Loading...O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Proper 12, p. 231, Book of Common Prayer
Our Collect this week reminds us of our need for God. God is our protector. Only with God are things strong and holy. We must have God's mercy and ask for it in abundance. That is because our response to God's amazing and unconditional love of us falls short.
Yes, sometimes I am stingy with my time, talent and treasure, when I could be more generous. There is a balance and I often err on the side of stinginess. I worry about whether I will have enough, when I have many times more than most people in this world.
I need much of God's mercy. This temporal world...our ordinary time pulls on me and I can get so focused on what I need to accomplish each day -- cooking, shopping, cleaning, work -- that I lose focus on the spiritual world of love, peace, serenity, abundance, communion with God. I lose the things that are eternal...the things that last, like cuddling with my grandchildren or an easy, loving conversation with my daughter.
God's mercy and choosing God as our ruler and guide, gives us the eternal things that never die.
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Dedication of Historical Marker this Sunday As part of the service this Sunday, we will dedicate the historical marker. Father Warne and Mother Messersmith will be at the service and assist with the dedication. Glenn Holliman worked with us on the wording for the plaque and the design of the dedication ceremony.
These historical plaques are located throughout the county as part of Perry County 2020 celebration. Maps will soon be available so you can walk or drive the trail throughout the county. For more information about the sites on the trail, go to Perry County Heritage Trail website.
A QR code is on each sign, which also leads to the website and more information.
The grounds look lovely. Thanks to those who helped at the Wednesday, after-breakfast work day!
A crew gathered on Wednesday, July 22, after breakfast to trim, weed and mulch!
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.
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.
Read Bishop-Elect Scanlan's Bishop-Elect Scanlan's Blog to learn more about her journey to Central Pennsylania.
Join Us For Breakfast!
Men's breakfast - Every Wednesday, 9am, Espresso Yourself Cafe.
Women's breakfast - Every other Wednesday, 9am, May's Railside Cafe. Next breakfast is August 5.
Spiritual Formation for Every Child, Saturday, August 29, 10am - 2pm, St. John's, Marietta
Presenter - Guy Legare, Vice President Behavioral Supports at Supportive Concepts for Families.
“Many Christian parents of children with special needs desire for their children to attend church school where they can receive excellent opportunities to deepen spirituality in an environment that supports the values the parents seek to instill at home. We welcome Guy Legare, as a facilitator for our deeper understanding of the ways to be present to others, in order to best serve all God’s Children.”
Robyn Szoke-Coolidge, Dean, Stevenson School for Ministry
Cost is $10, which includes breakfast items and lunch.
- See more and register at: //www.diocesecpa.org/event/spiritual-formation-every-child
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.
September 26 auction 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. Plan now to attend the auction!
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.
Next Newsletter Deadline: August 19
