Loading...Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their [apostles and prophets] teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you... Collect for Proper 8, Book of Common Prayer, p. 230.
Our Collect for the day this Sunday has what I think is a wonderful prayer, which I've copied above. The prayer to be joined together in unity of spirit because of the teachings given us from Jesus, the apostles and prophets succinctly captures the heart of the Christian faith.
In other words, while we may study and pray individually, the point is that we be joined with others...that we be unified with others doing the same work...that we together become a holy temple acceptable to God.
Our church buildings provide our wonderful meeting spaces where people have prayed and prayed for over a hundred years. However, the holy temple we make wherever and whenever we gather to do God's work...to do the work of the kingdom, is the true church.
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
At Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen
Today we take an additional offering for Caring for Nativity’s Neighbors Heating and Health. Donations are sent to Join Hands, so people in our community have support for their needs.
Today we also take a special offering for our flower fund. Support the beauty of our worship services through your donations.
Michele will be on vacation through July 4.
We are starting our prayer list over again. If you have a name you’d like for the list, let Michele know at 717-567-6514 or chnatss@pa.net.
Upcoming Meetings
July 12, 6:30pm, Vestry
July 25, 7:00pm, Perry County Anti-Racism
Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
During 2017, we will be celebrating baptism on November 5 and December 3. Let Rebecca know if you or someone you know would like to be baptized on any of these days.
Men’s & Women’s Breakfast, Wednesdays, 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Baking needs and chocolate items available through Equal Exchange.
See the cart in the Nativity parish hall. We are now a wholesaler for Equal Exchange, a company that supports small farmers who use sustainable practices for chocolate, cocoa, coffee, tea, nuts, olive oil and other baking items. A price list and basket are available to pay for the items you choose to buy. A catalogue is also available. If there’s an item you’d like us to order, please see Jane Hoover.
Transport Wheel Chair now available at Nativity for people who need assistance. The chair is located outside the restroom in the parish house.
Help people in need around the world! A Thankoffering box is available by the coffee pots in the Nativity kitchen if you'd like to make donations that way. United Thankoffering is a project of the Episcopal Church Women of The Episcopal Church. Boxes are available to collect your offering, which is brought to church twice a year. A wonderful spiritual practice is to put something in the box each time you are thankful to God. If possible, count the money in your box and write a check to the church in that amount.
Food Bank Donations are needed! For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, go to their website at //www.perrycountyfoodbank.org/ and click on their wish list. Canned vegetables, fruit, nut butters and protein are always needed.
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.
Let Rebecca know if you’d like her to come visit. She can come to your home or another location you suggest. This helps her to know you better and
hopefully you will also know her a little better. Let Rebecca 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 to her at nativityrector@pa.net or leave a message at the church at 717-567-6514.
From the Diocese
Opportunities to serve the Diocese. Nominations due by July 31. The Diocese seeks to fill the following vacancies:
Standing Committee-Elect 2 Clergy and 2 Lay persons
Council of Trustees-Elect 1 Clergy and 1 Lay person
Disciplinary Board-Elect 2 Clergy and 2 Lay persons
Please submit all nominations to Hank Morrow: deaconhank@gmail.com, or to call with questions: (717) 648-5125. A nominations form is available from Rebecca or on the web at //bit.ly/2r6HDjr.
Diocesan Leadership Day, Saturday, August 12, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM,
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 301 St. Thomas Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601-4832. Treasurers, wardens, all vestry members and Stewardship leaders and all volunteer and salaried Parish Administrators, this conference is for you. Keynote and workshops; Financial development within the life of congregations and expectations for monitoring endowment depreciation through the rhythm of spending and investment. Year round stewardship practices, including Planned Giving Leadership Development. 101 basics for vestries and committees—this is for vestry leadership and folks new to vestries as well as best practices for Parish Administrators. Please let Michele know if you would like to attend.
Golfers needed for Bishop’s Open Golf Tournament, Monday, September 18th, 2017, 10:00 AM, Overlook Golf Course, 2040 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA. Registration required by August 5. Shotgun Start, 4-Person Scramble. Join us for a day of golf, fun, food and fellowship to benefit at-risk children and youth in our Diocese. This golf tournament is open to everyone; all are welcome. To register, go to
//bit.ly/2r6UYYQ. Go to //bit.ly/2sjZC5B for a brochure. Dinner only at Bishop’s Open Golf Tournament, Monday, September 18, 2017, 3:00pm, Overlook Golf Course, 2040 Lititz Pike, Lancaster.
Cost for dinner only is $25.00. Go to //bit.ly/2r6UYYQ to register.
Sponsorship Opportunities for Bishop’s Golf Tournament due by July 31. Sponsorships range from $75 to $1,000. See the brochure //bit.ly/2sjZC5B for more information.
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Gently Worn Used and New Shoes Collection. Lillian Hoover is collecting gently worn, used and new shoes for the class of 2022 as a fundraiser while
helping those in need. The shoes that are collected will be donated to those living in other countries. So as you are cleaning out your closets please think of her. They will be collecting shoes until November 30. A box is located in the Nativity undercroft.
All are invited to the Veteran’s Mural and Historical Marker Dedication on July 8, 1pm. Ceremony will take place off Penn Avenue, Newport at Kauffman’s Garage. Also take note of the new marker near the Nativity church parking lot.
Back to School NeedJoin Hands Ministry is looking for one or a couple of organizations, churches, businesses, civic groups to sponsor hair cuts for their back to school program in August. If you're interested please call or email Michael at 717-582-7844/info@joinhands.help. Also, if you know of a hair stylist or barber that is willing to partner with Join Hands in this endeavor, please ask them to contact us here at Join Hands Ministry too.
Join Hands Items of the Month –
Clothing: socks, hats, gloves, scarves, and toddler/baby clothing
Toiletries: Adult Diapers, Combs, Hair brushes, Hair care products, Conditioner, Deodorant, Diapers and Wipes - sizes 1 to 6, Feminine hygiene products, Lotion, Mouthwash, Paper Towels, Shampoo,
Shaving Cream, Soap/shower gel, Tissues, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Toilet Paper, Medical supplies such as band-aids and cough drops
Household Cleaning Items: Cleaning Products, Disinfecting Wipes, Laundry Detergent and Sponges
Other Items: Quilts, Blankets, Towels, Wash Cloths
