All Saints Messenger 10-19-17

Jeremiah 38:4 Then the officials said to the king, "[Jeremiah] ought to be put to death, because he is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm."

Nobody likes that guy who goes around saying, "We're gonna lose. You might as well give up now." At the siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah was that guy. So, the prophet who once spoke on behalf of the Lord is thrown into an empty cistern-to sink into the mud and into the silent oblivion of death.

In my own life, it has often been the stranger who ensures that I cannot compartmentalize God's challenging word away so that it remains unheard. The self-giving love of the student who rearranges her life to raise funds for her disabled father's rehabilitation care shows me that I need to change the way I love and honor my own family. The stranger sets God's insistent and unyielding word of judgment before us, so that we might turn away from idolatry and toward love.

MOVING FORWARD: Offer comfort to a person in your community who may have recently either received bad news or been the bearer of bad news.

PRAY for the Diocese of Taiwan

ANNOUNCEMENTS

* Quarterly Statements: Are available for pick up after both services on Sunday.

* Fall Worship & Potluck: On Sunday, October 29th we will gather at 10:30AM at the Waterfront Pavilions at Rankin Lake for our Fall worship and potluck. No chicken will be provided so we ask people to bring main dishes, side dishes, salads, desserts and drinks. There will be an an 8AM service at the church. Please join in the fun as we worship our Lord in the beauty of creation.

* All Saints Walk: The first All Saints Walk will be held at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, November 1. We invite all to come and join in the fun! We are in need of 5 adults or older teens who would like to pick a saint and dress up and tell the children and adults a story about the saint. Also, you get to pass out goodies. Nothing elaborate... a choir robe with fabric draped over it, so please don't let that stop you.

After you decide which saint you want to portray and talk about, just google their name on the internet. We are looking for a short 5 minute story from you, as your saint about their life. The rooms will be darkened except for a candle. People will be split into groups and rotate. This is a lot of fun for the adults as well - both the ones portraying saints and the ones listening.

We are in need of donations of candy and small trinkets or raisins, etc.. Each saint will have a bucket filled and offer the children a few after their talk. At the end we will meet back in the parish hall for popcorn and a prayer. We know that it is a school/work night and hope to be done within an hour. We can't do this without the help of the parish. We want to support our youth and this is a great way for them to learn and have some fun.

There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the Life Center. While on vacation I can be reached via email for questions, comments etc. Thank you for your help in advance!!

* Garden re-cycling of leaves and grass clippings: If you bag your leaves or grass clippings, we would like to have them for organic mulch for the garden. If you can haul them to the garden area, please do. If you have bagged leaves or grass and cannot haul them, call Charlie Jenkins at 704-739-5332 or email: [email protected]

* Octoberfest: Saturday, October 28th at 1pm. St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Free Food!! Brats hot off the grill, German potato salad, purple cabbage, sauerkraut, German chocolate cake and apple crisp. Come and join in the fun!

* Fr. Gary on Vacation - Fr. Gary and Chris will be on vacation October 8th through October 22^nd. If a pastoral need or concern arises please contact Deacons Cris or Martha.

* Parish Lunch : The 3rd Sunday luncheon now has a committee to prepare and cook. We can always use more help. The proceeds from the luncheon goes to Outreach. If this is something you would like to help with, please contact Jerry Wertz at [email protected].

* Church Treasurer: Our church treasurer, Jessica Woodward, has announced her resignation effective the end of 2017. We are sorry to lose her and want to thank her for her many years of service to All Saints. As such, we are now looking for a new treasurer. If you are aware of anyone who has financial experience and who needs a part-time job, please mention us to them or them to us. The Treasurer's duties include: reconciling bank accounts, preparing vestry financial reports, works with Finance Committee to develop budgets, payroll, retirement administration, prepare financial portion of parochial report, workers comp audit, etc. Please contact Fr. Gary or Debra if you know of anyone or have questions.

* Pacesetters: The Pacesetters will be touring JAARS in Waxhaw on Tuesday October 31st. Our tour starts at 9:30 so we will leave here at 8. JAARS translates the Bible into many languages and then transports the Bibles to regions not easily reached. We will visit the different departments to see the role aircraft, boats, computers and media play in Bible translation. We will eat lunch on-site and then tour the Alphabet Museum and Mexico Museum just across the road from the JAARS center. The Alphabet museum at JAARS is the only one in the US that presents the trace history of writing systems, from the ancient world to today. We plan to take the bus and were told the guide will get on the bus and take us through the area to minimize walking. If you would like to attend this outing, please let Jerry Wertz know at [email protected]. This trip is open to anyone who would like to go.

* Zumba: Now being offered 2 days a week in the Family Life Center! $5/class

- Tuesday at 7:15PM: Please join Dana Wolfe for a fun workout made for everyone.

The class that started the dance-fitness revolution and changed the way we look at a "workout" forever. It's fun, effective and best of all? Made for everyone!

- Friday at 9AM: Taught by certified instructor Barbara Mooradian who has been teaching for 6 years. Especially suited to older adults or those with mobility issues or restrictions, Zumba Gold has all of the liveliness and fun of Zumba while being low impact and easier on the body. It can even be done while sitting!

* Adult Christian Formation: The 9:30 formation class will be learning about Islam. Our guide on this journey is professor John Esposito of Georgetown University. Please join us in The Life Center for this tour into one of the Great World Religions.

* Family Promise: Family Promise is a community program that provides housing and support to families that are less fortunate. All Saints is one of the original churches that helped establish this ministry more than ten years ago. We host families in this ministry four times a year at our parish facilities with assistance from the Redeemer Lutheran Church here in Gastonia. There are many ways to support this ministry. During hosting weeks we need parishioners to greet and engage guests, to provide homework and enrichment activities for the children, to prepare and serve dinner, and to spend the night. The other way that parishioners can assist these families is to donate items that our guests need. Suggested items to donate are clothes, detergent, toothbrushes and toothpaste, small first aid kits, hair products, soap and/or body wash, suitcases (both used or new), 10, 20, and 30 gallon storage tubs w/ lids, towels and washcloths (both used or new), bed linens (both used or new), family friendly movies or videos, board games, & craft supplies. For more information, or to volunteer please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or

[email protected].

* First Sunday of the month Coffee Hour: We need someone to set up and clean up only

for Coffee Hour on Parish Breakfast Sunday. You do not have to provide any food, just set out the food left from breakfast. Please sign up for this on the Coffee Hour sign-up sheet.

* Cooking for the Army: Our next day to cook will be Saturday, November 4th. Parishioners gather at 9AM to cook approximately 700 meals for The Salvation Army & Cornerstone Ministry. We are always in need of more hands to assist in this life-giving project since "more hands make light work." If you are interested in this ministry, please contact the church office and we will put your name on the monthly e-mail reminder.

* Outreach Meeting: Tuesday, October 24th at 6:30PM.

* Youth Christian Formation : Christian Formation for our young people begins at 9:30 sharp. Our new program is an Episcopal curriculum. We have 11 dedicated teachers and three dedicated musicians who will be guiding our young people. Please bring your children and let them experience God and Jesus with others.

* Towel Ministry Coordinator : All Saints Towel Ministry funds and builds handicap ramps and does other small building projects for those in Gaston County who have a need. If you are a good organizer and understand basic building techniques All Saints could use your services as our new Towel Ministry Coordinator. You are not expected to do all the work, just take requests, assemble the teams and help out the citizens in our community who need help. If interested please speak to Fr. Gary.

* Ministry Schedule: The September through December Ministry Schedule is on the table in the Family Life Center.

* Choir Rehearsal: Sunday mornings at 9:25 am.

* Handbell Rehearsal: Rehearse on 11/1, 11/8, 11/15 - Ring on 11/19.

* Food Pantry: Please help us restock the shelves by bringing in the following items: canned meats only (chicken, ham, vienna sausages, spam, salmon, etc.). Through your generosity, we have been able to help many families and individuals.

* Preaching ROTA (rotation) at All Saints: We are blessed at All Saints to hear three different voices in preaching. Each one of our clergy; Gary, Cris and Martha, have experienced the world and see the world differently and through different lenses. Because our community is made up of different people from different experiences we need to hear different voices. At All Saints, Deacon Cris preaches on the 3rd Sunday of each month, Deacon Martha preaches on the 1st Sunday of alternate months (next time is in September) and Fr. Gary preaches the other Sundays. We hope you find the different voices fulfilling in your spiritual journey.

* Bible Study: The Faith Club is a wonderful book that has generated excellent discussion. It is not too late to join this group which meets on Wednesday morning at 10:00 in the Family Life Center library. If interested in joining, get the book and come.

* Needed: Monetary donations for lettuce and carrots for the Salvation Army salads on Mondays. Each week, we use up one large bag of sliced carrots and 6 heads of lettuce. Cost is about $20 a week. Donations are needed to offset this cost. Anyone willing to donate cash or a gift card to the project, please see Linda Klocker, 704-827-3901. Checks should be made out to All Saints, garden fund. Thanks for your generosity. The clients at the Salvation Army really enjoy a fresh salad.

* Holy Land Trip: https://garyholyland2017.wordpress.com/blog/

* Parish Nurse Ministry will be taking blood pressures after the 8:00 and 10:30 services on the second Sunday of the month. Nurses interested in the parish nurse ministry please contact Cheryl Saylor, MSN.

* Cookbooks: $10 If you don't need a cookbook, but would like to help our Outreach committee reach their budget goal, consider buying a cookbook to donate to our newcomers committee. Any donated cookbooks will be included in the welcome bag we hand out to newcomers.

* Sign Up Sheets for coffee hour, altar guild and altar flowers are on the bulletin board in the Family Life Center. Coffee Hour hosting can be as simple as drinks and cookies. Coffee hour is provided to have fellowship with our parish family. Please sign up or call the church office to add your name to the list (704-864-7201).

* Salvation Army Service Schedule: Monday, October 23rd - Team #1. (Candy Albergine & Susan Marshall)

* Church Financials: The Vestry wants to make sure that all parishioners are aware that the monthly financial reports are posted on the bulletin boards in The Family Life Center. If you have any concerns or questions please contact Phill Wertz or Fr. Gary. Thank You!

* Why Do You Love All Saints? Who here loves All Saints? Do you want to tell the world why you love being a part of the All Saints family? Please help us spread the word about our congregation by telling your All Saints Story. All Saints Stories will be published on our website: AllSaintsGastonia.org as well as our facebook and twitter pages. To submit your story, go to AllSaintsGastonia.org and click "All Saints Stories" under the Parish Life tab. If you can, please submit a photo with your story.

* Prayer List: Our prayer list grows rapidly. We ask all parishioners to keep the office informed so that our prayer list remains current and manageable.

* Partnership: All Saints has entered into a relationship with the YMCA's Resource Connection Gateway. This relationship enables us to help those in need more rapidly and efficiently while also addressing long-term needs versus only addressing immediate concerns. If you would like more information please see Fr. Gary.

* Salvation Army Serving: If anyone is interested in serving at the Salvation Army on Mon. nights from 5:00 to 6:00, please contact Candy Albergine at 704-868-8691 or email [email protected]. We have a couple of spots open and you will find this ministry is a true blessing to all involved. The schedule is on bulletin board in Family Life Center.

* All Saints Sermons online: Thanks to John Woodward, our sermons are available in audio and video on our website at: www.allsaintsgastonia.org/sermons

* Free Mulch: There are several piles of mulch in the upper parking lot that you are welcome to take. We need to free up some parking spaces in that upper lot. Please do not take the mulch by the shed as that is intended for the garden.

* Church Directory: Available on the table in the Family Life Center.

* Building Use Policy: Our buildings are being used more and more and scheduling conflicts are occurring. Effective immediately, all rooms/buildings will be scheduled by the Parish Administrator by the submission of a form which is available at the office and will soon be available on the web site. We appreciate your understanding realizing that this will improve our ability to serve our parishioners and ministries.

* Planned Giving: Programs for Outreach Ministries are an important part of our parish. You can ensure the continuation of these programs by setting up an endowment or including a bequest in your will. The Episcopal Foundation of Western Carolina has set up "The Living Stones Society" to provide Education and training to all clergy and parishioners about setting up a program. For more information see Fr. Gary or call the foundation at 828-225-6656.

* Ministry Opportunities: There are a variety of Ministries available at All Saints including feeding at The Salvation Army, tending the Garden, Family Promise where we take care of those without a home for a week at a time, Altar Guild, Readers, Lectors, Acolytes, Chalicers, and many more. Everyone at All Saints is encouraged to serve in some way. Please let us know what you are interested in and we will put you in touch with the ministry coordinator. You can call the office (704-864-7201), email ([email protected]) or speak to Fr. Gary.

Upcoming Schedule

October 20th: Zumba

October 24th: Outreach

October 24th: Zumba

October 27th: Last Friday Get Together

October 28th: Vestry Work Day

October 29th: Worship & Picnic at Rankin Lake

October 31st: Pacesetters

November 1st: All Saints Walk

November 4th: Cooking for the Army

November 5th: Parish Breakfast

This Sunday's Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen .

The First Lesson: Exodus 33:12-23

Moses said to the Lord, "See, you have said to me, 'Bring up this people'; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." And he said to him, "If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth."

The Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." Moses said, "Show me your glory, I pray." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, 'The Lord'; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live." And the Lord continued, "See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen."

Psalm 99

1 The Lord is King;
let the people tremble; *
he is enthroned upon the cherubim;
let the earth shake.

2 The Lord is great in Zion; *
he is high above all peoples.

3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *
he is the Holy One.

4 "O mighty King, lover of justice,
you have established equity; *
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob."

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:

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

The Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22

The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

Saint Day / Feast of the Week

Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles

The only thing the Gospels tell us about Simon is that he was one
of the disciples, and that he was called "the Zealot" (Zelotes). John
mentions Jude in his description of the Last Supper. The Epistle of
Jude may be the work of the disciple Jude, who is the man mentioned
by John as the brother of James the Greater.

Tradition has consistently associated Simon and Jude as apostles
to Persia. Some accounts state that they were martyrs, a tradition
generally accepted by the Western Church. The Monology of Basil,
however, says that Simon died a peaceful death at Edessa. Jude, who
was surnamed Thaddeus, has been confused with another Thaddeus,
who was also said to have died a quiet death, either in Beirut or
Edessa. Whatever the facts, accounts conflict and reliable data are
lacking.

There are other scholarly questions about both men. One involves
Simon's appellation "Zelotes." Whether in fact he had been a member
before his conversion of one of the several factions called "Zealots,"
or whether this title refers to his zeal for the Jewish law, is not known,
but he has consistently been identified by it. For some centuries, and
even to this day, Jude has been regarded in popular devotion as the
"patron of desperate or lost causes," but the basis of this tradition is
obscure.

The Epistle of Jude concludes with this striking doxology: "Now to
him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you without
blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only
God our Savior, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, through
Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time and now and for ever" (Jude
24-25).

October 12th - Barbara Cooper

October 12th - Lucas Balco

October 14th - Marlene Nivens

October 14th - Jason Witry

October 17th - Phil Hicks

October 17th - Monica Vogt

October 17th - Sharon Tatlock

October 21st - Deloris Stewart

October 23rd - Chris Butterworth

October 23rd - Inga Kish

October 24th - Rob Webster

October 25th - Autumn Jager

October 27th - Robert Weeks

October 31st - Mark Ballenger

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

MINISTRY SCHEDULE

2017	October 22	October 29
CHALICE/LECTOR 8:00 AM	Don Stine	Jim McCarthy
CHALICE 10:30 AM	George Sowersby Bob Forbes	George Sowersby Kyle Tilly
LECTOR	Susan Stroud	Adam Nygren
ACOLYTES	Phill Wertz Noelle Martin Sophie Martin	Cheryl Richard Autumn Jager Randy Mullins
GREETER/USHER 8:00 AM	Laurie Stewart	Tony Fugate Bruce Kiser
GREETERS/USHERS 10:30 AM	Sharon & Bob Tatlock	William & Priscilla Graham
ALTAR GUILD	Cathy Webster	Marc Dudley
BREAD	October Gay Lindsey	November Cheryl Saylor
ALTAR FLOWERS
COFFEE HOUR	Erin Balco	Parish Picnic
MORNINGSIDE 10:30 AM	Allison & Lee Wells	George Sowersby
SOUND TECH	Marc Dudley	William Graham
LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS	George Sowersby Susan Stroud	Jim & Flo McCarthy
YOUTH FORMATION	Emma Butterworth Christine Borner	No Christian Formation
VPOD 8:00 10:30	Linda Klocker John Woodward	William Graham

Blessings & Peace,

Fr. Gary+

phone: 704-864-7201

e-mail: [email protected]

web site:
www.allsaintsgastonia.org

Fr. Gary's blog:
http://thevenite.blogspot.com

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