Nativity View
December 2025
…I struggled
Advent has always been one of my most favorite times in the church year -- since I was a kid: opening the windows of the Advent calendar my Aunt Gerry made and sent each year, helping my Auntie Nea build an Advent wreath for her kitchen table, and watching the candles on the bigger wreath at church get lit each Sunday. Then when I was a youth director each year we had a workshop for folks to make wreaths, and special Wednesday night worship. When I got to Iowa on my internship, one of my projects at First Lutheran Church in Algona was to turn a seldom used space into an “Advent Chapel” with greenery and white lights. Then I introduced Holden Evening Prayer on Wednesday nights with the help of a young couple who had sung the parts elsewhere. In Minnesota, in a congregation with several families with young children, we tried each year to come up with a “count down” Advent project they could make and take home to mark the days until Christmas. I’m not a patient person in most aspects of life but I’ve always loved the focus on waiting and the focus on hope.
Since I’ve been a pastor, I’ve always chosen a “theme” to focus my congregation in Advent. And because I feel no need to reinvent the wheel, I’ve usually chosen a theme that someone else has come up with and presented in some type of worship materials I’ve had access to, through purchase or in a book or magazine. This year I really struggled to choose one. I looked at a lot of different available resources from a lot of different sources. Most of them didn’t feel right for one reason or another. There was one I wanted to choose, from a company I’ve used before and generally been pleased with the materials, but I struggled to choose it. The Scripture readings for each week were solid and thoughtfully selected. The materials that came along with it, sermon helps, devotional materials, prayer suggestions, all seemed well done. It wasn’t too expensive. And still I struggled.
I was hung up on the title and how the overall title was then incorporated into each weekly title. “What do you fear?” Even though the subtitle was “Insisting on hope this Advent” I was hung up on the fear. Who wants to focus on fear this time of year? It’s supposed to be merry and joyful. And hopeful. Then one day I was driving along and thinking about things going on in congregation members’ lives and things going on in our country and in our world. And I thought to myself “There is a lot to be afraid of. And even though there are places in the Bible that tell us not to be afraid, those are generally responses to someone’s fear." And I began to wonder, “Shouldn’t we as faithful people be able to tackle fear in healthy ways from a place of faith and hope? And if we keep hiding our fear instead of acknowledging it and supporting one another with ways to work through it, how will we ever get to the place where hope will overcome the fear for us and for others?”
So, I decided to go with it. “What do you fear? Insisting on hope this Advent.” You can read more about it elsewhere in this issue of the View. I hope that together we’ll learn and grow in faith and that we’ll explore familiar stories in new ways—ways that help us to overcome some of the fears that fill our lives and our world, and we’ll come out at the other end with greater, more resilient hope. We’ll see where the Spirit blows. Thanks for being on this journey with me.
Blessed Advent,
Pastor Anderson
There are a wealth of activities and community events during the month of December. The newsletter is long! Keep reading until you see the attached picture. '
You may have to tell your device to open the full version!
December 7 is the last day to sign up to help decorate our worship space for Christmas Eve by donating one or more poinsettias.
The high-quality plants will be from Longfellow’s Greenhouses and are available in two sizes:
6 1/2 inch pots (1 plant) are $13 each
8 inch pots (3 plants) are $27 each
You will be able to take your poinsettias home with you following our Christmas Eve service or leave them to adorn the space.
Please sign up in the narthex by December 7 or call/email the church office. Be sure to find the right dedication section(no dedication, in memory or in honor) and include your name, the number of plants, size, and dedication name(s)
The Nativity Mitten Tree is in its 25th year of collecting mittens, scarves, hats, and gloves - and then distributing them to families and schools in need.
This year, we’re doing things a little bit differently. Our donations will be going to local schools so we will deliver them in January instead of before Christmas. That allows us to collect them all the way through Advent and Christmas. This will give you more time to shop or knit and crochet. And it will give local teachers a “stash” of cold-weather gear to distribute later in the winter as children lose their gloves, mittens, hats and scarves.
The tree will be up in the narthex beginning December 7 through Sunday December 28. Sizes from small kids to adult are appropriate, as older students often wear adult sizes.
If you have any questions please contact Mary Ann H., who has coordinated this project since she and her daughter Katy began it in 2000.
Please join us for Advent Vespers via Zoom (only) at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. We’ll meet for three Wednesdays again this year: December 3, 10, and 17. (Technically there actually are four Wednesdays this year, but the fourth one is December 24, so we will gather in person and via Zoom for our Christmas Eve worship.) We’ll use "Holden Evening Prayer"by Marty Haugen (composer of the "Now the Feast" liturgy we use on Sundays in the summer) once again utilizing our recorded portions of the services featuring Kim Murphy, Betty and Ted Long, Fred Walker, and vocal guest Gwen Sauvage, with special musicians Hans Akselsen II (Kristian), Ollie Jones, Ann Walker, Barbara Alberda, Carolyn Ramm, and Heidi Anderson.
Our weekly “themes” and Bible readings each week will be the same topics that we have explored the previous Sunday but we’ll look at them in different ways. The conversation style “message” or “reflection” has been very popular so we will use it again each week with a theme related conversation between a member of Nativity and Pastor Anderson.
The “Zoom info” will remain the same for the three services and will be sent weekly via our regular email list. Copies of the service booklet were distributed to each Nativity household previously. If you did not receive one, or did not save yours (or saved it in a very safe place now unknown to you) check your email for how to get a copy. If you are not on our weekly email list and would like the Zoom info for these services please email office@nativityrockport.org.
Holden Evening Prayer Text and music by Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Copyright © 1990 by G.I.A. Publications, Inc. 7404 So. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted and streamed under license from ONE LICENSE, License #A-727691
Sunday, December 21, our coffee hour after worship will be a “Christmas Cookie Potluck.” Please bring a plate and a few more of your favorite Christmas cookies toshare. Michele will make coffee, and we all can sample the cookies. After everyone has snacked, we’ll divide up the leftovers for everyone to take home. A fun way to socialize and to add some new or different cookies to your usual holiday selection.
LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD
Nativity’s Creation Care Team met recently, following the completion of the fall series, “Wasted Food: Challenges and Community Solutions”. We spent time reflecting on the results of our efforts, which began last winter and kept us busy right through early November. The series allowed us to host 9 presenters and approximately 100 attendees from the congregation and the surrounding communities as well as to provide space for information sharing and relationship building. The team looked at how we can grow and improve our process and considered the congregation’s response and that of our wider communities. We appreciated all who attended and helped with this series and invite you to watch the videos of any presentations you weren’t able to attend (available on our church website).
Because addressing wasted food holds the potential to benefit both our earth and our neighbors experiencing food insecurity, we want to be not only “hearers”, but “doers”. In that spirit, the team also talked about what we as a congregation might do with what we’ve learned in the series. Some ideas were generated, and we are open to your suggestions, so let us hear from you!
Looking ahead, we also welcome anyone who would like to join in the ongoing work of the team (short or longer term), helping Nativity live our Congregational Care-for-Creation Covenant. Again, we would love to hear from you and have the chance to work alongside you.
For the next couple of months, the Creation Care team plans to take some time to recharge and will come together in February to take up the calling again.
Elaine Isakson for the Creation Care Team
(pictured below: photos from Nov. 8th and Oct.28th presentations)
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.
Dec 2 - Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville
Dec 9 - Atlantic Baking Company, Main St. Rockland
Dec 16 - Bagel Café, 30 Main St, Camden
Dec 23 - FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston
Dec 30 - No Out of Office Hours
3 -Stacey Shields
5 - Charlie Brown
6 - Jennie Dynesius
9 - Beccy Chamberlain
18 - Clair Waters
31 - Charlie Rowling
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.
Monday, December 1
7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, December 2
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Dot’s, Rt 1, Lincolnville
3:00 PM Coastal Family Hospice Women’s Bereavement Group
Wednesday, December 3
6:30 PM - Advent Vespers via Zoom
Thursday, December 4
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
Sunday, December 7
9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
note: Today is the last day to order poinsettias for Christmas Eve.
Monday, December 8
10:00 AM - Glory Girls and Guys, Meeting Room
7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, December 9
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Atlantic Baking Company, Main St. Rockland
Wednesday, December 10
6:30 PM - Advent Vespers via Zoom
Thursday, December 11
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents
Friday, December 12
Toys for Tots Distribution
Saturday, December 13
Toys for Tots Distribution
Sunday, December 14
9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, December 15
7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, December 16
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
Wednesday, December 17
6:30 PM - Advent Vespers via Zoom
Thursday, December 18
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents
Sunday, December 21
9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, December 22
10:00 AM - Glory Girls and Guys, Meeting Room
7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, December 23
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
FlipSide Coffee, Main St, Thomaston
Wednesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
5:15 PM - Special Music
5:30 PM -Worship Service with Holy Communion and Candle Lighting
Thursday, December 25 - Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 28 - Lessons and Carols
9:00 AM - Choir practice in the Sanctuary; Adult Bible Study in the Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
note: This is the last day to donate to the Mitten Tree.
12 noon - Loaves and Fishes at St. Peter's in Rockland. (even team. See Ollie Jones if you would like to help)
Monday, December 29
7:00 PM - Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, December 30
No Out of Office Hours today
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.
DECEMBER 6 - BLUE 650 CONGRESS ST., PORTLAND
The original. Get there early.
DECEMBER 13 - FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, YARMOUTH
The coffeehouse version.
DECEMBER 20 - LA CAVE, CAMDEN
On the waterfront. French themed menu.
All events are singalong versions of the Messiah Part One performed in public spaces with musicians and great soloists provided. You sing the choruses. Or listen. Parts available.
Rehearsal 1 PM Performance 3 PM.
There is no charge for entry or participation. We survive on donations and program ads so please be generous.
A holiday classic! Don't miss! Please reply to this mail if you have questions or want to place an ad. Please forward this to others who might enjoy.
See you soon, Charlie Brown
Ann Walker will be ringing bells with the Penobscot Bay Ringers.
They have a concert coming up on Saturday, December 6th at 4:00 PM, at the First Congregational Church in Camden.
Admission is by a free will offering which will benefit the Camden Area Christian Food Pantry.
Jane Monhart plays bassoon with the MidCoast Community Band!
You can hear her on Dec. 7th and Dec. 19th!
Dec. 7th, 4:00 P. M. at the Tenants Harbor Odd Fellows Hall, 7 Elementary School Rd., Tenants Harbor, ME
Midcoast Community Band presents a Christmas Concert and Dec. 7th Tribute
Free admission – donations appreciated. Non-perishable food items being collected.
Dec. 12th, 13th and 14th – Community Christmas Chorus presents “Canticles in Candlelight”
by Joseph Martin. 35-voice choir, readings, candle lighting and 5-piece wind ensemble.
Dec. 12th & 13th at 6:30, Dec. 14th at 4:00. Thomaston Baptist Church, Main Street.
Donations appreciated.
Dec. 19th, 7:00 P.M. at the Thomaston Baptist Church, 212 Main St., Thomaston, ME
Midcoast Community Band presents “Tidings of Joy” Christmas Concert
Free admission - donations appreciated.
Once again this year we are sharing our space to help our local Toys for Tots operation make Christmas happy for families struggling to make ends meet. The toy distribution dates -- the days that families come to choose toys for their kids-- this year are Friday and Saturday Dec 12 and 13. Jody has already unpacked many of the toys stored in the container currently in Nativity's parking lot and the tables in the basement are filling up. As new donations come in, Jody has space in the storage container for duplicates while leaving plenty of space for parents and care givers to “shop” for the appropriate toys for their kids when the time comes. After Christmas and her yearly official Toys for Tots audit, when she packs up the leftover toys, most will go into the container and off to the storage facility until next year. If you’d like to help with Toys for Tots during the distribution time or before or after that, speak with Pastor and she will give you Jody’s contact information so you can be in touch with her to find out what help she might need.
Thank you to all who contributed food and money for our community Thanksgiving baskets this year. Your efforts demonstrate your love for the neighbor you don’t even know!
Special thanks to Annie Appleton for helping me assemble the 12 food bags and carry them to my car. The bags and 14 turkeys were transported to the Come Spring Food Pantry in Union where they were distributed before Thanksgiving day.
After accounting for the food purchased to complete the baskets a check for $448.53 was delivered to Come Spring Food Pantry with the food to help them continue the fight against food insecurity in western Knox County. It so happens this was almost the same amount they had spent to make sure all their clients had a good Thanksgiving!
I am so grateful to be part of such a giving and caring community!
Ann Walker
We have all heard the phrase, “There is something for everyone” and this is so true about the Women’s Weekend at Calumet. Eight women from our church had the opportunity to experience a time of faith, fellowship and fun.
The theme for the weekend was, “God Draws Near”. We experienced this theme all weekend as we focused on the many blessings we have received from God and how we are a blessing to others. This was Pastor Wendy Anderson’s message as she led us in our morning session, campfire devotion, and our closing worship service.
Fellowship opportunities included; nature walks, meal time gatherings, shopping, games, evening entertainment and crafts. Some made cards, painted tea towels and learned the art of Zentangle. We all enjoyed creating Blessing Journals with Pastor. There was also time for reflecting, resting and reading.
It was fun meeting new people, getting to know others better and participating in the various activities. There is just something refreshing being in nature surrounded with wonderful spiritually driven women. It was a great experience creating, praising and laughing. There truly was something for everyone, a blessing to be a part of a wonderful weekend.
- Michele Paul
- 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 December
Flowers: Betty Long
Altar: Jennie Dynesius (Carolyn Ramm, Dec.7)
Acolyte: Jennie Dynesius (Ann Walker, Dec. 7)
December 7
Assistant: Hans Akselsen, II
Reader: Sandy Abate
Usher: Carol Brazier
December 14
Assistant: Kim Murphy
Reader: Fran Kresge
Usher: Tina Huntley
December 21
Assistant: Carolyn Ramm
Reader: David Paul
Usher: Mary Anne Hawkins
December 24 - Christmas Eve
Assistant: Ted Long
Reader: Sue Ann Moore
Usher: Denise Stadler
December 28
Assistant: Betty Long
Reader: Mimi Moore
Usher: Ollie Jones
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: Elaine Isakson, Michele Paul, Ann Walker, Joanne Parker, Kim Murphy, Balloon Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash, Food Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash, Coffee Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash, Composting Photo by Craig Thomas on Unsplash, Poinsettia Photo by Jeffrey Hamilton on Unsplash, Nativity Scene Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash, Nativity scene with evergreens by Mustafa Turhan on Unsplash, Cookie Photo by Conor Brown 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