Dear Parish Family,

Tomorrow marks the beginning of our Flower Festival and English Tea and I hope to see you there. Here in Florida, the best climate of the year occurs during Lent and it is hard to be penitential when the weather is so spectacular! This is a simple fact of life and I am well aware that we all want to take advantage of this time to make ourselves known to the wider community. Therefore, and I probably do not have the power to do this, I would like to pronounce a “lifting of the usual Lenten disciplines”, so we can all enjoy the color, the creativity, the music, and the culinary magic that comes with this annual celebration. Special thanks to all who have labored so hard and so faithfully for our success.

Sincerely,
Fr. Michael

Funeral Service

It is with sad and heavy hearts that we announce the passing into the arms of our Lord, Richard Cooper. A long time congregant and loving friend to many. A Memorial Service for Rich will be held on Monday, February 26, at 11:00am. Come out to support Veronica and her family.

Flower Festival Volunteers

REMINDERS for ALL Flower Festival volunteers:

• Check the sign-ups to be sure of your day and time. Please be prompt.
• PARK your vehicle at the north end of the driveway or on the front lawn (good advertising).
• WEAR your Nativity name badge and a SMILE.

Men of Nativity

A meeting of MON (Men of Nativity) will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 9:00am in the Parish Hall. Ron Hurley will be presenting a program. Also discussion of the St. Pat Dinner will be held. Come join the Men of Nativity for coffee, treats, and fellowship.

Wednesday Evening Lent Program

On Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm, there will be a “Simple Supper” and Lenten presentation. This starts on Wed., Feb 21, and ends on March 20.

Sunday Morning Lent Program

The Adult Education Classes, 9:00am Sunday in the Library. “With penitent hearts and steadfast faith” will start on February 25 thru March 17.

Stations of the Cross

Wednesdays after the 10:00am Healing Service we will be having Stations of the Cross (10:30am) through Lent.

From Father Michael Durning

Dear Parish Family,
Today is the first full day of the 2024 Lenten season. The word “Lent” derives from the celestial reality that daylight “lengthens” here in the northern hemisphere. Another celestial reality is the calculation of Easter, the Sunday after the first full moon that follows the vernal equinox.

As the people of the first century could not “google” such information, they looked to the heavens for help when setting aside these dates to share. As this holy season gets underway, let us also look to the heavens “from whence comets our help”.

May we approach this holy time with anticipation and true repentance.

Sincerely,
Fr. Michael

This Week February 18, 2024 1st Sunday in Lent CONFIRMATION 8:00am Holy Eucharist (no music) 10:15am Holy Eucharist (with music)(Livestream) Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison Fr. Michael Durning

WED. EVENING LENT PROGRAMS On Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm, there will be a “Simple Supper” and Lenten presentation. This starts on Wed., Feb 21, and ends on March 20.

SUNDAY A.M. LENT PROGRAMS The Adult Education Classes, 9:00am Sunday in the Library. “With penitent hearts and steadfast faith” will start on February 25 thru March 17. Feb. 25: “An Exhortation”, BCP Page 312.

CONFIRMATION On February 18 Bishop Michael Garrison will be here to confirm three of our congregants: Linda Lobo, Gail Clay, Bruce Simington.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS Wednesdays after the 10:00am Healing Service we will be having Stations of the Cross (10:30am) through Lent.

BREAD FOR FLOWER FEST Thank you all so much for the donations of bread for the English Tea. And, thanks to all of you, we have reached our goal and won’t be needing any more bread. YAAAAAY!!!

OFFICE CLOSED The office will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19, in observance of President’s Day. We will reopen on Tuesday.

FRIDAY BIBLE STUDY Bible Study continues tomorrow, Friday, February 16, at 10:00am, in the Library. This week’s study continues with Lesson #6, focusing on Psalm 73. ALL are welcome!!

February 18 Music: Opening Hymn: 146 Now Let Us All With One Accord Sequence Hymn: 121 Christ, When For Us You Were Baptized Offertory Hymn: 149 Eternal Lord Of Love, Behold Your Church Communion Hymn: 370 I Bind Unto Myself Today Recessional Hymn: 143 The Glory Of These Forty Days February 18 Scriptures: Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-91 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15

From Father Michael Durning

Dear Parish Family,

Tomorrow, February 2, marks the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. In the “old days” this signaled the end of the Christmas season and a return to “ordinary time”. Just under the surface of the Presentation is the following theme: Just as Jesus was presented in the Temple, so may we have the grace to present ourselves to the Father, having been made pure in the blood of Jesus Christ. In the midst of all the claims that are made upon our time, it may help to remember the account that we will one day make to the Father. When that day comes, it will be the power of Jesus that will admit us into Godly fellowship. As the Prayer for tomorrow says:

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sincerely,
Fr. Michael

ASH WEDNESDAY: Coming up fast is Ash Wednesday on February 14 (aka Valentine’s Day). We will be having two services: 12 noon and 7:00pm. See you at one of them.

SHROVE TUESDAY: Also around the corner is Shrove Tuesday (day before Ash Wednesday) on February 13. Plan on a Pancake Dinner. More details to follow.

CONFIRMATION: On February 18 Bishop Michael Garrison will be here to confirm three of our congregants: Linda Lobo, Gail Clay, Bruce Simington.

FUNERALS: The Lord has chosen to take home the following loved ones:Jane Read, wife of Todd Read, service on February 3 at 11:00am;Helena Stephens, service on February 10 at 11:00am.

M.O.N.: There will be a MON meeting on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 9:00am in the Parish Hall. Discussion of Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner and other events to be scheduled. Coffee and other food samplings to share. COME ONE, COME ALL! We will need your help.

ANNUAL DONOR STATEMENTS Your 2023 annual donor (giving) statements are now available in the Parish Hall.

FLOWER FESTIVAL ARRANGERS: Mandatory meeting for all flower arrangers only for the Flower Festival on February 4. You can either come to the one after the 8:00am service or after the 10:15am service…..your choice.

CALLING ALL SINGERS Martha would like to invite you to sing in the 2024 English Tea & Flower Festival Concert at the Church of the Nativity! Music and study parts will be available shortly for self-study ahead of rehearsals. Rehearsal dates: Thursday, Feb. 15 and 22, 6:30pm-8:00pm. The performance will be on Saturday, February 24 at noon with a warm up time at 11:15am. To RSVP email Martha at marthalopezsoprano@gmail.com or call/text 941-284-7409. Many thanks!

FRIDAY BIBLE STUDY: Bible Study continues tomorrow, Friday, February 2, at 10:00am, in the Library. This week’s study continues with Lesson #4, focusing on Psalm 46:1-11. ALL are welcome!!

Dear Parish Family,

As we enter into this Sunday’s Annual meeting, it is important to remember that the followers of Jesus needed to gather from time to time in order to see the “Big Picture” — more than the budget, the bylaws, and the other things required by the Canons of the Church. So as we stand on the verge of our 40th year and as we welcome the Rev. Timothy MacDonald, (who will be part of our meeting “electronically”), let us remember:

Thanks to the Vestry Class of 2024:
Nancy Hurley, Debbie Teahan, John Watson.

Thanks to those nominated to the Vestry Class of 2027:
Nicki Coffaro, David Cashbaugh, Howard Papke.

Thanks to those who have planned the Pot Luck Luncheon preceding the Meeting.

See you there!

Sincerely,
Fr. Michael

FUNERALS

The Lord has chosen to take home the following loved ones:John Grey, husband of Mary Beth Grey, service on January 27 at 11:00am;Jane Read, wife of Todd Read, service on February 3 at 11:00am;Helena Stephens, service on February 10 at 11:00am.

M.O.N.

There will be a MON meeting on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 9:00am in the Parish Hall. Discussion of Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner and other events to be scheduled. Coffee and other food samplings to share. COME ONE, COME ALL! We will need your help.

ANNUAL DONOR STATEMENTS

Your 2023 annual donor (giving) statements are now available in the Parish Hall.

ANNUAL MEETING AND POT LUCK

Our Annual Meeting will take place this Sunday, January 28, after the 10:15am service. There will be a Pot Luck Luncheon before the meeting so get your aprons on and bring something to share.

FLOWER FESTIVAL ARRANGERS

Mandatory meeting for all flower arrangers only for the Flower Festival on February 4. You can either come to the one after the 8:00am service or after the 10:15am service…..your choice.

CALLING ALL SINGERS

Martha would like to invite you to sing in the 2024 English Tea & Flower Festival Concert at the Church of the Nativity! Music and study parts will be available shortly for self-study ahead of rehearsals. Rehearsal dates: Thursday, Feb. 15 and 22, 6:30pm-8:00pm. The performance will be on Saturday, February 24 at noon with a warm up time at 11:15am. To RSVP email Martha at marthalopezsoprano@gmail.com or call/text 941-284-7409. Many thanks!

NOTICE OF VESTRY NOMINATIONS

The Bylaws of the Parish require that there be a Nominating Committee tasked with proposing candidates for election to be Vestry members. Our Nominating Committee (Nancy Hurley, Debbie Teahan, John Watson) have nominated the following people to be elected to the Vestry Class of 2027: Nicki Coffaro, David Cashbaugh, Howard Papke. Their names will be formally placed into nomination at the January 28 Annual Meeting.

2024 ALTAR FLOWERS

The Calendar for the 2024 Altar Flowers is ready for your names and the names of loved ones (past, present, future). It is located in the same place as the 2023 Calendar, just inside the main doors to the church. Reserve your Sunday while they are still available!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Are you interested in volunteering 4 hours of your time once a week? Doctor’s Hospital is in need of volunteers. It is a fabulous use of your spare time, gets you out of the house, very rewarding knowing you are helping others (Jesus would approve). A free meal is even included!! For more information, please contact Liz Cramer (telephone number in the directory).

FRIDAY BIBLE STUDY

Bible Study continues tomorrow, Friday, January 19, at 10:00am in the Library. This week’s study continues with Lesson #3, focusing on Psalm 32. ALL are welcome!!

January 28 Music: Opening Hymn: 616 Hail To The Lord’s AnointedSequence Hymn: 567 Thine Arm, O Lord, In Days Of OldOffertory Hymn: 371 Thou, Whose Almighty WordCommunion Hymn: 493 O For A Thousand Tongues To SingRecessional Hymn: 437 Tell Out, My Soul, The Greatness Of The Lord January 28 Scriptures: Deuteronomy 18:15-20Psalm 1111 Corinthians 8:1-13Mark 1:21-28 

From Our New Minister, January 4, 2024

Dear Parish Family,

Happy Feast of the Epiphany! This Saturday we remember the Magi, who traveled a great distance to worship the baby Jesus. I look forward to traveling from Wisconsin, a much cooler environment than the Magi experienced, to worship our Lord and Savior with the Nativity congregation. This has been a warm winter for Wisconsin, but I guarantee that I am looking forward to trading the low of 18 degrees here for the 50/60’s in Sarasota!

As was announced at Sunday services on December 31, Nativity has called me to be it’s Deacon-in-Charge. And I enthusiastically accepted that call. I will be starting in that role in June 2024 upon graduation from Nashotah House Theological Seminary. I feel incredibly blessed and honored by this calling.

I feel blessed for so many reasons. First, I will be serving God with you soon. Between the Diocesan Convention, Zoom, phone calls, and the interview process, I have gotten to know several of you already. To my family and friends, I described my interview with the Search Committee as a conversation with old friends that I had just met. I came away from my interview with the Vestry feeling the same way. Your love of God was palpable in those meetings, and you extended that love to me; I feel as though I am already one with you. I can think of no better sign of a true calling than that.

The leadership, both clergy and laity, at Nativity are also a blessing to me. A search process can strain a congregation, but especially a prolonged search immediately after coming out of a pandemic. Despite that challenge, Nativity still showed the love of God and has grown the Body of Christ, his church. Both you and I have been blessed to have had Fr. Michael overseeing Nativity during this search process; I have known, loved, and respected him for many years and look forward to a continued productive relationship. And Deacon Ros and I go back longer than either of us would care to admit. She and I have know each other since my first Cursillo. I cannot count the number of times that our paths have crossed when I most needed her support and friendship. I look forward to continuing to work with her.

I also feel blessed because I will be returning to the Manatee/Sarasota area which has been my home for over 25 years. I am fortunate to be returning to people and places that I know and love already. Seminarians frequently find themselves geographically removed from friends and even family by the calling process, but I am landing back into an area that I have considered my mission field for decades!

I can guarantee that we will face challenges; the movement of the Holy Spirit rarely goes forth without resistance. I look forward, however, to facing those challenges with you and continuing to grow Christ’s Church with all of you.

God Bless you all and I look forward to meeting everyone soon,
Tim MacDonald

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Vacation

Our Church administrator, Gloria will be taking a well deserved vacation next week. Fr. Michael will catch any phone calls that are absolutely necessary. Gloria will be back to work on Jan. 15.

Calling All Singers

Martha would like to invite you to sing in the 2024 English Tea & Flower Festival Concert at the Church of the Nativity! Music and study parts will be available shortly for self-study ahead of rehearsals. Rehearsal dates: Thursday, Feb. 15 and 22, 6:30pm-8:00pm. The performance will be on Saturday, February 24 at noon with a warm up time at 11:15am. To RSVP Martha call/text 941-284-7409. Many thanks!

M.O.N. (Men of Nativity)

The next meeting of Men of Nativity (M.O.N.) will be held on Saturday, January 13, at 9:00am in the Parish Hall. The speaker at the meeting will be Ron Hurley. Also on the agenda will be planning for the Pot Luck Luncheon on Sunday, Jan. 28, for our Annual Meeting.A

Adult Education

Adult Ed classes will resume with confirmation classes on Sunday, January 7, at 9:00am, in the Library. Then starting on February 25 there will be a Lenten Program for four weeks titled “With penitent hearts and steadfast faith”.

Stewardship

PROMISE CARDS FOR 2024. Thank you to those who have returned Promise Cards for 2024. If you have not returned your Promise card, please do so at your earliest convenience. Receipt of the Promises will help your Vestry to finalize Nativity’s budget for the new year.   If you need another card, then please see our office staff or Treasurer.

 OFFERING ENVELOPE boxes are being prepared for those who requested envelopes last year based on your giving preference. You may still request envelopes by contacting the Church Office.

Vestry Nominations

The Bylaws of the Parish require that there be a Nominating Committee tasked with proposing candidates for election to be Vestry members. Our Nominating Committee (Nancy Hurley, Debbie Teahan, John Watson) have nominated the following people to be elected to the Vestry Class of 2027: Nicki Coffaro, David Cashbaugh, Howard Papke. Their names will be formally placed into nomination at the January 28 Annual Meeting.

2024 Altar Flowers

The Calendar for the 2024 Altar Flowers is ready for your names and the names of loved ones (past, present, future). It is located in the same place as the 2023 Calendar, just inside the main doors to the church. Reserve your Sunday while they are still available!

Secret Angels

Blank forms for the 2024 Secret Angel Ministry are available in the Parish Hall. Partner drawing will be held this Sunday, January 7.

Friday Bible Study

A new Bible Study will start on Friday, January 12, at 10:00am in the Library. . The new study will be on Psalms using Max Lucado’s Study Guide entitled “Life Lessons from the Psalms”. It is available on Amazon or Christianbook.com. ALL are welcome!