Loading...After this I, John, looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9
This Sunday we'll observe All Saints Day. We'll be at St. Stephen's in Thompsontown. A portion of Revelation will be one of our readings. This portion seems to pain a picture of heaven.
John's revelation is of a large group of people...too many to count. They also represent every people on earth.
When I visited the Washington National Cathedral recently, I heard Presiding Bishop Michael Curry speak at a forum. He talked about being the preacher at Bernard Mizeki commemoration in Zimbabwe last June.
Bernard Mizeki was an Anglican, born around 1861. He served in what is now Zimbabwe. He was martyred in 1896 for his Christian beliefs. There is a yearly commemoration on June 18 each year. Here are the prayers and information The Episcopal Church says for Bernard Mizeki: //prayer.forwardmovement.org/the_calendar_response.php?id=300618
There are Bernard Mizeki Guilds, established for Anglican lay men who wanted to experience more intense African-style worship. This involved all-night prayer vigils, healing, and sharing of dreams.
Composed largely of Xhosa-speaking migrant workers, Guild members wear purple waistcoats and a special badge. Members of the guild aspire to make the annual pilgrimage to the Mizeki festival in Zimbabwe. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Mizeki
Much of the music, worship and Presiding Bishop Curry's sermon is on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvHumagUFGM
Imagine the multitude praising God from every group on earth! What an amazing worship that would be.... in every language...in every style...with dancing and singing. The Bernard Mizeki observance gives us a taste of that amazing gathering.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
Grow In Faith Together (G.I.F.T)
The next Godly Play Sunday will be November 12.
Parlor People, 11am—noon
No Parlor People today.
Next week, November 12: Law and Covenant, Part II, led by Jane Hoover
At Church of the Nativity & St. Stephen
Light a Candle in memory of your loved ones.
As you enter the church, please come forward to light a candle in memory of your loved ones
who have died.
Today we take an additional offering for Caring for Nativity’s Neighbors Heating and Health. Donations are sent to Join Hands, so people in our community have support for their needs.
Michael from Join Hands will join us at coffee hour next week to talk about the services provided and needs of the community.
We’ll honor our Veterans in the parish on November 12.
If you’ve served in the military, please provide your name and branch of service to Michele at
717-567-6514 or chnatss@pa.net by November 6.
Next Sunday we observe Native American Heritage Month.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, November 8, 6:30pm, Vestry Meeting
Thursday, November 9, 7pm, Newport Anti-Racism League
Sunday, November 12, 11am-Noon, Confirmation Class
Sunday, November 19, Annual Meeting
Men’s & Women’s Breakfast, Wednesdays, 9am.
Men meet at Espresso Yourself Café. Women meet at Bitting’s.
The choir practices Wednesdays at 10:15am.
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.
The Nominations Committee has recommended the following people to serve in various elected positions for The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen. Elections will be held at the annual meeting on Nov. 19.
Vestry – 3 year term
Jill Hoover
Gail Shull
Treasurer – 3-year term
Wendy Day
Delegate to 2018 Diocesan Convention – Bill Rohm
Alternate to 2018 Diocesan Convention – Lynne Mitchell
We thank Miguel Gonzales and Lynne Mitchell for their service on Vestry.
From the Diocese
A Chapter of Integrity is forming in the Diocese.
Integrity works for full inclusion of people who are LGBT in the Episcopal Church. If you are interested in supporting their work, please let Rebecca know.
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Today, Holy Eucharist Requiem in observance of the Festival of All Saints, 6pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 22 South 6th Street, Lebanon, featuring The Festival Choir.
The Episcopal Home is a personal care home operated by our Diocese that serves residents who can no longer live independently. One of the primary opportunities for our parish to support the Home comes through the Thanksgiving Offering. The money raised through this offering provides significant support to the Home and to residents who cannot afford the full cost of their care. As you think about your blessings in this season of Thanksgiving, please consider giving to this special offering on November 12 to support this ministry in our Diocese.
The International Gifts & Bake Sale will be held at Cedar Grove BIC Church, 287 Deerville Road, Mifflintown on Friday, November 17 from 9am – 7pm and Saturday, November 18 from 9am – 3pm.
For more information, visit their Facebook page or www.juniatainternationalgiftssale.com.
Join Hands Items of the Month –
Clothing (especially infant and toddler, hats, gloves, scarves, socks), toiletries, household cleaning supplies, blankets, quilts, towels, wash clothes. They are also currently in great need of diapers.
Gently Worn used and new shoes collection.
Lillian Hoover is collecting gently worn, used and new shoes for the class of 2022 as a fundraiser while helping those in need. The shoes that are collected will be donated to those living in other countries. So as you are cleaning out your closets please think of her. They will be collecting shoes until November 30. A box is located in the undercroft.
