|
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.
~ Ephesians 5:2
| |
|
We hear these words from Saint Paul every Sunday: Walk in love as Christ loved us. As Christ loved us. That’s really the key here. Jesus loved us so much that he gave up his very life on the cross. He loves you so much that he suffered and died to save you, me and all of creation itself from sin, evil, and death. Jesus gives his entire self.
When Paul says "walk in love as Christ loved us," he is asking us to love our neighbor and love God by giving our entire self. That’s what stewardship is all about. It’s about giving our whole selves to God by walking in love.
How can you walk in love?
- By giving of yourself in worship here at St. Martin’s each week. Your prayers, and your songs are gifts you offer up to God each week. Your presence is a gift to our Christian community here at church.
- By giving of yourself in service, using the skill, gifts, and time that God has blessed you with. For ways you can serve check out our ministry booklet.
- By giving your financial resources in thanksgiving for the love of Jesus and in service of Christ’s mission at St. Martin’s. Your sacrificial gift is an offering to God. You can build a generous heart and offer praise and thanks to Jesus for his boundless love.
If you have never made a pledge before, now is a great time to start. You can do so here. If you have questions about what it means to make a pledge or what might be a good way to start, please do not hesitate to reach out to your friendly neighborhood clergy.
If you already make a pledge in thanksgiving for boundless love of Jesus, thank you! Your gifts have bolstered the mission of Jesus in this place and in our wider community. Know, however, that pledges do not automatically renew. We invite you to make a new pledge for 2025.
Through your robust generosity St. Martin's will have the resources to support God's mission and vision with Rev. Lauren, our wonderful new rector, in the coming year. Jesus gave his whole self in offering and sacrifice to God, on the cross, in love for you, for me and for the whole world. So, walk in love, give your whole self to God: your financial resources, your service and your praise and worship each week.
Many blessings,
| | |
|
Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | |
|
Acolyte Training ~ This Sunday, September 22, 5:30 p.m. (Sanctuary)
Looking for St. Martin’s next top acolytes! All children and youth in Grades 3 through 12 are most invited to join our acolyte corps. Acolytes typically serve around one Sunday per month at the 10 a.m. service. This training is for all new and experienced acolytes. Dinner provided. Please RSVP. Contact Rev. Nathan.
| | |
|
Blessing of the Animals
October 5, 4:30 p.m. (Heck Hall)
You are invited to bring your pets to St. Martin’s for an outdoor service with blessings for all of God’s creatures. Pets must be leashed or in a carrier. This is a grreat event to invite your neighbors and friends to attend with you. For details visit our website.
| |
Did you remember to wear your name tag?
Name tags make introductions easy. Please wear your name tags on Sunday mornings and at other parish events. Don’t have a name tag? No problem. Fill out our online form.
| |
All Creation Sings: A Choral Festival
October 6, 4:00 p.m.
Members of our St. Martin’s Adult Choir will attend “All Creation Sings: A Choral Festival for Maryland” at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Baltimore. This joyous and triumphant musical program will feature works for choir, organ, brass, and more. Tickets and additional information are available here. Please use the promo code “SING” to receive a 50% discount on regular-priced advance tickets.
| |  |
|
Welcome Our Rector
October 6, following the 10:00 a.m. service (Parish Hall)
You are invited to special luncheon to welcome our new Rector, The Rev. Lauren Holder and her family to our St. Martin’s community. Join us on Sunday, October 6, following the 10:00 a.m. service. Please note Rev. Lauren will do a brief meet and greet during the 9:00 a.m. Christian education hour for those unable to attend the luncheon.
| |
Rector’s Discretionary Fund
Help us build a discretionary fund for Rev. Lauren to have when she joins us the first week of October. The discretionary funds of the rector are used for aid to the poor and to provide assistance to those in crisis. The fund enables the rector to respond directly to the needs of those in our congregation and community. Click here to donate online and please put Rector’s Discretionary Fund in the memo area. For assistance contact Jory Bender, Director of Finance.
| |
EYC: Mini Golf
September 29, 5:30 p.m. (meet at Severna Park golf center, 1257 Ritchie Hwy, Arnold)
All youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited for food, fun and mini golf. Friends are invited. Contact Rev. Nathan.
| |
|
Bible Challenge Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (St. Martin’s House)
Join us for a 16 week study of the Gospel of Luke. We will be using the LifeChange Study Guide on Luke which can be ordered on Amazon, click here. Contact Cindy Neseth.
| |
Children and Youth Programs
Sundays, 9:00 a.m.
- Sunday School (K-Grade 5): SMES Art and Science Rooms
- Rite-13 (Grade 6-8): SMES History Room
- J2A (Grade 9-10): Lower St. Martin’s House
- YAC (Grade 11-12): St. Martin’s House
Register your student today, just click the link: Sunday School (PK-Grade 5) and Youth Ministry (Grades 6-12).
For questions contact Rev. Nathan.
| |
Nursery Care
Care is available from 8:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Sundays for infants and children ages 3 and under. Located in Parish Hall, see an usher for directions.
| | |
|
Shepherd Group
Thursdays, 4:30 p.m.
Join us for a group discussion of the readings for the upcoming Sunday. All adults welcome. This group meets via zoom every Thursday afternoon. All are welcome. For zoom link and details contact Susan Griesmyer.
| |
Parents’ Group
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Drop your kids off for Sunday School and/or youth group, grab a cup of coffee or a donut, and join the St. Martin’s Parents’ Group. We have an exciting semester of activities, learning and fellowship planned. This group is open to all parents/guardians. Contact Chris and Liz Lucas.
| |
Children’s Chapel
During the 10:00 a.m. service, from before the reading of the Gospel to the Peace, children from 3 years old to 2nd grade are invited to experience an age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word led by Children’s Chapel adult leaders. Contact Rev. Nathan for details.
| | |
|
|
Be doers of the Word!
St Martin’s offers a wide variety of opportunities for us to take action as a part of our faith. We have ministries that focus on forming us within our community, as well as, outreach opportunities that help us to look outside the four walls of our church and fulfill our call to love our neighbor as our self. Take a look at our Ministries Booklet and see what calls you to be a doer of the Word!
| | |
|
Bingo Night at Light House Shelter
October 4, 4:30-7:00 p.m.
St. Martin’s sponsors a pizza night at Lighthouse Homeless Prevention Center on the first Friday of every month. This is a great opportunity to be with our neighbors by sharing a good meal, and playing a few rounds of Bingo with them. Children must be at least 11 to volunteer. Please sign up so we have a head count. To volunteer please contact Rachel Erdman.
| | | |
|
SEPTEMBER Outreach:
Annapolis Civitan Club #177
The Annapolis Civitan Club #177, established in 1926 as the 177th Civitan Club in the World, serves the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County communities in creating good citizenship. The club has dedicated its efforts to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Click here for more information. Click here to donate online and put Annapolis Civitan Club in the memo area. For details contact Kathy Berge.
|  | |
SPAN Opportunities for SEPTEMBER
SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) serves our neighbors by helping them through a critical or emergency situation. St. Martin’s supports SPAN’s mission this month by asking for donations for SPAN’s September’s theme - “Fill the Need.”
Donate items such as: Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, salad dressing, BBQ sauce and oil); jelly, canned meat, beans, pancake mix, syrup and any kind of potatoes (canned, boxed, fresh, sweet or white); Toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo); and basic cleaning supplies (all purpose spray/wipes, dish soap, laundry detergent).
Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. For details about SPAN click here.
| | |
|
Voices Wanted
We are actively seeking additional voices and bell ringers to join our vibrant music ministries. If you share a passion for both music and God, we invite you to join us. Contact Dr. HyeSung Hwang.
| |
AAUW: Donate 2 Educate
Donate your good, clean, used books as proceeds from the sale of your books allows AAUW to provide yearly scholarships to Anne Arundel County women. Donations are collected on October 5 from 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon in the St. Martin’s parking lot. Please no encyclopedias, VHS tapes, magazines or condensed books. No textbooks, computer manuals or travel guides more than 2 years old. For sale date announcements and details follow AAUW Anne Arundel County Used Book Sale on Facebook or call (410) 647-7041 or (703) 599-9646.
| |
Gift Cards to Support J2A
Our J2A Youth Group is selling gift cards for their pilgrimage. For every card purchased, they receive a percentage back. These cards make great graduation gifts, but most importantly can be used for everyday purchases. Give a card to yourself to buy your everyday groceries. It’s a easy way to support the youth at St. Martin’s without costing you extra. To place an order or to set up an account and order online contact Amber Kaltz.
| |
|
SMES Open House
Wednesday, October 16, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Visit us to learn more about our school! Explore our engaging learning environment in Preschool through 8th Grade. See how we encourage each student’s academic success while discovering their unique potential as they learn with confidence, serve with compassion and lead with character. Visit stmartinsmd.org/admissions/open-houses/ to register or schedule a private tour. Please contact Director of Admissions, Kira Dickson (410-647-7055 x4044 or kdickson@stmartinsmd.org) with any questions.
| | |
|
New Interim Head of School
Please join us in welcoming our new Interim Head of School, Kathleen Mahar. Kathy brings nearly three decades of independent school teaching and administrative experience to the role, having served most recently as Principal and then President of Archbishop Spalding High School (2003-2022). An extraordinary leader, Kathy has been a friend and advisor to St. Martin’s for almost five years as a board member (2019-2022 and 2023-24), so she has unique insight into and love for our School.
Kathy shared, “I am excited to work with the St. Martin’s-in-the-Field community. During my years at Archbishop Spalding High School, I enjoyed getting to know so many St. Martin’s students and their families. I saw firsthand how well the St. Martin’s faculty and staff prepared these young people both academically and spiritually. I look forward to meeting each of you and feel blessed to partner with you during our time at St. Martin’s.”
| | |
Your Prayers are Invited... | Prayer is the universal way people of faith stay connected, both with one another and with God. You are invited to pray daily for our parish family, for your own needs, and in thanksgiving for all that God has blessed you with this day. | |
Prayer for our Rector-Elect
Gracious Lord the giver of all life and blessings, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit we have called Lauren to be our next rector. Be with Lauren, and her family as they prepare to join our parish, and with us as we prepare to welcome them. All this we ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
| |
NEW PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: Kevin, Abigail, Helen, Inez, and Sarah.
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ONGOING AND LONG-TERM PRAYERS: Sarah, Dora, Scott, Olivia, Mike, The Murray family, Ben, Melanie, Philip, Sara, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Tim, Max, Guy, and Kate.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY: Alex and Sandi Blair, Drew MacNaughton and Sam Burdette, and David and Lisa Mallery.
| eLet us know if you have a specific prayer request so we can hold you in our daily prayers. | | |
ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELD EPISCOPAL CHURCH
375 Benfield Road, Severna Park, MD 21146
| | | | |
