There’s a popular meme circulating on Facebook, Instagram and other social media which features a photo of Pope Leo XIV from May 8 and the quote: “You cannot follow both Christ and the cruelty of kings. A leader who mocks the weak, exalts himself, and preys on the innocent is not sent by God. He is sent to test you. And many are failing.” The trouble is Pope Leo XIV did not say this. It’s one of many false quotes and AI generated videos being falsely and, in some cases, maliciously attributed to the new pope. For several hours I contributed to the misrepresentation of this particular quote on my own Facebook page until a friend kindly pointed out to me that there is no evidence the Pope said this, at which point I took the meme off my page.

But I still really like the quote. As I consider current events in our world today, I feel I could identify many world leaders, across the world, including our own country that “mock the weak, exalt themselves [and/or their inner circle] and prey on the innocent. I wouldn’t necessarily say they have been “sent” to test us; but I would say their words and actions do test us. And many are failing by exalting those leaders and/or following their example in the ways we treat others. Likely even more of us are failing simply because we have become apathetic. Gaza and Israel are far away. Ukraine and Russia are far away. Even Washington, D.C. can seem far away. And what can we do to stop powerful leaders, anyway?

We can begin with prayer. Not just the kind of prayer that asks God to change the situation but the kind of prayer that listens for how God is speaking to us and around us and through us. We can pray individually in our homes or our cars or our yards or wherever we are. We can pray together as a congregation on Sunday mornings and other times (let me know if you are interested in other prayer times). We can pray with others of differing faiths. The MidCoast Interfaith Alliance is hosting Prayer Gatherings for people of all faiths to pray for peace and connection in our troubling times the first and third Wednesdays of June, July and August at Snow Marine Park in Rockland at 7:00 PM. All are welcome!

Beyond prayer, we can look for small and simple ways to act. A call, email, or postcard to an elected official only takes a few minutes. Designating time or dollars to help organizations that work for peace and justice can be a next step. It may feel daunting or risky but calling attention to what is unjust and who is causing that injustice when we are in the company of family or friends can help others recognize the problems and encourage them to act.

I think I like that quote partly because it reminds me of one of the many tips for life that Jesus shared in his Sermon on the Mount: “No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24, NSRVUE) It’s not really the same but, in our world today it seems that wealth and power go hand in hand. There is so much good stuff in that sermon. You can refresh your memory by reading Matthew 4:23-7:29.

As I write, the weather in Rockport makes it feel as if summer has finally arrived. I pray you have a good one.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Anderson

This is a reminder that on Sunday, June 8 following worship, we will celebrate Pastor Anderson’s 20th anniversary of ordination to the ministry of word and sacrament. Assembling in the fellowship hall, we will begin with some recognitions of the anniversary from outside the congregation, after which we will enjoy a lovely brunch. After brunch we will conclude with some reflections from within our congregational community. Such anniversaries are significant moments in the life of Lutheran pastors, and we look forward to members and friends joining us for this celebration of Pastor’s ministry.

Ted Long, President

For the Congregation Council

This year let’s take advantage of the glorious days of summer to increase our care of God’s good creation. The Creation Care team is suggesting a monthly theme to focus our efforts. And, there will be rewards! Specifically, gold stars!!! Remember how great it felt to see a gold star on your schoolwork? Well, now you can replicate that feeling by participating in our summer Creation Care project and rewarding yourself with a gold star. We’ll display our stars on the blue posterboard in the narthex to recreate a, hopefully, very starry sky.

Our Creation Care theme for June is transportation. Each week in June that you carpool, or arrange your errands into one efficient trip instead of several trips, or walk/bike when you might drive, you earn a gold star to add to our sky. Earn one more gold star each week for optimizing your car’s tire pressure.

In July our theme is energy conservation. Reward yourself with a gold star for replacing incandescent lightbulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. Also, reward yourself for line-drying clothes rather than using the dryer. Another gold star is yours for turning off the second rinse on your washer or switching to cold water.

August brings us the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the world God has created for us. You can earn a star by sharing in two outdoor activities that the Creation Care team is planning. We are inviting a naturalist to join us at Nativity for a walk-and-talk through our Serenity Path. We’re also planning an off-site get together one Sunday after worship. You can earn an additional star each week by sharing an outdoor activity with a friend, especially a friend who doesn’t usually spend much time outdoors.

Join us and help us fill our blue sky with lots and lots of stars! For those of you who won’t be in the Camden area, send us an email (ltaylor0101@gmail.com) and we’ll post your stars for you. Most of all, enjoy these summer months while making a little extra effort to care for creation.

Lynne Taylor, Creation Care Team

Nativity will hold its annual congregation meeting on Sunday, June 22, immediately following worship, in the sanctuary to ensure that Zoomers can participate. We will review reports from the Pastor, Council and ministry initiatives, adopt a budget, elect new Council members, and consider a statement of strategic intent. Reports and meeting materials will be sent around June 9 for your review. We hope all members will attend this important meeting.

Ted Long, President

For the Congregation Council

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.

Out of the Office and into Creation begins on June 17. Our weekly coffee gathering moves to local parks to avoid the seasonal rush at local establishments. But more importantly we get the opportunity to enjoy God’s good creation. Most of the parks have some kind of seating but you may want to bring your own folding chair to be more comfortable and for the flexibility to move into the shade. (Stop on the way and pick up coffee and treats or bring them from home.) If it rains we’ll gather inside at Main Street Markets, 435 Main Street, Rockland.

June 3 - School House Bakery, 21 River Rd, ME-131, Tenants Harbor,

June 10 - School House Bakery, 21 River Rd, ME-131 Tenants Harbor

June 17 - Walker Park, Sea St, Rockport (Pascal Ave. to Elm St. to Sea St.)

June 24 - Owls Head Lighthouse State Park, 186 Lighthouse Road, Owls Head

Summers are busy but can you make a little more room for some learning? Pastor Anderson will lead a four-week study on the Parable of the Good Samaritan using the book The Science of the Good Samaritan, Thinking Bigger about Loving Our Neighbor by Dr. Emily Smith. We’ll meet in-person at Nativity, Wednesday mornings June 25, July 9, 16, and 23 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (taking the week of July 4 off). If some are interested, we will make the group “hybrid” so that you may join via zoom if distance or schedule prevents you from attending in-person. (Please speak with Pastor if you need to attend via Zoom.)The book is available from many online retailers in print and e-book formats as well as audio and it may be available through interlibrary loan at your local library.

From the back cover: What does it mean to love your neighbor in today's fraught, divided world? The Science of the Good Samaritan shares fascinating stories from Dr. Smith's life and the lives of other inspiring people around the world to show us how to:

• Find shared values with people from different backgrounds, faiths, and cultures than our own

• Reach outside our immediate circles to bring in those on the margins

• Redefine our concept of "neighbor" and love our neighbors in more practical and global ways

• Bridge the gaps of society's disparities and inequities

You can help reimagine and create a better world--and it all starts with authentically loving your neighbor.

If you plan to participate, please email or call the church office (office@nativityrockport.org) or sign up in the Narthex so that Pastor can plan for the appropriate space. Please obtain the book on your own. We will discuss the Introduction through Chapter 5 at the first meeting. Please contact Pastor Anderson if you have questions.

Maybe you’ve seen yard signs in the style of political signs with a white background and a simple red heart. They’ve become a commonplace symbol of hope and community in the Midcoast area. The effect resonates for many – seeing one “makes you feel good.” They remind us that in a world that can be ugly and hateful, many of us are still unafraid to show love.

There’s been a resurgence in the signs this spring and if you look, you will see one in the front circle garden as you drive by Nativity. The Red Heart Project is making them available throughout our area. The Red Heart Project mission is two-fold – to fundraise for nonprofits doing important social justice work (organizations like the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine), while encouraging widespread involvement in a meaningful artivism campaign designed to demonstrate our collective commitment to humanity and bring hope to Mainers across the state when they need it most.

What is that heart? It’s a sign of love.

Thanks to Betsy Armstrong for ordering and donating our sign.

2 - Eric Waters

6 - Karin Pratt

10 - Katrina Butler, Denise Stadler, Aaron Cramp

14 - Susan Laatz

16 - Michele Paul

25 - Jessica Isakson, Pat Miller, Jane Monhart

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.

Rockland will Celebrate the LGBTQIA+ Community on Sunday, June 15. Main Street in Rockland will be closed to traffic from 10 AM to 4PM so attendees can enjoy free crafts, games, food, and live music. Young people and elders are especially encouraged to attend. Events include: a Pride Parade featuring out-of-this-world creatures; a Speak-Out: Raise your voices; live music from the Huddled Masses Orchestra, Kate Fiano, Sludge, and more; and a “Rest Nest” - a quiet space for gentle self-care.

Event details are still emerging, and at press time Pastor Anderson is still trying to get information about the time of the parade and if Nativity might be permitted to have a table with information about Reconciling in Christ and all of Nativity’s ministries. If you would like to be involved by helping staff the table, walking in the parade, or helping prepare, please speak with Pastor as soon as possible. (You can help by attending, too.)

The newest way that cyber-scammers are gathering contact info is by posing as a church staff person or a member and asking that a copy of our church directory be emailed to them. They use a familiar name, often in the subject line, but when you double check the email address it is not a legitimate email address for that person.

If you unexpectedly get a request for a church directory from someone, please double check the email address before replying. We will be updating our directory in the coming weeks. Look for a new one sometime in June. (If you think you've been the victim of a scam that is Nativity related please let Pastor know as soon as possible.)

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.

Sunday, June 1

9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Monday, June 2

7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, June 3

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

School House Bakery, 21 River Rd, ME-131, Tenants Harbor

Wednesday, June 4

7:00 PM - Prayer Gathering hosted by the MidCoast Interfaith Alliance

Snow Marine Park, Rockland

Thursday, June 5

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, June 8

9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Following Worship - A Celebration of Pastor's 20th Anniversary

Monday, June 9

10:00 AM - Glory Girls and Guys, Fellowship Hall

7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, June 10

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

School House Bakery, 21 River Rd, ME-131 Tenants Harbor

Thursday, June 12

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Rm.

Sunday, June 15

9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Rockland Pride Celebration

Monday, June 16

7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, June 17

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

Walker Park, Sea St, Rockport (Pascal Ave. to Elm St. to Sea St.)

Wednesday, June 18

7:00 PM - Prayer Gathering hosted by the MidCoast Interfaith Alliance

Snow Marine Park, Rockland

Thursday, June 19

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

Sunday, June 22

9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Following Worship - Annual Congregational Meeting

Monday, June 23

7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, June 24

9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours

Owls Head Lighthouse State Park, 186 Lighthouse Road, Owls Head

Wednesday, June 25

10:00 - 11:30 AM - Summer Book/Bible Study

Thursday, June 26

8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom

3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Rm.

Sunday, June 29

9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Monday, June 30

7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall

Note For Midweek prayer via zoom - there is a separate Zoom link.

Email Pastor of office@nativityrockport.org if you would like the zoom link. Please also email Pastor if you do not have the weekly Sunday link.

Month of June

Flowers - Betty Long

Altar - Jennie Dynesius

Acolyte - Jennie Dynesius

June 1

Assistant Minister: Hans(Kristian) Akselsen,II

Reader: Judy Pelletier

Usher: Mary Ann Hawkins

June 8

Assistant Minister: Kim Murphy

Reader: David Paul

Usher: Denise Stadler

June 15

Assistant Minister: Marty Taylor

Reader: Ted Long

Usher: Kim Murphy

June 22

Assistant Minister: Betty Long

Reader: Charlie Rowling

Usher: Bruce Cobb

June 29

Assistant Minister: Ted Long

Reader: Ollie Jones

Usher: Carol Brazier

Come join

Betty Long, Carolyn Ramm, Elaine Isakson, Fred Walker, Ted Long,

Marty Taylor, Ollie Jones, Kim Murphy and many many more

as we sing for the community at the

Midcoast Community Chorus Concert on Thursday, June 12th at 7:00 PM

Camden Hills Regional HS Strom Auditorium

Coming up July 4th - come hear Jane Monhart play with the Midcoast Community Band at....

July 4 in Camden: The Camden Rotary Club's annual Music by the Sea celebration will bring four free concerts to the Village Green and the Library Amphitheatre followed by fireworks over the harbor at 9:00.

Here's the lineup.

Noon - 1:00 p.m. Bay Chamber Jazz Ensemble (Village Green)

2:00 - 3:15 p.m. Hadacol Bouncers (Amphitheatre)

4:00 - 5:15 p.m. Midcoast Community Band (Amphitheatre)

6:00 - 7:15 p.m. The Right Track (Amphitheatre)

• 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.
  

President - Ted Long

Vice President - Carolyn Ramm

Treasurer - Fred Walker

Secretary - Kim Murphy

Pastor Wendy Anderson

Susan Dawson, Mary Ann Hawkins, Jane Monhart, Marty Taylor, Judy Pelletier

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 20th of each month.

Email kmusicorama@gmail.com

Photos this month: Balloon Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash, Aluminum can tabs Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash, Coffee Shop Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash, Earth Photo by Fateme Alaei on Unsplash, Rainbow Flags Photo by Tong Su on Unsplash, Internet resources

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