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Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height;
look towards the east,
and see your children gathered from west and east
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that God has remembered them. Baruch 5:5
A newer Advent hymn is People Look East. We will sing it this Sunday after hearing this selection from the Apocryphal book of Baruch. The scripture is one of great hope. Likewise, the hymn is lively and joyful.
One year a choir I was in was practicing this hymn. The Director encouraged us to be more lively in singing it. I mouthed off something about not being too excited about cleaning up the home, "make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table."
This time of year can be so very busy for us. It can be challenging to enjoy ourselves sometimes. And seeing all of the holiday lights and decorations always delights me.
Hopefully we can join in joyful anticipation of what is coming.
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
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 12. 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.
Please include the following in your daily prayers.
The Rev. Joe Mitchell, Scot, Meta, Tootser, Stephanie, Wendy, Scott, Father Bill Warne, Jane, Jamey, Wendy, Canon Bob Schiesler, Rev. Carla Christopher, Shelby, Shirley, Mike, Karen, Tracy, Dan, Josh, Roger, Jim, Marie, Cookie, Stella, Matthew, Anna, Linda, Mary Jeanne, Donald, Charles, Emily, Cindy, Jamie, Harry, Bob, Mary Jane and Mike.
Collections for Neighbor Helping Neighbor Food Bank
We will be collecting one specific item each month for the Food Bank. The item for the month of December is a Birthday Cake Package - cake mix, frosting, candles wrapped in a foil pan.
For Juniata County Food Pantry:
By Mail: PO Box 44 - 114 North Main St, Mifflintown PA 17059
Drop off food donations at this address on Tuesdays 9am-5pm or Saturdays 9am-noon.
Help fill our community food pantry!
Items that seem to be taken first include canned pasta meals, soups, and macaroni and cheese. Vegetables don't seem to get taken. Also, please don't use this as an opportunity to clear out your pantry if at all possible.
Join Altar Guild!
As an altar guild member, you will be on a team of 2-3 people to set up the altar and clean up after the service. Your team will serve once a month, as well as once a year on the 5th Sunday. There may also be services during the week for Ash Wednesday or Holy Week or Christmas Eve. Training provided. Speak to one of the Altar Guild members or contact Michele if you would like to join.
If you would like consecrated communion elements for your home use, please let Rebecca know.
You can pick them up at the church or we can make arrangements for drop off.
Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry discusses the year ahead for The Episcopal Church Thursday, December 9, 2021, 6pm.
The 60-minute event will include a moderated panel discussion, followed by a Q & A session. Registration is free, but required at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qHoWjoNoTG6_pe9dSO_kxQ?bbeml=tp-kZu-uZr-i0SdHnj_R20rnA.jBXnxa4lwzUelBNJStcfKBQ.rbzPMWWToKkORVEJlQxBncw.lxlRwufF0nUOFTzC-c87qbQ
Diocesan Digital Advent Calendar
The diocese has designed a 2021 digital Advent Calendar. The calendar will be composed of photos, prayers, and resources. Every day in Advent, a new window will open online. We hope that this project will help us feel connected in this challenging season. Beginning November 28, you will be able to visit https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=e7c67b1725cb5a51f469ae446ee01106 to participate.
Perry County Literacy Council Online Auction, Sunday, December 5 – Sunday, December 12, PCLC Facebook Page
Auction items will include gift certificates for goods and services, artwork, crafts, gift baskets and more.
Joy To The Burg
Local musicians have united again in 2021 to create the third annual Joy to the Burg Christmas album to benefit people experiencing homelessness. Albums are on sale now at Karns or http://www.joytotheburg.com/ and proceeds will support the homelessness programs of Christian Churches United (CCU) in Harrisburg.
Driving PA Forward Coalition is collecting letters in support of legislation allowing people to use a Tax ID number to get a driver’s license.
Sample forms are in the undercroft. Return to Rebecca by December 12.
De-Colonizing Christ Visual Arts Exhibit, Riverfront Gallery, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, 221 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Sundays through December 19, 12 – 3pm, free admission.
The exhibit presents 28 original works of visual art, which all present Jesus of Nazareth as a man who is not European. As part of our ongoing work toward dismantling racist systems and working toward racial justice, the Cathedral has envisioned this exhibit as an opportunity to consider Christ through images western Christian churches do not experience very often.
Afghan Resettlement Donations Needed
Donate food items for incoming refugee families including Aahubarah or Basmati Rice, Split Green Lentil, Orange Lentil, Yellow Lentil, Kidney Beans (dry or canned), Chickpeas (dry or canned), Pinto Beans and Peas (canned), Peanut Butter, Jelly or Jam, Sugar, Flour, Green Tea, Tomato Sauce or Paste, Pasta (all varieties), Potatoes (canned), Oils (Corn, Vegetable, Soybean), Salt, Black Pepper, and Cumin. New or lightly used cookware, pots, and pans, and Cleaning Kits containing (new item) dish soap, bathroom cleaner, sponges/paper towels, laundry detergent, trash bags, all packed in a large trash can or Toiletry Kits containing (new item) 4 rolls of toilet paper, shampoo, body wash or soap bars, 7 toothbrushes, 2 tubes of toothpaste, pads, shaving cream, and razors all packed in a small trash can are also needed. Place donated items in the box at the back of the church. If you have questions, please see Rebecca.
The Pennsylvania Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Network (PAIRWN) is seeking volunteers to work with immigrant and refugee students and families in Harrisburg area schools through our Family Advocacy Program.
Volunteers are needed to provide homework assistance, one-on-one interpretation for parents at school meetings and events (interpreters for Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, Nepali and French are especially needed), assist with setting up and running workshops to be provided once a month for parents on topics such as school policies, enrollment, standardized testing, college prep, healthcare and health insurance, immigrant and refugee rights, and other topics. Bi-lingual volunteers are especially welcomed. All State clearances are required. To learn more contact Carolyn Joy Patterson at carolynj.patterson@comcast.net or to volunteer, contact Family Advocacy Program Volunteer Coordinator, Amy Kimmel at missamy531@gmail.com
Help People in Need when you buy your Groceries!
See Gail Shull or Pat Szabo or call and stop by the office 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.
