Loading...O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Fourth Sunday of Easter, p. 225, Book of Common Prayer
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant
us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way,
the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his
steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ
your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Fifth Sunday of Easter, p. 225, Book of Common Prayer
Have you had the experience of not being heard? Maybe you have children and need to remind them many times to do something you've asked them to do. Maybe a loved one requires you to repeat yourself or claims you never told them something. Maybe you're in a meeting and suggest an idea, but it's not heard until someone else says it. OR maybe you're told that you ignore someone and don't listen to them!
In any event, you know how frustrating it is to not be heard! Our prayers the next two Sundays ask for our hearing to be sharpened to hear Jesus calling us and then for us to know Jesus so well, that we will follow.
I found this 2-minute video which illustrates how sheep hear their shepherd's voice and follow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e45dVgWgV64 May we do likewise.
Many blessings as you finish your week and as you go through next week, when I'll be on vacation.
Love, Rebecca+
I will be on vacation from April 18 through Tuesday, April 26. If you have a pastoral care need, please contact The Rev. Fred Miller at 717-265-3961.
This Sunday we welcome Professor John Dernbach to the pulpit and to Parlor People. He is the Distinguished Professor of Law and Director, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center at Widener University. He is also a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral in Harrisburg.
Darlene Amsler to lead Morning Prayer and preach on April 24.
Parlor People welcomes Prof. Dernbach, who will speak about current environmental issues. There will be no Parlor People on April 24. We resume on May 1, when Glenn Holliman and Bill Rohm will present on "Toward a Theology of Stewardship."
Here is the report from April 10:
Parlor People featured Wade Meck, a young man who grew up in East Newport and is now working hard to earn a living without having to leave Newport. His story sparked a lively discussion about the problems facing the town. Some of the "problems" are common to all towns. For example, kids are more interested in staying home and playing video games than in getting outdoors to play and socialize, much less find a job. Also there are so many families from outside the area who live here a short time and never put down roots. This is a big change from 20 years ago when everyone had extended family in Newport and environs. It means that those adults and youth are less interested in the well-being of the community. One program that does seem to be working to bring younger children together is the after school program at the ????. Sixty to seventy elementary school children participate, but it only meets once a month due to scarcity of volunteers. Furthermore, the Newport Ministerium is hoping to sponsor a community Vacation Bible School next year.
Also hard drugs are easy to get now, so that young people are constantly temped. When asked, Wade said he thought they were being brought in from Harrisburg. Some other problems that face young people include the shortage of Guidance Counselors, meaning that most of their time is spent helping the college bound students. Those students interested in the trades get very little help. The Vo-Tech does not have enough slots for all those interested. Then, once the students graduate, they find they must travel out of the area to find a job. There are very few employers in Newport and wages are low. This means young people remain with parents or in rental housing. Meanwhile the houses that are on the market do not sell. Prospective buyers find the community in disrepair. Without businesses, the entire tax burden falls on residents. They complain both that taxes are too high and that infrastructure needs repair, but they can't have it both ways.
It was clear from the conversation that all of the problems are interrelated and will take time, money, commitment and creativity to fix. We did not identify any easy solutions.
Godly Play is April 24 and May 8.
Take a Swing at Drug Abuse. Wendy Day, Sue Beamer and Rebecca will be competing in this miniature golf tournament on Saturday, April 30. They must each raise at least $25 in sponsorships, which supports Perry Human Services. Please let them know if you'd like to sponsor one of them.
Replace the paper bulletin with an electronic one. All of the bulletins for each service will be available online. A bulletins page has been created on the website under the worship tab and the bulletin link will be added to the weekly email. Download the item on your electronic device and you won't need a paper bulletin. A link to the readings for the week will also be added. Try it and see what you think and let Kay Cramer know. You can see this week's bulletin here: //nativityandststephen.diocpa.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/3178438
Centering Prayer and Taize', Tuesdays, 5:15pm. Join us for twenty minutes of centering prayer, followed by an evening Taize' service.
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast - April 27, 9am, May’s Railside.
Roadside Cleanup, April 16, 9:00am. Meet at athe church. We'll clean up our section of Little Buffalo Road. See John Cramer if you'd like to help.
Upcoming Meetings:
Wednesday, April 27, 6:30pm - Vestry
Choir will practice April 20 at 9:00am and April 27, 10:30am (after womens and men's breakfasts)
Feed My Sheep Canstruction 2016, Friday, April 22, Capital City Mall Volunteer for a 3-hour shift (70-10am, 10-1, or 1-4) online or call 717-422-1780. Canned foods donated by Giant Food Stores for the build will be donated to local food pantries.
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.
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.
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.
Newport Elementary "Can Drive", Saturday, April 23, 8am - 1pm. Help the environment and the elementary school at the same time. Cans can be dropped off at the elementary school parking lot to be recycled.
Perry County Literacy Council 22nd Annual Race for Reading, Saturday, May 7, 6:00pm, Little Buffalo State Park. If you're interested in attending this event, please see Miguel Gonzales. more information is available at www.perryliteracy.com.
Join Hands items of the month are cleaning supplies and Similac Sensitive formula. Bleach, bathroom/toilet/sink cleaner, and laundry soap.
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.
Honor or Remember a loved one or a special occasion with flowers ont he altar! Flowers make our worship space more beautiful and remind us of the blossoming life we have in Christ. Please consider sponsoring the flowers in memory of a loved one, ot to celebrate your thanksgivings. If you have a special kind of flower you'd like to see on the altar, please be in touch with Kay Cramer at least two weeks prior to the date. Flowers are $35. A sign-up chart is in the Undercroft.
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/UCMdhiksmcXv0kyz9M2uio6Q
Stirring the Waters, April 17, 1:30pm - 8:15pm, Various locations in Harrisburg. In preparation for Earth, Lutheran Advocacy has designed a number of events from hiking in Wildwood Park, Paddling along the Susquehanna, planting trees on City Island and blessing the waters. The event ends with dinner in the Capitol Rotunda. To register and for more details, see //www.lutheranadvocacypa.org/event/april-17-2016-stirring-the-waters/
