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St. Mary's Episcopal Church
Stone Harbor, New Jersey
All are welcome. Please join us!
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WELCOME HOME!
Worship with us:
Sunday at 9:00 am in the sanctuary
in person and Live on Facebook
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
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Dear Beloved Family of St. Mary's,
As the joyous season of Christmas wraps us in its warmth and light, I reach out to each of you with a heart overflowing with love and gratitude. This year, our journey through Advent takes on a unique and special significance, as we find ourselves celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve on the same day. This rare convergence invites us to embrace the fullness of God's message of preparation, expectation, and jubilant arrival, all within the span of one sacred and extraordinary day.
In this remarkable moment, the words of Mary in the Magnificat, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior," resonate with even greater depth and meaning. Mary's song of praise is a beacon of hope and faith, guiding us through Advent's reflective anticipation and leading us into the joyous celebration of Christmas. Her profound humility, unwavering trust in God’s promise, and recognition of God's favor toward the humble and oppressed, echo powerfully as we stand on the threshold of Christ’s birth.
This year, as Advent and Christmas Eve merge, let us contemplate the journey Mary took, filled with contemplation and expectation, which culminated in the wondrous birth of Jesus. Let us also embody these virtues in our own lives. In the spirit of Mary's song, let us be beacons of humility, strong in faith, and abundant in love and compassion. Let us reach out to those in need, reflecting God’s love made manifest in the birth of Christ, the Savior.
As we gather to celebrate this Christmas, let us remember that the joy and hope we cherish are not confined to a season but are enduring promises that sustain and uplift us throughout our lives. Amid the festivities, let us hold dear the profound truth of God's unfailing love and mercy, embodied in the Christ child.
This Christmas, as Advent's reflective journey converges with the celebratory arrival of Christ's birth, may you feel God's presence more deeply and intimately. I pray that this season fills you and your loved ones with peace, joy, and a renewed sense of wonder and gratitude.
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas. May God’s everlasting blessings be upon you today and always, and may the spirit of this unique Advent and Christmas Eve inspire you throughout the coming year.
In Christ’s Unfailing Love,
Mo. Allison+
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A very special Christmas with Curtis McKonly | |
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We're thrilled to announce a truly special Christmas Eve Service this year. Join us for an evening graced by the extraordinary talent of Curtis McKonly, a renowned musician and composer.
🌟 From a young piano prodigy to a maestro in the music world, Curtis's journey is as inspiring as his melodies. His expertise spans from captivating TV themes to enchanting arrangements for stars like Vanessa Williams and the Beach Boys, also arrangements for Jennifer Hudson, Megan Hilty, Laura Benanti, Brian Stokes Mitchell, the Four Tops and Temptations, James Brown, and orchestrations for the Chicago Symphony, Boston Pops, Dallas Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, feature films and TV.
🎵 Curtis brings his wealth of experience from the stages of Broadway, major symphony orchestras, and studios of LA and NYC right to our church. This Christmas Eve, he will share not just notes, but stories, emotions, and a passion for 'good music' that touches the soul. Read more about Curtis by clicking this link.
👉 Don't miss this unique opportunity to celebrate Christmas with music that has touched millions. Let's gather, rejoice, and be moved by the power of music!
📍 Where: St. Mary's Episcopal Church Stone Harbor
⏰ When: 9:00 pm Christmas Eve
See you there for an unforgettable evening! 🌟🎄
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St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop | |
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Come visit This 'n That on Saturday, December 23rd.
Santa will be visiting from 12 to 3 pm! And the Grinch will be there doing his grinchy thing.
Cookies and Hot Chocolate will be served to all.
Store Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Location: St. Mary's This 'n That, 1304 Rt. 47 So., Rio Grande, NJ 08242 609-886-7272
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December 20, 2023
Greetings to my friends at St. Mary’s,
This morning I was at Physical Therapy and while doing my exercises I glanced at the clock and noticed a sign underneath which read, “No Pain - No Gain.” The sign
was hand-made from a nice piece of wood, by a patient of the Physical Therapist, who had very good results from all the hard work he invested in faithfully attending his
therapy sessions and doing what was necessary to repair his injury.
As I continued my repetitive, not so easy, and sometimes boring exercise routine, I started thinking about that sign, “No Pain - No Gain” and the season of Advent we have been following which is now in its final week. For me, Advent is a time of reflection of the past year and what I have experienced in my everyday life, in the special moments of celebrating all the happy events of those I love, and even the sad times of those I lost.
Now, in relation to Advent, I think the “No Pain” in the wooden sign can really be translated as not physical pain, because therapy doesn’t hurt, but it would be more like steadfastness, dedication, discipline, and pushing myself past my comfort level. Those are the traits necessary for improving our physical condition, and those same traits are necessary for improving our Spiritual life, and in doing so we would “gain” in our closeness to God. Maybe Advent is a kind of therapy for the soul.
I had four weeks to think about all this, while I was busy writing sermons, writing Christmas cards, and doing all the special things we do in preparation for the arrival of the Christ Child. I had time to ponder the Bible readings of the past four weeks and appreciate the Child sent from God, who would grow into a man whose purpose would be to teach, preach, heal, and usher in the Kingdom of God, and invite us into that Kingdom for eternity.
So, what is the “gain” for the “pain or preparation” of Advent?
First is the discovery that I have limits.
Second, while I have limits, I also have talents and skills and abilities which enable me to do God’s work here on earth. I can visit the sick and lonely, babysit, petsit, take clothes to the Thrift Shop and maybe even volunteer there and at the Food Bank. I can also learn to be patient and really listen to someone who has a problem or a need and help in what way I can.
Third, I can focus on centering my life around God’s love to stay on track with my thoughts and actions by following God’s way and not my way. I can learn to stop and think in each situation, “What is the loving thing to do?”
Finally, I can think as did Bernard of Clairvaux, the Medieval Abbot, “We can get our house in order and prepare to go to Bethlehem to see the Christ Child in a clear light.”
May the rest of your Advent preparation go well, and may you have a joyful Christmas Season.
Your Deacon,
Jane Carol Wilson
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From The Branches Outreach Center
We have been blessed with clothing donations from a caring community, however, at the present time we have more than we can handle. Branches will not be accepting any clothing donations until after the first of the year. We need time to sort and organize.
Even though we are pausing our clothing donations food donations are still welcome. Thank you!
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To All of our seasonal members and friends
Please consider making a donation or pledge for 2024 before you head home for the season.
Your support of our mission and ministry is important to us.
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Some ways to support St. Mary's
- Become a member
- Volunteer
- The Sunday collection plate
- Send a check payable to St. Mary's to:
St. Mary's Episcopal Church,
9425 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247
(Your envelope and number is not necessary, only your name.)
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Setting up a personal online banking "bill pay" option. The bank will mail the check for you to the church office.
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Online giving through our website at https://www.stmarysstoneharbor.org/
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Happy Anniversary to
Andrew & Mary Lucile Johnston on December 28th!
Happy Birthday to
Jack Olthuis on December 25th and
Meg Ziemba on December 30th!
If you would like to be remembered on your birthday or anniversary, please give us your information so we may add you to our data base. Email or call the church office: jultaylor9425@gmail.com or 609-368-5922
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A new sheet for Coffee Hour in the new year is posted on the door to the kitchen. Coffee Hour is held after service every Sunday in the parish hall. It is an opportunity to get together for relaxed conversation and fellowship over a cup of coffee. If you would like to provide a snack for coffee hour, please pick a Sunday and sign up. Nothing elaborate, just a small snack to enjoy with coffee. Thank you!
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Sunday, December 24th at 9:00 am
Advent 4
Sunday, December 24th at 9:00 PM
Christmas Eve Festive Eucharist
12 Step Meetings in the Church Hall
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Monday at 7:30 pm
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Tuesday at 8:00 pm
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The Fourth Sunday of Advent | |
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Tuesday - Friday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom
Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church)
and Live on Facebook
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