Loading...The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
This Sunday, we'll be saying Canticle 15, The Magnificat, instead of a Psalm. You may remember this as Mary's greeting to her cousin Elizabeth, when Mary visited Elizabeth.
This canticle is part of the normal Evening Prayer service, something that is said every time there is Evening Prayer. It is also an option during Morning Prayer. In essence, this Canticle is important in our faith.
I believe it's because it's a great summary of what it means to follow Jesus and the hope we have in Jesus. The hungry eat, the rich are sent away. The proud are brought down, the mighty are brought down and the lowly are raised up.
This canticle is about the hope we have as Christians and the faith we have in God's promises.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Bulletin (published on Thursday)
Parlor People, Sunday, 11am – noon. All adults are welcome to participate in Parlor People nearly every Sunday. See our Christian Formation page for more information. Kay Cramer leads our final discussion on Practicing Simplicity with all of your strength. Next week we will participate in decorating the church for Christmas.
Godly play is this Sunday.
Next Sunday, December 18, we decorate the church. A soup lunch will follow. A sign-up sheet for bringing food for lunch will be available this Sunday.
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast - Wednesday, December 14, 9am, May’s Railside Grill.
Upcoming Meetings
This Sunday, noon, Worship Committee Meeting
Choir Practice The Choir will practice this Wednesday, December 14 at 10:15am.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service. There will be no Taize' on December 27.
Christmas Eve Services
4pm, St. Stephen’s, Thompsontown
10:30pm, The Church of the Nativity, Newport
Please pray for our confirmands.
O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of Ethan, Lily and Sophia ready to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Book of Common Prayer, p. 819.
Please say yes if Lily, Ethan or Sophia asks to interview you during coffee hour today. They will ask the following questions: When you were little, what church did you go to? Where and how often? When did you start going to church? Why do you think church is important? Why do you worship God?
Poinsettias for Christmas. Donations due this Sunday.
If you’d like poinsettias for Christmas Eve and Christmas in memory or honor of a loved one, please let us know. If you use envelopes, there is one for December 11 that allows you to include the memorial or honor.
Toys for Perry County Christmas Cantata, Invitation to a Miracle. Sunday, December 11, 2pm and 7pm, Christ Lutheran Church, 46 W. High Street, New Bloomfield, PA.
Bring an unwrapped new toy in its original packaging.
Beat the Rush, Friday, Dec. 16, 7-10pm, The Maples, New Bloomfield. This fun event allows you to taste and vote for your favorite appetizers, desserts and cocktails. Bring your quarters - or folding money – and en-joy a relaxing holiday evening at Carson Long's beautiful 1840 Maples, complete with 50-50, door prizes, silent auction, and live auction. Pro-ceeds benefit local Rotary scholarships and community programs. Tickets are $20.
Prayer Shawl Ministry of Newport meets December 29, 10-11:30am, Church of the Nativity. Bring your yarn projects and also learn how to knit or crochet.
The Rolands are taking donations of adult coats. If you have any suitable for giving, please bring them to church.
Baking needs and chocolate items available through Equal Exchange. See the cart in the parish hall. We are now a wholesaler for Equal Exchange, a company that supports small farmers who use sustainable practices for chocolate, cocoa, coffee, tea, nuts, olive oil and other baking items. A price list and basket are available to pay for the items you choose to buy. Also, be sure to write down what you’ve purchased to help us maintain our inventory. A catalogue is also available. If there’s an item you’d like us to order, please see Jane Hoover.
Join Hands Needs Volunteers to Help Re-do their Office Space. Join Hands needs 10+ people on Tuesday, Dec 20, 12pm to 3pm to help them move their office contents out so new carpet can be laid and Tuesday, January 3, 9am to 1pm, to help them move their office contents back into the office and rearrange for better efficiency. They also need a volunteer/professional to paint their office a new color sometime between December 20 and January 2. They will pay for the supplies. Contact Join Hands at 582-7844 if you are able to help.
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.
Canned vegetables, fruit, nut butters and protein are always needed.
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.
