Nativity is hosting our collaborative Blessing of the Animals with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, October 1 at 10:00 AM on our grounds. Bring your pet, stuffed animal, or picture of a beloved pet for a short service and a blessing. All are welcome so invite friends and neighbors. We’ll gather near the apple trees. Please use the east parking lot. All live pets should be leashed or in a carrier.

Churches all over the world hold pet blessings on or near the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4. The services are a way of thanking God for the pets that bring joy to so many. St. Francis of Assisi was born in the 12th century and lived in Italy. He is remembered for his generosity to the poor, his willingness to minister to the lepers, and for his love for animals and nature. He is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment.

Click on the Nativity Lutheran Church Calendar Link below if you would like an "easy-to-read" full size view of the month.

It will open a new window featuring the calendar.

Saturday, October 1

10:00 AM - Blessing of the Animals

East Parking Lot of Nativity

Sunday, October 2

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Kim Murphy

Tuesday, Oct. 4

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of Office Hours with Pastor

Atlantic Baking Company, 351 Main St., Rockland

Sunday, October 9

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Betty Long

Sunday Study and Soup, following Worship

Tuesday, Oct. 11

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of Office Hours with Pastor

Rock City Coffee, 316 Main St, Rockland

Saturday, October 15

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Harvest Festival/Tag Sale

Sunday, October 16

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Kim Murphy

Tuesday, Oct. 18

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of Office Hours with Pastor

Atlantic Baking Company, 351 Main St., Rockland

Sunday, October 23

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Marty Taylor

Sunday Study and Soup, following Worship

Tuesday, Oct. 25

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of Office Hours with Pastor

Rock City Coffee, 316 Main St, Rockland

Sunday, October 30

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Fred Walker

Weekly

Tuesdays 9:30 - 11:00 AM - "Out of Office" hours (see article below)

Thursdays 8:00 AM - Morning Prayer via Zoom

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 Zoom link.

Jesus was a master storyteller and brilliant teacher. Let’s gather on three Sunday mornings after worship (Oct. 9, Oct. 23, Nov. 6), enjoy a simple meal of soup and bread, and as we eat look at some familiar Bible passages to discover how Jesus used nature as a teaching tool. Pastor Anderson will lead the three sessions, adapted from a study written by her seminary classmate, The. Rev. Sara Olson-Smith.

Pastor Sara introduces the study with these words:
“Jesus often turned to the natural world in teaching, opening our eyes to see creation not just as something to be cared for, but as our teacher and kindred. It is no mistake that Jesus, who lovingly spoke of soil and plants, was thought to be a gardener that first Easter morning. This three-session Bible study will shift our perspectives and allow nature to be our teacher, through the words of Jesus and other parts of Scripture. The trees, the soil and the creatures will offer us new perspectives on the character of God and challenge us to deepen our stewardship of God’s precious creation.”

Session 1 (October 9): “Trees,” will tap into Biblical images of trees and explore why planting and protecting trees is important, while rooting us in models of interdependence and mutuality.

Session 2 (October 23): “Soil,” will dig deeply into the parable of the soil (otherwise known as the parable of the seed, Matthew 13) and other Biblical accounts that relate to care for this part of creation, while looking at models of growth that involve wholeness and wellness.

Session 3 (November 6): “Creatures,” offers us an opportunity to observe and learn about God from birds, foxes, sheep, dogs and other animals, while considering habitat protection, food justice and the model of trust.

Please sign up for each session on the sheet in the Narthex so we will know how much food we need. If you can help by bringing soup and bread, please speak with Pastor. If you are unable to attend in person but would welcome a “zoom” option, please be in touch with Pastor as soon as possible and she will try to work out the technological details to provide that opportunity.

Pastor’s “Out of the Office Hours,” Tuesdays 9:30-11:00 a.m., will be moving back into local coffee shops beginning October 4. Join her and others for casual conversation for part of the time or all of the time. In October she will be at Atlantic Baking Company, 351 Main St., Rockland on October 4 and 18, and at Rock City Coffee, 316 Main St, Rockland on October 11 and 25. If you have a suggestion for other places on future Tuesdays, please let Pastor know.

OCTOBER IS HERE

THE HARVEST FESTIVAL/TAG SALE IS HERE!!!!!

October 15th

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

If you want to help, thought you might want to help, forgot to help, haven’t helped in the past,

now is the time to ACT!!!!!

We have a couple of work sessions left before the event, plus we need help at the event.

YES, THERE IS STILL TIME FOR YOU TO PARTICIPATE!!!!!

Contact Karin or Phil with questions and/or sign up request!!!

207-832-4335 davisloop100@gmail.com

Pictured below - just some of the many many items that will be for sale at the HF/TS!

On Sunday, September 18th, Nativity members gathered for our second Outdoors in Creation gathering, this time with a 'bring-your-own-picnic' at the home of Judy and Dick Pelletier. We were so blessed by their warm welcome, as they shared with us their woods, yard, gardens, home and buildings situated on beautiful Long Cove.

We sat in the yard, shared food and fellowship, watched the tide advance in the cove, and enjoyed taking in and exploring God's creation all around us. I had never been to Dick and Judy's home. On that lovely late summer day, I felt surrounded and held, both by the graciousness of our friends and the ever changing, ever renewing, always wondrous world God has given us. I felt the blessing of welcome.

We in Maine find so much beauty close at hand, but truly, God's creation can be found worldwide and wherever we find ourselves, indoors or out. By slowing down, being open, using our senses, breathing deeply, praying, we can know God's great love for us. We just might find ourselves falling in love with God's Creation, and then wanting to protect it.

Our thanks to the Pelletiers! Thanks also to Sue Dawson for her planning and contributions on behalf of Nativity's Creation Care Team!

And always, our gratitude to our generous, creating God!

Elaine Isakson, Creation Care Team

To see all of the pictures taken at the picnic, click here

4 - Donna Perry, Staci Coomer

7 - Don Gjertsen

8 - Maryann Hawkins

9 - James Kimmel

11 - Hans Akselsen, Jr., Marvin Jacobs

12 - Bill Schoppe

14 - Byron Huntley

28 - Phil Pratt

On Thursday, Oct. 13th at 6:30 PM, the Island Institute will be holding a free screening of Climate of Change with a panel discussion to follow.

Here is a trailer about the movie.

Go to the Island Institute website to register for this opportunity.

Clara is moving and offering her piano - to whomever will move it first! The window of opportunity is very narrow. The maker of the piano is New York's W.P. Haines and Co., and it is an upright, acoustic piano. The piano would have to be moved by Oct. 10th. Contact Clara for more information.

The Camden Garden Club is having our First Ever Fall Plant Sale, this coming Saturday, October 1st, from 10 to 1 at the American Legion building on the corner of Pearl and John Streets in Camden. I’m chairman and can testify that the members have been diligently dividing and potting their perennials for this big event. All proceeds go to the club’s Scholarship Program for local students planning to major in environmental science-related studies.

So do come. I’ve filled about 90 pots all by myself, and members have been telling me about the great things they’re bringing. I hope to see you there. And spread the word!

Sherry Cobb

• 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.
  
• We have a new receptacle for collecting our aluminum pop tabs. 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. The revenue they receive from their partner metal recycling facility supplements the stays of families of hospitalized children at their facilities in Bangor and Portland.
  

Connect with ELCA greater church

Read Bishop Eaton’s monthly article:

https://www.livinglutheran.org/

https://www.elca.org/Resources/Presiding-Bishop-Messages

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: St. Francis photo by Grant Whitty on Unsplash, Cafe photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash, Soup Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash, Picnic pictures by Elaine Isakson, Ann Walker, Sue Dawson, Outdoor worship pictures by Lynne Taylor

Rev. Wendy J. Anderson

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