NATIVITY NEWS - AUGUST 2009

The summer is winding down and the promise of some cooler weather is not too far off, thanks be to God! I look forward to all of our church family being back in worship, refreshed from vacation, hearing the good news of the Gospel, and ready to serve the Lord. There are numerous opportunities for you to get involved or more involved in the life and work of Nativity Lutheran if you desire. Please talk to me or any member of the church council and we will point you in the right direction. I’d like to call your attention to some things I’m working on and will implement soon.

---Pastor’s Mid-week Bible study: Beginning September 2^nd, I will teach classes on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM at the church in which we will study the Bible, church history, theology, and various other topics concerning our faith. “Lutheranism 101: Exploring the Lutheran Faith Tradition” is the title of the first series.

---Pastor’s “brown bag” Bible Study: For those who cannot make it in the evening I will teach the same class during the noon hour each Wednesday at the church. Please feel free to bring your lunch if you like!

---Laying on of Hands and Anointing the Sick: Immediately following worship the first Sunday of each month will be the opportunity for you to receive an anointing with oil and prayer for healing from sickness or other burdens.

---Pastor’s Ponderings: Each month I will write an article about some aspect of the Christian faith. My prayer is you will find the articles informative, thought provoking, and the occasion for discussion. The first one is included below.

---Pastor’s Table Talks: Following the tradition of Martin Luther who gathered friends around the table for fellowship, study, discussion of the faith, and the enjoyment of a good beverage; starting in the fall we’ll also gather at the church one Saturday afternoon a month for a table talk. Bring your questions, thoughts, thirst, and let’s talk!

I hope you will take advantage of these and the many other opportunities for edification and service as we watch God work in our midst here at Nativity.

Peace and Grace

Scott

Pastor’s Ponderings

Why I’m a Lutheran

I’m frequently asked why a person like myself, who was born a Southern Baptist, reared a Southern Baptist, and ordained a Southern Baptist minister, became Lutheran. Although beer, cool robes, and no Sunday night worship service played a major role, the reasons are a bit more theological! At this juncture perhaps a word about Southern Baptists is in order. I owe a great deal to Baptists. For most of my life they nurtured me in the Christian Faith. They educated me and provided me opportunities to exercise my gifts for ministry. My extended family is still Baptist as are many of my dearest friends. Baptists are some of the most sincere, Christian people I know, and it is my privilege to be associated with them.

So why did I become Lutheran? The reason centers on the theological term justification. Justification is how you and I are restored to a proper relationship with God. Obviously, I’m assuming that our relationship with God is broken and I base my assumption on Scripture and experience. Sin is the reason our relationship with God is broken. Described in a variety of ways, sin is, at its root, our failure to stay in our place. That’s a rather odd definition so let me explain.

God created us therefore we are God’s creatures. That sounds simple enough. The statement means that God is “above” us. God created us but nobody created God. To put it crudely, God is God and we’re not! Consequently, we are accountable to God. All that God requires of us is trust, to just be creatures dependent on their God.

Enter the tempter who kindles in us the desire to be more than a creature. Satan makes us uncomfortable with our status as creatures who, by their very nature, must trust and rely on God. “Eat the fruit, you will not die . . . you will be like God, knowing good and evil” the serpent said to Eve in the garden. The temptation wasn’t fruit; they had a garden full! The temptation was to enter into God’s realm, to build a Tower of Babel and take heaven by storm, to disregard God and be their own god by trusting in themselves. Their sin was a refusal to stay in their place as creatures and let God be God, and so it is with us.

We too are just like Adam and Eve and justification proves it. Justification exposes our failure to remain in our place. Based on Scripture and experience we know that God is above us. Furthermore, we read in scripture that God elects (chooses) or justifies who will be saved (Jn. 6:37,44,65,15:16; Acts 13:48; 2Th.2:13; the list goes on). When confronted with God’s free will and our place as creatures we become uncomfortable. Our response to our discomfort reveals our sinful failure to stay in our place. I have “free will” we scream! I can at least choose to receive God’s salvation, can’t I? Amazing how we argue for our free will but deny that God has free will! Our claims of free will and the ability to “at least” choose are the most telling evidence that we really don’t trust God. In essence, we say, “God, I can’t trust you with my eternal salvation, therefore I must claim at least enough freedom to control it myself.” Thus, our claims demonstrate our attempt to enter into God’s realm in order to ensure that God treats us right.

God, however, is having none of it. God is God and that isn’t going to change. God alone has decided to restore the relationship we broke. So, the die is cast, our fate is sealed, and we creatures are put back in our place, forced to rely and trust (faith) our creator. All this sounds scary and hopeless and indeed it is, except we have a God who loves us and gives himself for us. We cannot control God and we don’t need to. God has decided to be our God, “I am the Lord your God” God promises in the first commandment. God delivered the promise personally through the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God continues to give that promise to us daily through the proclamation of the Word, Baptism, and Holy Communion. Through these means God creates our trust in him. Our security is not in our free will, our choices, or our ability to be good people; instead, it is in the promise of mercy, grace, and unconditional love we receive from our Heavenly Father. That, dear friend, is the Gospel, and it is all we have.

So why Lutheran and not Baptist? The answer is because Lutherans as a group have the clearest understanding of the Gospel. Our confessions, creeds, and liturgy all proclaim the unconditional promise of the Gospel. Unlike Lutherans, Southern Baptists argue that one must personally accept Jesus. For them, salvation is an offer dependent on one’s choice. The emphasis is placed on one’s ability and willingness to choose. In graciousness God surely forgives attempts at manipulation, it’s the only hope any of us have. So doesn’t it make better sense to just agree with the most merciful God and confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves, we have sinned against him in thought, word, and deed . . . God’s promise is more secure than my choice could ever be. I need to be in a community where that promise rings loud and clear. That’s why I’m a Lutheran.

NEW IN THE PEW

Look in the pew racks for two new inserts for your use. The Prayer Request Card is exactly what its name implies: a place to indicate those individuals or areas of concern that need our prayers. The Wish Card is a convenient way to make known your needs or concerns, from a wish that we sing a favorite hymn to a request that the pastor call on someone who is sick to anything else that is on your mind. Both cards may be dropped in the offering plate or handed to the pastor or an usher on your way out.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AS OF 7-27-09

August 2 - 8 AM & 10:30 AM services with adult Sunday school at 9:15

(Last Sunday for “Christmas in July” food donations)

August 3 – 7 PM Stewardship Committee Meeting

August 5 - 6:30 PM Sunday school Planning Meeting

August 9 - 8 AM & 10:30 AM services with adult Sunday school at 9:15

August 10 – Worship/Music Committee meeting –

August 13 – 7:30 PM - Social Ministry meeting

August 15 – Habitat House build – 8 AM to Noon

August 16 - 8 AM & 10:30 AM services with adult Sunday school at 9:15

August 22 – Council Retreat

August 23 - 8 AM & 10:30 AM services with adult Sunday school at 9:15

“Hat & Tie” Sunday Brunch

August 24 - 7 PM - Church Council meeting

August 29 - Canoe Trip

August 30 - 8 AM & 10:30 AM services with adult Sunday school at 9:15

Youth Sunday school Rally Day (CVP Paper/etc. Collection Day)

September 2 - 7 PM - Social Ministry meeting

September 6 - 8 AM & 10:30 services with Adult Sunday school at 9:15

September 13 - 8 AM & 10:30 services with Adult & Youth Sunday school at 9:15

Pot Luck Luncheon

September 20 - 8 AM & 10:30 services with Sunday school at 9:15

September 26 - Bridal Shower for Jennifer Halverson

September 27 - 8 AM & 10:30 services with Sunday school at 9:15

(Collect for food pantry)

September 28 - 7 PM - Church Council meeting

Hat and Tie Sunday

Remember when people really dressed up for Sunday Church Service! Here is your chance to take a trip back in time and join your fellow Nativity friends by participating in Hat and Tie Sunday. Women and girls, start searching now for that perfect summer hat to wear to this event. Be creative, be elaborate, be original, be simple- just find a hat that suits you. Men and boys, the wider the tie the better! Many of you probably have one that fits that description still in your closet. This is for members of all ages and we hope to have a great participation. Hat and Tie Sunday will be August 23 at the 10:30 service.

Following the church service, the Fellowship Committee will host a Pot Luck Brunch in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a great time to get a closer look at the fashions while enjoying a trip down Memory Lane.

SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY

Sunday School Rally Day will be held on August 30^th. We have a project for the children. Lutheran World Relief needs school kits. And we would like to have the children and adults donate items for the school kits, and we hope to assemble them that morning as part of Rally Day. Please consider making a donation from the following list:

* Notebooks of wide or college ruled paper approximately 8” 10 ½” totaling 150-200 sheets (if using 70-sheet notebooks, please include three); no loose leaf paper

* One blunt pair of scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well).

* One 30-centimeter ruler or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other.

* One pencil sharpener

* six new, unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers; secure together with a rubber band

* One eraser approximately 2 ½” long

* 12 sheets of construction paper in assorted colors

* One box of 16 or 24 crayons

Please do not donate items with religious symbols, U.S. flag, patriotic or military symbols, camouflage, or references to armed forces. Lutheran World Relief has access to areas of the world that others do not because they are impartial, and they do not want the people being assisted to be endangered. You may go to their website lwr.org if you would like to read more about LWR.

GREAT COFFEE STILL AVAILABLE

Lutheran World Relief fair trade coffee is still available outside the kitchen. Dark roast as well as the light roast Café Forestal is for sale at $8.00 a bag.

This coffee is processed in Costa Rica so the maximum amount of funds is kept in the country of origin. Sales support rainforest preservation, schools, and vocational training. Through fair trade, farmers receive a fair price that covers their cost of production and guarantees them a living wage for their labors. Jose Luis Castillo put it simply, “It is thanks to you that we have a seed of hope in our lives.”

NEW HABITAT HOUSE

The newest Habitat house in Rankin County is well underway. Churches and other covenant groups in the area began building a new house on July 11, 2009.

Located next to the last house built on Orr Drive in Brandon, when completed, this one will be home to Tashi Mosley and her two-year-old son, Zackery. Tashi has been living with her mother who is remarrying and moving into a new home with her husband. Tashi wanted to remain in the area but was surprised at the high cost of apartments in Brandon so was delighted to be selected as a Habitat homeowner.

Each Habitat house costs about $56,000 to build, with the price kept down by volunteer laborers. After completion, homes are sold to applicants at zero percent interest. To qualify, an applicant must be able to pay monthly mortgage notes and have put in “sweat equity” on theirs and other homes.

Nativity’s day to work will be 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, August 15^th. Approximately 20-25 workers staff each shift. If you can help this time, please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the narthex so that we can let Habitat know how many of us they can count on.

Nativity also supports the Habitat builds in Rankin County with financial contributions from our annual fund-raising events. We received the following note from Habitat Development Director, Peggy Walls, “Thank you so much for your recent donation to Habitat for the Rankin County build. We truly appreciate your continued support of our programs and services.”

THE LITTLE SHRIMP ARE BACK

The 4^th annual “Let’s Eat Shrimp for Mississippi,” a fundraiser for Lutheran Episcopal Services of Mississippi (LESM), will be held on Sat., August 30th. The event will be held at The Cedars, 4145 Old Canton Road in the Fondren district.

Scheduled between 4 and 8 p.m. you can take-out or eat-in while enjoying the beautiful grounds with live musical entertainment. Tickets will be available ahead of time at Be-Bop in Maywood Mart. The menu includes shrimp, sides, dessert, and complimentary iced tea and water.

Everyone who has gone in the past will attest to some good food and music on a beautiful afternoon. For more information call Lutheran Episcopal Services of Mississippi, 601-352-7125, or visit www.lesm.org.

2009 CRAFT FAIR

Saturday, October 3rd will be here before we know it. That’s the date for the twelfth annual festival held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Now is the time we are looking for and lining up vendors (and vendors are setting their schedules for fall) for our annual event. Although always successful, it would be even more so with additional vendors. If you know someone who would be interested and/or have contacts that would be helpful, please contact Barb Balsley. If you attend an event or festival and spot an interesting booth with crafts that would be good for our fair, please speak to that vendor and get their mailing information so that we can send them an application.

Also, now is the time to start creating any craft items that you would personally like to make and contribute to this year’s sale. All handmade items are welcome.

We have been told by folks in the past that they come because of our delicious baked goods. Be thinking about what favorite recipes you might create and donate. It is almost time to begin baking and freezing items for early October. We never seem to have too much.

. . .SUPPLIES FOR CVP

CVP is the Center for Violence Prevention, a Rankin County shelter for abused mothers and children. Please bring items (cleaning supplies, bleach, toilet paper, paper towels, contractor size garbage bags, etc.) to the church on or before Sunday, August 30^th.

The Center provides a crisis and referral line, temporary shelter, counseling, day care, and operates the Second Chance retail store

WHAT WAS THE CHRISTMAS TREE DOING THERE AGAIN?

A special “thank you” to everyone who took an “ornament” from our “Christmas in July” tree and once again helped stock the Stewpot Food Pantry. Although it may have seemed odd to see a tree up in the middle of summer, there was nothing strange about the bags of supplies that went to help feed hungry folks who are unable to afford food to feed themselves or their families. God bless us, everyone.

Using dollars raised at our two major events, your Social Ministry Committee also continued our regular monthly donations to the Rankin County Human Resources pantry in July, and will do so again in August when on the fifth Sunday we

collect . . .

Because of the popularity of Passion Play and the need to commit very early to arrangements in Oberammergau, reservations for the trip need to be made with Goodspeed & Bach by mid-September of 2009.

This is a unique chance to see the 2010 Passion Play, which is only performed every ten years, and walk in the path of Luther during what is being called the “Luther Decade” leading to 2017. That year will mark the 500^th anniversary of the start of the Reformation when Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg’s Castle Church.

In addition to the Passion Play, highlights of the tour include a visit to the Castle Church, Martin Luther’s house, the monastery where Luther was an Augustinian monk, Wartburg Castle where he translated the New Testament from Greek into German, as well as the city of Dresden and the fascinating town of Rothenburg.

The trip will be escorted by William Fulton who you will remember as the popular voice and Director of Public Radio in Mississippi. William now works in the travel business and specializes in Germany and Austria. He is fluent in German and well versed in church and musical history. William has taken a number of Lutheran groups to the sites so important to the history of our church. Goodspeed & Bach, operator of the tour and run by a young Lutheran, has the experience and has run popular and successful Passion Play trips in the past.

The land cost of the trip ($2,299) is modest compared to other tours since Goodspeed & Bach works directly with travel groups, thereby avoiding expensive promotion and advertising costs. Brochures with full details and registration forms are available in the narthex. A portion of the proceeds will go to support LESM Restorative Justice Programs including the popular Storybook Project headed by Rev. Sally Fran Ross.

Okatoma Canoe Trip

When: Saturday, August 29, 2009

Who: Adults and kids

Place: Be at Nativity at 8:45 AM, leave at 9:00 sharp

Return: 6:00 - 6:30 PM at church

Drive: 75 mile trip down Hwy 49, almost to Hattiesburg.

Canoe: Paddle 3 hours, swim 3 hours

Canoe: $30- includes 2 life vests & 2 paddles (pay extra for 3^rd person)

Kayak: Single $30- Double $45, includes life vests & paddles (reserve kayaks early- only a few to reserve)

In the past we would just call in the number of canoes we needed and they would reserve them. But now Okatoma requires all payments to be fully made in advance by credit card with no refund. Rain dates will be credited for later use.

Therefore everyone will have to go to the web site to make their own reservations or call the ph # below. If you show up at Okatoma with no pre-paid reservation, they may or may not have any canoes left.

· Must wear old tennis shoes due to sharp rocks.

· Bring sunscreen, hat, towel, disposable camera

· Use strap for glasses with fishing cork on strap so they will float

· Food: Sack lunch in waterproof baggies and drinks in small cooler

· Bring short rope to tie cooler to boat in case you flip over

Check out web site: www.okatoma.com

Each person must phone Okatoma Canoe for Reservations- 601-722-4297 or 1-888-OKATOMA

Call: Keith Anderson @ 829-2938 days or 829-2573 evenings

August & Sept. Birthdays and Anniversaries

Birthdays Anniversaries

Linda Terry 8/1 Garry & Ann Starr 8/09

Hannah Poole 8/3 Bud & Lydia Weisser 9/5

Alexandria Tucker 8/21 John & Pat Schnell 9/16

Cheryl McCoy 8/24 Hack & Sylvia Walston 9/22

Sam Mills 8/28

Lewis Echols 8/29

Eli Bettiga 8/30

Wesley Echols 8/30

Ray Thorman 9/10

Rachel Watson 9/18

Stephen Braatz 9/18

Meredith Burgess 9/20

Ellie Halverson 9/27

Wade Caldwell 9/30

If you wish to participate, please look for the sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex and provide your birthday and/or anniversary, month and day only, by your name so friends can wish you a Happy Day!

Nativity Prayer List

Please pray for Submitted By/Relationship

Bill Watson member

Peggy Offenhiser member

Pastor David Mancuso Supply Pastor

Elinor Diamond Kathy Peters’ mom

Xavian Beckett Hall & Family Ned Balsley & Sue Caldwell

Carol S. Ann Starr – Friend

Shirley S. Tom Stanford

Family of Tami Bratton Barb & Ned Balsley – friend

Jan Fritz Pat Schnell’s cousin

Geraldine C. Betty Moore