Loading...Happy are they who observe his decrees *
and seek him with all their hearts! Psalm 119:2
Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm in the Bible. It is written in an acrostic fashion with each group of eight verses beginning with a letter from the Biblical Hebrew alphabet.
In our prayerbook, the sections are noted with the Hebrew letter separating each section. I like that. I took two semesters of Hebrew in Seminary. While my grandchildren at the time were learning how to read and write the English alphabet, I was learning this entirely different aleph-bet. Alas, I haven't used it and am forgetting how to read it. So the sections of this Psalm at least remind me of the letters....
Studying Biblical Hebrew allowed me to go deeper in my understanding of scripture. It gave me a new way to look at these ancient writings. It gave me a different way to seek God with my heart.
The writer of Psalm 119, suggests that when we observe God's decrees and seek God with our hearts, we will be happy. Jesus summarized God's decrees when he said, Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
It's good to ask ourselves how we're doing in this regard. I know each and every one of you are doing this, probably in ways you sometimes think are consequential. I also know we can always strengthen our work.
Our happiness and our heart depend upon it!
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Join us for Coffee Hour in the Undercroft after the service.
This Sunday Michael Nailor, Postulant for Holy Orders – Diaconate, will preach at our service. We’ll be observing African-American History month. Mr. Nailor will also lead our discussion at Parlor People.
This Sunday's Altar Flowers are given in memory of Elmer G. and Hazel L. Yocum by their daughters Janice and Connie Yocum.
Parlor People, Sunday, 11am – noon. This Sunday, Mr. Nailor will lead our discussion. Next week, Bill Rohm will lead a discussion on the nature of God.
Next week (February 19), Darlene Amsler leads us in Morning Prayer. Rebecca will be on vacation.
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast – Wed., February 22 and March 8, 9am, May’s Railside Grill.
Choir Practice - The Choir will practice Wednesdays at 10:25am.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Upcoming Meetings
February 26, 1:00pm, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) meeting
All who have been baptized by water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are welcome to receive communion. You may receive bread only or bread and wine. You may receive the wine by common cup or by dipping your wafer into the chalice. If you would prefer to receive a blessing, please come forward and cross your arms across your chest.
Please pray for our confirmands. O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of Ethan, Lily and Sophia ready to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Book of Common Prayer, p. 819.
Please say yes if Lily, Ethan or Sophia asks to interview you during coffee hour. They will ask the following questions: When you were little, what church did you go to? Where and how often? When did you start going to church? Why do you think church is important? Why do you worship God?
The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Canon Theologian, Washington National Cathedral, keynote speaker, Messiah College Humanities Symposium, February 22, 7:30pm. Rebecca will be attending this lecture. If you’d like to go, let her know and also call 717-691-6036 for free tickets.
Festal Evensong featuring special guest preacher The Right Reverend Nathan D. Baxter, Sunday, February 26, 6pm, Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, 6th and Chestnut Street, Lebanon.
Lenten series on Forgiveness begins March 5. We’ll be using The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing by Desmond and Mpho Tutu. You can order the book on Kindle or hard copy. If you’d like Rebecca to order a copy for you, please let her know by this Sunday.
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.
