Nativity Notes 05.26.2023

May 26, 2023

Worship

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

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SUNDAY:

May 28 - The Day of Pentecost

8:00 AM Holy Eucharist - Cathedral

10:45 AM Holy Eucharist Baptism & Confirmation - Cathedral & Virtual

12:30 PM Santa Eucaristía Bautizmo y Confirmación - Catedral & Virtual

WEDNESDAY:

May 31

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist & Healing - Good Shepherd Chapel

Service Bulletin in English

Boletín de servicio en español

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Watch this Short Reel from last week's sermon here.

Covid Level GREEN — Masks optional. We have been following the CDC’s guidance for masking recommendations based on Covid-19 Community Levels. The Community Level in Lehigh and Northampton counties is now LOW, or level GREEN. At this level, people may mask at any time depending on your personal circumstances. Please remember to stay up-to-date with Covid 19 vaccinations.

Please see our website nativitycathedral.org for complete guidelines.

Parking in the lower lot is reserved for handicap only. Parking is available in the upper lot, in the New Street garage at 324 S. New Street, at the Fourth and Wyandotte lot Sundays until 1 PM, and on the street along Fourth Street and in the 400 block of Wyandotte Street.

Healing and Wholeness

Those who are in need of healing – Lillian Lewis; Robert; Susan Mast; Carol Czechowski; Bebe Lockwood; Dolores Cauller; Peggy Hilgert; Marion Chapman; Martha Golfphin; Emilia Isaacs; Tracy Kehoe; Carol Trexler; Jon Knauss; Cornelia Miller; Judith Warner; James Reader; Lois Turner; William Bradley; Madeline Orellana; Cameron Arcario; Robert Stinson; Sarah King; Carl Chegwidden; The Rev. Gwendolyn-Jane Romeril; Philip Blythe.

Those serving in the military and places of danger – Nicole Albertson, Carlos Xavier Orellana, J.D., Oriana Marcial

Parish Cycle of Prayer – Aiden, Terri, John Miller; Elizabeth, Emma, Wendy, Helder Moreira; Stacy, Daniel Moreland; The Revs. Michelle, Douglas Moyer; Charles, Michelle, Joseph Mozingo; Kingsley, Patty, Jonathan Muir.

The Church and the World – St. Matthew’s Cathedral Dallas, Texas; St. James’ and St George’s, Jermyn; Kajo Keji; St. John Akuboro; The Extra-Provincial Churches; the outreach ministries of Nativity, especially The Diocese of Swaziland, Bishop Ellinah Ntfombi Wamukoya and the Swaziland Diocesan AIDS Program.

For our Partner Cathedral – Emmanuel Cathedral in Romogi, for Pianaleh their Dean, and for the

people of that Cathedral church, that we may grow stronger in our partnership and in our faith.

We wish to let you know that Rose Pompa, mother of The Very Rev. Tony Pompa, died this week. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Our Healing Ministry resumes at the Cathedral As available, there will be a healing team at the front and/or in the chapel to offer prayers for healing, laying on of hands as requested and/or anointing with oil. If there is a team present, please do avail yourself of this opportunity during the distribution of communion. Shalom.

Praying our Light to Shine! Praying our way to hope with Anglican Prayer Beads. An offering from our Ministry of Healing and Wholeness.

In the 1980’s a group of Episcopalians set out in group contemplative prayer using beads. The experience is similar to the Roman tradition of praying the rosary but unique in that there is a more meditative focus. This type of prayer will deepen and transform your devotions into a richer spiritual experience. Yet more transformative is to do so in community with Cathedral companions and our friends! Prayer beads are not required. Contact the church office for beads 610-865-0727 or email

Prayer Bead Meditations: Monday Evenings at 7 PM

Live virtually on Zoom

Meeting ID: 811 2302 4927

Passcode: 785220

Mindfulness Meditation Class Mindfulness Meditation Class is being held in person in the Good Shepherd Chapel on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm! The one-and-a-half hour class allows time for explanations, three 20 minute meditations (a 20 minute Guided Relaxation, 20 minute Walking Meditation, and 20 minute Silent Meditation) and discussion. The class will be led by Dr. Kevin Siddons. People new to meditation and seasoned meditators are all welcome. Masks are optional and supported. Newcomers are aways welcome!

Announcements

Come join us this Sunday for Pentecost.

The Bishop will be visiting us at the 10:45AM and 12:30PM services!

Set up a one-on-one meeting with Fr. Jon - During his first year at Nativity, Fr. Jon is looking to meet one-on-one with as many parishioners as he can. This is a great opportunity to get to know our new Dean as well as share your own story with the Cathedral's newest pastor. If none of the times listed work for you, feel free to email Jon to set something up. He can be reached at dean@nativitycathedral.org To set up a meeting click here.

Meet with Reverend Maryann - Want to chat? Need to talk about something? Book a meeting with our curate, the Rev. Maryann Sturges. To set up a meeting click here.

This August, the Cathedral Church of the Nativity will welcome Elizabeth Christie as our Sunday School Director. Becky Berkenstock is stepping down from the role towards the end of this month. Becky has served faithfully for years as the Sunday School Director at Nativity, and her gifts for children's ministry and her faithful years of helping our youth grow deeper into the knowledge and love of the Lord is greatly appreciated. Becky plans to continue to be active in the Sunday school program as a teacher, so don't worry, she's not going anywhere.

Below you will find a brief bio for Elizabeth. Please keep her in your prayers as she makes this transition to Nativity over the summer.

Elizabeth Christie has been working in the field of children’s and family ministries for over two decades. She has served in a variety of ministry settings as both staff and consultant, finding great joy in helping make lifelong faith formation transformational for all. Her particular passion is making ministries inclusive for all of God’s children. Elizabeth has presented at children’s ministries conferences, written resources on special needs ministries, led webinars on a wide variety of topics in children’s and family ministries, and learned on her feet as she worked through the pandemic, helping a congregation grow their children’s and family ministries over 300 percent. Elizabeth is also the children’s and family ministries consultant for Practical Resources for Churches, charged with running cohorts for children’s ministers across the country, and as curriculum writer and developer for PRC’s newest ministry, Holy Moments, resources designed for supporting parents and caregivers as the primary leaders of their children’s faith. Elizabeth has been married to Tom, a librarian at Muhlenberg College, for almost 23 years, sharing their lives with their seven amazing children.

Do you have any old magazines you'd be willing to donate for Nativity Youth Camp? - For the next two weeks, Bryana Beaird is collecting magazines that can be cut up for use in a large collage project the youth will be collaborating on during camp. If you have any magazines, you'd be happy to donate for this purpose, there will be a spot to drop them off in the vestibule on Sunday May 28 and Sunday June 4. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Women's Bible Study - This summer our church Bible study will meet at 9:15AM on Tuesday mornings starting June 20th through August 15th. We will be reading, studying and meditating on the Book of Acts. We will take a deep dive into the early church. This is open to all, no prior knowledge necessary. We'll provide the text! Join us! For more information please contact The Rev. Maryann Sturges at mphilbrook@nativitycathedral.org.

Join Education for Ministry (EfM) to - Deepen your Christian faith. Learn how to articulate that faith. Let that faith inspire you into action!

Through study, prayer, and reflection, trained mentors facilitate small group discussions and guide participants to examine life through an increasingly informed and inspired theological lens. More than Bible study, EfM participants read and discuss the Bible, Church history and theology. An EfM group meets at Nativity on Wednesday evenings from September through May. If interested or would like more information, contact the EFM Diocesan Coordinator and Mentor Cathy Bailey at cathybaileynnp@gmail.com or EFM Mentor Olivia Tramontana at otram77@gmail.com

Nativity Annual Parish Picnic & Bi-lingual Worship Service will take place at 10AM, Sunday, June 11 at Lower Saucon Park, 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18015. See on Google Maps Here. Located behind Town Hall off Old Philadelphia Pike (just west of Route 378). Hurray! We will gather in-person for worship, to celebrate our parish, and to enjoy good food and fellowship. All are welcome! Grilled hamburgers, vegetable burgers, hot dogs, and drinks will be provided. Please bring your favorite side dish, salad, or dessert to share.

The LGBTQIA Spirituality Group - Are you looking to connect with others on the common ground of queerness and Christianity? The LGBTQIA Spirituality Group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 7P in the Dining Room! For more info and to stay in the loop, reach out to Vinny at vincentchreptart@outlook.com

New Bethany Ministries is restarting their in-person lunch services. We will be volunteering the 1^st Tuesday and 2^nd Friday of every month from 9:30AM to 1PM. If you're interested in volunteering on Tuesday, please contact Sue Snyder subs@ptd.net, For Friday please contact Maryann Philbrook Sturges at mphilbrook@nativitycathedral.org.