Loading...Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion. Psalm 112:4
Some days are really tough, aren't they? We feel so much stress. Maybe it's our job situation or our family situation. Maybe we aren't sure what we're supposed to be doing next. There are so many demands and so little time to get everything done.
The Psalmist says that even in the tough times, we will find light when we do what is right and what God and Jesus have taught us. When we follow these teachings, we are righteous and we will exhibit mercy and compassion for others.
It's not always easy to be merciful. When someone does something to hurt us, we want to take revenge. We want to lash out. Yet, God has been merciful with us, so we are taught to be merciful and forgiving towards others.
When we can be merciful, we can also be compassionate with one another. It helps if we first are merciful with ourselves. If we can't forgive ourselves or be compassionate with ourselves, we will not be merciful or compassionate with others.
As this week comes to an end, I hope we can be merciful and compassionate for those thousands who have been affected by the immigration ban. So far, it is temporary. However, if you have been waiting for 2-3 years to resettle your life, another 3-4 months can be very difficult, especially when you're not sure what awaits after that.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Join us for Coffee Hour in the Undercroft after the service. This Sunday, Darrel Reinford from Christian Churches United will join us and offer information on his organization.
Altar flowers on January 29 were sponsored by Lynne Mitchell in loving memory of her parents Robert and June Mitchell. Michele apologizes for missing this in announcements last week.
This Sunday's Altar Flowers are given in thanksgiving for Evelyn’s 5th Birthday by the Days.
Parlor People, Sunday, 11am – noon. This Sunday Rebecca will lead a discussion on the Gospel of Matthew, using a 30-minute video.
Next week 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.
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast - Wednesday, February 8 and 22, 9am, May’s Railside Grill.
This Sunday 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.
Choir Practice - The Choir will practice Wednesdays at 10:15am.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Upcoming Meetings
February 8, 6:30pm, Vestry
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.
During 2017, we will be celebrating baptism on June 4, November 5 and December 3. Let Rebecca know if you or someone you know would like to be baptized on any of these days.
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.
Valentine’s Party, Honaman House, February 8, 11am-1pm. If you can attend or donate an item for lunch, please let Lynne Mitchell or Wendy Day know.
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.
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 February 12.
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! 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.
Help people in need around the world! A Thankoffering box is available by the coffee pots in the kitchen and on the tables in the Undercroft 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.
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.
Rally for Immigrant rights, Sunday, February 5, 2-7pm, Capitol Steps.
