Loading...The Lord said to Moses, "Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.” Exodus 32:10
Moses was up on the mountain with the Lord. The people below became worried that Moses has disappeared. They were frightened. Instead of trusting in God's presence with them, they decided to find a new God to worship and to be with them. They took all of their gold and melted it down and created a calf or bull. This was a common symbol of worship for Egyptians and others in that region.
We are told in this Sunday's reading from Exodus that God was so angry, God wanted to destroy the Israelites. Imagine, God had brought them out from under their oppressors. God had guided them night and day in the wilderness to escape the mighty nation that oppressed them. God provided abundant food and water. The Israelites had seen all of this and yet, decided to turn back to other Gods the minute they became nervous and fearful.
Moses intervenes, asking God to save the people and God does so.
As I read this, I wonder, where have I decided God isn't doing what I'd like God to do? Where have I worshipped the "golden calf," thinking it will bring me protection and guidance?
In all of this pondering, I remember these words from Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements.
Grow In Faith Together (G.I.F.T)
Our faith formation webpage has been redone. We’ve labeled it G.I.F.T. for Grow In Faith Together. Our overarching theme is Micah 6:8
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
The webpage provides faith formation activities you can access any time. There are email Bible Studies you can sign up for. There are activities that can be done with the whole family. Some are centered around our upcoming holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you’re a Star Wars fan, there is a Bible Study for you, too. Check it out and tell Bill Rohm or me what you think. If you try any of the activities, also let us know what you liked and didn’t like.
//nativityandststephen.diocpa.org/worship.html
Godly Play is this Sunday and October 22.
Parlor People, 11am—noon
This Sunday, Early Christian Writings Part II led by Bill Rohm.
No Parlor People next week.
Next Sunday, Sue Beamer will lead Morning Prayer and preach. Rebecca will be on vacation.
At Church of the Nativity
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, October 25, 6:30pm, Diocesan Eliminating Racism Task Group
Thursday, October 26, 7-8:30pm – Newport Anti-Racism League
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.
Prayerfully consider what you will pledge to contribute to the ministry of The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen for 2018.
All pledges should be turned in by October 29.
Loving God, you alone are the source of every good gift. We praise you for all your gifts to us, and we thank you for your generosity. Everything we have, and all that we are, comes from you. Help us to be grateful and responsible. You have called us to follow your son, Jesus, without counting the cost. Send us your Holy Spirit to give us courage and wisdom to be faithful disciples. We commit ourselves to being good stewards. Help us to be grateful, accountable,
generous, and willing to give back with increase. Help us to make stewardship a way of life.
We make this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. AMEN
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.
From the Diocese
Celebration of new ministry for the Rev. John Harwood will be taking place on November 1, 7pm at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Lewistown.
The Episcopal Church Women 113th Annual Gathering, November 4,
St. Andrew’s in the Valley, 4620 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg.
Registration is $15 and includes lunch. Registration and light refreshments begin at 9am. A form is posted in the undercroft for anyone who would like to pre-register or email Shirley Wagner at srw2052@centurylink.net by October 27 and pay at the door.
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.
PA Interfaith Power and Light (PA-IPL) statewide conference,
Sunday, October 29, 1:30-5:30pm, State College, PA.
The theme is Gratitude, Lament and Renewal: Walking Faithfully in a Time of Climate
Disruption. See the conference page for more information
//paipl.us/what-do-we-do/annual-meeting/
Volunteers Needed for Emergency Shelters in Harrisburg.
Safe Harbor and Downtown Daily Bread are in need of overnight volunteers at their Winter Overnight Safe Haven. These are drop-in shelters during the cold winter. Volunteers arrive at 7:30pm and work alongside a paid staff person. They help provide snacks and socialization, then are able to sleep in volunteer quarters from 10pm-6am. After waking and seeing the men off, volunteers can leave by 7am. If you would like to help, please let Rebecca know.
Rotary Club of Perry County, Pints for Polio, Tuesday, October 24, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. River Bend Hop Farm & Brewery with Artisan Pizza, 1800 Lower Bailey Road, Newport.
Proceeds to benefit Rotary International’s Polio Foundation. Tickets are $5.
Please see Rebecca if you’d like a ticket.
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.
Tell Congress to Protect Children's Access to Health Care!
Congress has allowed the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to expire. The failure to reauthorize this program threatens the health of 9 million children and pregnant women as well as the positive financial trajectory and stability of their families. We must urge Congress to approve and fund a five-year extension!
The CHIP program is important because it covers children and pregnant women who earn above the requirements for Medicaid but do not yet earn enough to afford private insurance.
In short, CHIP was created in 1997 with overwhelming bipartisan support. Congress has re-authorized and renewed funding for the program several times over the past 20 years, including most recently in 2015.
Congress has only a short window before states begin to run out of funding and have to terminate children's health insurance coverage. Congress is delayed in passing this critically important renewal due to debates over how long the extension should be and technicalities of funding this historic program.
Go here to write to your Members of Congress: //advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/app/write-a-letter?2&engagementId=406633&ep=AAAAC2Flc0NpcGhlcjAx_8ZvdNJEBd40BW1zAbJDTfqVQJ0fLMqbA8aUEeKszLKyqHChGG5EdTqV7gpaa3NzGfRSTbMtj9atqslgJL68fnawx7ow7nz2UwXFlTPaZ1g&lp=0
