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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
April 20, 2017
In This Issue
  

Gary
Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
What a glorious Holy Week & Easter Sunday. We journeyed with Christ through his week of betrayal and death and hears about salvation history and coming into the light at the Great Easter Vigil. Easter morning saw baloons, joyous music, numerous Alleluias and so many smiles and so much joy.

The challenge now for all of us is maintaining that joy and remembering to let Jesus Easter in us! To live this time, really the rest of our lives, with the resurrected Jesus in our souls, selves and bodies. Such a challenge and one not just unique to us in America in the 21st Century. The disciples, just a few days after Jesus' resurrection struggled with the same thing.

The disciples were huddled in fear. Their rabbi had been executed. Surely questions lingered among them as to whether they too might be handed over to the authorities. That evening the risen Lord appeared in their midst and showed them the wounds in his hands and side. The disciples saw firsthand the wounds inflicted by humanity upon God's Son. God's response to the horrible events of Good Friday stood before them--the resurrection of the Son. Christ's first words to the disciples are ones of peace and forgiveness. Just as Easter brings new life, so also forgiveness brings new life. Forgiveness is the contemporary equivalent of the resurrection of the dead. Christ appears to the disciples bestowing upon them a new commission. Just as he himself is raised, Christ authorizes his followers to raise fellow believers from the dead by speaking these words, "I forgive you your sins for Christ's sake."

God of peace, forgive my sins as I forgive the sins of others. Make me a witness to your sacrificial love to those I meet today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


See ya Sunday! 
Fr. Gary+
ANNOUNCEMENTS

*  The Wednesday morning Bible Study, which meets at the church at  10:00am, will be watching a movie about Paul for the next two weeks.  After that we will be reading "An Altar in the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor.  If this sounds of interest to you, please plan to join us.

*   Statements:  First quarter giving statements are available for pick up after both services Sunday.

*  Ministry Schedule:  The 2017 May through August Ministry Schedule is on the table in the Family Life Center.

*  Parish Picnic: We will have our Spring parish picnic with worship on May 21st at 10:30 AM at the waterfront shelters at Rankin Lake Park.  We are hoping for great weather, great attendance, lots of fun, and good food. We have lost our provider of chicken so we ask people to bring main dishes, side dishes, salads and desserts.

* 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. 

*  Handbells:   Ring for  10:30 worship  April 23.

*  Vestry Meeting:  Tuesday, May 16th at 7PM.

*  Yard Sale:  The 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. We have no space to store your donations before the sale.  We can not accept old tv's - only flat screens that work.  If you have large items or furniture that must be moved prior to the yard sale, please call George Sowersby.  Contact Claudette Forbes or George Sowersby with questions.

*  Work Day :   We will have a parish workday on Saturday, May 20th at 8AM.  Please put the date on your calendar and join us in sprucing up the church and the grounds. Many hands make light work!  "Please don't fall for that voice that tells you someone else will do it"

*  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.

*  The Pacesetters  will be going to Greenville, SC on  Thursday May 4th to see the Andrew Wyeth exhibit.  Please let Jerry Wertz know if you plan to attend ( jerrywertz@att.net or 704-577-9699)

*  Monthly Parish Breakfast: The first  Sunday of every month we will have breakfast from  9:15 to 10 AM (last food off the griddle at  9:45) for the entire church.  The  10:30 volunteers will be the cooks and the  8 o'clock volunteers will clean up.  A sign-up sheet will be posted in the Family Life Center for items needed and we appreciate folks signing up.  Eggs and/or Pancakes and breakfast meat will be provided. Getting our parishioners from both services create opportunities for fellowship so we get to know everyone in our parish. We also hope committee heads will take the opportunity to talk up their ministries and let people know how they might help.  On that  Sunday, there will be no Adult Christian Formation or Coffee Hour, but there will be  Sunday School for the children.  If you want to assist with this event, please contact Jerry Wertz at 704-577-9699 or  jerrywertz@att.net.

*  Salvation Army Garden:  Plans are underway for the planting of the garden to provide vegetables for a salad each week or to use in the meals.   Charlie Jenkins is in charge of the garden along with a team.  We are in need of people/families willing to adopt 1 or 2 plots and do the weeding of those plots.  Yes, we are a little ahead of ourselves but the garden will be planted soon and before you know it, the beds will be covered in weeds.  There is a sheet in the Family Life Center for you to put your name on a plot. In case you didn't know, All Saints provides the meal and fresh salad every  Monday night at the Salvation Army.  The recipients are always very complimentary of the food provided.  The vestry representatives for the garden are Jerry Wertz and Linda Klocker.

*  Zumba:  All Saints will host a Zumba Gold class on Fridays at  9am  in the Family Life Center . It will be 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!   Zumba Fitness is fun-filled, energetic, and contagious. You do not have to know how to dance; you just have to enjoy yourself and keep moving!   Classes will be  $5  each and payable by the month. Come try it out. You will be glad you did. For more info email Barbara at  bjmooradian1@gmail.com  or call 808-281-7172 . See you  on Friday.

*  New Partnership: New Life Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) has begun using space at All Saints for their worship services. New Life is a small parish of about 15 people who have recently lost their worship space in Charlotte. They are a liturgical church that celebrates The Eucharist weekly and our traditions share many common rites, rituals, symbols and theological underpinnings. The Vestry and Fr. Gary have been in discussions and negotiations with New Life for about six months and most of the details have been finalized. New Life will contribute to the financial needs of All Saints in this arrangement. New Life's services are held on Sunday evening at 7PM and on first Sundays they will gather in our parish hall for a potluck supper and worship beginning at 6 PM. New Life parishioners hope to participate in some of our ministries and attend some of our more unique services. Please give them a wonderful All Saints welcome! Any questions please contact Fr. Gary.

*  Adult Christian Formation: We are studying "Great Figures of the New Testament." Our guide is the esteemed Jewish scholar Amy-Jill Levine who teaches at Vanderbilt University. What Ms. Levine brings to the table is a unique Jewish understanding of the New Testament, the culture and people of the day. She will take us on a journey of specific characters: who they are, what they do and how they have been assessed across the centuries. We begin at  9:25 AM. Please join us!

*  Family Promise:   The remaining 2017 dates that we will be host to the Family Promise guests are: 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), and to provide homework and enrichment activities for children ( 5:30-6:30). For more information, or to volunteer please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or  marcdudleync@gmail.com

*  Parade of Tables:  Save the date!!  Saturday, September 23rd.  

*  2017 Pledge Cards: If you have not turned in your pledge card yet, please think about doing so.  Pledge Cards are available in the Narthex.  The Vestry thanks everyone for their generosity.

*  Choir:  Rehearsal will now be on Sunday mornings at 9:25am.

*  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, April 24th - Team #5.  (Jacquie Burr & Linda Boyd)

*  Mid-Week Service: All Saints offers a "Service of Healing with Eucharist" on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 PM.  All of us are hurting, in need of healing, or want to be made whole again.  Christ comes to us in the quiet times of a contemplative service where we can "be still and know that God is God." Think about joining us and be renewed, refreshed, transformed, and continue your journey towards "wholeness."

* 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!

*  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.

*  Fr. Gary's Blog:  theway2016blog.wordpress.com

*  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.

 Upcoming Schedule  

 

April 29th:  Yard Sale

May 4th:  Pacesetters

May 20th:  Parish Work Day

May 21st:  Service & Picnic at Rankin Lake

September 23rd:  Parade of Tables

This Sunday's Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

The Gospel:  Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know- this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,
'I saw the Lord always before me, 
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, 
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life; 
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'
"Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
'He was not abandoned to Hades, 
nor did his flesh experience corruption.'
This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses."

Psalm 16

Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; *
I have said to the  Lord, "You are my Lord,
my good above all other."
2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, *
upon those who are noble among the people.
3 But those who run after other gods *
shall have their troubles multiplied.
4 Their libations of blood I will not offer, *
nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.
5 O  Lord, you are my portion and my cup; *
it is you who uphold my lot.
6 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; *
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the  Lord who gives me counsel; *
my heart teaches me, night after night.
8 I have set the  Lord always before me; *
because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.
9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; *
my body also shall rest in hope.
10 For you will not abandon me to the grave, *
nor let your holy one see the Pit.
11 You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

The Epistle:  1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and 
into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 
who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be 
revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to 
suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith-- being more precious than gold 
that, though perishable, is tested by fire-- may be found to result in praise and glory and 
honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and 
even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable 
and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The Gospel: John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Saint Day / Feast of the Week

George
Soldier and Martyr, c. 304

George is the patron saint of England by declaration of King Edward
II in 1347. He is remembered as a martyr, having given his life in
witness to the gospel during the persecution of the church in the
early fourth century. Very few details of his life have survived and his
story is replete with legend. By the middle of the fifth century he was
commemorated in local calendars and historical records of the period.

George was a soldier by vocation, serving as an officer in the Roman
army. It is said that he "gave his goods to the poor, and openly
confessed Christianity before the court."

George's initial notoriety may well have resulted from his faithfulness
and witness to Christ during the Diocletian persecutions, 303-304, a
particularly destructive period through which the church suffered.

Much of the legend of George dates back only to the eighth century,
and more of it developed in the centuries that followed. The infamous
story of George slaying the dragon, probably developed from Greek
mythology, is not associated with him until the twelfth century. The
inclusion of George's story in the thirteenth century manuscript, The
Golden Legend, accounts for his growing popularity in the Middle
Ages.

In the twelfth century George was recognized as the patron saint of
soldiers and he was called upon in support of those who would fight
in the Crusades. The shield under which his soldier's fought became a
symbol of national pride for the English and in time was adapted into
the national flag. Interestingly, the "St. George's Shield"-white shield
emblazoned with a red cross-is the basis of the Episcopal Church flag
and seal.


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
May 2nd - Lynn Witry
May 5th - Emily Frazier
May 10th - Emma Butterworth
May 11th - Tim Whittaker
May 12th - Mike Mong
May 16th - Fred Ellison
May 16th - Randy Mullins
May 18th - LouAnne Hicks
May 18th - Oliver Baird
May 20th - Brett Brown
May 21st - Joshua Jager
May 26th - Courtney Brunder
May 26th - Charles Jenkins
May 29th - Abby Woodward
May 30th - Paul Balco

Please let the office know if we have missed your birthday!
MINISTRY SCHEDULE  

2017
April 23
April 30
CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
Brad Frazier
Don Stine
CHALICE 
10:30 AM
Nancy Byers
Bob Forbes
Terry Eckard
Jack Gaskey
LECTOR
Lee Wells
John Still
ACOLYTES
Phill Wertz
Sydney Wertz
Lindsey Wells
Noelle Martin
Lee Wells
Lydia Kish
GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
Jim Howard
Brad Frazier
GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
John & Jessica Woodward
Gay Lindsey
Pete Laine
ALTAR GUILD
Cathy Webster
Terry Eckard
BREAD
April
Cheryl Saylor
May
Allison Wells
ALTAR FLOWERS
Helene Goulet
Jerry Wertz
COFFEE HOUR
Diane Camp
Eileen Klimkowski
MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
Pete Laine
Judy Mullins
William Graham
Eileen Klimkowski
SOUND TECH
William Graham
John Woodward
LAY EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
Jim & Flo
McCarthy
George Sowersby
Susan Stroud
VPOD 8:00
10:30
Linda Klocker
Phill Wertz
George Saylor
William Graham

Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+

phone: 704-864-7201
e-mail: secretaryallsaintsgastonianc@gmail.com
Fr. Gary's blog: