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What is your favorite Christmas song? There are so many, it is hard to choose. One I do love is In the Bleak Midwinter. As most of you know, the words are from a poem by Christina Rossetti. The tune, Cranham, that we sing them to, is by Gustav Theodore Holst.
Maybe it is only a hymn for those of us who live in this climate. We know those bleak winter days, don't we? In some ways they are hauntingly beautiful days. Rossetti certainly captures winter: the frosty wind, the earth as hard as iron and water like a stone. The harsh beauty of the cold season.
Yet, midst this cold and hard time, comes God. Heaven cannot hold God, the poet says. Born as a baby boy and loved by his mother Mary with a kiss.
Yet, it is the last verse that always gets to me. What gifts can we give this little one? What gifts could ever be enough to give God come down to earth? Rossetti's poem gets it right; the most important gift is our whole heart.
In the rush and bustle of the season, remember the most wonderful gift is your heart!
Love, Rebecca+
All services are in person and on Zoom
Friday, December 24, Christmas Eve Service, Nativity, Newport, 3:30pm - Hymn sing followed by Eucharist
Sunday, December 26, Christmas Lessons and Carols, St. Stephen's Thompsontown, 9:30am
Sunday, January 2, Eucharist, Nativity Newport, 9:30am
Church Office Closed December 28-31
Announcements
Today we take an additional offering for our Building Fund.
The money donated helps us pay for repairs.
The Christmas Lessons and Carols service at St. Stephen on Sunday, December 26 will be available to view via ZOOM.
You will be able to view and hear the service, however, we will not be able to hear those from home. Join for the 9:30am service as you normally would.
Please include the following in your daily prayers.
The Rev. Joe Mitchell, Scot, Meta, Tootser, Stephanie, Wendy, Scott, Father Bill Warne, Jane, Jamey, Wendy, Canon Bob Schiesler, Rev. Carla Christopher, Shelby, Shirley, Mike, Karen, Tracy, Dan, Josh, Roger, Jim, Marie, Cookie, Stella, Matthew, Anna, Linda, Mary Jeanne, Donald, Charles, Emily, Cindy, Jamie, Eli, Mason, Ada, Laura, Emersyn, Barry, Henry, Devin and Nelson.
Funeral for Jane Hoover, January 6, 11am, at Nativity. In-person or on Zoom.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89365538426?pwd=RFk1QmhRbCtPek1OdzBKOVN4TEhUdz09
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 893 6553 8426
Passcode: Call the church office for the code
Help fill our community food pantry!
Items that seem to be taken first include canned pasta meals, soups, and macaroni and cheese. Vegetables don't seem to get taken. Also, please don't use this as an opportunity to clear out your pantry if at all possible.
If you would like consecrated communion elements for your home use, please let Rebecca know.
You can pick them up at the church or we can make arrangements for drop off.
4th Annual MLK Day Anti-Racism Event, Monday, January 17, 6pm, Grace United Methodist Church, 309 Herman Avenue, Lemoyne
Commemorative Worship Service with Special Guests. For more info, call 717-763-7632.
Collections for Neighbor Helping Neighbor Food Bank
We will be collecting one specific item each month for the Food Bank. The item for the month of January is Soup.
For Juniata County Food Pantry:
Online: https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=fca5HNjQZV1obXLecwgJLccS7-f46jLRVL5vQqfYp8GZp7gPUhT6CdXi5Hr0V5uhTh3UvHa8BTono_sp
By Mail: PO Box 44 - 114 North Main St. Mifflintown PA 17059 or drop off food donations at this address on Tuesdays 9am-5pm or Saturdays 9am - noon.
Afghan Resettlement Donations Needed
Donate food items for incoming refugee families including Aahubarah or Basmati Rice, Split Green Lentil, Orange or Yellow Lentil, Kidney Beans & Chickpeas (dry or canned), Canned Pinto Beans & Peas, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Jam, Sugar, Flour, Green Tea, Tomato Sauce or Paste, Pasta, Potatoes (canned), Oils (Corn, Vegetable, Soybean), Salt, Pepper & Cumin. New/lightly used pots, pans, cleaning kits containing dish soap, bathroom cleaner, sponges/paper towels, laundry detergent, trash bags, packed in a large trash can or toiletry kits packed in a small trash can containing 4 rolls of toilet paper, shampoo, body wash/soap bars, 7 toothbrushes, 2 tubes of toothpaste, pads, shaving cream. Place donated items in the box at the back of the church. If you have questions, please see Rebecca.
