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I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, *
and glorify your Name for evermore. Psalm 86:12
Recently I've been watching a series on HBO called We're Here. The series is about three drag queens, Eureka, Bob and Shangela, who go into small towns in the United States and put on a drag show, using some of the people of the town. The first show took place in Gettysburg.
Some of the stories are heartbreaking. People have gone through tough times, sometimes as a result of their gender identity. Some of the families have been broken apart. Yet, often the show has a way of bringing people together in a joyous celebration. The message is to be the best you that you can be.
The last show of the season was cut short by the Covid-19 virus, so the three drag queens told their own heartbreaking stories. But at the end, they and the people from the various shows come together virtually to sing the song "Scars to Your Beautiful" by Alessia Cara. Here is the refrain:
But there's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
I cry every time I see this performance. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-S3QNn3Xs) Everyone is so joyful and free, being their beautiful, God-created selves. I thank God for their lives and their freedom and they certainly glorify God who created them. May we do the same.
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
Mail in your offering or go online
Send your offering to the church at 159 S Second St., Newport, PA 17074 or give via our PayPal site:
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Rebecca can bring communion to you.
Please be in touch with her at 717-567-6514 or 717-433-1556 and she can arrange a time and talk how to do this safely.
Helping with the Church Garden
If you would like to help harvest the church garden bounty, come on Monday or Friday from 9am – 11am or Thursday evening 4pm – 6pm. And there is ALWAYS weeding to do.
Preaching Black Lives (Matter)
https://www.churchpublishing.org/preachingblacklivesmatter
A sermon Rebecca preached is included in this new book from Church Publishing. Cost is $22.95 plus shipping. Rebecca can get you a book for 40% off. Let her know if you'd like one. Learn more in the July Newsletter or announcements online.
Join Hands in Need of Donations
By Check: Join Hands Ministry, P.O. Box 335, New Bloomfield, PA 17068
Online: https://joinhandsministry.givingfuel.com/online-giving
Facebook: Click the donate button
Perry County Food Bank
Phone to drop off donations, (717)582-9978. To make a monetary donation, send a check to: Perry County Food Bank, PO Box 37, New Bloomfield PA 17068
The Juniata County Food Bank is in need of donations.
Cash / gift card donations can be mailed to: PO Box 44, Mifflintown PA 17059. Items may be dropped off at: 114 North Main Street, Mifflintown
Weis, Giant and Mutzabaugh Gift Cards Available Use the form in your newsletter and mail to the church with your check. Gift cards will be mailed to you or the organization or person in need that you supply info for.
The Plastic Challenge
July is designated as Plastic Free month, but you can take up the Plastic Free challenge anytime. Plastic Free July (https://plasticfreejuly.org) was inaugurated a decade ago to heighten awareness of plastic proliferation and to educate about ways to reduce our plastic consumption.
Plastic Free July now engages millions of people in 177 countries in actively cutting down plastic use, which lately has 'made a comeback' in grocery stores and with the huge increase in restaurant takeout during the pandemic. Some of the masks we wear are laced with microplastics! For now, efforts have stalled to reduce plastics consumption.
It's important to be safe, for sure. But at the same time, there are things we really can do. Small actions do make a difference. For example, Kevin and Joanne's daughter Claire inspired us to try using shampoo and conditioner bars that are packaged in cardboard. Our hair is just as clean, shiny, and sweet smelling as with products in plastic bottles. We've been buying our bar soap from a neighbor who makes the best soaps ever. (Let me know if you're interested. I'll give you a bar to try--they come in many fragrances--and you can see if you like it.)
On the Plastic Free July website, the page titled Get Involved has all kinds of ways to reduce plastic as well as to help further the plastic free campaign.
