Nativity Newsletter

PALM SUNDAY - this Sunday. Here is what you need to know.

We will gather at the Salt & Light building about 10:20 to get our palms, have the Blessing of the Palms liturgy and then proceed across the street singing All Glory Laud and Honor (Hymn 154) if you want to get a hymnal from the church beforehand as well proceed to the nave.

We will have the reading of The Passion by several members of the congregation. It will be done in parts: before and after the setting the table and after communion. There will be a point in the service to venerate the cross with our palms and/or index cards will be made available prior to the service in the Salt & Light Building for you to write out your intentions and to place at the foot of the cross.

We will conclude with what I am sure will be a fabulous potluck lunch. Please provide food or help clean-up if able.

Those Who Serve:

Celebrant: The Reverend Andy Andrews

Music: Brenda, Katherine, Dawn, Eddie

LEM: Suzy

Altar Guild: Jackie

Lectors: Sean/Barbara

Offering: Denny/Isaac

MCPOD: Patricia

Lessons:

The Liturgy of the Palms

Matthew 21:1-11

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

The Liturgy of the Word

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Philippians 2:5-11

Matthew 26:14- 27:66

or Matthew 27:11-54

Psalm 31:9-16

Collect for Nativity

Father of all wisdom and love,

In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.

We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.

All this we ask in the name of our creator, redeemer and sustainer, one God, whose mercy endures forever. Amen

Announcements:

Maundy Thursday Service at 6:00 pm - led by Michael Prager

Good Friday - Church will be open from 11a - 2p for prayer

Easter Sunday - Celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism. The Reverend Ann Whitaker will be the celebrant.

Easter Sunday - around 12:30 all are invited for Champagne and Coconut Cake Potluck at the home of Alexe Van Beuren and Kagan Coughlin (509 Wagner Street) Bring a dish, friends, family, but no pets and no smoking in the barn! Kids' Easter Egg hunt around 2:30pm - Bring a basket.

Nativity Newsletter

Nativity - what a great place to worship. As The Reverend Christopher Powell said last week "it's such a joy to see everyone exchange the Peace - it's like no other." For me, seeing the children excited about taking up the offering. As Liz Reynolds said on Sunday after so many families were away for Spring Break "The young families in our church bring such joy and excitement to our fellowship. We appreciate them so much and it's always good to see them." Amen!

5th Sunday of Lent - March 22, 2026

Those Who Serve

Celebrant: The Reverend Tina Frizzell

Music: Brenda/Katherine

LEM: Suzy

Altar Guild: Anne

Lectors: Dawn/Karen

MC POD: Mary Beth

Lessons:

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Romans 8:6-11

John 11:1-45

Psalm 130

Collect for Nativity

Father of all wisdom and love,

In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.

We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.

All this we ask in the name of our creator, redeemer and sustainer, one God, whose mercy endures forever. Amen

Announcements

For ALL Children: if your child would like to take up the offering on Sundays, please let me know (Kathy Shoalmire - kathybshoal@gmail.com or (662) 801-6695). We are going to compile a list and make "loose" assignments. You will not be required to find a replacement. The Mission Committee Person on Duty will collect the offering if needed - so no pressure on parents. If you know dates that you will be out of town, that would be helpful. It is so touching to see their excitement and such a great introduction to service.

Flowers for Easter Sunday - If you would like to help provide Easter Lilies in honor or memory of someone, there are envelopes in the back of the pew. The "recommended" contribution is $30. Please note on your check for Altar Guild - flowers.

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday - next Sunday - March 29. We will gather across the street at the Salt & Light Building at 10:25 where we will receive our palm branches. The Reverend Andy Andrews will be with us. After the palm liturgy and then we will triumphantly enter the church together.

Maundy Thursday Service led by Michael Prager at 6pm

Good Friday - no service - the church will be open from 11am-2pm for prayer

Easter Sunday - With Easter we will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism with Austin and Kelcey Roye. The Reverend Ann Whitaker will be the celebrant for Easter.

Easter Sunday - around 12:30 after church all are invited for the annual

Champagne and Coconut Cake Potluck at the home of Alexe van Beuren and Kagan Coughlin (509 Wagner Street) Bring a dish, friends, family, but no pets and no smoking in the barn! Kids' Easter Egg hunt around 2:30pm - Bring a basket.

Nativity Newsletter

(photo of Debbie features her holding Neuty (the Nutria - King of Mardi Gras (2025) in New Orleans.)I am a lifelong Mississippi resident, for better or for worse. I grew up on a farm in the Mississippi Delta, attended Mississippi College in Clinton, went to law school at the University of Mississippi, and joined the faculty of the law school in 1981, where I taught until 2022. I did leave the state for two years to clerk for Judge Elbert Tuttle of the (then) Fifth Circuit and to do housing work at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. My two passions in teaching have been housing and family law, and I still do work in both areas. I loved teaching, but especially clinical teaching. Working side by side with students on their first cases was always a thrill.Attending church (Sunday morning, night, and Wednesday night; revivals in the summer; church camp) was an important part of my childhood. We attended a small, country Baptist church nearour home. It was a warm, loving church community. The pastor for twelve years of my childhood tempered the harsh doctrine with a genuine spirit of love. But by the time I was 18, the exclusionary doctrines and focus on personal behavior rather than social justice made no sense to me. I went to a Baptist College nonetheless, which just led to more questions -- and some ill-advised decisions. I started smoking briefly because men could smoke but women couldn’t. Notmy best moment.For the next twenty years, I was not a part of any church. I still read books that inspired me (Thomas Merton in particular) but that was it. Then, in 1996, my twelve-year-old daughter, who attended Camp Bratton-Green with an Episcopal friend, asked me to go to the St. Peter’s Ash Wednesday service. The Episcopal Church was a breath of fresh air for me; the liturgy was moving. I was hooked immediately. I do miss the country church music of my childhood that isseared in my brain. But after 30 years I’ve learned a new set of hymns. Still, I’m grateful we sang “Rock of Ages” last Sunday. (The music at Nativity is beautiful). As an additional bonus, I was introduced to Neil White at St. Peter’s shortly after that Ash Wednesday service. We were married there in 1999. Neil and I will always feel a part of St. Peter’s. But sometimes what we need changes with the times we live in and the trajectory of our personal lives. The Church of the Nativity has become the place that calls to us.I am so grateful to be a part of this close, loving, energetic congregation. I look forward to every Sunday. I miss the service, the incredible lunch, and all of you on those weekends when the call of grandchildren takes us to New Orleans. The last year, without Duncan, has been a surprise to me. Like many of you, probably, I feared a dip in the energy, a drop in attendance, a feeling of being a bit lost. That has not happened. If anything, it feels stronger. I look forward to years of growing with Nativity and with you.

Those Who Serve - 4th Sunday of Lent - March 15, 2026Celebrant: Christopher PowellMusic: DianneAltar Guild: Liz/AnneLEM: JamesLectors: Suzy/JackMC POD: April

Lessons:

• 1 Samuel 16:1-13

• Ephesians 5:8-14

• John 9:1-41

• Psalm 23

  
  

Prayer Requests:Roxie: sister of Sally Lott McLellanJan NicholsSusan: sister of Les NicholsRichard: father of Dawn DenhamSteve: father of Kaityln DillardWilliam: friend of Margaret LoveBetty: aunt of Kathy ShoalmireLisa Grey: friend of Kathy ShoalmireSeth: friend of Patricia KruegerMatt: friend of Kathy ShoalmireThe young men and women called into servicePeace in the Middle East and the worldThe Mission CommitteeVicar Exploratory CommitteeThose Who Serve NativityCollect for NativityFather of all wisdom and love,In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.All this we ask in the name of our creator, redeemer and sustainer, one God, whose mercy endures forever. Amen

Announcements:Giving Life to Our Prayers workshop: This Saturday, March 14th from 10:00 am - 11:30 (meet in the church). Break for lunch at B.T.C. if able. Then wrap up in the Salt & Light Building. Contact Mary Beth Pulsifer for more information or to sign up (mpulsifer23@gmail.com)

Maundy Thursday (April 2) We will be having a Maundy Thursday service led by Michael Prager beginning at 6 p.m. We are also gauging interests in a potluck Agape Feast at Salt and Light following the service. If you would like to participate in a potluck, sign up at church or let Mary Beth know at mpulsifer23@gmail.com . If a decent number are interested we will let you know as the date approaches.April 16-17 - Small Church Conference  for all Lay and Ordained Leaders at All Saints, Grenada. See flyer for additional information.