Nativity View
January 2026
… Stepping into 2026 together
There’s something about the new year that invites us to pause and think about what has been and what is to come. January arrives quietly but firmly, reminding us that time keeps moving forward whether we feel ready or not. Some of us welcome the new year with hope and energy. Others step into it more cautiously, carrying worries, weariness, or grief from the year behind us. Wherever you find yourself as 2026 begins, know this: you do not step into this new year alone.
Our faith reminds us that God does not suddenly appear on January 1. God has been with us through everything that came before, and God will continue walking with us into whatever lies ahead. As we heard in Advent, scripture tells us again and again, “Do not be afraid.” Not because life is easy or predictable, but because God is faithful. We don’t face the future with confidence solely in ourselves—we face it trusting that God already holds it.
In the Lutheran tradition, faith is less about having everything figured out and more about trusting God’s promises. In baptism, we are named and claimed by God, marked with the cross of Christ forever. Freed by grace, we do not belong to fear or scarcity—we belong to God. And that freedom turns us outward, sending us into the world with love rather than anxiety.
This past year—and likely the one ahead—has reminded us that the world can feel divided and uncertain. It’s easy to feel anxious, grow tired, to pull back, or to wonder whether our efforts really matter. Yet our baptismal calling invites us into courage—not the kind that seeks recognition, but the kind that shows up. Courage for the common good often looks simple and steady: walking alongside neighbors, sharing resources, listening deeply, and trusting that God is already at work.
We live out that baptismal vocation together through many ministries. As we support the work of Homeworthy, we accompany neighbors seeking stability, housing, and hope. Through the Loaves and Fishes Community Meal, we provide meals where hospitality reflects God’s abundance and all are welcome. Through AIO and the Come Spring Food Pantry, we participate in God’s care by helping ensure that our neighbors have access to food with dignity. Beyond all this, we care for each other, too, with words and actions and prayers. In each of these ministries, we are not just doing good—we are bearing witness to the promises first spoken over us in baptism. (Be sure to read how you can help AIO this month elsewhere in this edition of The View.)
Justice, too, begins in lived relationships. In Scripture, justice is always connected to how we care for one another, especially those who are vulnerable or overlooked. The prophet Micah names it clearly: do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. We do this not because we have all the answers, but because God’s love continues to shape and send us.
As we begin 2026, my prayer is simple: that we will remain rooted in God’s grace, attentive to where the Spirit is leading, and willing to be shaped by love for the sake of the world. We will not always know what the year will bring, but we trust the One who has claimed us and who walks with us. Thank you for stepping into this new year with me. May we continue to live as people claimed in baptism, sent in love, and grounded in hope. Grace and peace to you in the year ahead.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Anderson
AIO will be holding their 6th “Fill the Strand” event on Monday, January 19 from 9:00-2:00 at The Strand Theater in Rockland.
This is a critical food collection and fundraiser to help AIO provide services during their most challenging time of the year. Funds raised help to provide heating assistance and purchase food for their market, and food donated provides a much-needed boost in food variety and availability. More than 400 families rely on AIO for food assistance each week, and this event is essential to sustaining the high level of service, help, and dignity AIO provides.
Monetary donations are welcome – and in fact your dollar goes further since AIO can purchase food through partners at a competitive price. Each bag of groceries or a monetary gift of $35 fills one seat. Your $35 monetary donation can buy up to $85 worth of food.
We will collect monetary donations at Nativity on Sundays January 11 and 18. Checks should be made payable to Nativity, and we will give one gift from the congregation. We will collect bags of groceries at Nativity on Sunday January 18—please leave your bagged donation in the front entryway and we will collect and deliver them on Monday morning. Non-perishable food with a current expiration date is appreciated.
The most needed items are Cereals, Snacks, Coffee/Tea, Salad Dressings, Microwavable Meals, Spaghetti Sauce, Condiments, Mac & Cheese, Ramen & Soups, Peanut butter, Other shelf stable items. Whether a monetary gift or food donation—your support will help the people in our community who need it the most.
If you prefer to give either a food or monetary gift directly to AIO rather than through Nativity, you will find the information needed at https://www.aiofoodpantry.org/strand
Out of the Office in December
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.
Jan 6 - Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland
Jan 13 - FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston
Jan 20 - Bagel Café, 30 Main St, Camden
Jan 27 - Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville
3 - Thomas Akeselsen
4 - Kristian Akselsen
5 - Paul O'Hara, Russ Moser
6 - Richard Scanlon, Mark Stadler
10 - Carolyn Ramm
11 - Ann O'Hara
20 - Christine Hawxhurst
21 - Jerry LiaBraaten
23 - Sue Dawson
24 - Ardys Arlin
31 - Kevin Pavelich
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.
Thursday, January 1 - Happy New Year!
Sunday, January 4
9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, January 5
7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, January 6
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Main Street Markets, 435 Main St., Rockland
3:00 PM Coastal Family Hospice Women’s Bereavement Group
Thursday, January 8
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents
Saturday, January 10
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Council Retreat
Sunday, January 11
9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, January 12
10:00 AM - Glory Girls and Guys, Meeting Room
7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, January 13
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston
Thursday, January 15
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
Saturday, January 17
9:30 AM -12:30 PM - Livestream of Prophets, Saints, and Kings: Resisting Christian Nationalism and Building the Beloved Community with King and Bonhoeffer. (RSVP by Wed., Jan. 14th)
Sunday, January 18
9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
9:00 AM -2:00 PM - AIO "Fill the Strand" event at The Strand Theater in Rockland
7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, January 20
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Bagel Café, 30 Main St, Camden
3:00 PM Coastal Family Hospice Women’s Bereavement Group
Thursday, January 22
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents
Sunday, January 25
9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
12 noon - Loaves and Fishes at St. Peter's in Rockland. (odd month team. See Donna Perry if you would like to help)
Monday, January 26
10:00 AM - Glory Girls and Guys, Meeting Room
7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, January 27
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville
Thursday, January 29
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
Email Pastor at office@nativityrockport.org if you would like the zoom link for Thursday morning prayer. Please also email Pastor if you do not have the weekly Sunday link.
The Arts & Crafts Festival held on November 29, 2025 was a successful event.
Many people who had never been to the church, came to the festival. And we hope they will come back on a Sunday!
The vendors were pleased that many people visited their tables. The music was enjoyed. The food was really enjoyed!
Nativity raised over $1600 which will be split between Homeworthy and Nativity ministries.
Thank you to the many people who helped make this event a success.
Mark your calendars for November 28, 2026 when we will hold our 2nd Arts & Crafts Festival!
- Food Donations: We once again have a drop off box for food donations to AIO Food Pantry in the Narthex at Nativity. Look for the plastic tote and place your items there and Mimi will deliver them to AIO on a regular basis.
- 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.
Month of January
Flowers and Altar: Sue Ann Moore
Acolyte: Ann Walker
January 4
Assistant: Hans Akselsen, II
Usher: Carol Brazier
Reader: Sue Ann Moore
January 11
Assistant: Marty Taylor
Usher: Denise Stadler
Reader: Judy Pelletier
January 18
Assistant: Ann Walker
Usher: Tina Huntley
Reader: Mimi Moore
January 25
Assistant: Carolyn Ramm
Usher: Jane Monhart
Reader: Barbara Alberda
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: Michele Paul, Ann Walker, Elaine Isakson, Pastor Anderson, Kim Murphy, Balloon Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash, Food Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash, Coffee Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash, Nativity Scene Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash, Nativity scene with evergreens by Mustafa Turhan 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