's Music Director, Kyle Sheppard |
|
Introducing Kyle Sheppard -
|
|
Organ Concert
A program of French, German and American organ literature, both traditional and contemporary, as well as arrangements of beloved hymn tunes will be presented.
Reception to follow.
Date: Sunday, Aug. 22nd
Time: 3:30 pm
|
|
School Supplies and
Backpack Drive
|
|
We are collecting backpacks and school supplies to help students in the County get off to a good start this school year. Your donations may be brought to the church or church office or left in St. Mary's chapel.
All are invited for a blessing of the backpacks, students, and teachers, on Sunday, August 29th at the 9 AM Service. The Branches will then distribute the supplies to local children.
Please help!
A list of supplies that teachers have asked for are:
- Backpacks (large enough to fit a 9x 12 folder and a lunch box)
- plastic pencil boxes
- child size scissors
- Boxes of tissues ( regular boxes and individual pocket-sized packs)
- expo markers
- Crayola crayons
- Colored pencils
- Playdough
- Thin markers (washable)
- Glue sticks
- Plastic two-pocket folders
- Elmer's glue
- #2 pencils
- personal hand held pencil sharpener
- Small bottles of hand sanitizer
- Composition notebooks
- 1” binders
- 2” binders
- Highlighters
- Wide ruled notebook paper
- Headphones or earbuds (to be used with student chrome books)
- Index cards
- Erasers
Please bring your donations to the church on Sundays, the church office from 9 to 5, or the chapel which is open 24-7. Thank you!
|
|
Please join us for a special Blessing of the Back Packs, Teachers, Students, School Nurses, Custodians, Bus drivers, and all who work with our children on
Sunday, August 29th at the 9:00 am Service.
|
|
Mark your Calendars
Looking Forward...
|
|
August: School Supplies and Backpack Drive
August:15th Vestry Meeting
August 22nd: Organ Concert and Reception with Kyle Sheppard
August 29th: Blessing of the Backpacks, Students, and Teachers
September 13th - 17th (Mo. Allison is on Retreat)
September 19th: Vestry Meeting
September 30th: Red Cross Blood Drive
October: Food Drive
October 3rd: St. Francis Day Transferred/ Blessing of the Animals
October 4th - 15th (Mo. Allison is on Vacation)
October 31st: Halloween Fun Day on the Lawn
November 14th: Thank You Reception/Coffee Hour
November 28th: Advent Begins ( Advent Study to be determined)
December 21st: Blue Christmas Service
December 24th: Christmas Eve
more to come...
|
|
Share the Lord. . . Key to the Kingdom
|
|
Have you ever lost your key chain?
If you’re like me, you have. It’s very frustrating when that happens because there are so many things you can’t do without your keys. You need one to drive your car, to enter your home, and to use your safety deposit box. Some people may need them for work or even to get into their mailbox. Without our keys, we feel powerless.
The church uses our gifts of time, talent, and treasure as keys. When we don't give all we can, it’s as if they are missing. Under those circumstances, the church can do little. If we look harder at what we have, we may find more to donate. The more we give, the more the church can accomplish.
Each gift of talent helps us praise the Lord in a new and meaningful way. It may also help lead others to Christ. Each gift of treasure helps us to provide the materials to feed, educate, and meet other needs of the parish and its community. Each gift of time helps us put talent and treasure to use as we care for each other and our neighbors, both nearby and elsewhere in the world.
|
|
It's good to be open again! |
|
Coffee Hour has returned!
Come and enjoy coffee and fellowship on Sunday mornings after the 9 am service.
If you would like to provide a small snack for all to enjoy, a sign-up sheet is posted on the kitchen door.
Alanon has resumed meeting in the parish hall Friday mornings at 10 AM.
AA has also resumed meeting at St. Mary's on Tuesday evenings at 8 pm.
SUNDAY PARKING: Sturdy Bank lot and Fred's Tavern lot may be used.
Please remove your car from Fred's before 12 noon.
(The meters are off until 10 AM.)
|
|
Thursdays on the Lawn and Worship at the Beach |
|
Thursdays on the Lawn, our summer concert series, has concluded for Summer 2021 with a great send off from Three and One. Many thanks to Jack Olthuis who organized the event, and all who helped with setting up, taking down and refreshments!
We're already looking forward to next year!
Our Saturday Worship at the Beach service continues at the 101st St. Beach Pavilion through August 28th at 5:30 pm. "Come as you are" and join us for a relaxed worship service in a glorious setting! Guitarist Tom Werkheiser adds his wonderful music to our worship experience. In the event of rain, the service will be held in the church.
|
|
Thursday, September 30, 2021 - 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
St. Mary's Episcopal Church Parish Hall
9425 3rd Avenue, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247
Give Blood, Save Lives
For an appointment, please call 1-800-Red Cross
Search by zip code: 08247
|
|
The August, September, October issue of Forward Day by Day, large and small print, is available in the church narthex. Please help yourself to a copy. If you would like a booklet sent to you, please let the church office know and we will be happy to mail one out to you! |
|
Donna Anne Montemuro , Louise Mihalek and Tabitha Tobias on Augst 17th! |
|
Lectionary Text
for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 15
|
|
Saturday 5:30 pm on the 101st St. Beach Pavilion
Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church) and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
