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Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; *
but to those who keep in my way will I show the salvation of God." Psalm 50:24
This week we hear words about our faith calling us to go beyond what may be comfortable for us. In some cases, the words are harsh. We hear God speaking through Isaiah and in modern terms, we hear that God cares not if we come to church or receive communion if we also fail to work for justice, rescue the oppressed and address evil.
The Psalmist is a little softer. Yes, our participation in our faith community and in our rites and rituals does honor God. These things are important. Hopefully our participation builds us up to then receive salvation. Salvation requires additional action, you see. When we keep in God's way so we can see the salvation of God, we take action for justice for all people. We learn about and work to undo oppression. We defend the orphan and plead for the widow. We cease to do evil.
How are you keeping in God's way?
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play and Parlor People will resume in the fall.
At Church of the Nativity
Help Join Hands provide basic needs products to families.
Items needed are: Combs, Hair brushes, Hair care products, Deodorant, Diapers and Wipes - sizes 1 to 6, Tissues, Toilet Paper and Toothpaste/Toothbrushes.
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday, August 13, 3pm, Parlor People Planning
Wednesday, August 14, 6pm, Vestry
Wednesday, September 4, after breakfast, Program and Mission Committee GTO Meeting
Blessing of the backpacks, August 18.
Teachers and students are invited to bring their backpacks to be blessed.
Suggestions for Giving To Others (GTO) Funds.
If you have a new recommendation for GTO funding, please contact Lynne Mitchell by September 1. We are planning to give away $20,000 once again.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Join Us For Breakfast!
Wednesdays at 9am. Women will meet at Bitting’s this week; Men meet at Espresso Yourself.
From the Diocese
Volunteers are needed for the 2019 Diocesan Convention, Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19, Zembo Shrine, 2810 N. Third Street, Harrisburg.
Some areas of need are registration, convention packet assembly, ballot counting, children’s program and more. Please see Rebecca or contact Michele for a volunteer form. 717-567-6514 or chnatss@pa.net
Trail to Truth: Racial Reconciliation From Washington D.C. to Philadelphia, October 11-14, 2019.
This event is for six of our Diocesan youth who are going into grades 9-12 in 2019. Join the Province III Youth Committee for a pilgrimage by bus from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia, PA to discuss and dismantle the history of racism in the church and Government. Be a voice for positive next steps. Included in the four-day journey: African American History Museum, church histories, amazing guest speakers, leaders and youth from the thirteen dioceses that are Province III. If you have questions or are interested in participating, please contact Robyn Szoke-Coolidge, rszoke@diocesecpa.org
Shaped by Faith beginning this fall.
This is a three-part initiative to discern, discover, and create a right-shaped diocese to serve God’s mission with vitality and strength. Clusters of parishes will examine their future together through projects designed to explore vitality and values, financial sustainability and God’s call in the neighborhood; no-cost Parish Life courses at the Stevenson School for Ministry will be offered and a historicizing project called “Rooted in God” will celebrate our common story. The adventure begins at Convention 2019.
Episcopal Church Women Fall Retreat, Friday, September 13 – Sunday, September 15, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Shippensburg
“Adventure with the Psalms” presented by Janet Strickler and The Rev. Linda Watkins. A block of rooms has been reserved at Quality Inn and Suites Shippen Place or make reservations at any nearby hotel. Cost of Retreat Program is $75 and includes Saturday lunch and dinner, speaker costs, mailings, and supplies. Registration deadline is August 31. Please see the pamphlet in the undercroft for more info.
Family Retreat! Saturday, September 14, 9am – 3pm, St. Thomas, Lancaster, 301 St. Thomas Road.
Vibrant Faith/Busy World, Praying as a family. Join online at http://givejesus5.rsvpify.com or by calling 717-236-4059.
ICONS in Transformation exhibit of internationally acclaimed Russian-Swedish abstract impressionist Ludmila Pawlowska, September 1 – November 3, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, 221 N. Front St., Hbg.
Gallery will be open Sundays, 12-3 and 3rd in the Burg Fridays, September 20 and October 18.
Meet Artist Ludmila Pawlowska, Saturday, August 31, 7-9pm, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral.
Cocktail Buffet and Live Music. $25 per guest. RSVP by August 20, 717-236-4059 or churchadmin@ststep.org
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral and Trinity Episcopal Church, Pro-Cathedral have teamed up to host Scotland 2020! It is going to be EPIC!
Join our cathedrals on a "Pilgrimage to Scotland 2020!" and travel with Thin Places Mystical Tours from May 14-25, 2020 in Scotland. The pilgrimage is open to parishioners, friends, and family-all who are interested.
Fill at a contact form at the following link and you will be notified when registration opens. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhZCwkUDW97AEPItKAWz5sgJXOfRJTuksYMQ4c_dMCbBIL9A/viewform?usp=sf_link
Feel free to contact The Rev. Canon Pastor Shayna Watson at swatson@ststep.org, 717-236-4059 or to learn more about Thin Places Mystical Tours visit https://thinplacestour.com/
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Join Hands is in need of volunteers to help with the Back 2 School program.
Help is needed with prep work, greeters/receptionist for haircuts, and helping students choose school supplies. Contact Join Hands for dates and times needed at 717-582-7844 or info@joinhands.help
The Episcopal Home Residents are in need of donations that help make a resident’s day better and brighter.
They are asking for donations of: Depends Undergarments, Toothpaste, Dove Soap, Toothbrushes, Mouthwash (personal size), Adult Coloring Books, Nail Polish (clear and light colors), Word Search Books (not crossword), Diabetic Candy, Bingo Prizes. These may be delivered to the Home or ordered online and sent to the Episcopal Home at 206 Burd St., Shippensburg PA 17257.
Bethany Children’s Home of Womelsdorf, PA will be providing a Helping Hands program to temporarily shelter unaccompanied children who have crossed our borders to enter the United States.
These children are seeking to reunite with their families. Many of these children are victims of human trafficking and/or have come from very dangerous environments. The children, are in desperate need of a safe and appropriate shelter. A wish list is available at
http://www.bethanyhome.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Helping-Hands-Wish-List.pdf and posted in the undercroft.
Savor: A Strolling Supper, Saturday, September 7, 5-8pm, (5-6pm VIP cocktail hour, 6-8pm strolling supper), LEAF Farm, 554 Warm Springs Road, Landisburg
Join LEAF for their signature event where the region’s best chefs and farmers partner to create innovative dishes paired with masterful beverages. Ticket sales will be begin in July. Follow LEAF on Instagram and Facebook @leafprojectpa for updates.
TheoCon (thee-oh-con), Saturday, September 28, Ernest L. Boyer Center, Messiah College, One College Avenue, Mechanicsburg.
Where Theology Meets Pop Culture! is a one-day convention in which participants will be introduced and invited to explore themes of theology and morality in popular culture. Pop culture mediums include comic books, graphic novels, and science-fiction films and methods of exploration feature guest speakers, panel discussions, exhibits, reflection spaces, and cosplay. ALL ages are welcome! Please see Rebecca if you’d like to go.
100th Year American Legion Extravaganza, Saturday, September 7, noon – 10pm, Sunday, September 8, 11am – 6pm.
A celebration of Veterans serving Veterans. Military recruiters, military vehicles, fly over on Saturday, VA Hospitals, Beer and Wine Garden, Local First Responders, County VFW Posts, Veterans Service Officer for Perry County, Legion Riders on Sunday at 11am, Vendors, Kid Inflatables and Games, Local Food Vendors and More!
