Loading...Almighty and everliving God, who, of thy tender love
towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the
cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his
great humility: Mercifully grant that we may both follow the
example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his
resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Passion Sunday, p. 168, Book of Common Prayer.
This coming Sunday represents an emotional roller coaster. Weather-premitting, we start our service outside with palm fronds and we march into the church and around the church singing joyfully as we remember Christ's humble and joyful entry into Jerusalem.
But by the time we get to the Gospel, we're hearing about how the crowd has turned on Jesus and we hear about Christ's betrayal, arrest, crucifixion and burial. We end our Lenten observance and enter right into Holy Week, a sobering time.
Some of my colleagues and on occasion, I, do not preach this Sunday. What is there to say after we listen to the events of Christ's last days? And in the "olden" days only Palm Sunday was observed, because people came to Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services to hear more specifically about Christ's last days with us on earth.
The truth is, we have to go through Christ's last days to truly and completely experience and understand the resurrection! Easter has an entirely different meaning when we experience the entire arc of Holy Week.
We have lots of fun waving those palms and singing, "All Glory, Laud and Honor." And we squirm and wish we didn't have to listen to the Passion Gospel...didn't have to go through Holy Week with its services on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Holy Week demands a lot of us. Holy Week is inconvenient. Holy Week requires us to look ourselves and our lives with clarity and reality. And in the end, there is a wonderful surprise!
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Turn off any non-essential lights for 1 hour this Saturday, March 19, 8:30-9:30pm in observance of earth hour. For more information go to: https://www.earthhour.org/celebrating-earth-hour
Parlor People Lenten Series concludes this Sunday Using the Forward Movement pamphlet, Ten Ways to Pray, we will explore a variety of prayer practices of our members and strengthen our own prayer practices. This Sunday, Kay Cramer presents on the prayer practice of Centering Prayer.
There will be no Parlor People on Easter. We’ll resume on April 3 with a series of presentations on current issues and faith. Dawn Beaver from Perry County Literacy Council and three guests will talk about their experience with the Council's Re-entry program.
Take a photo of your favorite place in nature by April 3 for the April 17 bulletin cover. On April 17, we’ll be celebrating Earth Day. You’re invited to submit a photo of a favorite outdoor place, which will be used to create a collage for the bulletin cover. Electronically submit photos to Michele at chnatss@pa.net or bring to the office to be scanned by April 3.
Take a Swing At Drug Abuse, Sat., April 30, 11:00am – 1:30pm, Paradise Stream Family Campground, Loysville.
We are sponsoring this tournament, which raises funds for Perry Human Services. If you’d like to be on a team from the parish, please let Rebecca know by April 3. You will need to raise $25 in contributions.
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café. Women’s Breakfast - March 23, 9am, May’s Railside.
The choir practices every Wednesday at 10am.
The Vestry has approved changes to the by-laws. Final approval will occur at the April Vestry meeting. Changes include limit Treasurer to six years and then at least one year off; removal of written nominations process for elected positions; voting by voice; removal of Order of Business for meetings, updating references to various Canons of The Episcopal Church; allowing non-Vestry members to serve on committees; putting Junior Warden on Property Committee; requiring committees to make reports for the Annual meeting.
Confirmation classes for teens and adults in April and May. Confirmation on June 11, All Saints Episcopal Church, Williamsport. If you’d like to be confirmed on June 11, please let Rebecca know so she can schedule classes at a time convenient to you. Classes will involve videos and some self-study, as well as conversations with Rebecca.
Church Rummage Sale, June 10-11, 8am-2pm each day. Collect items for this rummage sale and bring them to the church with prices marked.
Holy Week and Easter Services
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00pm, Eucharist at St. Stephen’s
Thurs., March 24, 6:00pm Agape Meal; 7:00pm, Maundy Thursday Eucharist with Foot Washing, Stripping of the Altar and Vigil
Friday, March 25, Noon, Newport Ministerium Service in the Square
7:00pm, Good Friday Service with Eucharist
Sunday, March 27, 9:30am, Easter Celebration
Young’s & Shermans Dale UM Churches 3rd Annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, Saturday, April 9 Shermans Dale Ambulance Building, 260 Richwine Road 7 – 10 am or until sold out. Benefits CHRISTmas Treasures. Homemade soups, baked goods and crafts will also be available for purchase.
Team 'Joining Hands for Jeri' Fundraising Dinner sponsored by the Ranch House Restaurant. Michele’s Team ‘Joining Hands for Jeri’ will donate 100% of all ticket sales and tips to the event. Tickets are being sold in advance.
Thursday, April 21, seating hours of 5, 6 or 7 pm. $15 / adult, $7 / child (ages 4 - 12), Free / ages 3 and under
Each meal includes choice of dinner entree, side salad, dinner rolls, drink and a dessert. See Michele for tickets or check their Team page on FB for more info.
Join Hands items of the month are bibles. Preferably New Living Translation and also some in large print.
Let Rebecca know if you’d like her to come visit. She can come to your home or another location you suggest. This helps Rebecca to know you better and hopefully you will also know her a little better. Let her know your availability on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday days or evenings and she’ll be in touch to arrange a time to get together. You can send an email at nativityrector@pa.net or leave a message at the church.
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/
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.
