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. (Book of Common Prayer, Collect for Proper 11, p. 231)
The Book of Common Prayer has some beautiful prayers in it. Each week, we have a Collect of the week, collecting all of our individual prayers into one. The Collects for each Sunday are prescribed for each season of the church year. We are currently in the Sundays after Pentecost, the green season, which encompasses 26 Sundays or half of the year.
The Collect this week acknowledges that we have blindspots in our lives. A friend just recommended, and I am reading, a book by that title. Each of us has true blind spots in our vision (see https://io9.gizmodo.com/why-every-human-has-a-blind-spot-and-how-to-find-your-5804116 to find yours). Our Collect reminds us that we have blind spots in our spirituality, too. We don't always know what we need. We don't always know how to ask for what we need. (I think in many cases asking for help and receiving it is really tough!)
We ask God to have compassion on us and to have mercy on us, providing us with what we need regardless of our own blind spots. Can you think of a time when God provided you with something you didn't even know you needed?
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play and Parlor People will resume in the fall.
At Church of the Nativity
Help Join Hands provide basic needs products to families.
Items needed are: Diapers and Wipes - sizes 1 to 6 and baby wash.
Upcoming Meetings
Thursday, July 25, 2-4pm, Clergy Council
Thursday, July 25, 5:30pm, Newport Anti-Racism League
Thursday, July 25, 7pm, Friends of Newport Board Game Night
Saturday, August 3, 9:30am - 12:30pm, Eliminating Racism Strategy Team
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.
Let Michele know by email – chnatss@pa.net or phone, 717-567-6514.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Join Us For Breakfast!
Wednesdays at 9am. Women will meet at Newport Family Restaurant this week; Men meet at Espresso Yourself.
Notecards of Nativity for sale.
$2 each or 5 for $8. The photo on the 4X5½“ cards is of the pews and was taken by Irene VanBuskirk. They are in the undercroft.
From the Diocese
Volunteers are needed for the 2019 Diocesan Convention, Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19, Zembo Shrine, 2810 N. Third Street, Harrisburg.
Some areas of need are registration, convention packet assembly, ballot counting, children’s program and more. Please see Rebecca or contact Michele for a volunteer form. 717-567-6514 or chnatss@pa.net
Vocational and Continuing Education Courses Offered Fall 2019.
Courses will be offered for lay licensed ministers, deacons, priests and continuing education for all. For more info, visit https://diocesecpa.org/vocationalcourses or see the flyer posted in the undercroft.
Called to Heal a Broken World, August 9-10, St. Cyril Center, Danville, PA. Keynote Speaker The Rev. Becca Stevens, Thistle Farms.
Plan to attend this 2-day conference and learn more about addressing the important issues of our time through our faith community. There will be breakout sessions on addressing recovery from drug addiction, undoing racism, environmental work, peace work, and community organizing. Weekend registration cost: $150. Day attendee cost: $50. For more information and to register, go to https://diocesecpa.org/called-to-heal-a-broken-world/
The Episcopal and Anglican churches along our southern border are helping shelter families who have been approved by the United States Government to seek asylum.
Families and individuals are awaiting Asylum court dates. Monetary donations are needed. Once families pass the first part of the asylum process, they are being sent to Mexico to await their court date. Monetary donations are the easiest way to help shelter these individuals and families. Donations can be sent to: Diocese of the Rio Grande, 6400 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque NM 87120 or online donations: www.dioceserg.org
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Book Buddies, August 8, 10am, Home of Barb Holliman
This is a different kind of book group. You are invited to come share what you are reading now or a favorite book you've read in the past that you've loved. Light refreshments will be served. First gathering hosted by Barb Holliman. Please contact Barb@bholliman.com to attend. Everyone is welcome!
Savor: A Strolling Supper, Saturday, September 7, 5-8pm, (5-6pm VIP cocktail hour, 6-8pm strolling supper), LEAF Farm, 554 Warm Springs Road, Landisburg
Join LEAF for their signature event where the region’s best chefs and farmers partner to create innovative dishes paired with masterful beverages. Ticket sales will be begin in July. Follow LEAF on Instagram and Facebook @leafprojectpa for updates.
Loss of a Spouse Seminar, Thursday, August 1, 6:30 – 8:30pm, Christ Lutheran, New Bloomfield
Come hear practical advice from others who have been there, how to cope and more. Contact Rev. Boehm by July 25 to register at 717-536-0163 or revboehm@yahoo.com
Discover Newport Movies in the Park, August 3, 6pm, Newport Veteran’s Memorial Park - Elf.
Come early for the Bounce House at 6pm and check out the playground. Bring blankets and chairs. Concessions will be available. Visit with Santa at 7pm and watch Elf at 9pm. If it's storming, the event will be moved to the Newport Assembly of God Family Life Center on Shortcut Road.
American Creed Community Conversation, Monday, July 29, 5 – 7pm, Harrisburg Jewish Community Center,
3301 N. Front Street, Harrisburg
Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg and Community Responders Network for a screening of the PBS Documentary, American Creed. Screening will be followed by a Community Conversation. Open to all and free admission.
Climate Up Close, Monday, August 5, 7:30pm, Chisuk Emuna Congregation, 3219 Green Street, Harrisburg
Talk with climate scientists from Princeton, Harvard and UC Berkeley face-to-face. Free and open to the public. Visit www.climateupclose.org for more info.
TheoCon (thee-oh-con), Saturday, September 28, Ernest L. Boyer Center, Messiah College, One College Avenue, Mechanicsburg.
Where Theology Meets Pop Culture! is a one-day convention in which participants will be introduced and invited to explore themes of theology and morality in popular culture. Pop culture mediums include comic books, graphic novels, and science-fiction films and methods of exploration feature guest speakers, panel discussions, exhibits, reflection spaces, and cosplay. ALL ages are welcome! Please see Rebecca if you’d like to go.
