Staying Connected
WELCOME HOME!
Join us this weekend for worship.
Saturday at 5:30 pm, Sunday at 9:00 am in the sanctuary, or
The service is also posted on our website

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior"

In our Gospel reading for the final Sunday before Christmas, we see how Jesus was recognized as Israel's long-awaited Messiah even before he had ever been born.

The Gospel shifts our focus away from John the Baptist's mission and toward the events that took place before his birth. There is only one gospel that tells the account of John the Baptist's parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah. Luke connects the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus, demonstrating John's relationship to the Messiah at an early stage of his life.

Mary's response to the angel Gabriel's announcement of Jesus' birth is the focus of our Gospel reading. Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is also pregnant. Elizabeth welcomes Mary and their unborn children with open arms, well aware of the crucial roles they would play in God's plan of redemption. The Magnificat, Mary's response to Elizabeth's greeting, can be heard in the next lines of Luke's Gospel if we keep reading. It's a common theme in both women's stories: God has shown favor to the Israelites in the past.

In Luke's Gospel, the Holy Spirit aids those who believe in Jesus' divinity. With a plethora of praise and thanks to Mary, Elizabeth is overflowing with the presence of God. During the Hail Mary, we recite these words of adoration to the Virgin Mary. Even Elizabeth's unborn son, John the Baptist, is supposed to recognize the presence of the Lord and leap for delight.

Consider Mary's position in God's plan of salvation during this Advent season. There was a time when Elizabeth referred to Mary as the first disciple, a person who had faith that God's promise to her would come to fruition. As a result of Mary's faith, she was able to see God at work in her people's history and her own. Her openness to God enabled God to operate through her to bring salvation to all. As a result, Mary serves as a role model and a symbol for the Church. We should strive to be like Mary, a willing participant in God's plan for salvation like she was.

Blessings+

In Christ’s love,
Mo. Allison+
You may call Mo. Allison for a pastoral visitation at 551-697-6133.

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
Advent Study this Wednesday
at St. Mary's, 6:30 pm
Week 4

Dec. 22nd at St. Mary's: Simeon’s Song - The Nunc Dimittis
Christmas Flowers and Music
Poinsettias and special music help to make our church and services even more beautiful than usual at Christmas. Flowers are placed on the altar to decorate the sanctuary throughout the Christmas season, after which they may be taken by parishioners or delivered to the sick & shut-in. If you would like to make a donation towards our flowers and music to honor a loved one, please use the following form to indicate how your memorial/thank offering is to be listed. Place the form and your offering in the collection plate or mail it to the parish office by Monday, Dec. 20th. Your offering to make our Church festive and beautiful for the Christmas Season is appreciated.

               Christmas Flowers and Music Ministry Offering

In Memory of:
____________________________________________________________
In Thanksgiving for:
____________________________________________________________

Your Name(s):
____________________________________________________________
A few helpers will be needed on December 23rd to arrange the poinsettias in the sanctuary. Please let Janice Haines 609-463-0222 know if you can lend a hand for an hour or so. Thank you!
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.
Advent Giving Tree
Dear St. Mary's Parishioners,
Thank you for your support of The Branches Giving Tree. 92 children will have a merrier Christmas because of you, and the support of the many organizations and friends of The Branches. Special thanks to Terri Mascione for her tireless hands-on work on this massive Christmas project!
St. Mary's This 'n That
Looking for something unique, different, reasonably priced?
St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shops might be the place to check out!

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!

Come visit the shops in Rio Grande and discover an enjoyable shopping experience. You just might find something unique for that hard to buy for person on your list!

St. Mary's This 'n That, The Village Shoppes, 1304 Rt. 47 So., Rio Grande, NJ 08247
Amazon.Smile
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!
Come one, Come All!
Benefit Brunch at FINS.
Congratulations to
The Branches!

The Branches has been chosen to be a recipient of a 2022 Fins Sunday Social Event to be held on Sunday, January 9th from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm!
Enjoy Brunch or Lunch including entertainment. The Branches will receive 50% of the total revenue collected during the event.

So, come out and enjoy a delicious meal and help support The Branches at the same time!

Fins is location:
142 Decatur St., Cape May, NJ 08204
Happy Birthday to
Stephen Haines on December 18th,
Ervel O'Donnell Wylde and Carter Ciccarone on December 23rd, David Mascione and
Jack Olthuis on December 25th, and James Hill, Jr. and
Meg Ziemba on December 30th!
Happy Anniversary to
Barbara & Michael DeLorey on December 21st,
and
Andrew & Mary Lucille Johnston on December 28th!
Ways to contribute to St. Mary's
Your support of the mission and ministry of St. Mary's through your communal worship and financial support during these challenging times
is appreciated!
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.

Mark your Calendars
Looking Forward...
December 19th: Vestry Meeting 11 AM
December 21st: Blue Christmas Service 7 PM
December 23rd: Choir rehearsal
December 24th: 9:30 PM Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist with Strings
December 26th: 9:00 AM Lessons and Carols
 
Advent Study
Dec. 22nd - week 4 at St. Mary's 6:30 pm: Simeon’s Song - Nunc Dimittis

CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR on our website for all activities taking place throughout the week.
Lectionary Text for the
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Bake Sale at St. Barnabas in the Villas
Worship Services
Saturday 5:30 pm and 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