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He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’ Luke 19:40
For a number of months, now, I have been intentional about reading the daily Bible readings, using the Forward Day by Day. Usually, this resource follows the 2-year cycle of daily readings. The roots of daily Bible reading go back to Richard Cranmer in 1549. Following the 2-year cycle found in The Book of Common Prayer pgs. 936-1000, allows you to read most of the Bible over this 2-year period.
However, this year, Forward Movement, who publishes Forward Day by Day, decided to do something different. During Lent, we are encouraged to read the Gospel of Luke and during Easter, we will read the book of Acts.
Earlier this week, I read Luke 19:40, written above. I immediately thought of one of my favorite hymns, usually sung at Christmas, A Stable Lamp Is Lighted (hymn 104). Here is a version I sang with the General Theological Seminary Schola for a Christmas program in 2011. https://ytcropper.com/cropped/ra5ab166df8cbe2
Here are the words:
1. A stable lamp is lighted
whose glow shall wake the sky;
the stars shall bend their voices,
and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry,
and straw like gold shall shine;
a barn shall harbour heaven,
a stall become a shrine.
2. This child through David's city
shall ride in triumph by;
the palm shall strew its branches,
and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry,
though heavy, dull and dumb,
and lie within the roadway
to pave his kingdom come.
3. Yet he shall be forsaken,
and yielded up to die;
the sky shall groan and darken,
and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry
for gifts of love abused;
God's blood upon the spearhead,
God's blood again refused.
4. But now, as at the ending,
the low is lifted high;
the stars shall bend their voices,
and every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry
in praises of the child
by whose descent among us
the worlds are reconciled.
The words of the hymn tie Jesus' birth to Jesus' death and resurrection. Even though we do not always recognize Jesus, the stones do! It's a stark reminder of our own behavior and of the sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross.
I hope you will plan to walk this Holy Week journey with your presence and prayers at our services this week.
Blessings as you finish your week.
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
Grow In Faith Together (G.I.F.T)
Parlor People, Sundays, 11am – noon.
Parlor People will resume on April 8 with Kay Cramer leading a discussion on the Russian Orthodox Church.
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Godly Play is today.
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At Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen
Today we take an additional offering for our Building Fund.
The money donated helps us pay down our mortgage and pay for major repairs.
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We are creating our Lenten altar of food for the Perry County Food Bank.
Bring your donations and put them up by the altar each Sunday.
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Holy Week Services
Tuesday in Holy Week, March 27, 7pm, St. Stephen
Maundy Thursday, March 29, Agape Meal, 6pm, Service, 7pm
Good Friday Cross Walk, noon, meet at Goodwill
Good Friday Service, March 30, 7pm, Nativity
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Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday, March 27, 2pm, Environmental Committee
Saturday, April 7, 10am – 3:30pm, Harrisburg Convocation Leadership Day, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Harrisburg
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Flowers for Easter, April 1.
Donations will be taken through March 25. Mark your envelope “in honor of” or “in memory of” someone. There are also envelopes at the back of the church.
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Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
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Join Us For Breakfast!
Men's breakfast - every Wednesday, 9am, Espresso Yourself Cafe. Women's breakfast – every Wednesday, 9am, Bitting’s.
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The choir practices Wednesdays at 10:15am.
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Community Events & Opportunities for Service
Saturday, April 7th, 4pm, Christian Churches United's Annual Concert of HOPE, Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church, 2217 Derry Street.
"Unity in Diversity: Becoming The Beloved Community," will celebrate a mix of musical styles from gospel choirs to a Hispanic worship band. And to mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, it will also include a live dramatic presentation of Dr. King's, "I Have A Dream" speech. Admission is free; an offering will be received to support CCU's Prison Action Ministries.
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PA State Hunters Organization offers (4) - $500 scholarships each year to students entering fields in
conservation / wildlife.
One scholarship is available to a student in each of the four Perry County school districts (Greenwood, Newport, Susquenita and West Perry). Home-schooled students in Perry County are also eligible. Please see your school guidance counselor for more details and an application or email pennsho@centurylink.net or call 717-567-3305. Deadline is April 2.
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Join Hands Items of the Month –
Clothing (especially infant and toddler, hats, gloves, scarves, socks), toiletries, household cleaning supplies, blankets, quilts, towels, wash clothes.
From the Diocese
A Day of Recovery for Alcoholics and Those Who Love Them, Saturday, April 14, 10am – 2pm, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Lewisburg.
Guest Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke. There is no charge, but registration is required by April 9. Free lunch is provided. Contact The Rev. Jeanne Jacobson - 814-215-5768, revjj2000@yahoo.com or The Rev. Gene Tucker – Friartuck3@yahoo.com
