From the Pastor:
Meteorologist Keith Carson called it a “garbage pattern” as he forecasted the weather for this week I am writing in. It has been wave upon wave of rain as front follows front. It’s probably the type of pattern that long ago inspired the saying “April showers bring May flowers.” It’s cloudy this morning after three days of rain and normally that would be getting me down.
But with the rain has come the greening of the grass and the budding of the trees. The grass in my yard and neighborhood is a vibrant green that seems brighter with each day of rain. The early trees have begun to bud: the willow in my yard a faint shade of yellow and the maple next door a deep red. And with those signs of springtime rebirth and life I am reminded of the life-giving role and importance of water in our natural world.
AND I am reminded of water’s importance in the story of God and God’s people. From the beginning of creation water was there: And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. (Genesis 1:6-7).
As Moses led God’s chosen people, water was a sign of God’s presence with and compassion for God’s chosen people: But the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do for this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:3-6)
Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised continued care for God’s people:
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will open rivers on the bare heights and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land springs of water. (Isaiah 41:17-18)
And it was with water shared by an unnamed woman that Jesus made a promise of eternal life for those who believe in him: Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” (John 4:13-15)
Water is such an important part of our world, our health, and our faith. Yet throughout human history we have taken it for granted and often not tried to care for it. Those human mistakes are now being exacerbated by climate change and continued abuse and misuse of water sources.
But our faithful God forgives us over and over and over and offers us opportunity to change and be faithful stewards. Through the waters of our baptism God gives us grace each day to try again. Our Nativity Creation Care Team is focusing their efforts on water issues and care for our watersheds. Watch for opportunities to join them in learning about, advocating for, stewarding, and enjoying our local water sources.
And if a rainy day threatens to bring you down, let the raindrops remind you of the waters of baptism and the springtime colors of new life.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Anderson
NLC HARVEST FESTIVAL/TAG SALE
WHAT??????? Harvest Festival/Tag Sale?????? Are we doing it in July this year??????
July - NO
October - YES
Somehow, October seems so far away in May - BUT IT IS NOT. We are planning the HF/TS again this year in mid October. As you are getting the garage, shed, barn open for the summer, cleaning out items you no longer want/need, don’t forget the HF/TS at Nativity.
OH, and don’t hold back - how about the basement, attic, and yes - the living floor of the house?????? (If you would like to drop off items this summer, contact Phil)
Hey, here’s an idea!!!! Do you Knit, Sew, Craft, Bake or have a hobby that allows you to create interesting “things”?? Many of our most exciting “things” are “things” you don’t see anywhere else!!!!
The plan will follow previous year’s efforts. We will need help receiving items into the basement, setting up all areas used in the church (typically basement, fellowship hall, narthex), running the event on the day of the event, and “packing up” when the event wraps up.
So, if you have items to donate, time to donate, suggestions to improve the event, questions of all types about the event:
Contact Karin and Phil Pratt 207-832-4335 davisloop100@gmail.com.
Celebrating Earth Day
April 21, 2023
Tomorrow is Earth Day, celebrated for the first time in 1970. Coming the same week that House Republicans demanded that Congress rescind the money Democrats appropriated in the Inflation Reduction Act to address climate change, Earth Day in 2023 is a poignant reminder of an earlier era, one in which Americans recognized a crisis that transcended partisanship and came together to fix it.
The spark for the first Earth Day was the 1962 publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. A marine biologist and best-selling author, Carson showed the devastating effects of people on nature by documenting the effect of modern pesticides on the natural world. She focused on the popular pesticide DDT, which had been developed in 1939 and used to clear islands in the South Pacific of malaria-carrying mosquitoes during World War II. Deployed as an insect killer in the U.S. after the war, DDT was poisoning the natural food chain in American waters.
Note: To read Heather Cox Richardson's full article, click here
Earth Day 2023 Roadside CleanUp
Thanks to the great turn out on April 22nd, by Nativity members, Earth Day 2023 was a big success. Nine hardy souls picked up bottles, cans and garbage along Old County Road on a beautiful sunny day. There was 170 pounds of trash and a large contractor bag of cans and bottles that was disposed of at Midcoast Solid Waste in Camden. Participants were, Kim Murphy, Pastor Anderson, Elaine Isakson, Mimi Moore, Betty Long, Annie Appleton, Jane Monhart, Mark Stadler, Denise Stadler. Thanks to all!
Editor's note:
Thank you to Denise Stadler for organizing the event; and to Denise and Mark for carting all of the trash off to the transfer station. Some of the workers remarked that we could make this a repeating event, and schedule more clean up days through out the year.
Think about it!
Soup Kitchen - serving others
The Loaves and Fishes Community Meal is one way that Nativity and its members do God’s work in our community. The meal is held every Saturday and Sunday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockland at 12:30 PM and is served by a variety of small volunteer groups on a regular schedule.
Nativity is responsible for the fourth Sunday in the odd numbered months, so we cook and serve in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
Donna Perry is our contact person and meal organizer. She coordinates with others to plan and cook a meal each time and we have a small group of regular volunteers who serve the meal. During Covid the meals were all served “take-out style.” In recent months, serving groups have been allowed to do in-person and take-out meals. Many of Nativity’s regular servers hope that the clients will return to in-person meals to allow for the interaction and community it provides.
If you are interested in helping in some way: cooking at home, serving at the meal, or providing funds for groceries please contact Donna Perry.
Penobscot Bay Ringers “Handbells for Hope” concert to benefit New Hope Midcoast on May 20
Penobscot Bay Ringers, Midcoast Maine's community handbell choir, will present ‘Handbells for Hope’ on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at the Nativity Lutheran Church.
The concert, which is open to the public, will feature a variety of familiar hymns, popular songs, as well as some pieces composed specifically for handbells. In addition to music presented by the full, five-octave choir, there will be several solo and ensemble performances by members of Penobscot Bay Ringers. The concert will be one hour in length with no intermission. The concert is presented at no charge though a free-will offering will be collected and presented to New Hope Midcoast.
New Hope Midcoast provides comprehensive resources and support services to residents of Midcoast Maine who are affected by domestic abuse, dating violence and stalking. Trained, trauma-informed advocates staff their 24/7 helpline, facilitate support groups, accompany victims to the hospital when injury is incurred as a result of domestic abuse, provide legal advocacy, offer a range of housing options including sheltering, longer-term transitional housing, and permanent housing with case management, and educate our communities through presentations and trainings.
Founded in 2008, Penobscot Bay Ringers is a community handbell organization dedicated to promoting excellence in handbell artistry through performance, education, and community engagement. For more information about Penobscot Bay Ringers, visit www.penobscotbayringers.me or find the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PenobscotBayRingers.
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Photo caption: Penobscot Bay Ringers will perform at the Nativity Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 20, in support of New Hope Midcoast.
New - Donut Festival!
The Rockport Donut Festival, Friday June 2 and Saturday June 3
The Town of Rockport is excited to announce a weekend filled with donut themed festivities. The Inaugural Rockport Donut Festival will pay homage to the history of the doughnut here in Rockport and get the summer rolling with music, food, and fun for all ages.
Rockport is home to the creator of the Donut Hole, Captain Hanson Crockett Gregory - commemorated on a plaque at the Nativity Lutheran Church in Rockport. Given this, it is a great reason why the community should come together to celebrate for a weekend of festivities, a weekend of which that corresponds to National Donut Day - the first weekend of June.
If you are interested in volunteering, you can go to the town’s website. There you can find information about the Donut Festival, about volunteering, and fill out the volunteer application.
Announcements & Timely Reminders
- The Pastor’s Discretionary Fund: Please remember that an extra $5 or $10 each month may make a huge difference to a family in need! Please indicate any additional donations as "Pastor's Discretionary" when you mail in your monthly offering.
- Don't forget: One simple way to help care for creation is to download the weekly bulletin onto your smart phone or tablet and then bring that device to worship or use it when you zoom at home saving paper and resources. Need help figuring that out? Call Pastor for Android help or Denise Stadler for Apple help.
- Your aluminum pop tabs can help keep families with sick children close to each other and the care and resources they need. Look for the paper bag on the Social Ministry bulletin board in the Narthex. Place your tabs in the bag and take your container home and fill it again! The tabs are donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
A Note from your editor, Kim Murphy
Reminder - send articles and photos by the 15th of each month.
Email kmusicorama@gmail.com
Photos this month: Pastor Anderson, Ann Walker, Fred Walker, Elaine Isakson, Kim Murphy, internet resources, [Earthrise, taken on December 24, 1968, by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, NASA, Public Domain, gathered from Wikipedia], Tag Sale Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash, Donut Photo by Kobby Mendez on Unsplash, Soup Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash; Penobscot Bay Ringers
Nativity Lutheran Church
Sunday Worship (Sept -May) 10:30 AM
Summer Sunday Worship (June - August) 9:30 AM
Email: office@nativityrockport.org
Website: www.nativityrockport.org
Location: 179 Old County Rd, Rockport, ME, United States
Phone: 207-594-4665
Facebook: facebook.com/nativitylutheranchurch.rockport.maine