I’ve been thinking a lot lately about ways to let my faith lead me through these times that seem like a political minefield. I’ve decided that the best course of action is to revisit the stories of Jesus, because the times Jesus lived through were also a political minefield and the example he set has survived for over 2000 years.
Jesus was bold as he called out the hypocritical behaviors of his countrymen and religious officials. He responded to the current events of his time with courage and temperance as he carefully calculated his responses to both the religious and political systems of his time, as he stood up for the marginalized, those who were viewed as “other,” and those who had been pushed aside by the society and culture of the time.
Jesus was all about radical hospitality. Over and over again we read stories of the welcome and hospitality he showed. He fed and healed strangers. He invited people despised by those around them to dine with him. He disregarded age, income, race, gender, economic status, and religion and invited all.
He was intentional about tending to his own spirituality. He took time away to be with God. He spent time in prayer—alone and with others. He learned the stories of scripture and allowed them to guide him, even as he challenged and reinterpreted some.
Jesus was intentionally peaceful and kind. He challenged folks not by accusing but by listening and questioning. So many of the stories in the gospels show him answering a question with a question or quietly calling upon the previous knowledge of his accusers and enemies.
Jesus saw the face of God in everyone he met. He had compassion and empathy for all those he encountered. He offered grace and forgiveness to those closest to him (think Peter) and to those he did not know (think the criminals hanging beside him on the cross).
As I think about moving through these days ahead, I pray I can be like Jesus. Will you join me?
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Anderson
One Hour for the Earth
Saturday, March 22 at 8:30pm marks this year’s observance of Earth Hour, a time to honor the amazing home God has created for us. The Bible tells us that we are responsible for caring for God’s good creation. Earth Hour gives us an opportunity to think about that in some depth. Maybe Earth Hour will be a time to reflect on our stewardship and create or amend our personal plan. Maybe it will be a time to appreciate the earth, reveling in the beauty of God’s creation. Maybe it will be a time for action, preparing testimony to present to our legislators. Maybe it will be a time for prayer. Whatever you choose, hopefully it will be something that resonates with you and honors God’s creation.
The World Wildlife Foundation established Earth Hour in the early 2000’s as a way to call attention to the needs of our planet in the light of climate change. Millions of people around the world continue to participate in this observance by flicking off their lights for an hour as a symbolic gesture of reducing our impact on Earth’s finite resources. We can do that too.
Creation Care and Legislative Advocacy
In the coming weeks and months the Creation Care Team would like you to consider helping our environment by becoming more engaged in Legislative Advocacy. We will keep you up to date on the opportunities to contact your legislators and express your support or opposition to bills that are going through the legislative process.
The first session of the 132nd legislature began in January. There are several pieces of legislation to watch. The first two are LD 32 and LD 257. These two bills deal with repealing Net Energy Billing (NEB). NEB is a billing practice where a customer is charged on the difference between the electricity they consume from the grid and the electricity they generate and feedback into the grid. NEB is typically used to incentivize the adoption of renewable energy sources like solar power.
NEB was first implemented in 2019 with proponents arguing that net energy billing would increase the growth of solar energy in Maine. Opponents argued that this would unfairly shift costs onto low income rate payers who couldn’t afford solar panels and would drive up the overall price of electricity for everyone. But building renewable energy sources, in Maine, by using solar panels and community solar projects has reduced the amount of electricity we need to buy from regional markets. Plus, solar energy is both clean and renewable.
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) told lawmakers that the (NEB) system has cost about 130 million but has resulted in 160 million in direct or non-monetized benefits, in part because solar developers are sometimes paying for upgrades to the grid or reducing load during peak hours, which reduces reliance on natural gas. And it is natural gas that is the major driver of increased energy. (The volatile price of natural gas has been due to the wars in Ukraine and Israel).
A public hearing will be held on February 25. Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) has provided written testimony. To read NRCM testimony see the link below.
I am suggesting we oppose both of these bills.
Another bill to watch and oppose is LD 69. This bill would repeal bans and restrictions on single use paper and plastic bags. This bill has been printed but no other action has been taken at this time.
A bill to support : LD 235 Reviewing Juniper Ridge landfill agreement and investigating other landfill options. Juniper Ridge landfill is located in Old Town and Alton Maine. Juniper Ridge landfill is owned by the state of Maine and is part of the solid waste disposal system within the state that provides for Maine’s solid waste disposal needs. There is a proposal to expand the landfill footprint by 61 acres. The landfill is operated by Casella Waste Management Company. The Penobscot Nation, in conjunction with Boston based environmental organization, Conservation Law Foundation has filed an appeal to stop the expansion of Juniper Ridge landfill. Maine Department of Environmental Protection, issued a ruling that opens the door for the site to increase its capacity, despite continued objections from local residence and advocates that by increasing the size of the landfill could worsen environmental hazards, including PFAS. Expanding the landfill would allow for roughly 11 more years of use. Advocates are concerned about the landfill’s impact on air and water quality in the region.
The Penobscot Nation reservation, at Indian Island, is located 5 miles from the landfill and includes the Penobscot River along which Juniper Ridge is located.
This bill has been printed but no other action has been taken as yet.
Natural Resource Council of Maine: for details on bills
https://www.nrcm.org/programs/state-house/legislative-bill-tracking
The Climate Monitor: https://themainemonitor.org
Environmental Priorities Coalition: https://www.maineconservation.org
Maine State Legislature: https://legislature.maine.gov
Testimony can be provided in person, via email, or via telephone
Per Pastor Anderson’s experience, a phone call to your legislator is the best
Find your elected officials in Augusta: https://www.maine.gov/portal/government/officials.html
Sign up for NRCM’s Action Network: https://www.nrcm.org
Beginning 2/25/25 join Take Action Tuesdays
Denise Stadler
Creation Care Team
Evening Prayer in the Style of Taizé
Wednesday nights in Lent, we will have the opportunity to join together via Zoom in a style of Evening Prayer new to us at Natiivty. Taizé (pronounced ta-ZAY) Prayer is a distinctive style of meditative prayer developed by an ecumenical community of monks in rural France. This quiet, moving reflective prayer combines elements of the Church's traditional Liturgy of the Hours with elements of contemplative meditation. A typical Taizé prayer service incorporates periods of silence with meditative readings from Scripture, prayers of praise and intercession, and the frequent repetition of simple, contemporary chants based on the Psalms or other parts of Scripture. The short songs or chants which are repeated over and over, create a meditative environment and express basic realities of faith which can be easily grasped by the mind and the heart. The result is to gradually move prayer from the head to the heart. If, in your personal prayer, finding the words to speak from the heart or losing focus have sometimes been a struggle, Taizé’s intentionally simple chants and soothing melodies can be very helpful. Taizé can help us leave behind our many distractions and concentrate on God.
Although the original Taizé format borrowed much from a wide variety of international languages and traditions, much of its music was created particularly for the community by noted liturgical musicians like Jacques Berthier and Joseph Gelineau. Taizé Prayer is widely practiced today in student centers and retreat houses, but is also growing in popularity in parish churches and local congregations throughout the world.
The Taizé Community describes the power of its unique musical style in this way: “As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being. Meditative singing thus becomes a way of listening to God. It allows everyone to take part in a time of prayer together and to remain together in attentive waiting on God, without having to fix the length of time too exactly....These songs also sustain personal prayer. Through them, little by little, our being finds an inner unity in God. They can continue in the silence of our hearts when we are at work, speaking with others or resting. In this way prayer and daily life are united. They allow us to keep on praying even when we are unaware of it, in the silence of our hearts.”
Our Nativity Lenten Evening Prayer services will be held five Wednesdays at 6:30 beginning March 12. Our version will deviate a bit and include a conversational dialogue devotional between Pastor Anderson and a different member of the congregation each week instead of the silence. We’ll be led by members of the Nativity choir and instrumentalists Charlie Brown, Kim Murphy, and Heidi Anderson. Thanks to Hans Akselsen for audio recording and mixing and Pastor Anderson for the video mix. A Zoom link will be emailed out closer to that date. If you are not on our weekly email list and would like to participate via Zoom, please email or call the church office.
Mimi is planning her next Thrivent Action Team Project: "Laundry Love".
She plans to hand out Laundry Love bags on Monday March 3 at Park St. Laundry in Rockland. Nativity members who want to help may donate money which will buy rolls of quarters, detergent, dryer sheets and nutritious snacks. It currently costs $5.50 per large washer load, and that or more to dry each load. Thrivent has provided us with $250 to jump start the project.
Those who want to help with their time can stay after the Pratts’ celebration coffee time on March 2 and decorate and stuff the bags and/or help Mimi hand out the bags on Monday March 3. Speak with Mimi for more information.
Shrove, Fat, or Pancake—take your pick for a tasty Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday is the day immediately preceding Ash Wednesday. Its date varies, depending on the date of Easter. In 2025 Shrove Tuesday is on March 4th.
Shrove, derived from shrive, refers to the confession of sins as a preparation for Lent, a usual practice in Europe in the Middle Ages. Although the day is sometimes still used for self-examination and introspection, Shrove Tuesday eventually acquired the character of a carnival or festival in many places and is often celebrated with parades. As the final day before the austerity of the Lenten fast, Shrove Tuesday also has many customs pertaining to food. Pancakes are traditional in a number of European countries because eggs, sugar, and fat, commonly forbidden during the Lenten fast, are used up so they will not go to waste; the day is known as Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday in Ireland and in many Commonwealth countries. Similarly rich pre-Lenten treats are popular in other ethnic traditions. Sweet pa̡czki are traditional in Poland, and king cake is an iconic part of Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday”) in New Orleans. (From the Encyclopedia Brittanica)
We’ll have our own Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at Nativity on March 4th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.. Hans and his crew will be in the kitchen cooking up pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon and good coffee.
You are welcome to join Pastor Anderson on Tuesdays,
9:30 - 11:00 AM, for casual and spontaneous conversation.
Come and go at whatever time works for you.
Mar 4 - Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland
Mar 11 - FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston
Mar 18 - Hole in the Wall Bagels, 754 Main St, Rockland
Mar 25 - Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville
2 - Julie Moser
3 - Fred Walker
8 - Dick Pelletier
13 - Caroline Zuber
16 - Donna Ward Smith
20 - Carol Brazier
Editor's note: Did we miss your birthday? Please email your birthday date to kmusicorama@gmail.com so that we can add you to our monthly salutation.
Sunday, March 2
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Following Worship, we will gather to celebrate and thank Phil and Karin Pratt for their many years of heading up the Harvest Festival/Tag Sale. 🎂 👏
Monday, March 3
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, March 4
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland
5:00 - 7:00 PM - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Wear your best Mardi Gras outfit!
Wednesday, March 5 - Ash Wednesday
12:00 PM - Worship with Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion
Worship in-person and online
Thursday, March 6
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
Saturday, March 8
9:45 AM -3:30PM - Hope in a Divided World, A Faithful Response to Christian Nationalism
- program will be presented at Nativity Lutheran Church
Sunday, March 9
Daylight Savings Time: Clocks "spring" forward one hour!
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, March 10
10:00 AM - Glory Girls and Guys
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, March 11
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston
Wednesday, March 12
6:30 PM - Lenten Evening Prayer Service, via Zoom
Thursday, March 13
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
March 14 - 16
AIO's Pies on Parade
Sunday, March 16
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, March 17
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, March 18
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Hole in the Wall Bagels, 754 Main St, Rockland
Wednesday, March 19
6:30 PM - Lenten Evening Prayer Service, via Zoom
Thursday, March 20
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
Saturday, March 22
8:30 PM - One Hour for the Earth
Sunday, March 23
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
12:00 noon - Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Rockland
Monday, March 24
10:00 AM - Glory Girls and Guys
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, March 25
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville
Wednesday, March 26
6:30 PM - Lenten Evening Prayer Service, via Zoom
Thursday, March 27
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
Sunday, March 30
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, March 31
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Note For midweek prayer via zoom - there is a separate Zoom link.
Email Pastor at office@nativityrockport.org if you would like the zoom link. Please also email Pastor if you do not have the Sunday link.
Month of March
Flowers: Betty Long
Altar Guild: Tina Huntley
Acolyte: Ann Walker
March 2
Assistant Minister: Kim Murphy
Reader: Jane Monhart
Usher: Bruce Cobb
March 5 - Ash Wednesday
Assistant Minister: Marty Taylor
Reader: Mimi Moore
Usher: Denise Stadler
March 9
Assistant Minister: Ted Long
Reader: Sue Ann Moore
Usher: Carol Brazier
March 16
Assistant Minister: Betty Long
Reader: Sandy Abate (remote reader)
Usher: Kim Murphy
March 23
Assistant Minister: Kim Murphy
Reader: Fran Kresge
Usher: Ollie Jones
March 30
Assistant Minister: Carolyn Ramm
Reader: Charlie Rowling
Usher: MaryAnn Hawkins
Would you like to usher or read scripture during a service? We are looking for more assistants! Email Kim Murphy at kmusicorama@gmail.com if you would like to be added to the schedule.
AIO News
This year, AIO will celebrate its 35th anniversary and the need for its services continues to increase, as the annual report makes clear (click here to access the annual report).
Here are a few recent highlights:
AIO now receives 375 – 400 market visits per week, up from 290-310 per week a year ago.
AIO’s new van has made it possible to expand its capacity and services:
A new home food delivery service to people with mobility or transportation issues serves around 25 families.
A new food delivery service to Vinalhaven serves 35 families and 22 students in the Weekend Meals program.
Van trips to Good Shepherd Food Bank now secure substantial amounts of food for no cost, which amounts to about 20% of the pantry’s food.
During the winter, AIO opened space in its old building as a daytime warming center.
Pies on Parade returns bigger and better than ever for the weekend of March 14-16. Lots of good food for a good cause.
Ted Long, Vice Chair
AIO Board of Directors
- 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 20th of each month.
Email kmusicorama@gmail.com
Photos this month: Mimi Moore (pictured here: her cat Henry), Balloon Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash, Aluminum can tabs Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash, Coffee Shop Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash, State Capital Photo by Michael on Unsplash, Group gathering Photo by Hillary Ungson on Unsplash, Earth Image is free clip art from Panda: http://www.clipartpanda.com, Laundromat Photo by Bianca Jordan on Unsplash, Pancake Photo by Mae Mu on Unsplash, Cross Photo by Hugues de BUYER-MIMEURE on Unsplash, candle Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash, Internet resources
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