Loading...Save the weak and the orphan; *
defend the humble and needy;
Rescue the weak and the poor; *
deliver them from the power of the wicked. Psalm 82:3-4
Some people just never seem to get a break. Have you known people like that? I had a dear friend and mentor who always seemed to live on the edge. She became very ill and had to resign from her job. She maintained that the building had made her ill, but it was early in our understanding of environmental illnesses, so her claims went unheard and unheeded.
She worked a number of jobs, even while partially disabled, because her children and grandchildren needed financial and emotional support. She was their rock.
She was quite a teacher to me. She was so faithful, reading her Bible at least once each day and unwavering in her faith in God. She was funny and I often remember some of her sayings, like, "I'm so broke, I can't even pay attention." She was a truth teller and not everyone appreciated that about her.
She volunteered often to improve mental health services, especially for children. She was committed to cultural competence in the delivery of services.
And she was financially poor. Always seemed like something was going on in her life that made it difficult for her to maintain housing or transportation or take care of herself. Research has shown that being in poverty brings increased stress and difficulties in life that most of us do not face.
That's why the Psalmist emphasizes that justice occurs when the weak, the orphan, the humble, the needy, and the poor are cared for. Caring for them is what we are asked to do.
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Join Us For Breakfast!
Men's breakfast - Every Wednesday, 9am, Espresso Yourself Cafe.
Women's breakfast – August 24, 9am, May's Railside Cafe.
We would like to update the prayer list and start fresh.
If you have a name you’d like for the list, let Michele know at 717-567-6514 or chnatss@pa.net.
Youth Confirmation Classes begin this Sunday, August 14 after church with meeting for youth and parents.
All youth grades 5 and up who wish to be confirmed in December 2017, and their parents are invited to this first meeting from 11:15 – noon.
Subsequent classes will be held the second Sunday of each month after church. There will be some additions or changes based upon special events. Please let Rebecca know who will attend on August 14.
Blessing of the backpacks and carry bags, this Sunday, August 14 worship service.
All teachers and students are encouraged to bring your backpack/carry bags to worship on August 14. We will be blessing you and them and praying for an excellent school year!
Racism Awareness Meeting, Wednesday, August 17, 7-8:30pm. This group will meet to talk about personal and community experiences in addressing racism. All are welcome.
Upcoming Meetings
August 17, 10:15am, Stewardship Committee
August 23, 2:00pm, Parlor People Planning Group
August 24, 11:00am, Environmental Stewardship Committee
August 28, 11:15am, Worship Committee Meeting
Are you being called to serve on Vestry or as a Delegate to Diocesan Convention? The Nominations Committee is accepting nominations through September 4. Please see Shannon Burns, Jill Brownfield or Joanne Pinaire if God is calling you to serve.
Queens Who Cook! September 10, 2:00-4:00pm, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 248 Seneca St., Harrisburg.
This fundraiser supports St. Paul’s Building Fund and the St. Barnabas Summer Camp Fund. Tickets are $20 for the afternoon of food, fun and fellowship. They are also looking for additional cooks. For more information, contact Carol Stevenson at 717-623-0335.
Bishop’s Open Golf Tournament and Dinner, Mon., Sept. 12, Mountain View Golf Club, Boalsburg, PA, 10:00am.
Golfers and sponsors are needed for this tournament, which benefits food and hunger ministries in the Diocese. Brochures are at the back of the church or register online at //www.diocesecpa.org/event/bishops-open-0
A buffet dinner will be served at 4pm. Dinner only is $30.
Join Hands Items of the Month –SCHOOL SUPPLIES
*Pencils #2, Pens: red,green,purple,blue *Highlighters
*Erasers *Washable markers *Colored pencils (pack)
*Post-its 3x3 *Zippered Pencil pouch/large Ziploc bag
*Extra large book covers *Notebook paper
*3 ring binder w/clear cover & pockets inside, 1 -1/2 and 2 in. *Double pocket folder w/ prongs *Yellow homework folder
*Double pocket folder *5-tab divider (w/pockets preferably)
*Sheet protectors *Math calculator *Backpacks
Join Hands is also looking for some volunteers to help with this year's school supply give-away.
Please call 582-7844 if you would like to help on any of these dates.
Thurs., Aug. 18 from 3-7pm, Fri., Aug. 19 from 11-3pm and 3-7pm Mon., Aug. 22 from 10-1pm
Team ‘Joining Hands for Jeri’ 6 Annual Charity Auction September 24 at 10:30am, Otterbein UMC, Duncannon
Michele, Parish Administrator, is the Team Leader for ‘Joining Hands for Jeri’. The team will participate in their 11th 'Making Strides Against Breast Cancer' walk this October. They walk in memory of Jeri Lynn (Deiter) Johnson. They are happy to share that they raised over $5100 at the 2015 auction and donated a total of $7270 to the event last year.
‘Joining Hands for Jeri’ has donated nearly $30,000 over the last five years, with most of the funds raised through the auctions. Check out our Facebook page, Team ‘Joining Hands for Jeri’, to see all the great items that will be up for bid!
Hope you can come out and join us!
The team is also accepting donated items to be auctioned off at the event. If you have an item you’d like to donate, please see Michele.
Food Bank Donations are needed! For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, go to their website at //www.perrycountyfoodbank.org/ and click on their wish list.
Honor or Remember a loved one or a special occasion with flowers on the altar! Flowers help 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, or to celebrate your thanksgivings. Flowers are $30. A sign-up chart is in the Undercroft.
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.
Help people in need around the world! A Thankoffering box is available by the coffee pots in the kitchen if you'd like to make donations that way. United Thankoffering is a project of the Episcopal Church Women of The Episcopal Church. Boxes are available to collect your offering, which is brought to church twice a year. A wonderful spiritual practice is to put something in the box each time you are thankful to God. If possible, count the money in your box and write a check to the church in that amount.
