Loading...Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Proper 28, p. 236, Book of Common Prayer
When I was in seminary, most of my classes began with prayer. Often this Collect was used. The Collect reminds us of a number of things.
1. We learn from scripture. Have you had that experience of reading a familiar scripture, but seeing something new in it or hearing the words in a totally new way?
2. We need to hear scripture. We are fortunate that scripture is read aloud in our services. There's something about hearing scripture in different peoples' voices that gives us a new view of them.
3. We need to read scripture. In our Book of Common Prayer on pages 933-995, there are readings for each day of the year. Over a 2-year cycle, you will read the entire Bible. There are also other helpful books and resources available if you'd like to read portions of or the entire Bible.
4. We need to mark scripture. Now, I have to be honest that I find it really hard to mark up my Bible. Just seems like it shouldn't be "defaced" in that way. But the truth is, when we read, it's great to underline particular passages and make notes of our own. These can be helpful as we continue our study.
5. We continue our learning about scripture. Having a great study Bible is helpful. Joining a Bible study or having a family Bible study are some ways to learn more about scripture. Taking a course is also helpful.
6. Through all of our study, we are changed. We "inwardly digest" this learning and it changes who we are and how we live our lives.
Studying scripture is not always easy. There are plenty of contradictions and some really difficult things. Yet, it's in the wrestling and the study that we learn more about God and God's love for us.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
This Sunday we observe Native American Heritage Month.
Our service will contain hymns in the Native American tradition, as well as prayers. Mary Price will share information about the Leni Lenape and we'll pray a translation of The Lord's Prayer.
We'll sing some new hymns. One was sung at the Installation of the Presiding Bishop. Here's a link to the video with the words:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3Pb77ylz_Q&list=RDW3Pb77ylz_Q
We'll sing the first verse to Amazing Grace in Cherokee:
Oo nay klah nah ee oo way gee
Ee gah goo yah hey ee
Nah gwoo joe sah wee oo low say
Ee gay goo yah hoe nuh
Here's a version to listen to on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvYIjFtPQEk
Our Processional hymn will be Many and Great. Here's a wonderful version of this hymn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nuy5j1uYuY
My Schedule - Next week I will be at the clergy conference in Lancaster Monday until noon Wednesday. My sabbath days will be Thursday and Friday. You can reach me via email at nativityrector@pa.net or by phone at 717-204-7642 or cell at 717-433-1556.
Parlor People, Sunday, 11am – noon. Spiritual disciplines.
This Sunday, Kay Cramer will talk about pilgrimage, sharing her experience walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Next week, November 22, there will be no Parlor People, due to the Annual Meeting. Jane Hoover reports on last Sunday's meeting:
Spiritual disciplines may seem an odd subject to celebrate, but that is exactly what we are doing in the new Parlor People series. Over the next five sessions we will talk about practices or regular activities (Disciplines) that enable our growth into a deeper relationship with God and discovery of God's will for our lives (Spirituality). The first discipline was Spiritual Direction because that practice helps to guide our seeking and support us on our journey. After Jane Hoover told of her 15 years of experience in spiritual direction and described how one finds a director and what the experience is like, the group discussed the difference between therapy or counseling and spiritual direction. The first is oriented toward helping you to function better in your family or community, while the second is oriented toward helping you to find God in whatever situation you find yourself.
We often describe our spiritual life as a journey. Next week, Kay Cramer will tell of her 500-mile journey on El Camino de Santiago last spring.
Godly Play is November 22.
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, November 18, 6:30pm, Vestry
Monday, November 23, 1:30pm, Licensed Lay Preachers
Sunday, November 29, Noon, Worship Committee
Annual Meeting, Sunday November 22. Elect Vestry members and Delegates to Diocesan Convention, as well as receive reports from our committees and adopt our 2016 spending plan. A pot luck of soup, salad, bread and dessert will be held after the service. Please sign up for what you will bring.
The slate for elections to Vestry and Diocesan Convention Delegates are: Vestry (3 year term): Becky Crup, Mary K. (Tootser) Davis, William Day Diocesan Convention Delegates: Becky Crup, Miguel Gonzales
Diocesan Convention Alternate: Sue Beamer
Funeral for Bud Willis (Father of Jill Brownfield) changed to Sunday, November 22, 3pm. Visitation will be at 2pm. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1000 N Front St., Liverpool, PA.
Through Join Hands, we’re buying Christmas gifts for 50 children in 18 families. Each child will receive a set of clothing, shoes, and a toy. If you’d like to buy for a family or support this effort, please see Susan Rice or call her at 834-4001 or 329-0690. A wrapping party will be held on December 9, 10am at Espresso Yourself Cafe and gifts taken to Join Hands for distribution by December 14.
Connect with us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ TheEpiscopalChurchOfTheNativityStStephen
Twitter: @ChnatssChurch Instagram: https://instagram.com/chnatss/
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/
Men's breakfast - Every Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Cafe.
Women's breakfast - 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in November and December, 9am, May's Railside Cafe.
Upcoming breakfast dates - November 18 and December 2 and 16.
2015 Christmas House Tour, December 5, 10am – 4pm. The Newport Revitalization and Preservation Society is sponsoring a House Tour of five private homes and four Newport Landmarks. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of the event. Go to www.nrps.pa.net for more information. Newport Christmas Tree Lighting will be from 5-6pm that evening.
Advent Lessons and Carols followed by dinner December 6, 4pm – 6:30pm. The choir of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Lebanon led by Bill Claxton will lead us in this evening worship of preparing for Christ’s birth. Readings and hymns of Advent will be heard. A dinner will follow. Please sign up for which dish you’ll bring.
Beat the Rush Holiday fundraiser, Friday, December 18, 7-10pm, The Maples, New Bloomfield, to benefit Rotary Scholarships and community projects. Vote for your favorite holiday dessert or appetizer (a quarter a vote), door prizes, auction. Must be 21 or older. Only 100 tickets at $15 each. Let Rebecca know if you'd like to attend.
Schedule a time for Rebecca to come visit you! I'm enjoying visiting. If you haven't scheduled a visit, yet, plan to sign up this week! I'll come to your home or another location you suggest. This helps me to know you better and hopefully you will also know me a little better. Let me know your availability on Tues., Wed., Thur., and Sat. days or evenings and I'll be in touch to arrange a time for us to get together. You can send an email to me at nativityrector@pa.net or leave a message at the church at 717-567-6514.
Pictorial Directory - Marion Fluchere is putting together a pictorial directory for us. She will be asking to take photos of each family for the directory. A draft with contact information is available. Please review the information, make any corrections and initial the entry.
Stitchers meet in Undercroft on November 19 and December 17, 10am. Knit and crochet prayer shawls and other items. The prayer shawls go to Perry Village and baby items go to families with Join Hands. See Edna Baker, Sue Beamer or Wendy Day if you'd like more information and don't worry about not knowing how to knit or crochet, because I bet this would be a great place to learn how!
Join Hands items of the month are gift cards for stores such as Walmart, Target, Old Navy, etc. to be used for gifts for older children in the Christmas program. Or grocery store cards (Karns/Giant/Mutzabaughs/Weis).
Honor or Remember a loved one or a special occasion with flowers on the altar! Flowers help make our worship space more beautiful and remind us of the blossoming life we have in Christ. Please consider sponsoring the flowers in memory of a loved one, or to celebrate your thanksgivings. Flowers are $35. A sign-up chart is in the Undercroft.
Help People in Need when you buy your Groceries! See Gail Shull or Pat Szabo to purchase cards in various amounts to use at Giant, Mutzabaugh's, or Weis Stores. 5% of the cost of each card stays with the church and is used for outreach and mission projects.
