From the Pastor: Ask
Our Lenten Theme this year is Ask.
At some point in every Christian’s life, we discover a question. You know the kind. Not “How are you?” or “What kind of toothpaste should I buy?” But questions like “What really happens when we die?” Or “Why does this terrible stuff happen to people who do their best to follow God?” Or “How could God forgive me after what I’ve done?” Or “How do I know what God wants me to do next?” You know. That kind of question.
It seems people often feel isolated when they discover that type of question, as if they are the only ones asking it. For whatever reason, questions like this often feel like obstacles to our faith. They may feel forbidden or out-of-bounds. But in the Bible, we read about characters like Job and Nicodemus asking questions that sound like ours. And sometimes God’s response to them seems to discourage us from questioning in a similar way.
But what if faith requires us to ask questions? What if questions are an essential part of our personal faith? What if we need questions to survive and grow as a community of faith? Can we believe that dialogue with God, relationship with God, requires questions?
We’ll let questions guide us this Lent. We’ll share a daily devotional through which we’ll encounter questions designed to help us learn, meditate, and pray. Our Wednesday evening Jazz Vespers services via Zoom will explore questions in scripture. And there will be a “back to basics” Bible study where we will read the Passion stories from the Gospels and ask our own questions to bring us deeper into the story.
Questions are far from obstacles to our faith. Questions are the fuel that provide spark, energy, and momentum for our relationship with God and with each other. Let’s Ask together.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Anderson
Ash Wednesday Worship
For centuries Christians have begun the season of Lent with the imposition of ashes. An ashen cross is placed in the same spot as the cross of baptism was marked on their foreheads. Early Christians adopted the use of ashes from ancient Jewish practices of using them as a sign of repentance. In baptism the words spoken are “[Insert your name here], child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” On Ash Wednesday the words spoken are “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
We will worship in-person at Nativity on Ash Wednesday, February 22, at 6:30 p.m. (weather permitting) and the service will be available via Zoom. The service will include the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion. If you would like to worship in-person that day but do not drive at night, please contact Kim Murphy and Kim will facilitate a ride-share for you.
"Warm the Winter" Project
A Thrivent Action Grant project, "Warm the Winter," initiated by Mimi Moore occurred in December. With seed money of $250 provided by Thrivent, Donna Perry, Lynne Taylor and Mimi shopped for blankets on 12/16 and then enjoyed lunch together. With an additional $680 donated by NLC members and others, more blankets were purchased on line. More blankets were added to the table at church and on December 30, Donna and Mimi delivered 59 blankets to the residents of Hospitality House where they were "warmly" received.
Thanks to all who through their generosity made this project a big success.
Mimi Moore
As Pastor said in her sermon on Sunday, Jan. 22nd, "let’s shine a little light and sprinkle a little salt to make the world a better place."
You might remember that last May we held a Care for Creation Fair in the Fellowship Hall after worship. There were several displays showing how each of us could contribute to caring for the Earth.
On my table was a display on legislative advocacy, specifically, how to support a bill in the Maine State Legislature by letting our state senators and representatives know how we want them to vote and why we want them to vote that way.
I am new to advocacy. Attending a faith-based advocacy series offered by the Maine Council of Churches, and putting together the legislative advocacy materials helped me to understand what it is all about. I’ve collected those materials into a binder which is available to borrow from the church library. I’m also attaching a modified version to this issue of the View which I hope you’ll be able to open and read.
Digital Version of Care for Creation Binder
All of this is preparation for the real work of the Creation Care team, advocating for laws that care for our planet. We will have a special opportunity, probably after worship on a Sunday, to sit together in the Fellowship Hall and write letters of support for the bills that reflect our commitment to good stewardship of this beautiful Earth that God created for us. The Creation Care Team has chosen water as its focus for this year, so we will begin by looking for bills that support clean water. Then, perhaps, we’ll go on to other issues. You’ll be hearing more about this process as our plans develop. I hope you’ll join us on the journey.
In support of a vibrant planet,
Lynne Taylor for the Creation Care Team
Free Chairs
Nativity Lutheran Church has about 60 metal fold up chairs in its basement. They are in "good condition". While theses chairs have served nobly in the past at church functions, it has become clear that other individuals or organizations might have a need for these chairs that Nativity can satisfy. Anyone needing, knowing of a person, or organization interested in having metal fold up chairs please contact Phil Pratt to inspect, ask questions about, or arrange help hauling the chairs:
Phil Pratt
207-832-4335
You won't beat the price anywhere (assistance with delivery is free too).
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: Mimi Moore, Kim Murphy, Pastor Anderson, Ash Wednesday Photo by Annika Gordon 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
Facebook: facebook.com/nativitylutheranchurch.rockport.maine