11th Sunday after Pentecost

9:30 am

In Isaiah we hear that God's house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today's gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need.

Update and Appreciation

Fellowship

A couple of Sundays ago we recognized our outgoing fellowship team and the contributions of current and past members in hosting opportunities for hospitality...especially on first on the month Sunday mornings.  We are thankful for Amanda Pope who is helping us to reorganize this vital effort.  We are now hoping each individual or family at Nativity will take 1 or 2 Sundays a year and provide a simple fare to share following worship. Don't worry...it's so easy that even the Pastor will do the first one on September 3rd!  To that end we will be passing a sign up sheet each Sunday at worship till all the slots are filled. Remember, when we share the work equally the task is also fairly simple.   

Flowers & Candles

Marj & Bob Kehler are providing flowers and candles in celebration of Aaron's birthday.  We are grateful for your providing beauty and light. 

Flower & Candle Chart

Sign up sheets are available in the narthex for future dates...p lease bring a bouquet or arrangement of flowers on the date you choose or simply drop a $10 check marked "candles" in the offering.  Your participation will be noted in Connect and bulletin.

Quilts for Charity

Looking for volunteers to participate in the "Simple Quilts for Charity" sewing group that meets at Messiah Lutheran Church on Tuesdays from 10:00 am til 12 noon each week.  Current members of the group are Carol Mattaino and Marj Kehler of Nativity Lutheran Church and Shirley Barry and Mary Bobb of Messiah Lutheran Church.  We are currently making patriotic bed quilts for the wounded warriors at Walter/Bethesda Hospital.  We also make quilts for Lutheran World Relief and local homeless shelters.  Sewing skills are not required;  There are other steps toward putting together these simple quilts.  If interested or would like more information call Mary Bobb 703-765-0538. 

"God's Work, Our Hands"

Sunday, September 10th is a day when the whole ELCA rallies around the theme of "God's Work, Our Hands" and seeks to accomplish a good work for our community.  This year we are invited to Messiah LC to prepare personal care packets for distribution to those in need (this day is also another opportunity for our two congregations to draw closer together). Come to Messiah for an hour or two following our worship that day...it is also true that many hands make for light work!  If you can't make it or afford the time please consider a contribution for whatever the amount to defray the cost of the supplies...God uses our hands to write checks as well.  Simply note "GWOH" on your check. Thank you in advance!  

Gone...but not forgotten

Only 3 more weeks of singing an old favorite hymn that was "left out" of our ELW...each Sunday this summer we have enjoyed this "blast from the past".  While the words or tune may be antiquated the gospel message still shines through.  

Sunday's Hymn of the Day is "Oh, for a Faith That Will Not Shrink"

Nursery

Soon it will be September and Molly & Grace will be back to attend our nursery...till then feel free to use and supervise.  

Choir

TADSAW

What in the world is TADSAW?  It is an acronym for service dog training benefiting veterans that has begun here at Nativity.  We've added Thursday afternoon classes for 3 students (6 if you count the dogs!)  Added to our 2 classes each Sunday morning means the increased chance of hearing barking...it's the sound of ministry!