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Writer: NativityWV Episcopal
NativityWV Episcopal
24 hours ago
3 min read

PLEDGE CARDS AVAILABLE AT SALT & LIGHT


Pledge cards are available in the parlor at the Salt & Light Building. You can pick them up during the week or on Sunday.



Last fall around this time, we were blessed to have a women's retreat with the Rev. Jennifer Holder. It centered around Anne Lamott's Book - Help Thanks Wow - the three essential prayers. We were reminded that so often we pray when we don't know what else to do. Usually because we ourselves or someone we care about has a physical or emotional ailment, we've gotten ourselves into a mess and don't know how to get out of it, or something else that has us feeling desperate. Then, sometimes when the crisis is over we remember to say Thanks which we know we should say even when we haven't asked for help. Finally, when we give it to God and things beyond our wildest "prayers" take place - our prayer is WOW! Thanks, God. You heard me after all.


For the last few days I have been thinking about prayer. Growing up Baptist, I often had to pray out loud - make it up - that kind of prayer. As a family, we would go through stages of praying as a family. Oftentimes, it would be during or after a revival. I didn't like that because inevitably my mom would start crying when we prayed those made-up prayers. I was fine if we just said a quick blessing and no tears. As a mother, I tried to teach my son to pray by naming those things he was thankful for. As a precocious three year old, he loved the band and the orchestra. Without fail, we would go through the entire band of thank you God for --- the trombone, thank you God for the tuba, thank you God for piccolo, etc. One night when he was in bed and we were falling asleep, he sat up quickly and said oh, I forgot, thank you God for the big bassoon and the big base drum. Of course, I laughed!


In thinking about my prayer life as a Daughter of the King, I started thinking about the forms that prayer has taken during my life. I was so glad when I discovered the prayers in The Book of Common Prayer. There are prayers for all kinds of conditions of man. My favorite is and has been for years is Prayer 59. For Quiet Confidence O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


If you've never explored the available prayers in The Book of Common Prayer, I invite you to do so. You can access the entire book online.



Those Who Serve: Sunday, October 25 - Morning Prayer


Leader: James McCormick


Music: Brenda


Altar Guild: Margaret Love


Lectors: Brenda/Jack


Offering: Vivienne/Isaac


MC POD: Vince



Lessons:


Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18


Psalm 1


1 Thessalonians 2:1-8


Matthew 22:34-46



Announcements:


If you are interested in making a budget request for 2027, please get in touch with Robbie Fisher or Eddie Wood. The committee is meeting Wednesday, October 28th at 10:30. It would be great to have your pledges in by this time.



Inquirers' Class - this Sunday, October 25th - Salt & Light or at home on Zoom from 2-3pm. If you have not heard from Kathy Shoalmire and are interested in participating, please contact her at (662) 801-6695.


 
 
 
Writer: NativityWV Episcopal
NativityWV Episcopal
Oct 2
2 min read

    This Sunday, we will be going on an adventure! We will experience An Instructed Eucharist together.  It is an opportunity to have a few parts of the service explained as we move along together.  And hopefully foster a deeper desire to know why we do what we do as Episcopalians in worship.  

     Many parishes and missions offer An Instructed Eucharist once a year.  It is valuable for the people in the pew, but also for the clergy.  We worship together, and this is a service that highlights that togetherness.

   The service will be "narrated" as we move along; it will be like our other services with exception of the narrated portion.  And there will be no sermon.  If there is a desire, we will entertain a question-and-answer period after the service.

    Come and join us, as we learn more about worship in The Episcopal Church.

Blessings,

Ann Whitaker +


Those Who Serve: Sunday, October 4

Celebrant: The Rev. Ann Whitaker

Music: Loyal

LEM: Robbie

Altar Guild: Liz/Teresa

Lectors: Kathy/Tommy

Offering: Benjamin/Vivienne

MC POD: Eddie


Lessons


Announcements


Kelcey and Austin have had a baby! They would LOVE so help with dinners for their young family. Sign up via MealTrain here.


Bible Slam is on-going. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the power of God by reading aloud scripture that you may not have read before. How do you do it? Stop by the church anytime, night or day, get the BIG BIBLE (which is near the piano), find the marked page, and start reading aloud as much as you like. Sign the sheet and date it when you finish. Questions: talk with James McCormick.


Enneagram Group Study: we meet on Saturdays from 9:30-11:00 at the Salt & Light Building. Join us. Try it out. If you like it, order the book. All are welcome. The title of the book is The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. "If you want to better understand yourself and those around you, this insightful  and brilliant book is a perfect place to begin."  WM. PAUL YOUNG  Author of The Shack 


 
 
 
Writer: NativityWV Episcopal
NativityWV Episcopal
Sep 24
2 min read

Inquirers Class - Episcopal Church 101


Are you interested in preparing to be baptized, confirmed, or received into the Episcopal Church during Bishop Dorothy Wells' biennial visit in February, 2027? 



Yes? No? Maybe? Unsure?



Are you new to the Episcopal Church and want to learn more? Have you been attending Nativity and have questions and want to learn more? Has it been a while since you were confirmed and want a "refresher" course?



If your answer is yes, maybe, or unsure, our upcoming online "Inquirers Class - Episcopal Church 101" may be just what you are looking for! The Rev. Elisabeth Malphurs, associate rector at Chapel of the Cross in Madison and diocesan Missioner to Small Churches, has graciously agreed to lead us through this process.



The course will start on Sunday, October 25th, via Zoom, from 2p-3p and runs for 8 weeks. The course will be an introduction to the history, beliefs, and worship of the church, and will allow ample time for questions and discussions. We would ask that those participating commit to attending the entire course, although individual sessions will be recorded in case of unavoidable conflicts. 



Although the course is an important step in preparation for confirmation, etc., there is no expectation that attendees must follow through with confirmation. All who are curious are welcome!



There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the church or you can email Kathy Shoalmire at kathybshoal@gmail.com, text or call her at (662) 801-6695.



Please let us know by October 14th so Elisabeth can decide whether to open up to other small churches to participate. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know our church and each other!



Feel free to reach out to me, if you have questions. Kathy



Morning Prayer - Sunday, September 27


Leader: Joe York


Music: Brenda


Altar Guild: Vivian


Lectors: Jack/Brenda


Offering: Vivienne/Rosemary


MC POD: Patricia



Lessons:








Announcements



Kelcey and Austin have had a baby! They would LOVE so help with dinners for their young family. Sign up via MealTrain here.



Bible Slam is on-going. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the power of God by reading aloud scripture that you may not have read before. How do you do it? Stop by the church anytime, night or day, get the BIG BIBLE (which is near the piano), find the marked page, and start reading aloud as much as you like. Sign the sheet and date it when you finish. Questions: talk with James McCormick.



Enneagram Group Study: we meet on Saturdays from 9:30-11:00 at the Salt & Light Building. Join us. Try it out. If you like it, order the book. All are welcome. The title of the book is The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. "If you want to better understand yourself and those around you, this insightful  and brilliant book is a perfect place to begin."  WM. PAUL YOUNG  Author of The Shack

 
 
 
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