online at https://www.facebook.com/www.stmarysstoneharbor.org at 9 am.

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This Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King. The feast day is observed on the last Sunday of the liturgical year in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church worldwide. It is not celebrated in "all" Episcopal churches, believe it or not, only some, and therefore it does not appear in the official Episcopal church calendar of the year.

At this feast, Jesus' messianic kingship and sovereign dominion over all of creation are commemorated.

It is noted by Marion Hatchett that the collect for Proper 29, the last Sunday of the church year, is a "fairly free" translation of the collect for the Feast of Christ the King in the Roman Missal, which is included in the Prayer Book. As the title of this collect suggests, it prays that God, "whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords," will "Mercifully grant that all the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule" (BCP, p. 236).

In the Gospel of John, you will hear Jesus exclaim to Pilate during his trial, "My kingdom is not of this world." At this point, Jesus is not speaking about anything otherworldly, as if plucked from a science fiction magazine, but rather how his moral fortitude and direction in life came from a higher power. He was not intended to rule for a brief period of time, but for all humanity, throughout time.

What Jesus said to Pilate still holds true for us. Our lives are governed by an authority that is not of this world. We operate under a higher authority and adhere to a higher standard. We do not determine what is correct based on what is fashionable at the time, what is sanctioned by the government, or what is approved on television. In other words, our lives are founded on our understanding of God's will for us. Discerning God's will is our charge.

Thank you for your donations for Afghan relief. With your support, we were able to send 3 gift cards to Interfaith Rise.

Thank you Lou Schweickhardt for your leadership in this endeavor.

This year's 7 Mile Island Service of Thanksgiving will be held at St. Mary's on Sunday, November 21st at 7:30 pm.

Clergy from the island churches along with their Choirs will join together to sing the anthem.

Please plan to join us as we give thanks for our many blessings.

This year's offering will go to support The Branches Outreach Center.

If you did not receive your stewardship packet, please let the church office know and we will be glad to mail one to you. A copy of the packet is linked here. An informational sheet covering answers to questions you may have about pledging to St. Mary's is part of the packet, but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Chair Janet Proulx.

Thank you for the joyful and prayerful consideration of your stewardship to St. Mary's Church.

Keep in mind, "the least of these, my brethren," even in the midst of our abundance. As recorded in Matthew 25:31–46, the Son of Man, seated on his throne, judges the nations, dividing them between his right and left hands: those who are blessed and those who are cursed. Those who have been blessed have done small things in secret for the Lord, who has appeared in numerous forms:

You came to me when I was hungry and gave me food, when I was thirsty and gave me water, when I was a stranger and you greeted me, when I was naked and you clothed me, when I was sick and you visited me, when I was in prison and you came to me."

Our charitable contributions to Thanksgiving-related causes become more apparent as a result of this Scripture. Our feasting continues to be a feast, and it becomes much more of a feast when we do so in God's name.

Thanksgiving is a celebration of the Ultimate Giver, Provider, and Creator of all turkeys, food, clothing, drink, and so on. Because it is not entirely ours... we acquired it from the most generous of providers... our abundance must be shared with the less fortunate, invite a friend, or a stranger and extend the table.

Thanksgiving Day serves as a reminder to everyone, rich and poor alike, that we all benefit from and participate in God's gifts.

Songs are very much at the center of our celebrations of Advent and Christmas and have been so for many since childhood, maybe taking part in a school nativity play even if not growing up within a Christian family. The Christmas carols we love are an eclectic mix, some with origins more in the country inn, sung as a rousing chorus, rather than in a Cathedral to a choral setting.

Lots have been handed down from one generation to another and they continue to retain their popularity. How many who sing them in carol services once a year understand the meaning of the words is always a mystery, but the fact that they are sung is good news!

Luke’s Gospel has a series of songs as part of his introduction to the story of Jesus, and these have been handed down to us within our Bibles, and as part of the liturgical life of the Church.

Many will recite (if not sing) the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (maybe also the Benedictus) as part of their regular worship, so the words are familiar. But maybe they haven’t been looked at as often in their actual context, leading up to and just beyond the birth of Jesus.

The studies follow an identical pattern, with a musical theme after opening prayer and contemplation.

Please plan to join us for the

"Greening of the Church" on

after the 9 AM service.

Many hands make for light work!

We hope you can join us to help decorate St. Mary's for the coming celebration of Christmas.

If you would like to learn more about St. Mary's Music Program, please contact our Music Director, Kyle Sheppard at kshep2193@gmail.com or visit a rehearsal on Thursday evenings at 5 pm.

Music for the future will include a string quartet and bell choir. If you play an instrument, and would like to share your talent, let Kyle know.

The 2022 Flower Chart is now posted in the church narthex. Altar flowers are a wonderful way to honor loved ones throughout the year. Choose a date on the chart and fill in the name of who you would like remembered and by whom. A donation may be sent to the church office. Flowers may be removed after the service and taken home or delivered to a shut-in.

Church calendars for 2022, compliments of Radzieta Funeral Home, have been delivered. They are in the church narthex and parish hall. Please help yourself!

Forward Day by Day devotionals for November, December and January in large and small print are available in the church narthex. Please help yourself. If you would like a copy sent to you, please let the church office know and we will be glad to send one to you.

If you shop on Amazon, please remember The Branches can receive a percent of your purchase. It's easy! Simply go to this link https://smile.amazon.com/ch/26-2710178 and shop with your Amazon account as usual. A percent of your purchase will automatically be given to The Branches. Thank you!

Your support of the mission and ministry of St. Mary's through your communal worship and financial support during these challenging times

CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR on our website for all activities taking place throughout the week.

Sunday 9:00 AM Live on Facebook

Services, studies, and service bulletins may be accessed on our website: www.stmarysstoneharbor.org