Nativity Notes
From the Dean:

Reflections on the Beatitudes
A group of us are studying Matthew’s Gospel this fall. The Beatitudes are at the center point of Kingdom life and living for Jesus. We wonder as Christians now in our time how we see ourselves in relationship with the Beatitudes.

The following is an excerpt from a sermon I preached last year and offered anew to our class.

Our Lord’s address:

Blessed. Blessed is the translated word to set the stage for what it is to be part of this Kingdom adventure. I know that you know what it is to be blessed. You know that experience in life when your heart, mind, body, and soul becomes aware of the rich deep presence of God. When love overwhelms you, when joy erupts in your heart, when your awareness opens to the reality that in your life you find an abundance of grace, of love, of security. We find ourselves rich in God’s spirit, we are blessed.

Jesus says,

Blessed are the poor in spirit; that is rich in God’s presence are those who are so humbled and aware of how dependent they are on God. Wealthy or poor, middle class, Republican or democrat, Independent or otherwise. Rich in God’s spirit are those who know that all things come from God and all things return to God, and without God we have nothing. With God, we have everything.

Blessed are those that mourn. That is rich in God’s spirit are those whose hearts are broken when living or looking at deep disruptions to God’s dream of Justice for all people. You see, in Jesus time, the spirit of this beatitude would be found in the broken heartedness of those who mourned over Israel’s disobedience to God and God’s commandments to Love God and one another. A Disobedience that translated in their faith view to the disintegration of a Just and Righteous way of living. Heartbroken for example, were those who watched and lived a rigged system where the poor bore the burden of a tax system designed to appease the Empire and maintain the Religious establishments place of power. A system that saw many poor farmers forced to sell the few possessions they had and even family members into slavery in order to make their way. Rich in Spirit are those whose hearts are broken at such Injustices. The Kingdom of Heaven will have none of it.

Blessed are the Meek; That is rich in spirit of God’s presence are those who are humble, gentle, non-violent in their dealings with others. Humbly and faithfully reflecting God’s Character.

Jesus continues,

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. That is Rich in the Spirit of God’s presence are those who may be literally hungry for lack of food or those who hunger for a world where no one hungers. Rich in spirit are those who are awakened at night because that the core of their being they are troubled by acts and actions that are unjust and deep in their hearts they know it. It awakens them in the middle of the night, like a sharp pain in the stomach or a tightening of a parched throat.

Blessed are the merciful; that is Rich in God’s Spirit are those who know compassion and forgiveness, who live it and offer it without fear or reservation.

Blessed are the pure in heart; that is Rich in God’s Spirit are those who know Psalm 51, asking God continuously to create in us a clean heart, to renew a right spirit with us. A heart that helps us to see the world with the purity God intends for us to see it, and in seeing it clearly, seeing its hunger clearly and responding to it.

Blessed are the peacemakers- that is Rich in God’s Spirit are those who devote themselves to the hard work of reconciling hostility toward individuals, families, groups, nations. Rich in God’s spirit are those who work for the biblical Shalom, which is to be understood as harmonious cooperation aimed at the welfare of ALL Persons.

Finally Jesus concludes his Inaugural address by reminding those with ears to hear, that if one who puts their faith in this world view, this way of being, one who actualizes in their behavior their faith in these beatitudes, then one will certainly know they will be persecuted.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake and those who are called out because of their faith; Rich in God’s spirit are those who take the heat because we know what is right and are willing to act for it, speak to it, stand up for it. Expect to be called out by powers who don’t want to hear the contrast in your speech and in your action. 



This is the theme our stewardship ministry team prayed its way toward. It warmed our hearts as we shared stories of how this community of faith shares its resources of time, talent, and treasure to be people of Jesus and "Kingdom living people". 

We move toward our renewed commitment to God's love for us and for the Kingdom work Jesus calls us to in our annual giving campaign. Let us be reminded of Jesus living in our hearts and in what we do together in his name. 
Adult Forums:

October 28 Deacons talk Ministry. Deacon Charlie speaks to the people of Kajo Keji in exile – how our hope continues and invites us to reflect our time, talent, and treasure shared for the building of God’s Kingdom.
Cathedral Arts Concert on Sunday, October 21 at 4 p.m.  Violinist Timothy Schwarz’s latest CD (2018) was given the highest of praise, like “gripping from first to last” by Fanfare Magazine! His astounding recordings can be heard on Albany Records, EMI, Naxos, Centaur, and Marquis Classics. Dr. Schwarz and pianist Charles Abramovic, whose collaborative and solo career reads like a musical Who’s Who, will perform Brahms’s Sonata in D Minor, the Sonata for Violin and Piano by John Corigliano (b. 1938), and Gershwin’s ‘Tempo di Blues’ and ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’ from Porgy and Bess, arranged by the great Jascha Heifetz. We are so very fortunate to have Tim and Charles for an afternoon concert. $10 suggested donation. You really don’t want to miss this one!!
Please help!  The Better Buy Thrift Shop is in need of men’s winter clothing.
Concert of Remembrance  Thursday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m., the Cathedral Choir will sing Gabriel Fauré’s beloved Requiem on this All Saints Day. This Concert of Remembrance, will be sung in memory of those beautiful souls who have passed on to a new life, those within our congregation, and those of the greater community, and those of the world. Other anthems close to the heart of our singers will be included on the program such as the spiritual ‘Deep River,’ the ‘Pie Jesu’ from Karl Jenkins’ Requiem, ‘Selig sind’ by Heinrich Schütz, and Geraint Lewis’ ‘Souls of the Righteous.’ All are welcome to come, remember, and celebrate those loved ones who have gone before us.
Perfect Pairings  Join us for an intimate dinner in the historic Cathedral on Friday, November 2nd at 7 p.m. featuring fare prepared by Voracious Catering and Black River Farms curated wine pairings. All proceeds benefit the mission and ministry of the Cathedral Church. (Seating is limited.)
The Monday flower group is looking for volunteers for a few months for next year. Each Monday a volunteer from the group produces and delivers a beautiful arrangement from the Sunday altar flowers to our hospitalized parishioners. Please call Angelica Baez for more information at 610-509-0659 or email at angie73@rcn.com .
Take the Bible Challenge! A Journey with Matthew  This 50 day study follows the good news of Christ as revealed to us through the Gospel of Matthew. Study book allows for daily reading and reflection. Weekly gathering led by Dean Pompa invites us to discover together major themes of the Gospel and share our discoveries with one another. Tuesdays, October 9 through November 27, 7-8PM at the Cathedral. To register email teisenreich@nativitycathedral.org or call the church office at 610-865-0727. Order your workbook through the office - $15.00 check payable to the Cathedral. Also available for your own download on Kindle, Nook, and iTunes.
Priscilla Payne Hurd Lecture Series on Church and Society  Please join us on Saturday, November 10, 11:30AM to 4:30PM, for an afternoon of learning and experiencing Spiritual Healing and Wholeness. Dr. Tricia Kelly, Breast Surgeon, and Rev. Wilma Alvarez, Cancer Counselor, at St Luke’s University Health Network will share their knowledge and practice of going beyond conventional medicine to treat their patients. Conference participants will also experience three small group healing sessions with experts in their fields. Sessions in Guided Meditation, Reiki, Qigong, Yoga, Art Therapy, and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment will be offered. A Celtic Spirituality service will immediately follow the conference. $10 registration fee. Additional $10 charge for optional lunch. For more information and to register.
Night Songs  Join us November 7 and every first Wednesday of the month at 9 p.m. in the Cathedral for Night Songs Compline, a sung choral night prayer. Candlelight, beauty, rest – a peaceful end to our day.
53rd Community Advent Breakfast  Saturday, December 1, 8:30AM (doors open at 8AM) at Moravian Village of Bethlehem, Main Dining Room. Speaker: Alan Jennings, Executive Director of Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley. Full served breakfast, beeswax candle service, Moravian Trombone Choir, Moravian Men’s Singers, Broughal Southside Singers. $15/person, $9 for children 16 and under. Advance tickets only. Cathedral deadline: November 20. Checks payable to “GLVCC Foundation”. To purchase tickets call the Church office (610-865-0727) or email teisenreich@nativitycathedral.org .
Quarterly Financial Update Quarterly financial update as prepared by our finance committee. View Report
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.
Please join us as we celebrate
The 156th Anniversary of
The Cathedral Church of the Nativity
Sunday, November 4
9:00 a.m. – Mission Presentation: Youth
Sunday School
Breakfast
10:30 a.m. – Festival Eucharist with Dove Release
(Please note: one Sunday service only)

Cathedral Schedule


Friday, October 26
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
6:00 PM Vestry Retreat - Dining Room

Saturday, October 27
8:00 AM Vestry Retreat - Dining Room, Goodwin Room
9:00 AM Altar Guild Prep – Cathedral
10:00 AM Thrift Shop open until 1 PM
5:00 PM Celtic Spirituality Night – Cathedral

Sunday, October 28
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist - Cathedral
8:45 AM 321 Contact Worship Service - Sayre Hall
9:20 AM Sunday School | Adult Formation
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist - Cathedral

Monday, October 29
9:00 AM Flower Arranging for Hospital Visitation - Sacristy
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place

Tuesday, October 30
9:30 AM Meditating with the Psalms Bible Study - Dining Room
1:00 PM Al-Anon Meeting - Room 21
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place
7:00 PM Journey with Matthew - Dining Room

Wednesday, October 31
8:00 AM Private Class - Cathedral
9:00 AM Holy Eucharist | Healing Service - Good Shepherd Chapel
9:30 AM EfM - Room 22
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
3:15 PM Private Tutoring - Good Shepherd Chapel
4:30 PM Cathedral Choristers Rehearsal - Choir Room
6:30 PM EfM - Goodwin Room
6:30 PM New Bethany Ministries Parenting Class - Good Shepherd Chapel & Nursery
7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room

Thursday, November 1
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
3:45 PM Homework Club - Welcome Place
7:00 PM Cathedral Handbell Choir Rehearsal - Bishop Gray Room
7:00 PM S-Anon - Room 21
7:30 PM Concert of Remembrance - Cathedral

Friday, November 2
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
7:00 PM Perfect Pairings - Cathedral (Tickets required)



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