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 |
|
The All Saints Messenger
November 2, 2017
|
|
The Forward Day by Day Meditation for THURSDAY, November 2
Matthew 13:23
But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundred fold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.
My daily commute takes me through Louisiana farmland. The state boasts rich, fertile soil, perfect for cotton, corn, sorghum, and other crops. Overflowing rivers and bayous have deposited their nutrient-rich sediments on this land for millennia. Farmers since before the marking of time have tended fields.
Our hearts, souls, and minds are the soil within which Jesus sows the seeds of good news-that God loves us, each one of us, without reservation. When these seeds of love take root, they bear fruit and change the way we treat those around us. We receive everyone we meet as God's beloved.
Our spiritual soil is never barren, though it may be rocky, shallow, or overgrown for a season. But Jesus constantly tends and nurtures us with word and sacraments, through other people, and all of creation. Jesus persistently and patiently prepares us to receive and share his love. The sower's work is never in vain.
MOVING FORWARD: Visit a local farmers' market to enjoy the last fruits of this year's harvest.
|
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Nov. 5. You need to set your clocks back ("fall back") one hour before going to bed on Saturday.
|
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Picture Directory
: There are 3 copies of the new Family Picture Directory on the table in the Parish Hall. Please take a moment to proof your entry. If there are any changes, please note them in one of the copies. If you do not have a picture in the directory, you can email one to Debra and she will add it to the directory. ([email protected])
* Parish Breakfast: This Sunday, November 5th at 9am. The menu is eggs. sausage, biscuits and sausage gravy. Pastries are needed! Someone to clean up after coffee hour is also needed.
* Bible Study:
The
Wednesday Bible Study Group will be starting a new book, Zealot, The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan on November 8th. If you are interested and need to order a copy of the book, contact Jerry Wertz 704-577-9699 or [email protected]. The group meets at 10 AM in the Family Life Center. We don't rush through a book and have excellent discussions during the meeting. Afterwards, we usually go to lunch together. We hope to see a lot of you there on Wednesday.
* Parish Lunch
: Thanks to all who helped with the 3rd Sunday luncheon. Between the cooks and clean-up crew we had 10 helpers. We made $95.00 for Outreach from the October luncheon and $79.29 from the September luncheon. (This is after expenses were removed.) The 3rd
Sunday luncheon now has a committee to prepare and cook. We can always use more help. The proceeds from the luncheon goes to Outreach. If this is something you would like to help with, please contact Jerry Wertz at
[email protected].
* Needed: Monetary donations for lettuce and carrots for the Salvation Army salads on Mondays. Each week, we use up one large bag of sliced carrots and 6 heads of lettuce. Cost is about $20 a week. Donations are needed to offset this cost. Anyone willing to donate cash or a gift card to the project, please see Linda Klocker, 704-827-3901. Checks should be made out to All Saints, garden fund. Thanks for your generosity. The clients at the Salvation Army really enjoy a fresh salad.
UPDATE: Our salad fund is in the black at $100.36. (October expenses have not been deducted.) Thanks to the many people who continue to regularly contribute. It is much appreciated.
* Garden re-cycling of leaves and grass clippings: If you bag your leaves or grass clippings, we would like to have them for organic mulch for the garden. If you can haul them to the garden area, please do. If you have bagged leaves or grass and cannot haul them, call Charlie Jenkins at 704-739-5332 or email: [email protected]
* Church Treasurer: Our church treasurer, Jessica Woodward, has announced her resignation effective the end of 2017. We are sorry to lose her and want to thank her for her many years of service to All Saints. As such, we are now looking for a new treasurer. If you are aware of anyone who has financial experience and who needs a part-time job, please mention us to them or them to us. The Treasurer's duties include: reconciling bank accounts, preparing vestry financial reports, works with Finance Committee to develop budgets, payroll, retirement administration, prepare financial portion of parochial report, workers comp audit, etc. Please contact Fr. Gary or Debra if you know of anyone or have questions.
* 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!
- Friday at 9AM: 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!
* Adult Christian Formation: The 9:30 formation class will be learning about Islam. Our guide on this journey is professor John Esposito of Georgetown University. Please join us in The Life Center for this tour into one of the Great World Religions.
* Family Promise: 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
* 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.
* Cooking for the Army: Our next day to cook will be Saturday, November 4th. Parishioners 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* Ministry Schedule: The September through December Ministry Schedule is on the table in the Family Life Center.
* Choir Rehearsal: Sunday mornings at 9:25 am.
* Handbell Rehearsal: Rehearse on 11/8 & 11/15 - Ring on 11/19.
* Food Pantry: Please help us restock the shelves by bringing in the following items: canned meats only (chicken, ham, vienna sausages, spam, salmon, etc.). 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 (next time is in September) and Fr. Gary preaches the other Sundays. We hope you find the different voices fulfilling in your spiritual journey.
* 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.
* Cookbooks: $10 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.
* Sign Up Sheets for coffee hour, altar guild and altar flowers are on the bulletin board in the Family Life Center. 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).
* Salvation Army Service Schedule: Monday, November 6th - Team #3. (William Graham, Pete Laine & Milton Halley)
* 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.
* Church Directory: Available on the table in the Family Life Center.
* Building Use Policy: Our buildings are being used more and more and scheduling conflicts are occurring. Effective immediately, all rooms/buildings will be scheduled by the Parish Administrator by the submission of a form which is available at the office and will soon be available on the web site. We appreciate your understanding realizing that this will improve our ability to serve our parishioners and ministries.
* 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.
|
| Upcoming Schedule November 2nd: Zumba November 3rd: Zumba November 4th: Cooking for the Army November 5th: Parish Breakfast November 7th: Zumba |
|
This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
A
lmighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.
Amen.
The First Lesson: Revelation 7:9-17
After this I, John, looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
"Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!" And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing,
-
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might
be to our God forever and ever! Amen."
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
-
"For this reason they are before the throne of God,
-
and worship him day and night within his temple,
-
and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
-
They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
-
the sun will not strike them,
-
nor any scorching heat;
-
for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
-
and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
-
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
1 I will bless the
Lord at all times; *
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
2 I will glory in the
Lord; *
let the humble hear and rejoice.
3 Proclaim with me the greatness of the
Lord; *
let us exalt his Name together.
4 I sought the
Lord, and he answered me *
and delivered me out of all my terror.
5 Look upon him and be radiant, *
and let not your faces be ashamed.
6 I called in my affliction and the
Lord heard me *
and saved me from all my troubles.
7 The angel of the
Lord encompasses those who fear him, *
and he will deliver them.
8 Taste and see that the
Lord is good; *
happy are they who trust in him!
9 Fear the
Lord, you that are his saints, *
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger, *
but those who seek the
Lord lack nothing that is good.
The Epistle: 1 John 3:1-3
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
The Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
|
|
Saint Day / Feast of the Week
All Faithful Departed
In the New Testament, the word "saints" is used to describe the entire
membership of the Christian community, and in the Collect for All
Saints' Day the word "elect" is used in a similar sense. From very
early times, however, the word "saint" came to be applied primarily to
persons of heroic sanctity, whose deeds were recalled with gratitude by
later generations.
Beginning in the tenth century, it became customary to set aside
another day-as a sort of extension of All Saints-on which the
Church remembered that vast body of the faithful who, though no
less members of the company of the redeemed, are unknown in the
wider fellowship of the Church. It was also a day for particular
remembrance of family members and friends.
Though the observance of the day was abolished at the Reformation
because of abuses connected with Masses for the dead, a renewed
understanding of its meaning has led to a widespread acceptance of
this commemoration among Anglicans, and to its inclusion as an
optional observance in the calendar of the Episcopal Church.
|
November 10th - Art Saile
November 16th - Anita Ware
November 19th - Steve Bostian
November 20th - Jim Martin
November 23rd - Hayden Kish
November 23rd - Linda Boyd
November 26th - Mary Neil
November 28th - Candy Albergine
November 28th - Dennis Bolin
November 29th - Alex Haymaker
December 1st - Henry Baird
December 9th - Laurie Stewart
December 10th - Tony Fugate
December 13th - Glenda Carpenter
December 15th - Emily Solis
December 18th - Diane King
December 19th - Judy Cheek
December 21st - Linda Klocker
December 23rd - Christine Borner
December 25th - Barbara Mooradian
December 26th - Noelle Martin
December 30th - Helene Goulet
Please let the office know if we have missed your birthday!
|
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
|
2017
|
November 5
|
November 12
|
|
CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
|
Brad Frazier
|
Lee Wells
|
|
CHALICE
10:30 AM
|
Cheryl Richard
Adam Nygren
|
Jim & Flo
McCarthy
|
|
LECTOR
|
Marsha Ellison
|
David McDowell
|
|
ACOLYTES
|
Lee Wells
McNeal Miller
Lindsey Wells
|
Sydney Wertz
Emory Borner
Zoe Tilly
|
|
GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
|
Linda Boyd
|
David Klocker
|
|
GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
|
Candy Albergine
Marc Dudley
|
George Sowersby
Pam Hart
|
|
ALTAR GUILD
|
Glenda Carpenter
Adam Nygren
|
Marc Dudley
|
|
BREAD
|
|
December
Allison Wells
|
|
ALTAR FLOWERS
|
Joyce Hartung
|
Kish
|
|
COFFEE HOUR
|
Parish Breakfast
|
Helene Goulet
|
|
MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
|
C.B. Barr
Morningside Resident
|
William Graham
Eileen Klimkowski
|
|
SOUND TECH
|
John Woodward
|
Terry Eckard
|
|
LAY EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
|
Jerry Wertz
David Klocker
|
David McDowell
Adam Nygren
|
|
YOUTH
FORMATION
|
Phill Wertz
Eileen Klimkowski
|
Jerry Wertz
Judy Mullins
|
|
VPOD 8:00
10:30
|
John Woodward
Marc Dudley
|
Lee Wells
Lee Wells
|
|
|
Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
