Loading...
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, p. 218)
What a timely prayer as we deal with how best to prepare for the Covid-19 virus. Something so small we cannot even see it and yet it has disrupted so many lives. "Adversities, which may happen to the body," have been around for thousands of years.
And so have the "evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul." Recently, I've been told of numerous cases of young people and children experiencing bullying. What are the evil thoughts assaulting us that create fear in us when someone is different? What are we doing that children get a message that it is okay to be mean to someone who doesn't necessarily act or think like you?
We have been asked to be in prayer and ask God to guide our Holy Imaginations to best support any children or young people being bullied. I hope you will join me and if you have any ideas, please let me know.
Yes, God, keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls as we face the challenges among us.
Many blessings as you finish your week.
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play is today and March 22.
Today at Parlor People, Week 7 Study of John.
Next week, Week 8 Study of John.
At Church of the Nativity
Today we take an offering for Operation Understanding.
Reading materials for observing Lent are available at the back of the church.
God be in my Head, The Sarum Prayer by Ken Wilson
A Way Other Than Our Own, Devotions for Lent by Walter Brueggemann
Winged with Longing for Better Things by Sylvia Sweeney
Lenten Soup Supper, Wednesday, March 18, 5:30 - 7:00, Incarnation United Church of Christ, 47 N. 4th Street, Newport.
"The Seven Last Words of Christ" - John 19:26 -27: Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother – Nancy McClure
We are creating our Lenten food altar for the Perry County Food Bank.
Bring your donations & put them up by the altar.
Flowers for Easter, April 12.
Donations for Easter flowers will be taken through April 5. Mark your envelope “in honor” or “in memory” of someone. Envelopes at the back of the church.
Upcoming Meetings
Each Sunday, 4pm, Perry County PRIDE
Wednesday, March 25, 1pm, Vestry
Thursday, March 26, 2 - 4pm, Clergy Council
Join Us For Breakfast! Wednesdays at 9am.
Women will meet at Bitting’s this week. Men meet at Espresso Yourself Café.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
From the Diocese
Would you like to appear in a "Traveling the Way of Love" movie? Volunteer with us!
The Communications Office will be coming to film our diocese on Wednesday, March 18 from 4 – 5pm. We will be doing road-side blessings along Front Street. We will be holding up signs with encouraging words on them so we can bless people as they drive and walk by. 10 friendly volunteers are needed. To sign up, email Faith Neece at fneece@diocesecpa.org
Join Stevenson School for Ministry student Lisa Work and Deacon Marsha Roscoe on Facebook for a 40-day online spiritual formation Lenten experience using Mary Bea Sullivan’s Living the Way of Love: A 40-Day Devotional.
Go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WayOfLoveLentenBookGroup/ to join the Facebook group where daily reflections will be posted and you can engage in LIVE conversations on Thursdays in Lent from 8 – 9pm. You can purchase the book online. A copy is also available at the church.
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Perry Human Services Match Madness
The Partnership for Better Health and M&T Bank have a matching gift incentive. Perry Human Services will receive a portion of that sum based on what they raise. To make a donation, visit http://weblink.donorperfect.com/shareMatch and choose Perry Human Services or write a check to Partnership for Better Health and mail to 274 Wilson Street, Carlisle Pa 17013. Specify Perry Human Services. Donations must be made by March 31.
Sun., March 15, 2pm, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Newport, Native Americans in Perry County.
Dr. Kurt Carr will present including the famous Wallis Dig in Liverpool. Sponsored by the Perry County Historical Society. There is no charge for admission.
The Poverty Simulation organized by CCU, Tri-County Community Action Commission and Harrisburg BIC Church, Saturday, March 21, 8:30am, Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church, 2217 Derry Street, Harrisburg.
This true-to-life role playing experience for groups and organizations shows the challenges, decisions, and life of someone in poverty. To register, contact Darrel Reinford at 717-230-9550 or dreinford@ccuhbg.org
