WELCOME HOME!
Worship with us:
Sunday at 9:00 am in person and Live on Facebook
Saturday 5:30 pm, July 9 to August 27 - 101st Street Beach Pavilion
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Luke 12:13-21
In the first century, there was no established belief in the resurrection. Instead, many were seeking God's approval or disapproval in this life, which meant whether the faithful lived long lives, had material abundance, and had many children, or whether the unfaithful had little.
According to the Gospel, the wealthy landowner would be considered divinely favored by the crowd. Jesus turns this notion on its head by using the parable to discuss proper worship of God and material concerns in this world.
The man with a lot of money at the outset is seen as being misled from the beginning. He is deaf to God's voice and only hears his voice, which is full of materialism and self-concern.
He mentions himself eight times—six times in the first person and twice in the second—showing how much he cherishes his possessions.
The parable rebukes this mindset as the ideological opposite of what Jesus thought life should be. Before telling the story, Jesus warned against all greed since one might be rich, yet one's life would not be made up of material possessions. Despite his excellent material security, God calls him a fool because he does not have what God prizes the most.
This man appears to be an example of someone falling victim to idolatry—worshiping greed and self-interest. Although "idolatry" sounds antiquated, many people still actively practice it. We might not honor the ancient deities, but many worship the contemporary ones of wealth, power, and pleasure and relegate the one true God to the sidelines.
Before the reality of death, we are asked to put our trust firmly in God rather than try to hedge our bets on materialism. We cannot live as God desires and then hedge our chances at the altar of materialism.
In Sunday's psalm, we are called to listen to God's voice so that his compassionate care may continue to be ours throughout our lives.
Blessings in Christ,
Mo. Allison+
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August 14th - ADULT FORUM BOOK STUDY begins -Lost Christianities
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Adult Forum - Book Study-
begins August 14th
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Lost Christianities: The Battles of Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew
by Bart D. Ehrman, Matthew Kugler, et al.
The early Christian Church was a chaos of contending beliefs. Some groups of Christians claimed that there was not one God but two or twelve or thirty. Some believed that the world had not been created by God but by a lesser, ignorant deity. Certain sects maintained that Jesus was human but not divine, while others said he was divine but not human. In Lost Christianities, Bart D. Ehrman offers a fascinating look at these early forms of Christianity and shows how they came to be suppressed, reformed, or forgotten. All of these groups insisted that they upheld the teachings of Jesus and his apostles, and they all possessed writings that bore out their claims, books reputedly produced by Jesus's own followers. Modern archaeological work has recovered a number of key texts, and as Ehrman shows, these spectacular discoveries reveal religious diversity that says much about the ways in which history gets written by the winners.
Ehrman's discussion ranges from considerations of various "lost scriptures" - including forged gospels supposedly written by Simon Peter, Jesus's closest disciple, and Judas Thomas, Jesus's alleged twin brother - to the disparate beliefs of such groups as the Jewish-Christian Ebionites, the anti-Jewish Marcionites, and various "Gnostic" sects. Ehrman examines in depth the battles that raged between "proto-orthodox Christians" - those who eventually compiled the canonical books of the New Testament and standardized Christian belief - and the groups they denounced as heretics and ultimately overcame. Scrupulously researched and lucidly written, Lost Christianities is an eye-opening account of politics, power, and the clash of ideas among Christians in the decades before one group came to see its views prevail.
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Meet Bill & Janice Haines |
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Janice and Bill have been members of St. Mary’s since they moved to Cape May Court House from Philadelphia 22 years ago. They met in Wildwood when both families vacationed there and were summer neighbors. Married in 1953, which means they are married 69 years, they raised three children, 2 sons and a daughter. Their son Billy owns and operates 2 Black Dogs Country Pub located in the Green Creek Country Store. Janice and Bill are both “cradle” Episcopalians.
Janice and Bill are faithful stewards of our church . . .
Janice has served on the vestry, been a greeter, volunteered at the thrift ship and has served on our Altar Guild for 20 years. Janice says she felt “called” to be on Altar Guild and loves that part of her stewardship. The altar was always ready for any and all services, the elements for Eucharist prepared, and she cleared the altar and washed everything afterwards.
You’ll see Bill on Sundays making sure people have a seat and bulletin, taking up the offering and inviting people to the altar for Eucharist. Bill served on the vestry at St. Mary’s as Sr. Warden and was instrumental in keeping the vestry focused on the mission of our church. He’s “famous” for saying “money always follows mission” and he is so right. He chaired our stewardship committee for many years, along with new member ministry.
Bill’s love and commitment to the importance of stewardship was sparked when he attended a Diocesan seminar on stewardship while a member of Trinity Episcopal Church Oxford in Philadelphia. He says it “changed my life” as he came to understand just what being a good steward means. We at St. Mary’s have certainly benefited from that.
Some interesting info –
Janice enjoys gardening, cooking, knitting and Bill likes puzzles of all kinds, watching sports on TV and travel. Janice was a relocation coordinator before she retired and Bill was a 5th grade teacher. Janice was on her high school swim team and a member of the National Realty Association. And Bill has been a member of the Kiwanis Club. They share their home with their cat . . . Pinky. In addition to their three children and their spouses, they have 6 grandchildren (one of whom is married), and 2 great-grandsons.
What do they love about St. Mary’s? They’ve listed the people, the service, our outreach programs, hospitality and they profoundly say “it is our church family.” Favorite hymns are I Sing a Song of the Saints of God and Jesus Christ is Risen Today.
Please say hello to Janice and Bill this Sunday.
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The kids are here and having hands-on fun at
St. Mary's with Science Explorers. In the coming weeks they will build a planetarium in the parish hall and a rocket launch (not in the parish hall!).
A few openings are available for the camps for Children ages 4 to 11.
"If it's not fun, we're not doing it!"
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Many thanks to Vanessa Gumm! |
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Vanessa is a new member of St. Mary's and is sponsoring, on behalf of Sotheby's International Realty in NJ & FL, our Thursdays on the Lawn Group Three and One performing on August 11th. Many thanks for her generous contribution!
She would like you to know that as a realtor with Sotheby's in NJ and FL, Vanessa will donate 10% of her commission to St. Mary's for anyone who is a member or attends St. Mary's who refer her for a sale.
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We are serving refreshments at the Thursdays on the Lawn intermissions. Please sign up to help with cookies, lemonade, or to hostess. A sign up sheet is on the parish hall bulletin board, or call the church office. Thank you! |
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Our annual School Supplies Drive begins NOW!
Dina Ziemba has reached out to local schools and their teachers to compile a list of supplies for their students to help them succeed in the classroom. The list is attached. We will be collecting items on the back table in the parish hall, or you may bring your donations to the chapel or office. You may also make a monetary donation (note: school supplies on your envelope) and the items will be purchased for you.
The drive ends on August 21st.
Thank you for your help with this necessary program!
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Placing flowers on the altar in memory or honor of a loved one is a great way to remember someone special. Just fill in your information on the chart on the parish hall bulletin board and place a donation in the plate, noting it is for altar flowers. Flowers are available for you to take after the service. |
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The August, September, October 2022 edition of Forward Day by Day, large and small print, is available in the chapel and church narthex. Day by Day is a wonderful way "to spend dedicated time with Jesus, every single day. Day by Day inspires people who want to be like Jesus and encourages them to spread his love in the world."
Please help yourself to a copy and feel free to take one for a friend who might enjoy receiving Day by Day.
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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 become a member of St. Mary's and be added to our data base.
We welcome you to join us!
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Without Money, What Can I Do For My Church?
- Be loyal to its worship services,
- Volunteer in its ministries,
- Welcome guests to the services,
- Invite my friends and neighbors, and
- Dedicate my talents to God.
Some Ways to financially 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.)
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Setting up a personal online banking "bill pay" option. The bank will mail the check for you to the church office.
Please note: Offering envelopes have been discontinued. Only your name is needed in order for the counters to record your giving.
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St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop |
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One man's trash is another's man's treasure.
Need to make more space? Have things you will probably never wear or use again?
Please remember St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop. Your donation of clothing and household items in good useable condition is welcome!
St. Mary's Thrift Shop has become a valuable presence in the Rio Grande community. As an outreach of St. Mary's, it provides assistance in vital ministry and mission by offering quality clothing and household goods at affordable prices to the community, along with jobs and work experience to those in need. Proceeds help to support The Branches, and other ministries and outreach of St. Mary's.
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/
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Happy Birthday to
Robert Danks on July 31st, David Darley on August 2nd, Dina Ziemba, and David Cleffi on August 3rd and Matthew Schellenger on August 6th !
Happy Anniversary to
Lawrence & Dina Ziemba on August 6th!
If you would like your birthday or anniversary to be listed, please contact the church office with your dates.
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July 9th - August 27th - Summer Worship at the Beach 5:30 pm 101st Street Pavilion
August 4th - Marnie and Nate
August 11th - Three & One
August 14th - Adult Forum Book Study begins - Lost Christianities
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12 Step Meetings in the Church Hall
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Monday at 8:00 pm
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Tuesday at 8:00 pm
Alanon on Friday at 10:00 am
A seasonal additional Alanon meeting will be coming this summer on Tuesday at 8:00 pm in the chapel
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Eighth Sunday after Pentecost:
Proper 13
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Tuesday - Thursday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom
Saturday 5:30 pm, July 9 to Aug. 27 - 101st St. Beach Pavilion
Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church)
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