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October 9, 2020
Dear Family in Christ,
Thinking on God's Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14)
I realize that we share God’s banquet every week in our worship life. The scriptures, the preaching, the Eucharist, the prayers, the fellowship and sense of community and support — all these make up the banquet God supplies
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weekly. In this life, God meets us in worship as fully and completely as he meets us anywhere, even more so. At his banquet we are fed with the means of grace — the Word and sacraments — and experience in them the ongoing nurture of this God who created us, who has redeemed us in Christ, who wants to lead us day by day in growth in grace by the power of his Holy Spirit.
This Sunday in the Spirit of God's Love and Bounty we will introduce our Stewardship Theme for the Pledge Season, "United in God's Love." Love seeks the welfare of others “. . . since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:11-12). God’s love in Christ will compel us to do things that appear foolish to unbelievers. God’s love prompts us to give freely of our time, talents, and treasures to help others and extend his kingdom.
We will not only continue this Theme for the "pledge season," but also through the year as we grow together in a deeper meaning of Stewardship with Faith, Love and Hope.
May God's Peace be with You+
Blessings,
Mo. Allison+
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Love Prompts Action
In 1 John 4:19 we read, “We love because he first loved us.” Because God loved us so much that he would give his Son for us (John 3:16), we too can love. And just as Christ’s love for us led him to labor for us through his passion, his death, and his victorious resurrection, so we too are prompted by our love for him and others to labor.
God expects that the love he “lavishes” on us will naturally flow out of us into others. Real love is evidenced by action; first in labors of love to fellow believers and then to our neighbors (Galatians 6:10).
Christian stewardship should never be occasional activities, but rather a steady and increasing outflow that shares God’s love in us with others. Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). By grace, our giving, helping, and serving are joyful expressions of gratitude motivated by Jesus, strengthened in us by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, flows through us so can show love to people around us.
Through faith, we understand that we exist only out of God’s love and grace, and we are enabled to see God’s love at work in our lives. With God’s strength, we are empowered to live lives worthy of his love.
Together we are United in Love.
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It was a picture perfect fall day for the Blessing of the Animals last Sunday on the front lawn. Many thanks to Photographer Craig Miller for his terrific pictures!
You can view our photo album here.
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St. Mary's is open with limited capacity |
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Our Sanctuary has re-opened with one service on Saturdays at 5:30 pm and one on Sundays at 9 am. This schedule allows adequate time for cleaning and sanitization. Automatic hand sanitizers are at the entrance and center of the church. We are observing social distancing and contact tracing. Masks are required. Entry is through the 95th Street doors. Because of the size of our church, we are limited to 25% capacity, approximately 25 people. Therefore, we ask that you Reserve a Pew by calling the church office 609-368-5922 or through our website.
You do not need to join Facebook to view the Service. To better participate online, our service bulletin may be downloaded for print or viewing here.
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Things to remember during this time
If you do not feel well, have a cough or fever, we ask that you kindly participate from home and refrain from in-person worship.
Masks must be worn inside the building.
Some things to expect:
o You must check in with the Usher at the 95th Street door.
o Some pews will be closed for seating
o The doors will be left open
o The aisle is marked with tape at 6-foot distances
o Hand Sanitizer will be visible at the doorway and at the center of the church
o Masks are required of everyone who enters the building and must remain on throughout the service.
Some things to note about our liturgy:
o We ask that you refrain from kneeling
o We ask that you refrain from singing
o We ask that you keep six-foot distances and refrain from shaking hands
o Our reader will sit and read from the Altar
o The Eucharist will be the final act during the service, offered with the blessing on p. 399 of the BCP
o Eucharist will be consecrated in both kinds, but only one kind (the body of Christ) will be offered and distributed by the Priest alone
o Eucharist will be distributed from the center of the church (please take your belongings)
o After receiving the Eucharist, you will leave via the 3rd Avenue Doors. (An exception will be made for those in need of the 95th Street Ramp.
Note: Coffee hour is not yet permitted, and the Hall is unavailable at this time. Should you need to use the bathroom facilities, cleaning products will be available, and we kindly ask that you wipe down any surface after use.
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All Saints' Day November 1st |
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We will celebrate All Saints' Day with Prayers of Remembrance. Please send the names of loved ones you would like to be remembered to the church office. The names will be read from the altar at both the Saturday and Sunday services,
October 31, and November 1.
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Advent Study: The Incarnation, Dec. 2 |
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His parents gave him the name Jesus. But the prophets, the shepherds, the wise men, and the angels addressed him by other names. They called him Lord, Messiah, Savior, Emmanuel, Light of the World, and Word Made Flesh.
In "Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas", author Adam Hamilton examines the names of Christ used by the gospel writers, exploring the historical and personal significance of his birth.
Mo. Allison will facilitate our study for Advent based on Adam Hamilton's new book beginning Wednesday, December 2nd, and continuing on the Wednesdays of Advent via Zoom at 6 pm.
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Ryan Cleffi on October 12th, Corine Reynolds on October 13th, and
Serena Smith, Henry Schellenger and Brayden Boldt on October 15th!
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Large and small print issues of the Forward Day by Day for November, December and January have arrived. You may pick up a copy in the church narthex or we will be happy to mail one to you. Call or email the church office.
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A Reverse Advent Calendar |
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Here's an idea for a different kind of Advent Calendar which will help our food bank at The Branches. Check it out here. (Please note: Donations need to be received the week prior to Christmas Eve for delivery to our guests.)
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Dear Friends,
This week, I want to tell you about some of our upcoming musical offerings at Saint Mary’s.
Our weekly concerts will continue as scheduled on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm. I’m glad to hear so many positive responses to these programs, and I hope our broadcasts continue to find you all well. Many thanks to Cheryl Barton and Julie Taylor for all their help with these programs - we truly couldn’t do it without you!
For our program on Wednesday, October 28, Cheryl and I will present a special Gospel Concert in celebration of All Saints' Day. If you would like us to make a dedication in memory of someone, please let us know and a memorial will be offered during the concert. We can also display a photo for you, if you so desire. Arrangements for dedications and photos can be made with me directly, or with Julie Taylor at the church office.
It’s good that we are somewhat “open” again, and that certain things are happening, even if only in limited fashion. I miss working with our choir, and I pray for the day when we can reconvene. I also miss hearing Karin’s voluntaries, as I know many of you do as well.
If you’d like the opportunity to hear some of Karin’s music at home, a recording will be made available to you free of charge. Available formats are audio CD or digital download. If you’d like to have one of these recordings, please contact me or the office directly.
Enjoy the music this weekend - and until we meet again, take care and stay well!
David
Wednesday afternoon concerts
with David continue Live on Facebook at 3 pm. Please join us for some of your favorite hymns. This week's concert may be downloaded here.
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Gospel Music Program October 28th |
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David and Cheryl will celebrate All Saints' Day with a program of Gospel Music via Facebook Live at 3 pm on Wednesday, October 28th. It will be made especially meaningful by the inclusion of names and pictures of your loved ones.
-- Names may be submitted to the church office by email, mail, or call 609.368.5922.
-- Pictures may be brought to the church on Saturday/Sunday, or the church office/chapel during the week,
-- or take a picture of a photograph you have and email it. We can print it and place it in a frame.
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Please Help the Altar Guild |
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If you are feeling called to this important ministry, please contact Janice Haines, jbhaines1@verizon.net
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Lectionary Text this Week |
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Saturday 5:30 PM in the Sanctuary
Sunday 9:00 AM on the front lawn
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