June 28, 2015 - Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

This portion of our reading for Sunday reminded me of the hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.  Uh Oh...EARWORM.

Thomas Chisholm wrote this hymn in 1925.  You can read more about it here. As a singer and a person who loves singing, I find these hymn earworms frequently enter my mind during the week.  This refrain is one of them.  

In tough times, the assurance of this refrain, a paraphrase from Lamentations, provides comfort.  God is faithful.  God does hear me.  God is with me.  

It also reminds me to take another look. What new mercies from God do I see today?  You see, I'm likely to miss some, especially when the world looks so grim to me.  

And then there is the reminder.  I may not have all I want; however, I most likely have all I really need.  That acknowledgement, "I have enough for today." can keep my worries at bay.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Weekly postings and sermons

It is my intention to post something each week, with a short meditation and upcoming events and news.  I also hope to post my written sermons each week.  I’m still learning the technology, but hope these things can be posted on our Facebook page and website, too. 

How to Reach me I will typically be available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.  My Sabbath days will be Monday and Friday.  This may change occasionally to accommodate other events and holidays.  You can email me at nativityrector@pa.net or call my home at 204-7642 or my cell at 433-1556.

 Worship at St. Stephen the first Sunday of each month in July, August, and September Worship services will be held at St. Stephen July 5, August 2, and September 6, at 9:30am.

Request from Join Hands Join Hands is currently helping a homeless family with a 4 month old baby who had been living in the elements in a tent. We have currently placed them in a motel but our current funds allow for only 1 week @ $245/week. We hope to find them housing in the meantime, as does Perry Partnership, but it is not looking promising.

Additionally, the mother is starting work at the end of this month and needs steel-toed boots for her new job. We can purchase them locally but need someone to sponsor the cost of approximately $70.

Finally, they need approximately $120 to bring their car insurance up to date.

If anyone feels so moved to help this family, please make donations payable to Join Hands and send to PO Box 335, New Bloomfield, PA 17068 with “homeless family” in the re clause of the check. Thanking you in advance for your generosity. ..Join Hands Ministry –Jenn & Sheree

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.