Loading...Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
and whose sin is put away! Psalm 32:1
I'm writing this from home, watching a show I like - Ben and Lauren. A good friend got me watching the Bachelor and then there was the Bachelorette and now there's the spin off, showing the one couple who's engaged. I think it's observing human behavior that draws me in.
On tonight's show one of the people was asked directly to apologize for his past actions. He had such a hard time doing that. He had a hard time admitting how his behavior had hurt others.
Isn't that true for all of us? I know most of you like me were always told to tell the truth...that it'd be better to tell the truth than to tell a lie...that punishment would be worse if you lied. Yet, it's still tempting to lie and not tell the truth.
Looking at ourselves truthfully can be painful and embarrassing. When we confess our sins to God...when we acknowledge the ways we have not always been loving and caring towards others, God forgives us. God puts away our sin. We are free to do better the next time...to change...to start anew.
Many blessings as you finish your week!
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.
This Sunday, Bill Rohm leads our discussion on, Public Faith in Action: How to Think Carefully, Engage Wisely, and Vote with Integrity. Next week, there will be no Parlor People as we’ll be worshiping at St. Stephen’s.
Also, Jane Hoover, Bill Rohm and I are interested in hearing about what you believe are your spiritual needs and/or the spiritual needs of the congregation. Our Mission statement says we’re “called to grow: in service, in numbers of disciples, and in grace.” How can Parlor People help us fulfill our mission? Let us know, so we can plan some Parlor People sessions around these needs.
STEWARDSHIP PRAYER - All materials should be turned in by this Sunday when they will be presented during the offering.
We continue our Stewardship season. You should have received information and return sheets for you to determine how you will support the Christian community of Nativity and St. Stephen during 2017. During this time, please pray:
All powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks. All things are of your making. All times and seasons obey you. You chose to create us in your own image and to set us over all the whole world in all its wonder. You made us the stewards of creation, to praise you every day for your wisdom and power. May we imitate your son, Jesus, in his life of service. May we be faithful stewards of all your gifts to us, the People of God. Amen.
We will worship at St.Stephen’s next Sunday in observance of All Saints Day.
Men’s Breakfast - each Wed., 9am, Espresso Yourself Café.
Women’s Breakfast - November 9, 9am, May’s Railside.
Choir Practice Wednesdays after Women’s Breakfast at 10:15am The upcoming practice will be November 9. There will also be a practice on November 22.
Upcoming Meetings
November 6, After service – lunch and BINGO at Honaman House
November 15, 7pm – Racism Awareness Group
November 16, 6:30pm - Vestry
November 20, Annual Meeting and Pot Luck
Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Give Online to The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen! We’ve added a “Give Online” button to our website. You can use your credit card to make a onetime or recurring monthly donation to the church. On the second screen before final confirmation, you can give special instructions if you’d like to split your donation between the program fund, building fund, flowers or another area of the church. Check it out!
Diocesan ECW Gathering, November 5, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Lancaster. Guest speaker will be Beblon Parks, National ECW Board Member-at-Large for Social Justice. Beblon served as an Episcopal Church delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women held March 14-24, 2016. She will share her experience of this event.
Unity Rally, November 5, 2-4pm, Harrisburg High School, John Harris Campus, 29th and Market Streets. In response to the possibility of hate groups rallying in Harrisburg on November 5, there will be a unity rally to show people are against hate. You can get more information at //speakupforunity.org/ Also, let Rebecca know if you’d like to attend.
Reading the names of those who have died in the past year. On November 6, at our service for All Saints, we’ll read the names of loved ones and friends who have died in the past year. Please let Michele (chnatss@pa.net) know the names of those you’d like included by November 1.
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 - Thursday, December 15th.
International Gifts and Bake Sale, Cedar Grove BIC Church, 287 Derrville Rd., Mifflintown, Friday November 18, 9am—7pm and Saturday, November 19, 9am—3pm. For more info, visit their FB page or www.juniatainternationalgiftssale.com
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.
Honoring the Veterans in our Parish. We’d like to remember the Veterans in our parish on November 13. Let Michele (chnatss@pa.net) know the name and branch of service.
Bingo and Lunch at Honaman House after church. On Sunday, November 6, after church, we’ll go to Honaman House for coffee hour/lunch and BINGO. If you can provide soup, crackers, a side dish or dessert for lunch, please let Lynne Mitchell or Wendy Day know. Also, we’re accepting household cleaning and paper items for prizes.
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 November 10.
Time Change Reminder! Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Sat., November 5.
Join Hands items of the month are Monetary Donations, Washers and Dryers.
Urgent need! Our Diocese has been contacted by the Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Office in Harrisburg. A larger than typical number of refugees are currently arriving. Recent arrivals are primarily Somali, Congolese, Syrian and Bhutanese Nepali.
Most families have been in refugee camps for several years; some folks from Bhutan Nepal have been in camps up to 20 years. Prior to fleeing the war or unrest in their country some were university students or had higher education. They start out here in entry level jobs, often in warehouses. These families have 1-8 children.
Catholic Charities remembers with gratitude the generous outpouring of support they received from us in our Pots, Pans and Pillows Appeal.
They are now in urgent need of new pillows and twin bedding (new or gently used pillow cases, twin flat and twin fitted sheets). Collection of bedding items will take place through November 26.
There is also an ongoing need for toiletry items, i.e., shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. If your church would like to collect items for a Toiletry Kit contact Deacon Loretta Collins for more information. Please bring donations to your church. Items will be gathered and delivered to our Diocesan office, coordinated by Deacon Loretta and members of the Refugee Resource Group. For more information contact Loretta at 717-836-4378 or lorettacollins209@gmail.com. Thanks in advance of your generous welcoming of the strangers!
