Loading...As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Exodus 34:29
This Sunday is the Last Sunday in the Epiphany. Epiphany is all about light and Jesus coming into the world as a manifestation of God's light in our world and in our lives.
Our Lesson of the day is from Exodus, about Moses talking with God. Notice how Moses' face shined brightly each time he went up Mt. Sinai to speak with God. It shined so brightly, he had to put a veil on his face or the light nearly blinded the people.
Soon, we'll enter Lent, a time of increased prayer and spending time with God. I wonder if our faces will also shine brightly the more we spend time with God?
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
A big THANKS to everyone who attended, assisted, and prayed for the church as part of the Renewal of Ministry and the Welcoming of a New Rector. The Bulletin and Bishop's sermon are available online here: //nativityandststephen.diocpa.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/3176809
Epipha-Tea, 2pm, Home of Susan Rice Wear your favorite hat and bring your favorite food for tea as we end our Epiphany celebration! If you need directions to Sue's home or other information, call her a 834-4001.
Parlor People
Our series on Undoing Racism concludes this Sunday, February 7, with a visit from Dr. Dan Welliver, Associate Professor of Sociology at Juniata College. Dr. Welliver will share his own experiences of undoing racism, as well as some of his doctoral research on the issue of racism. He and Rebecca will also preach the sermon together. We'll be observing African-American History Month.
Here is Jane's report from last week:
Our Parlor People conversation about Undoing Racism has centered around the same four questions each week: Who determines the acceptable norms? Who controls the resources? Who is perceived as the problem? And, Who has the power to enforce the norms? We moved from prejudice, which is personal, into racism, which is more systemic. This week, we examined what a community without racism would look like, where all individuals are honored and included. In such a New Community, the norms would be mutually agreed upon and cross-cultural; the resources would be shared; the "problem" would become those who deny diversity and resources; and there would be community corporate responsibility. If it sounds familiar, check out Acts 2: 44-47.
Shrove Tuesday Dinner, February 9, 6:00pm. Pancakes, sausage and light dessert.
Ash Wednesday Service, February 10, 7pm. Eucharist with the imposition of ashes sponsored by The Newport Ministerium at The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen. Rebecca will open this series of Wednesday services with a theme of “Fasting From and Taking On.” Her topic will be fasting from anger and hatred.
Centering Prayer and Taize’, Tuesdays during lent (February 16, 23, March 1, 8, 15), 5:15pm. Join us for ten minutes of centering prayer followed by an evening Taize’ service. For more on centering prayer, go to the Contemplative Outreach website at //www.centeringprayer.com/. For more about Taize’, go to //www.taize.fr/en
Wednesdays at Incarnation United Church of Christ, 47 N 4th St., Newport 5:30-6:15 is soup and bread supper. 6:15 program.
Feb. 17 - Presenter - Jan Custer "Judging Others"
Feb. 24 - Presenter – Trevor Lightner "Discouragement"
March 2 - Presenter - Tony Hill ""Complaining"
March 9 - Presenter - Gloria McPherson "Resentment and Bitterness"
March 16 - Presenter - Cheryl Dorman "Overspending"
Sign up for the Lenton Carbon Fast For more info and to sign up, visit: //www.macucc.org/carbonfast
Godspell, February 21, 2:00pm, Hershey Playhouse. If you’ve ordered a ticket through the church, please make check out to The Church of the Nativity with Godspell in the memo line or put your cash in an envelope with your name on it and Godspell. Please give to Rebecca.
Cost is $23 for adults and $20 for children.
ELIMINATING RACISM: THE URGENT NOW: Workshop & Seminar Leadership Day
February 13, 2016, 8:30AM - 2:45PM St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Harrisburg PA Keynote Speaker: Felicia Brown - Haywood, D.Ed.
Sign up now! At www.diocesecpa.org on the Homepage. $20 registration fee; Lunch Included.
6th Annual Benefit Auction for Perry County Animal Rescue, Saturday, Feb. 13, 9am, The Faktory, Liverpool Donations are still being accepted. Contact PCoAR at 589-3005 for more info.
Central Pennylvania Symphony, Sunday, February 14, 3pm, Greenwood High School. Tickets are available for purchase at the door or online at //centralpasymphony.org
The choir practices every Sunday at 8:30am prior to the service. The choir will also practice some Wednesdays at 10:30am.
Church Committees. If you served on a church committee during 2015, please let Michele or Rebecca know if you are still willing to serve on that committee. If you’d like to be included in the membership of a committee, please speak with Rebecca or a member of Vestry.
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast - Feb. 24th, 9am, Railside
Join Hands items of the month are diapers. Sizes 4, 5 and 6.
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.
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.
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 $35. A sign-up chart is in the Undercroft.
