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
August 3, 2017
|
|
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Our previous bishop, The Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor writes a weekly reflection on his blog. This weeks reflection "Our Call to Be True" spoke to me powerfully and I wanted to share it here with you. If you would like to get his weekly reflections you can go to:
http://www.portertaylor.com.
I am addicted to Grantchester (a show on PBS about a priest in the Church of England). I admit it could be because I am envious of the hair of the main character (but then again what man tints his hair in the 1950's?). Don't worry. I won't spoil anything if you haven't watched it.
There's a scene in the latest episode where the priest, Sydney Grantchester, is struggling with his calling. Should he stay in the Church or leave it? His housekeeper, who has become a dear friend, says to him: "Sydney, people need you. They look to you, not the Church."
I have been haunted by those sentences these past days. We in the Church talk so much about fixing the Church as if it were a car in need of a tune up. We act as if we need a new model because fewer people want to buy. Yes, membership and attendance are declining. Yes, all institutions are at best under suspicion and at worst irrelevant.
But in AA we learn to pray for the wisdom to know the difference between what we can change and what we can't. At the ripe age of 66, I have my hands full just trying to keep my own life and soul and intentions and actions in alignment with what I think the Lord wants from me and for me.
Our calling is to be true: true to our real self as God created us and true to the work that God calls us to do to heal a broken world. I no longer worry about institutions; I am focused on integrity and vulnerability. Do we yearn to align ourselves with God's will so that our actions match our beliefs, and do we keep our hearts open to others and to the Holy One? If we do, institutions will grow as they will. Some will die and some will be born. At its heart Church isn't a bureaucracy; it's the faithful person in front of you who represents the face of Christ.
In my late 20's I didn't reconnect with the Church because I fell in love with the institution; I reconnected because I encountered people who had such love for God I wanted to be around them. I didn't look to the Church; I looked to God lovers to show me what the Church is for.
It's so easy to waste our time and our time is short. I don't want a game plan for how the Church can survive. I want to live a life that will point beyond me to God and I want to find more and more people who are a window to the holy. I want to be inspired by others to live my life for God.
Like Sydney Grantchester, people need us and we need them because how else will we see the Lord?
Thank you +Porter for your words and reflection that remind us not only who we are but whose we are.
See ya Sunday!
Peace
Fr. Gary+
|
|
The Fall session of EfM is coming up quickly. EfM is a four year program from The University of the South, Sewanee. It is a wonderful way to study the Bible, history and theology. EfM has two new Mentors, Don Stine and Adam Nygren. If you are interested in joining in the fun, please contact one of these Mentors as soon as possible. The Group will register soon in order to get books on time. If you have any questions, please contact Don at 704-691-4089 or Adam at 980-285-0915. |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Reminder
: All loose offerings from the first Sunday of every month are deposited into the Rector's Discretionary Fund.
* Food Pantry
: Please help us restock the shelves by bringing in the following items: peanut butter, canned meat, soups, canned vegetables and fruit. Through your generosity, we have been able to help many families and individuals.
* Towel Ministry
: The Towel Ministry will be installing a ramp for Rob Forbes on Friday, August 11th. If you are available to help, please meet at the church at 2pm. If needed, the ramp will be completed on Saturday morning. Please contact Jim McCarthy if you have any questions.
* Fr. Gary out of town: Fr. Gary will be out of town next week (
6-11 August) in Ohio finishing up preparations to put his mother's house on the market. Please contact Deacons Cris or Martha in a pastoral emergency. Deacon Cris will lead the
Wednesday
healing service.
* Slide Presentation of Pilgrimage to Holy Land
: The Pacesetters will meet at
10:00
on Tuesday August 15th in the Family Life Center for a slide presentation of the pilgrimage to the Holy Land presented by those who went on the trip. Lunch will be an oriental buffet served after the presentation. Donations for the meal of $5 would be appreciated. Guests are more than welcome. Please sign-up on the sheet in the Family Life Center if you plan to attend or let Jerry Wertz know at
[email protected]
so we can plan how much food is needed.
* Blessing of the Backpacks
: Calling all students, Kindergarten-College and all teachers and professors! On Sunday August 20th, Fr. Gary will have a "Blessing of the Backpacks" for all those who are returning to school (in any capacity). Bring yourselves, backpacks, computers, briefcases, etc. for a blessing and start out your school year with the Blessing of God! We will also be collecting backpacks, pencils, crayons, glue sticks and any other school supplies to donate to Pleasant Ridge Elementary that we support through the Backpack Ministry.
* Statements
: Quarterly statements are available for pick up after both services this Sunday.
* Parish Breakfast:
Sunday morning breakfast will take place this Sunday, August 6th. On the menu is scrambled eggs and sausage. If anyone has a special item they would like to bring, please sign up and let us know. Breakfast starts early (
9:00) and continues until
10:00. Hopefully we can get more
10:30
people to attend with these expanded hours. It is a great time to relax and visit!
* 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.
* Bible Study: Meets every
Wednesday at 10am in the Family Life Center.
The Faith Club; A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew - Three Women Search for Understanding is our new book which we have just started. Please consider joining us at our next meeting which is open to anyone . If any of you know of a Faith Club in the area, please let Jerry Wertz know. 704-577-9699
* 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.
* A liturgical change for the summer
: We are currently rotating between three alternative Eucharistic prayers written by The Episcopal Church's Standing Commission on Liturgy & Music. The three prayers are in booklets placed in each pew. We hope these new prayers, with new images might help open the Eucharist in new and exciting ways for you. The plan is to return to the Prayer Book prayers in the fall. Other minor changes include: a different Gloria, the Contemporary Lord's Prayer (said not sung, also considered by some scholars to be the original prayer of our Lord), new Sanctus & Fraction anthems, and a new Great Amen.
* Family Promise: Our week to host guests from Family Promise will start this
Sunday, August 6th. Family Promise is a program that offers assistance to families who are in need of food, shelter and a little compassion. The families will be with us from this Sunday and will be with us until the
next Sunday. During this upcoming week we will be greeting the families when they arrive in the evening on each day, providing activities for the children, preparing and serving meals to the families here at the church, and staying overnight during their stay to provide any assistance they might need.
We are still in need of volunteers, especially with assisting with activities for the children when they arrive in the evening, and would appreciate any time that you might offer. If you would like to volunteer for one of the activities or are just interested in finding out more about the program please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or at
[email protected]
.
* Parade of Tables: Saturday, September 23rd from 6 - 8:30PM. This is an outreach event that raises money for our church. It is an elegant evening with friends and includes dinner, a band and an auction. Church members host a table that is decorated in various themes. The table hosts sell tickets for a seat at their table. There are usually 12 to 15 tables and each ticket is $25.00 dollars. This includes appetizers, dinner and desert as well as great music and an auction. We will also have a 50/50 raffle! The evening is very enjoyable and full of fun. Please feel free to contact Lee and Casey Allison if you have any questions. All proceeds go to support our All Saints Outreach Programs. Tickets: $25.00 per person.
* Needed: Monetary donations for lettuce and carrots for the Salvation Army salads on Mondays. Our lettuce in the garden has "gone over to the dark side...bolted". Will be a month or two before the new crop is in. Until then, we need donations for lettuce and carrots. Each week, we use up one large bag of sliced carrots and 6 heads of lettuce. Cost is about $8 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.
* Diocesan Picnic: Saturday - August 19th, 11am until 3pm at Valle Crucis Conference Center. The diocese will provide hot dogs (regular & veggie) and lemonade, and each parish can bring dishes to share and a dessert for the dessert table. We will have lots of opportunities to play outside, enjoy the beauty of Valle Crucis Conference Center, hike, etc. Please plan to carpool if possible!
* Choir Rehearsal: will resume
Sunday August 20th at 9:25 am
.
* Children's Christian Formation
: Our youth formation committee has been meeting and have decided to place Godly Play in a "Season of Reflection" for the upcoming year. In its place we will be using an Episcopal Church curriculum that is accessible to children and the adults leading it. Presently, we are in need of 10 or more volunteers and a coordinator. There is a sign up sheet in The Family Life Center. At the conclusion of the 2017-2018 year we will assess where we have been with Godly Play and the new curriculum and plan accordingly. If you feel called and/or are interested in this very important ministry please see Fr. Gary.
* 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.
* Salvation Army Garden: Planting of the garden is underway 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. 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
[email protected]
or call 808-281-7172. See you on Friday.
* 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!
* 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, August 7th - Team #2. (George Sowersby, Nancy Byers & Alex Haymaker)
* 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.
* 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 ( [email protected]) or speak to Fr. Gary.
|
| Upcoming Schedule August 4th: Zumba August 6th: Family Promise Arrives August 15th: Pacesetters (Holy Land Presentation) August 15th: Vestry August 19th: Diocesan Picnic August 20th: Choir Rehearsal Resumes August 20th: Blessing of the Backpacks August 23rd: Youth Christian Formation Meeting August 29th: Outreach Meeting September 23rd: Parade of Tables October 29th: Worship & Picnic at Rankin Lake |
|
This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Lesson: Exodus 34:29-35
Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and fall down before his footstool; *
he is the Holy One.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,
and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *
they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
8 O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *
you were a God who forgave them,
yet punished them for their evil deeds.
9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and worship him upon his holy hill; *
for the Lord our God is the Holy One.
The Epistle: 2 Peter 1:13-21
I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" -not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
|
|
Saint Day / Feast of the Week
The Transfiguration of Our Lord
The Transfiguration is not to be understood only as a spiritual
experience of Jesus while at prayer, which three chosen disciples, Peter,
James, and John, were permitted to witness. It is one of a series of
supernatural manifestations, by which God authenticated Jesus as his
Son. It is at one with the appearance of the angels at the birth and at
his resurrection, and with the descent of the Spirit at Jesus' baptism.
Matthew records the voice from heaven saying, "This is my Son, the
Beloved, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (Matthew 17:5).
Briefly the veil is drawn aside, and a chosen few are permitted to see
Jesus, not only as the earth-born son of Mary, but as the eternal Son
of God. Moses and Elijah witness to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law
and the Prophets. In Luke's account of the event, they speak of the
"exodus" which Jesus is to accomplish at Jerusalem. A cloud, a sign of
divine presence, envelops the disciples, and a heavenly voice proclaims
Jesus to be the Son of God.
Immediately thereafter Jesus announces to Peter, James, and John the
imminence of his death. As Paul was later to say of Jesus, "Though he
was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing to
be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and was
born in human likeness. And, being found in human form, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross"
(Philippians 2:6-8).
The Feast of the Transfiguration is held in the highest esteem by the
Eastern Churches. The figure of the transfigured Christ is regarded
as a foreshadowing of the Risen and Ascended Lord. The festival,
however, was only accepted into the Roman calendar on the eve of the
Reformation, and for that reason was not included in the reformed
calendar of the English Church. Since its inclusion in the American
revision of 1892, it has been taken into most modern Anglican
|
August 3rd - Scott Witry
August 7th - Pete Laine
August 9th - Joey Brymer
August 9th - Faolin Tilly
August 10th - Jacque Sumner
August 13th - Erin Balco
August 14th - Mary Anne Whitesides
August 31st - Bob Forbes
September 1st - Bill Collins
September 2nd - T.J. Solomon
September 3rd - Jessica Woodward
September 5th - Justin Butterworth
September 5th - Jack Gaskey
September 5th - Lydia Kish
September 5th - Carol Maiden
September 6th - Lynne Stine
September 8th - George Sowersby
September 9th - Adam Nygren
September 11th - Susan Maxon
September 14th - Aiden Klocker
September 15th - Ryan Klocker
September 17th - Casey Allison
September 18th - Erica Baird
September 19th - Kathleen Sowersby
September 22nd - Joan Cieslik
September 26th - Rob Forbes
September 28th - David Outsen
September 28th - Laura Tilly
September 29th - Tyler Baird
Please let the office know if we have missed your birthday!
|
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
|
2017
|
August 6
|
August 13
|
|
CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
|
Susan Maxon
|
Susan Maxon
|
|
CHALICE
10:30 AM
|
George Sowersby
Kyle Tilly
|
Lee Wells
Bob Forbes
|
|
LECTOR
|
Allison Wells
|
Judy Mullins
|
|
ACOLYTES
|
Sydney Wertz
Emory Borner
Randy Mullins
|
Cheryl Richard
Lydia Kish
Lindsey Wells
|
|
GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
|
Linda Boyd
|
Laurie Stewart
|
|
GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
|
Allison & Lee
Wells
|
John & Jessica Woodward
|
|
ALTAR GUILD
|
Cathy Webster
|
Marc Dudley
|
|
BREAD
|
|
September
Gay Lindsey
|
|
ALTAR FLOWERS
|
Carol Wertz
|
Martha Richard
|
|
COFFEE HOUR
|
Parish Breakfast
|
Judy Mullins
|
|
MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
|
C.B. Barr
Morningside Resident
|
George Sowersby
Morningside Resident
|
|
SOUND TECH
|
William Graham
|
Marc Dudley
|
|
LAY EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
|
Adam Nygren
David McDowell
|
William & Priscilla Graham
|
|
VPOD 8:00
10:30
|
Jerry Wertz
Lee Wells
|
Linda Klocker
Marc Dudley
|
|
|
Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
