Loading...Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Collect for Proper 11, pg 231, Book of Common Prayer
A common saying I've heard is, "I might not have all I want, but I have all I need." That pretty much sums up our Collect this Sunday. We often get confused between wants and needs. I know when I really, really want something, I have to ask myself, "do I really NEED this?"
Our Collect reminds us that God does know what we need and that may be different from what we think we need. We are ignorant when we ask God for what we think we need. Yet, we ask God to help us...to give us what we need, even when we don't ask for it...even when we're embarrassed to ask for what we need.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
My Schedule
Typically, I'll be available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with Monday and Friday as sabbath days. You can reach me at nativityrector@pa.net or call 717-204-7642 or cell 717-433-1556.
Celebrate Newport's 175th Birthday, July 19 - 25. Many events are occurring all week. You can find them at https://newportcelebrates175.wordpress.com/celebration-schedule/ The celebration begins at 1pm on Sunday, with the dedication of an historic marker detailing the efforts of citizens of Newport in freeing captured fugitive slaves in 1841. The dedication will be held at 4th and Market Streets. The celebration ends with a parade on Saturday, July 25, at noon.
We at Nativity have our own marker to be erected Thursday. Check it out!
Summary of July 15, Vestry Actions:
1. Accepted bid of Steve Umholtz to paint the Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen.
2. Accepted bid of Pavemaster to pave the parking lot.
3. Decided to donate $1,000 to Stevenson School of Ministry.
4. Agreed to send a letter of condolence to Mother Emmanuel AME Church, Charleston, SC, and other churches that were burned down soon after the murders of the nine members of Emmanuel.
Ordination and Consecration of The Rev. Canon Audrey Cady Scanlan, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, 11:00am, The Forum, 500 Walnut St., Harrisburg
Plan now to participate in this special occasion in the life of our Diocese. For more information, click here.
A Meet and Greet for the Bishop-Elect will be held Tuesday, August 4, 5:30-7:30pm at St. Andrew's in the Valley. Let Rebecca know if you would like to attend with her.
Giving To Others (GTO) deadline September 6
In addition to our usual grantees, the Program and Missions Committee is open to new organizations or individuals who may benefit from a grant through our Giving To Others program. If you would like to suggest an organization or individual, please see Lynne Mitchell, Wendy Day, or Pat Szabo by September 6. You'll need the name, address, and other contact information. If the organization has a brochure, that would also be helpful, as well as a suggested donation amount.
Premier Jewelry Fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society
"Join Hands for Jeri" is a team that will walk in the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk on October 17 in Harrisburg. The team walks in memory of Michele Neibert's (Parish Administrator) Aunt Jeri who died of breast cancer at the age of 41.
The team works to raise thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society, not only through the walk, but also through fundraisers and an auction on September 26 at the Shermanata Grange.
Currently, the team is selling Premier Jewelry as a fundraiser. If you'd like to help, see Lynne Mitchell for a catalogue and order form.
United Thankoffering Boxes Available. Help people in need around the world!
United Thankoffering is a project of the Episcopal Church Women of The Episcopal Church. Boxes are available to collect your offering, which is brought to church twice a year.
A wonderful spiritual practice is to put something in the box each time you are thankful to God. On June 26, all of those donation boxes added up to $1.5 million dollars in grants!
Pick up your box today and get the benefits that gratitude and thankfulness bring to you, and do great works for others at the same time! The next ingathering is November 1.
For more information, click here.
Pick up a t-shirt Bag to collect your Food Bank Donations!
Members of the ECW made t-shirt bags to use for your food bank donations. A bag is at the back of the church. Take an empty bag and bring it back full of food donations! For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, click here and then click on the wish list. Copies of the wish list are also available with the t-shirt bags.
And what a great use for t-shirts you're tired of wearing!
Brownies are needed to support Ann and Tony's feeding ministry.
Boxes of brownie mix are available in the Undercroft if you're willing to bake some brownies. Cut them into squares and put them in zip lock bags for Tony and Ann. 
Join Hands Items of the Month - July - School Supplies
Children need their school supplies, which can be quite a drain on a family's resources. Donate the following supplies:
lined notebook paper - college or wide
2-pocket folders with and without prongs
Flashdrives
Other school supplies - glue sticks, pens
Honor or Remember a loved one or a special occasion with flowers on the altar!
Flowers are enjoyed by the worshipping congregation on a Sunday and make a lovely remembrance of a birthday or anniversary or a loved one. Flowers are $35. 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. Most recently, the money supported lunch for the 100 children attending the St. Barnabas program at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Harrisburg.
American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem Did you know the Holy Land is part of The Episcopal Church? Our Good Friday offering goes to support programs in this Diocese. You may be interested in the latest news and events. Their website is: //www.afedj.org/ and you can follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/afedj?sk=wall
Next Newsletter deadline: July 19
