Loading...Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful. Psalm 149:1
I do love to sing. Even as a child, I made up my own songs and words. I remember singing in choirs throughout my life, either in school, seminary or church. Throughout the week, I'll find myself singing a part of a favorite hymn, which is usually based on scripture. I connect with God through song.
Our Psalm this week asks us to "sing a new song." It encourages us to sing joyfully. I believe it is reminding us that when we are connected to God through our weekly worship and our relationships, we do sing a "new" song. We are changed and how we live in this world is a new song to the world.
How are you singing your new song this week?
Blessings and prayers as you finish your week. Remember, we'll be worshipping at St. Stephen's this Sunday.
Love, Rebecca+
Parlor People, Sunday, 11am – noon. All adults are welcome to participate in Parlor People nearly every Sunday. See our Christian Formation page for more information. There is no Parlor People this Sunday. Next week, Jane Hoover will lead a discussion on Where is God in our suffering?
This Sunday, Bingo and Lunch at Honaman House after church.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Upcoming Meetings
November 14, 10:30am - Environmental Stewardship Committee
November 15, 7pm – Racism Awareness Group
November 16, 6:30pm - Vestry
Nominations Slate for 2017 Vestry and Diocesan Convention Delegate and Alternate. Vestry recommends Shannon Burns, Kay Cramer, and Bill Rohm for Vestry and Miguel Gonzales for Delegate to 2017 Convention and Bill Rohm as Alternate. Jill Brownfield and Joanne Pinaire will be leaving Vestry. Voting on these recommendations will be held at the Annual Meeting on November 20.
Prayer for Upcoming Elections Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States and especially this community, in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Annual Meeting November 20, with potluck after church. We will vote on 2016 minutes; members of Vestry and 2017 Diocesan Convention Delegate and Alternate; and the 2017 Budget and receive reports from committees.
Serving on the Board of Honaman House. The by-laws of Honaman House state that the Vestry will appoint members to the Board each year for 1-year terms. The board typically meets once a year in June to go over the audit and other matters regarding the property. You will most likely also serve on the board for Episcopal Commons. If you are interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by this Sunday.
International Gifts and Bake Sale, Cedar Grove BIC Church, 287 Deerville Rd., Mifflintown, Friday November 18, 9am—7pm and Saturday, November 19, 9am—3pm. For more info, visit their FB page or www.juniatainternationalgiftssale.com
Volunteers are need to help distribute Christmas gifts through Join Hands. To volunteer you can fill out their online volunteer form at https://form.jotform.com/62764249447163 and they will schedule you the week of Monday, December 12th and Thursday, December 15th.
Urgent need! Refugees are currently arriving primarily from Somali, Congolese, Syrian and Bhutanese Nepali. They are in urgent need of new or gently used pillow cases, twin flat and twin fitted sheets, (collection of bedding items will take place through November 26), and an ongoing need for toiletry items, (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc). Please bring donations to church and items will be gathered and delivered to our Diocesan office. For more information, contact Loretta at 717-836-4378 or lorettacollins209@gmail.com
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast - November 9, 9am, May’s Railside.
Women’s Lunch, Tuesday, November 22, Noon, Espresso Yourself Café
Choir Practice The upcoming practices will be
Wed., November 9 at 10:15am and
Tues., November 22 at 1:15pm.
Let Rebecca know if you’d like her to come visit. She can come to your home or another location you suggest. This helps her to know you better and hopefully you will also know her a little better. Let Rebecca know your availability on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday days or evenings and she'll be in touch to arrange a time to get together.
You can send an email to her at nativityrector@pa.net or leave a message at the church at 717-567-6514.
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.
Help people in need around the world! A Thankoffering box is available by the coffee pots in the kitchen if you'd like to make donations that way. United Thankoffering is a project of the Episcopal Church Women of The Episcopal Church. Boxes are available to collect your offering, which is brought to church twice a year. A wonderful spiritual practice is to put something in the box each time you are thankful to God. If possible, count the money in your box and write a check to the church in that amount.
Honor or Remember a loved one or a special occasion with flowers on the altar! Flowers help make our worship space more beautiful and remind us of the blossoming life we have in Christ. Please consider sponsoring the flowers in memory of a loved one, or to celebrate your thanksgivings. Flowers are $30. A sign-up chart is in the Undercroft.
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.
Connect with us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEpiscopalChurchOfTheNativityStStephen
Twitter: @ChnatssChurch
Instagram: https://instagram.com/chnatss/
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMdhiksmcXv0kyz9M2uio6Q
