NATIVITY NEWS AUGUST 2018 Pastor s Ponderings In a sermon a couple of weeks ago, I lamented the message given to over 30,000 youth at the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas back in June. The leadership s choice of speakers for the event is without excuse. What troubles me most was parading a child, apparently suffering from gender identity disorder, before other children. I came across an article written by Peter Speckhard that gets to the heart of the matter and I thought I would share a portion of it with you. The truth of the Word Male and female he created them. The Word of God the simple truth of it as such can apply as Law or Gospel depending on the resistance it meets. Where it sinks in, it works wonders, even when all it does is say something that ought to go without saying. One of the harshest, sweetest truths in all creation is that you are not your own Creator. It never occurs to most kids, but tragically in some cases children can feel at a deep, emotional and psychological level they were born in the wrong body of the wrong sex. But when the world takes that proposition at face value with one child, it affects every child. When everyone acts as though some celebrity s sex really changed because of surgery, or that a boy really is a girl because he identifies himself as such, then suddenly everyone must be whatever sex they say they are. Then every kid suddenly has to take personal responsibility for his or her (or zir or whatever) gender. To use the downright satanic phrase, everyone has to self-identify. It is an incredibly unsettling thing, and an impossible assignment for a growing but still prepubescent child. Creating. Naming. Identifying. These are all things we receive, ultimately from God but mediated though his design of male/female, marriage, sex, family. There can be no greater form of idolatry than to claim the right to create yourself. And like all forms of idolatry and sin, it promises freedom and delivers bondage (emphasis mine). Creating one s own identity is above the pay grade of every human being. That about sums it up. Peace and Grace Scott
ASSEMBLING HEALTH KITS When LWR distributes Personal Care Kits, it s often to people who have lost everything. In the wake of an earthquake or having fled from violence as their homes were overtaken, they clasp a towel from a faraway place, with a bar of soap, a toothbrush and washing up, they know that they have not been forsaken by the world. The very simple gesture of giving a Personal Care Kit can give someone the encouragement to start anew, starting with a bath. You can share God s grace and love by providing that simple comfort. During August this year we will be assembling Kits to send to Lutheran World Relief. You can help by donating the following items. See the worship guide for the items to bring each week and the narthex display for correct examples. Two bath-size bars (4 to 5 oz.) of soap, any brand, in original wrapping. One light-weight bath-size towel (between 20" 40" & 52" 27"), dark color recommended. Please observe maximum size. NOTE: In the past we have been short on towels. One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging. One sturdy comb, remove packaging. One metal nail clippers (attached file optional), remove packaging. NOTE: In the past we have been short on clippers.
POPSICLES AND A KICKBALL What began as popsicles and a kickball has turned into so much more. For 26 summers now, Stewpot Summer Camp has been offering at-risk kids in Jackson a safe place to learn, grow and belong. When asked what makes Stewpot Summer Camp special, Yolanda ( Lala ) Kirkland, the Director of our Teen Program replied: At Stewpot Summer Camp, everybody counts! Everybody s important, and nobody s allowed to feel that they are not important. We make human connection. We like to hug; we love to laugh; we love to eat! We like to find out what each other likes. Kids that don t think they can make friends end up making friends; kids that think they can t fit in end up fitting in. We just find a way for those relationships. Most summer campers come from families who cannot afford to pay for it; ironically, these are the families who need our summer camp the most. Using funds raised at our Rummage Sale and Craft Fair, Nativity Social Ministry recently made a donation to support Stewpot summer campers. Okatoma Canoe Trip for Adults & Youth Saturday August 25 th We will meet at the church parking lot at 8:45 AM and leave at 9 AM sharp. We will return to the church at 6:00 6:30 p.m. Please sign up to attend. The sheet is on the table in the narthex. Wear old tennis shoes or water shoes due to sharp rocks. Bring sunscreen, hat, towel, disposable camera, safety strap for sunglasses with fishing cork on strap so they will float, sack lunch in waterproof baggies, drinks, small cooler, and a short rope to tie cooler to canoe. Okatoma Outdoor Post recommends making reservations for canoes or kayaks since occasionally all are rented out. Make your own reservations at Okatoma.com or call Okatoma Outdoor Post at 601-722-4297 or 1-888-OKATOMA. Check with Okatoma Outdoor Post for cancellation rules. Call Keith Anderson @ 601-829-2573 or email keithanderson50@hotmail.com with questions
August & September Birthdays Anniversaries Garry & Ann Starr 8/09 Hannah Poole 8/03 John & Ellie Halverson 8/23 Brian Anderson 8/19 Bud & Lydia Weisser 9/05 Tyler Voong 8/19 Jim & Pat Moulds 9/07 Alexandra Tucker 8/21 John & Pat Schnell 9/16 Sam Mills 8/28 Hack & Sylvia Walston 9/22 Lewis Echols 8/29 Rick & Pamela Kirby 9/27 Eli Bettiga 8/30 Wesley Echols 8/30 If you wish to participate, please look for Kathy Peters 9/11 the sign-up sheet on the table in the Cameron Kirby 9/12 narthex and provide your birthday and/or Stephen Braatz 9/18 anniversary month & day only by your Meredith Burgess 9/20 name so we can wish you a Happy Day! Ellie Halverson 9/27 Haley Templeton 9/29 Happy Birthday & Anniversary to All!!!!! Wade Caldwell 9/30 Nativity Prayer List Please pray for: Logan Vanus, David Brothers, Alice Tyler, Callan Kriedel, and the McKinley family.
AUGUST CALENDAR OF EVENTS August 1 August 5 8 AM & 10:30 Services with Adult Bible Study at 9:15 Service of Healing & Anointing with Oil immediately following the 10:30 service August 8 August 12 8 AM & 10:30 Services with Adult Bible Study at 9:15\ Please bring: One light-weight bath-size towel (between 20" 40" & 27" 52"), dark color recommended. Please observe max. size. August 15 August 19 8 AM & 10:30 Services with Adult Bible Study at 9:15 Please bring: Two bath-size bars (4 to 5 oz.) of soap, any brand, in original wrapping and one adult sized toothbrush in original packaging. August 22 August 25 8:45 AM Okatoma Canoe Trip August 26 8 AM & 10:30 Services with Adult Bible Study at 9:15 Church Council following 10:30 Service Please bring: One sturdy comb (no picks or fine tooth please) and one metal nail clippers August 29 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Annual Craft Fair and Bake Sale Saturday, October 6, 2018
NLC August 2018 Volunteer List 10:30 Service August 5 August 12 Greeters Debi Poole Ambassador Ruth Burgess Ushers Mitch Leavell/Rick Kirby Lector Joe Hunt Comm. Asst. Joe Hunt Nursery Sue Caldwell Counters Cindy Braatz/Sandy Bettiga Acolyte Wade Caldwell Greeter Kathy Peters Ambassador Mitch Leavell Ushers Halverson Family Lector Ruth Burgess Comm. Asst. Hack Walston Nursery Pamela Kirby/Katie Rials Counters Renate Hunt/Sue Caldwell Acolyte Cameron Kirby August 19 August 26 Greeters Meade Entrekin Ambassador Joe Hunt Ushers Bettiga Family Lector Keith Anderson Comm. Asst. Keith Anderson Nursery Lynn Templeton Counters Lynn & Tommy Templeton Acolyte Vivien Stevens Greeter Ruth Burgess Ambassador Lynn Templeton Ushers Hunt Family Lector Rick Kirby Comm. Asst. Rick Kirby Nursery Hannah Poole Counters Boyde Bergum/Mitch Leavell Acolyte Katie Mae Rials If you cannot serve on the dates shown, please try to swap with someone and let the office know of the change. Thanks. $$$$$$$$$ Treasurer s June Report of Budget(Operating)Expenses* $$$$$$$ Planned Actual Actual Actual Expense* Paid Expense* Offerings* Difference June, 2018 13,422 12,975 10,267-2,708 June, 2017 13,277 13,599 9,539-4,060 YTD, 2018 80,533 78,346 68,624-9,722 YTD, 2017 79,660 78,126 61,615-16,511 * excluding special funds