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O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Collect for Proper 19, p. 233, Book of Common Prayer
Sometimes it is truly hard to know what is best to do. It is truly hard to make a decision. We wonder if we are making the best or right decision. I've learned over the years, that if possible, it's good to wait awhile until I feel some peace about a decision. However, that is not always possible. I also try to tell myself that even if this isn't the best decision, there are usually choices I can still make if it's not working out.
In this Sunday's Collect, we are reminded that one of the most important things we can do is pray for the Holy Spirit to direct and rule our hearts in all things. We can pray and listen. I think that's what happens when I feel calm or at peace with a decision; it's because the Holy Spirit was involved.
I think we also experience the Holy Spirit ruling and directing our lives when there are God-incidences. Sometimes it's that one person who calls you at exactly the right time, or a name or organization that keeps popping up as being helpful.
This past week, I felt like I had a reminder of the presence of the Holy Spirit. I was going through some books that belong to Jane Hoover as we were clearing out her home. There was one that looked so interesting and I thought would be a good one for the church to have. I opened the book and out fell two postcards from Cumberland Falls, Kentucky. Jane bought those postcards when she and Todd came to Kentucky to speak to me about coming to Newport. Of course, I kept the book for the church, and the postcards too.
My prayer is that you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit ruling and directing your heart.
Blessings,
Rebecca+
Announcements
Please include the following in your daily prayers.
The Rev. Joe Mitchell, Scot, Matthew, Meta, Jim, Tootser, Jacob, Stephanie, Chris, Wendy, Deb, Scott, Laura, Jai, Nelson, Sue, Taran, Zach, Julie, Charles, Jill, Karrie, Father Bill Warne, Anne, Charles, Jane, Jamey, Wendy, Daris, Julie, The Rev. Renny Martin, Canon Bob Schiesler, Jane, Anthony, Rev. Carla Christopher, Anne, Nikki, Mary, Gary, Jerry, Kelley, Joan, Wynter Sage, Russ, Toni, Blair and the family and friends of Lenore Alexander.
Prayerfully consider what you will pledge to contribute to the ministry of The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen for 2022.
All pledges should be turned in by October 3.
Route 34 Road Closure, September 17 – 19
Route 34 will be closed from Little Buffalo Road to Hickory Ridge Road. Alternate routes would be State Park Road (across from the historical society) to Little Buffalo Road out to 34 or Cold Storage Road to Little Buffalo Road and out to 34.
Help our Afghan Allies through Episcopal Migration Ministries
As we continue to welcome and resettle Afghan SIV’s, the greatest need continues to be housing assistance. Donations can be made online or by mail: DFMS-Protestant Episcopal Church US, P.O. Box 958983, St. Louis, MO 63195-8983 (Include Episcopal Migration Ministries and Afghan SIV’s in the memo line.) For more information, visit: https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/afghan-allies/
Chat and Chew, Thursday, September 16, Zoom, 6:30 - 8:30pm.
The topic is "What is Critical Race Theory?"
Preregister at www.ccuhbg.org/chatandchew
Lunch Gathering, Tuesday, September 21, Noon, Haldeman Park (next to the deli in Thompsontown)
Bring your lunch and a chair.
Help Episcopal Relief & Development provide communities in Haiti with essential supplies and resources
Your generous gift can provide assistance to help people in the wake of these disaster. Checks can be sent to:
Episcopal Relief and Development
PO Box 7058
Merrifield VA 22116-7058
9/11 Memorial Observance, Today, noon - 4pm
Citizen's Fire Company, Newport is sponsoring a 9/11 memorial observance. From noon - 2pm, emergency equipment will be on display on S. Third and Mulberry Streets. At 2pm, the memorial service will begin at the fire company, 301 Mulberry, Street. Rev. Gary Bellis will provide remarks. Rebecca will provide the invocation and Rev. Michael Cromer will provide the benediction. Ed Mann, PA Fire Commissioner during 9/11, will be the main speaker. Music will be provided by PC Brass and the Perry County Color Guard will present the colors, as well as the 13-fold program for folding the American flag.
Wednesday, September 22, 1pm, Vestry Meeting
Graveside service for Jean Tuzinski, Sunday, October 17, 2pm, cemetery at their farm, 74 Thompson Lane
Millerstown.
Bring a chair if you'd like to sit. If it is raining, then the service will be October 24.
LEAF Savor Event, Saturday, September 18, 6pm
Join LEAF for their signature event where the region’s best chefs and farmers partner to create innovative dishes paired with masterful beverages. Get your tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/savor-2021-tickets-160983414727?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
The Love Gala, Sunday, September 19, 2:30 - 4:30pm, St. Andrew's in the Valley, 4620 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg
Sponsored by the Bishop Nathan Baxter Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians and in support of the Dr. George H. and Mrs. Hettie S. Love "Love of Learning" Scholarship. For event information, visit: https://www.drlovescholarship.org/
Social Media Habits Survey - Help Improve our Diocesan Social Media Presence
The diocesan communications office are seeking to enhance social media presence and fully serve the online audience. Take the short survey at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezvg0dDBt7NqJ8StIUz3LNGxJcOdVr_Dmu-vONHEw-blGd_g/viewform
Help fill our community food pantry!
Items that seem to be taken first include canned pasta meals, soups, and macaroni and cheese. Vegetables don't seem to get taken. Also, please don't use this as an opportunity to clear out your pantry if at all possible.
Join the Episcopal Church Office of Development, Wednesday, September 29, 5pm, as they host a webinar panel discussion highlighting the importance and history of two Episcopal Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina.
We’ll look at the history of HBCUs and The Episcopal Church, which founded a number of these institutions in the later 19th century to provide educational opportunities to formerly enslaved persons. Registration is required: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I26rHe_vRFKI6l9zVwEI5A
