WELCOME HOME!

Worship with us:

Sunday at 9:00 am in person and Live on Facebook

Epiphany is here and the sanctuary must be de-greened. Please lend a hand this Sunday after worship and join together to remove and store the greens until next year. Thank you!

The Feast of the Epiphany

As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, we are reminded of the revelation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. This momentous event is at the heart of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, as he speaks of his own calling as a servant of the gospel, bringing the good news of Christ to the Gentiles and revealing the mystery of God's plan for all people.

In this passage, Ephesians 3:1-12, Paul speaks of the gift of God's grace that was given to him and how he has become a servant of the gospel according to the working of God's power. Despite his own lowliness, Paul has been entrusted with the task of bringing the boundless riches of Christ to the Gentiles. This is all part of God's eternal purpose, carried out through Jesus Christ our Lord, who has made it possible for us to have access to God through faith in him.

As we reflect on this passage during the Feast of the Epiphany, we are reminded of the inclusive nature of God's love. The revelation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles shows us that God's grace extends to all people, regardless of their nationality or background. It is a powerful reminder that we are all equal in the eyes of God, and that through faith in Jesus, we can all have access to God's love and salvation.

But the message of this passage goes beyond just the inclusion of the Gentiles. It also speaks to our own calling as servants of the gospel, bringing the good news of Jesus to those around us. Like Paul, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ, sharing the love and grace of God with others. This is not always an easy task, as we may face obstacles and challenges along the way. But with the power of God's spirit within us, we can be confident that we can fulfill our calling and be a light to the world.

So as we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, let us remember the revelation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and be grateful for the gift of God's grace that has been given to us. Let us also remember our own calling as servants of the gospel and strive to be ambassadors for Christ, sharing his love and grace with those around us. May we be a light to the world, revealing the mystery of God's plan for all people and bringing the boundless riches of Christ to all who will receive him. Amen.

Blessing for the Feast of the Epiphany

On this Feast of the Epiphany, we give thanks for the revelation of your son Jesus to the world. As we celebrate this holy day, we ask for your blessing upon all who gather to honor this special occasion.

May the light of Christ shine brightly within us, guiding us on our journey of faith and leading us closer to you. May we be filled with your love and grace, and may we always strive to follow in the footsteps of your son.

We pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Chalking of the doors

On Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night, Theophany, or Three Kings Day, Christians around the world participate in the tradition of "chalking the doors." This simple ritual involves writing the following above the entrance of your home with chalk of any color: 20 + C + M + B + 23. These letters represent the initials of the Magi - Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar - who came to visit Jesus in His first home. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, "Christus mansionem benedicat," which means "May Christ bless the house." The "+" signs represent the cross, and the "20" at the beginning and the "23" at the end mark the year.

This inscription is a request for Christ to bless the homes that are marked in this way, and to stay with those who dwell there throughout the entire year. The chalking of the doors is often done after Epiphany Mass, and can be done at any church, home, or dwelling.

Practicing traditions like the chalking of the doors helps us to live our faith more concretely and serves as an outward sign of our dedication to Our Lord. Our homes are also the place where we can make great strides in our spiritual growth, through daily prayer, spiritual reading, and offering our work to God.

The chalking of the doors reminds us that our homes and all those who dwell there belong to Christ, and encourages us to dedicate our lives at home to God and to others. It also serves as a reminder of the welcoming the Magi gave to Jesus, and encourages us to be welcoming to all who come to visit us in our homes.

Introducing the Bible Challenge

If you're looking to deepen your understanding and relationship with the Bible, this challenge is for you. Whether you're a seasoned Bible reader or new to the faith, this challenge offers something for everyone.

Throughout the year, we will read through the entire Bible, with daily readings and weekly discussion questions to help you reflect on the text and apply it to your life. You'll have the opportunity to connect with other participants and share your insights and experiences.

We invite you to join us on this journey as we seek to grow closer to God and gain a deeper understanding of His Word. So grab your Bible and get ready to take on "The Bible Challenge 365!"

The Bible Challenge 365," edited by Marek P Zabriskie, is a resource designed to help individuals or groups read through the entire Bible in a year. To use the book, follow these steps:

1. Set aside a regular time each day for reading. This could be first thing in the morning, during lunch, or before bed. Choose a time that works best for your schedule.

2. Follow the daily reading plan provided in the book. Each day, you'll be assigned a certain number of chapters to read from different parts of the Bible.

3. Reflect on the passages you've read. Use the discussion questions provided in the book to help you think more deeply about the text and how it relates to your life. You may want to journal your thoughts or discuss them with a partner or in our small group.

4. Engage with the community. If you're participating in the challenge as part of a group, be sure to connect with others and share your insights and experiences. You may want to join our online ZOOM forum related to the challenge or check in our daily blog, HolyHabitsDaily.blogspot.com

By following these steps, you can make the most of "The Bible Challenge 365" and grow in your understanding and relationship with God's Word.

We will gather on Thursday Evenings at 6:00 pm via zoom. (We will not have class on Third Thursday for Healing Services.) All are welcome to participate in this challenge, both near and far.

To follow along, you may purchase a book (paperback or kindle) via amazon by clicking on the picture in the corner or by contacting Mo. Allison for a copy.

Daily Readings: You can start The Bible Challenge on January 1 or any day of the year of your choice. The schedule of this book and our zoom gathering works best if you begin "Day 1" on a Monday, January 2nd. We encourage readers to read portions of the Bible Monday through Saturday, and assume that on Sunday they will be in church hearing the Scriptures read aloud.

The following is a list of Scripture to get you started while we gather and await our books.

Healing services will be held at St. Barnabas and

St. Mary's on a rotating schedule every third Thursday.

The next service will be here at

St. Mary's on January 19th at 6:00 pm.

We are hopeful that all will come together for this special time of prayer and healing.

Charlene Snyder is leading Episcopal 101

Sunday's following service.

If you need to join us from home, you may do so via ZOOM

Epiphany is here and the sanctuary must be de-greened. Please lend a hand this Sunday after worship and join together to remove and store the greens until next year. Thank you!

Church Year Calendars, compliments of Radzieta Funeral Home, are now available in the church narthex and parish hall. Please help yourself.

St. Mary's is interested in hearing from any parishioner who may be interested in running for the positions of Senior Warden, Vestry Member, delegate to Diocesan Convention, or delegate to Atlantic Convocation in 2023. To learn more about these positions, please contact Mo. Allison or a member of the vestry.

A brief overview of the responsibilities of each position is listed below:

Senior Warden: The Senior Warden is the lay leader of the parish. He or she, together with the Rector and Junior Warden, form the Executive Leadership team and should be visible to the parish.

Junior Warden: 1-year term

Vestry Member: There is typically one vestry meeting monthly, on the third Sunday, after the 9 am Eucharist. Vestry members will be expected to take on leadership roles for the various goals and objectives that the Vestry sets. The Vestry members are the financial stewards of the parish, and as such, they need to review the financial reports provided by the Treasurer and ensure the parish's resources are used wisely. 

Delegates to Diocesan Convention: The Diocesan Convention is a day-long meeting where Deputies represent their parishes by voting on amendments to the Diocesan Constitution and Canon Law, Diocesan resolutions, and for delegates to represent the diocese at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church of America. Before the convention, the diocesan staff holds several preview meetings throughout the diocese and online to review the proposed amendments to the canons and proposed resolutions that will be voted on at the convention. 

Delegates to the Atlantic Convocation: The Atlantic Convocation is a single 2-3 hour meeting once a year where the Bishop and diocesan staff share information about diocesan programs and initiatives. Delegates may be asked to vote for Atlantic Convocation officers in the years when elections are held. Delegates may be asked to share information about diocesan programs with our parishioners.

The slate of nominees for the 13th Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey are:

• The Rev. Canon Dr. Dena Cleaver-Bartholomew, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Rhode Island

• The Rev. Canon Dr. Sally French, Canon for Regional Ministry and Collaborative Innovation, Diocese of North Carolina

• The Very Rev. Troy Mendez, Dean, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Phoenix, Arizona

• The Rev. Dr. Janine Schenone, Rector, Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, San Diego, California

• The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Jose Wilson, Rector, St. Paul's Episcopal Church Oakland, California

Information on the nominees including a minute video introduction, resumes and sermons are found at www.bishopsearchnj.org

Candidates will visit locations around the Diocese in early January for meet and greet sessions that will allow clergy and congregants to engage directly with them before the Electing Convention.

The Electing Convention will be held on January 28, 2023, starting at 10 AM at Trinity Cathedral and via Zoom. More information on both the meet and greets and the convention will be available in mid-November.

The release of the slate also marks the beginning of the 30-day petition process, details of which can be found on the NJ Bishop Search Web site. That process will close at 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 29.

Some ways to support St. Mary's

• Become a member
• Volunteer
• 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.
• Online giving through our website at https://www.stmarysstoneharbor.org/

Attention all committee members:

Please send in your report for the Annual Report to the church office as soon as possible. Thank you!

email: jultaylor9425@gmail.com

If you plan to pledge to St. Mary's in 2023, please return your pledge form by mail to the church office, on Sunday in the offering plate, or through our website as soon as possible. Thank you for your commitment to support the mission and ministry of St. Mary's!

The ministry of ushering is a crucial part of worship because it is one of the most visible ministries in the church. In Christ, you have received God’s unconditional love, and in Christ, you are called to extend that same unconditional love to others. Although an usher’s love is no stronger than the love found in the whole congregation of the body of Christ, nevertheless, the usher performs a major role in ensuring that people see and experience that love.

The ushers distribute bulletins and greet worshipers, making every attempt to make them feel welcome and at ease. The ushers are also available to answer questions of anyone needing assistance.

Please contact Mo. Allison or Julie if you are interested.

Membership at St. Mary's consists of several different groups of "members." Some are Confirmed Communicant Members or who have transferred their membership by Letter of Transfer to St. Mary's. Some are Baptized into St. Mary’s or have requested that their names be entered in the Parish Register. Others are “members” by virtue of the fact that St. Mary’s is their church—the Christian community of which they are a part and where they worship regularly. Still, others are “summer members" or friends of St. Mary's. Many are part of St. Mary’s life, worship at St. Mary’s when in town, and support St. Mary’s financially. Canonically, they are not members in the legal sense, but they are every bit as much members of our parish family as those who are official members.

Please contact the church office if you would like to receive membership forms to be added to our data base.

email: SaintMarysStoneHarbor@gmail.com

OR

You may sign up on our website here.

We welcome you to join us!

New Church Directories have been printed and are available in the parish hall. Please help yourself to a copy.

If you are not in the Directory and would like to be, please let the church office know. If your information needs correction, please also let us know.

Happy Birthday to

Lou Schweickhardt on January 10th!

If you would like to be remembered on your birthday or anniversary, please let the church office know so we can add your information to our data base.

If you would like to honor a loved one on their birthday or anniversary with altar flowers, please sign up on the altar flower chart in the parish hall. The flowers can be taken from the altar after worship. 

Come check out the GOLD Winner of the 2022 Best of the Jersey Shore thrift shops - St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop! And remember the thrift shop when you're cleaning out and organizing. Household items and clean usable clothing are welcome!

Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

Donation days: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am - 3 pm

Location: St. Mary's This 'n That

1304 Rt. 47 So., Rio Grande, NJ 08242    609-886-7272

Follow them on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-This-N-That-Thrift-Shop-268676343298636/

Continuing in January on Sundays after worship (except on Vestry Sunday)- Adult Forum Book Study for Advent - Episcopal 101

Thursdays 6 pm The Bible Challenge online via Zoom except 3rd Thursday Healing Service

January 15 - 9 am Baptism of Kenna Bella Kohler

January 19 - 6 pm Healing Service at St. Mary's

January 21 - 11 am Celebration of Life for Robert Burns

January 29 after worship - Annual Meeting

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

Isaiah 42:1-9

Acts 10:34-43

Matthew 3:13-17

Psalm 29

Tuesday - Friday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Third Thursday's 6:00 pm Healing Service alternates

between St. Mary's and St. Barnabas

Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church)