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Where We Can See God
What a time to be at St. Martin’s! Over the past week we joyfully celebrated our patron saint. We heard of Martin’s generosity, literally giving a beggar some of the clothes off his back. We heard of his life of faith, his life of prayer and his ministry as a bishop. On Sunday, we lived out that generosity with our pledge ingathering. I was deeply moved as parishioners brought forth their gifts to God for ministry, as we sang the hymn: “Seek ye First.” Sunday was a celebration of our own St. Martin, the gifts the God gives us, and the gifts we share.
On Sunday evening, the choir led us in Evensong, a service that Martin himself would have appreciated. He was a monastic who committed himself to a life of prayer throughout the day. It was lovely to reflect on Martin’s life of faith, prayer and simplicity as the choir offered up music to God. The spirit of St. Martin is alive in this church both in our generosity and in our worship.
This Sunday, we turn from reflecting on St. Martin to where we can see God when life or our world becomes chaotic and unsettling. In this week’s gospel, Jesus says, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines.” Hardly comforting, that is, until we remember that when he says this Jesus has already entered Jerusalem. He is about to die and rise again to defeat death and make all things new. His love and his resurrection endures long after the wars and disasters of the first century are a memory.
Another verse we’ll hear on Sunday is this, “For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.” It’s a reminder that no matter what happens God’s strength and foundation can hold us up during difficult times in our lives. And when it seems like the world has gone mad—God is still there. God is the foundation of the world and nothing can shake that.
At St. Martin’s, we can meet God in celebration, generosity and prayer. And we can meet God to find strength and hope during tough or unsettling times. I invite you to keep coming to worship, to be generous, and to seek Christ among us.
May God bless and keep you. See you Sunday!
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~ Rev. Nathan Erdman, Associate Rector and Chaplain | | |
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Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | |
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A Note on Receiving Communion
When you come forward to receive the Holy Eucharist on Sunday, know that you can receive the bread only, and that is receiving the full sacrament. If you would like to receive the wine, you may either drink from the chalice or you may intinct (dip) the bread with the smaller chalice that will follow. It has been a while since we have practiced intinction at St. Martin's, so we will review these practices in the announcements.
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EYC: Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Sunday, November 24, 5:30 p.m. (Parish Hall)
Join us in watching the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie. We will toast and have the feast like the movie with a possible football game to end the evening. Youth and friends grades 6th-12th are all invited. Contact Rev. Nathan.
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Parish Office Closed for Thanksgiving
November 28-29
The church office will be closed November 28 and 29 in observance of Thanksgiving. For details contact the parish office.
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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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Advent Wreath Making & Taco Bar
Sunday, December 1, 11:15 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Join us in the Parish Hall following the 10:00 a.m. service for our yearly tradition - Advent Wreath Making & Taco Bar. $25/wreath. Parishioners are asked to bring greens to share; candles, materials and lunch provided. If you would like to donate food items for the taco bar or help with set up and clean up please sign up here.
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Bingo Night at Light House Shelter
Friday, December 6, 4:30-7:00 p.m.
You’re invited to share a meal and enjoy a few games of Bingo with our neighbors from the Lighthouse Homeless Prevention Center. Volunteers (ages 11+) are needed to help make this outreach opportunity successful. Sign up here so we have a head count.
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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
The Keynote Speaker for Women’s Weekend 2025 will be Bishop Carrie Schofield-Broadbent, the Bishop of Maryland. This is the 25th Anniversary of Women’s Weekend and will focus on the theme Love in Action. Join with women from all walks of life to learn, worship, and grow in love together. Sign up online.
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Sunday Altar Flower Sponsorship
Did you know you can sponsor our Sunday altar flowers? Your personal dedication gives glory to God and brings focus to the cross during our Sunday services. Sponsor’s dedications will be read aloud in the Prayers of the People. You can dedicate flowers in memory of a loved one, in celebration of a birthday or anniversary, or as a random act of kindness! Complete our online form.
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2025 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN | |
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We have received 91 pledges of support for the coming year. This is a higher number of pledges than we have had at this time in past years, and we give thanks for your timely response. Right now, we are $208,613 short of our $810,000 goal. This may mean that we will have to adjust our goal, and we are prepared to do that. We are already looking for opportunities to decrease expenses, but most are fixed, which means our outreach and services are more likely to experience decreased funding. It is our responsibility to do the best we can with what we have—and to do it with joy! Thank you, St. Martin’s!
PLEDGES TO DATE:
91 out of potential 200 pledging units
$601,387 toward our $810,000 pledge goal
Click here to fulfill your 2025 pledge.
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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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November Outreach Collection:
SPAN
This month’s Outreach collection will benefit SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) Serving our neighbors through critical or emergency situations, SPAN helps with hunger, utility turn-offs, court-ordered evictions, and prescription/medical needs. We at St Martin’s want to continue supporting their mission. To donate visit stmartinsinthefield.com/giving/give/ and put SPAN 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 NOVEMBER
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 November’s theme is “Be Thankful.”
Please consider donating: Rice; Canned Meats (sausages, tuna, beef stew, chili, Spam, etc.); Jelly; Pancake Mix and Pancake Syrup; Canned Fruit; Snack Food; Potato mixes: mashed, scalloped, au gratin.; Stuffing mix; Muffin and Bread Mixes; Toiletries: shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene products; Laundry Detergent; Water Bottles (for volunteers and for clients whose water has been turned off).
Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. For details about SPAN click here.
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Winter Coat Drive
November 18-21
It’s time for St. Martin's annual Winter Coat Drive! In partnership with Admiral Cleaners, we will be collecting new and gently used winter coats of all sizes for area families in need. Our 7th Grade students, are leading this service project, and have stationed coat drive bins as you drive through campus during morning carpool. Parishioners wishing to donate should drop coats off at the SMES main office.
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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: Stella, Vivian, David, Lisa, Marie and Mark.
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ONGOING AND LONG-TERM PRAYERS: The Carman family, Kevin, Kevin, Sarah, Melanie, Sara, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Kathryn, Steve, Liam, Wendy, Nicole, Bob, Zachary, Mark, Jeannine and Sophia.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY: Craig and Sarah Ulep and John and Judy Bonanno.
| 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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