Purpose To be a Community where all persons will encounter the power and love of the Living God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Vision All Saints Episcopal Church is called by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to... · Worship Jesus Christ · Learn and Teach His Word · Minister in His Name · Proclaim Him and Share the Blessing of His Love · Welcome All in His Name |
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The All Saints Messenger
March 8, 2018
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The Forward Day by Day Meditation for THURSDAY, March 8
Luke 13:32
[Jesus] said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.'"
I have a friend who is studying to be a priest. Because of a tragic fall years ago, her life is full of challenges. She is hooked up to a feeding tube for fifteen hours a day. She tires easily. Hospitalized six times for sepsis, an often-fatal condition, she lives on the edge of death-yet her life is full and vibrant.
Like Jesus, my seminarian friend knows the end is coming. And like the rest of us, she doesn't know when it will be. Working hard to cast out the demons of fear and pain, she moves toward her calling of being a priest. She leads worship, prays constantly, and is a wise counselor.
One day, her work on earth will be finished-but not yet. May we-like her and like Jesus-live fully into the gift of today, of this very moment-confidently and joyfully doing the work God has given us to do.
MOVING FORWARD: Live in the moment. Invite a few friends over for an impromptu get-together.
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Daylight savings time begins at 2 a.m. on March 11th. You need to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Easter Flowers: If you would like to contribute to the Easter Altar Flower Arrangement to be placed in the church for Easter Services in memory or in honor of your loved ones, please fill out the form located on the table in the Narthex. We plan to have one large arrangement like last year. We suggest a minimum of $10.00.
* Giving Envelopes: Recently, we have received cash gifts in unmarked envelopes. Please know we fully appreciate your gifts. However, we can only credit the giver if you place your name on the envelope. Many thanks and appreciation!
* Youth Bowling:
Sunday March 18th, 2-4 pm at Textile Lanes, Belmont. Note: All children of any age and their families are invited!!! Fee for each person is $9.50 per person for two games and shoes. The Church will pay for all youth but family members need to pay for themselves. You MUST sign up by
March 15, which is the deadline that I have to give them our final numbers. The more we have, the less the price. If you have already touched base with me, then I have you down. Any questions or to register, please email me at
christina.s.butterworth@gmail.com.
* Parish Lunch: The March 18th Luncheon will be a St. Patrick's Day Party. The menu will be Reuben sandwiches. If you have special needs such as no cheese or anything else, you need to let us know ahead of time as we will prepare during the
10:30 service. Hope that many of you will plan to attend.
[email protected]
* Adult Christian Formation: A study on The Lives of Great Christians. Our guide is Professor William Cook. Some of those we will journey with are St. Antony, the First Monk; Francis of Assisi; Augustine; and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Please join us
on Sunday mornings at
9:30 in The Life Center.
* Sunday Breakfast: Thanks to all who contributed to the breakfast. We raised $140 with expenses of $24.44 netting us $115.56. Special thanks to the helpers - Linda Boyd, Charlie Jenkins, Tony Fugate, Marsha Ellison & Jim McCarthy.
* Garden/Salad Fund: The garden fund is in need of refueling and Charlie Jenkins is now getting the garden ready for planting and has expenses. Providing the salad each
Monday for the Salvation Army has been averaging about $80/month. Any help is greatly appreciated. If writing a check to All Saints, please mark it for Salad Fund. Many thanks!
* Book Exchange: If you like to read, we have set up boxes of books under the table in the large room in the Family Life Center. Take what you want and return when finished. We will sell books at the yard sale on May 5th.
* Pastoral Caregivers: The Pastoral Care Committee is reorganizing. We are looking for parish volunteers to walk, communicate and visit with our parishioners who are homebound, struggling, lonely or sick. This ministry is key to ensuring those who are in need receive care and knowing that their church family loves them. Our desire is to have enough people on our team that no one has more than two people. No special skills are required; just a desire to love their neighbor. If you are interested please contact Deacon Martha, Deacon Cris or Father Gary.
* Bible Study: The
Wednesday Bible Study group is studying
The 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. We are now 10 strong and would welcome anyone to join us. Get a copy of the book and come
on Wednesday for some excellent discussions.
* Cursillo WNC has entered into a Season of Reflection and we are not having Cursillo weekends at this time. Each Deanery is hosting Holy Conversations to discuss the direction of Cursillo in this Diocese. This is an opportunity for all voices to be heard and concerns expressed. All Saints is honored to host the next Holy Conversation, which will be held on
Saturday March 24, 2018 from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm. There will be an Ultreya from 1:00pm-2:00pm. We ask for your prayers; we ask for your thoughts and ideas; but most importantly we ask for your presence. All are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Richard, Marsha Ellison, or Flo McCarthy.
* Outreach Committee: Will meet on Tuesday, March 27th at 6:30PM.
* Bishop's Visitation: Our bishop, The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin, will make his parochial visit on Sunday, September 16, 2018 (Please note the date change. The Bishop had to change his visitation date due to a calendar conflict). 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.
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Cooking for the Army
: On Saturday, April 7th
, 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. Upcoming date: Sunday, May 6th.
* Building Use Policy: Our buildings are being used more and more and scheduling conflicts have occurred. Effective immediately, all rooms/buildings will be reserved and scheduled by the Parish Administrator through the submission of a form which are available at the office. Additionally, if you are in need of advance set-up for the room or event you are scheduling (night before, earlier than the event, etc.) please take that into consideration when reserving. We appreciate your understanding realizing that this will improve our ability to serve our parishioners and ministries.
* Save the date: All Saints Outreach will host a "Summer Blast Picnic" fundraiser on Saturday, June 2nd from 5-8. Please put it on your calendar and plan to attend. More details will follow!
* Save the date: Parade of Tables on Saturday, September 22nd.
* Annual Giving
: 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).
* 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.
* Family Promise:
The remaining 2018 dates that we will be host to the Family Promise guests are 4/8, 8/12 and 11/4. Family Promise is a community program that provides housing and support to families that are less fortunate. All Saints is one of the original churches that helped establish this ministry more than ten years ago. We host families in this ministry four times a year at our parish facilities with assistance from the Redeemer Lutheran Church here in Gastonia. There are many ways to support this ministry. During hosting weeks we need parishioners to greet and engage guests, to provide homework and enrichment activities for the children, to prepare and serve dinner, and to spend the night.The other way that parishioners can assist these families is to donate items that our guests need. Suggested items to donate are clothes, detergent, toothbrushes and toothpaste, small first aid kits, hair products, soap and/or body wash, suitcases (both used or new), 10, 20, and 30 gallon storage tubs w/ lids, towels and washcloths (both used or new), bed linens (both used or new), family friendly movies or videos, board games, & craft supplies. For more information, or to volunteer please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or
[email protected]
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* Parish Nurse Ministry
will be taking blood pressures after the 8:00 and 10:30 services on the second Sunday of the month. Nurses interested in the parish nurse ministry please contact Cheryl Saylor, MSN.
* Zumba
: Now being offered 3 days a week in the Family Life Center!
- 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! ($5/class or $20/month)
- Friday at 9:15AM: Taught by certified instructor Barbara Mooradian who has been teaching for 6 years. Especially suited to older adults or those with mobility issues or restrictions, Zumba Gold has all of the liveliness and fun of Zumba while being low impact and easier on the body. It can even be done while sitting! ($5/class)
* First Sunday of the month Coffee Hour: We need someone to set up and clean up only
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.
* Youth Christian Formation: Christian Formation for our young people begins at 9:30 sharp. Our new program is an Episcopal curriculum. We have 11 dedicated teachers and three dedicated musicians who will be guiding our young people. Please bring your children and let them experience God and Jesus with others.
* 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.
* Salvation Army Service Schedule: Monday, March 12th - Team #5. (Linda Boyd & Charlie Jenkins)
* 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.
* Partnership: All Saints has entered into a relationship with the YMCA's Resource Connection Gateway. This relationship enables us to help those in need more rapidly and efficiently while also addressing long-term needs versus only addressing immediate concerns. If you would like more information please see Fr. Gary.
* Salvation Army Serving: If anyone is interested in serving at the Salvation Army on Mon. nights from 5:00 to 6:00, please contact Candy Albergine at 704-868-8691 or email [email protected]. We have a couple of spots open and you will find this ministry is a true blessing to all involved. The schedule is on bulletin board in Family Life Center.
* All Saints Sermons online: Thanks to John Woodward, our sermons are available in audio and video on our website at: www.allsaintsgastonia.org/sermons
* Free Mulch: There are several piles of mulch in the upper parking lot that you are welcome to take. We need to free up some parking spaces in that upper lot. Please do not take the mulch by the shed as that is intended for the garden.
* Planned Giving: Programs for Outreach Ministries are an important part of our parish. You can ensure the continuation of these programs by setting up an endowment or including a bequest in your will. The Episcopal Foundation of Western Carolina has set up "The Living Stones Society" to provide Education and training to all clergy and parishioners about setting up a program. For more information see Fr. Gary or call the foundation at 828-225-6656.
* Ministry Opportunities: There are a variety of Ministries available at All Saints including feeding at The Salvation Army, tending the Garden, Family Promise where we take care of those without a home for a week at a time, Altar Guild, Readers, Lectors, Acolytes, Chalicers, and many more. Everyone at All Saints is encouraged to serve in some way. Please let us know what you are interested in and we will put you in touch with the ministry coordinator. You can call the office (704-864-7201), email ([email protected]) or speak to Fr. Gary.
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| Upcoming Schedule March 18th: Parish Lunch March 18th: Youth & Family Bowling March 24th: Ultreya & Holy Conversations March 27th: Outreach Committee April 7th: Cooking for the Army May 6th: Cooking for the Army June 2nd: Summer Blast Picnic September 16th: Bishop Jose Visit September 22nd: Parade of Tables |
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This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
G
racious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
The First Lesson: Numbers 21:4-9
From Mount Hor the Israelites set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food." Then the
Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the
Lord and against you; pray to the
Lord to take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. And the
Lord said to Moses, "Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live." So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.
1
Give thanks to the
Lord, for he is good, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let all those whom the
Lord has redeemed proclaim *
that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
3 He gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
17 Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; *
they were afflicted because of their sins.
18 They abhorred all manner of food *
and drew near to death's door.
19 Then they cried to the
Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent forth his word and healed them *
and saved them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the
Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
22 Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell of his acts with shouts of joy.
The Epistle: Ephesians 2:1-10
You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-- by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Jesus said, "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."
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Saint Day / Feast of the Week
James Theodore Holly
Bishop of Haiti, and of the Dominican Republic, 1911
James Theodore Augustus Holly was born a free African American
in Washington, D.C., on October 3, 1829. Baptized and confirmed in
the Roman Catholic Church, he later became an Episcopalian. Holly
was ordained deacon at St. Matthew's Church in Detroit, on June 17,
1855, and ordained a priest by the bishop of Connecticut on January
2, 1856. He was appointed rector of St. Luke's, New Haven. In the
same year he founded the Protestant Episcopal Society for Promoting
the Extension of the Church among Colored People, an antecedent
of the Union of Black Episcopalians. He became a friend of Frederick
Douglass, and the two men worked together on many programs.
In 1861, Holly resigned as rector of St. Luke's to lead a group of
African Americans settling in Haiti. Although his wife, his mother, and
two of his children died during the first year, along with other settlers,
Holly stayed on with two small sons, proclaiming that just "as the
last surviving apostle of Jesus was in tribulation ... on the forlorn isle
of Patmos, so, by His Divine Providence, [Christ] had brought this
tribulation upon me for a similar end in this isle in the Caribbean sea."
He welcomed the opportunity to speak of God's love to a people who
needed to hear it.
On November 8, 1874, James Theodore Holly was ordained the first
bishop of Haiti at Grace Church, New York City. This made him the
first Black man to be raised to the office of bishop in the Episcopal
Church, and only the second Black bishop of any major denomination.
In 1878, Bishop Holly attended the Lambeth Conference, the first
Black to do so, and he preached at Westminster Abbey on St. James'
Day of that year. In the course of his ministry, he doubled the size
of his diocese, and established medical clinics where none had been
before.
Bishop Holly served the Diocese of Haiti until his death on March
13, 1911. He had charge of the Diocese of the Dominican Republic
as well, from 1897 until he died. He is buried on the grounds of St.
Vincent's School for Handicapped Children in Port-au-Prince.
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March 9th - Linda Stanford
March 14th - Chong Saile
March 14th - Larry Kish
March 19th - Sammy Miller
March 24th - Jocelyn King
March 24th - Karen Sims
March 28th - Debra Sayles
March 29th - Jerry Wertz
March 30th - Kelly Eckard
March 31st - Millie English
March 31st - Bruce Kiser
April 1st - Ashley Birk
April 2nd - Andie Brymer
April 2nd - Pet Sumner
April 3rd - Ken Harvey
April 8th - Deb Alzner
April 8th - Nancy Byers
April 11th - Warren English
April 12th - David Klocker
April 12th - Van Balco
April 15th - Jim Howard
April 15th - Young McWhirter
April 16th - Zoe Tilly
April 23rd - Calvin Boyd
April 24th - Deacon Cris South
April 25th - George Saylor
April 25th - Steve Stanford
April 26th - Allison Wells
April 29th - Robert DeCristofor
Please let the office know if we have missed your birthday!
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MINISTRY SCHEDULE
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2018
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March 11
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March 18
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CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
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Kelly Morris
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Jim McCarthy
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CHALICE
10:30 AM
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Cheryl Richard
Adam Nygren
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George Sowersby
Kyle Tilly
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LECTOR
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Judy Mullins
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Lee Wells
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ACOLYTES
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Lee Wells
McNeal Miller
Lindsey Wells
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Sydney Wertz
Emory Borner
Zoe Tilly
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GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
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Laurie Stewart
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Linda Boyd
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GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
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Priscilla & William Graham
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Gay Lindsey
Pete Laine
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ALTAR GUILD
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Marc Dudley
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Allison Wells
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BREAD
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April
Judy Cheek
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ALTAR FLOWERS
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Lenten Greens
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Lenten Greens
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COFFEE HOUR
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Diane Camp
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Parish Lunch
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MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
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Pete Laine
Eileen Klimkowski
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William Graham
Judy Mullins
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SOUND TECH
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William Graham
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Terry Eckard
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EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
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Jerry Wertz
David Klocker
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David McDowell
Adam Nygren
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YOUTH
FORMATION
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Jerry Wertz
Judy Mullins
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George Sowersby
Eileen Klimkowski
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VPOD 8:00
10:30
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William Graham
Marsha Ellison
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Don Stine
Lee Wells
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Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
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