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Turn now, O God of hosts, look down from heaven;
behold and tend this vine; *
preserve what your right hand has planted. Psalm 80:14
How's your garden doing? This week at the church garden, a critter has been eating our winter squash. It's a smart animal, taking little bites to determine which squash are ripe and then eating the ripest ones. And while the tomato harvest has been plentiful, some have been eaten by the bugs. These are the foibles of our backyard gardens.
Yet, there's also a surprise in our garden. A small finch built a nest right in the tomato plants! The little birds have hatched and their eyes have opened. Earlier, a bird built a nest in the pea crop.
The Bible is filled with references to agriculture, because the people of the time readily understood these references. In our Psalm this week, the people of Israel are portrayed as a vine. The people are going through rough times and ask God to take care of the vine that was carefully planted by God.
Our carefully planted and tended gardens produce abundantly, even if we cannot harvest it all. And sometimes there are even greater surprises of life within.
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play and Parlor People will resume September 8.
At Church of the Nativity
Today is the Blessing of the Backpacks.
Teachers and students are invited to bring their backpacks to be blessed.
Bob Schiesler will preach and preside August 25 and September 1.
The Rev. Canon Robert Alan Schiesler is a native of Bellefonte, PA. He was ordained priest in 1979. He holds degrees in ministry and theology, including the Ph.D. Canon Bob has served in a number of dioceses including as Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral, Iowa and Rector of St. Marks pro cathedral church, Michigan. In 2006, he was named a Canon of Honor in the Episcopal church. In 2017, Queen Elisabeth ll awarded him the honor of Order of St. John for distinguished ministry.
Rebecca will be on vacation Monday, August 19 – Friday, September 6.
For pastoral emergencies during the week of August 19, please contact Shannon at 717-801-8899. After August 25, please contact Bob Schiesler at 717-982-4000, 717-982-4048 or R.schiesler@comcast.net
The church office will be closed Wednesday, August 21.
On Sunday, September 1 services will be held at St. Stephen’s in Thompsontown.
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, September 4, after breakfast, Program and Mission Committee GTO Meeting
September 8, 5pm, Rainbow Club
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 Newport Family Restaurant 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
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 will host Pilgrimage to Scotland 2020!
Join our cathedrals as we travel with Thin Places Mystical Tours from May 15-24, 2020. Airfare and travel insurance are not included in the cost. Individuals will be responsible for their travel to and from Edinburgh, Scotland. Wheelchair accessibility limited in most places and terrain is often uneven. Contact The Rev. Shayna Watson once you registered or if you have questions, swatson@ststep.org, 717-236-4059. Follow this link for detailed itinerary and Payment instructions for "The Monk's Trail." https://thinplacestour.com/monks-trail-scotland-tour-2020/
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
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.
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!
Harmony Walk, Sunday, September 15, 2pm at the entrance to Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church, 2447 Green Street, Harrisburg and ending at Hadee Mosque, 245 Division Street, Harrisburg.
The walk route includes Jewish, Christian, and Islamic houses of worship. At each stop, a leader will share words of wisdom about the values of unity and harmony. People of all religions, including Buddhist, Baha’i, Hindu, Sikh, and those of no specific faith are invited. A bus will be provided at Goodwin Memorial for individuals with walking difficulty. Parking is available at Goodwin Memorial and Hadee Mosque. A light early dinner will be provided by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, at the end of the walk. For additional information, please contact Rev. Cynthia Mara at interfaithcenter@juno.com or Behzad Zandieh at bzandieh@hotmail.com
Central PA Youth Ministries 17 Annual Adult Fundraising Dinner, Sunday, September 29, 6pm, Newport Family Life Center
RSVP by Monday, September 9 at bestestbuds@gmail.com
Christian Churches United Celebration Banquet, Thursday, November 7, 5:30pm, Best Western Premier, 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg.
The 2019 United In Love banquet will feature a fun, interactive reception, silent auction, powerful testimonies of the impact of our programs, the music of local folk band Seasons, and a dynamic talk by Joseph Robinson, Jr. Tickets are $50. Early Bird Discount before September 30 - $40 per ticket.
