Loading...For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared. Psalm 130:3
This Sunday we complete our Lenten study on forgiveness. Forgiving others is one of the hardest things we do. The Book of Forgiving that we've been using lays out an excellent process for us to come to forgiveness. The process involves our telling what happened and how we've been hurt, then granting forgiveness and finally releasing the relationship.
Throughout the book, there is emphasis on a number of things. One is that forgiveness is important to our wellbeing. Forgiving doesn't necessarily change the person we're forgiving. Forgiveness changes us. Also, forgiviing doesn't mean that there are not consequences for the person's behavior. If the person has done something illegal against us, they still face the consequences of the law. In some cases, the consequence may be that we can no longer be in relationship with the person.
In our Psalm this Sunday we read that there is forgiveness with God and therefore we "fear" God. The word fear in this context mean to "inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe."
Because we know how difficult it is for us to forgive others, we stand in awe and reverence that God forgives us.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
This Sunday we commission members of the Altar Guild and the Flower Arrangers.
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.
This Sunday we take an additional offering for Caring for Nativity’s Neighbors Heating & Health. Donations are sent to Join Hands, so people in our community have support for their needs.
Parlor People, Sunday, 11am – noon. We conclude our discussion on forgiveness, using The Book of Forgiving by Desmond and Mpho Tutu. Rebecca leads the discussion: Part Three, Chapter 10: A World of Forgiveness. There will be no parlor people until April 23. Michael Mark will be our guest to speak about carbon pricing.
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast – Wed., April 12 & 26, 9am, May’s Railside Grill.
Choir Practice - The Choir will practice Wednesdays at 10:15am.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service. There will be no Taize’ service April 11.
Tuesday, April 11 service will be held at St. Stephen in Thompsontown.
During 2017, we will be celebrating baptism on June 4, November 5 and December 3. Let Rebecca know if you or someone you know would like to be baptized on any of these days.
Flowers for Easter, April 16. Donations for Easter flowers will be taken through April 9. If you have an envelope, you can use for the donation, including marking if they are “in honor of” or “in memory of” someone. There are also envelopes at the back of the church.
Services for Holy Week
Tues., April 11, 7pm, St. Stephen’s, Thompsontown
Thursday, April 13, 6:00pm Agape Meal; 7:00pm Maundy Thursday service with washing of the feet, communion, stripping of the altar and vigil
Friday, April 14, Noon, Newport Ministerium Cross Walk, Newport Square. Theme is the hymn, “Were You There?”
7:00pm – Good Friday service with Veneration of the Cross
YWCA of Greater Harrisburg training on child sexual assault, adult sexual assault, elder assault and human trafficking, April 20, 8am – 4pm, Family Life Center, Newport. Cost is $25. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Register by April 12 by calling Emily O’Haren, 717-238-7273 ext. 3994 or email eoharen@ywcahbg.org.
Tickets are now available for the Race Reading to benefit Perry County Literacy Council, Saturday, May 6, Little Buffalo State Park, 5pm. Dinner tickets are $35. A pre-race Mint Julep Party in memory of Susan Connell will be held at the home of Todd Saner, at 4pm. Tickets for the pre-race party are $50.00. There are also supporting levels for the event from $25 through $2,000. Send your ticket request with check payable to Perry County Literacy Council, PO Box 37, Newport, PA 17074.
Perry Human Services ‘Take a Swing at Drug Abuse’ Miniature Golf Tournament, Sat., May 6, Paradise Stream Family Campground, Loysville. Form a team of 2 – 5 members. Each member commits to rasing a minimum of $25. More info and registration sheet are on the bulletin board in the Undercroft.
The Newport Ministerium Weekly Lenten series for 2017 Giving Out Instead of Giving Up Wednesdays, through April 5. Services will be held at Incarnation United Church of Christ, 47 N. 4th Street, Newport, from 5:30-7:00pm. A soup supper begins at 5:30, with an informal service beginning at 6:15pm.
