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

www.stmarysstoneharbor.org

Last night's study of the Canticle of Zachariah was a good introduction to our upcoming lectionary. Our Gospel readings this week and next allow us to reflect on John the Baptist and his relationship with Jesus. In the tradition of the great prophets, John the Baptist emerges, preaching to the people of Israel repentance and reform. Luke makes numerous references to the prophet Isaiah in order to substantiate this. John baptizes with the purpose of fostering repentance and forgiving sins, thus paving the path for God's salvation.

The three Synoptic Gospels—Mark, Matthew, and Luke—attest to the vital role of John's baptism in preparing for the coming of Jesus. Only the Gospel of Luke, on the other hand, establishes a link between these two individuals dating all the way back to their birth. The Infancy Narrative is found in the first two chapters of Luke's Gospel. It describes the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. These stories serve as a prelude to Jesus' public career, which begins in Chapter 3.

Luke is the author of the Gospel that bears his name, as well as the Acts of the Apostles, which continues the story of Jesus and the Church. Luke's awareness of time and history is revealed in these two writings.  He divides salvation history into three epochs: prior to Christ, during Christ's lifetime, and then the time of the Church and Holy Spirit. As is the case elsewhere, John the Baptist is depicted in Sunday's Gospel reading as the man who bridges the period preceding Christ and sets the way for Christ's own mission.

Luke's attention to political and historical detail is also apparent in Sunday's Gospel. Luke demonstrates that salvation is universal and contextual. As a result, Luke details the political and religious leaders in the desert at the time of John's appearance. Salvation is seen as God's intervention in this political and social history.

The Advent season's central topic is John's message about the advent, the coming of the Lord. As John's message paved the way for Jesus' arrival, we, too, are required to prepare for his return. Repentance and life improvement are how we respond to John's message. As John did, we are also invited to be Christ's prophets, proclaiming the Lord's coming through our lives lived.

May he, whose second coming in power and great glory we await, make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love, and may God's blessing be upon you, always.

In Christ’s love,

Mo. Allison+

Blue Christmas: A Service for Healing and Wholeness: December 21st, at 7:00 pm

Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist with Strings: December 24th at 9:30 pm

Lessons and Carols: December 26th at 9:00 am

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, a vestry member, or the church office.

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

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 will join us to help ready

St. Mary's Church for the coming

celebration of Christmas.

Upcoming plans for our Christmas celebration are exciting! A string quartet and cello will join us at the Christmas Eve service. Plans for the future include a bell choir.

If you would like to be a part of, or 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.

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!

Besides the usual selection of household, clothing, and accessories, the shops have a great selection of Christmas decorations, both indoor and outdoor, serving pieces, Christmas plates, wreaths, lights, collectible Christmas Village Houses and figurines, wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, boxes, stockings, ornaments, and more!

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!

Ryan Griesbach on December 7th, and

Donald Montemuro on December 9th!

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

December 21st: Blue Christmas Service 7 PM

December 24th: 9:30 PM Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist with Strings

December 26th: 9:00 AM Lessons and Carols

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

Episcopal Church Women of Church of the Advent, 612 Franklin St., Cape May, will hold their annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 4th from 10 am to 2:30 pm in the church parish hall.

Shop for handmade crafts, decorations, gifts, handmade needlework, fresh greens, wreaths, collectibles, jewelry, homemade soup-to-go, home baked goodies, and basket raffle. Mrs. Claus will also be visiting the Bazaar.

Sunday 9:00 AM Live on Facebook

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