Loading...
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:1-2
This Sunday's reading from the Hebrew Bible is one of my favorite passages. I call it God's Valentine. The writer of this portion of Isaiah uses such beautiful imagery to affirm how much God loves us.
We are reminded, first of all, that we are created by God; we are God's creation. Then, as in numerous places in scripture, we are reminded to not be afraid. We do not need to live in fear. And why not? Because God is always with us.
Yes, we will have challenges and bad things will happen. Yet, we always have a companion with us. God loves us and walks with us through the floods and through the fires of our lives.
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play will be today and January 20 & 27.
••••••••••••
Today, Bill Rohm will lead a session - An Epiphany Bucket List Part II.
January 20, Adam Britcher and Elizabeth Place will lead a session on Issues of Aging.
••••••••••••
At Church of the Nativity
Today we renew our Baptismal Vows.
••••••••••••
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, February 13, Vestry Meeting, 6:30pm
Saturday, February 16, 1-3pm, Epipha-tea, Home of Mary Price
••••••••••••
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 Bitting’s this week; Men meet at Espresso Yourself.
••••••••••••
We are starting our prayer list over again.
If you have a name you’d like for the list, let Michele know at 717-567-6514 or chnatss@pa.net.
••••••••••••
Notecards of Nativity for sale.
$2 each or 5 for $8. The photo on the 4X5½“ cards is of the pews and was taken by Irene VanBuskirk. They are in the undercroft.
••••••••••••
Thursday, January 24, Honaman House, 11am - 1pm, Lunch and winter craft.
Please let Wendy, Lynne or Sue know if you are able to help.
••••••••••••
From the Diocese
Bishop Out of the Box, Wednesday, January 16, 1 – 4pm, St. Andrew's, 1854 Market Street, Harrisburg
In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., people will be invited to help paint and color an outline of King on a giant canvas, and write on paper scrolls, providing an answer to the question, What is your dream? Light refreshments will be provided. For questions, contact the Rev. Canon Dan Morrow, (971) 258-4258, dmorrow@diocesecpa.org.
••••••••••••
Diocesan In-residence Day in Harrisburg Convocation, Wednesday, January 30, All Saints, 310 Elm Avenue, Hershey.
Plan now to spend part of your day with the Diocesan staff -
10-10:30, Coffee/Fellowship; 10:45-11:30, Bible Study; 11:45-12:30, Worship Service and 12:30-1:15, Lunch (Bring your own). If you’d like an appointment with one of the staff, please see Rebecca.
••••••••••••
Happening, February 15-17, Camp Mt. Luther, Mifflinburg.
Youth in grades 9-12 are invited for an exciting weekend of fun, friendship, and faith! Cost: $125. Register by February 8 at https://diocesecpa.org/youth/
Contact: Mary Ellen Kilp or Theda Tallman at cpayouthcom@gmail.com
••••••••••••
Martin Luther King Service, Monday, January 21, 6-9pm, First Christian Church, 442 Hummel Avenue, Lemoyne. Sponsored by the Diocese with Anthony Alexander, Lori Clark Robinson, Greg Welin and Rebecca Myers involved. The event is being coordinated by Christian Churches United. The agenda for the evening is as follows:
6 - 7:30 pm: A Conversation on the East Shore /West Shore divide -Presentation of ‘The Conversation’ skit by Community Responders Network (you can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umz9poL2EM&feature=youtube
Panel Discussion facilitated by Pastor Dave Shreffler, Trinity Lutheran, Lemoyne
Current confirmed panelists: Rev. Anthony Alexander, Rev. Lavette Paige, Rev. Jason Schwartzman, Major Kristal Turner-Childs. Invited: Don Paul Shearer - President, West Shore Historical Society.
7:30 - 8 pm: Refreshments/Informal Conversation,
8 - 9 pm: MLK Commemoration Worship Service including faith leaders from multiple denominations, as well as a Unity Choir.
••••••••••••
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.
••••••••••••
