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O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect of the Day, Book of Common Prayer, p. 230.
I'm new in town, and have only begun meeting my neighbors. I remember as a little girl when someone new moved into the neighborhood, you took a baked good or dish over to them. That was in the days when at least one adult stayed home. Now, it's "hit or miss."
I'm sure my neighbors must know a little about me, though. I blocked off quite a bit of parking on Wednesday, having been told my furniture was arriving from Kentucky. Alas, the schedule had been changed, so I also had to block off a good portion of the street on Thursday!
Jesus speaks a lot about our neighbor. He defines our neighbor very broadly. We have tried to follow suit. When we pay our fair share to the Diocese, part of it goes to The Episcopal Church, and then on to the Anglican Communion. This is one way we show our love to our neighbors. Our neighbors are close and also very far away.
I think the neighbors close by are often harder to love, because we must live with them every day! Our prayer for this Sunday asks that we be united with our neighbors with pure affection. What a lovely way to put it...pure affection. The words are delightful.
Let's think about all of the ways we love our neighbors and strive to be united with each other in pure affection, recalling that we are created in the image of God.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Rebecca's Schedule
Thank you for your patience as I get settled in. I have had to be flexible with my schedule for the past two weeks. Typically, I'll be in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with Monday and Friday as sabbath days. You can reach me at nativityrector@pa.net or call 717-204-7642 or cell 717-433-1556.
Worship this Sunday at St. Stephen
Our worship this Sunday will be at St. Stephen, 55 E Main St., Thomspontown, 9:30am. There will be no service at Nativity.
Nominees Needed for Diocesan Committees
Prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to service on a Diocesan Committee. There is a need for nominees for the Standing Committee, Council of Trustees or Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Committee. For more information about each of these committees, please see Rebecca.
Brownies Needed Brownies are needed to support Ann and Tony's feeding ministry. Boxes of Duncan Hines Chewy Fudgy Brownie Mix are available in the Undercroft if you're willing to bake some brownies. Cut them into squares and put them in zip lock bags for Tony and Ann.
Join Hands needs $4,500 to serve people in need
Join Hands has received numerous requests to help people in dire need of rent assistance. It is much easier to help someone stay in their current home than to try to help them once they are homeless. Consider a tax-deductible contribution to Join Hands, 25 E. McClure St., #6, New Bloomfield, PA 17068.
Remember donations to the Perry County Food Bank!
A collection basket for donations to the Perry County food Bank is at the back of the church. Remember your neighbors who are hungry! You can find a wish list on their website at: //perrycountyfoodbank.org/. Also, they can use plastic grocery bags and empty egg cartons.
The Episcopal Church General Convention 2015
The General Convention ends Friday, July 3. For photos from the Deputies for Central PA, see //www.diocesecpa.org/imagegallery/gc2015 For more information, including live streaming, go to //episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/gc/
Bishop Michael Curry, North Carolina, elected next Presiding Bishop
Remarks by Presiding Bishop-Elect Curry are available here: //episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/06/27/thankful-honored-and-blessed-presiding-bishop-elect-curry-addresses-the-media/
Take time to watch this beautiful video he made to explain the Eucharist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USOMZpGheBc
And a favorite sermon - "Crazy Christians." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abJMKeyCWoQ
Consecration of Bishop-Elect Audrey Cady Scanlon, September 12, Forum Building, Harrisburg, 11:00am
Plan to attend this important event. For more informaiton, go to //www.diocesecpa.org/aboutus/consecration
