Loading...
I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;
from my mother's womb you have been my strength; *
my praise shall be always of you. Psalm 71:6
I love the show on PBS, Finding Your Roots. Each week Dr. Henry Louis Gates helps well-known people find out more about their heritage. This past week, one of the guests was Sheryl Sandburg, Chief Operating Office of Facebook. Ms. Sandburg's ancestors were persecuted in Russia, because they were Jewish. They were subject to various taxes imposed on Jewish people throughout Europe, such as a candle tax to burn candles on the Sabbath.
Dr. Gates asked Ms. Sandburg her thoughts on how people who are persecuted and oppressed go on. She said she wasn't an expert, but one thing she discovered that was important is that when an individual loses hope, someone else in their community has hope and carries that hope for the whole group. Another person from the family or community can say, "you might not believe today or have hope today, but I will have it for you."
That's what our community at Nativity and St. Stephen's does for us. There may be times in our lives when we don't feel God's presence or we question our faith and our belief. Yet, we are part of a community that believes for us; that embodies confidence and assurance of the Psalmist: "I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;
from my mother's womb you have been my strength; my praise shall be always of you. Psalm 71:6
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play will be February 10 for the younger group, and February 17 and 24 for both groups.
••••••••••••
Today, Amy Welin, Acting Dean, will lead a Question and Answer Session on what it means to be a Cathedral at Parlor People.
February 10 - Issues of Aging led by Elizabeth Place and Adam Britcher.
••••••••••••
At Church of the Nativity
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.
••••••••••••
Today, The Rev. Dr. Amy Welin, Acting Dean, St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral, will be presiding and preaching. Rebecca will swap pulpits and preach at St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
••••••••••••
Next Sunday we observe African-American History Month.
••••••••••••
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.
••••••••••••
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.
••••••••••••
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.
••••••••••••
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
••••••••••••
Join Us For Breakfast! Wednesdays at 9am.
Women will meet at Newport Family Restaurant this week; Men meet at Espresso Yourself.
••••••••••••
During 2019, we will be celebrating baptism on April 21, June 9, November 3 and December 8.
Let Rebecca know if you or someone you know would like to be baptized on any of these days.
••••••••••••
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. Let Michele know by email – chnatss@pa.net or phone, 717-567-6514.
••••••••••••
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
PA IPL is now accepting applications for our 8th annual PA to DC bike trip in May of 2019.
Express your concern about climate change and lift your faith voice by pedaling, fundraising, and advocating with our elected officials. To find out more or apply, visit PAIPL.us on the internet and type in "bike trip 2019" in the search box.
••••••••••••
Prayer Shawl Ministry of Newport meets the last Thursday of the month, 10am.
Bring your projects and also learn how to knit or crochet.
••••••••••••
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.
••••••••••••
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.
••••••••••••
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
••••••••••••
Happening, February 15-17, Camp Mt. Luther, Mifflinburg.
All youth in grades 9-12 are invited for an exciting weekend of fun, friendship, and faith! Happening is not a traditional church retreat. As a Happener, whether you are a high school student or an adult (yes, adults may happen, too!), you will have the opportunity to talk about God with your peers, the people who will be experiencing the same event with you. Please register by February 8 at https://diocesecpa.org/youth/
Cost: $125.00. Scholarships are available. Contact: Mary Ellen Kilp or Theda Tallman at cpayouthcom@gmail.com for questions.
••••••••••••
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.
••••••••••••
