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Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Collect for Advent II, Book of Common Prayer, p. 211
Seems like there are always prophets. They are visionaries in some ways. They can see what is happening today and somehow see where our actions and behaviors can lead in the future. It's hard to listen to the prophets, because in some ways we are very optimistic people.
Recently I visited the Holiday Show at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. One part of the exhibit featured a fabrication of a Bowhead whale. These whales live in the Arctic and can live for over 200 years. Can you imagine living that long? Amazing!
Yet, I worry about these whales and all of our earth. I want to believe that we can reverse what's happening with the climate here on earth...changes that could make life for humans and so much of nature unable to survive and thrive.
Can we listen to the prophets of today and heed their warnings and forsake our sins?
Love,
Rebecca+
Announcements
Please include the following in your daily prayers.
Wendy, Jim, Marie, Tammy, Ken, Tootser, Wendy, Zoey, Heather, Kierra, Ann, Jason, the Hernandez family, Laura, Gary, Stephanie, Father Warne, Fran, Josh, Crew, Bob, Arthanel, Caverly, Marie, Sarah, Julie, Dalton, Marion, and Christina
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.
Flowers for Christmas.
Donations for Christmas flowers will be taken through December 11. If you have an envelope, you can use 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.
Join Hands Christmas Gifts should be returned to the church by today.
Help is needed to transport the gifts to Join Hands on Monday, December 5. If you can help, please let Darlene Amsler or Gail Shull know.
Collections for Neighbor Helping Neighbor Food Bank
We will be collecting one specific item each month for the Food Bank. In December items will be Birthday kits - cake mix, frosting, candles.
Joy to the Burg Albums and Greeting Cards are for sale!
Albums and Greeting Cards are available to purchase at www.JoyToTheBurg.com and select area retailers. Karns stores are carrying the album download packages, see the Joy to the Burg website for other retailers.
The Perry County Commissioners request that all Perry County residents take this short, anonymous survey on your typical commute patterns to Cumberland and Dauphin Counties by December 15.
The results will help inform new transportation options for Perry County residents! Go to: www.perryco.org/commute or call 814-865-4014.
Save the Date! Ruth and Esther | Epiphany 2023
For our journey through scripture this Epiphany, the Good Book Club will explore Ruth and Esther, books that explore the faithfulness and courage of two remarkable women. The stories of Ruth and Esther have much to teach us about the Hebrew concept of chesed, which means sacred kindness, as well as the willingness to be in sacrificial relationship with loved ones and our communities. Mark your calendars to join the Good Book Club with daily scripture readings, reflections, and teachings, from Epiphany, Friday, January 6, to Shrove Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
Financial donations will be accepted for the college boxes and cards and gift cards we send to college students. Please put College Boxes in the memo line.
Darlene will send a box in February and then a card and gift card to everyone in April. Students for boxes: Emily Davis, Mackenzie Murphy, Ethan Jezewski, Lillian Hoover. Additional Students for cards: Greg Neibert, Sarah Rice, Maddie Shepley, Hayden Shepley.
Volunteers Needed to Help with Newport Public Library Secret Santa, December 1 - 24.
The Secret Santa project at the Newport Public Library lets children find and wrap gifts for their family members. Families have appointments, so there is only 1 family in the shopping area at a time. Volunteers are needed to help children with choosing gifts and with helping them wrap the gifts. Volunteers serve for 2 – 4 hour shifts, which occur during regular library hours. If you are available to help, please contact the library at 717-567-6860.
Volunteers Needed to Help with Money in Your Pocket Free Tax Prep Program
Volunteers are needed to offer free tax preparation to help working families receive the federal and state tax credits they are eligible for. The service is offered through the Money in Your Pocket (MIYP) program, a community partnership led by United Way of the Capital Region that is committed to the economic stability of local families. No previous experience is required and training is provided. Volunteers are also needed to serve as greeters. For more info, contact Heidi Neuhaus at 717-724-4055 or hneuhaus@uwcr.org
