Loading...I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.... . Philippians 1:23
I feel extremely fortunate to be able to take my grandchildren on vacation. We had quite a fun and packed week in early August. Even though the children are older, I arranged it so we weren't in the car for too long each day.
One of the things we like to do is play songs. The kids pick them out on my phone and they play through my radio. I enjoy this, because it keeps me in tune with the music that young people enjoy.
This summer, the popular choice was songs from Ed Sheeran's CD, "Divide." One song always made me cry, "Supermarket Flowers." It's a song Mr. Sheeran wrote upon the death of his grandmother.
He describes her as well-loved. He sings about how she was an "angel in the shape of my mum." But it's the ending refrain that really evokes my tears:
"And when God took you back, he said, 'Hallelujah! You're home.'"
Paul in Philippians says it a little differently, yet the understanding is still the same. In many ways, we are aliens here on this earth. Our true home is with God.
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
This Sunday we welcome Peterson Toscano as our preacher and Parlor People presenter. Mr. Toscano lives in Sunbury, PA with his husband, the writer, Glen Retief. Together they lead the Sunbury chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby. They also organize trips to South Africa for the Susquehanna University Global Opportunities’ program, Traveling Writing in South Africa. He is the host for Citizens' Climate Lobby Radio. You can read more about him here: https://petersontoscano.com/climate-change-2/
The Rev. John Sivley will be the celebrant.
This Sunday we take an additional offering for our Building Fund. The money donated helps us pay down our mortgage and pay for major repairs.
Godly Play is this Sunday, October 8, 15 and 22.
Parlor People, 11am—noon. Today, Peterson Toscano host of Citizens Climate Radio will be our speaker. Next Sunday, “We disagree. Now What?” led by Professor John Dernbach
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday, September 26, 7:00-8:30pm Anti-Racism Perry County
Wednesday, September 27, 10:15am, Yard Clean-up
Wednesday, September 27, 11:00am, Environmental Stewardship Committee
Wednesday, September 27, 6:30pm, Diocesan Eliminating Racism Task Group
Saturday, October 7, 9am—2pm. Blessing of the animals, 11am—1pm.
Are you being called to serve the parish? The nominating committee of Miguel Gonzales, Lynne Mitchell and Gail Shull are looking for people who would like to serve on Vestry, Delegates to the 2018 Diocesan Convention and Delegates to the Harrisburg Convocation. If you are interested, please see one of them.
Let's read the Gospel According to Mark. As part of living into our baptismal covenant to "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers," the confirmands are reading the Gospel According to Mark. I invite you to join us. Mark is thought to be the earliest of the Gospels, written around 66CE. It is thought to have relied upon the oral traditions about Jesus and even was told orally. Today, there are a number of people who continue this tradition. The Gospel is thought to have been a source for Matthew and Luke. The Gospel is mostly about Jesus' actions and disputes with Scribes and Pharisees. We hear Mark during Year B of our Revised Common Lectionary. Year B begins this year at Advent I - December 3.
If you’d like to be baptized, confirmed, or received into The Episcopal Church, please let Rebecca know by October 1. The Bishop will be visiting on December 3 and will conduct these rites for us. If you’ve been baptized and confirmed in another Christian denomination, you can be received into The Episcopal Church. Otherwise, you can be baptized or if you’ve been baptized, you can be confirmed. Rebecca will work with you on a convenient time to discuss these rites and provide information and background on The Episcopal Church. If you’ve been a member of an Episcopal Church and would like to transfer your membership, let Rebecca know. To be a member of Nativity, you need to have your baptism recorded in the parish register. .
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.
Notecards of Nativity for sale. $2 each or 5 for $8. The photo on the 4X5½“ cards is of the pews and was taken by Irene VanBuskirk. They are in the undercroft.
Help support our college students with items for their care packages.
(Popcorn, candy, granola bars, individually wrapped crackers, cookies, etc.)
Darlene will mail boxes at the beginning of October.
From the Diocese
The Episcopal Home in Shippensburg is refurbishing their heavily-used activity room. Donations in any amount are being accepted for flooring and a new chair donation is $100. Send donations to: The Episcopal Home, 206 E Burd St, Shippensburg, PA 17257. Mark your donation for activity room.
Parish Music and Liturgy Day, Saturday, October 21, 9am – 3pm, St. Luke’s, Lebanon. Keynote: Dr. David Hurd. Choir members, Eucharistic ministers, acolytes, readers, prayers and anyone interested in liturgy is invited to attend this day for all ages. Let Michele know if you will attend by email at chnatss@pa.net or calling 717-567-6514.
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Gently Worn used and new shoes collection. Lillian Hoover is collecting gently worn, used and new shoes for the class of 2022 as a fundraiser while helping those in need. The shoes that are collected will be donated to those living in other countries. So as you are cleaning out your closets please think of her. They will be collecting shoes until November 30. A box is located in the undercroft.
Volunteers are needed to clean apartments at Linda House. Apartments would be cleaned when residents leave in preparation for a new resident’s arrival. Currently, this work needs to be done between 8am and 4pm Monday – Friday. Signing a confidentiality statement is required. Please see Rebecca if you are available.
Tuesday, October 3, 7-8:30pm. Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Executive Director of PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), former Pennsylvania Agriculture Deputy Secretary and farmer in Juniata County will speak, Unitarian Church, 1280 Clover Lane, Harrisburg. Local, Organic, Free-range, Grassfed, Vegetarian, GMO Free. What does it all mean and can you really make food choices that will have a positive impact on our planet?
Crop Walk, Little Buffalo Main Entrance, Sunday, October 8, Registration- 12:30, Walk- 1pm. Join other churches and individuals in an effort to end hunger. 25% of funds raised stay in Perry County. For sponsorship envelopes and more information, call 582-6753 or visit crophungerwalk.org to learn more about the program.
On Thursday, October 19 from 5-7pm, we will host a Perry County Chamber Mixer. This is an opportunity to showcase our church community, as well as welcome business people in our community. Chamber members network with each other and also learn more about us. Adam Britcher and Miguel Gonzales will provide refreshments for the evening. We need others who will talk about the ministry of our church, give tours and greet people. If you are interested and available, please see Rebecca.
Christian Churches United 40th Anniversary Celebration,
Tuesday, November 14, 5:30pm, Best Western Premier Hotel. Join Christian Churches United in their celebration. Keynote speaker is Shane Claiborne, a founding partner of a faith community in Philadelphia that seeks to follow Jesus, rediscover the spirit of the early church, and incarnate the “Kingdom of God.” If you are interested in attending, please let Rebecca know.
Join Hands Items of the Month – Clothing (especially infant and toddler, hats, gloves, scarves, socks), toiletries, household cleaning supplies, blankets, quilts, towels, wash cloths
