Staying Connected
WELCOME HOME!
Join us this weekend for worship.
Sunday at 9:00 am in the sanctuary, or
The service is also posted on our website

Evening Prayer is held on Saturday evenings at 5:30 pm in the chapel.
Holy Hour Devotion is held on Thursdays at 3 pm in the chapel.
This weekend: IN-Person Service Only at 9:00am

Please welcome Father Hall from the Church of the Advent in Cape May. Mother Allison will return next week.
Fundraiser:
Let's Paint Together
The artists from APrEnnis will join us on Saturday, March 5th for a painting party at 6 pm! No painting ability is necessary! They will guide you through the creation of this cute gnome picture welcoming spring. All supplies are provided. Fun included! If you'd like, bring a snack. Friends are welcome! $25 at the door. Hope to see you there!
PreConvention Hearings
All clergy and deputies are invited to attend one or more of the pre-convention hearings to learn more about the budget, resolutions, and canons being presented at the convention.

Meetings will be held via Zoom on the following dates. Register here: https://dioceseofnj.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEucuCtqjMuGdVj8mvHlm76t-sG7eH1bh7X

February 14, 2022
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

February 19, 2022
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

February 21, 2022
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

February 22, 2022
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Contemplative Corner
The Ancient Tool That Will Change Your Life: Visio Divina

Praying via art is a multi-sensory way to pray with God. Visio Divina is a type of prayer that makes use of visuals — works of art, stained glass windows, icons, and even natural images.

We all need a spiritual practice that integrates our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves. Visio Divina is a practice with long-lasting benefits that can increase your happiness and health. It’s been used in many different cultures for centuries and has been shown to have the following effects: decreased anxiety increased well-being, decreased mental illness, improved quality of life and mood, and enhanced self-esteem.

Visio Divina is a tool used in ancient times to tap into this spiritual realm to see what divine messages wait for us there. Visio Divina, sacred seeing can help you find peace in your life by reflecting on these messages with their healing powers. It will also help you make decisions based on what you see in your spiritual journey.

How Is Visio Divina Defined?

Visio Divina is a Latin phrase that translates as “divine seeing.” It is similar to the prayer form Lectio Divina (divine reading), except instead of Scripture, visual components assist you to focus your thoughts on prayer. In addition, it enables God to communicate directly into your heart via the image.

The practice of Visio Divina is a powerful spiritual exercise that helps you connect with God. It involves wearing “God-glasses”, putting on a lens or vision that reveals the truth and praying with images. You may choose sacred images, photos, paintings, or pictures from a wide variety of spiritual themes. For example, you may choose to pray using an image of a saint, a religious icon, or even a piece of contemporary art. The goal of the practice is to connect with God through your chosen image and its meaning.

This style of prayer has been practiced for centuries and is particularly popular in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox communities, where icons are frequently utilized in prayer. On the other hand, Visio Divina is gaining popularity among Protestant congregations as well.

The most fruitful prayer life results from a multisensory connection with God.

Each of us is wired uniquely. Some of us thrive on the written word, while others thrive on the spoken word, while others thrive on music, art, and movement. Each of these methods enables us to pray with God. While we may have a particular mode of prayer, the richest prayer life comes from experiencing God with all of your senses.

Personally, I’ve found Visio Divina to be a unique way to pray with God, allowing me to approach God in a way I would not have otherwise. If this is a new way of praying for you, I strongly encourage you to give it a try.

Visio Divina: How to Pray Read more...
Thank you for your continued support
Ways to donate are:

  • The Sunday collection plate

  • Send a check payable to St. Mary's to:
  • 
St. Mary's Church,
9425 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247
(Your envelope and number is not necessary, only your name.)

  • Setting up a personal online banking "bill pay" option. The bank will mail the check for you to the church office.


Please note: Offering envelopes have been discontinued. Only your name is needed in order for the counters to record your giving.
Holy Men and Women
Today the church remembers Martin Luther, Theologian, 1546.

The catalyst for change in the life of Martin Luther was, of all things, a trip to Rome. There he saw the excesses of the church. As he studied the scriptures, Luther came to believe that the church was not preaching the fullness of the gospel. In 1517, he nailed a set of debating points (95 Theses) to the church door in Wittenburg. Not only did Luther strike a nerve with his proposals for church reform, but new printing technology made his ideas the talk of Europe.

Luther did not set out to found a new church. But it was not long until he found himself at odds with church leaders. Summoned to explain himself and invited to recant, Luther is said to have declared, “Here I stand, I can do no other.” Within a short time, Luther was excommunicated. By then, his critiques of the church had taken hold, and many people embraced Lutheran ideas. Originally a term of derision, soon “Lutheran” described a church.

Most of the world"s Christians owe Luther a great debt: he popularized the idea of reading scriptures in one"s own language, so that any Christian could read the Bible, not just scholars. Luther himself translated the entire Bible into German. Throughout Europe, others were inspired to translate the Bible into many other languages. Luther"s passion was that people might know the gospel of love which frees us from the tyranny of sin.

Give us a zeal for the gospel and a desire continually to reform the church that Christ"s love may be known by all people. Amen.
Music Ministry Fundraiser
Live beautifully with AVON and help support our music programs!
St. Mary's is looking forward to special presentations this year featuring local instrumentalists and vocalists. Your purchase of an AVON product for yourself or your home will help to support our Music Ministry. By ordering online at this link
a portion of your purchase will be donated to St. Mary's. Don't forget family and friends, and share the link with them. Question? Contact Sheila Handley 484-288-9136. Click here to read about Kyle's plans for our music.
2022 Altar Flower Chart
The 2022 Flower Chart is now posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall. 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.
Happy Birthday to
Gloria Parker on February 22nd,
Sandra Harmon-Weiss on February 23rd, and
Katie Taylor on February 23rd!
Happy Anniversary to
Joseph & Lisa Griesbach on February 25th!
Mark your Calendars
Looking Forward...
February 18th - 22nd Mo. Allison is Away.
March 2nd: Ash Wednesday 8 am ashes to go, 5:30 pm service
March 3rd: Lenten Concert 12:00 pm Mary Johnson
March 5th: Painting Party Fundraiser 6 pm
March 10th: Lenten Concert at First United Methodist at 6:30pm
March 17th: Lenten Concert 12:00 pm Joe Krupa
March 24th: Lenten Concert at First United Methodist at 6:30pm
March 26th: Morning Lenten Retreat - 9:30 am -12:00 pm
March 31st: Lenten Concert 12:00 Kyle Sheppard and Hero Seto
April 7th: Lenten Concert at First United Methodist 6:30pm
12 Step Meetings in the Church Hall
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Monday at 8:00 pm
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Tuesday at 8:00 pm
Alanon Friday at 10:00 am
CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR on our website for all activities taking place throughout the week.
Lectionary Text for
The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
Worship Services
Tuesday - Thursday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom
Thursday Holy Hour 3:00 pm (Chapel)
Saturday 5:30 pm (Chapel)
Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church)
Sunday 9:00 AM Live on Facebook
Services, studies, and service bulletins may be accessed on our website: www.stmarysstoneharbor.org