The Nativity Scene FROM PASTOR CHAD S DESK. Secure. Shaped. Serving. Greetings Nativity Family!

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1 1 A U G U S T V O L U M E 5 9, I S S U E 1 The Nativity Scene OUR WORSHIP SERVICES Weekly Sundays 7:45 AM Holy Eucharist 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist with Sunday School and Nursery Care Wednesdays Noonday Prayer with Eucharist Monthly Healing Service TBD What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness. John Steinbeck Secure in the Love of the Father Shaped in the Image of the Son Serving in the Power of the Spirit Greetings Nativity Family! O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! - Psalms 8:1 I pray you are enjoying this wonderful New England Summer. Now is the time of excursions to the Cape to enjoy lobstah and clam bakes, hikes in the mountains of New Hampshire, overall exploring and celebrating God s wonderful creation as the Psalmist writes. As beautiful as this summer has been, we must now prepare to welcome Fall and all its the grandeur as well. August & September are going to be action-packed with events and happenings, so mark your calendars. On Sunday August 19th we will be preparing meals and serving them at Worcester Fellowship, please contact Jackie Blair to sign up to serve in this sacred ministry. During the first week of September, we will kick off our Fall happenings starting with Community Meals at Trinity Church on September 5th. Please contact Kathy Reilly or Rachel Manley to sign up to cook or serve; on September 9th Christian Formation & Sunday School registration for youth and adults kicks off; and on September 15th we will be hosting our 2nd Annual Fall Festival to coincide with the Applefest weekend here in Northborough. This is a wonderful event to welcome the community not only to the various acts and activities of the day, but to offer an invitation to our friends and neighbors through our welcoming attitude into the life of the church and a relationship with Jesus Christ. Who ever said we don t have a lot going on here for Jesus? In closing, continue to enjoy God s creation, have fun, stay holy, and stay blessed. I ll see you Sunday. In Christ, FROM PASTOR CHAD S DESK

2 2 VERSE OF THE MONTH Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Psalm 112:5 NIV NORTHBOROUGH FREE SUMMER CONCERT Bread Making Ministry Our dear friend, Marge Carlson, was instrumental in keeping the communion bread baking ministry alive. As we go forward without her, we'd like to continue this treasured ministry. Is the Lord calling you to be one of the bakers? We never bake alone unless that is your desire. Teams are made up of 2 or 3 bakers. We have fun and often share lunch. We bake at our houses or you can even bake at church if that works better for you. The recipe is simple. Marge did a great job of explaining the process step by step. Won't you join us and keep this wonderful ministry alive? You can contact Karen Taylor who attends the 7:45 service or Lois Macek who attends the 10 :00 service. Church clean-up! We have a few free items available to all (just let Sabina know and pick them up!) 1 low beige file cabinets (two drawers) One small microwave 2 floor lamps 1 high-back desk chair Starting in the fall, the Third Sunday of the month is Family Sunday!! There is no Christian Formation (Sunday School) on that Sunday. All children are invited to attend worship! Nursery care will still be available. Sunday, August at Ellsworth-McAfee Park (Rt. 135) in Northborough from 5 to 7 p.m. 4EverFab New England s premier Beatles tribute band, 4EverFab plays the music of The Beatles, from The Cavern Club to Abbey Road. Focusing on precise like-the-record lead vocals, tight three-part harmonies and outstanding musicianship, 4EverFab provides unique entertainment. Food Truck Night features Say Cheese, Sabor Latino, Travelin Bones BBQ, Boston Trolley Dogs and Yummy Mummy Bakery. A balloon artist will be entertaining the children with balloon animals. Income: Expenses: Pledges and Loose Plate: 147, Other Income: 13, Total Income: 161, Administrative: 17, Caring: Celebration: 1, Clergy: 2, Diocesan Ministry: 21, Facilities: 33, Reach: 3, Salaries: 68, Small Group: Teach: Worship: 2, Youth: 0 Total Expenses: 150, Net Income: 10, January to June 2018

3 3 Prayer of the Month Creator God who breathed this world into being, who is discernible within the harmony of nature, the perfection of a butterfly's wing, the grandeur of a mountain range, the soaring eagle and humming bird, thank you for this world which you have created. Thank you for summer sun, which reminds us that your creative breath is still alive and active. Thank you for the warmth of your love, sustaining this world, your garden Amen. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melody Beattie

4 4 Celebrating Marge Carlson s Life and Ministry

5 5 WHAT A MONTH IT HAS BEEN!! Hello Nativity folks, we are rolling right along preparing for the Fall Festival on September 15, So many new faces have joined the ranks to volunteer: Cara, Aaron, Yvonne, Liz, Sabina, and those continuing to volunteer each year: Deb(s), Linda, Lynn, Ann, Wayne, Karen, Suzanne, Larry, Gary, Howie, Sue, Paul, Brad, Phyllis Nancy, Jenny, Lois, Becky, Kim, the Mott family. Additional church member donated items: Sheryl, Sally, Marsha, as well as outside businesses. (If I've left names out, please remind the committee as we are thankful to all in helping to make the festival a success.) We have local authors in all sizes and shapes. We know there is a subject for you, don't miss them. Our stage show is shaping up and we are delighted to have Joe the Storyteller back. To name a few tables in place, the attic treasures, used books, children's crafts, bouncy houses, monkey bridge, petting zoo, BP readings, all now have chair persons and supporting help. Again WHAT A MONTH IT HAS BEEN!! Dear Lord in Heaven thank you for guiding our ship. BUT this puts us at about 30%. We mean we still need much more help. Please contact Paula Hanson and Jim Baker. THEY HAVE A JOB FOR YOU. We still need a lot more volunteers to make the festival a success. And don't forget to spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors to attend. It's Gods' work people, that's why we are here for. Paula Hanson Fall Festival Committee TAIZE WORSHIP By Cindy Loverin I can hardly see you, Lord. Your rainbow colors fade, Hidden by a mist of care. Lord, I am afraid. A candle flickers in the dark Revealing icons, human made, Too many for me to comprehend About the altar laid. Blended voices echoing, Layer upon layer magnified, An offering of praise to Him Who on a cross has died. The voices fade to silence, Beautiful, deep and clear. Through eyelids closed I see You, Lord Beside me, very near. The colors now are vibrant - Forest green, sun gold, sky blue, Crimson drops of Your own blood All draw me close to You. "Da pacem cordinum" Give peace to my heart. "Jubilato Deo" How wonderful Thou art! Celebrate! If you want to be the pulse of Nativity, search your heart to be the leader for the ministry Celebration. A fun ministry that brings together your community in games, pot luck suppers, game nights and our monthly SIMPLE SOCIAL. This ministry is endless. It takes a fun attitude and a great imagination to see what one can do for a fun and interesting night for our parishioners. A party planner! Is that you? Are you filled with great ideas? We are looking for you. I did it for a number of years! It was fun. I had a great bunch of helpers,who ended up to be great friends. It was wonderful to come up with events. It was wonderful to see the turn out and the difference it made for our parish. A smile and a good time goes a long way. We are also looking for someone to coordinate the kitchen (supplies ). I will be waiting, so call me at Sue Roche

6 Why do people not want to go to church in the Summer? A note from Sabina Yes, it s that time of year. The weather warms up and all across America churches empty out. It s different in places like Martha s Vineyard or Key West where congregations swell with the summer population. But for the rest of us, attendance drops dramatically. However, does God take a vacation in the summer? So, what are your excuses to take time off from church this summer? 1. It s Not Air-Conditioned True. But I believe Jesus said to the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, Won t you sweat with me one hour? Or something to that effect. Plus bulletins make terrific personal fans. If you re lucky your spouse/child/ pew mate will make you feel like Pharaoh by fanning you throughout the service. Also, you can play Guess What Saint That Looks Like with the ever-growing sweat spot on your neighbors shirts. 2. I Have a Boat Of course you do. Boats are great Jesus spent a lot of time on boats since his disciples were mostly fishermen. He preached from them, calmed storms in them, and walked on water towards them. Come to church this summer before launching your boat and I guarantee you ll hear at least one Biblical story involving boats and/or water. Same thing for RVs (Jesus walked, etc.)! 3. The Lawn Needs Mowing What, your teenager isn t mowing your lawn just to pitch in around the house and demonstrate his/her love for you (by the way, my teenager is available to help so you can make it to church. Just a small plug )? Mowing your lawn on Sunday morning is a sure way to annoy the neighbors. Don t risk it; come to church and save the lawn for later. Plus, we have a 7:45 service: Cool time of the day and it leaves you plenty of time to mow that lawn of yours! 4. My Parents Never Went to Church in the Summer Isn t this a terrific way to embrace your inner teenager and do the exact opposite of what your parents did? You, my friends, can stop the notion that Episcopalians (well, and Methodists, Presbyterians ) are the only ones that God trusts enough to take the summer off. In other words, stick it to the man by going to church this summer! 5. There s Church in the Summer? Yup. Every Sunday morning just like the rest of the year. Pastor Chad prepares and preaches (occasionally) brilliant sermons whether there are 100 people in the pews or I m Away for the Weekend That s great I hope you have a relaxing time. And I bet there is even a small Episcopal church nearby. Look for one of those red, white, and blue The Episcopal Church Welcomes You signs or use Google and your GPS to guide you into a pew on Sunday morning. Then you can either return and share with the rector and vestry how much better things were at St. Whatever or be grateful for the good things going on at Nativity. 7. There s No Church School You can t teach kids to eat out in a restaurant if you never take them to one. The same holds true for appropriate church behavior. As for older kids who are bored during the service, send them to the acolyte master (assuming he/ she is around during the summer) to get suited up for some gentle on-the-job training. The summer is a great time to learn the acolyting ropes. 8. I Gave up Summer Church for Lent I don t believe that s an approved Lenten discipline like, say, Lent Madness. But if you re simply not in the habit of going to church in the summer, this is the year to break it! Amaze and inspire your friends as you receive the spiritual refreshment that comes with regular church attendance. Don t be surprised if people start coming up to you and saying, You look great! Have you lost weight? And you ll be able to respond with I look fabulous because I ve been going to church during the summer. 9. I d Rather be Outside Well, we ll be sure to keep the windows open so you can see the beauty of the earth from your pew. Maybe we ll move Coffee Hour outdoors on nice days (hint, hint ). One great thing about being indoors for an hour on Sunday morning is that you don t need to hog tie your children to slather sunscreen on them before leaving the house. And, as far as I know, no one has been eaten by black flies or mosquitoes during the liturgy. 10. I Have a 9:00 am Tee Time Perfect. Come to the 7:30 service. The 37 minutes you spend in church might even help your game. The 7:30 is actually a great option during the summer for people who want to get a jump on the day, get out to the beach, take a hike, go boating or whatever. You can experience the beauty of Elizabethan English and then speak to one another in thee s and thou s the rest of the day. 11. Father Chad will be away for three weeks How dare he!!! Pastoring is a 24-hour, 365-day job! Services are going to be awful. I don t like his guest preacher (Father Michael anyone?). Time away is not because the pastor hates the ministry. Time away means that the pastor can be recharged and renewed so that he may be more effective in ministry. Things will remain the same, I promise. There will be no incorporating some vipers into our service, weird instruments added to the band or throwing of Skittles during the sermon. I hope you ve found a good reason in this list to stay away from church until after Labor Day. But if not, enjoy worshiping the risen Christ throughout the summer months and may the days ahead be a time of rest, refreshment, and relaxation. And, anyway, there s plenty of parking available on Sunday mornings at church. 6

7 7 Dear parishioners, Upon returning home from covering a war, journalist Paul Asher struggles to deal with the after-effects of his experiences, a failing marriage, and his dying faith. Not knowing where to turn, he dives deeply into the story of a lifetime an interview with a mysterious man claiming to be God. What does an inquisitive reporter ask God? What would you ask? Regal Solomon Pond, Marlborough, MA Regal Bellingham Stadium 14, Bellingham,MA AMC Framingham 16, Framingham,MA About a month ago, Jessica Miller, who worked with the preschool this year, came to tell me about a planned retirement party. She took one look at my face and said, please don t say no. I know Jessica is wise, and so I said yes. I was concerned about crying through the event. During the 10:00 service that morning, Pastor Chad brought the congregation together to pray for me. I returned to my seat and cried. Then off to the party we went. Jessica was right: I had the best time. Many parishioners some of whom were present when we opened the school came by to celebrate the last 28 years with me. I appreciate everyone s kind words. When Father Fred Goodwin, Lindy Baker, Nancy Berglund, and I started preparing to open the school, we were not thinking of letters, numbers, shapes, etc. Our focus was to create a loving environment where children could blossom, each in their own unique way. Sheryl Brower presented me with a painting she had done. It is a picture of a beautiful tree. The roots sprout from a large heart and the blossoms are hearts of every color. She captured every ideal the school philosophy is based on. A copy will be hung in the preschool hallway. Please stop by and see it. Jessica presented me with a pretty memory book from the whole community. It is filled with pictures and memories from current and past students. I received many cards and gifts I will treasure all from an event I was hesitant to go to. Thank you to everyone who helped provide this party from beginning to end. I was left not fighting tears, but filled with love and joy: a perfect ending to a career I loved. Peace and blessings, Marilyn McCarthy A NOTE FROM TED FLANAGAN, JUNIOR WARDEN I wanted to take a moment to thank every single person who showed up at last Saturday's Clean-Up Day for once again giving our little building and grounds the TLC it deserves! Last weekend's event was in the finest Nativity tradition of parishioners rolling up their sleeves and doing the weeding, washing, buffing, cleaning, mulching, and primping away the results of the long winter of Thanks to one and all! READY, SET, SPLASH! The 2018 summer season of Northborough s Splash Pad at Assabet Park is in full swing as temperatures are soaring! Great fun for the young and young at heart and the best part is, there is no admission charge. Pack a picnic and go! Splash Pad Hours are daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The pad is located on the corner of routes 20 and 135 in Northborough.

8 NON-PROFIT ORG. 8 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO.52 NORTHBORO, MA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 45 Howard Street Northborough, MA (fax) We have been called together by God to be and to make faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ Check out our weekly News and Notes listing of announcements and events. The Nativity Scene August 2018 Time to volunteer for the Fall Applefest!! Away: Pastor Chad: August 12th through August 30th, 2018 Pulpit coverage: Father Michael Happy Summer!