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
December 29, 2016
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The Forward Day by Day Meditation for THURSDAY, December 29
Psalm 18:8a
The earth reeled and rocked; the roots of the mountains shook.
In January 2010, Haiti was struck by an earthquake. More than 100,000 people were killed by the violence of the earthquake; those who survived were desperately looking for food and water, forced to sleep in the open and to defend their remaining possessions from looters, all while being mercilessly pounded with violent aftershocks. The beautiful murals of the cathedral, along with the other buildings on its campus, were all gone.
I researched the history of The Episcopal Church in Haiti and discovered that the cathedral had been destroyed five times before 2010. How many more times will God rebuild that church? Seven times? Seven times seven? Seventy times seven? Although it may seem hard to comprehend, as many times as God pleases, survivors will rise from the rubble just like in the valley of dry bones Ezekiel tells us about. They will heal their wounds, remake their lives, and rebuild God's church.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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End of Year Giving: If possible, all pledge and any other gifts should be made by
Friday, Dec 30th so that they may be deposited in the bank and reflected in annual statements.
*
2017 Pledge Cards:
Our 2017 budget is being fine-tuned. If you have not turned in your pledge card yet, please think about doing so. Pledge Cards are available in the Narthex and in the lobby of The Family Life Center. The Vestry thanks everyone for their generosity.
* Healing Service: Will resume on January 4th.
* Choir:
Jan 11th - First choir rehearsal of the new year at
7:00pm and weekly from there on.
* Handbells:
Jan 18th handbells will rehearse at
6:00pm. Rehearse
Jan 25,
March 1 and ring in church
March 5.
* All Saints Annual Meeting: On Sunday, January 15th 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 2017 budget, elect new vestry members, and discuss the parish and the way forward. We would love to have everyone attend. Meat will be provided and we ask everyone to bring a side dish or dessert to share.
* Vestry Meeting: January 17th at 7PM.
* The 2017 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).
*
Youth Brainstorming Meeting:
On January 8
th
, immediately following the
10:30
service, we will gather with parents of our youth and any and all interested parishioners who care about how we minister to our children. Our goal is to brainstorm and then act on doing ministry for our youth in exciting, real and new ways in this time of doing Church differently. Questions contact Fr. Gary.
* Souper Bowl Of Caring: is youth across the nation working to fight hunger and poverty in their own communities around the time of the Super Bowl. On Sunday, February 5th, our children will have a soup pot available for you to drop your money into. Dig deep in your pockets for loose change and bills! All donations go to CAM (Crisis Assistance Ministry). Please see Carol Wertz if you have any questions.
* Salvation Army Service Schedule: Monday, January 2nd - Team #2. (George Sowersby, Nancy Byers & Alex Haymaker)
* Family Promise:
The 2017 dates that we will be host to the Family Promise guests are: 2/19 - 2/26, 5/21 - 5/28, 8/6 - 8/13, 10/8 - 10/15 . Family Promise is a community program that provides housing and support to homeless families. 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 (5:00-6:30 pm), to prepare and serve dinner (6:30-8:00 pm), to spend the night (8:00 pm - 7:30 am), to provide homework and enrichment activities for children (5:30-6:30 and 7:00 - 9:00 pm), and to donate items that our guests need (see below). For more information, or to volunteer please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or
marcdudleync@gmail.com. Suggested Donations List: 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.
* Save The Date
: The 2017 All Saints Yard Sale will be on Saturday, April 29th so start collecting items for our sale. Please only donate items that are in good, working condition, clean and no stuffed animals. We will need lots of help the week prior for setting up and pricing, as well as on the day of the sale. The sale is sponsored by the All Saints Outreach Committee. If you have any questions please contact Claudette Forbes or George Sowersby.
* Adult Christian Formation: Continuing through the Christmas Season, Fr. Gary will lead a Bible Study and discussion on the Birth Narratives of Matthew and Luke Chapters 1 & 2.
* Cookbooks:
$15 each or 2 for $25 - 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.
* 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!
* Parish Lunch:
Help is needed to clean up the kitchen after lunches. There is a sign up sheet in the Family Life Center.
* Holy Land Pilgrimage: Our next gathering will be after the
10:30 service on January 22nd. We hope to have The Rev. Shawn Griffith with us who went this past summer to answer specific questions we may have as well as offer some insight.
* 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.
* Handbells:
will reconvene in January 2017
* 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.
* Picture Directory: We will have one make up day for pictures. Watch for the sign up sheet in the Family Life Center. Emma Butterworth is our photographer.
* Ministry Schedule: The 2017 January through April Ministry Schedule is on the table in the Family Life Center.
* Parish Nurse Ministry will be taking blood pressures after the 8:00 and 10:30 services on the first Sunday of the month. Nurses interested in the parish nurse ministry please contact Cheryl Saylor, MSN at 803-656-5110.
* Fr. Gary's Blog: theway2016blog.wordpress.com
* Gaston Library is sorely in need of used books etc. for their annual book sale held next year. Paperbacks, hardback, fiction, nonfiction, children's, magazines, DVD and CD's are needed. If you're cleaning out, now's a good time to give those old books a new home. Books can be left at the dock at the library or at the church and I'll see they get over there. (Put them next to the CAM box). Please no wet, moldy or books with broken spines. Thanks, Linda Klocker.
* Food Pantry: Please help us keep our food pantry stocked. If you would like to give a monetary donation, we'd be happy to do the shopping for you.
* Flower Ministry: We are looking for a volunteer to head up our Flower Ministry. It entails breaking down the large
Sunday flower arrangement into smaller arrangements
on Monday mornings. These smaller arrangements are then delivered to parishioners who are home bound or sick. Please let Debra know if you would be interested in this ministry.
* New Partnership: All Saints has entered into a new relationship with the YMCA's Resource Connection Gateway. This new 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
calbergine@gmail.com. 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.
* Christian Formation for Youth. If you have questions please ask Laura Tilly, Phill Wertz, or Fr. Gary.
* 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.
* Towel Ministry: We are excited and thankful that Vic Cooper and Jim McCarthy have taken over the coordination of our Towel Ministry. Please approach them and let them know your talents and availability when projects arise.
* 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 (secretaryallsaintsgastonianc@gmail.com) or speak to Fr. Gary.
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| Upcoming Schedule January 7th: Cooking for the Army January 8th: Youth Brainstorming Meeting January 15th: Parish Lunch/Annual Meeting January 17th: Vestry January 22nd: Holy Land Pilgrimage Meeting February 5th: Souper Bowl of Caring April 29th: Yard Sale |
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This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
The First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
Psalm 8
1 O Lord our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
2 Out of the mouths of infants and children *
your majesty is praised above the heavens.
3 You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *
to quell the enemy and the avenger.
4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
5 What is man that you should be mindful of him? *
the son of man that you should seek him out?
6 You have made him but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn him with glory and honor;
7 You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under his feet:
8 All sheep and oxen, *
even the wild beasts of the field,
9 The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *
and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
10 O Lord our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
The Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death--
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The Gospel: Luke 2:15-21
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
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Saint Day / Feast of the Week
The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The designation of this day as the Feast of the Holy Name is new to
the 1979 revision of the Prayer Book. Previous Anglican Prayer Books
called it the Feast of the Circumcision. January first is, of course, the
eighth day after Christmas Day, and the Gospel according to Luke
records that eight days after his birth the child was circumcised and
given the name Jesus.
The Law of Moses required that every male child be circumcised on
the eighth day from his birth (Leviticus 12:3); and it had long been the
custom to make of it a festive occasion, when family and friends came
together to witness the naming of the child.
The liturgical commemoration of the Circumcision is of Gallican
origin, and a Council in Tours in 567 enacted that the day was to be
kept as a fast day to counteract pagan festivities connected with the
beginning of the new year. In the Roman tradition, January first was
observed as the octave day of Christmas, and it was specially devoted
to the Virgin Mother.
The early preachers of the Gospel lay stress on the name as showing
that Jesus was a man of flesh and blood, though also the Son of God,
who died a human death, and whom God raised from death to be the
Savior (Acts 2:32; 4:12). The name was given to Jesus, as the angel
explained to Joseph, because he would "save his people from their
sins" (Matthew 1:21). (The word means "Savior" or "Deliverer" in
Hebrew.)
Then as now, people longed to be freed from evils: political, social,
and spiritual. The name of Jesus calls to mind the true freedom which
is ours through Jesus the Christ.
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Prayer List
We pray for Anne Dalton, Page Lee, Adam Barnes, Cathy Harvey, Laura Beth Murray, Joshua Scruggs, Jack Dixson, Charles Clamurro, Courtney Birk, Charlie Metcalf, Caroline, Carolyn Reese, Eric Hilemon, Eddie Butler, Madison Krontz, Randy Mikeal, Coleen Birk Falk, John Klimkowski, Anne Ebe, Ron Blew, Linda Stanford, Joseph Colarossi, Vic Cooper, Maureen Cooper, Art & Chong Saile, Amber Nash, Brendan McKiernan, John, Lester Walker, Owen Harpold, Johnny Featherston, Wilma Walker, Joan Cieslik, Lloyd White, David Jensen, Carolyn Healy, John King, Glenda Carpenter, Marian Watts, H
olly,
William Knowles, Debra, D
onald & Sadie Woody & Marsha Ellison
.
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December 30th - Helene Goulet
January 2nd - Priscilla Graham
January 3rd - Hope Paasch
January 3rd - Michelle Dudley
January 4th - Marc Dudley
January 4th - Denise Whittaker
January 7th - Marsha Ellison
January 10th - Jim Carpenter
January 11th - Terry Eckard
January 18th - Gary Butterworth
January 18th - Brad Frazier
January 18th - Jim McCarthy
January 21st - Erik Jager
January 22nd - Cathy Webster
January 26th - Kelly Halley
January 31st - Jay Oden
Please let the office know if we have missed your birthday!
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MINISTRY SCHEDULE
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2017
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January 1
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January 8
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CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
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Susan Maxon
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Lee Wells
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CHALICE
10:30 AM
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Lee Wells
Bob Forbes
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George Sowersby
Kyle Tilly
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LECTOR
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William Graham
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Bob Forbes
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ACOLYTES
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Lydia Kish
Cheryl Richard
Emory Borner
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Phill Wertz
Lindsey Wells
Autumn Jager
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GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
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Linda Boyd
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Jim Howard
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GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
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George Sowersby
Pam Hart
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Anita & Cohen
Elgin
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ALTAR GUILD
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Cathy Webster
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BREAD
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February
Gay Lindsey
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ALTAR FLOWERS
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COFFEE HOUR
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Diane Camp
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Graham
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MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
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C.B. Barr
Morningside Resident
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William Graham
Eileen Klimkowski
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SOUND TECH
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Terry Eckard
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Marc Dudley
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LAY EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
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Jerry Wertz
Chong Saile
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Adam Nygren
David McDowell
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VPOD 8:00
10:30
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George Saylor
William Graham
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Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
e-mail: secretaryallsaintsgastonianc@gmail.com
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