Nativity Notes
March 8, 2019
From the Dean
Dust

The sunlight beams into the sacred space that is our chapel. It catches my eye as I sit in quiet reflection early in the morning. I lift my eyes as if Psalm 121 is being recited aloud, and I see there the memorial garden and the names of so many faithful souls whose cremains rest and recreate in the earth.

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” These words soon after spoken as foreheads of faithful souls awaken to the new dawn.

My heart awakens with imagination as I see in my mind’s eye a celestial weave, knitting together the sacks of dust with breath and life coming to acknowledge their own immortality and the miraculous gift of life that has been placed in them. Acknowledging with humility their dependence on the God who performed such a miracle in their creation, and their sometimes falling short of being the miracle God has created them to be. There they are weaved together with those whose literal ashes settle into the earth outside the door, yet who placed their whole trust in the miracle maker. 

There is the truth of it all. The miracle maker is never done with us. Generations whose foreheads were marked with Ash to remind them of their mortality and dependence also find there the baptismal mark. “You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever.”   

Forever is a miraculous promise to make to sacks of dust. Living like the miracle we are is our Lenten work. 
Adult Forums:

 Mar. 10-24 Rebecca Randall: Cultivating a Forgiving Self
Sunday Bulletin For those of you worshiping with us via Livestream, below please find the Sunday bulletin.
For Lenten Resources Visit
Holy Dodgeball! Nativity will be hosting an evening of dodgeball, pizza, and ice cream on Saturday, March 9 from 6-8:30 pm. All youth are invited to attend. Doors will open at 5:45 pm and pick up is no later than 8:30 pm. Please RSVP through sign up genius or text 570-881-7909 no later than March 8 so we may plan for the food and fun!  
You are invited to the Cookie Party on Sunday March 10! Children will find cookies and milk in the downstairs hall close to Sunday School Room 6 Adults will find cookies in the dining room. Please help yourselves before Sunday education begins.Brought to you by the First and Second grade of the Sunday School
All are invited to EVENSONG for the First Sunday in Lent on Sunday, March 10 at 5 pm. The Cathedral Choir will sing responses by William Smith, Psalm 91 will be sung to the chant by John Goss, the plainchant Magnificat and Nunc dimittis will be sung by congregation and choir, and the anthem will be the noble Evening Hymn by H. Balfour Gardiner. Come, listen, sing, pray, and embrace the beauty and comfort of the music and words.
Wednesdays in Lent!  A Journey with Luke  Featuring E-resident The Rev. Dr. Tim Luckritz Marquis. Join us Wednesday evenings in Lent for a Journey into the good news as told in the Gospel of Luke. We will welcome Dr. Tim Luckritz Marquis, New Testament Biblical Scholar as our e-resident, and presenter for some of our sessions. You come along for the journey as well with a resource book from forwardmovement.org, A Journey with Luke: The 50 Day Bible Challenge . A combination of scholarly presentation, personal study and reflection, and group conversation will lead us deeper into the discovery of God’s Love and inspiration for our own lives.

Join us March 13 through April 17.
Wednesday in Lent Format:
5:45 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Simple Chants (Cathedral)
6:15 p.m. Covered Dish Supper (Bring something to share)
7-8 p.m. A journey with Luke.

Book: Order through the office, $15 check payable to the Cathedral. Also available for your own download on Kindle, Nook and iTunes. To register, email teisenreich@nativitycathedral.org or call the church office at 610-865-0727.
Cathedral Arts – Coming up very soon, there will be four unique organ recitals in celebration of the 20 th anniversary of the installation of the Cathedral’s beautiful Austin organ. March 17 , Erik Meyer, Organist-Choirmaster at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in (Germantown) Philadelphia and Anna Meyer, doctoral candidate in flute performance at Temple University will offer a very creative recital including original compositions by Erik. April 14 , Nativity Cathedral Organist, Canon Stephen Williams will perform a Palm Sunday recital including works of Bach, Langlais, Duruflé, and the complete Symphonie No. 4 by Louis Vierne. Two weeks later, April 28 , Neil Harmon, recently appointed Professor of Organ at Brigham Young University will perform a recital that will also include his own compositions. And, on May 19 , Robert McCormick, Organist-Choirmaster at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia will play a recital of works by Elgar, Bruhns, Vierne, delightful hymn settings, and will close with an exciting improvisation based on three themes presented to him just before he plays. All recitals/concerts are at 4 pm. A $10 suggested donation benefits the Cathedral Arts , and a reception will following each performance. Please come, celebrate with us!
Phila Book Club News We are reading  The House At Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper for the month of March. We will be meeting on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 11:00 am in room 23 to discuss it. We hope you can join us. Bring along new book ideas when you come. We are looking forward to seeing you.
Calling all members of the Altar Guild! We will be serving at the Wednesday Pot Luck on March 20, 2019. We need people to set up for the dinner and to clean up after dinner. If you can help set up, please come at 4:30 pm. If you can help clean up join us for Eucharist and dinner at 5:45 pm.
Calling Bowlers of all ages! ShareCare Bowlathon  Saturday, March 23rd, 12:45-3:00 p.m. at BarDon Lanes, 3700 Nicholas St. Easton, PA .Donation includes hot dog and drink, 2 games of bowling, shoe rental and a lot of FUN! Suggested donation is $45 per person. Prizes will be given to the highest fund-raisers. Please contact Bill Yale to register: wryarts@rcn.com or 610-559-5959. Please register as soon as possible! The Cathedral Church of the Nativity is a member of ShareCare Faith in Action. ShareCare Faith in Action is a non-profit network of trained volunteers from faith groups and the wider community that provides compassionate and practical services to the elderly and those with special needs to enhance their dignity, independence and quality of life.
Lenten Quiet Day Retreat with author Barbara Crafton will provide insights and inspiration at a time when many Christians seek to deepen their understanding of Jesus and what it means to live a Christian life. Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 9 AM - 3 PM at St. Francis Center for Renewal 395 Bridle Path Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Seating is limited and cost is $25.00 covering workshop materials and a light lunch. It is sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church of Easton. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the church at 610-253-0792.
Chrism Mass  You are cordially invited and most welcome to the Blessing of Oils and Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows to be held in the Cathedral on Thursday, April 11 at 11 a.m.
Easter Flowers If you would like to contribute toward the Easter chancel flowers in honor of or in memory of loved ones, please complete this form and send it with a donation of your choice to the Cathedral Office no later than Wednesday, April 3 . You may also place the form and your donation in an offering plate. The names will appear in the Easter service bulletins on Sunday, April 21.
Christophany Youth Retreat  April 26 at 6:30 p.m. to April 28 at noon. An event for middle and high school youth. Learn to overcome obstacles with God's help. Join up with youth from around the diocese at Bear Creek Camp in Wilkes-Barre. Activities will include the high and low ropes courses, a talent show, hiking and campfire. The cost to attend is $125. Scholarships are available. Contact Deacon Michele Causton, Coordinator of Diocesan Youth Programs, at youth@diobeth.org or visit HERE to learn more.
ShareCare Faith in Action is in need of 10 volunteer drivers. ShareCare is a program which links volunteers with individuals who are elderly or disabled.  Volunteers are needed to drive these individuals to a doctor appointment, the grocery store or pharmacy or to the bank.  Volunteers have complete control as to how many and which rides they are available for. It can be as little as one ride per month.  If you would like more information please contact ShareCare Faith in Action via email sharecarefia@aol.com or by phone 610-867-2177. If you would like to hear about my personal experience with ShareCare please email Cathy Bailey at cathybaileynnp@gmail.com . Thanks for considering this ministry. We are doing God's work in our community.  
Inclement Weather Information  Service cancellations and updates can be found on WFMZ Channel 69 or www.wfmz.com , voicemail at Nativity Cathedral Office 610-865-0727, our website: nativitycathedral.org , and our Facebook Page: facebook.com/nativitycathedral 
Parishioners in the Hospital  If a family member is hospitalized, please contact either the clergy or leave a message with the parish office (610-865-0727) informing us of who is in the hospital and at which hospital.
Cathedral Schedule


Friday, March 8
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop

Saturday, March 9
8:30 AM Morning Prayer - Good Shepherd Chapel
9:00 AM Altar Guild Prep – Cathedral
10:00 AM Thrift Shop Open Until 1 PM
5:00 PM The Feast | Celtic Eucharist – Cathedral
6:00 PM Holy Dodgeball - Sayre Hall

Sunday, March 10
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist - Cathedral
8:45 AM 321 Contact Worship Service - Sayre Hall
9:00 AM Property Committee Meeting - Conference Room
9:20 AM Sunday School | Adult Forum
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist - Cathedral
5:00 PM Choral Evensong - Cathedral

Monday, March 11
9:00 AM Flower Arranging for Hospital Visitations - Sacristy
7:00 PM Celtic Bagpipe Committee - Room 22
7:00 PM Celtic Cultural Education Committee - Room 21

Tuesday, March 12
1:00 PM Al-Anon Meeting - Room 21
1:30 PM History Group - History Room
7:00 PM Yarns of Love - Dining Room

Wednesday, March 13
9:00 AM Holy Eucharist & Healing - Good Shepherd Chapel
9:30 AM EfM - Goodwin Room
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
1:15 PM Yarns of Love - Dining Room
3:15 PM Private Tutoring - Dining Room
4:30 PM Cathedral Choristers Rehearsal - Choir Room
5:45 PM Holy Eucharist & Simple Chants - Cathedral
6:15 PM Covered Dish Supper - Dining Room
6:30 PM EfM - Goodwin Room
6:30 PM New Bethany Ministries Parenting Class - Good Shepherd Chapel, Nursery
7:00 PM Journey with Luke (Lenten Program) - Dining Room
7:00 PM Confirmation Class -

Thursday, March 14
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
10:00 AM Diocesan Finance Committee - Room 23
7:00 PM Cathedral Handbell Choir Rehearsal - Bishop Gray Room
7:00 PM S-Anon - Room 21

Friday, March 15
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop


Cathedral Church of the Nativity
321 Wyandotte Street | Bethlehem PA 18015
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