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The Labyrinth Walk
Thursday, February 15, 2018
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Dollar Bills
All $1 bills in the offering plate this Sunday will go to the Discretionary Fund.
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Rector Search Committee
Amy Hawkins, Chair
Brad Teague
Scotty Bell
Dinah Reed
Taylor Tennison
Jay Ruud
Amanda Moore
Jane Harris
Karen McNutt
Prayer for Discernment
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, one who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Congrats to the St. Peter's Episcopal Church 2018 Vestry
Chris Odom - serves through 2019 - Senior Warden
Tracy Simpson - serves through 2019
- Junior Warden
Leigh Ann Warriner - serves through 2018
Tom Renten - serves through 2018
Christy Garrett-Jones - serves through 2018
Marilyn Larson - serves through 2019
Brett Hardison - serves through 2020
Carolyn Scott - serves through 2020
Genie Davis - serves through 2020
Non-Voting Members -
Taylor Tennison - Secretary
LeRoy Hendrickson - Financial Officer
John Shute - Finance Committee Chair
Clergy and Staff
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Altar Lenten Candlesticks
Lent is a time of simplicity, a time when we remove bits of excess from our lives in order to make room for Christ, a time to strip away distractions in order to reorient our focus from our will to God's will. This Lent you will notice a new "stripping away" on our altar. In keeping with the call to simplicity and authentic contrition, we. have removed the brass candlesticks, and replaced them with beautiful, yet simple, wooden ones. These candlesticks were designed and handcrafted by member Steve Hurd. Using the wood from an old kneeler, and scraps he had on hand in his woodshed, Steve fashioned these sticks to compliment the wooden cross that is built the area behind the altar table. The use of repurposed wood, including the materials from the kneeler, is a beautiful Lenten reminder that God loves and desires our whole selves - not just the pretty or shinny parts- but the the broken, the plain, and the seemingly useless bits as well. A reminded that many of us could use during this season of contemplation.
Wishing you many Lenten Blessings-Jerusalem
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I
Am St. Peter's -
Getting to know the stories of our members
As part of our Rector Search season, we are gathering stories of members - longtime and new - to learn more about who they are, and in turn who we are as a church. Today's story comes from Xandra Sharpe.
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Xandra, her husband Matt, and their boys Arrin, Xaiden, and Levi began attending St. Peter's in 2017. They go to the
9am service, and Xandra and Matt attend the Church in a Changing World class, while the boys attend Family Formation. They are also involved in a small group, and Xandra volunteers in the office one day a week. This is her story about experiencing her fist Ash
Wednesday.
"I attended my first Ash Wednesday service this week. Growing up without liturgy, I really am new to all this. I have to say it was humbling, sacred, and...beautiful? I know it isn't supposed to be beautiful, but it was. I think maybe it was because the entire pew I was sitting in was filled with people I actively do life with and who will hold me accountable and love me thanks to our small group. Maybe it was because Jerusalem took Levi up with her to do the second reading. (I was so nervous, wondering if. he'd sit quietly through the long and mostly quiet service.) She just held him while she spoke and he was trying to get in a few words himself. Maybe it was Peggy who explained the service to this newbie before it started and made me feel more at ease. Maybe it was the knowing that as sinful as I am, there's hope. I don't know what exactly made it beautiful, but it was.
When we first started going here, it was hard to feel much. I was just doing whatever the bulletin said to do...kneel, pray, sing, stand, read scripture, sit, repeat. It has become much more, though. I think feeling like I actually belong has a lot to do with it. I think the relationships I've built has a lot to do with it. I think the theology has a lot to do with it, too. The realness of God to these people and the realness of their love for people...their true reflection of Christ is beautiful.
Now, I shall go and lament by not drinking Coke for forty days."
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God created a nice yard............
For you to walk on and play in,
not to park your car on. Please park your cars on pavement areas of the church. Parking your car on the grass, especially behind the Parish Hall, damages our beautiful campus. Reminder that when using the Morgan House, all vehicles will need to be parked on Mitchell Street or in the church parking lot.
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Adult Forum
After the presentation last Sunday by Jerry Adams and Mouaz Mustafa, we are going to follow up with an exploration of the on-line presence of The Wisdom House Project, and see what we can learn. Please join us for further discussions of our response to the Syrian crisis.
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Have you ever wished to deepen your relationship with God?
To experience a warm friendship with God? Maybe even fall in love with God - again - or for the very first time?
Then I want to invite you to join us for a very special Lenten experience here at St. Peter's - Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John.
During Lent various members will be hosting Lenten Home Groups on either Sunday and Wednesday nights in their homes, where you will be using the beautiful prayer Meeting Jesus journals, receiving guidance from the Center for the Ministry of Teaching, and watch videos from the monks of SSJE.
In order to help prepare our leaders and host, please sign-up in advance using THIS link or by filling out a form in this Sunday's bulletin.
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We Need You! (yes, you!)
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS
Do you make an outstanding casserole, bread, or something else tasty? Do you enjoy meeting newcomers to St. Peter's and making them feel welcome? Do you have a heart to help honor those from St. Peter's who have passed? If so, we have some excellent volunteer opportunities for you! The Vestry has identified three areas that, due to our congregation's growth, that are in need of some attention.
Three new committees are being formed and we hope you'll consider (please, pretty please) volunteering some time for them. They are:
- Casserole / Hospitality Committee - The church is often asked to provide snacks, light meals, or casseroles for groups (funerals, meetings, etc.) and we need a group that would be willing to prepare and heat up these meals as needed. Please contact Tracy Simpson if you're interested!
- Newcomer's Committee - We continue to see many new faces each week at St. Peter's and it's critical we establish some great relationships up front. This group would come up with ways to engage with our newcomer's so they feel the warmth and love that is St. Peter's. Please contact Jerusalem Greer if this is something you are called to do.
- Columbarium Committee - The church has a landscaping master plan for the courtyard, but the Columbarium is in need of some immediate attention, specifically concerning drainage and record-keeping. Please contact Leigh Ann Warriner if you're willing to help.
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From the Rev. Dr. Linda Brown, Deacon
We have a solid, dedicated group of Eucharistic Visitors as well as Community of Hope Lay Chaplains trained to serve those who are hospitalized, home bound, or reside in a care facility. Our parishioners would love to have visits by clergy and other trained lay ministers. We can only be our best when we know who is either temporarily or permanently in need of the ministries.
I am asking for your help in this matter.
Please let Bob, Peggy, or me know of anyone that you think might need some extra attention. We can contact them and see what might be needed.
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Preparing for Lent: FAQ about Small Groups
So, what is a Small Group?
Many people have asked this question as we prepare to begin our Lenten Study, Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John. A Small Group is a group of people who come together around a common idea, and commit to taking intentional steps towards building meaningful friendships during their time together. Current examples of Small Group experiences at St. Peter's are: EFM, Servant Leadership, Circle of Trust, Church in a Changing World, DOK, Brown Bag Book Club...
Why do some small groups meet in homes?
A Small Group that meets in homes are often called Home Groups, and the purpose for meeting in homes is to offer a warmer, more personal and relaxed, environment. This model is inspired by the gatherings of the Early Church as mentioned in Acts 6:2
Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts.
Do Small Groups replace Sunday morning worship?
Absolutely not. Just as the early church still attended the Temple, and then met in homes, Small Groups enhance worship by building deeper relationships between parishioners. Instead of sitting next to people you know only casually, you will find yourself sitting next to family. Many Small Group members began attending Sunday morning more often because they look forward to sharing the experience with those they have grown close too.
How does our tradition show up in a Small Group?
The first way our tradition shows up in a Small Group is when we show up. We are the Episcopal Church, so wherever we go, the Episcopal Church is present. Which is why it is so important for everyone - from Cradle Episcopalians to our newest members - to participate. We need the experience and understanding of those deeply rooted in our tradition to help with the questions of those who are new to TEC, AND we need to the fresh perspective and excitement that our newest members bring. Additionally, many of our tools are used in Small Group meetings, from our Book of Common Prayer, to the celebration of Liturgical Calendar. In Meeting Jesus, the use of the BCP is included in each lesson.
What does our leadership think?
The Small Group model is one that is being put forth at the national level as an important component of Parish Life. This direction is flowing straight out of Presiding Bishop Curry's initiative The Jesus Movement, which inspired SSJE to create this model of Lenten Study. You can read more about the movement here:
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/jesus-movement
How can I join a Small Group?
Sign-up to participate in our Lenten Study Small Groups - Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John on either Sunday or Wednesday nights. You can sign up using the inserts in Sunday's bulletin or online: HERE.
Have questions? See Jerusalem, she will be happy to help!
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Lenten Noonday Prayers
The Daughters of the King will be leading Noonday Prayer and Stations of the Cross at
12:00 p.m. each
Monday,
Wednesday, and
Friday during Lent (beginning
Feb. 16). Compline will be led each
Tuesday and
Thursday evening at
5:00 p.m. (beginning
Feb. 15). All are invited to participate.
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A Note from Rev. Peggy
During Lent (and maybe beyond), the Noonday Prayer service on Wednesdays will be a little different. I will be leading a Service of Lament and Hope, written by the Rev. Sam Loudenslager. Why, you ask? Because I am deeply troubled by some of the events taking place in our government and around the country. I hope you will try to join me. It is a simple prayer service with readings, a litany, and prayers. As the psalmist reminds us:
"Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my help and my God."
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St. Peter's Text Messaging
The Parish Office is sending text alerts to your cellphone. We promise that we will not overwhelm you with texts, but will only use it for emergencies (services cancelled due to inclement weather, last minute times and changes to programs). Please make sure John Churchwell has your correct cell number. You can also tell John if you do not want to receive text messages from the office. Send your number to John at [email protected] or call the Parish Office at 501-329-8174.
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Wednesday Brown Bag Book Club
Is an impostor robbing you of God's love? We've bought into the lie that we are worthy of God's love only when our lives are going well. If our families are happy or our jobs are meaningful, life is a success. But when life begins to fall through the cracks and embarrassing sins threaten to reveal our less-than-perfect identity, we scramble to keep up a good front to present to the world and to God.
Brennan Manning encourages us to let go of the impostor lifestyle and freely accept our belovedness as a child of the heavenly Father. In Him there is life.
Join us Wednesdays, at noon, for Brown Bag Book Club. We will start Bennan Manning's book,
Abba's Child, on February 21. Please contact Rev. Dr. Linda Brown, Deacon, with any questions.
Email:
[email protected]
cell: 501.590.0631
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All Hands Ministry Team Meeting!
All Current (and those interested) Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Oblationers, and Hospitality Members are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming Ministry Team Refresher Trainings! We will be going over information such as
Ultimate Ushering: Mastering Mixed Doubles and To Bow or not to Bow, that is the Question.
These 30 minute meetings will be held in Classroom Two at 9:30am and 10:30am on February 18.
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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Sunday
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Monday |
February 15
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February 16
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February 17
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February 18
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February 19
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6:30pm
Finance Meeting
(Classroom 2
)
7:00pm
Evening Bible Study
(Morgan House)
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4:00pm
Conway Locally Grown
(Parish Hall)
5:30pm
Girl Scouts 6057
(Morgan House)
7:00pm
Faulkner County Service Unit
(Parish Hall)
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9:00am
Food Pantry
4:00pm
Morgan House Reserved
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7:30am
Rite I
8:50am
Library Class
9:00am
Enriching our Worship Eucharist
10:00am
Ministry Team Training
Choir Practice
Adult Forum
Family Formation
Church in a Changing World
11:00am
Rite II
7:00pm
Contemplative Quaker Fellowship
(Classroom 4)
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Parish Office Closed
12:15pm
After-Noon Bible Study
(Library)
6:30pm
Narcotics Anonymous
(Morgan House)
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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February 20
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February 21
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February 22
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February 23
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February 24
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5:30pm
EfM
(Classroom 2)
6:00pm
Faulkner County Social Justice
(Morgan House)
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1:30pm
Library Reserved
2:00pm
Staff Meeting
3:30pm
EYC
5:30pm
Fledglings Writing Group
(Library)
6:30pm
Narcotics Anonymous
(Morgan House)
7:00pm
Holy Communion and Prayers for Healing
7:00pm
Canterbury Coffeehouse
(Parish Hall)
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7:00pm
Evening Bible Study
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4:00pm
Conway Locally Grown
(Parish Hall)
4:00pm
FriYay Cooking Club
(Morgan House)
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9:00am
Food Pantry
9:00am
Vestry Retreat
All Souls Church
Scott, Ar
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The Parish Office will be closed
on Monday
in observance of President's Day.
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Save the Date!
February 16 Diocesan Convention
February 17 Diocesan Convention
February 18 First Sunday in Lent
February 19 Parish Office Closed
February 24 Vestry Retreat, All Souls Church, Scott, Arkansas
April 1 Easter Sunday
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February Anniversaries
| David and Marilyn Larson |
2/14 |
| Tom and Karen McNutt |
2/20 |
| John Phillips and Steve Eddy |
2/21 |
February 18 - February 24 Birthdays
Warren Readnour
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2/20
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Kat Baxter
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2/21
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Veronica Makepeace
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2/22
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Jack Looney
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2/23
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Christopher Walters
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2/23
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Kate Marie Shute
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2/24
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O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants, as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, page 830
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This week's Food Pantry Need
2 cans whole kernel corn; 1 box of cereal; 2 pkgs ramen
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Pantry Musings
Lent, we are reminded is a season of self-reflection. It is a season in which we are held accountable for our deeds and lack of them. Years ago, I worked with my spiritual advisor in a more than forty day accounting. We worked through the Book of Psalms one at a time through one hundred and forty when I gave out. It was a hard discipline, but it was life-giving. What I needed to keep in mind through the course of this discipline was that not only are the psalms good for helping us to remember our sorrows but they, along with Paul, are important for helping us to remember our hoped-for redemption. We are not left alone in our self-reflection, but we are held as one of Christ's own. -Ann Drake
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Scripture Readings for Sunday, February 18, 2017.
9:00am Service will lead the Psalm and read from
1 Peters.
Genesis 9:8-17
God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth."
Psalm 25:1-9
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.
4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.
6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.
9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
1 Peter 3:18-22
Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you-- not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Mark 1:9-15
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
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Prayers of the People
Prayers and Petitions:
Shannon; Anisa; Meredith; Lauren; Octavia; Freda; Porcaro Family; John; Wiltgen Family; Terry, Vicki, Diane, Velma; Brown Family; Fred; Kay; Liz; Nancy; Andy; Susan; Aaron; Jenn; Madison; Angie; Martha; Ben; Sam; Jeff; Lane; Darrell; Robert; Loreal Employees; Candy; Glenn; Sandy; David; Reid Family.
In Loving Support for:
Micah; Sam; Mouaz; Natalie.
In Constant Prayer for our Future Rector, whomever God leads to us.
In Continued Prayers for:
Sara Edmondson, Helen Snipan, Jacquie Seroy, Martha Denson, Fred and Lillian Petrucelli,
Richard Boosey, Rowena Malone.
Thanksgivings:
We give thanks for the people of St. Peter's and visitors with us this week.
We give thanks for: Flo Barton; Hollis Barton; Kat and Abraham Baxter; Adam and Alye Bell, Alan Scott; David, Lisa, Brian Bell and Ashton Morris; Phillip, Annette, Drew, Jeff, and Luke Bell.
We give thanks for University Church of Christ.
We give thanks for the Better Together Multifaith Initiative.
We give thanks for our Rector Search Committee Member, Amanda Moore.
We give thanks for The Rev. Roberto Armas & St. Mark's, Quetzaltenango (ketz-al-ten-ango).
We give thanks for The Church of the Province of Central Africa, The Most Revd Albert Chama Archbishop of Central Africa & Bishop of Northern Zambia.
We give thanks for the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, at St. Martin in the Fields, Philadelphia.
The Departed:
John, Margaret
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Ministry Team 3
Jerry Adams, Team Leader
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7:30am
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9:00am
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11:00am
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Lectors
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Ann Drake
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Susan Sobel
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Kevin Mequet
Wolf Oester
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Ushers
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Pam Holt
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Dinah Reed
Danny Reed
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Wayne Stengel
Jerry Adams
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Oblationers
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Katrina Wilcox
Leo Wilcox
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Henrey Van Lierop
Kathleen Van Lierop
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Greeters
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Lisa Crowson
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Madelyn Adams
Lynne Rich
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Eucharistic Visitor
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Deana Weindorf
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Doug Stroud
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Eucharistic Minister
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Pam Holt
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Tanya Buchanan
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Kelley King
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Acolytes
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AM: Mike Moses
C: Xaiden Sharpe
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AM: Mike Moses
C: Miles Greer
T1: Jackson Wirtz
T2: Wade Simpson
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Vestry Counters
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Leigh Ann Warriner
Carolyn Scott
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Altar Guild
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Team 4
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