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

By our baptism, God calls us to be living members of the body of Christ and to do our part in bringing about the kingdom of God.

This Sunday, as we enter the final week of our Advent season, the Gospel turns our attention to the role of Joseph in salvation history. As we ponder the mystery of the Incarnation, we often focus our attention on Mary, our Blessed Mother. But what about Joseph? He remains a mystery, a shadow in the background of these momentous events. Yet, we should not underestimate Joseph's importance in this story. For it was Joseph, after all, who raised Jesus as his own son, taught him how to work and pray, and helped shape the values of kindness and respect that have become synonymous with Jesus' legacy.

If we focus, we can glean some insights and lessons about God and our path of discipleship through the presence of Joseph in our scriptures.

In our lectionary this Sunday, we see God repeatedly inviting Joseph into a relationship with him, into the greater story. We also can look to our own lives and see all those times and places God has and continues to invite us to be closer to Him. If the roles were reversed, however, and we found ourselves in God's seat, we might choose to force people into submission and comply with our will, but this is not how God operates. God does not force Joseph into submission but invites him into a relationship. God wants to win us over and see us, of our own will, participate in building up his kingdom for one and all.

The angel identifies an obstacle before Joseph. What is it? Fear. Do not be afraid to take Mary, your wife, into your home," says the angel. Do not be afraid to do this strange thing that runs counter to what you know and to what seems sensible and even just. Might this be true in our own lives? Might we be afraid to move forward with a choice we know in our hearts is what God wants us to do but are hesitant because it just doesn't make sense from a worldly perspective?

As Advent draws to a close, let us turn to Joseph's example and ask God how we may better respond to our Lord's invitation in the way of St. Joseph. Let us ask ourselves, "How is God inviting me to cooperate with the slow work of building up his kingdom? And, how is fear posing an obstacle to my cooperation?

A Prayer for Advent

We are waiting, O God, for the day of peace. Give us the will to bring that day through our own simple goodness and hope. Fill us with a patient desire that our work may be holy, and our holiness bright, through the Christ for whose coming we long, and the Spirit in whose presence we live. Amen

Healing services will be held at St. Barnabas and St. Mary's on a rotating schedule every third Thursday starting December 15th at 6:00 pm at St. Barnabas. The following 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

What is Embertide?

Ember Days are known in Latin as the quattuor anni tempora [the “four seasons of the year”], or formerly as the jejunia quattuor temporum [“fasts of the four seasons”]. The Ember Days are traditionally observed on the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after the First Sunday in Lent, the Day of Pentecost, Holy Cross Day [September 14], and St. Lucy’s Day [December 13]. Thus the mnemonic to remember the ember days is “Lenty, Penty, Crucy, Lucy”. Ember Days were historically associated with sowing, harvest, and vintage, for which one prayed, fasted, and gave alms. These days, set apart for special prayer and fasting, became especially suitable occasions for the ordination of clergy.

The English name for these days, “Ember”, derives from the Anglo-Saxon ymbren, a circuit or revolution [from ymb, around, and ryne, a course, running], clearly relating to the annual cycle of the year. The occurrence of the Anglo-Saxon compounds ymbren-tid [“Embertide”], ymbren-wucan [“Ember weeks”], ymbren-fisstan [“Ember fasts”], ymbren-dagas [“Ember Days”] makes this etymology quite certain. The word imbren even makes it into the acts of the “Council of Ænham” [1009]: jejunia quatuor tempora quae imbren vocant, “the fasts of the four seasons which are called ‘imbren’.”

The BCP appoints proper collects and readings for Embertide under the title “For the Ministry [Ember Days], including propers “For those to be ordained,” “For the choice of fit persons for the ministry,” and “For all Christians in their vocation” [BCP, pp. 256-257, 929]. We are in the Ember week following St Lucy’s feast, and our Annual Parish Meeting — with elections for warden, jr. warden, vestry, and delegates — is only a month away. It is thus an opportune time to pray for all those who are considering offering themselves to serve the parish; please join me in praying the prayer “for all Christians in their vocation” as we prepare for the Annual Meeting:

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

We are pleased to announce a special concert presented by Cape Classical Artists. On Saturday December 17th at 7:30 pm, conductor John Curtis will lead a performance of Handel’s Messiah in the historic sanctuary of Cold Spring Presbyterian Church. Along with the Cape Classical Chorale and Orchestra, the concert will feature an outstanding quartet of soloists: Judy Ann Curtis, soprano, Ellen Rutkowski, mezzo-soprano, Angel Gomez, tenor, and Kevin Grace, bass-baritone. Added narration by the Rev. Allison Burns-LaGreca will lead to a deeper understanding of this magnificent piece and, we hope, enhance your Advent journey.

As with all of our concerts, admission is free; there will be free-will offering baskets at the doors.This is a concert presentation of Messiah, not a sing-along, and it will not be live-streamed.

For directions to the church and information on becoming a sponsor for yourself or your business, please visit www.CapeClassicalArtists.com.

An overflow crowd was expected at the first performance of Messiah in Dublin in 1742, so newspapers advised ladies to not wear hoops under their skirts and men to leave their swords at home. We think that is good advice this time, too. The church may be packed!

And now, here is a sneak peek at our 2023 Winter Concert Season:

Sunday, January 15, 3:00 pm

La Bernardinia Baroque Ensemble

En trio: music of J.S. Bach and his French contemporaries

Rainer Beckmann, recorders, Donna Fournier, viola da gamba, and Marica Kravis, harpsichord

Sunday, February 19, 3:00 pm

A World of Instruments

Jamie Orfanella performs on the Australian didgeridoo, the Japanese shakuhachi flute, and other exotic world instruments

Sunday March 19, 3:00 pm

Kuwento Mizik

Baritone Jean Bernard Cerin and pianist Leena K. Kulkarni-Rankin offer a fusion of Western classical, Filipino, and Haitian music

Sunday, April 16, 3:00 pm

Music for Soprano and Piano

Soprano Judy Ann Curtis and pianist John Curtis present a program of music from Mozart tot eh Great American Songbook

Sunday, May 21, 3:00 pm

Beverly Trio

An exciting variety of music of oboe, viola and cello

Visit our website, www.CapeClassicalArtists.com if you need:

• a link to our YouTube channel

• directions to the church

• a copy of the concert program

• information on becoming a sponsor for yourself or your business

All concerts are free of charge to the public and are produced in partnership with Cold Spring Presbyterian Church. If you would like to become a sponsor, visit our home page and click on the “Donate” button. 100% of all contributions go directly to the support of our series.

The Fiddle Club will provide the Strings for our Christmas Eve Service. We are looking forward to having these talented young people enhance our celebration. www.musicstudiolinwood.com

If you or someone you know is experiencing sorrow, loss, or grief during Advent and Christmas, we welcome you to join us for a Blue Christmas service to be held at St. Mary's on Wednesday, December 21st at 7:00 pm.

For over 80 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world.

Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for close to 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster, and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children, and Climate.

Episcopal Relief and Development has been a strong supporter and advocate for Ukrainian Refugees around the world. We can help and do our part. Our donation will be doubled. Will you consider a gift?

CREATE 2X THE LASTING CHANGE

Help transform lives within our global community this holiday with a donation that doubles! Until 12/31, your donation will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $750,000. Now your gift goes twice as far in achieving our most urgent priorities: promoting the well-being of children, empowering women, and helping communities adapt to our changing climate.

Donations will be collected through Christmas and may be sent to the office or dropped in the collection plate. Please make checks Payable to St. Mary's Episcopal Church and mark in your memo section ERD.

As always, poinsettias will help to make our church even more beautiful for the Christmas season. If you would like to dedicate a plant in memory of, or in thanksgiving for, a loved one, please send a note with the following information to the church office by mail or the offering plate on Sunday.

In memory of: ____________

In thanksgiving for: ____________

By: _____________________

Providing a donation will also be very much appreciated. 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.

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 Diocesan Nominating Committee requests that all the baptized people of our Diocese review the lists of offices to be filled by election, and recommend candidates appropriate for those offices. 

The completed Nomination Recommendation Form

is due by December 31, 2022.

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/

If you would like 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. The year is coming to an end and the Finance Committee is beginning work on the church budget for 2023. Thank you for your commitment to support the mission and ministry of St. Mary's!

Large print editions of the November, December, January Forward Day by Day, Daily Devotion booklets, are now available in the church narthex. Please help yourself and take one for a friend who might enjoy receiving a copy.

If you would like a copy mailed to you, please let the church office know and we'll be glad to send one.

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

Stephen Haines on December 18th,

Ervel O'Donnell Wylde on December 23d, and

Carter Ciccarone on December 23rd!

Happy Anniversary to

Barbara & Michael DeLorey on December 21st!

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

Looking for a special gift, something unique, or a few more Christmas decorations? 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/

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

• December 17th – 7:30 pm at Cold Spring Presbyterian, Production of Handel's Messiah with John Curtis, and Mo. Allison as Narrator
• December 18th VESTRY Meeting
• December 21st – 7:00 pm Blue Christmas Service
• December 24th - 8:00 pm Christmas Eve Festive Eucharist with Strings
• December 25th - 9:00 am Christmas Day Eucharist

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 7:10-16

Romans 1:1-7

Matthew 1:18-25

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

Tuesday - Thursday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church)