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I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:6
This Sunday we will have a service of Advent Lessons and Carols. We won't hear the typical lectionary readings. If we did follow the readings, we would hear the lovely prayer of Paul for the people of the church in Philippi, found in chapter 3 verses 3-11.
In verse 6 Paul shows his confidence in the Christian community at Philippi. Paul knows without a doubt that there are good works happening in this community and that with God's help, those works will come to completion as Jesus comes again.
This verse reminds us that the good works of our parish began when the first people started meeting in 1875. There were good works then and in every year since then. Oh yes, I'm sure there were difficult times, yet good works continued. There were organizations started. There was a youth choir. The two low-income apartment complexes were built. I'm sure there were hundreds of acts of charity, thousands of prayers said, services of worship to God, and the rites of life - baptism, confirmation, weddings and funerals.
For nearly the first 100 years, the participation of women was limited. For even longer, the participation of people who were Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender was severely limited, if not totally unwelcome.
Good works were begun by God in 1875 and continue to be done in our time and for all time.
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play will be today and December 16.
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The next Parlor People session will be Christmas Art led by Dick Price on December 16.
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At Church of the Nativity
Today during Coffee Hour, we’ll prepare Christmas cards and packet of cocoa for the residents of the Episcopal Commons and Honaman House.
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December Services
Sunday, December 23, 9:30am – Christmas Pageant followed by decorating of the church and Pot Luck.
Monday, December 24, 4:00pm – Christmas Eve Family Service with Eucharist, St. Stephen’s
10:30pm – Christmas Eve Service with Eucharist at Nativity. Hymns and music from 10:30-11:00pm.
Sunday, December 30, 9:30am – Christmas Lessons and Carols
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Christmas Pageant practices will take place after church on the following dates - today and December 16.
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Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
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Upcoming Meetings
Thursday, December 13, 7pm, Friends of Newport Game Night
Wednesday, January 9, 10:30am, Sabbatical Committee Meeting
Saturday, January 12, 9:30am – 12:30pm, Diocesan Eliminating Racism Task Group
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Join Us For Breakfast!
Wednesdays at 9am. Women will meet at Bitting’s this week; Men meet at Espresso Yourself.
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Flowers for Christmas.
Donations for Christmas flowers will be taken through today. 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.
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Baking needs and chocolate items available through Equal Exchange.
See the cart in the parish hall. We are 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.
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Pledge payments should be made by December 23 to be credited for 2018.
If you would like pledge envelopes for next year, please let Michele know if you didn’t indicate it on your pledge form.
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From the Diocese
Evening Prayer service to support people who are LGBT, Wednesdays, December 12 and 19, 5:30pm, St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Free parking at Dauphin County Bus Association.
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Bishop Out of the Box Live Nativity Scene, Wednesday, December 19, 4 – 8pm, St. Andrew's in the Valley, Harrisburg.
Volunteers are needed, both to dress in costume (costumes provided), as well as to be greeters, traffic control, set up and clean up. If you would like to volunteer, please see Rebecca for volunteer opportunities and shift times.
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Blue Christmas Service, Wednesday, December 19, 6:30pm, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, 221 N Front Street, Harrisburg.
The Blue Christmas services are a brief communion service designed to support those for whom the holidays are not especially joyful. A reception is to follow. For questions or more details, contact The Rev. Deacon Shayna Watson at swatson@ststep.org
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Community Events and Opportunities for Service
The Newport Revitalization and Preservation Society’s 80th Anniversary Open House, Sunday, December 9, 2 - 5pm, celebrating the Louise Beard Memorial, 129 North 2nd Street.
Please come for refreshments and cake for the celebration of the Louise Beard Memorial.
The Museum at the Louise Beard Memorial houses a wonderful collection of Newport memorabilia including advertising from early merchants, clothing worn to gala social events, furniture, photographs and mementos from the family’s travels.
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Toys for Perry County Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 9, 2 and 7pm, Christ Lutheran Church, 46 West High Street, New Bloomfield
Please bring an unwrapped new toy in its original packaging. The choir will be accompanied by brass, woodwinds, strings and handbells. Refreshments to follow in the Parish House.
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Historical Society of Perry County Annual Worship Service at Fairview Church, 5955 Big Springs Road, Blain, Friday, December 21, 7pm.
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