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Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Collect for the First Sunday After Christmas, BCP p. 213
When I learned the rite of Baptism in seminary, we were told to pour lots of water and lots of oil on the person...to bathe the person in the water and the oil. This was demonstrated to us at a community eucharist when a baby was baptized. I thought of that lavish pouring of water and oil when I read this Collect for the first Sunday after Christmas.
God is with us, Emmanuel. God has poured God's light upon us in a lavish way. We take this beautiful and generous light of love into our hearts and the light then shines out of us through our words, actions, and very lives.
May you bathe in the beautiful light of Christ and shine Christ's love for all to see.
Many blessings as you finish your week.
Happy and blessed 2020!
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play will be January 12, 19 and 26.
Parlor People will resume on January 5 with discussions on the Gospel of John.
At Church of the Nativity
Today we take an additional offering for our Building Fund.
The money donated helps us pay down our mortgage and pay for major repairs.
On January 5, we will un-decorate the church.
Upcoming Meetings
Each Sunday, 4pm, Perry County PRIDE
Thursday, January 2, 10am, Stitchers
Join Us For Breakfast! Wednesdays at 9am.
Next breakfast will be January 8. Women will meet at Bitting’s. Men meet at Espresso Yourself Café.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm. Next service will be January 7.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Wednesday, January 8, Commons activity, Board games and lunch.
See Wendy, Sue or Lynne if you’d like to help.
From the Diocese
Discipleship Learning Day, Saturday, January 11, 9am – 3pm, St. Stephen Lutheran Church,
New Kingston
The Stevenson School for Ministry in partnership with the Lower Susquehanna Synod-ELCA will offer a spiritual practice learning day. Presenters will be The Rev. Marsha Roscoe, The Rev. Richard Jorgensen and The Rev. Canon Chris Streeter. Cost is $35. Register at: https://www.cvent.com/events/discipleship-learning-day/registration-0521c77a70d14323b96a14ccf9016e2d.aspx?fqp=true
The Stevenson School for Ministry offers Shaped by Faith Learning Opportunities
On-line learning opportunities will be offered January 9 – February 22. Visit https://diocesecpa.prg/shaped-by-faith-courses/ to register.
