Loading...Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths. Psalm 25:3
Having grown up in this area and around farms, I'm used to the curvy roads that follow the paths of the farm fields or what used to be fields. In some cases our roads follow ancient paths of the first humans. They've been traveled and traveled over the years.
Then there are some paths like those you find in the woods... paths the animals, especially deer follow. The grass is trampled or doesn't grow in that very narrow area. You have to look carefully to see those paths. Often they provide a good way to get around the woods and get to water or shelter.
Sometimes I think God's paths are pretty clearly laid out. We can see what we're supposed to do next and where we're supposed to go. Yes, it may be curvy, but the path is well worn and clear to see.
Sometimes God's paths are harder to see. The plants grow quickly and can obscure the path. When we look, we can't clearly see the path. We're not sure if we're heading in the right direction or if we've strayed from the path.
At all times, it's good to pray for guidance, but especially when we're not sure where the path goes, it's wonderful to have this verse of Psalms as a prayer.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Service this Sunday, July 10, with St. Paul's Lutheran, 10:30am, 320 Market St., Newport. We'll worship with our neighbors this Sunday. They're excited to welcome us and are planning a great coffee hour.
Centering Prayer and Taize' this Tuesday. We'll also meet July 19 and 26 and then take off the month of August.
Church Work Day, Wednesday, July 13, 10:15am - Noon. Yard work, weeding and cleaning up the exterior.
On July 17 we will commission Bill Rohm as a Verger. Please pray for him in this new ministry.
Re-Imagining Faith Formation, Saturday, August 13, 8:30am – 3:00pm, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Lancaster. This Diocesan THRIVE has workshops for children, youth and adults. Sign up at www.Diocesecpa.org. You can find more information here. Cost is $20, lunch included. Register online here.
Upcoming Meetings
July 18, 5pm, Finance Committee
July 20, 6:30pm, Vestry
Men's Breakfast - Wednesday, 9:00am, Espresso Yourself Cafe'
Women's Breakfast - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 9:00am, May's Railside. Next dates are July 13 and 27.
Bishop's Visit to Harrisburg Convocation. A number of activities are planned for Bishop Scanlan's tour of the Harrisburg Convocation. Our Convocation is the region of the Diocese between Chambersburg and Hershey. This tour is a chance for the Bishop to learn more about the region. You are invited and welcome to participate in any of the following activities:
Friday, July 22, 11:30am - lunch at Houlihan's and visit to The Hershey Story and Hershey Gardens ($20 for ticket to both. $12.50 for each). Limit to 30 and cost for lunch. Please let Rebecca know if you will attend.
Friday, July 22, 5:30pm - Pop-up Eucharist on Walnut Street Bridge, Harrisburg, followed by pot luck dinner in Bishop's Garden at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Free parking available at St. Stephen's.
Saturday, July 23, 9 or 9:30am until 11:00am - Gleaning in the Shippensburg/Chambersburg area. We'll pick produce for a local food bank. Limited to 30 people. Please let Rebecca know if you will attend.
Saturday, July 23, Noon, Lunch at Espresso Yourself Cafe, Newport, PA. Limited to 25 people. Please let Rebecca know if you will attend.
Sunday, July 24, 10:15am, St. Stephen’s Cathedral. A Convocation Choir is being formed to sing for the Eucharist. If you wish to sing, meet in the cathedral choir room at 9:15am to learn an anthem for the day. Each church is asked to bring a parish banner to be used in a festive entrance. Choir robes will be available at the cathedral if you are unable to bring one. Let Rebecca know if you will participate and want to take our banner.
Volunteers are needed for the Newport Elementary and Greenwood Elementary “Release Time” programs. Children who receive parental permission are released from school early (1:30pm in Newport and 1:15pm in Millerstown) to attend this 1-hour religious program. Background checks are required. The programs run monthly from October through March. Contact Shirey Little at 717-395-0058 or bestestbuds@gmail.com.
Diocesan Youth Reunion, Knoebel’s Grove, August 6, Pavilion K, 11:00am – 8:00pm. Hamburgers and hot dogs provided. Bring a dish to share. Open to people of all ages. For families that would like to camp, we have a block of sites reserved. Please contact cpayouthcom@gmail.com to reserve a site. All ages are welcome! The cost is $10.00 per person or $25.00 per family. Join us for a fun day at Knoebel's. Reconnect with friends; meet new friends!
Brownies Needed. Ann and Tony Roland are in need of brownies for their feeding ministry. They feed lots of children during the summer. Boxes of brownies are available in the undercroft. Baked brownies can be returned to the church in the bag provided, uncut. They can be put in the freezer.
Join Hands Items of the Month - Diapers size 4, 5, and 6 and Clean plastic grocery store bags.
Honor or Remember a loved one or a special occasion with flowers on the altar! Flowers make our worship space more beautiful alnd 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 signn-up chart is in the Undercroft.
Help People in Need when you buy your Groceries! See Gail LShull 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.
Faith for the Arctic
As members of the Episcopal Public Policy Network continue advocating to Congress for the Arctic Refuge's permanent protection, and we are also raising our voices through a faith petition to President Obama and Congress, urging our leaders to take swift action for this magnificent part of God's creation.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a national treasure that stands alone in its wildness, ecological integrity, beauty, and unique recreational opportunities. As an Episcopalian, you have a powerful voice in the effort to protect this incomparable landscape for future generations to enjoy.
The Episcopal Church has long opposed drilling in the Refuge not only because of our concern for and stewardship of God's creation, but also because of our commitment to standing with the Gwich'in Nation, the indigenous people who live in the Arctic who are mostly Episcopalians. The Gwich'in depend for their daily sustenance upon the Porcupine caribou herd, whose birthing patterns would be disrupted by oil exploration in the Refuge, ultimately threatening the survival of both the caribou and the Gwich'in Nation.
Go here to sign the Faith for the Arctic Petition.
Once you add your name, share this petition with your congregation, friends and family!
