www.nativityarden.org
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Nativity Notes: 5/11 /17
+ Worship

Our Easter Season continues with Alleluias and readings from the book of Acts.  This Sunday finds us in chapter 15 where:

The early leaders of the faithful had an ever-growing task on their hands: to keep adding to the numbers of converted while trying to reconcile the old customs with the new message. Opinions are strong, and the young church faces one among many threats of division.   ( Clergy Stuff )

How do we live the unchanging message of God's love in the midst of changing times?

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More on Sunday's lesson.

Communion Milestone

This Sunday, 7 young members will participate in their Communion Milestone, accepting their role as recipients of God's grace in the bread and wine.  

We rejoice with them in this step of their faith journey.

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Adeline Hammack
Bella Holland
Abby McCall
Juliet Robbins
Miles Robbins
Katija Speckhardt
Noah Zabel
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+ choir opportunities 

Nativity Choir:  meets weekly, Wednesday nights at 7 PM. We are rehearsing regularly, but more singers are always welcome to join!   

Youth Choir:  will meet this Sunday at 4:15 PM

Campfire Choir: meets monthly. Check the church calendar for the next meeting. 
Is your home "HomeFit"? 

Join us here next Saturday, May 13, from 10:30 am to 
1 2 pm for a free event! 

AARP Facilitator Sharon Willen will give a practical, energizing overview of the simple steps you can take to identify what, if any, modifications will assure your home is safe and accessible for you, your family, and visitors at all stages of life.  

Please RSVP by clicking here by the end of the day today, May 11 th
+ Bells will be ringing

Handbells will be playing again this Sunday,  Mother's Day, May 14.

We invite you to keep an eye out for future opportunities to ring with us!  No expertise is required - we'd be happy to have you even if you only want to ring one bell! 
Anyone who is interested in playing, please contact director Amber Wollner.




+ Third Grade Bible Milestone

Third graders are invited to learn about the Bible on Wednesday May 17th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm.  

We will have dinner and explore the ins and outs of God's Word, including locating different books of the Bible, finding chapters and verses, and talking about how to use our Bibles at home. A parent/guardian must attend with their child.

We will then present third graders with their Milestone Bibles in worship on May 21.  

If you're interested, please email Pastor Rachel.  

+ nativity women

The Women's Group of Nativity will meet in the fellowship hall on Thursday, May 18 at 11:00 am. All women are invited to join in the discussion on the tenth chapter of John's Gospel. Each lesson stands alone so feel free to drop in any time. Bring a bag lunch and join Barb Hamilton as she leads us through the Bible study this month.

The Nativity Card Ministry will meet on Thursday, May 18, at 12:30 pm in the church fellowship hall. Men and women are invited to help make cards for the members on the prayer list. No creative talent is needed, just the ability to follow the simple directions of fold, stamp, glue. We like to share the fun!

Ladies Lunch Bunch for May will meet on  Thursday, May 25, at 1:00 pm at the Copper River Grill on Hendersonville Road .  All ladies are invited - just call Linda Fox at 274-8441, so she can make a reservation for you to join.  

The 2017 Annual Gathering and 30th Anniversary of the NC Women of the ELCA will be held on  June 23-25, 2017 at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC. More information may be found at 
www.NCWELCA.org or contact Linda Blake, 684-8378. Expenses for one delegate and one participant will be paid by Nativity Women's group.

NPK celebrates 
reaching goal!

They bought a Family Farm this year from the ELCA Good Gifts program. Over $715 was raised this year during chapel - coins and dollars really add up!

A clear example of "Making Christ Known" ... "A cow, a couple goats, a dozen chicks, two pigs, farming tools, seeds and agricultural training and support can help a family achieve a fresh start.  With new tools and techniques, crops will grow stronger than ever. Eggs, milk and meat from the farm animals provide a lifetime of food to eat and sell on the market, helping a family escape the cycle of hunger and poverty - for good."

+ 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
Pr. Rachel or  Heather Neal 

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.
Three special travel opportunities for members and friends of Nativity:
  • Sat., July 29 - Footloose; The Musical. Barter Theater, Abingdon, Va.
  • Sat., Dec. 16 - White Christmas
  • Feb. 28, 2018 - 14 day cruise from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Click here for details or talk with Dave Lloyd.
+ Birthdays



Click here to see who's 
celebrating this month!
+ Boy Scout snake night.
Click here to see and learn about our Scout Troop's adventure with snakes. 

(warning: there are snakes.)
 Click  for Nativity's
CONGREGATIONAL FORUM
A Conversation with Pastors & Officers
May 21, 2017
9:40-10:20 am
Sanctuary



Join us next week between worship services for a special forum! We will gather together next week at 9:40am in the sanctuary in order to have an overview of the progress we've made together as a congregation and what we can expect moving forward. Our three pastors will be giving us a quick look at what's coming up next year program-wise. After that, our Council President and Vice President will give us a review of some of the more broad accomplishments and continuing vision of our congregation as we work together to Make Christ Known. At the end of the session, we will have time for questions and answers. 

If you'd like to submit a question in advance, that would help us craft our presentation to be beneficial for all.
Seminary & Sabbatical


Pastor Mark has been asked to teach a course this fall at our seminary in Columbia, SC.   Read how this teaching opportunity has given a new focus to his sabbatical leave time for this year.

Sabbatical leave:  
Monday May 22 - Sunday July 30

Teaching in Columbia
Tuesdays August 22 - December 5

+ Pub Theology

  Join us May 18 for Pub Theology at the Thirsty Monk in Biltmore Park! We will meet at  7:30.All we need is you! 

Questions? Call or email Andra Nus at  tadnus@yahoo.com or  828.545.9519.

VBS  Volunteers Needed! 
  
Vacation Bible School 
is July 10-14, and 
we need  your help!  

We're in need of volunteers to lead and help with stations, be group guides, and more.  The more volunteers we have, the more kids we can host.  

If you'd like to volunteer, please sign up here.  
For more info, see Pastor Rachel.



Maker Fun Factory
Created By God, 
Built For A Purpose!  
+ learn   

Dennis Teall-Fleming is leading this week's Confirmed Youth & Adult Forum. The theme,  Be Open , is about Reading the Bible with
+ Apr 30   . . . Both Eyes Open
+ May 7     . . . An Open Heart
+ May 14   . . . An Open Life

Read more about Be Open . . .
 
Daily Scripture Readings for the Week:
Sunday: Acts 15:1-18
Monday: Acts 16:11-15
Tuesday: Acts 16:16-40
Wednesday: Acts 27:1-12
Thursday: Acts 27:13-38
Friday: Acts 27:39-28:16
Saturday: Acts 28:23-31
Where Does My Giving Go?

  Do you ever wonder "Where Does My Giving Go?" 
for May's Money Minute - a look into how we are Making Christ Known through giving!
 
Giving Update

 Your faithful giving contributes to our mission of Making Christ Known.
After meeting our budgeted giving goal for April, May is already off to a great start. 
Thank you for supporting the ministries of this parish! 

If you have any questions, please contact our  Financial Secretary,
Carrie Dahlberg by clicking here

 Lutheridge currently has a part time position open in the registration office. 

A complete job description is available here Resumes can be mailed to the address below.
  
Jessica Steele
Registration Manager
 
NovusWay Ministries
Lutheridge+Lutherock+Lutheranch+Luther Springs
2049 Upper Laurel Drive
Arden NC 28704

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Lutheridge is also looking for a new staff accountant. To see the job description for this position, click here

+ + + + + 

Finally, Lutheridge is looking for some volunteer help. Lutheridge Home Office Volunteers give 4 hours a week, answering phones, greeting visitors and other general office work. Entry-level computer skills are helpful.  Office volunteers are currently needed for Thursday afternoons, and Friday morning or afternoon.  Contact Margo Rabon for more information,
828-209-6327 or speak to other Nativity members who volunteer:  Terry Clever, Doris Fogg, Michael and Tina Kestner, Nadine Lloyd and Don Poole.

+Nativity Preschool and Kindergarten

Click here for a reminder about how God cares for each of us...

+ book discussion group

stack_of_books.jpg
The Book Discussion Group will meet in the church fellowship hall  on Thursday, May 11, at 6:30 pm. The book under discussion at both groups is The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. Both men and women are welcome to attend and add your thoughts to the discussion.
 
There will be no meeting in June. The next book,  Iris and Lilly by Angela and Julie Scipione is larger than others we have read and we will allow two months to read it.  Iris and Lilly will be discussed at the meetings on  Tuesday, July 11, at  1:30 pm and  Thursday, July 13 at 6:30 pm. Start reading and come join in the group.

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

At Monday's meeting, the council voted to fill next year's two remaining seats by electing  Marcus Suess and Tiffany Councill.  Their terms will begin in June, along with the other four members who were elected last month:  Jason Cooper, Tom Dieterly, Doug Phillips, and Amber Wollner. 

Thank you to everyone who has been willing to serve in leadership of Nativity! 
 
Minutes from previous meetings can be found on the church's website here.


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