Nativity View
February 2025
If we are unfamiliar with it, when we first hear the term Christian nationalism, we might assume it to be a “good” thing. It sounds like it would be about loving Jesus, and loving our country and neither of those things is wrong, are they? But the reality is that those who advocate for Christian nationalism stand for and promote things we in our Lutheran understanding identify as contrary to the Gospel and opposed to what it means to be Christian.
The ELCA Study Curriculum on Civic Life And Faith defines Christian nationalism as “a cultural framework that idealizes and advocates fusion of certain Christian views with American civic life” and states “This political ideology, whether explicit or not, includes the beliefs that the U.S. Constitution was divinely inspired and enjoys godly status, that Christianity should be a privileged religion in the U.S., that the nation holds a special status in God’s eyes, and that good Americans must hold Christian beliefs. Proponents range from those who believe the U.S. should be declared a Christian nation (approximately 21% of the U.S. population) to those involved in more virulent strains that are openly racist, anti-democratic, or gang like. The symbols and ideology of Christian nationalism were widely evident during the Jan. 6, 2021, attempt to throw out certified U.S. election results.”
Why do WE need to worry about this? Because we promised to. In our Lutheran Affirmation of Faith/Confirmation rite first we were asked “Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?” And we answered, “I renounce them.” Then we were asked “Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism: …to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?” And we answered, “I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.”
As a faith community and as individuals interacting with friends and family, it is helpful to be familiar with Christian nationalism from both a Lutheran perspective and more broadly with like-minded Christians from other denominations. To that end, I’ve chosen a resource on how Christians can respond to the dangers of Christian nationalism in our country to broaden our knowledge. The three-session lesson materials draw on theological perspectives and biblical passages as well as featuring video clips from a webinar panel consisting of ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton; The Most Rev. Michael Curry, former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church; and Dr. Andrew Whitehead, associate professor of sociology at Indiana University-Purdue University. The program was hosted by Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.
There will be three opportunities (time-slots/sections) to participate in, each three sessions long. Pastor Kathy Ash-Flashner will lead a Sunday morning in-person section at 9:00 AM on February 9, 16, and 23 in the Meeting Room at Nativity. Assisted by Pastor Ollie Jones, I will lead two sections on Wednesdays, February 12, 19, and 26: in-person at 10:30 AM in the Meeting Room and an evening session via Zoom only at 6:30 PM. To participate in the Zoom section, please email the church office (office@nativityrockport.org) or call (594-4665) to receive the meeting number and password. If the in-person sections on Sundays or Wednesdays draw more participants than will fit in the Meeting Room, we will move to the Fellowship Hall. If you know of someone from another church that would like to attend, please invite them.
If you have any questions, please give me a call.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Anderson
WINTER THOUGHTS ON CREATION CARE: FILLING BUCKETS TOGETHER
Advent and Christmas have passed, and for those of us living in a cold climate, winter months can mean a bit more time on our hands, shorter days, fewer visitors, fewer outdoor chores and activities, maybe less travel and so on. I find I have more time to think about the choices I make, and when it comes to creation care, I sincerely want to do my part and make the wisest choices I can, out of gratitude for the many ways I am sustained by all God has made.
If you have ever had a leaky faucet (or ceiling!), you know that a steady “drop in the bucket” eventually fills the bucket! So even though the challenge to care for creation can feel daunting, I still believe that our individual efforts add up and make a difference, both in tangible benefits and in changed attitudes and values. As a congregation over the last few years, we’ve shared with each other some of our day to day practices and ideas that help to reduce our adverse impact on creation. I bet you’ve continued to learn and discover more ways. I recently replaced my old inefficient wood stove with one that will produce fewer emissions, burn less wood and reduce the supplemental propane I use. I also purchased a lifetime, washable air filter for my furnace, so I don’t have to buy disposable ones every heating season. At Christmas time, I made more of my charitable donations on line, rather than by mail. These are just a few small steps, but combined with yours and everyone else’s, they matter!
In that spirit, here are some creation care suggestions I’ve come across for the winter months:
Limit idling time when starting our automobiles or while parked.
Adjust or program our thermostats. Use layers of clothing (including a good base layer) and warm bedding, to allow for a lower household temperature (1 degree = 3% less fuel consumed).
Use eco-friendly de-icer products, such as sand or sawdust, rather than rock salt.
If you enjoy hot take-out drinks, bring your own reusable mug.
Let the sun shine in (open and close curtains and blinds for passive solar gain).
Develop an indoor composting system.
Insulate and seal for cold air leaks.
Install energy efficient light bulbs, such as LEDs.
Avoid light-polluting outside lighting.
Reduce household hot water temperature; consider installing an on-demand water heater.
If you are in the market, consider a battery-powered or electric snow-blower.
Now, it’s your turn – do you have an idea to share, perhaps in an announcement after worship, a conversation during coffee hour, by email or phone call, or a short post in the VIEW? You are invited to keep discovering what is possible, and to share it with others in a way that is comfortable for you.
Hand in hand with our efforts, I also encourage us to notice what is beautiful or unique about creation during the winter season. Have you noticed designs in frost or ice, seen the stars or moon on a clear night or a vivid sunset reflected on snow? We can tune our ears for winter birds and marvel at how they survive the cold. We might experience a smell that is unique to winter or feel the shelter trees provide against winter winds. These gifts and more might prompt us to lift a prayer of praise in the moment.
We might feel our inner reserves filling as we are kept in humble relationship with our Creator and this “marvel-ous” earth home we have been given. So, whether little by little we are filling outer buckets of positive change and resolve, or inner buckets of beauty, adoration and hope, with God’s help we can carry on filling together, resting when we need to, encouraging each other and knowing that we are never alone.
Elaine Isakson
Creation Care Team
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY in 2025
“For Zion’s sake, I will not keep silent.” Isaiah 62:1
The 132nd Session of the Maine Legislature has convened and will be working hard over the next several months. This is a year when there will be a great many bills up for consideration. As we learned in Nativity’s Lunch and Learn event 2 years ago, there are ways to track and have input for or against many of the bills that are being considered.
For anyone needing a refresher, a how-to handbook was created and is available in the church office.
“Public Ministry” is one of 6 aspects of our congregation’s Care-for-Creation Covenant adopted in 2021, stating that “we seek to change systems that foster the degradation of creation and to rectify injustices that result from it. And we seek to alert our members to the environmental legislation that protects creation and to encourage their active participation in the development of public policy. We encourage members to engage in civic activities that foster ecological health”.
In order to live out this intention, members of the Creation Care Team do our best to tune our ears to what is happening in Maine as well as nationally. This includes watching for legislative updates from a few Maine organizations that work to protect the environment. As we learn about policies being considered in the current legislative session, we’ll let you know if there is an important time to be using our voices. We also welcome hearing news that you become aware of. Each of us is encouraged to do our own research in order to advocate on issues that we care about.
The ELCA has been working on a social statement regarding civic engagement which also supports our participation in civic life as an important expression of our Christian faith. Here are 2 quotes from that statement:
422-424: The Scriptures tells us that “the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it” (Psalm 24:1) and reveals God’s tender care for all creation (Psalm 145:15). In what Christians call the Old Testament, the single word shalom epitomizes the rich fullness of that loving aim of the Creator for all creation.
654-663: An understandable desire to avoid “works righteousness” has led Lutherans too often to unjustifiable passivity and a failure to act in the public arena, thus not holding governments or each other accountable. An understandable desire for peace and for order has led Lutherans to remain complacent or even to support oppressive regimes and systems. At other times Lutherans have exhibited triumphalism or intolerance in taking political action. This church acknowledges past failures and is committed to a repentance that turns toward holding civic leaders and those in positions of political authority accountable in appropriate ways. Under normal circumstances acting for accountability means making use of the tools of democratic process. That process implies an ongoing relationship between those in positions of authority and their constituents.
The writers for this social statement have taken additional steps to speak to current challenges in our nation’s political processes and conversations. I encourage you to check out the lengthy but thoughtful statement that has resulted from a long period of discernment within our national church. It provides a foundation for us as we continue to develop our advocacy skills, bringing a faith perspective to decision-making in this time when healthy engagement is very much needed.
Through the first half of fiscal year (FY 2025), Nativity’s financial position remains sound. Compared to our original budget, we have a favorable variance in net income of $8,358. Here are some of the specific results contributing to that positive position.
Total revenue through the first half of FY 25 was $97,640, 111% of budget, including $3000 from the Miller estate and $1363 from the Harvest Festival.
Total regular contributions were $79,795 compared with a budgeted amount of $74,000 for a favorable variance of $4,795, 106% of budget.
Expenses were $77,999, 102% of budget including $5732 of building maintenance expenses. Good stewardship has kept normal operating expenses essentially on budget.
Our cash position continues to be strong with a total of $212,120. This total includes $25,003 in dedicated accounts, which include the Building Fund ($14,692), the Nativity Education Fund ($4500), and the Jan Derby Music Fund ($3041).
In the second half of FY 25, we should expect additional major expenses, including property insurance and potential repairs to the front entrance. By remaining diligent in keeping expenses to a minimum and sustaining offerings, we expect a sound conclusion to the fiscal year.
Fred Walker,
Treasurer
We pick back up in our “Why do we do that?” series, in which we are exploring the elements of our worship liturgy, this month with just a bit about what happens as communion is distributed to the worshippers.
Although silence during the distribution is not inappropriate, most Lutheran congregations include some type of music while the people are coming forward to receive the bread and wine. Historically that music has begun with the “Agnus Dei” or “Lamb of God” sung by the congregation. As with many other portions of our liturgies, the words are drawn from Scripture: John 1:29, Isaiah 53:7 and Revelation 5:6 and following. There are several variations that have been used in our last few hymnals. Occasionally, choral settings of the Agnus Dei performed by the choir can be substituted for the congregation’s singing. The rubric (the small italic red instruction given in our hymnal) for the Lamb of God is “may be sung” so sometimes it is not included, depending on the church season, the musical setting for the liturgy, or the discretion of the worship planners.
Congregational hymns, choir anthems, vocal solos, or instrumental pieces are often included after or instead of the Lamb of God. Currently at Nativity it is most often congregational hymns. “Back in the day” when many of our congregations did not offer weekly communion those hymns were usually those strongly associated with the Lord’s Supper. Now that many congregations celebrate the meal every Sunday and festivals, the music during communion should reflect the spirit of the day or season and those that foster a spirit of joy and thanksgiving are appropriate.
In some congregations the choir sings during the communion instead of congregational hymns and in others there is instrumental music (organ, piano or others). Here at Nativity our “music during communion” when we returned to worship in-person in 2021 as the pandemic was ending was provided by Charlie on the organ or piano as we hoped to prevent the spread of illness. So sometimes worship elements are included or not for very specific and worldly reasons. Worship matters but so does care for our neighbor.
In the past, Nativity used to have a few social groups. There was a Men's Breakfast group and there was a group titled Glory Girls. We are looking to reinstate the joy of getting together with friends. This time can be time for chatting, working with arts and crafts, knitting, sewing, Zentangle, carving or any other favorite interests. The group is open to both men and women.
Come to a meeting on Monday, Feb. 3rd, at 10AM in the fellowship hall where we will discuss the possibilities of reinstating a new social group. We will gather details and suggestions. Bring a craft, or anything to share. Bring your own snack and drink.
Do you have questions? Reach out to Jennie D!
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.
Feb 4 - Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville
Feb 11 - Atlantic Baking Company, Main St. Rockland
Feb 18 - FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston
Feb 25 - Bagel Café, 30 Main St, Camden
5 - Bruce Cobb
15 - Betty Long
16 - Sonja Surek
24 - Carson Pavelich
26 - Dana Lear
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, February 2
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, February 3
10:00 AM - Social group gathering (see article above)
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, February 4
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville
Thursday, February 6
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
Sunday, February 9
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, February 10
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, February 11
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Atlantic Baking Company, Main St. Rockland
Wednesday, February 12
10:30 AM - Responding to Christian Nationalism, Meeting Room
6:30 PM - Responding to Christian Nationalism, via Zoom (contact Nativity Office for zoom link)
Thursday, February 13
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
Sunday, February 16
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, February 17
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, February 18
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston
Wednesday, February 19
10:30 AM - Responding to Christian Nationalism, Meeting Room
6:30 PM - Responding to Christian Nationalism, via Zoom (contact Nativity Office for zoom link)
Thursday, February 20
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
Sunday, February 23
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, February 24
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, February 25
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Bagel Café, 30 Main St, Camden
Wednesday, February 26
10:30 AM - Responding to Christian Nationalism, Meeting Room
6:30 PM - Responding to Christian Nationalism, via Zoom (contact Nativity Office for zoom link)
Thursday, February 27
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
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 February
Flowers: Donna Perry
Altar Guild: Donna Perry
Acolyte: Jennie Dynesius
February 2
Assistant Minister: Hans (Kristian) Akselsen, II
Reader: Betty Long
Usher: Carol Brazer
February 9
Assistant Minister: Kim Murphy
Reader: Ted Long
Usher: Tina Huntley
February 16
Assistant Minister: Ted Long
Reader: Ollie Jones
Usher: Denise Stadler
February 23
Assistant Minister: Marty Taylor
Reader: David Paul
Usher: Mimi Moore
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.
- 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.
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