Loading...There is no guile upon his tongue;
he does no evil to his friend; *
he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor. Psalm 15:3
The Psalm we'll read this Sunday asks who can dwell with God and the following verses list the various attributes of that person. Verse 3 is one of the characteristics.
How hard it is sometimes for us to be kind and loving. We hear words come out of our mouths that are disrespectful to others. We lash out in our anger. We become more interested in our own way of viewing the world than in taking the time to understand another person's views. I keep saying we've come to the point where if you don't agree with me, then I must destroy you.
I've always remembered the saying, "Honesty without love is brutality."
I'm taking stock of my own words and actions. Am I honest with love? Am I doing evil to my friend? Am I heaping contempt upon my neighbor? Am I listening and open to the many ways to view the world?
I hope you'll join me so we all join God's tabernacle and abide upon God's hill.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
This Sunday, Jane Hoover and Rebecca lead a discussion on the Cyrus Cylinder, which is believed to be an early document supporting religious diversity. Next week, Rebecca will lead a discussion on the Gospel of Matthew, using a 30 minute video.
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast - Wednesday, February 8 and 22, 9am, May’s Railside Grill.
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 1, 10:15am, Parlor People Planning Group
February 2, 2:00pm, Program and Mission Committee
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.
We are preparing our annual parochial report for The Episcopal Church. In addition to reporting our finances, we also report our membership and our worship activity. In order to be included in this report as a member, you need to have your baptism recorded in the Parish Register. Check with Rebecca if you’d like to be sure to be included as a member.
Daffodil Days If you’d like to order a bunch of daffodils to support The American Cancer Society, see Lynne Mitchell. Orders are due this Sunday. They are $10 per bunch for cut flowers and $12 for a pot. Daffodils will be available at church by Sunday, March 19.
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.
This Sunday we take an additional offering for our Building Fund. The money donated helps us pay down our mortgage and pay for major repairs.
Reimagining Faith Formation Survey. Please put completed surveys in Bill Rohm's box located in the conference room.
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 Douglas Brown, 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. Listen to her recent sermon here.
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.
Join Hands Items of the Month for January are:
Paper Products (toilet paper, paper towels, etc.)
Diapers (all sizes with emphasis on 4, 5, 6),
Toiletries (shampoo, soap, conditioner, tooth paste, etc.)
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.
Letter from Toni Morrison regarding the Southern Poverty Law Center. Anne and Rog Chappelka wanted to share this letter with all of us about the important work of the Southern Poverty Law Center in working for justice and against hate groups in our country. You can access the letter here.
