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What keeps you up at night?
On Wednesday, about twenty-five people spanning 70 years of age gathered for some Advent fellowship and prayer. I handed out little blue notecards and asked people to write down whatever it is that keeps them up at night. We discussed our responses in small groups at our tables before some people shared with all the gathered. Some answers were practical: My dog licking my face, my phone, sleep apnea, my to-do list. Other answers were more vulnerable: fear and uncertainty in the world, anxiety, worry about family, worry about school, worry about upcoming transitions, worry about fitting in, worry about finances. Each response was met with a profound sense of empathy. No one was alone in their concern.
On the flip side of the notecard, I asked people to write down whatever it is that helps them offer their concerns to God. Some people wrote prayer, one person admitted they weren’t sure their prayers made a difference, some said talking to a friend, one person said Hallmark Christmas movies, one person talked about curiosity being an antidote to fear. And many folks left that question blank, which is in and of itself a good and honest answer.
Here is what I want you to know: You are not alone in your worry, anxiety, or fear. Even and especially when you come to church, you are surrounded by people who share your concerns. If you were to turn to your neighbor in the pew and say: I’m really worried about my parents, or my children, or myself, or how to make ends meet, or the state of the world, or the state of the church, or how to perform well at work/school... you would be met with love and understanding. And if you were to say that you don’t know how to pray about it, or that prayer isn’t helping, or that prayer is what’s saving you... each of those truths would be met with love and understanding too.
What I learned from this exercise is that we have an opportunity as a church to hold space for, and perhaps even address, some of these concerns. Knowing what keeps you up at night helps me know how to pray and how to respond. It can inspire and inform our programming in the coming year.
Would you like to share what keeps you up at night? Click here to respond anonymously or by name. We will use your answers to create a visual representation of our shared truths.
And I’ll tell you what keeps me up at night: Having enough and being enough.
And what helps me: Prayer, talking about it, and seeing the light of Christ in you.
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Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | |
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Christmas Holiday Sharing
Sunday, Dec. 8, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
St. Martin’s is providing food and gifts for 15 families. Please sign up to donate food and/or gifts, see link below. The last day to sign up is Friday, December 6. Everyone is invited to gather in the Parish Hall to prepare the food boxes and organize the gifts for the families at 9:00 a.m. on December 8. Bring your donations then. Mark each gift with the Family #, child name and gift #. Wrapping stations will be available. Contact the church office to arrange early drop off if you are unable to be there Dec. 8. To donate click here.
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Buy Your Wreath from J2A
This Sunday, Dec. 8
We still have wreaths for sale! Find us in Parish hall during Holiday Sharing from 9:00-10:00 a.m or following the 10:00 a.m. service in the Narthex. Support our J2Aers for their 2025 Pilgrimage and buy your wreath this Sunday. Contact Rev. Nathan.
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Holiday Sharing Toiletry Collection
Sunday, Dec. 8, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
We will be adding a toiletry package for each Holiday Sharing family. Bins are located in the Narthex for your donations. Donate full size items for both men and women: Body wash; Shampoo; Deodorant; Body lotion; Toothpaste; Toothbrushes; Disposable razors; Shaving cream.
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Advent Nights & Advent Lights
Wednesday, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18, 5:30 p.m. (Parish Hall)
We are gathering in the Parish Hall on Wednesday nights in Advent to study the night and be the light! On December 4 and 11, come for dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by 6:00 p.m. programming and Compline. On December 18, come for dinner followed by a more contemplative “Longest Night” service, which honors the broad spectrum of feelings we may experience alongside the joy of the Christmas season. Sign up here for the date(s) you are able to attend so we have a headcount for dinner. Contact Rev. Lauren.
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Christmas Pageant Sign Up
Here is all the information you need to sign up your family for a great Christmas pageant at St. Martin’s:
Sign-up by December 15! Click here.
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Rehearsal on Sunday, December 22 at 11:15 a.m. Additional rehearsals for those with speaking parts on December 8 and December 15 at 11:15 a.m.
- Christmas Pageant is Tuesday, December 24, 4:00 p.m.
- Arrival time for the cast is 3:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
- Children, grades 4-8, can sign up to be considered for Mary, Joseph and speaking/reading roles.
- Kids, ages 4 through grade 5, can sign up to be Angels or Shepherds.
- Young children, ages 3 and 4, can be animals.
- Parents can sign-up to help out with the fun.
To sign up or volunteer click here. Contact Rev. Nathan.
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Pray for Our Holiday Sharing Families
Please join your fellow parishioners in committing to pray every day until Christmas for one of the families we are sponsoring this Christmas season. We will email prayer ideas to those who sign up here.
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EYC: Laser Tag
Sunday, Dec. 15, 5:30 p.m. (Parish Hall)
We’ll take over part of the campus for a Laser Tag battle royale. One of EYC’s greatest events. Youth and friends grades 6th-12th are all invited. Contact Rev. Nathan.
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Vestry Nominations
Our Annual Meeting will be February 2 (early!) this year. Which means we are seeking nominations for the next vestry class. The outgoing class is serving as the Nominating Committee along with one representative from the other two classes and two at-large members of the church. Nominees must be pledging members in good standing. Nominees should also be prayerful, trustworthy, caring and wise. If you would like to nominate someone or be considered as a nominee, please contact ___. The Nominating Committee will share a slate of four candidates in early January.
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Christmas Flower Dedications and Memorials
DEADLINE is Sunday, December 15. To make a dedication or memorial for a loved one for Christmas please use the forms in the Narthex or click the below button to order online. $35 minimum donation requested.
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SAVE THE DATE: The Rev. Lauren R. Holder’s Installation
Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
You are invited to attend The Rev. Lauren R. Holder’s installation at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 6:30 p.m. Details to come.
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Women’s Weekend at Claggett
February 21-23, 2025
Join Rev. Lauren and other women from St. Martin's-in-the-Field for a women's retreat with women across the diocese at Claggett Conference Center. The Keynote Speaker will be Bishop Carrie Schofield-Broadbent and the theme for the weekend is Love in Action. Sign up online.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Faith and Family Group
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
St. Martin’s Faith and Family Group is an inclusive community dedicated to nurturing faith and service in our families. Drop your kids off for Sunday School and/or youth group, grab a cup of coffee or a donut, and join us. This group is open to all adults. Contact Chris and Liz Lucas.
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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.
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December Outreach Collection: Rector ‘s Discretionary Fund
This month’s Outreach collection will go to support the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. Rev. Lauren uses this fund to help those in need with payments such as rent, utilities, phone, car, and gas money, or to help organizations that are not supported by Outreach with their needs. This fund also helps ensure that other clergy discretionary funds are kept healthy so they can be used to provide similar aid. Please prayerfully consider donating to this month’s second offering to ensure that Rev. Lauren can continue to serve God, our neighbors, and each other. To donate visit stmartinsinthefield.com/giving/give/ and put Rector ‘s Discretionary Fund in the memo area. Contact Kathy Berge.
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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.
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SPAN Opportunities for DECEMBER
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 December’s theme is “Home for the Holidays.” Please consider donating items that are needed on a daily basis around the house like: baby wipes, diapers, toddler pull ups, Depends for men and women, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer.
Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. For details about SPAN click here.
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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.
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Weekly Highlight
Our first graders are making a difference through the Backpack Buddies program! Right before Thanksgiving break, they packed 16 bags filled with cereal, mac & cheese, milk, and fresh fruit to help ensure students in need have food for the weekend. Backpack Buddies is a program that gathers, packs, and delivers weekend meals to Anne Arundel County students every Friday. St. Martin’s Church members make, donate, buy, sort, and pack food each week, and we’re so proud of our first graders for their hands-on contributions to this wonderful mission!
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Rabb Lecture featuring Bishop Michael Curry
The John L. Rabb Lectures in Contemporary Theology & St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ellicott City will proudly present The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, The 27th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, as keynote speaker at their annual lecture. Join the conversation on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at All Saints Hall, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 9120 Frederick Rd. 21042. Cost $40.00, includes a light breakfast and a boxed lunch. Register at http://bit.ly/RabbLecture-2025
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Responding to Hurricane Oscar and Power Outages in Cuba
Episcopal Relief & Development is working with the Episcopal Church of Cuba to respond to Hurricane Oscar, and the mid-October power grid failure that continues to impact the entire island. Click here for details and how you can help.
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New Member Discernment
The Daughters of the King is a lay Order for women in the Episcopal Church. Our local Anne Arundel chapter is preparing to offer a discernment class for those who are interested in joining the Order. Members undertake a Rule of Life, incorporating the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service. By reaffirmation of the promises made at Confirmation, a Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of prayer, service, and evangelism. We find the Order to be a quiet place in a busy world, where we can support each other in our walk with Christ. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Pam Roth at 410-353-6774, or at rothsbythebay@verizon.net
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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. | |
NEW PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: Anna May, Wilma, Alana, and Joey
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ONGOING AND LONG-TERM PRAYERS: David, Lisa, Stella, Vivian, Mike, The Carman family, Kevin, Sarah, Kevin, Melanie, Sara, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Lizzy, Robert, Camille, Toni, Greg, Riley, Skylar, Gus, Jeannie, Natalie, Nathan, Makayla, Nathan, George, Callan, Keira, and Duke.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY: Scott and Katie Collier.
| 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
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