www.nativityarden.org
828.684.0352
Nativity Notes: 1/5 /17
+ worship

This Sunday is the Baptism of Our Lord and we will hear the story of Jesus' Baptism, along with the promise of God's constant presence in our lives. We will also baptize two new members into our church family at the 10:30 service: Selena Faith McKinney and Vesper Alice Rackoff. 

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For an update on music in worship here at Nativity (including upcoming choir rehearsals for youth and adults), click here.
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SNOW POLICY
This Winter when the weather is inclement there will USUALLY be a late service at Nativity (no Sunday School).

Please check the website at www.nativityarden.org
or call the church office at 684-0352 for the status of a service or other scheduled events. We will also post on WLOS.

+ c are

Dear Nativity Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for your love and support during my recovery from knee surgery. Your cards, visits, telephone calls, and especially your prayers were gratefully received.
Sincerely yours,
Ruth E. Young

Flo Siebert  is temporarily residing at Universal Health Care of Fletcher to receive physical therapy after a recent hospitalization.  Her goal is to return to her apartment at Trinity View in the new year.  Her temporary address is:
Universal Healthcare,  Room 405
86 Old Airport Road
Fletcher, NC  28732



Read the latest issue of this monthly periodical from the ELCA.
+ women of the ELCA

Women of Nativity  will meet on  Thursday, January 12 at 11:00 am  in the Fellowship Hall. We are studying the Gospel of John, chapter 4. You may join the group at any time; the study is not dependent on the previous lesson. Bring a bag lunch if you wish. Call Linda Blake, 684-8378, for more information.
 
Nativity Card Ministry 
Immediately following the Women's meeting ( Thursday, January 12 at 12:30 pm ), the Nativity Card Ministry will meet to make cards for the members on the weekly prayer list. Everyone is welcome to come and make these beautiful cards. The cards are made step by step and artistic ability is not required. 
Call Ruth Tracy, 628-7807, 
for more information.
 
Ladies Lunch Bunch All ladies are welcome to meet at the Roux (in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel) 
in Biltmore Town Square at  1:00 pm  on  January 26  for lunch. 
Nadine Lloyd is our hostess. 
Please call her at 687-3655  so she can make a reservation for you.


+ check us out
on social media!
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
View on Instagram
Want to get  the word out?
Please submit your communications, 
articles, events,  
and updates to:    
by noon on Wednesday  for weekly 
Nativity Notes  and  Son Times .
+ January Birthdays vintage_birthday_card.jpg
Click here to see who's celebrating this month!
Click here for an interesting travel and entertainment opportunity offered to Nativity members and friends by David Lloyd. 
 
The flower chart for 2017 is posted in the Fellowship Hall 
near the north entrance. 
If you would like to donate flowers to enhance our worship, please sign the chart and note any "in honor of" or "in memory of" designations. 
Plan to take the flowers with you after the late service or pick them up on Monday morning. They will be in a disposable container across the hall from Pastor Mark's office. 
Enjo y them at home or take them to someone you know will enjoy them. Each vase is $30 and payment may be put in the offering plate. 
Thank you for providing flowers that enhance our worship.
+ Support Nativity Preschool

One of the easiest ways to support Nativity Preschool & Kindergarten financially is to tie our school to your Ingle's Advantage Card. This can be accomplished easily by clicking  here .
+ Bulletin Cover Art is Back!

We are returning to one of our most popular ministries: Bulletin Cover Art. If you are interested in providing art for our bulletin covers, we invite you to check out the online schedule here
We simply ask that you not volunteer for more than one cover per month  and that you submit your art by the Monday before the Sunday for which you're scheduled. 

If you have any questions, 
please email  Pastor Gregg  here .

 Click  for Nativity's
+ stewardship

Each household was mailed a Stewardship Packet which included a 2017 Commitment Form. You have the opportunity to pledge your financial commitment to Nativity by placing this form in the offering plate during worship. 
So far, 59 of our 247 households have returned their forms. 

This Sunday, January 8, 2017, is our final commitment Sunday Please faithfully consider how God is calling you to give to the ministry of Nativity. Your pledge enables us to live our mission statement, "Making Christ Known." 

In our final Stewardship Moment of Advent, Wes McCall spoke to us about the Hope that Nativity provides.  To read his story, click here

To read a letter from Pastor Rachel, to get a Commitment Form, or to get an EFT Form, please click here
+ learn

Faith Formation 

Spiritual Gifts - Discover, Connect, and Serve
New! Beginning on January 15th, we'll start a 6 week Faith Formation journey to learn about Spiritual Gifts - which ones we have, where to use them, and how to use them.  Confirmed youth and adults are invited to join in this class, which will include both teaching and discussion time.  At the end of the 6 weeks, we'll explore how to use our newly identified Spiritual Gifts in and outside Nativity.  Ashley Hammack will lead, sharing her passion for Spiritual Gifts with the congregation.  We will meet in the North Fellowship Hall.  

Intergenerational Faith Formation 
Renewed!   Intergenerational Faith Formation will continue through the spring!  This class is open to all members of all ages (including those previously in the "Building Blocks" class).  Beginning January 15th, we'll be exploring our Spiritual Gifts.  We will meet in the Middle/South Fellowship Hall.  

Daily Scripture Readings:
Sunday:  Luke 3:1-22
Monday:  Luke 3:23-38
Tuesday:  Luke 4:1-13
Wednesday:  Isaiah 40:1-11
Thursday:  Isaiah 52:1-12
Friday:  1 Kings 19:1-9a
Saturday:  Deuteronomy 6:4-15

God's Story, Our Story
Weekly devotional materials relating to the Narrative Lectionary are available on the Welcome Desk.
 
 
Meeting in less than two weeks
Wednesday, January 18, 6:00-8:00 PM
THE WAY:  EXPLORING SOULS

Questions are always welcome.  The curriculum is our own stories shared in the light of God's story. The journey continues next Wednesday evening.

Pastor Mark and Dana invite all adults who wish to gather for food, fellowship and faith formation to be their guests this coming Wednesday, January 18, 6:00-8:00.  A light, healthy supper will be provided; followed by a time for sharing stories and questions about our faith journey.  The evening will close with a time of prayer.

Interested?  Contact Pastor Mark mfitzsimmons@nativityarden.org
+ book discussion group

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January's meetings will be Tuesday, January 10 and Thursday, January 12. The book is  Circling the Sun  by Paula McLain. Everyone is welcome to attend either meeting.

For Discussion Guidelines, click here.
For upcoming books and corresponding synopsis, click here.
+ give

Calvary Food Pantr y volunteer sign ups are going digital. If you would like to sign up, please click here to view upcoming weeks and select your volunteer position. A sign up sheet remains at the Welcome Desk. To learn more about Calvary Food Pantry, contact  Pastor Rachel or  Heather Neal 

You can help stock the pantry shelves by placing items in the grocery cart in the fellowship hall. Special requests for this month: your favorite breakfast cereal (hot or cold), soups & stews, and foods especially for kids home for the holidays (macaroni & cheese, spaghettios, microwave popcorn, canned fruit, etc.).

Thank you for all you do to contribute to this ministry. To read about the impact the food pantry has, click here and hear from one of the grateful families.
+ Girl Scout Service Project

Advent greetings from Girl Scout Troop 2511 in Fairview. During this season, the girls are working on a service project of giving. 
They have chosen to collect supplies for Helpmate, a shelter for domestic violence victims and their children. 

During the next month, the girls of Troop 2511 will be placing boxes here at Nativity 
(a box near the Welcome Desk)
and at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church 
in Fairview. 
The troop is collecting:
  • wipes and diapers in sizes 2-6
  • socks for women and children in all sizes
  • underwear for women and children in all sizes
  • bath and body wash
  • pocket kleenex
  • pocket sanitizer
  • pajamas for women and children in all sizes
  • seasonal items (jackets, gloves, hats) for women and children in all sizes
  • shelf staple food/pantry items

For assistance with donations, please contact troop co-leader Jennie Gillette828-707-8343.

Thank you for your help in assisting 
Troop 2511 in their service project!

CHURCH OFFICE
HOURS
Mon-Thurs
9am-2pm
+ council corner

Minutes from previous meetings can be found on the church's website here.