Come explore the question, Tuesday 7pm
The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
There is a Saturday evening service this week in Chapel at 5pm
8AM Holy Eucharist Rite I
9AM The Forum
Youth Group Meets
10AM Holy Eucharist & Baptism Rite II & Sunday School
The March issue of the Lion's Roar is available here
In an effort to be sure that we get important information out to you in a form that you are likely to see it on a timely basis, we are putting together a "Text Message Group". If you would like to be notified via text message should there be a weather-related closing or last minute changes to programs here at St. Mark's, for instance, please sent the office an email with your cell phone number and we will add you to our list.
Fr. Rick's Blog
“This is my son, my chosen, listen to him.”
These words boomed from the clouds as Jesus was transfigured on the mountaintop. They show God beaming with pride at His boy, His child—Jesus. It’s the very embodiment of what a proud father sounds like.
Here’s the thing though: while these words are spoken OF JESUS and they tell us a little bit who JESUS is… these words ALSO give us an insight into the heart of God the Father.
Read Father Rick's full entry at stmarksbr.org/blog
Alpha
Alpha is a great way to learn about the Christian faith, talk about it with other people without judgement and without the constraints of an organized religion. Each night begins with fellowship, where we enjoy dinner together. It is followed by a 30 minute video of Nicky Gumble discussing the topic for the week including Who is Jesus, Why and How do I Pray, and How Does God Guide Us. Then we break into small groups to discuss the topic in an open and easy way – share if you want to, or don’t.
Questions? Email Lea O’Shea (leaoshea4@gmail.com)
The Sunday Forum
This winter we’re exploring The Way of Love—the model of Christian living that our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, talked about during the royal wedding. There are seven parts to the Way of Love: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest.Keansburg - Wednesday, March 6th
We did not go down to Keansburg last time due to weather. We need 6 more meatloaves for this coming Wednesday. Please contact the office if you had signed up to make meatloaves and will deliver them by Wednesday. The team needs to know how many they might need to make in order to provide lunch next week.We also need 2-3 more volunteers...please contact Kit or the office if you can help. Thank you.
Sunday School
We are continuing to use the Digin program. We are starting a new module this winter, Digging Into Discipleship. Digging Into Discipleship brings a fresh approach to growing a lifelong relationship with God. As kids explore God’s character throughout the Bible, God transforms them from the inside out. Kids discover what it means to reflect the heart of God in everyday life.As a reminder to new families; children preschool up to 5th grade meet in the large classroom by 10 am. We start our Chapel service at 10 where we are joined by the youth groups R13 and J2A for a brief service and singing then back to the classroom for our weekly short video and lesson and most often a fun craft or science project related to the bible lesson. Children are back with their families ahead of communion.
All children are welcome, regular members and visitors alike. Adults of all ages are welcome to help or teach a class. All materials are provided and lessons are available in advance on line.
Spring Rummage Sale - April 5th & 6th
Mark your calendars, join the fun!
We need significant donations of your unwanted goods. Tell your friends and families of the opportunity to donate to our fund raiser. We also need your help during the week. Everyone of all ages can get involved.Set Up will be Sat, March 30th at 9:30AM.
Sorting and Pricing will be from Sunday, March 31st 1:00 Pm – Thursday, April 4th. Sale will be Friday, April 5th from 9:00 - 2:00 PM and Saturday, April 6th from 9:00 - 2:00 PM.
Clean Up will be Saturday, April 6th at 2:30 PM.
Please consider volunteering in this important fund raiser in any capacity possible. Let us all help make this Rummage Sale another huge success for St. Mark's. Thanks. Harry Woods, Kit McLaughlan and Annabelle Wilmer
Making Donations to St. Mark's
While we encourage all members to pledge, you do not have to make a pledge to use offering envelopes. Simply contact Doug and he will provide envelopes to you. This will facilitate the correct recording of your donation.We know that some of our regular attending members put cash in the offering plate week-by-week. Some of you may want your contribution to be anonymous—and we thank you for your generosity. If, however, you would like to be credited for your donation, please indicate on an envelope your name, or contact the recording treasurer,Doug Post, at dougpost140@gmail.com (or 908.766.6621 )and he will see to it that the donation is properly attributed to you. This will then be reflected in the quarterly and annual giving statements that can then be useful come tax time.
Art Studio
Come and join us for painting on a Tuesday, 12pm to 3pm in the large Sunday school classroom. We work on our own projects and help each other out. It’s fun, relaxing, and we’re a friendly group.Any questions, contact Jenny Phillips 908-451-9638, jrpw26@gmail.com
Lost & Found
We have a basket in the Narthex that contains hats, gloves, glasses, etc... Are you missing something?The sixth annual Freedom House 5K Run & 1 Mile Fun Walk
Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, NJ. Duke Island Park is a certified 5K course with a flat running path along the Raritan River; the one-mile fun walk will share part of the 5K course making for a great leisurely and scenic walk. This event is dog friendly as long as our furry companions are on a leash. With exhibitors, music and prizes it will be a great morning to come out to support a worthy cause and help reduce the stigma associated with the disease of addiction.With the rising heroin epidemic, this event gives us a chance to promote health and wellness in the community while helping raise awareness and funds to help with Freedom House’s mission of reuniting families torn apart by alcohol and drug addiction.
If you miss the on-line registration option, – no worries – we will be accepting day of registrations beginning at 8:00 AM. Please note that registering the day of will be slightly higher than if you pre-register. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Register using this link:
https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Bridgewater/FreedomHouse5KRunWalk
Dismantling the Racism Machine - A Manual and Toolbox
Wednesday, March 13, 6:00-7:`15pm at St. Bernard's ChurchDr. Karen Gaffney uses the metaphor of the Racism Machine to expose systemic racism and the social construction of race. The book shares “the history of race, including whiteness, starting in colonial America, where the elite created a hierarchy of racial categories to maintain their power through a divide-and-conquer strategy.” – from the publisher, Routledge
A book discussion group will meet from 6:00-7:15 p.m. on Wednesdays, March 27, April 10, April 24, and May 8. All are welcome to participate. Dr. Gaffney returns on May 15 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss action steps included in the toolbox.
To learn more or to register contact the Parish Office: 908-766-0602 or Admin@StBernardsNJ.org.
Snow Policy
For weekday/weeknight events and activities, we will follow the Bernards Township Board of Education. If school is cancelled, or if school evening activities are cancelled, then St Mark’s will be closed during those times as well.For Sundays, barring some catastrophic event, there will ALWAYS be at least a 10AM service. All parishioners are strongly urged to use their best judgement, and not to attempt any feats of heroism to get to church. On occasion we will cancel the 8AM service while roads and walks are cleared. This will be communicated by email by 7AM.
The 10AM service is nearly always broadcast live on Facebook: facebook.com/stmarksbr Every effort will be made to ensure that snowy Sunday 10AM services are indeed broadcast. Please be sure that you are on the St Mark’s mailing list, as any cancellations or notices will be communicated by email. You can sign up for the list on the website, or by calling the church office at (908) 766-9058.