Staying Connected
WELCOME HOME!
Join us this weekend for worship.
Sunday at 9:00 am in the sanctuary, or
The service is also posted on our website

Evening Prayer is held on Saturday evenings at 5:30 pm in the chapel.
Holy Hour Devotion is held on Thursdays at 3 pm in the chapel.
Rector's Corner

Dear Family and Friends in Christ,

My heart breaks for humanity, for our world, and especially for the good people of Ukraine. As your priest, pastor and mother of two Navy men, my heart aches for the unrest in our world. I turn to Mary for strength and guidance during times like this.

You may ask as you watch the eerie images on the TV of children fleeing from their homes and parents sheltering in subway tunnels as bombs explode, what does it mean to be a Christian at this moment? When the world is in an uproar, it's good to remember that God loves us, and He desires peace for each one of His children.

During times of war, there is an opportunity for us all - no matter what our beliefs or background-to take up the armor of God against injustice. Our call is no less. So, as we enter this Lenten season, beginning this Ash Wednesday, let us unite and pray for peace, repent of our sins, and take up the Armor of God as a faithful people.

Ephesians 6:10-18
The Whole Armor of God

 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.”

The call to prayer for us all has never been more urgent than it is today. In a world marked by war, injustice, and oppression- (both physical and psychological), we must stand against all forms of hate and oppression with firmness in order to bring peace into our communities and across the globe.

The book of the Prophet Isaiah says, "To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."

A faint spirit, the oil of mourning, the ashes of grief—God promises to deliver us from these. What a blessing it is to serve a God who turns the sorrow of despair into a time of praise!

This Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. We recall the biblical custom of covering ourselves in ashes. By doing this, we mark ourselves in two ways: as those who are in mourning for our crucified Christ and as those who are filled with a heart of sorrow for our sins. We remember our mortality, “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return,” and we long for a resurrected life.

Lent is a time of reflection, a time when we focus on the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Many, traditionally, choose to participate in some fasting during this time—people have been known to fast from various foods as well as television and Internet usage. Others decide to study the Bible more closely or experience a time of solitude. Perhaps you will commit to attending services from now until the glory of Easter or dedicating a more significant portion of your day to a time of prayer, a time in the presence of our God.

Whatever your personal preference, Lent invites us to let go of old habits, desires, and ways of life and develop a more joyful, Christ-filled way of living and being.

I invite you and your family to join me as we prepare for a time of tremendous spiritual growth and renewal - as we focus on the Almighty, pray for peace in our world, and turn away from sin and distraction that interferes with our relationship with God.

In the coming weeks, let's keep each other in prayer and commit to growing closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of all hope and healing, and we can find true joy and peace in Him even during times of sorrow and unrest.

May God bless you abundantly during this holy season!

Blessings,
Mo. Allison+

O gracious Master, infuse in our hearts the spotless light of Your Divine Wisdom and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, so that having curbed all carnal desires, we may lead a spiritual life, both thinking and doing everything to please You. For You, O Christ, our God, are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies; and to You we render glory, together with Your eternal Father, and with Your all holy, life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
LENTEN Concert Series
Painting, Raffles and more...
Come and join the fun!
The artists from APrEnnis will join us on Saturday, March 5th for a painting party at 6 pm! No painting ability is necessary! They will guide you through the creation of this cute gnome picture welcoming spring. All supplies are provided. Fun included! If you'd like, bring a snack. Friends are welcome! $25 at the door. Hope to see you there!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 
 
The Bishop Search and Nomination Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey invites you to complete this assessment in order to help us find our next Bishop. We ask you to prayerfully respond to the questions and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance as you do. Thank you for your contribution to building the future of our diocesan family. Please continue to pray for the Search Committee and Diocesan Leadership.
 
All parishioners and clergy within our Diocese are invited to complete the assessment. Please do not discuss the questions with one another prior to completing the questionnaire, so that the responses you record are your own.

Music Ministry AVON Fundraiser
Live beautifully with AVON and help support our music programs!
St. Mary's is looking forward to special presentations this year featuring local instrumentalists and vocalists. Your purchase of an AVON product for yourself or your home will help to support our Music Ministry. By ordering online at this link
a portion of your purchase will be donated to St. Mary's. Don't forget family and friends, and share the link with them. Question? Contact Sheila Handley 484-288-9136. Click here to read about Kyle's plans for our music.
Thank you for your continued support
Ways to 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.)

  • 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.
Holy Men and Women
February 26th the church remembers, Emily Malbone Morgan, Prophetic Witness, 1937
Emily Malbone Morgan, with the support of Harriet Hastings, was the founder of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross
(SCHC), in 1884. Begun as an order of Episcopal laywomen rooted
in disciplined devotion, SCHC became a strong force for social justice
reform during the social gospel era around the turn of the twentieth
century.

Morgan was born on December 10, 1862, in Hartford, Connecticut.
Her family were prominent Hartford citizens and her Anglican roots
ran deep on both sides of her family. She never married.
A primary inspiration for Morgan was her friendship with Adelyn
Howard. Howard was homebound and because of her confinement
sought Morgan’s support for both spiritual companionship and as
a means by which she could offer intercessory prayer for others.
Meeting her friend’s need, Morgan called together a small group of
women for prayer and companionship. From that beginning, the
Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross came into being.
Morgan had a particular concern for working women who were
tired and restless and who had little hope for a vacation. In response,
Morgan, with the help of a growing number of her Companions,
developed summer vacation houses across the northeast where
working women and their daughters could have some time away for
physical and spiritual renewal and refreshment.

In 1901, the Society established a permanent home in Byfield,
Massachusetts. With the construction of new facilities on the site in
1915, it took the name Adelynrood, which continues to exist as the
headquarters and retreat center of the Society. At present, SCHC has
thirty-one chapters with more than seven hundred Companions, lay
and ordained women, serving in six countries.

Emily Malbone Morgan, together with her sisters in the Society
of the Companions of the Holy Cross, lived a life of prayer and
contemplation, rooted in the tradition, which led to powerful personal
and communal commitments to social justice particularly for women.

Gracious God, we thank you for the life and witness of Emily Malbone Morgan, who helped to establish the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross so that women who live in the world might devote themselves to intercessory prayer, social justice, Christian unity and simplicity of life. Help us to follow her example in prayer, simplicity, ecumenism and witness to your justice, for the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2022 Altar Flower Chart
The 2022 Flower Chart is now posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Altar flowers are a wonderful way to honor loved ones throughout the year. Choose a date on the chart and fill in the name of who you would like remembered and by whom. A donation may be sent to the church office. Flowers may be removed after the service and taken home or delivered to a shut-in.
Happy Birthday to
Charles Parker on February 27th, and Travis King on March 1st!
Happy Anniversary to
Richard and Evelyn Pfaltzgraff on February 27th!
Mark your Calendars
Looking Forward...
March 2nd: Ash Wednesday 8 am ashes to go, 5:30 pm service
March 3rd: Lenten Concert 12:00 pm Mary Johnson
March 5th: Painting Party Fundraiser 6 pm
March 10th: Lenten Concert at First United Methodist at 6:30pm
March 17th: Lenten Concert 12:00 pm Joe Krupa
March 24th: Lenten Concert at First United Methodist at 6:30pm
March 26th: Morning Lenten Retreat - 9:30 am -12:00 pm
March 31st: Lenten Concert 12:00 Kyle Sheppard and Hero Seto
April 7th: Lenten Concert at First United Methodist 6:30pm
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
CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR on our website for all activities taking place throughout the week.
Lectionary Text for
The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
Worship Services
Tuesday - Thursday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom
Thursday Holy Hour 3:00 pm (Chapel)
Saturday 5:30 pm (Chapel)
Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church)
Sunday 9:00 AM Live on Facebook
Services, studies, and service bulletins may be accessed on our website: www.stmarysstoneharbor.org