Loading...Incline my heart to your decrees *
and not to unjust gain. Psalm 119:36
Many of us are in the midst of gathering our tax information or filing our taxes. Probably most of us are honest when it comes to our taxes and we certainly hope to take advantage of every deduction or credit to which we are entitled. Yet, what is it that leads some to totally cheat on their taxes?
What is the temptation to "unjust gain?" A couple of weeks ago at our Clergy Council meeting with Bishop Scanlan, we had a presenter from the YWCA who spoke about sex trafficking. Coercing and forcing others into prostitution or performing sexual acts with strangers is horrific. And it's happening right where we live. As our guest speaker explained, sex trafficking is more lucrative than dealing drugs. We would agree that these unjust gains, just as those from dealing drugs, are destructive and against God's dream for our lives together.
Pray for those caught up in human trafficking, including those lured by unjust gains and those who are the victims. To learn more, go to https://humantraffickinghotline.org/.
Blessings as you finish your week.
Love, Rebecca+
This Sunday Darlene Amsler leads us in Morning Prayer. Rebecca is on vacation.
Parlor People, Sunday, 11am – noon. All adults are welcome to participate in Parlor People nearly every Sunday. See our Christian Formation page for more information. This Sunday, Bill Rohm will lead a discussion on the nature of God. Next week, Jane Hoover shares her recent visit to Cuba.
Our Lenten series, March 5 - April 2 is on forgiveness using the book, The Book of Forgiving by Desmond and Mpho Tutu. Copies of the book are available for $10 in the parlor.
Join Us For Breakfast!
Men's breakfast - Every Wednesday, 9am, Espresso Yourself Cafe.
Women's breakfast – February 22 and March 8, 9am, May's Railside Cafe.
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 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.
Next week, February 26, we commission all committee members.
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.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 28, 6pm in the undercroft. Sign-up sheet in the Undercroft until February 22.
Join us for a pancake and sausage supper
Let Rebecca know if you’d like her to come visit. She can come to your home or another location you suggest. This helps her to know you better and hopefully you will also know her a little better. Let Rebecca know your availability on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday days or evenings and she'll be in touch to arrange a time for to get together. You can send an email to her at nativityrector@pa.net or leave a message at the church at 567-6514.
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.
Help people in need around the world! A Thankoffering box is available by the coffee pots in the kitchen if you'd like to make donations that way. United Thankoffering is a project of the Episcopal Church Women of The Episcopal Church. Boxes are available to collect your offering, which is brought to church twice a year. A wonderful spiritual practice is to put something in the box each time you are thankful to God. If possible, count the money in your box and write a check to the church in that amount.
Connect with us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEpiscopalChurchOfTheNativityStStephen
Twitter: @ChnatssChurch
Instagram: https://instagram.com/chnatss/
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMdhiksmcXv0kyz9M2uio6Q
Food Bank Donations are needed!
For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, go to their website at //www.perrycountyfoodbank.org/ and click on their wish list. Canned vegetables, fruit, nut butters and protein are always needed.
Join Hands is in Desperate Need of:
Male, Female and children's Shampoo/Conditioner
Male, Female Deodorant
Other toiletries
Diapers, all sizes, 1 to 6
Baby Wipes
Honor or Remember a loved one or a special occasion with flowers on the altar! Flowers help make our worship space more beautiful and remind us of the blossoming life we have in Christ. Please consider sponsoring the flowers in memory of a loved one,or to celebrate your thanksgivings. Flowers are $30. A sign up chart is in the Undercroft.
Help People in Need when you buy your Groceries!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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