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It is in vain that you rise so early and go to bed so late; *
vain, too, to eat the bread of toil,
for he gives to his beloved sleep Psalm 127:3
Recently, I have rediscovered the daily office of Compline from the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer (http://anglicanprayerbook.nz/167.html). At the church in Corbin, this version of Compline was said most Wednesdays.
Compline is known as the night prayer. It is the office of prayer and psalms said before going to sleep. Some have even said it is the office of prayer said when you first lie down in bed to go to sleep.
The opening or "approach" to Compline in the New Zealand version includes this:
The angels of God guard us through the night,
and quieten the powers of darkness.
The Spirit of God be our guide
to lead us to peace and to glory.
It is but lost labour that we haste to rise up early,
and so late take rest, and eat the bread of anxiety.
For those beloved of God are given gifts even while they sleep.
Silence
This approach, which includes a version of Psalm 127, verse 3, acknowledges the anxiety that most of us feel in our lives. We "eat the bread of anxiety." It acknowledges how vain or useless this is in the end. I am comforted by the vision that God is giving me gifts while I sleep. How many times do we go to bed with anxiety or worry and wake up the next morning feeling entirely different or at least able to cope with our worries and challenges?
So whenever we find ourselves eating the bread of anxiety, may we be reminded that we are beloved of God and that God is giving us gifts even while we sleep.
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play will be today and November 18.
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Today’s Parlor People session: The Episcopal Church: Evangelism led by Rebecca.
The next session will be December 2. Is it God we are hearing? led by Jane Hoover.
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At Church of the Nativity
Today we honor our Veterans in the parish and observe Native American Heritage Month.
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Today we will take an annual offering for the Episcopal Home.
We encourage you to give $25 if you can to provide care for people who cannot pay the full fee. We hope to raise at least $1,000 from our parish. Any amount is appreciated.
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Christmas Pageant practices will take place after church on the following dates – today,
November 18 and December 2, 9 and 16.
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Join Us For Breakfast! Wednesdays at 9am.
Women will meet at Bitting’s this week; Men meet at Espresso Yourself.
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The church office will be closed Monday, November 19 – Friday, November 23; both Rebecca and Michele will be away.
Michele will be on vacation Saturday, November 17 – Saturday, December 1. Please let her know of any changes to the Service Participants before Wednesday, November 14.
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The Annual Meeting will take place on November 18 followed by a Pot Luck meal.
The Nominations Committee has recommended the following people to serve in various elected positions for The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen.
Vestry – Bill Day, Todd Saner
Delegate to 2019 Diocesan Convention – Lynne Mitchell
Alternate to 2019 Diocesan Convention – Rebecca Crup
Representatives to Convocation (3) - Rebecca Crup, Lynne Mitchell
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Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
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Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, November 14, 6:30pm, Vestry
Thursday, November 15, Gardens trip to SVM and Country Cupboard, 9am - 4pm
Tuesday, November 27, 2pm, Parlor People Planning Committee
Saturday, December 8, 9:30am – 12:30pm, Eliminating Racism Task Group
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From the Diocese
Sign up for news from around our Diocese.
Monthly email available. Go to https://diocesecpa.org/subscribe-for-newsletters/
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Holidays after Loss, Grief Circle Meetings “Learning to Walk in the Dark”, Thursdays, November 15, 29 and
December 6, 13, 6:30pm – 7:30pm, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, 221 N. Front Street, Harrisburg.
A Blue Christmas Service will also be held Wednesday, December 19, 6:30pm.
For details, contact The Rev. Deacon Shayna Watson, swatson@ststep.org or 717-236-4059.
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Diocesan Youth Retreat, The Way of Love, for Grades 6 – 12, Friday, November 16 – Sunday, November 18, Camp Mount Luther, 355 Mt. Luther Lane, Mifflinburg, PA.
Cost is $100 per youth. Register at www.diocesecpa.org/youth or contact Mary Ellen Kilp, mekilp@yahoo.com
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A New Beginning #2, Retreat for Youth in Grades 6-8, Friday, April 5, 2019 – Sunday, April 17, 2019, Camp Mount Luther, Mifflinburg, PA.
Cost is $100 per participant, includes cabin, meals, t-shirt, and all activities. Deadline to register is Friday, March 29. Register at www.diocesecpa.org. For more info, contact Mary Ellen Kilp or Theda Tallman at cpayouthcom.gmail.com or 717-475-2785.
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