Loading...Christ be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Hymn: Longing for Light: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJq3bhdgQoc
This Sunday is New Year's Day for church. It's the first Sunday in Advent and we are fortunate to have our Bishop make her visit, which includes the confirmation of Lillian, Ethan and Sophia.
The young people have helped plan the service, choosing the scripture and the hymns. The words above are the refrain from our first hymn. It not only reflects our Advent season, but also the prayer we make as Christians. It is especially poignant as we support and witness the confirmations, renewing our own baptismal vows in the process.
I hope many of you will be able to attend this important occasion for Lillian, Ethan and Sophia. If you cannot attend, I ask that you pray for these young people and for our life together as the church.
May Christ always be your light, shining in your heart...
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
Grow In Faith Together (G.I.F.T)
There will be no Parlor People today.
Parlor People will resume on December 10 with a discussion on Thomas Merton, led by Jane Hoover.
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Godly Play will be December 10 and 17.
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Living Well Through Advent 2017 Practicing Wonder With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind guides are available at the back of the church.
The guide provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Advent and prepares us for the true meaning of Christmas. Feel free to pick up a copy.
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At Church of the Nativity
Today we welcome The Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan to our church.
All loose offering will be donated to the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund. You can also make a check out and put Bishop’s Discretionary Fund in the memo line. Ethan, Lilly and Sophia will be confirmed. A luncheon will follow the service.
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Today we take an additional offering for Caring for Nativity’s Neighbors Heating and Health.
Donations are sent to Join Hands, so people in our community have support for their needs.
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Flowers for Christmas.
Donations for Christmas flowers will be taken through December 10. If you have an envelope, you can use it for the donation, including marking if they are “in honor of” or “in memory of” someone. There are also envelopes at the back of the church.
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Donations being accepted for new organ!
Vestry has approved expenditures up to $60,000. The sale of some Orrstown Bank Stock provided $35,500 towards this, leaving $24,000 to be raised. Envelopes are at the back of the church if you would like to defray the cost.
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Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
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Join Us For Breakfast!
Men's breakfast - Every Wednesday, 9am, Espresso Yourself Cafe.
Women's breakfast – every Wednesday, 9am, Bitting’s.
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The choir practices Wednesday at 10:15am.
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Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Rotary Club 5th Annual Beat the Rush Holiday Fund Raiser, Friday, December 15, 7-10pm,
The Landis House, 67 N. 4th Street, Newport.
Door prizes, silent auction, live auction, 50/50 raffle, desserts, appetizers and cocktails.
$20 per person. See Rebecca if you would like tickets.
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Join Hands Items of the Month –
Clothing (especially infant and toddler, hats, gloves, scarves, socks), toiletries, household cleaning supplies, blankets, quilts, towels, wash clothes.
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Thank you to everyone for sponsoring a child/family for the Join Hands Christmas program.
We are reaching 45 children! Please remember to bring your gifts to church in the bag provided. Gifts do not need to be wrapped, but it is nice to provide gift boxes & wrap or gift bags. Due date is December 10. Thank you so much!
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Music by the River performance “Handel’s Messiah” by the Bach Choir of Baltimore,
Sat. Dec. 9, 2pm, St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral, 221 North Front Street, Harrisburg.
Tickets are $25. Visit www.musicbytheriver.org to purchase tickets.
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Lebanon County Choral Society Concert, Sunday, December 10, 3pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 22 South 6th Street, Lebanon.
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“Home for the Holidays” Concert with The Eaken Trio, Sunday, December 17, 6pm,
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 22 South 6th Street, Lebanon.
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December Services
Sunday, December 10
Advent II, Advent Lessons and Carols. A service of scripture and hymns, with Eucharist.
Sunday, December 17
Advent III, Greening of the Church and potluck.
Sunday, December 24
9:30am – Advent IV quiet Eucharist at Nativity – cookies and coffee after the service.
4:00pm – Christmas Eve Family Service with Eucharist, St. Stephen’s
10:30pm – Christmas Eve with Eucharist at Nativity. Hymns and music from 10:30-11:00pm.
Monday, December 25
9:30am – Christmas service.
Sunday, December 31
Christmas Lessons and Carols
