Ash Wednesday

The 6 1/2-week period of fasting, self-reflection and spiritual practice that precedes Easter begins on Wednesday, March 6. All are invited to begin the observance of a holy Lent by worshipping as a church family. At noon, we’ll celebrate a Rite II Holy Eucharist with the imposition of ashes, and at 5:30pm, we’ll do a Rite I version of the same service. The nursery will be open during the 5:30 service.

Bluegrass Mass in July

Sunday, July 29, Nativity will do something different. Our Senior Warden, inspired by the "Summer Chapel" she often attends in western North Carolina, had the idea of an outdoor, bluegrass-inspired worship service. It just so happens that Nativity member Ben Johnson is quite the accomplished bluegrass bassist. Put a good idea and great talent together, and all of a sudden we're preparing for our first Bluegrass Mass!

At 8 am, we'll worship inside just like normal: air-conditioning, church clothes and all. At 10:30, come dress comfortably: in shorts, t-shirts, straw hats, whatever! And come ready to sing those eminently singable bluegrass standards like "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" along with Ben Johnson and his merry band of bluegrass musicians. We'll gather on the large patio to worship, to pray and to sing. We'll share communion and then, following the service, we'll share a potluck lunch together.

Rogation Sunday

Since the late 5th century, Christians in Europe have set aside a few days in the late spring to
ask God’s blessing for a fruitful growing season. In some locations, the faithful lead a
procession around the fields. In other places, this ancient tradition is all but forgotten. In
Greenwood, we gather for an outdoor Eucharist with appetizers and beverages!

Sunday, May 6 at 5pm, join us at the home of Bob and Paula Provine, 11178 County Road 94. Bring an appetizer to share and a symbol of how you’ll be working with the earth this summer. It could be seed, a trowel, dirt from the farm, or a catfish! We’ll offer all of those gifts at the altar as we ask God’s blessing on us and on the good earth God has given into our care.

Rogation Sunday

Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 6 for Nativity's annual Rogation Sunday celebration, an ancient church tradition of blessing seeds and fields, and asking God's blessing for the growing season. This year we'll gather at the home of Bob and Paula Provine, 11178 County Road 94 off Money Road at 5pm. Bring a beverage, an appetizer to share, and some farming or gardening item to have blessed when Peter celebrates a simple outdoor Eucharist.

The Choir Corner: Lent

David Williamson, Choirmaster and Organist

In Lent we bury the Alleluia, meaning we stop using the word in worship and in our hymns. As in Advent, we also give up the Gloria in excelcis, the festive music that comes just after the opening hymn at 10:30am worship. If you attended the noon service Ash Wednesday, we sang the Rite One setting of the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) and the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) from Healy Willan's Missa de Sancta Maria Magdelena.

We just passed the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. Willan, a great Anglo-Canadian organist, choirmaster, teacher, and composer. He's worth looking up! In Rite Two Eucharists, we are also going for a more solemn setting by using the Schubert setting of the Kyrie (Lord, Have Mercy), Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. Richard Proulx adapted this from Schubert's Mass in G. Schubert's short life was on the cusp of the transition from the Classical to the Romantic period, with his prime starting about the time of Beethoven's death.

A Note from Peter (March 2018)

The Rev. Peter Gray

The eight days from Palm Sunday to Easter – Holy Week – are, as the name implies, the most important days of the Church calendar. To prepare for Easter, we gather as a church family to tell one another the story that makes all the difference for our lives, the story to which we entrust our lives. Here's a quick reminder of all the unique ways we worship and live out that story during Holy Week:

Palm Sunday, March 25 – We remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, as crowds praised him as the one sent by God, cutting branches from trees to wave in the air. At both the 8am and 10:30 services, palm branches, folded into the shape of the cross will be available to hold during worship. For 8am, we begin worship at the back of the church, bless the palms, and process. At 10:30, those who are able will gather on the small patio on Howard Street to bless the palms and then process into the sanctuary. By the time I arrive in my place at both services, the starkness of the week begins as we hear Mark's account of the crucifixion. At the 10:30 service, this passion narrative is read dramatically, divided into parts.

Contemplative Eucharist – March 26-28 - Nativity will offer Holy Eucharist at 12:05pm Monday and Tuesday and 10am on Wednesday. In lieu of a sermon, we'll share five minutes of silent prayer and contemplation before sharing communion together.

Maundy Thursday – March 29 at 5:30pm - Thursday night we reenact the story of the night before Jesus’ death. We celebrate the gift of Holy Communion that Jesus gave in that moment, and we also hear the difficult invitation to wash one another's feet as a symbol of our call to servanthood. If footwashing is a bridge too far for you, please come knowing that this act is not required of those who attend. The service ends with the altar being stripped of all adornment to symbolize Jesus' arrest.

Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane – Thursday at 6:30pm until Friday at Noon - After the altar is stripped on Maundy Thursday, the last thing to leave the sanctuary is the Reserved Sacrament, a small amount of the Body of Christ. Members are invited to sign up and pray with the sacrament as Jesus asked his disciples to pray with him the night before he died. To sign up for a portion of this prayer vigil, contact the church office.

Good Friday Liturgy – March 30 at 12:00pm – A solemn remembrance of Jesus' death on the cross is the focus of this service. All music is led by the piano, John's passion account is read, and a rugged cross in brought in to contemplate. We pray for the needs of the world and then share communion from the reserved sacrament.

Stations of the Cross – March 30 at 1pm - As in years past, a small group of us will stay after the main service to recall Jesus' steps to Golgotha as we pray, hear bits of scripture, and move the rugged cross from the noon service around the perimeter of the church.

Easter Sunrise Service - A candlelit sunrise service welcomes Easter as the dawn breaks at 6am. The service begins in the memorial garden where we light a fire, then process into a darkened church with candles. While the sun rises, we hear important stories from the Old Testament of God’s saving activity before I finally announce, “Christ is risen!” and Easter begins. The lights will come on and we'll share communion.

Easter Morning - If you can’t quite make it to church at 6am, we’ll still be celebrating the resurrection at 8 and 10:30! Beginning at around 10:15, you’re invited to bring flowers into the church to help us flower the cross.

Peter+

Annual Council of the Episcopal Church in Mississippi

January 26-28 the legislative meeting of the Diocese of Mississippi will convene in Southaven for two days to elect new Diocesan leadership, approve a budget, and hear reports on the ministries of the Episcopal Church in Mississippi.

Nativity’s delegation includes Peter, Kathy Whicker, Harris Powers, and Tish Goodman. Going as alternates are Philip Lawes and Katie Jones. Additionally, Ellie Knight is attending Council as the lone Youth Delegate for the entire Delta Convocation. The January edition of The Mississippi Episcopalian will include information on nominees and potential resolutions, so let your representatives know how you think they should vote! On Sunday, January 28, all the clergy of the Diocese will be in Southaven, and Episcopalians from far and wide are invited to attend one huge, statewide Eucharist at 10am at the Landers Center. Jim Barrett will lead Morning Prayer at Nativity that morning.