Our mission is to be a Christian community of all ages,
grounded in worship, well-being and service.
January 28 - February 4, 2023
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Dear Friends,
Yesterday I returned to my office after being away at a spiritual direction intensive. In addition to an overflowing email inbox, which I am still chipping away at, I went to an important meetings of leaders in our church, the pastoral care team. Now maybe it doesn't sound like fun to go to a meeting, but I have to tell you, this group inspires me. The pastoral care team, carefully led by Pauline Davis, was welcoming a potential new member. So in addition to checking in on various tasks and people and their well being, the group also reviewed the ministries they oversee. Their various ministries include visiting, hosting collations, sending cards, making phone calls, knitting and giving prayer shawls, delivering meals, and praying for many. They weave all this together in like a beautiful tapestry of compassionate care at our church. Their ministry not only offers care and practical tangible ministry to those who are sick, mourning, or in need of connection, they are also modeling a Christlike way of reaching out to others and blessing them. Their ministry swirls through our community showing us the spirit of Christ.
This Sunday's Gospel is the beatitudes, those important sayings of Jesus, teaching his disciples what it is to be blessed. Here Jesus is teaching a way of living, being blessed and being a blessing to others. This way of living then and now is quite an alternative to the ways of the world.
Reflect on Jesus' sayings for a moment,
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you...
These blessings are defining a reality that we don't often experience. Jesus is really showing and telling a different way of living. I am grateful that, for those of us who live and serve in this community, there are times when we get glimpses of this alternative reality. I am thankful for the pastoral care team and for the ways they move among us with compassionate connection. We are blessed by one another, sometimes when we need it most, and we are invited to participate in God's blessing of others.
See you at church!
Faithfully, Jennifer
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Sunday, January 29
If you'd like to further discuss this week's readings as a family, illustrated books can provide good starters for discussion. This week's list includes another Dr. Seuss favorite, The Big Brag (which is in Yurtle the Turtle). This story ties in to the reading from Corinthians which calls us to "'boast in the Lord.'" Each of the books on this week's list is available through your Ocean State Library.
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Sunday, January 29 - 10:15, Study of Exodus, St. George's Chapel. See below for details.
Sunday, February 5 - 10:00 - 10:30, Coffee Hour Hosted by the Stewardship Commission, Gathering Space
-10:30, Annual Meeting of the Corporation, St. George's Chapel.
- Deadline to RSVP for movie night. See below.
Friday, February 10 - 6:00, Movie Night, St. George's Chapel. Updated details below.
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Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany |
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For the weekly bulletin,
click on the picture above.
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Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Liturgical Ministers
Altar Guild
Carol Brierley, Sheila Benevides
Celebrant and Preacher
The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick
Musicians
Michael Templeton,
Julie Zecher, Brooke Huminski
and the St. Mary’s Choir
Greeters
Jennie Nestlerode,
Christine Winslow
Lector and Intercessor
Carol Brierley
Acolytes
Leo Barker, Samuel Brower,
Isaac Nestlerode
Crucifer/Server
Lauren Lema
Audiovisual
Brian McOsker
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Holy Eucharist at 9:00
The service will be live streamed on Facebook.
If you are joining us online, please use the comment section to say hello. We are trying to make better connections between those who are in person and those who are at home. Please direct feedback to David Brierley regarding your online connection.
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Daily Evening Prayer on Facebook Live
Lay leaders are praying the evening office at 5:30 p.m. daily online via Facebook Live. You do not need to have Facebook in order to participate in these daily prayers. If you cannot make it at 5:30, the service will be recorded and remain on the St. Mary's Facebook page. |
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Prayer Requests
If you would like to add someone to the prayers of the people, to be included in the Sunday morning prayers and in the daily evening prayers, please contact Parish
Administrator, Karen Laroche. We typically keep people in the prayers for one month. |
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Want to hear a favorite sermon again? Or see what you missed one Sunday?
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ECC Summer Camp Registration
Believe it or not -- the days are getting longer. And before we know it, summer will be here!
Don't forget to plan to "Rise and Shine" at summer camp at the Episcopal Conference Center. ECC offers 8 camps for everyone during the summer of 2023. Be sure to register before they're full. |
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Bible Study on Sundays
Following 9:00 service in St. George's Chapel.
Come walk with us as we journey through the Book of Exodus. All are welcome!
Scriptures for Sunday, January 29th
Genesis 15:1-21 The Covenant with Abraham
Exodus 24:1-2, 9-11 The Covenant Memorial Meal
Exodus 24:3-8 The Blood Covenant
Exodus 24:12-18 The Gift of the Tables of Stone
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February Soup Kitchen
The February Soup Kitchen will take place on Thursday, February 8.
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RSVP NEEDED
It is time to let us know that you are planning to attend the Pizza and Movie Night scheduled for Friday, February 10th at 6:00 pm. We promise a fun and educational experience for the whole family that will include food, a beautiful documentary film regarding environmental changes in our world and an activity for children. We hope you will be inspired to consider participating in a Lenten Challenge to benefit Mother Earth.
In order to plan properly for the event, we need you to let us know how many people from your family will attend. If there are children, we also need to know their ages. Please forward any questions and RSVP to Lynn Carlson no later than February 5.
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1,500 cans per month!
Yes, you read that correctly. That's how many cans of soup the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Center food pantry distributes each month during the winter! Your cans of hearty, healthy soups will help restock the shelves and feed people across Newport County. Please be sure to bring your cans to church, and we'll see that they get delivered.
Also, thank you for your generous contributions in 2022. St. Mary's donated 2653 pounds of shelf items valued at $4457 for the pantry.
If you'd like to help deliver the food to the MLKCC, please contact Jon Edwards.
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Communication & Other Announcements |
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Streamlining Digital Communications
In an effort to connect St. Mary's digital communications, we are moving to an online form for eNews, website, and Facebook announcements. Please use this form to share information about your ministry. This enables those who are working on the eNews, website, and Facebook to have the information in one place and accessible to everyone who needs it. The form is available online. The deadline for publication in eNews is 5:00 on Wednesday before publication on Friday. If you have questions, please contact website@smcportsmouth.org. |
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For all other types of communication:
The Rector if you'd like it verbally announced at worship.
the weekly worship bulletin.
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St. Mary's Staff
St. Mary's Officers
To contact an officer of the vestry, please see our website.
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Image credits: Richard Grosvenor, Historic Church, watercolor, used with permission.
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