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Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.’ Isaiah 6:2-3
For a number of years, my parents would go south for about a month. One year I met them in Hilton Head. One of the places I visited was Penn Center on St. Helena's Island. This center has preserved the African culture of the people who were enslaved in the area. The culture is known as Gullah. Penn Center served as a meeting place for groups during the civil rights movement. It was a retreat center for The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the people who worked with him.
During the visit, I bought a recording by Marlena Smalls and the Hallelujah Singers, entitled, "Gullah: Songs of Hope, Faith and Freedom." Throughout the recording, Dr. Smalls explains the meaning of these songs to the people who were enslaved. Some of the pieces require careful listening, because they are sung in the Gullah language, a combination of English and West and Central African languages.
One of my favorite songs on the recording is "Holy, Holy, Holy." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4FtOsWd1iI) We often sing this song on Trinity Sunday. It is #362 in our hymnal. This hymn is one of tremendous praise and worship to God.
This Sunday, we hear about a fantastic vision Isaiah had about God. God sits on a throne. The hem of his robe fills the temple. And there are these unusual creature, Seraphs, flying around one to another, constantly singing praises to God: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory."
Before Dr. Smalls and the Hallelujah singers sing this song, Dr. Smalls explains that even through the horrors of slavery, the people sang praises to God; the people understood the glory of God. In other words, people always remembered that even if their fellow human beings despised them and oppressed them, God in all of God's glory, loved them and cared for them.
May we, too, sing praises to God and see God's Glory!
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play will be today for the younger group, and February 17 and 24 for both groups.
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Today at Parlor People, Issues of Aging led by Elizabeth Place and Adam Britcher.
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At Church of the Nativity
Today we observe African-American History Month.
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Next week Sue Beamer leads Morning Prayer.
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Wednesday, February 13, Commons, 11am - 1pm, lunch and Valentine’s craft.
If you’re able to help, please see Wendy, Sue or Lynne.
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Epipha-tea, Saturday, February 16, 1pm, (meet at the church at noon to carpool to Mary Price’s). Snow date is Saturday, February 23.
Please bring a food item to share.
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Friday, February 22, 5:30-8pm, Family movie night.
The movie is Charlotte's Web, which is the one community book for Newport School District this year. We'll have pizza and drinks between 5:30 and 6, with movie beginning about 6. Bring snacks to share.
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Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, February 13, Vestry Meeting, 6pm
Saturday, February 23, 9:30am – 12:30pm, Diocesan Eliminating Racism Task Group
Thursday, February 28, Friends of Newport Game Night, 7-10pm.
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Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
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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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Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Grief Share, Thursdays beginning March 7, 6:30 – 8:30pm, Veterans Memorial Building, 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield.
This 13 week program provides help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend. To register, call 717-536-0163 or email Revboehm@yahoo.com by February 28. Cost is $15 for the participant workbook. Sponsored by the West Perry Ministerium.
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The Greenwood High School Theater is performing Peter Pan, March 7 – 10.
Sophia Jezewski will be in the musical. Please see Rebecca if you’d like to go.
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Ministerium Lenten soup supper series, Wednesdays, March 13, 20, 27 and April 3 and 10, 5:30pm.
The theme is The Way of Love.
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Salute Your Hometown Hero by Sponsoring a Newport Revitalization and Preservation Society Veteran’s Banner.
Banners will be placed along Market and Second Streets May 16 – June 15 and October 10 – November 12 for two years and then presented to the sponsor. Cost is $75 and will be processed on a first come first serve basis. Checks should be made payable to NRPS and mailed to PO Box 13, Newport, PA 17074. Veteran’s photo can be sent to Artistic Image,
211 N. 4th Street, Newport, PA 17074 or digitally to sales@aiscreenprinting.net. Please contact Frank at 717-418-2779 with any questions.
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Sponsors Needed for the Perry County Bicentennial Plaza
The plaza will be part of the 69-acre Lynn Sheaffer Dum Memorial Park near Elliottsburg and will feature markers relating the history of Perry County from before European settlement to present. Checks can be mailed to PCBC 2020, PO Box 13, Newport, PA 17074. For more info, visit www.PerryCountyHeritageTrail.com
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Prayer Shawl Ministry of Newport meets the last Thursday of the month, 10am.
Bring your projects and also learn how to knit or crochet.
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Food Bank Donations are needed!
For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, go to their website at http://www.perrycountyfoodbank.org/ and click on their wish list. Canned vegetables, fruit, nut butters and protein are always needed.
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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.
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From the Diocese
Absalom Jones Day Service and Celebration, Saturday, February 16, 10am, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral,
221 N. Front Street, Harrisburg.
Join The Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan and The Rt. Rev. Nathan Baxter, Retired Bishop, as they officiate the service, followed by the essay awards and hear the winners read their essays. Please RSVP by February 10 to Karen Love, klove7511@gmail.com
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A New Beginning #2, Retreat for Youth in Grades 6-8, Friday, April 5, 2019 – Sunday, April 7, 2019, Camp Mount Luther, Mifflinburg, PA.
Cost is $100 per participant and includes housing in cabins with other youth, all meals, t-shirt, and all activities. Deadline to register is Friday, March 29. Register at www.diocesecpa.org. For more info, contact Mary Ellen Kilp or Theda Tallman at cpayouthcom.gmail.com or 717-475-2785.
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