Loading...
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Tim. 4:7
When I read these words, I often think of those who have gone before us. We all know people for whom we can say, "They fought the good fight, they finished the race, they kept the faith." It's what we hope others will say about us, isn't it?
Keeping the faith can be challenging. We stray from the path to which God calls us. Sometimes when we believe we are following God's voice, we feel alone and like no one else is coming with us.
What can we do to keep following Jesus when it gets hard? What can we do to finish our race here on earth? What can we do to keep the faith?
I pray you will ponder these questions, not only as you consider you personal actions, but also as you think about how we as a community together fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith!
I pray the words to the hymn, "Fight the Good Fight" might sustain and uphold you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgl4SoI-5sk
Fight the good fight with all thy might!
Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right;
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.
2
Run the straight race through God’s good grace,
Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.
3
Cast care aside, lean on thy Guide;
His boundless mercy will provide;
Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life, and Christ its love.
4
Faint not nor fear, His arms are near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear;
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play is today.
Rehearsals for the Christmas Pageant will be after church today and November 10 & 17.
Saturday, November 9, 10am, prepare backdrop and costumes.
Today, Jane Hoover leads a discussion on The Other.
On November 10, Glenn Holliman leads on The High Tide of Legacy Denomination in Newport.
At Church of the Nativity
Today Canon Bob Schiesler will be presiding and preaching.
Today we take an additional offering for our Building Fund.
The money donated helps us pay down our mortgage and pay for major repairs.
We observe All Saints Sunday at St. Stephen's on November 3.
Bring a photo or memento of your loved ones you would like to remember on that Sunday. We will place these objects in the window sills of the church. Also, let Michele know at chnatss@pa.net the names of loved ones you would like remembered on that day.
Episcopal Home Thanksgiving Offering on November 17.
Joe is in his early 70s. He had a good career as a writer. Recently he’s had some health issues, making it difficult for him to live on his own. He also has limited income. The Episcopal Home is a perfect fit for him. His meals are provided in a beautiful dining room. There are activities and outings, some especially arranged for his interests. His medical appointments are coordinated and there is transportation provided. His medications are given to him as directed. The Episcopal church he loves is readily available on Sunday mornings, with chaplain services provided during the week.
The Episcopal Home must raise nearly $300,000 per year from donors to make sure people like Joe have an excellent quality of life. Please make a donation to help Joe and other residents at the home.
Michele will be on vacation Monday, November 11 – Friday, November 15.
Rebecca will be off Wednesday, November 27.
Daylight Savings
Remember to turn your clocks back an hour before going to bed on Saturday, November 2.
We’ll honor our Veterans in the parish on Nov. 10.
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 3.
The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 17 at the end of the church service.
A pot-luck lunch will follow.
We will vote on the 2020 budget, as well as elect leadership for 2020. The following have been nominated:
3-year Vestry terms:
Kay Cramer
Charlene Robbins
2020 Diocesan Convention
Bill Rohm, Delegate
Kay Cramer, Alternate
Upcoming Meetings
Each Sunday, 5pm, Perry County PRIDE
Wednesday, November 13, 6pm, Vestry
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Join Us For Breakfast!
Wednesdays at 9am. Women will meet at Newport Family Restaurant this week; Men meet at Espresso Yourself.
The Equal Exchange cart in the Undercroft features fresh olive oil from Palestine and an assortment of our favorite candy bars.
Also we continue to offer Equal Exchange coffees for our Sunday Coffee Hour. If you would like additional items, we can order them for you. Please contact Jane Hoover or the office.
From the Diocese
The Episcopal Church Women’s 115th Annual Gathering, Saturday, November 2, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1A N. Hanover Street, Carlisle.
“Dream a New Dream” at this dream building session to imagine a more relevant and contemporary organization for the women of the diocese. There is no fee, but pre-registration is needed. Email srw2052@gmail.com for more information or register at http://www.cvent.com/d/vyqbby
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Hope for the Holidays
You can bring joy and hope to families in immigration detention, and to children who crossed our borders alone, by writing and decorating holiday cards in English and Spanish. Cards will be collected by Thanksgiving and mailed to First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baltimore to be distributed to the families. See the flyers in the undercroft for additional information.
Christian Churches United Celebration Banquet, Thursday, November 7, 5:30pm, Best Western Premier, 800 East Park Drive, Hbg.
The 2019 United In Love banquet will feature a fun, interactive reception, silent auction, powerful testimonies of the impact of our programs, the music of local folk band Seasons, and a dynamic talk by Joseph Robinson, Jr. Tickets are $50.
Friends of Newport Mixer, Wednesday, November 6, 5:30-7:30pm, Landis House
What fun activities would you like to experience in Newport? Come out to our mixer and share your thoughts! Enjoy light refreshments, and bring your ideas of how we can foster recreation, culture and community in Newport and beyond. Learn more about Friends of Newport, our current activities like Board Game Night and Basketball Open Gym, possible future happenings, and how you can join the fun! Please park at the Weis Market. Let Rebecca know if you will attend.
YWCA Greater Harrisburg and Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence present Partnering to Address Domestic Violence, Thursday, November 7, 8:30am – 3pm, YWCA, 1101 Market Street, Harrisburg.
This training is for faith leaders (clergy and lay), domestic violence advocates, and anyone who is interested in understanding the importance of a faith-based responses to domestic violence. For more info or to register, contact Samantha at 717-238-7273 or skocher@ywcahbg.org
12th Annual Ladies’ Night at Perry County Council of the Arts, Friday, November 8, 5 – 9pm.
Enjoy an evening of local shopping, pampering and mingling. Bring some friends, wear something Groovy (60s/70s) and have fun! Visit Ladies Night at Perry County Council of the Arts on FB to get a list of participating destinations or visit perrycountyarts.org or call 717-567-7023 for more details.
Support the Perry County Community Foundation by Making a Donation
The Perry County Community Foundation provides funding for local nonprofit organizations that help to meet the needs of Perry County residents. Donations can be made online at https://www.tfec.org/start-giving/donate-online/ or you can mail your donation (forms are posted in the undercroft).
Gifts for Life gives people all over the world the chance to transform their lives in lasting ways.
Visit www.episcopalrelief.org/gifts to send a gift to help fight poverty, hunger and disease worldwide. A catalog is also posted in the undercroft listing the many gifts available.
