Loading...O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect, Proper 9, pgs. 230-230, Book of Common Prayer
"Love God; Love your neighbor," is a simple phrase to guide our lives, I believe. Our Collect of the Day this week emphasizes this to us. It asks not only that the Holy Spirit give us grace to be devoted to God, but also asks that we be united to each other with pure affection.
I like those words, "pure affection" and yet, wonder what is meant by them. The dictionary defines "affection" as a "gentle feeling of fondness or liking."
That's the challenge in our faith, isn't it? It's not easy to be fond of or to like everyone and yet, as Christians and followers of Jesus Christ, we are bound together. It is this common belief which allows us to have pure affection for each other.
Many blessings and you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
We are starting our prayer list over again. If you have a name you’d like for the list, let Michele know at 717-567-6514 or chnatss@pa.net.
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, July 12,
After breakfast - Outside yard work day at the church
6:30pm, Vestry
Tuesday, July 25, 7:00pm, Anti-Racism Perry County
Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Men’s & Women’s Breakfast, Wednesdays, 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Baking needs and chocolate items available through Equal Exchange. See the cart in the parish hall. We are now a wholesaler for Equal Exchange, a company that supports small farmers who use sustainable practices for chocolate, cocoa, coffee, tea, nuts, olive oil and other baking items. A price list and basket are available to pay for the items you choose to buy. A catalogue is also available. If there’s an item you’d like us to order, please see Jane Hoover.
Transport Wheel Chair now available for people who need assistance. The chair is located outside the restroom in the parish house.
From the Diocese
Opportunities to serve the Diocese. Nominations due by July 31. The Diocese seeks to fill the following vacancies: Standing Committee- Elect 2 Clergy and 2 Laypersons Council of Trustees-Elect 1 Clergy and 1 Lay person Disciplinary Board-Elect 2 Clergy and 2 Lay persons Please submit all nominations to Hank Morrow: deaconhank@gmail.com, or to call with questions: (717) 648-5125. A nominations form is available from Rebecca or on the web at //bit.ly/2r6HDjr.
Diocesan Leadership Day, Saturday, August 12, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 301 St. Thomas Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601-4832
Treasurers, wardens, all vestry members and Stewardship leaders and all volunteer and salaried Parish Administrators, this conference is for you. Keynote and workshops; Financial development within the life of congregations and expectations for monitoring endowment depreciation through the rhythm of spending and investment. Year round stewardship practices, including Planned Giving Leadership Development. 101 basics for vestries and committees—this is for vestry leadership and folks new to vestries as well as best practices for Parish Administrators. Please let Michele know if you would like to attend.
Golfers needed for Bishop’s Open Golf Tournament, Monday, September 18th, 2017, 10:00 AM, Overlook Golf Course, 2040 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA. Registration required by August 5. Shotgun Start, 4-Person Scramble. Join us for a day of golf, fun, food and fellowship to benefit at-risk children and youth in our Diocese. This golf tournament is open to everyone; all are welcome. To register, go to //bit.ly/2r6UYYQ. Go to //bit.ly/2sjZC5B for a brochure. Dinner only at Bishop’s Open Golf Tournament, Monday, September 18, 2017, 3:00pm, Overlook Golf Course, 2040 Lititz Pike, Lancaster. Cost for dinner only is $25.00. Go to //bit.ly/2r6UYYQ to register. Sponsorship Opportunities for Bishop’s Golf Tournament due by July 31. Sponsorships range from $75 to $1,000. See the brochure //bit.ly/2sjZC5B for more information.
Altar Flowers
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.
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Back to School Need- Join Hands Ministry is looking for one or a couple of organizations, churches, businesses, civic groups to sponsor hair cuts for their back to school program in August. If you're interested please call or email Michael at 717-582-7844/info@joinhands.help.
Also, if you know of a hair stylist or barber that is willing to partner with Join Hands in this endeavor, please ask them to contact us here at Join Hands Ministry too.
Join Hands Items of the Month –
Clothing: socks, hats, gloves, scarves, and toddler/baby clothing
Toiletries: Adult Diapers, Combs, Hair brushes, Hair care products, Conditioner, Deodorant, Diapers and Wipes - sizes 1 to 6, Feminine hygiene products, Lotion, Mouthwash, Paper Towels, Shampoo, Shaving Cream, Soap/shower gel, Tissues, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Toilet Paper, Medical supplies such as band-aids and cough drops
Household Items: Cleaning Products, Disinfecting Wipes, Laundry Detergent & Sponges
Other Items: Quilts, Blankets, Towels, Wash Cloths
Help people in need around the world! A Thankoffering box is available by the coffee pots in the kitchen if you'd like to make donations that way. 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. If possible, count the money in your box and write a check to the church in that amount.
Connect with us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEpiscopalChurchOfTheNativityStStephen
Twitter: @ChnatssChurch (https://twitter.com/ChnatssChurch)
Instagram: https://instagram.com/chnatss/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thechurchofthen/
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMdhiksmcXv0kyz9M2uio6Q
Food Bank Donations are needed! For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, go to their website at //www.perrycountyfoodbank.org/ and click on their wish list. Canned vegetables, fruit, nut butters and protein are always needed.
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.
