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Dear St. Martin's Family,
Advent is in full swing at St. Martin's-in-the-Field. I want to invite you and your family to join us for one of our special Advent programs as we prepare for Christmas. Our choir will be offering a special holiday concert in partnership with the Annapolis Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (1875 Ritchie Hwy) this Saturday at 6 PM. Rev. Nathan and I will continue to offer our Advent classes for adults on Mondays in person at noon, and Mondays and Thursdays at 7 PM on Zoom. Please note Rev. Nathan's class scheduled for 7 PM on Monday, December 11 has been rescheduled to 7 PM on Thursday, December 14. Looking further ahead, our choir will offer a service of Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 17 at our 10 AM service.
Don't forget that this Sunday is our St. Martin's Holiday Bake-Off following the 10 AM service. Please enter a baked good for the competition or stay and share baked goods with your fellow parishioners. All proceeds will benefit St. Martin's Episcopal School's Annual Fund. There's still time to sign-up online. If you forget to sign-up, you can still bring your baked goods on Sunday as well.
The Profile Committee has released our Parish Survey. Please take a moment to fill it out if you have not already done so. The Profile Committee, Search Committee, and Vestry need your input to help call St. Martin's next rector. The Parish Survey is an important way to share your feedback with them. The survey will close on Sunday, December 17.
Finally, we will celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent at St. Martin's, even though it is also Christmas Eve. We will have one service at 10 AM on December 24. We will celebrate the Eve of the Nativity at 4 PM and 9 PM on Christmas Eve and the Feast of the Nativity on Christmas Day at 10 AM.
Christ's peace,
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~ Rev. Josh Rodriguez-Hobbs, Interim Rector
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Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | |
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Get Your Bake On
This Sunday, December 10, 11:00 a.m.
We are having our first ever St. Martin’s in-the-Field Baking Competition. We need bakers and tasters. Click here for details or to sign up.
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Christmas Flower Dedications and Memorials
DEADLINE is Sunday, December 17
To make a dedication or memorial for a loved one for Christmas please complete this online form or use the forms in the Narthex.
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Christmas Pageant Sign Up
Don't miss your opportunity to get involved in this year's pageant. Sign-up by December 13 - Click here!
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The Four Last Things: C.S. Lewis and Advent
Monday, Dec. 4., Dec. 11, Dec. 18, 12 noon (St. Martin’s House)
Thursday, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Dec. 21, 7:00 p.m. (Zoom)
We often think about beginnings during Advent, but it is also a season of endings. Rev. Josh will lead a discussion group on the ancient tradition of the Four Last Things (death, judgment, heaven, and hell). Click here for details or to sign up.
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Parish Survey
DEADLINE is Sunday, December 17
We are conducting a Parish Survey asking for your experience as a parishioner at St. Martin’s, the importance of some of our ministries, and the qualities you are seeking in the next rector. Click here to complete this confidential survey by December 17. If you prefer a paper survey, please call the church office at (410) 647-6248.
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December Holiday Sharing
Sunday, December 17, 9:00 a.m.
Help make Christmas a little more special for our neighbors. We are sponsoring 20 families and 5 seniors and need everyone’s help to make that happen. Click here for details and to sign up to donate food and/or gifts. All are invited on December 17 at 9:00 a.m. in Parish Hall to assemble the food baskets and wrap gifts.
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What do you Expect? Singing and Living the Season of Advent
Monday, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18, 7:00 p.m. (Zoom) NOTE: Dec. 11 class rescheduled to Dec. 14
We’ll look closely at a different Advent hymns to discover what’s at the heart of the Advent season. Christ is coming—but what does that mean? Click here for details or to sign up.
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Advent Lessons & Carols
December 17, 10:00 a.m. (Sanctuary)
We are invited to hear the story of the foretelling of Jesus’s birth through readings of Holy Scripture and music. Click here for details.
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Service Times for Christmas
Sunday, December 24 - 10:00 a.m.
We will have one service of Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 10:00 a.m. for the fourth Sunday of Advent
Christmas Eve & Pageant - 4:00 p.m.:
Service of Holy Eucharist & Pageant
Christmas Eve - 9:00 p.m.: (Prelude 8:30 p.m.) Service of Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Christmas Day - 10:00 a.m.: Service of Holy Eucharist, Rite II. More details.
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Holiday Help for the Homeless
December 16
Join us in supporting Linda’s Legacy, an organization that runs a large drive to help the homeless over the holidays. Part of the drive is collecting travel size toiletries. Please bring your donation to the Narthex and add to the Linda’s Legacy bin by December 16. For details contact Hanni Monroe.
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Holidays with SPAN
SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) has been serving our neighbors to help them through a critical or emergency situation such as hunger, utility turn-offs, court-ordered evictions, and prescription/medical needs. We at St Martin’s want to continue supporting their mission. Thus, we have a year round collection bin in the Narthex.
The theme for December is “Home for the Holidays.” Please donate items that are needed on a daily basis around the house like: baby wipes, diapers, toddler pull ups, Depends for men and women, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer. Of course we’re also happy to collect anything else you’re willing to share.
Click here for details about SPAN.
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December Outreach Collection:
Rector’s Discretionary Fund
This month’s Outreach collection will go to support the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. Rev. Josh uses this fund to help those in need with payments such as rent, utilities, phone, car, and gas money, or to help organizations that are not supported by Outreach with their needs. This fund also helps ensure that other clergy discretionary funds are kept healthy so they can be used to provide similar aid. Please prayerfully consider donating to this month’s second offering to ensure that Rev. Josh can continue to serve God, our neighbors, and each other. Donate online now and put Rector’s Discretionary Fund in the memo area. For more details contact Kathy Berge.
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Gift Cards to Support J2A
Our J2A Youth Group is selling gift cards for their pilgrimage. For every card purchased, they receive a percentage back. These cards make great graduation gifts, but most importantly can be used for everyday purchases. Give a card to yourself to buy your everyday groceries. It’s a easy way to support the youth at St. Martin’s without costing you extra. To place an order or to set up an account and order online contact Amber Kaltz.
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Profile Committee Members: Elaine Bachmann (Chair), Lori Skalitzky, Markella Gatanas, Ellen Hays, Aaron Carman, and Charlie Fitzgerald
Search Committee Members: John Theune (Chair), Sandi Blair, Sam Burdette, Ardath Cade, Greg Church, Rob Fraser, Tim George, Derek Heiss, Porter Hill, Prince Jernigan, Mark Kellogg, Mike Radike, Tony Shaffer, Susan Shingledecker, Amy Tate, Marcia Taylor, and Patti Zielinski
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YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR WEEKLY PROGRAMS: | |
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Sunday School and Youth Programs
Classes Sundays from 9:00-9:45 a.m. (Arrival time 8:45-9:00 a.m.)
Register today! Click below links.
Sunday School (K-Grade 5): SMES Art and Science Rooms
Rite-13 (Grade 6-8): Lower Heck Hall
J2A (Grade 9-10): Lower St. Martin’s House
Confirmation Class/YAC (Grade 10-11): St. Martin’s House
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Children’s Chapel
Children’s Chapel happens during the 10:00 a.m. service, from before the reading of the Gospel to the Peace. Children from 3 years old to 2nd grade are invited to experience an age appropriate Liturgy of the Word led by Children’s Chapel adult leaders. Contact Rev. Nathan for details.
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Parents’ Group
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
The St. Martin’s Parents’ Group has an exciting semester of activities, learning and fellowship planned. This group is for all parents/guardians of school-aged children. Contact Chris and Liz Lucas.
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Shepherd Group
Thursdays, 4:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
Group discussion of the readings for the upcoming Sunday. All adults welcome. For zoom link and details contact Susan Griesmyer.
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Nursery
Our nursery is available from 8:45-11:30 a.m. on Sundays for infants and children ages 3 and under. Located in Parish Hall, see an usher for directions. Contact Rev. Nathan for details.
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The Nutcracker at Maryland Hall
See Lena Heiss and Markella Gatanas, two of St. Martins-in-the-Field's youth, performing with The Ballet Theatre of Maryland in The Nutcracker. This is Lena's first year and Markella's 12th and final year performing with Maryland's only professional ballet company. Performances are at Maryland Hall on December 9 at 7PM; December 10 at 1PM and 4:30PM; December 16 at 7PM; December 17 at 1PM and 4:30PM. Before each Sunday performance, there is a Sugar Plum Fairy party where some of the dancers come out and take pictures with guests. Beautiful decorations and treats can be enjoyed. This is a great way to introduce young children to the arts. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Ballet Theatre of Maryland's website.
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Deacon Ordination, of Lisa Work
Our St. Martin's family is invited to attend the ordination of Lisa Work, our seminarian from last year, to the Scared Order of Deacons. Her ordination will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg, PA on Saturday, December 16 at 10:00 a.m. Please RSVP here. If you are unable to attend click here to view the live-stream.
If you would like to send her a card, her address is 3737 Seminary Rd. VTS WO 204 Alexandria, VA 22304
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Institution of The Reverend Pierre-Henry Buisson
Your prayers and presence are requested at the celebration of new ministry and the Institution of The Reverend Pierre-Henry Buisson as the Rector of Church of the Ascension. Join us Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Ascension, 23 North Court Street, Westminster, MD 21157. Reception to follow. Please RSVP by December 8 by email or call 410-848-3251
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Your Prayers are Invited... |
Prayer is the universal way people of faith stay connected, both with one another and with God. I invite you to pray daily for our parish family, for your own needs, and in thanksgiving for all that God has blessed you with this day.
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NEW PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: Christopher, Daniel, Stephanie, Kate, Austin, Dora, Cole, Debbie, and Ethan.
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ONGOING AND LONG-TERM PRAYERS: Bri, George, Geoffrey, Joe, Joey, John, Bill, Lee, Jax, Sumner, Candy, Dora, Ellen, Diane, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Greg, Riley, Skylar, Gus, Natalie, Nathan, Makayla, George, Josh, Keira, Caitlin and Laura.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: Scott and Kathryn Collier.
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Let us know if you have a specific prayer request so we can hold you in our daily prayers.
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ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELD EPISCOPAL CHURCH
375 Benfield Road, Severna Park, MD 21146
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