The Narrative Lectionary

Beginning September 11 there will be a change in the “lectionary” we are using for Sunday morning worship. What is a “lectionary?” It’s a selection of Bible readings appointed for each Sunday. The Revised Common Lectionary, which Nativity has been using for many years, is a three-year cycle of readings that provided four readings for each Sunday, an Old Testament, a Psalm, an Epistle, and a Gospel reading. We will be switching to the Narrative Lectionary.

The Narrative Lectionary was created at Luther Seminary and has a four-year cycle of readings. Each Sunday, one main reading is provided, selected from the great stories of the Bible, beginning with Genesis in the Fall, and ending in the Epistles by the end of Spring. In each of the four years of the Narrative Lectionary, the selected readings trace the sweep of the biblical story. Readings are selected with the intent that together they tell the overall biblical story, and that they lend themselves well to preaching. These are stories of hope and disappointment, suffering and redemption. The Gospel stories differ each of the four years, highlighting the distinctive aspects of each Gospel’s telling of the story of Jesus.

But this lectionary is not simply a series of stories; rather, it is a series of stories that facilitate an understanding of and appreciation for the broader biblical story. It is different than the Revised Common Lectionary in several ways. First, it moves rapidly through the biblical narrative in canonical order (the order the books appear in the Bible) in a ninth-month cycle, featuring mainly narrative passages. Second, the Narrative Lectionary has two readings each week instead of four: a preaching text and an accompanying text.

The church year shapes the Narrative Lectionary. Fall through Advent, the Old Testament preaching texts move through the story of God’s dealings with Israel and culminate in Advent, with the prophets who speak of longing and hope and the coming of the Messiah. During this time the accompanying text is from the Gospels. Christmas through Lent the preaching texts are from the Gospels (this year Matthew) and will trace the movement from the birth of the Messiah at Christmas, to the public revelation of the Messiah during Epiphany, and the passion and resurrection through Lent and Holy Week. The accompanying texts are from Psalms. And Easter through Pentecost features Resurrection accounts, stories from Acts, and readings from Paul’s letters which tell of the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence through the Easter season to the Day of Pentecost with accompanying texts again from the Gospel.

Because the lectionary is shaped this way, the church calendar is accentuated — the rhythm of the Narrative Lectionary emphasizes the three festivals of the year: the birth of Christ Jesus as the culmination of the Old Testament story, the resurrection of Christ as the culmination of the Gospel stories, and the festival of Pentecost as the outflowing of God’s mission to all the nations. The time of Advent is kept by focusing on the promise of the Messiah. Appropriate readings have been chosen for church commemorations, such as Reformation, All Saints, and Ash Wednesday. The summer will allow us to do interesting sermon series that dive deeper into a particular topic or Bible book that the regular lectionary didn’t cover. For instance, past summers have featured series such as: The Ten Commandments, 1 John, Ruth, Hebrews, Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry, and Generosity,

Why should we try the narrative lectionary? Knowledge of the biblical story is crucial to mature Christian faith. The Revised Common Lectionary we have been using skips around within the Bible making it hard to get a sense of the whole narrative story that is presented in scripture. If we struggle understanding God’s narrative, then we struggle to find our place within it. In June at our Congregational Meeting, we approved a Nourishing Faith Initiative of “Deepening Biblical Understanding.” The Narrative Lectionary is one way for us to deepen our understanding of God’s narrative both individually and as a congregation.

Check out this three and a half minute video introduction

See you in worship!

Yours in Christ

Pastor Anderson

Click on the Nativity Lutheran Church Calendar Link below if you would like an "easy-to-read" full size view of the month.

It will open a new window featuring the calendar.

Sunday, Sept. 4th

9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Ted Long

Sunday, Sept. 11th

10:30 AM - Outdoor Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Marty Taylor

Sunday, Sept. 18th

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Ann Walker

Sunday, Sept. 25th

10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online

Assistant: Fred Walker

Wednesday, September 28th

11:00 AM - Memorial Service for Ken Guiseley

Weekly

Tuesdays 9:30 - 11:00 AM - "Out of Office" hours (see article below)

Thursdays 8:00 AM - Morning Prayer via Zoom

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 Zoom link.

Pastor’s "Out-of-the-Office-and-into-Creation Hours" will continue Tuesday mornings in September. Bring your own coffee (and a treat if you want) and meet Pastor in a local park for casual conversation about whatever comes up. She has picked out some parks that feature trees for shade, picnic tables, and in some cases benches. But you might want to bring your own chair to be more comfortable. Pastor will plan to be there 9:30 to 11:00. She tried to pick spots that might have shade so it should be pleasant if it's not raining. If it's raining, she won't be there.

Here are the places:

Tuesday September 6 - Glen Cove Park, Rt 1, Rockport

Tuesday September 13 - Laite Mem. Beach, Off Bay View St, Camden

Tuesday September 20 - Shirttail Point, Rt 105, Camden

Tuesday September 27 - Nativity’s Serenity Path on the church grounds (bring a chair)

The 2022-23 Congregation Council held its annual retreat on August 16 to kick off its work for the year. Among the highlights of our afternoon together were the following:

• Pastor Anderson led us in a stimulating set of reflections on our church experiences, both throughout our lives and here at Nativity. The reflections were based on passages from John’s gospel and from Freeing Jesus, by Diana Butler Bass. As we look to the future, we were encouraged to embrace love more than fear, trust rather than worry, and comfort instead of abandonment.

• Members shared their reasons for saying yes to joining the Council, what they needed to make our work meaningful and rewarding, and what they could contribute to the group. Each one of us feels a sense of responsibility to do the best possible for the congregation, and everyone identified some personal talents, skills or interests that could enhance our work together.

• Getting organized, we elected the following officers: President – Ted Long; Vice-President – Sue Dawson; Treasurer – Fred Walker; and Secretary – Kim Murphy. We also identified Council liaisons to our two mission initiatives: Creation Care – Denise Stadler; and Biblical Understanding – Ted Long.

• We spent some time brainstorming ways to support our two ministry initiatives and to sustain connections with our members. We intend to do more to engage those active in the ministry initiatives personally to learn of their progress, to hear their stories and to provide counsel. To connect with members, we want to begin by reactivating our congregational fellowship activities, starting with fellowship after worship, providing Covid does not become worse.

• The Council voted to proceed with the plan to provide technological enhancements for in-person and Zoom worship, as detailed in the Annual Report. We will be finalizing the price and proceeding with installation as soon as possible. A generous benefactor has pledged support for the majority of the cost, but we will have to raise additional funds to fully pay for the project without dipping into the operating budget.

• We have been a congregation that does more than most small churches, but we all recognize the challenges facing us as a small church with an aging membership. To ensure that we can sustain and enhance our active ministry profile, Council is establishing a six-person work group to develop scenarios for a sustainable future of robust ministry for Nativity. After the group has developed its scenarios, we will be discussing them with the congregation to chart a course forward.

Council has regularly scheduled meetings in October, November, January, March and May, the dates for which will be published in the View. We plan to meet in person, and members are welcome to attend as they desire. In addition, please contact Pastor or Ted Long if you have any issues or ideas that you would like Council to address. Likewise, don’t hesitate to ask questions about anything that is unclear or of a concern to you.

Ted Long, President

For the Congregation Council

Council Members

Ted Long, President

Sue Dawson, Vice-President

Fred Walker, Treasurer

Kim Murphy, Secretary

MaryAnn Hawkins

Jane Monhart

Sherry Cobb

Denise Stadler

Judy Pelletier

Pastor Wendy Anderson

Some members of Nativity’s Creation Care Team will be joining other churches across the country in the upcoming Creation Care 101 Program - a free program, toolkit and community building resource, designed for the church and you are invited to participate, too. Together, we will engage in faith-based conversations for practical implementation of environmental healing and justice, in church and home contexts. Developed alongside advisors at Yale’s Forum on Religion and Ecology and Oxford University’s Laudato Si’ Institute, the Creation Care 101 Program connects the dots between faith, science, justice and creation care. The program consists of eight 2-hour zoom sessions on the 2nd Thursday evening of each month at 7 p.m. September through April.

The topics offered are:

• Sept 8th Intro: Faith, Science & Creation Care

• Oct 13th Eating: Theology of Food

• Nov 10th Hosting: Honorable Gatherings

• Dec 8th Purchasing: Living Simply & Justly

• Jan 12th Regenerating: Soil, Compost, Waste

• Feb 9th Reframing: Water & Energy

• Mar 9th Planting: Gardens & Spaces

• Apr 13th Planning: Pulling it Together

• 
  

You can register at https://creationcarecollective.org/event/creation-justice-101-fall-program/ All who register will automatically be invited to each session, and automatically receive a recording should you not be able to attend a session. If the monthly links are provided in time, Pastor will try to include them in our weekly announcement email. Speak to members of the Creation Care Team if you have questions.

Creation Care Team

Denise Stadler

Elaine Isakson

Sue Dawson

Gretchen Hanna

Betty Long

Lynne Taylor

MaryAnn Hawkins

Pastor Wendy Anderson

The Creation Care Team has been providing helpful ideas and suggestions for all of us as we work to reduce, reuse, recycle, and renew items in our daily lives as well as improve and preserve this glorious planet on which we live. One of the things that has come to my mind is to find a way to reduce the number of times that I get into my car and go out to run an errand. Why don’t I try to organize myself so that I can go to the drugstore, then the bank, then the fish market, then the grocery store all in one trip, versus going out multiple times during the week? This would reduce auto emissions from my car. Another thought is that I can also offer to pick up supplies, groceries or drop off books at the library for my neighbor at the same time, thus reducing more auto emissions! And, with the time that I saved from “running around” I could finish the book I was reading, or take a walk in my neighborhood, or spend time with my next-door neighbor, or pull some weeds from my gardens, or simply be at peace.

What are some of the ideas that you have that can help us do one of the following:

• Refuse/Rethink
• Reduce
• Reuse/Repair
• Repurpose
• Rot/Compost
• Recycle

The Creation Care Team would like to hear from you. Caring for our environment and this beautiful earth is not only important for us today, but it is vitally important if we intend to leave a sustainable and healthy home for our children and grandchildren. And, thanks for what you are already doing!

Betty G. Long

Creation Care Team

YES!!!!!!! THE HARVEST FESTIVAL/TAG SALE IS BACK IN 2022!!!!!!!!

YES, we are planning a full program with the Bake Goods, Crafts, Cafe, Ladies Boutique, Silent Auction, and Tag Sale!!!!!!!!

YES, the BASEMENT is BULGING with items for all 6 categories!!!!!!! This will be a GREAT SALE!!!!! You will be receiving communication concerning help needed during the Event, as well as pre, and post-event help.

YES, the date of the event is planned for October 15th from 9am to 1pm!!!!!!

Craft and Bake Sale Items are are usually received on Friday (10/14 this year) BEFORE NOON. Bake Sale items may be received by 8:30am on the day of the event. Please inform Karin of your planned delivery date and time. PLEASE PRE-PRICE CRAFT and BAKE SALE ITEMS.

YES, the proceeds will again be shared with local charities identified by the NLC Council.

Because of dangers inherent with children’s toys (small pieces, cribs, and strollers) we are not able to sell or accept them.

ITEM DROP OFFS

YES, BECAUSE THE BASEMENT IS BULGING there is a table location at the end of the basement, closest to the outside entry/exit doors labeled “HF/TS Drop Offs”.

This area is for “onezie, twozie” items. Larger/heavier “onezie twozie” items may be left on the floor under the table.

If you have larger quantities/heavier items PLEASE contact Phil for help with the basement location, and physical help moving the item(s) to the church basement.

PLEASE, PLEASE - DONATIONS should be CLEAN, and used items, used GENTLY.

Not sure if something is “right” for the sale - just ask 832-4335 (Karin).

Item(s) is/are bulky, heavy, need help - just ask 832-4335 (Phil).

Karin or Phil - davisloop100@gmail.com.

Pastor Anderson will be one of the leaders for the New England Synod Companion Synod trip to the Holy Land and Jordan, February 2-15, 2023. If you have ever considered visiting the Holy Land, this would be a great time to do it. Our theme is "Sitting Under the Vine and Fig Tree," an image of peace and unity among nations found in Micah 4.

Our goals are:

1) Meeting our Lutheran sisters and brothers of the ELCJHL

2) Visiting the holy sites from the Bible in Palestine, Israel, and Jordan and

3) Learning about and witnessing what is happening in Israel and Palestine.

Registration is open now. Cost (excluding gratuities, personal items, etc.) is $3,990 per person/double occupancy. A $300 deposit holds your spot with the first $1,000 due on or before September 10, 2022 and the balance due November 20. More information and both a digital and a pdf registration form are available at https://www.eliastours.com/.../new-england-synod-s... Be sure to find the “New England Synod’s Companion - Holy Land Trip” which begins Feb 2, as the tour company has several “Lutheran” tours scheduled. For more information just give Pastor a call.

Every three years this church holds a gathering of voting members from all 65 synods to conduct business. I just returned from the 2022 gathering in Columbus, Ohio. What follows are a few personal highlights and reflections. However, for a more thorough overview I commend to you the series of articles written by Mitch Robinson, assembly voting member and current member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, CT. You can find the first of his articles here.

Three moments stand out for me. The first is the election of Imran Siddiqui as Vice President. This is a volunteer or non-stipendiary position in our church. The chief responsibilities include chairing the meetings of the ELCA (national) church council, as well as serving as a public face of lay leadership in this church. I happened to be sitting next to Imran throughout the assembly and enjoyed brief exchanges. I found him appropriately lighthearted at times, yet also intentional about new ways of being church in a changing world. I view his election as indicative of a shift to a younger generation of leaders for our church. There were other aspects of this assembly that marked this turn, but Imran’s election captures it most clearly.

The second moment of significance is the many decisions that are pointing this church into a new direction. The resolution on establishing a commission to examine the structures, practices, and patterns of the ELCA is the most visible. But there were other amendments to our current governing documents that also point to the ever-evolving nature of this church. Many of these resolutions and amendments passed by overwhelmingly large margins of 80 or 90%. This signaled to me a desire to move forward with restructuring with boldness and a vision. In other words, I see a hunger for something BIG and BOLD, not simply tweaks. More thoughts on this later.

The third significant moment for me occurred one evening while walking back from dinner. I was alone and happened upon the four representatives of Iglesia Luterana Santa Maria Peregrina. This is the congregation in California that experienced the crisis surrounding the removal of their pastor. (See here for background letters I have written.) I met these four at the beginning of the assembly, so we recognized one another. Following a humorous exchange involving selfie photos with a mildly inebriated fraternity group, we settled into a serious conversation about the next steps following Bishop Eaton’s apology. The four members of Santa Maria had received the apology as a genuine act of contrition and were interested in the continuing process of reconciliation. Of primary importance to them now is follow through and next steps. I gave them my assurance that Sierra Pacific Interim Bishop Claire Burkat is the right person for the current situation. We concluded with a warm embrace and prayers right there on the street. The moment was marked with tears and laughter.

The church is not perfect. It is made up of flawed human beings. We do well to remember that we are simultaneously saint and sinner. We pray that the Holy Spirit will work through us. We live in times where the flaws of our church seem to be more evident, yet I hope we can lean into the blessings of being church. We don’t have it all figured out, and it’s likely that we never will. But my prayer is that with each step, God will find a way.

Bishop James Hazelwood

For more about the Churchwide Assembly click here.

7 - Ted Long

16 - Clara Mason

18 - Fran Kresge

26 - Kasie Waters

Ann Walker sent a variety of pictures from her Garden and Pitcher Pond.

• 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.
  
• We have a new receptacle for collecting our aluminum pop tabs. 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. The revenue they receive from their partner metal recycling facility supplements the stays of families of hospitalized children at their facilities in Bangor and Portland.
  

Connect with ELCA greater church

Read Bishop Eaton’s monthly article:

https://www.livinglutheran.org/

https://www.elca.org/Resources/Presiding-Bishop-Messages

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: Ann Walker, Elaine Isakson, Betty Long, internet resources

Rev. Wendy J. Anderson

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