In light of efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the church will be closed for in-person worship until at least the end of April, at the direction of our bishop. Please stay well and follow social distancing guidelines. 

With permission of the artist, Seamaire (Pauline Williamson),  www.seamaire.com

Our role during Holy Week is that of witnesses. We keep our eyes on Jesus, even when things become difficult. As we make this commitment to Jesus and to God, we know that we can't do it perfectly. We may need to stay at a distance like his women disciples did for a time. We may need to flee like other disciples did. Despite the limitations of our watch, we do come back to tell the story of how Jesus and his movement of love intersects with the oppression and violence of those in power. And yet... and yet... the Holy One, the Source of Life, our Lord, is more powerful than the destructive forces of this world. Jesus' death is not the final answer. We trust that the Living God resurrects Jesus and offers us the promise and hope of resurrected life, here on earth and after our own deaths. At Easter, we celebrate the resurrected life God calls us to live. A life centered on serving God through caring for all of God's creation, in particular the stranger or neighbor in need. We join with God to view the world through the eyes of divine compassion.

This week, come with us as we keep our eyes on Jesus, as we tell the age-old story, and find something new for this difficult context in which we find ourselves this year. We also encourage you to use this Holy Week Observance in the Home, which has Scriptures for each day that can also be used on their own or with 

Daily Devotions found here or in the BCP p. 136.

Please note, the passwords for the worship services are embedded in the links. If you are signing in via http://zoom.us, you will use the Meeting ID and Password. 

The Zoom phone numbers are always the same, by location:

       1-646-558-8656 US (New York)

       1-312-626-6799 US (Chicago)

       1-669-900-9128 US (San Jose)

       1-253-215-8782 US

       1-301-715-8592 US

       1-346-248-7799 US (Houston)

Wednesday, April 8, 5:45 pm, Evening Prayer

https://zoom.us/j/853014513?pwd=VHJEMWpuSXI1T3lJeE41SEZyQTlPUT09

or dial 1-646-558-8656 (New York)

Meeting ID: 853 014 513

Password: 690155

Evening Prayer, April 8, Word Version

Evening Prayer, April 8 - PDF Version

Maundy Thursday, April 9, 1 pm, 

Unraveled Bible Study, Unraveled by Uncertainty: Peter Sinks in the Water 

(Matt. 14:22-33)

https://zoom.us/j/994524285

or dial 1-646-558-8656 (New York)

Meeting ID: 994 524 285 (no password)

2 Peter Sinks in the Water - PDF version

2 Peter Sinks in the Water - Word version

Maundy Thursday, April 9, 7 pm, 

Order of Worship for the Evening, with abbreviated Love Feast. 

Before the service begins, place on your table a candle or light, bread or crackers, and something to drink.

https://zoom.us/j/185471199?pwd=N0k1SzJIRURaZG1LNVJNOXQ0V0tYZz09

or dial 1-646-558-8656 (New York)

Meeting ID: 185 471 199

Password: 134264

Maundy Thursday Bulletin - Word Version

Maundy Thursday Bulletin - PDF version

Good Friday, April 10, 12 pm, Good Friday Liturgy

https://zoom.us/j/704881747?pwd=RXB4TlJTWHprZ1pURWJiN2lFa1RkUT09

or dial 1-646-558-8656 (New York)

Meeting ID: 704 881 747

Password: 458820

Bulletin here when available

Easter Sunday, April 12, 10 am, Easter Morning Prayer

https://zoom.us/j/477669685?pwd=ODI0MEhUS0RtcUJzb2N0SzVzbC9WQT09

Or dial by your location

       +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

       +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

       +1 253 215 8782 US

       +1 301 715 8592 US

Meeting ID: 477 669 685

Password: 704062

Bulletin here when available

Weekly Bible Study running every Thurs until June 18

A new weekly Unraveled Bible Study will begin this Thursday, April 2, at 1 pm over Zoom. Join us any week, all are welcome to participate during your lunch hour or in the midst of your day. Each week we will send out a Bible story, a piece of art based on it, and a reflection from the artist. You are welcome to read and reflect in advance, or join us in reflecting together. From the creators, the Sanctified Art Team:

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“What happens when our world falls apart? How do we press onward when our tightly-knit plans unravel into loose threads? What do we become when our identity—or the path we are on—comes undone? What if all of this is not the end we fear it will be? In our unraveling, sometimes life surprises us with unexpected joy, love, and hope—with a new beginning we couldn’t have imagined. Sometimes we need God to unravel us, for we long to be changed. This Bible study explores 12 stories of unraveled shame, identity, fear, grief, dreams, and expectations. May God meet us in the spiraling, unraveling our plans—and us—into something new.”

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Contact Pastor Beth with questions, priest@stbernardsnj.org or

973-615-4778.

Week 2, Thursday, April 9 the theme is: 

Unraveled by Uncertainty: Peter Sinks in the Water (Matt. 14:22-33)

Here is the weekly resource in Word and PDF formats.

Bible Study Resource: Peter Sinks in the Water - Word Doc Version

Bible Study Resource: Peter Sinks in the Water - PDF Version

Click on this link to join the video Zoom Meeting via your computer or smartphone (you can opt out of audio only of yourself)

Topic: Unraveled Bible Study:     Time: 1:00 PM E

(You can use the same link every week on Thursdays, 

April 2-Jun 18, 2020)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/994524285

Meeting ID: 994 524 285

One tap mobile

+16465588656,,994524285# US (New York)

+13126266799,,994524285# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        Meeting ID: 994 524 285 #

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Weekly: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJ0pcuusrDMvZumvMkPqQ70QbktuG0JAYA/ics?icsToken=98tyKuChqj4oHtadtV39ArYqA5n-bN_MlEtbp7Vwly_0MncDUwH9IvdlYpheKfmB

Helping our Neighbors in Need - Pop Up Pantry!

Food Collection - Mon-Thurs, 9am-12pm,

and Mon and Tues 3 - 6 pm

St. Bernard's Church in partnership with Pastor Dan of Camino de Fe, local, Scout Troops, the HSA, PBA, OEM, and community members are collecting food to help our neighbors during Spring Break and beyond. 

Suggested food donations are listed above and the drop off location is at St. Bernard's Church, 88 Claremont Road, Bernardsville.

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Financial donations can also be made to help our neighbors in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Click on this link for information and how to donate.  https://caminodefe.church/covid-19-give/

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Thank you for your generosity!

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Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

We hope here you can find respite from the fears, changes, and concerns resulting from the social distancing and self-quarantines designed to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Please know that even thought we cannot gather in person we seek to maintain community through reaching out to one another and providing opportunities to gather by phone or through Zoom.

We are holding Sunday Morning Prayer at 10 am and Wednesday Evening Prayer at 5:45 pm both via Zoom. See below for Zoom Video Link or telephone dial in numbers or for more information, please contact out Parish Administrator, Alison Davidson, Admin@StBernardsNJ.org.

Many of our busy lives have been disrupted and it’s vital that we live into a new rhythm, trusting in God’s love and rest for us all. Here are some worthwhile resources:

Daily Devotions for families and individuals:  Click here for access to Daily Devotions that you can carry out at home.  Daily Devotions

The Daily Office can be found on the Mission St. Clare website, in particular Morning or Evening Prayer. Readings are provided along with recorded hymns. You can click the image at the top of the Mission St. Clare to go to the current Morning or Evening Prayer.

https://www.missionstclare.com/english/

The Book of Common Prayer can be found online here: www.bcponline.org. Here is a PDF version [insert] of Daily Devotions for Families and Individuals, p. 136 of the BCP. These brief services provide a God-centered framework for your day.

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A New Zealand Prayer Book can also be found online here: www.anglicanprayerbook.nz.

Check out this prayer on p. 184 from Night Prayer (their Compline):

Lord,
it is night.

The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.

The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.

The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.

In your name we pray. Amen.

St. Bernard's is partnering with Pastor Dan Fenco of Camino de Fe to help our Latino neighbors who have already lost jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. We are concerned about children and families who can't afford food and rent as a result. The school district has been coordinating meals for children who qualify but will not be providing meals during the week of Spring break (April 6-10).

Pastor Dan is raising funds to help with meals (coordinating with local restaurants), ShopRite gift cards, and rental assistance (if funds make this possible). The Wardens and Vestry will donate $1,000 from St. Bernard's outreach budget line to help support our neighbors in need.

If you are also in a position to help, donations can be made online and are processed through the NJ District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod which is a 501(c)3. If you'd prefer to write a check, you can do so to The Community Fund and mail your check to St. Bernard's with "COVID-19 assistance" on the memo line. All funds raised will go to this effort to help our neighbors.

To donate online or watch Pastor Dan's video about this effort: 

https://caminodefe.church/covid-19-give/

Please note, we understand there have been multiple appeals over the past few months and we intend to keep working at spacing these out better in the future. COVID-19 is an unprecedented situation that clearly impacts workers differently, threatening some fields more than others economically and increasing existing income disparity. Even if you are not in a position to help right now, know that as a pledging parishioner you are contributing through the donation made from St. Bernard's budget. To clarify, the Music Appeal continues, the Summer Rec Camp appeal is postponed for now, and the Easter Music and Flowers Appeal is canceled (we will collect Easter dedications). Thank you for your generosity that furthers God's mission of love and care.