Loading...
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for 2nd Sunday after Christmas, BCP, p. 214
We are wonderfully created or fearfully and wonderfully made, as the writer of Psalm 139 writes. God created us as beautiful people to inhabit God's creation. Yet, we know from the Bible and from our own lives, how easily we denigrate creation.
We don't live into the love of our relationships always. We don't always love God, and love our neighbors as ourselves as well as we could. Fortunately, God, through Jesus Christ, comes to restore us to the beautiful and wonderful people of God we were meant to be.
Where and how does God restore you or guide you to restoration?
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play will be January 12, 19 and 26.
Parlor People will resume next week with discussions on the Gospel of John.
At Church of the Nativity
Altar flowers are given in memory of Elmer G. and Hazel L. Yocum by Connie and Jan Yocum.
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 we will un-decorate the church.
Autumn & Canyon Moore of Buffalo Mountain Bluegrass Band will join us on Sunday, January 19.
During 2020, we will be celebrating baptism on January 12, April 12, May 31 and November 1.
Let Rebecca know if you or someone you know would like to be baptized on any of these days.
Upcoming Meetings
Each Sunday, 4pm, Perry County PRIDE
Wednesday, January 22, 1pm, Vestry
Thursday, January 23, 2 – 4pm, Clergy Council
Join Us For Breakfast! Wednesdays at 9am.
Next breakfast will be this Wednesday, January 8. Women will meet at Bitting’s. Men meet at Espresso Yourself Café.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Wednesday, January 8, Commons activity, Board games and lunch.
See Wendy, Sue or Lynne if you’d like to help.
From the Diocese
Discipleship Learning Day, Saturday, January 11, 9am – 3pm, St. Stephen Lutheran Church, New Kingston
The Stevenson School for Ministry in partnership with the Lower Susquehanna Synod-ELCA will offer a spiritual practice learning day. Presenters will be The Rev. Marsha Roscoe, The Rev. Richard Jorgensen and The Rev. Canon Chris Streeter. Cost is $35. Register at: https://www.cvent.com/events/discipleship-learning-day/registration-0521c77a70d14323b96a14ccf9016e2d.aspx?fqp=true
The Stevenson School for Ministry offers Shaped by Faith Learning Opportunities
On-line learning opportunities will be offered January 9 – February 22. Visit https://diocesecpa.org/shaped-by-faith-courses/ to register.
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
The Episcopal Home Residents are in need of donations that help make a resident’s day better and brighter.
We are asking for donations of: Depends Undergarments (women’s M, L, XL), Disposable Bed Underpads, Toothpaste, Dove Soap, Toothbrushes, Mouthwash (personal size), Glue Sticks, Adult Coloring Books, Nail Polish (clear and light colors), Word Search Books (not crossword), Diabetic Candy (individually wrapped), Bingo Prizes
These may be delivered to the Home or ordered online and sent to the Episcopal Home at 206 Burd St., Shippensburg PA 17257.
CCU is again forming a Unity Choir to perform at the 2nd Annual “Lift Every Voice” MLK Day Service on the evening of Jan. 20 at First Christian Church, 442 Hummel Ave. Lemoyne.
The choir will meet at 6:30 pm on Jan. 6 and Jan. 13 at the church to practice two songs. If you are not a singer, you are still welcome to attend the event on the 20th, which will be begin with a panel discussion at 6 pm followed by refreshments and concluding with the worship service at 8 pm. For more information, contact CCU Executive Director Darrel Reinford at dreinford@ccuhbg.org or 717-230-9550.
Volunteers are needed to help support a new CCU Winter Overnight Shelter that has opened in Harrisburg to serve women and non-binary people.
The shelter will be open through March 31 so there is a place for these individuals to get out of the cold overnight. The shelter is located in the Wesley House of Grace United Methodist Church on State St. and volunteers provide intake and hospitality to guests from 7:30 – 10:30 pm each night. The next orientation for volunteers will be on Monday, Jan. 6 from 6 – 7:30 pm at the shelter. To register for the orientation or for more information about the shelter contact Shelter Coordinator Gillian Sumpter at gsumpter@ccuhbg.org or 717-770-9189.
