Loading...For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. Ezekiel 34:11
Last year, Dick Price came rushing into my office one Sunday morning. Bill Rohm and I were discussing the service. Dick said there was an emergency in the church and Bill Rohm was needed to attend to it. Bill and I both rushed out to see what was happening.
There in the front of the church was a sheep -- not a real one, of course. Dick had made this one with his wonderful art skills. Bill Rohm was needed, of course, to get it out of the way as Vergers used to do many centuries ago.
The Bible is filled with many sheep metaphors. Caring for sheep was an occupation well known then and even now. God and Jesus are both described as Good Shepherds...the best ones that care for the sheep.
One of the amazing things about sheep is that they do know the shepherd's voice. There are numerous You Tube videos showing how the sheep only come when they recognize the shepherd's voice.
Ezekiel, writing to the Israelites in exile in Babylon, emphasizes that no matter where they are, God will seek them out. And in return, the sheep will hear the shepherd's voice and hopefully obey the shepherd.
Whenever I hear this metaphor, for some reason, I am drawn to the hymn, Built on the rock, the church shall stand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah4NDHjVf1M The hymn speaks about how the church exists even when "steeples are falling." The last verse contains the words, "I know my own. My own know me. You, not the world, my face shall see."
This Sunday where we hear about how Christ is who we follow, helps us remember, whose voice and which shepherd we follow. It also reminds us that not all of the world see this same shepherd of love.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
Announcements
Grow In Faith Together (G.I.F.T)
There will be no Parlor People today.
Parlor People will resume on December 10 with a discussion on Thomas Merton, led by Jane Hoover.
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Today is Godly Play.
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At Church of the Nativity
Altar flowers are sponsored by the Days in memory of Wendy’s Uncle Richard Quay.
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Today Clint of Sonshine Ministries will join us for Coffee Hour.
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Next week we welcome The Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan to our church.
All loose offering will be donated to the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund. You can also make a check out and put Bishop’s Discretionary Fund in the memo line. Ethan, Lilly and Sophia will be confirmed. A reception will follow the service.
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Today we take an additional offering for our Building Fund.
The money donated helps us pay down our mortgage and pay for major repairs.
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Flowers for Christmas.
Donations for Christmas flowers will be taken through December 10. If you have an envelope, you can use for the donation, including marking if they are “in honor of” or “in memory of” someone. There are also envelopes at the back of the church.
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Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, November 29, 6:30, Diocesan Eliminating Racism Task Group
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Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:00pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
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Donations being accepted for new organ!
Vestry has approved expenditures up to $60,000. The sale of some Orrstown Bank Stock provided $35,500 towards this, leaving $24,000 to be raised. Envelopes are at the back of the church if you would like to defray the cost.
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Join Us For Breakfast!
Men's breakfast - Every Wednesday, 9am, Espresso Yourself Cafe.
Women's breakfast – every Wednesday, 9am, Bitting’s.
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The choir practices Wednesdays at 10:15am.
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All who have been baptized by water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
are welcome to receive communion.
You may receive bread only or bread and wine. You may receive the wine by common cup or by dipping your wafer into the chalice. If you would prefer to receive a blessing, please come forward and cross your arms across your chest.
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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. Also, be sure to write down what you’ve purchased to help us maintain our inventory. A catalogue is also available. If there’s an item you’d like us to order, please see Jane Hoover.
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Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Prayer Shawl Ministry of Newport meets the last Thursday of the month, 10am.
Bring your projects and also learn how to knit or crochet.
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Good Grief, November 16 & 30 and December 7 & 14, 6:30pm, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral Dean’s Office, 221 N. Front Street, Harrisburg and Blue Christmas Service, December 21, 6:30pm
Good Grief is a four-session group that offers companionship for those who need to mourn. The Blue Christmas Service offers special music, scriptures, stories, silent reflection, healing prayer and communion.
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Join Hands Items of the Month –
Clothing (especially infant and toddler, hats, gloves, scarves, socks), toiletries, household cleaning supplies, blankets, quilts, towels, wash clothes.
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Thank you to everyone for sponsoring a child/family for the Join Hands Christmas program.
We are reaching 45 children! Please remember to bring your gifts to church in the bag provided. Gifts do not need to be wrapped. Edna Baker will be purchasing gift wrap and tape for the gifts. Due date is December 10. Thank you so much!
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Advent Evensong, 6pm and Messiah – Part I, 7pm featuring the Festival Choir,
Sunday, December 3, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 22 South 6th Street, Lebanon.
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Music by the River performance “Handel’s Messiah” by the Bach Choir of Baltimore,
Saturday December 9, 2pm, St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral, 221 North Front Street, Harrisburg.
Tickets are $25. Visit www.musicbytheriver.org to purchase tickets.
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Lebanon County Choral Society Concert, Sunday, December 10, 3pm,
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 22 South 6th Street, Lebanon.
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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.
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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.
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