Loading...Give the King your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the King's Son; Psalm 72:1
The Psalm we say this week, Psalm 72, is one of the "royal" Psalms used to honor, pray for or crown a King. We do not have a King in the United States; however, one of the things the Episcopal Church retained when it broke away from England, was praying for the leaders in our government...praying for our President, in our case.
It is especially fitting to recite this Psalm this Sunday as our current President, Barack Obama, completes his term of office and Donald Trump prepares to take office.
We pray fervently that our President will be guided by God's Justice. We pray fervently the prayer in verse 4:
He shall defends the needy among the people;
He shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
Because that's what God's justice demands of our President, our elected leaders and of us. We must defend the needy among us. We must rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
We must hold our elected leaders accountable to this thousands year old responsibility. We must hold ourselves accountable to this thousands year old responsibility.
One way to do this work is to sign up to receive emails from The Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) //advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/action You can find many issues upon which to take action and express your views. You can write your own letters. Each week, emails come providing information on important topics, as well as ways to take action.
How do you think we're doing?
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
This Sunday, we commission the Lay Readers in our Parish.They read the lessons and Prayers of the People. Thank you for you ministry. Suzanne Beamer, Jill Brownfield, Becky Crup, John Cramer, Kay Cramer, Wendy Day, Marion Fluchere, Jane Hoover, Julie Johnson, Joanne Pinaire, Dick Price, Mary Price, Susan Rice, Ann Roland, Bill Rohm, Gail Shull, Jean Tuzinski and Janice Yocum.
Parlor People, Sunday, 11am – noon. Todd Saner will lead our continuing discussion on Practicing Simplicity with all of your soul. Next Sunday, Kay Cramer will lead the discussion on practicing simplicity with all of your strength, which concludes this series.
All adults are welcome to participate in Parlor People nearly every Sunday. See our Christian Formation page for more information.
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast - Wednesday, December 14, 9am,
Upcoming Meetings
This Sunday, 1:00pm Racism Awareness Group
December 11, noon, Worship Committee Meeting
Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Advent Lessons and Carols led by the choir of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Lebanon, this Sunday, 4pm. Once again, St. Luke’s choir under the direction of Bill Claxton, will lead us in this service of lessons and hymns of preparation for the birth of the Christ child. A dinner will follow. If you can help with the dinner, please let Sue Beamer know.
Practicing Simplicity with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength is our Advent devotional booklet. Pick up a copy at the back of the church or go online at https://www.flipsnack.com/ebraeger/advent-2016.html. This book is the focus of our Advent Parlor People series.
Poinsettias for Christmas. Donations due by December 11. 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. There are also additional envelopes at the back of the church.
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 enjoy a relaxing holiday evening at Carson Long's beautiful 1840 Maples, complete with 50-50, door prizes, silent auction, and live auction. Proceeds 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. THANKS Kevin for building the cart!
Let Rebecca know if you’d like her to come visit. She can come to your home or another location you suggest. This helps her to know you better and hopefully you will also know her a little better. Let Rebecca know your availability on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday days or evenings and she'll be in touch to arrange a time to get together. You can send an email to her at nativityrector@pa.net or leave a message at the church at 717-567-6514.
Help people in need around the world! A Thankoffering box is available by the coffee pots in the kitchen if you'd like to make donations that way. United Thankoffering is a project of the Episcopal Church Women of The Episcopal Church. Boxes are available to collect your offering, which is brought to church twice a year. A wonderful spiritual practice is to put something in the box each time you are thankful to God. If possible, count the money in your box and write a check to the church in that amount.
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.
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.
