In Celebration of our 60th Anniversary at Nativity Lutheran Church, we will be hosting a picnic following the worship service on Sunday, July 14th.
It is a picnic as far as the types of foods we will be eating...hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, etc. Yet not a picnic as to where we will be eating. The luncheon will be served in the Fellowship Hall.
A sign up sheet in the Narthex will be available on June 30th and July 7th. Please indicate if you will be able to join us, and also if you can bring a side (salad, dessert, etc).
We will be giving thanks for the payment of the mortgage, and will be holding a short, fiery celebration. There will be a slide show playing throughout the afternoon - featuring many years of worship and community at Nativity.
If you can help out, please contact Kim Murphy. If you forget to sign up and still want to join in - come anyway. The more the merrier!
Donna Perry and I were lay delegates to Journey Forward, the New England Synod Assembly held in Worcester, MA, June 6-8, 2024. Along with Pastor Anderson and more than 400 other rostered and lay voting members, we had the honor of electing a successor to Bishop Hazelwood as leader of the New England Synod. There were more than 20 nominees and multiple ballots, each preceded by song and prayer. After the first three ballots, the field was narrowed to seven candidates, and we had an opportunity to hear from each of them (for five minutes) about their vision and qualifications for the post. Another ballot brought us to three candidates who then participated in a question-and-answer session of about 90 minutes. All three finalists were very strong and very inspiring in terms of their spirituality, their passion for service, their leadership experience, and their ideas for moving forward in fulfilling our call to bring God’s love to all through Jesus Christ.
On the fifth ballot, we elected the Rev. Nathan Pipho (rhymes with depot) who is in his 22nd year of pastoral ministry in the New England Synod. He is currently serving at Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester, MA. Three things he mentioned as important to him and to the future of the church are faith, relationships, and righting the wrongs of racism. In the Q&A, he likened Jesus’s love to a beautiful song. He reminded us to sing that song to all of God’s people so they can feel its comfort and joy.
You can see a photo of Bishop-Elect Pipho here https://nelutherans.org/ More information about him will probably be posted on the site in the coming days. He assumes the title and duties of bishop on August 1st and will be installed on Saturday, September 7th. Fun fact: He and Bishop Hazelwood have the same birthday!
We also elected candidates to the Synod Council, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, and the Synod Discipline Committee. In addition, we approved the proposed 2025 Synod Budget. A side note: I have been under the impression that our Synod received funding from the ELCA. It turns out that the opposite is true. The Synods fund the ELCA. So, Nativity’s annual gift to the Synod is an important one.
Throughout the Assembly, our faith partners (Thrivent, Calumet, etc.) and teams (World Hunger, Green Team, etc.) had tables in the main corridor where we could learn more about their programs, speak directly to the movers and shakers, and pick up literature (and candy!).
On Friday, we celebrated Bishop Hazelwood’s twelve years of service with tributes from friends and colleagues, along with a light roasting. The celebration closed with a video recalling many memorable moments from his tenure. The assembly honored him with a sustained standing ovation.
On Saturday morning we had the option of attending one of four workshops or participating in a choir practice for the closing worship. The workshop themes were From Youth Group to Youth Network, Relationships Across Race: Sharing Compassionate Stories, Following Jesus on the Way: Amazing Grace for Fallible Followers, and Justice in Palestine and Israel.
Each day we were encouraged to envision innovative ways to do ministry -- there are challenges ahead in our ever-changing world. We prayed for the congregations that closed this year. We heard that there are not enough full-time pastors, and that seminary enrollments and youth membership are declining. But we also heard that youth still attend Camp Calumet and love it. And, we heard about the excitement and growth that are happening in lay leadership. Eight candidates received certificates from the School of Lay Ministry and will now be assisting in significant ways in their congregations. More information about the school is available here: https://nelutherans.org/faithinaction/schooloflayministry
In summary, Donna and I agreed that it was a great experience and a wonderful opportunity to serve and learn. We’re happy to answer your questions (as best we can).
-- Lynne Taylor
Lay Delegate to the 2024 New England Synod Assembly
I had an idea. I think it’s a pretty good one. But I can’t make it happen on my own. I’m hoping some of you will help.
Before the idea, a true story.
I’d noticed a young family enjoying our grounds—a couple, two toddlers with a stroller, an umbrella to shade the sun, and a blanket to soften the ground. I’d seen them over by the lilacs on one occasion and on the lawn behind the church another time. One day, when it was really hot, as I headed to my car in the south parking lot, they were in the shade by the apple trees and the big pine trees by the driveway.
I yelled over to them “Hi, how’s it going today?” And the young man yelled back “We’re having a picnic.” As I walked over to introduce myself, he got up, came over, told me his name, and waved toward the young woman and told me her name and that they lived next door at the shelter. She didn’t seem very interested in meeting me and stayed where she was. The littlest of the two children, clutching a can of Pringles, tried to toddle over and her dad went and picked her up so she could meet me, too. “The kids really like to get outside, and we were going to walk to the beach, but we decided it was way too hot.” Then he said “Do your outdoor faucets work? Would it be okay if I filled my water bottle?” “Of course!” I answered. Then I wished them a good day and headed back to my car, but his question reminded me I had left MY water bottle inside so I went in to retrieve it.
When I came back out and began to back out, the young woman was in the driveway and flagged me down. I rolled down my window and she said, “I have a question. Do you have a Bible I could have?” You can imagine I thought that was a GREAT question! “Absolutely!” I replied. I stopped my car, she came in with me, I found a Bible in the Meeting Room and handed it to her. She thanked me and went back to their “picnic”, and I went home hoping the Bible would make a difference in her life.
I kept thinking about and appreciating that she made the ask. And I was glad I had a Bible to give her. But the more I thought about it, the more I wished I had had a different Bible to give her. I wished I had a study Bible with notes and descriptions that explain some of the stuff, that help you understand the context or the language or cultural changes. And then the more I thought about that, the more I thought about her two little girls, and I wished I had thought to look for a story Bible that I could have given her along with the other, one she could read to her kids and share the stories.
Then came the idea. What if I had a few study Bibles and a few children’s story Bibles on hand just to give away? Now, realistically, it could be years before someone else asks me if I have a Bible they can have. But if they do, I’d like to be ready. And I’d like to be ready with a few story Bibles as well. But…and here comes the ask for your help…Bibles are expensive. A decent study Bible with notes consistent with Lutheran interpretations is close to $30. So is a nice story Bible. I need some funds to purchase just a few to have on hand—I’m thinking three of each.
I’m also thinking there might be a lot of you that would like to help with this. And some of you might just say “Here Pastor, here’s some money for those Bibles,” and hand me a few hundred dollars to cover it all. But here’s my proposal so that more people can help. If you would like to help, start with just ten dollars please. After three weeks if there’s not enough to order some Bibles, I’ll “open it up” for second donations and if you’d like to give more you may.
Thanks in advance for your help. And if you have an idea you think is a good one, share it and see what happens.
Blessings,
Pastor
Creation Care News
The creation care team always has “The Earth” in mind! We ponder, read, then discuss solutions for solving an international problem. We can’t solve the many issues on our own, but we can help heighten awareness of Maine’s issues through education.
We want you to join the team by marking your calendars for this summer's series, entitled Turn on the Taps: Ensuring Clean Water for All.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
August 3, 10:30 Camden Public Library: Nickie Sekera of Community Water Justice and the Maine State Water Commission, presentation on local water rights issues in Maine.
August 22, 10:00 Visit to Begin Again Farm, Warren: tour/presentation by farmers Bill Pluecker and Chloe Maxmin.
September 7, 10:30 Rockport Opera House: presentation on the impact of mining on water, Jan Morrill, Earthworks, and Ralph Chapman, former state representative from Blue Hill.
September ? (date/time tbd but aiming for week of Sept 23): visit to Maine Water Company with Q/A.
A bonus event, mark your calendar for August 8th, a happening on site at Nativity Lutheran’s Fellowship Hall. We want you as an adult to partner with your grandchild, niece, nephew, neighbor’s child for participation in an afternoon VBS. We have invited Herring Gut Coastal Science Center from Port Clyde to be part of our creation care afternoon. They will be bringing a touch tank filled with coastal marine creatures, from mollusks to starfish to horseshoe crabs, plus many more! Of course, a bible story, craft and snack will be included. More details next month.
We look forward to seeing you this summer at one or more events! Thank you for your past support! Please spread the word to friends and family! Watch for upcoming publicity to share!
Thankfully yours,
Gretchen Hanna
Creation Care Team Member
Vegetarian recipes for July
Summertime is here. Yay!
And with summer comes a taste for lighter fare, salads,
and fun foods from the grill.
Laurie Power, a member of our Care for Creation Team, has sent us a recipe for Ratatouille, a classic French dish full of bounty from summer gardens.
I’m adding to that a recipe for Grilled Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Grilled Tomato Salad.
Enjoy, enjoy, while helping to take care of our Earth.
-Lynne Taylor for the Creation Care Team
All Vegetarian recipes can be found in THIS folder
It’s beginning to look a lot like tourist season! Our usual coffee shop venues for “Pastor’s Out of Office Hours” have been getting crowded so we’ll be moving out into creation and gathering at our local parks. Bring a cup of coffee (or your morning beverage of choice) and a treat if you like, and join Pastor Anderson for conversation. Most of the places 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. If it rains we’ll gather inside at Nativity.
9:30 - 11:00 AM
July 2 - Laite Memorial Beach, Off Bay View St, Camden
July 9 - Walker Park, Sea St, Rockport (Pascal Ave. to Elm St. to Sea St.)
July 16 - Owls Head Lighthouse State Park, 186 Lighthouse Road, Owls Head
July 23 - G.W. Hodson Park, Molyneaux Rd, Camden
July 30 - Marie Reed Park, Breakwater Access Trail, Rockport
Our 2024 Grand Day on August 8 is an afternoon opportunity for grandparents and kids to grow in faith, learn about creation, and have fun together! The afternoon schedule (1:00-3:30) will be patterned like Vacation Bible School with time for singing, a Bible story, a little craft project, and a snack—PLUS time at the Herring Gut Coastal Science Center’s travel touch tank of live sea creatures. Our afternoon fun is designed for kids age 4 through fifth grade with their grandparents. If you have an older grandchild, we would love for them and you to volunteer and help. We also will welcome your help if you don’t have a grandchild to bring along. And we hope you’ll pass the info on to neighbors and friends.
Another way to help make this project a success is by donating. As the date gets closer, we’ll identify some specific things we need for snack time or crafts. We are already collecting empty 16-ounce plastic water bottles which we will reuse for a craft. They must have a cap and it would be great if you could remove the label. There’s a collection bin in the Narthex.
To participate in Grand Day with your grandchildren (or other children) please register by calling or emailing the church office (594-4665 or office@nativityrockport.org) a $5 donation is suggested. For more information about attending or helping please speak with Michele Paul, Paster Anderson, or Gretchen Hanna.
9 - Carol Coiley
14 - Sandy Abate
23 - Ann Walker
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.
Reminder: Now that summer is here, Worship service begins at 9:30 AM each week.
Monday, July 1
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, July 2
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours and into Creation
Laite Memorial Beach, Off Bay View St, Camden
Thursday, July 4 - Happy Independence Day!
No Morning Prayer zoom session today
Sunday, July 7
9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Assistant: Ted Long
Reader: Ollie Jones
Usher: Tina Huntley
Monday, July 8
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, July 9
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours and into Creation
Walker Park, Sea St, Rockport (Pascal Ave. to Elm St. to Sea St.)
Thursday, July 11
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
Sunday, July 14
9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Assistant: Carolyn Ramm
Reader: Mimi Moore
Usher: Carol Brazier
60th Anniversary Picnic following Worship
Week of July 15
Theater Camp in the Fellowship Hall
Monday, July 15
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, July 16
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours and into Creation
Owls Head Lighthouse State Park, 186 Lighthouse Road, Owls Head
Thursday, July 18
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
Friday, July 19
2:00 PM - Finding Nemo KIDS Theater Camp Performance, Fellowship Hall
Sunday, July 21
9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Assistant: Marty Taylor
Reader: Jane Monhart
Usher: Sue Dawson
Monday, July 22
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, July 23
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours and into Creation
G.W. Hodson Park, Molyneaux Rd, Camden
Thursday, July 25
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
Sunday, July 28
9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Assistant: Betty Long
Reader: Ted Long
Usher: Bruce Cobb
Monday, July 29
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, July 30
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours and into Creation
Marie Reed Park, Breakwater Access Trail, Rockport
Month of July
Altar Care: Tina Huntley
Flower Arranger: Sherry Cobb
Acolyte:
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.
- 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 20th of each month.
Email kmusicorama@gmail.com
Photos this month: Hans Akselsen, Lynne Taylor, Kim Murphy, Cake Photo by Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist on Unsplash, Outdoor Gathering Photo by Krisztina Papp on Unsplash, Balloon Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash, Aluminum can tabs Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash, Water Photo by mrjn Photography on Unsplash
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