From Deacon Tim

Good Morning, Nativity!

I enjoyed serving at Nativity for the first time as Deacon-in-Charge this past Sunday. It simply felt good and right to be up there serving our Lord and Savior and you, his faithful followers. I loved meeting and getting to know many of you just a bit. I look forward to getting to know each of you much better in the coming weeks, months, and years. Please remember to wear your name tags; that will help me out!

Last week my Nativity Now section focused on thanks. That theme of thanks is continuing this week as we step into the last Sunday Service with Fr. Michael as Priest-in-Charge of Nativity. I thank him for his skilled, joyful, and spirit filled leadership during this two year period. His love of our Lord and Savior naturally flows from him and is infectious. I have stepped into my new role incredibly indebted to him for that leadership. Nativity is in excellent condition (spiritually, materially, and financially) because of his dedicated service. That thanks extends to his wife, Bonnie Jean; they are truly a team! Please join me in showing Fr. Michael and Bonnie Jean our thanks.

I will end this Nativity Now with a suggestion that we pray “The General Thanksgiving” (BCP 101) this week with a special focus on how thankful we are for the Durning’s leadership, guidance, and friendship in the past, present, and future!

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory, and, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lies, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

In the Peace and Love of Christ.
Deacon Tim
tmac_84@yahoo.com
941-321-6376

Please join us this Sunday, June 30, after the 9:15am service in celebrating Fr. Michael’s retirement from our Church. I am sure he will pop up somewhere else and they will be blessed to have him. We want to give Fr. Michael and Bonnie Jean a warm and loving farewell so join us in the Parish Hall for brunch.