Creche Service, 2020 Style
Like everything this year, we're planning our Creche service a little differently to accommodate social distancing guidelines. We'll have a short service at 7pm each evening, Mon-Sat, Dec. 14-19, to present the figures to the creche. Fr. Rick will livestream it for everyone to watch from home.
There are lots of ways for the Sunday School students and youth to participate. Pick a night that works for you and your family and fill out our signup sheet. We would like to keep the total number of families attending per night small so please look for a night that best works for your family size. As always, we're very flexible on costume choices. Please click here for the signup genius
We'll be sending all of our Sunday school students the music and words to Go Tell it on the Mountain, asking them to record themselves singing it at home and then our maestro, Michael, will put it all together for one of his masterful mashups! Here's the link of Mike playing so the kids can practice.
Send any questions to Samantha Glass, sammiegg@gmail.com, Kristen Hauser, klhglass@gmail.com, or the office. We would like signups completed by Sunday, November 29.
As the COVID19 pandemic reaches its worst stage so far, the Diocese of New Jersey has asked all churches who have opened to in-person gatherings to review their plans and consider whether it is prudent for them to remain open We currently believe that our mitigation strategies are as good as they can be. However, the possibility that we might encounter someone who is infected is higher than it was several months or weeks ago.
Please, if you have any symptoms, do not come to church. If you travel for Thanksgiving, or if you are planning on a large gathering for the holiday, please be aware of the travel restrictions and the quarantine requirements.
Since we reopened in June more and more people have felt comfortable returning to in-person worship—which is wonderful. But, I also know that that comfort is contingent on all of us looking out for one another.
Father Rick
November 28 & 29
First Sunday in Advent
5PM Holy Eucharist Rite II (Bulletin)
8am Holy Eucharist Rite I (Bulletin)
10am Holy Eucharist Rite II (Bulletin)
You can click on "Bulletin" above to print out a bulletin for the services.
You can also go to our website, click on the Bulletin buttons for Sunday or Saturday and print a PDF directly from there.
Sign ups are required for all in-person services. We will also broadcast on YouTube & Facebook
Check out our website for Holiday activities for youth and families!
Weekend Service
Weekly Offerings
Monday 10am Morning Prayer (Facebook & Youtube)
Tuesday 7pm Devotion on Instagram
Wednesday 9am Holy Eucharist in the church (Facebook & YouTube)
7pm The Forum - Nicea (Zoom)
Thursday 12noon Midday Mindfulness (Facebook)
Thursday 12noon Midday Mindfulness (Facebook)
All our services are also broadcast on Youtube and Facebook. In addition, they can be seen directly from the front page of our website.
Visit our website, stmarksbr.org for links and schedules to all upcoming services, music offerings, signups, and more.
Please make yourself familiar with our current protocols for participating in in-person gatherings at St. Mark's
Christmas Gifting Time Again!
Please get your cards in by the end of next week
Remembering all the Sunday creche services of our past, as we smilingly marched forward down the St. Marks center aisle with our gifts for the clients of the Food Bank… well, this year we will be experiencing yet another change. However, we will still have a chance to give to families in need - just in a different way.
We have been asked to provide Gift Cards instead of actual purchased items. These were specifically requested to be for Target or Walmart. Good idea as at either store, one can purchase both food or “anything else”.
- Cards or donations will be needed by December 6– ideally starting this coming week. The FB would like to get them to the clients a little early this year to allow time for them to shop.
- Envelopes with cards should be left in the church mailbox or office. You may also drop them in the donation plate on Sunday.
- Please be sure to include your purchased card with receipt showing the amount.
- Mark the envelope, Christmas Gift so it doesn’t get mistaken as a donation or pledge payment. Add your name and phone to the outside of the envelope just in case we need to reach you.
- Any dollar amount is welcome – from $5 up. If $25 - $50 is possible, that would be very appreciated. NOTE: If you wish to give more, please keep the denominations to $50 or under.
If you are not able to purchase the cards yourself but would like to participate, no worries - we will do the shopping for you! Just enclose your donation in an envelope marked Christmas Gift and we will take it from there.
If you need someone to come by and pick up your donation (cash to purchase gift cards), please leave a message at St. Marks office phone, or call Marcie directly, 908 962-1892.
We will report back how much we have gathered and gifted by Christmas.
Thank you all.
Let’s make this “COVID Christmas” giving as joyful as marching down the aisle!
Holiday Turkey and Ham Collection
Once again, we will be collecting turkeys and hams for the food bank to help spread joy to families in need during the holiday season. We will start collecting straight through until Sunday, December 13th. Please bring the items directly to the kitchen or during the week, to the office. If you would rather donate and have us do the shopping, there is a basket in the narthex, or send a check to the office. Thanks so much for your generosity!
Update: so far, we have delivered 60 turkeys, 10 chickens, 2 ham, and 7 bags of sweet potatoes!
Food Bank of Somerset County General Needs
We checked in with the Food Bank and they are in particular need of mini-boxes of cereal, as well as instant and ground coffee. If you are willing to donate, please place in the link and Jackie Taylor with pick up and deliver (thanks Jackie!).
As you know, the Foodbank is in great demand these days. You can help by making a monetary donation by clicking here. This will allow the staff to purchase much needed food to deal with the increase in demand at their door. Thank you!
Red Cross Blood Drives Continue at St. Mark's
Our next blood drive will be:
December 2nd
Operation Christmas Child
This year we will not be gathering shoeboxes for Christmas to keep with social distancing but we have something almost as good. Pack a shoebox on line!
If you decide to participate please send a note to the St. Marks office so we can keep a count!
Take A look at what we’re doing here at St Mark’s to keep things as safe as we can.