Loading...Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. p. 232, Book of Common Prayer
Give us grace to follow daily in the blessed steps of Jesus' most holy life....
Yes, it certainly takes much grace to follow in the steps of Jesus.
When I lived in Kentucky, I traveled from Corbin to Lexington frequently -- a distance of 85 miles one way. It was all interstate 75 and 3 lanes in many places; quite a big highway. And the speed limit was 70, so of course I went 80 and sometimes even creeped up to 85. And I just hated it when people were going slower.
"Don't you know how to move into the right lane," I'd say out loud to the car in front of me. Well, maybe that's the cleaned up version. I just wanted to get to my destination and get off the highway and out of the car. I had no patience for anyone else and certainly didn't want to hear that maybe God was telling me to slow down and enjoy the view through the beautiful Kentucky mountains.
How many times each day to we at least think that someone is going about something all wrong, whether it be driving on the highway or doing their job or living their life? I often remember the saying that honesty without love is brutality. Following in Jesus' steps means starting from a place of deep love -- deep love for all of humanity and deep love for all of creation. That kind of love allows us to be compassionate. That kind of love allows us to be honest and even critical in ways that are also supportive.
Please God, give me grace to follow in the steps of Jesus....
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
My Schedule
Next week, I'll be available Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. My sabbath days will be Monday, Tuesday and Friday. You can reach me at nativityrector@pa.net or 717-433-1556 (cell) or 717-204-7642 (home).
Schedule a time for me to come visit you!
I'd like to arrange a visit with you, either to your home or another location you suggest. This helps me to know you better and hopefully you will also know me a little better. Let me know your availability on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday days or evenings and I'll be in touch to arrange a time for us to get together. You can send an email to me at nativityrector@pa.net or leave a message at the church at 717-567-6514.
Help a neighbor get to Church!
Recently a neighbor asked if someone could assist her in walking to and from the church each Sunday, beginning September 13. If you can do this, please let Rebecca know.
Blessing of the Backpacks and carry cases, August 23, at the service
All students and teachers are invited to bring their backpacks and carry cases with them to church on Sunday, August 23. We will bless them and pray for the students and teachers as they begin their school year.
Ordination and Consecration of The Rev. Canon Audrey Cady Scanlan, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, 11:00am, The Forum, 500 Walnut St., Harrisburg
Plan now to participate in this special occasion in the life of our Diocese. For more information, click here.
Read Bishop-Elect Scanlan's Bishop-Elect Scanlan's Blog to learn more about her journey to Central Pennsylania.
Celebration Banquet Honoring the Ordination and Consecration of The Rev. Audrey Cady Scanlan, Friday, September 11, 5:30-8:30, Hilton Harrisburg, 1 Second St. RSVP by Thursday, August 20
Come join the celebration honoring our Bishop-Elect on the eve of her consecration. Dinner ranges from $36 - $46 depending upon the entree you choose. You can find more information at: //diocesecpa.org/aboutus/consecration. The RSVP card is at: //diocesecentralpa.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/banquetreplycard.pdf
Join Us For Breakfast!
Men's breakfast - Every Wednesday, 9am, Espresso Yourself Cafe.
Women's breakfast - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 9am, May's Railside Cafe. Breakfast dates in August 26 and September 9.
Upcoming Meetings:
Welcome Committee, Sunday, August 16, after the service.
Vestry, Wednesday, August 19, 6:30pm
Children, youth and their parents or other adult will meet Sunday, August 23, after the service. We will discuss activities we'd like to plan for the year.
Spiritual Formation for Every Child, Saturday, August 29, 10am - 2pm, St. John's, Marietta
Presenter - Guy Legare, Vice President Behavioral Supports at Supportive Concepts for Families.
“Many Christian parents of children with special needs desire for their children to attend church school where they can receive excellent opportunities to deepen spirituality in an environment that supports the values the parents seek to instill at home. We welcome Guy Legare, as a facilitator for our deeper understanding of the ways to be present to others, in order to best serve all God’s Children.”
Robyn Szoke-Coolidge, Dean, Stevenson School for Ministry
Cost is $10, which includes breakfast items and lunch.
- See more and register at: //www.diocesecpa.org/event/spiritual-formation-every-child
Giving To Others (GTO) deadline September 6
In addition to our usual grantees, the Program and Missions Committee is open to new organizations or individuals who may benefit from a grant through our Giving To Others program. If you would like to suggest an organization or individual, please see Lynne Mitchell, Wendy Day, or Pat Szabo by September 6. You'll need the name, address, and other contact information. If the organization has a brochure, that would also be helpful, as well as a suggested donation amount.
Parlor People to begin September 13, 11:00am – Noon
7-session series on the book, Radical Welcome: Embracing God, the Other and the Spirit of Transformation by The Rev
. Stephanie Spellers
We invite all adults to Parlor People, beginning September 13, after the service. We will be discussing the book, Radical Welcome by Episcopal priest, The Rev. Stephanie Spellers. Different people will lead each of the 7 sessions. If you’d like to read a chapter and lead a session, please see Rebecca, Bill Rohm, Susan Rice, or Jane Hoover. Some copies of the book will also be available if you'd like one. Let Rebecca know.
Heroin/Prescription Drug Addiction: A Perry County Problem, September 15, 8:30am - 3:30pm and Evening Forum 7-8:30pm, Family Life Center, 27W. Shortcut Rd., Newport.
Perry Human Services and The RASE Project are sponsoring this 1-day training for free regarding an important issue in our County. The program will be followed by an evening session of young people in recovery giving a message of hope. See the bulletin board in the undercroft for registration forms or contact Wendy Miller at 717-582-8703 or wmiller@perryhumanservices.org with your name, phone, email, school/agency if applicable and address. You only need to register for the day program.
September 26 auction to benefit the American Cancer Society
"Join Hands for Jeri" is a team that will walk in the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk on October 17 in Harrisburg. The team walks in memory of Michele Neibert's (Parish Administrator) Aunt Jeri who died of breast cancer at the age of 41.
The team works to raise thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society, not only through the walk, but also through fundraisers and an auction on September 26 at the Shermanata Grange. Plan now to attend the auction!
United Thankoffering Boxes Available. Help people in need around the world!
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. On June 26, all of those donation boxes added up to $1.5 million dollars in grants!
Pick up your box today and get the benefits that gratitude and thankfulness bring to you, and do great works for others at the same time! The next ingathering is November 1.
For more information, click here.
Pick up a t-shirt Bag to collect your Food Bank Donations!
Members of the ECW made t-shirt bags to use for your food bank donations. A bag is at the back of the church. Take an empty bag and bring it back full of food donations! For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, click here and then click on the wish list. Copies of the wish list are also available with the t-shirt bags.
And what a great use for t-shirts you're tired of wearing!
Brownies are needed to support Ann and Tony's feeding ministry.
Boxes of brownie mix are available in the Undercroft if you're willing to bake some brownies. Cut them into squares and put them in zip lock bags for Tony and Ann. 
Join Hands Items of the Month - August - School Supplies
Children need their school supplies, which can be quite a drain on a family's resources. Donate the following supplies:
lined notebook paper - college or wide
2-pocket folders with and without prongs
Flashdrives
Other school supplies - glue sticks, pens
Follow Join Hands on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Join-Hands-Ministry/155578531190411
Honor or Remember a loved one or a special occasion with flowers on the altar!
Flowers are enjoyed by the worshipping congregation on a Sunday and make a lovely remembrance of a birthday or anniversary or a loved one. Flowers are $35. 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. Most recently, the money supported lunch for the 100 children attending the St. Barnabas program at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Harrisburg.
Taking Action!
Most of us have a difficult time seeing how our faith connects to our government. Lobbying conjures up something bad for many of us. However, our faith can undergird and guide us to work through our governments for justice and peace. It's another way we bring God's reign here and now.
The Pennsylvania Council of Churches works with its diverse members to create an advocacy agenda, predominantly focused upon the Pennsylvania State Legislature. You can connect with them through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pennsylvania-Council-of-Churches-Advocacy/133182573363816?sk=info&tab=overview or through their website at //pachurchesadvocacy.org/weblog/
The Episcopal Public Policy Network focuses on issues at the federal level. You can connect with them at //advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheEPPN or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheEPPN or on Instagram https://instagram.com/theeppn/?ref=badge
Next Newsletter Deadline: August 19
