ANNOUNCEMENTS  

*  Monday, January 15th:  Office closed in Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

* Parish Nurse Ministry  will be taking blood pressures after the 8:00 and 10:30 services on Sunday.  Nurses interested in the parish nurse ministry please contact Cheryl Saylor, MSN. 

*  Family Promise: This week we hosted three families in the Family Promise program, offering them meals, housing and fellowship. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of those who volunteered and assisted during their visit. This program continues to be a success due to the effort of our volunteers to bring some comfort and kindness to those who have found themselves in an unfortunate situation. The remaining 2018 dates that we will be host to the Family Promise guests are 4/8, 8/12, and 11/4. If you would like to volunteer for one of the activities or are just interested in finding out more about the program please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or at [email protected].

*  All Saints Annual Meeting:  On Sunday, January 21st, immediately following the  10:30 service we will have our Annual Parish Meeting.  This meeting is the only time during the year that we gather as a community and vote on things, hear reports, and discuss the state of the parish.  We will distribute the 2018 budget, elect new vestry members, and discuss the parish and the way forward.  Food will be provided.  We would love to have everyone attend.

*  Last Friday Get Together:  Island Breezes Theme Night: Cris will bring teriyaki chicken (Maui style) and everyone is invited to bring a pot luck dish that reminds them of Hawaii. Challenge yourselves and have fun! Cris will do a brief talk about the Episcopal churches on Maui (with photos) and then we will all dance the "Hukilau" hula and laugh! A silly, fun, and informative night for all of us. So come and join the fun!  6 - 8 pm, Friday, January 26. Be there or "i he'aha like"!

*  Episcopal 101 : Began Sunday, January 7th and continues for 6-8 weeks, from  9:30-10:15.   Fr. Gary will offer an introductory course, Episcopal 101, for new and established members of the Episcopal Tradition. We are a tradition rich in scripture, history, heritage, literature, art and so much more. Fr. Gary's class will journey through our history, the Sacraments, prayer and how they intersect with our world today. Please mark your calendar to attend these classes and learn some new things about our tradition.

*  Annual Giving : The first Sunday of December was our ingathering of financial pledges for 2018. We thank everyone for their generosity. If you have not returned your pledge sheets we encourage you to do so. We appreciate your gifts in our corner of God's Kingdom.

*  2018 Sign Up Sheets:  For Coffee Hour, Altar Guild and Altar Flowers are on the bulletin board in the FLC.   Coffee Hour hosting can be as simple as drinks and cookies.  Coffee hour is provided to have fellowship with our parish family.  Please sign up or call the church office to add your name to the list (704-864-7201).

*  Cooking for the Army : This Saturday, January 13 ^th , parishioners will gather at  9AM  to cook approximately 700 meals for The Salvation Army & Cornerstone Ministry. We are always in need of more hands to assist in this life-giving project since "more hands make light work." If you are interested in this ministry, please contact the church office and we will put your name on the monthly e-mail reminder.

*   Server, Acolyte & Eucharistic Visitor (EV) Training : Servers, Acolytes and EVs have a unique and important history in our tradition. Each fills a unique calling in worship that goes back thousands of years. It has been a while since we have had dedicated training for these ministries. We know that in worship everyone wants to do things correct and uniformly. Thus, we will have two training sessions on the weekend of January 27-28 ^th ,   2018: Saturday morning at  9 AM  and Sunday immediately following the  10:30  service. Please mark your calendars now for this important training. We thank each of you who serve for your time and dedication. We also invite anyone who desires to serve or has questions to join us on this training weekend.

*  Pacesetters :  The Pacesetters will gather on Tuesday January 16 th  at 10:00 in the Family Life Center for the 2018 organizational meeting and for event planning for the year.  We will go to lunch after the meeting.  Please come with lots of ideas of what you would like to do this year.  Pacesetters is a group of 50+ individuals, both male and female, who gather in fellowship to enjoy each other's company.  You do not have to be a member of All Saints to be a member.  Our purpose statement is as follows:  Using the wisdom and experiences provided us through our lives, Pacesetters are called to Share The Blessing of His Love by:

* Cookbooks :   $5.00   If you don't need a cookbook, but would like to help our Outreach committee reach their budget goal, consider buying a cookbook to donate to our newcomers committee. Any donated cookbooks will be included in the welcome bag we hand out to newcomers. 

*  Lenten Study:  Beginning on Saturday, February 17 and continuing every Saturday through March 24 (6 sessions total), we will have a  study entitled "The Great Teachings: From Disciple to Apostle, A Lenten Study Based on the Gospel According to John." The group will meet from 9am-11:00/11:30am. Written and led by Deacon Cris South (perhaps with a friend or two), it will build upon last year's study as we move deeper into our lives in Christ. Everyone is welcome so please feel free to invite adult family and/or friends, regardless of religious affiliation. Also please call the church office and leave your name and phone number or sign up in the lobby to register so we have an accurate count. This is necessary for making sure there are enough study guides and snacks for everyone. From the course Introduction..."From the example of humble service through the washing of feet in John 13 to the great priestly prayer in John 17, Jesus prepares them to take his mantle and continue his work. In these chapters, he reiterates his entire message one last time. In doing so, he invites all of us to move into that same apostleship under our Christ.  Although a Bible study, this course is meant more to be a deep self-study, relating the teachings to ourselves and our lives in ways that enlighten and empower. Rather than lectures, each participant is invited to be present in that "upper room" with Jesus as he teaches, using his last chance to make all of us understand. It is only through that understanding that we can move from being disciples (believers and followers) to becoming apostles (literally, a person sent forth) of Christ's church in the world. It is relevant to us today and is meant to lead us to an apostolic life in Christ, serving the world and transforming all that is around us with his love. The season of Lent is a perfect time to deeply examine our faith, to commit ourselves, to accept our responsibility as new (or perhaps RE-newed) apostles. We come into this quiet season of reflection, knowing that we follow our Christ into the power, agony, and glory of Easter, and into his great triumph." I hope to see many of you there!

*  Bishop's Visitation: Our bishop, The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin, will make his parochial visit on  Sunday, March 4, 2018. A bishop's visit is time for celebration as well as Baptism, Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation. For new members this is a time for being received or confirmed into your new faith community. Fr. Gary will offer a course, Episcopal 101, to assist anyone interested in better understanding our tradition.

*  Bible Study:   The Wednesday Bible Study group has completed  Zealot - The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan.  We highly recommend this book for all of you to read.  The next book we will study is Language of God by Francis S. Collins.  Dr. Collins was Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute.  He positions science not as a substitute for theology but as a subset of it.  The book traces his personal path to God and explains how his faith affects his work.  The group meets on Wednesday at 10:00 in the Family Life Center.   If you would like to join us for this study and need a copy of the book, please contact Jerry Wertz at 704-577-9699. 

*  Zumba:  Now being offered 3 days a week in the Family Life Center!  $5/class

     - Tuesday & Thursday at 7:15PM:  Please join Dana Wolfe for a fun workout made for everyone.  The class that started the dance-fitness revolution and changed the way we look at a "workout" forever. It's fun, effective and best of all? Made for everyone!

for Coffee Hour on Parish Breakfast Sunday.  You do not have to provide any food, just set out the food left from breakfast.  Please sign up for this on the Coffee Hour sign-up sheet.

*  Towel Ministry Coordinator :  All Saints Towel Ministry funds and builds handicap ramps and does other small building projects for those in Gaston County who have a need.  If you are a good organizer and understand basic building techniques All Saints could use your services as our new Towel Ministry Coordinator.  You are not expected to do all the work, just take requests, assemble the teams and help out the citizens in our community who need help.  If interested please speak to Fr. Gary.

* Choir Rehearsal:  Sunday mornings at 9:25 am. 

*  Food Pantry:  Please help us restock the shelves!  Through your generosity, we have been able to help many families and individuals. 

*  Preaching ROTA (rotation) at All Saints: We are blessed at All Saints to hear three different voices in preaching. Each one of our clergy; Gary, Cris and Martha, have experienced the world and see the world differently and through different lenses.  Because our community is made up of different people from different experiences we need to hear different voices. At All Saints, Deacon Cris preaches on the 3rd  Sunday of each month, Deacon Martha preaches on the 1st  Sunday of alternate months, and Fr. Gary preaches the other Sundays. We hope you find the different voices fulfilling in your spiritual journey.

*  Church Financials: The Vestry wants to make sure that all parishioners are aware that the monthly financial reports are posted on the bulletin boards in The Family Life Center. If you have any concerns or questions please contact Phill Wertz or Fr. Gary.  Thank You!

*  Why Do You Love All Saints?  Who here loves All Saints?  Do you want to tell the world why you love being a part of the All Saints family?  Please help us spread the word about our congregation by telling your All Saints Story.  All Saints Stories will be published on our website:  AllSaintsGastonia.org as well as our facebook and twitter pages.  To submit your story, go to AllSaintsGastonia.org and click "All Saints Stories" under the Parish Life tab.  If you can, please submit a photo with your story.  

* Prayer List:  Our prayer list grows rapidly.  We ask all parishioners to keep the office informed so that our prayer list remains current and manageable.

The First Lesson: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

In the third century, many young men turned away from the corrupt
and decadent society of the time, and went to live in deserts or
mountains, in solitude, fasting, and prayer. Antony of Egypt was
an outstanding example of this movement, but he was not merely
a recluse. He was a founder of monasticism, and wrote a rule for
anchorites. Antony's parents were Christians, and he grew up to be
quiet, devout, and meditative. When his parents died, he and his
younger sister were left to care for a sizable estate. Six months later, in
church, he heard the reading about the rich young ruler whom Christ
advised to sell all he had and give to the poor. Antony at once gave his
land to the villagers, and sold most of his goods, giving the proceeds
to the poor. Later, after meditating on Christ's bidding, "Do not be
anxious about tomorrow," he sold what remained of his possessions,
placed his sister in a "house of maidens," and became an anchorite
(solitary ascetic).

Athanasius, who knew Antony personally, writes that he spent his
days praying, reading, and doing manual labor. For a time, he was
tormented by demons in various guises. He resisted, and the demons
fled. Moving to the mountains across the Nile from his village, Antony
dwelt alone for twenty years. In 305, he left his cave and founded a
"monastery," a series of cells inhabited by ascetics living under his
rule. Athanasius writes of such colonies: "Their cells like tents were
filled with singing, fasting, praying, and working that they might give
alms, and having love and peace with one another."

Antony visited Alexandria, first in 321, to encourage those suffering
martyrdom under the Emperor Maximinus; later, in 355, to combat
the Arians by preaching, conversions, and the working of miracles.
Most of his days were spent on the mountain with his disciple
Macarius.

He willed a goat-skin tunic and a cloak to Athanasius, who said of
him: "He was like a physician given by God to Egypt. For who met
him grieving and did not go away rejoicing? Who came full of anger
and was not turned to kindness? ... What monk who had grown
slack was not strengthened by coming to him? Who came troubled by
doubts and failed to gain peace of mind?"