This Sunday (November 29, 2020) at The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen

This Sunday

First Sunday in Advent - Service is online or by phone

Michele Neibert, Parish Administrator November 25, 2020
This Sunday (November 29, 2020) at The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Collect for First Sunday in Advent, p. 211, Book of Common Prayer

This Sunday is the First Sunday in Advent. We say this Collect every year. It is an old prayer. I am especially drawn to the image of "put on the armor of light..." 

The days are shorter. Night comes earlier. Sometimes there is little sun where we are. Then there are the troubles of the world, especially this Covid-19 pandemic. Our lives feel extra challenging at this time. Even so, we are encouraged to once again be different. Living differently in the world is a hallmark of our following Jesus. Whatever comes our way, we can put on the armor of light. We are protected by the love of God and Jesus. We exude this love to the world. 

Many blessings!

Love, Rebecca+

Announcements

All services will be available through Zoom online or by phone until further notice.
Next Sunday, we'll have Advent Lessons and Carols via Zoom online and by phone. 

Join Sunday morning Zoom Meeting. Service begins at 9:30am and you can join by 9:00am. 

Online:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85722557280

Meeting ID:  857 2255 7280  Password: 5676514
or

Call In:  +1 929 205 6099 

Meeting ID: 857 2255 7280   Password: 5676514




Today we take an additional offering for our Building Fund.
The money donated helps us pay for repairs.

 

Rebecca can bring communion to you. 
Please be in touch with her at 717-567-6514 or 717-433-1556 and she can arrange a time and talk how to do this safely.

 

Please include the following in your daily prayers.
Wendy, Megan, David, Margo, Raymond, Tootser, Sue, Mike, Colton, Ben, Serena, Scott, Marcia, Jennifer, Brenda, Sean, Amanda, David, Meeta, Jim, Danielle, Anthony, Lois, Dan, the Van Orden family, Ginger, Van, James, Michelle, Frank, Rhonda, Donna, Erin, Paul, Thomas, Linda, Jake, Rich, Lesley, Luis, Martin, Matilda, Evelyn, Elsie, Mary, Max, Crystal, Olivia, Nancy, Dan, Barb, Matthew, Lynne, Barry, Scot, Shirley, Russ and Darlene.

 

Preparing to Become the Beloved Community Resources for Advent and Christmas
For the season of Advent, Journeying the Way of Love offers four sessions to be explored as we await the coming of Christ by moving through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Participants are encouraged to read and reflect on these passages in Luke throughout the season of Advent and “try on” the spiritual practices of the Way of Love. For more information and to download the Journeying the Way of Love Advent Calendar, visit: https://episcopalchurch.org/journeying-way-love  
For more Christmas and Advent resources and to subscribe to the Advent Newsletter, visit:
https://episcopalchurch.org/advent-and-christmas-resources 

 

Fourth season of The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry podcast begins with guest Archbishop Thabo Makgoba (TBC)
Season 4 of The Episcopal Church’s podcase The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry, is now available. In this episode, Bishop Curry talks with the Most Rev. Thabo Makgoba [TAH-boh Mac-GO-bah], Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of Southern Africa. Archbishop Thabo’s life is punctuated with stories of hope and oppression, joy and anger, truth and reconciliation.
Read more: https://tinyurl.com/y2vt2rtg

 

Showing Up for Each Other: Conversations with Episcopal Missionaries
The Episcopal Church Global Partnerships Office presents a new webinar series, Showing Up for Each Other: Conversations with Episcopal Missionaries, this November and December.  Members of the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) and Episcopal Volunteers in Mission (EVIM) will share stories and lessons they have learned through walking alongside partners across the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Read more: https://tinyurl.com/y6hl6h2j 

 

Good News On the Go brings you short (< 3 minute) sermons on the Sunday Lectionary readings.
Use them whenever and wherever you need the Good News: on the road, with those who are home-bound or when in a pinch!  https://www.facebook.com/Good-News-on-the-Go-111449904037797?mc_cid=c2d9827f92&mc_eid=eca4b4b9f3

 

2020 Joy to the Burg TV Special with Christian Churches United
Join CCU at 10am on December 15 on ABC 27 for their first ever one-hour Joy To The Burg TV Special. Featuring interviews, songs and artists from the album Joy to the Burg 2020.  Albums can be purchased at https://www.joytotheburg.com/. Also check out CCU’s The United In Love Variety Hour on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnkR1Cz3wNM

 

The Pennsylvania Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Network (PAIRWN) is seeking volunteers who would like to work with immigrant and refugee students in Harrisburg area schools through our Family Advocacy Project’s Homework Help Program.
Volunteers will provide homework assistance and tutoring to immigrant and refugee students who are struggling to keep up in the virtual classroom setting. Every Wednesday, in partnership with John Harris High School’s social worker and ESL teachers, students and volunteers will meet in Zoom classrooms for an hour or two for the tutoring. All State clearances are required. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Carolyn Joy Patterson, PAIRWN Board President, at 717-736-3600 or cpatterson@diocesecpa.org.

 

The Juniata County Library Offers Online Resources
You can download the Libby App to connect to library resources, borrow a wi-fi mobile hotspot, unlimited checkouts for books, magazines, books on CD, and more. For more information, visit www.juniatalibrary.org or call 717-436-6378.

 

Food Bank Donations are needed! 
For a list of the items needed by the Food Bank, go to their website at http://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! 
If you would like gift cards, please mail a check to the church and note what store cards and amount you would like. We will mail you your gift cards. You could also have them mailed to an organization or person in need. Cards are available 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.