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The Incarnation of Christ

The Incarnation of Christ is a central doctrine of the Christian faith, referring to the belief that Jesus, the son of God, took on human flesh and became a man. This belief has profound implications for the church as a body and is at the heart of the celebration of Christmas. It reminds us that God loves us so much that he was willing to become one of us in order to save us from our sins and offer us eternal life.

The Incarnation, however, is not just a one-time event in the history of salvation but rather an ongoing reality that continues to shape and inform the life of the church. It represents the ultimate act of self-giving love, as God entered into human history and experience to redeem and restore humanity to a right relationship with him.

As such, the church is called to embody this self-giving love in its own life and mission. This means that we, the church, must be a place of hospitality and welcome, where all people are accepted and valued, regardless of their background or circumstances. It also means that the church must be a place of service, reaching out to those in need and seeking to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of others.

In addition to being a place of self-giving love, we, the church, are called to be a place of unity and reconciliation. Through the Incarnation, Christ broke down the barriers that divide us, reconciling us to God and one another.

As the body of Christ, the church is called to continue this work of reconciliation, bringing people together and helping to heal the wounds of division and strife.

Ultimately, the Incarnation is not just a doctrine to be believed but a reality to be lived out. By embodying the self-giving love and reconciling presence of Christ in its life and mission, the church can truly be a beacon of hope and transformation in the world.

As we celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus, let us remember the true meaning of the Incarnation and give thanks for the love and grace of God that are made known to us through the coming of his son. May the joy and hope of Christmas fill our hearts and inspire us to share that love with others. Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Blessing

May Almighty God, who sent his Son to take our nature upon him, bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness of sin, and brighten your heart with the light of his holiness. Amen.

May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior’s birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel. Amen.

May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor. Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

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

Want to read the Bible but don't know where to begin? Let's take on the Bible Challenge together and share our thoughts and reflections on Thursday Evenings at 6:00 pm via zoom. (We will not have class on Third Thursday for Healing Services.) All are welcome to participate in this challenge, both near and far.

To follow along, you may purchase a book (paperback or kindle) via amazon by clicking on the picture in the corner or by contacting Mo. Allison for a copy.

Daily Readings:You can start The Bible Challenge on January 1 or any day of the year of your choice. The schedule of this book and our zoom gathering works best if you begin "Day 1" on a Monday, January 2nd. We encourage readers to read portions of the Bible Monday through Saturday, and assume that on Sunday they will be in church hearing the Scriptures read aloud.

The following is a list of Scripture to get you started while we gather and await our books.

Healing services will be held at St. Barnabas and St. Mary's on a rotating schedule every third Thursday.

The next 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

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.

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 plan 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!

Would you consider taking on an important church function that only takes about 30 minutes once a month? Become a "counter," one of the folks who stays after church on Sunday for a little while to count the cash and stamp the checks and then input the individual offerings into Church WIndows on the office computer. We are looking for one person on the first Sunday of the month, and two people on the fourth Sunday of the month, so three new counters in total. The current counters are Kate & Hilton Rodriguez, Larry Schmidt, Janet Proulx, and me. We work together to trade off when necessary to accommodate schedules. Please let me know if you're interested, and yes, training is provided!

Thank you,

Lillian Armstrong, Treasurer

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

David Mascione and Jack Olthuis on December 25th and Margaret Ziemba on December 30th!

Happy Anniversary to

Andrew and Mary Lucile Johnston on December 28th!

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. 

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/

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

• 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

Christmas Eve

Isaiah 62:6-12

Titus 3:4-7

Luke 2:(1-7)8-20

Psalm 97

Christmas Day

Isaiah 52:7-10

Hebrews 1:1-4,(5-12)

John 1:1-14

Psalm 98

Tuesday - Friday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Third Thursday's 6:00 pm Healing Service alternates

between St. Mary's and St. Barnabas

Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church)