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And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Genesis 45:2-3
Families can be difficult. We feel like "blood is thicker than water," that our blood family should mean more to us than those outside of our family. Yet, we all know this is not always true. Some of us have experienced the distances and breaks in our own families. I'm sure we all know someone who lives in difficult family situations.
Our Bible is full of these difficult family stories and this Sunday is no different. We hear the end of the cliffhanger we heard last week when Joseph's brothers sold him to some traders. Initially they were going to kill him.
But Joseph survives this ordeal and has some terrible experiences, but ultimately rises to a position that now allows him to save his brothers and his family from starving to death. He recognizes his brothers when they come to see if they can come into Egypt since there is famine in their own land. They, however, do not recognize him.
Even though his brothers had sold him away from his family, Joseph is so excited to see them and to be reconnected to them. We hear that when he was able to tell them who he was, he wept so loudly that his cries were heard through the home of Pharoah.
Of course, the brothers were confused and dismayed. Would Joseph seek revenge and payback for what they had done to him? No, Joseph wanted to repair the relationship. He wanted to reconcile with them. He forgave them.
Reconciliation and repairing relationships is difficult and sometimes involves accepting difficult truths about ourselves. Yet, in the end, we are saved.
Love,
Rebecca+
Announcements
Please include the following in your daily prayers.
Wendy, Jim, Tammy, Zoey, Vanessa, Terry, Quentin, Shirley, Bonnie, Frank, Alex, Jorden, Deago, Darryl, Karen, Kathy, Kierra, Jeannie, Trabajara, Jason, Johnny and Sophia.
Rebecca is away through Monday, August 28. Please contact Jill Hoover if you are in need of pastoral care at 717-979-0180.
Collections for Neighbor Helping Neighbor Food Bank
The August items are: Cake Mixes, Frosting, Paper Towels and Napkins.
Help fill our community food pantry!
Items that seem to be taken first include canned pasta meals, soups, and macaroni and cheese. Vegetables don't seem to get taken.
Suggestions for Giving To Others (GTO) Funds.
If you have a new recommendation for GTO funding, please contact Wendy Day, Darlene Amsler or Sue Beamer. We are planning to give away $20,000 once again.
Help set up and staff our table at Canal Day, Saturday, October 7.
Help is needed to get the materials, table and chairs to and from our location. Set up is 8am and take down is 3pm. Help is also needed to staff the table. Can be for an hour at a time. Let Rebecca know if you can help.
Partner with Episcopal Relief & Development to provide support to people affected by the deadly fires in Hawaiʻi.
Visit episcopalrelief.org today to make a contribution.
Join Hands Christmas Sponsorship
Are you able to sponsor a child (or children) through the Join Hands Christmas program this year? Please let Darlene, Susan or Gail know how many you will be able to help with by August 30.
Join the leadership team for Nativity.
Positions open beginning January 1, 2024 are:
Vestry - 3 positions for 3-year terms from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026. Vestry meets 10 times a year via Zoom for 1 1/2 to 2 hours at a time convenient to the members.
Delegate and Alternate to 2024 Diocesan Convention - The convention is usually held in October on Friday night through Saturday. A business meeting is held via Zoom on Thursday evening prior. There are also 2 Convocation meetings, one in June and one in the fall prior to convention.
If you are interested in any of these positions, see Wendy Day or Jill Hoover who are the nominating Committee.
Join Hands is in need of volunteer receptionists to help assist answering the phone and greet clients as they enter.
Two volunteers are needed every day up front to help keep up with the volume of clients calling, walking in the doors, etc. Anyone interested and willing to give their time on a certain day each week and work as a team with the other ladies would be greatly appreciated. Visit the Join Hands website and click on the volunteer registration tab to complete the application. We do require some background checks for all volunteers working at our office on a daily basis.
https://joinhands.help/donate-your-time
Save the Date - 2023 Join Hands Ministry BINGO, Saturday, October 21, The Dream at Bloomfield Stables, 2420 Cold Storage Road, New Bloomfield
Open to any interested donors who want to help support our mission. More information will be shared as the time gets closer– including: Prizes, Food, and Time!
Baked Goods Donations Needed for Join Hands BINGO Fundraiser
The baked good items would need to be delivered to Join Hands on Thursday, October 19 from 9am to 1pm OR delivered directly to the Dream Barn on Saturday, October 21 between 1pm and 3pm. If anyone is interested and intends to donate please let Rebecca or Michele know so we can pass the info along to Brooke at Join Hands. It will also be helpful to know if you plan to package items individually or if Join Hands will need supplies to separate them for individual sale.
Perry County Chamber of Commerce Limited Edition Puzzle.
The first limited edition puzzle is Clay’s Bridge located in Little Buffalo State Park, Newport. Each year they will select a different landmark in Perry County to feature. Puzzles will be available for purchase at the Chamber office at 9 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield, at upcoming local events, and via their online store for $25 each + tax. Only 500 will be available for purchase. Once they are gone, they are gone!
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. Let Michele know by email – chnatss@pa.net or phone, 717-567-6514.
Plan now to attend the Love Rose Gold Gala on Sunday, September 17, 2-4pm, Manor at Mountain View, 2201 Fishing Creek Valley Rd, Harrisburg PA 17112.
Tickets are $100. Proceeds benefit the Dr. George H. and Mrs. Hettie S. Love "Love of Learning" Scholarship, a fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC). The scholarship was created by the Bishop Baxter Chapter, Union of Black Episcopalians to support people of color entering the field of education. The first scholarships were awarded in 2022. For more information see: https://www.drlovescholarship.org/news-events/ or ask Rebecca.
Holy Land Pilgrimage, November 14 - 25, 2024
You are invited to join other pilgrims from the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Together, we will visit the places of his birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection. Our experienced personal guide Iyad Qumri, will lead us in exploring ancient places, vibrant markets, and modern museums in a land that is suspended between East and West, past and present. For more information contact Rev. Anjel Scarborough at 717-473-0045 or rector@allsaints38.com or Rev. Deacon Stuart Scarborough at 717-585-0576 or scarboroughstuart7@gmail.com
Stars and Stripes Cornhole Tournament Benefitting the Newport Ambulance League, Saturday, September 16, Registration at 11am, Perry County Fairgrounds
2 player teams, $50 per team. Cash prizes. Raffles, 50/50, vendors and food and drink available for purchase. Contact Lisa Wyant at 717-275-5952 or visit Stars & Stripes Cornhole of Central Pa on FB.
