All Saints Messenger 6-7-18

On a good night, the community kitchen serves more than a hundred meals to those who would otherwise go hungry. Many men and women in our area lead lives of social and economic scarcity, so part of our mission is to ensure that there is always enough for everyone to eat and be satisfied.

The gospels teem with similar stories about people leading lives of scarcity-no food, no shelter, and poor health. But when they meet Jesus, their scarcity is transformed into abundance! Their sicknesses are made well, their hunger is satiated, and their rejections are redeemed.

In a world filled with fears of scarcity and squabbles over who deserves more goods or services, we are invited to Jesus' table, where grace and love and mercy overflow. May we never cease to look for ways to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and embrace the rejected. Then, our empty baskets will be filled and our half-filled cups will overflow.

MOVING FORWARD: Volunteer with a community soup kitchen or food pantry this week. Consider making this a regular part of your discipleship.

PRAY for the Diocese of Curitiba (Brazil)

EMERGENCY WORK DAY

I need an emergency work day! Saturday, June 9 at 8 AM to 10:30 AM.

All work will be outside work - weeds and overgrowth due to the recent rains. Requesting all able-bodied church members to come help. Wear long sleeves and trousers with sturdy footwear. Bring trimming tools you are able to use. The garden is in need of weeding also.

Please help!

William

Junior Warden

June is CAM (Crisis Assistance Ministry) month for All Saints.

CAM is a cooperative ministry of the greater Gastonia faith community and provides emergency food and financial assistance to those facing financial crisis or struggling with the burden of poverty. CAM needs financial assistance, food contributions, and volunteers. More information can be found on the table in the Family Life Center and you will find a grocery list in this week's bulletin. Please get your donations in early and place them in the CAM container in the Family Life Center. If you have any questions contact Linda Klocker.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

* Building Use Policy: Our buildings are being used more and more and we are experiencing more scheduling conflicts with our church spaces. Effective immediately, all rooms/buildings will be reserved and scheduled ONLY by the Parish Administrator through a submission form available at the office. For planning purposes every parishioner is able to access the Church Calendar, which reflects reserved rooms and activities, on our website ( www.allsaintsgastonia.org) by using the News & Events tab. Additionally, if you are in need of advance set-up for the room or event you are scheduling (night before, earlier than the event, etc.) please take that into consideration when reserving. We appreciate your understanding realizing that this will improve our ability to serve our parishioners and ministries.

* Father's Day Flowers : If you wish to make a donation in Memory or in Honor of all fathers, please fill out the form in this week's bulletin.

* Parish Nurse Ministry: blood pressures will be taken this Sunday after the 8 and 10:30 services . Nurses interested in the parish nurse ministry please contact Cheryl Saylor, MSN.

* Pastoral Caregivers: Committee meetings will now be once a month on the second Tuesday of the month (June 12th) in Conference Room. The Pastoral Care Committee is reorganizing. We are looking for parish volunteers to walk, communicate and visit with our parishioners who are homebound, struggling, lonely or sick. This ministry is key to ensuring those who are in need receive care and knowing that their church family loves them. Our desire is to have enough people on our team that no one has more than two people. No special skills are required; just a desire to love their neighbor. If you are interested please contact Deacon Martha, Deacon Cris or Father Gary.

* Summer Choir schedule : The choir will sing through Sunday July 1st , take a 6 week break and resume on Sunday August 19th at 9:25am.

* Cooking for the Army: On Saturday, June 30th at 9am, parishioners will gather 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.

* Bible Study: The Bible Study group meeting on Wednesday at 10:00 will be reading and studying "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis starting in two weeks. We have a study guide that will help us. Please consider joining us for this informative study. If you need a copy of the book, contact Jerry Wertz ( [email protected] or 704-577-9699). Used copies are $6.00.

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

* Book Exchange: The book exchange is set-up in the Family Life Center in a bookcase along the wall to your left when entering the big room. Read and return and perhaps contribute some you have as well. Thanks to Jim Braddy for donating the book case.

* Amazon Smile: All Saints is NOW a registered nonprofit on Amazon Smile! We need your help and assistance. Amazon will give .5% to All Saints on every purchase made through Amazon Smile. This can be a significant amount when considering all the people you know who use Amazon. Simply click the link below and start shopping:

Our unique charity link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-1372678

* Family Promise: The remaining 2018 dates that we will be host to the Family Promise guests are 8/12 and 11/4. 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), washcloths (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].

* Adult Christian Formation: A study on The Lives of Great Christians. Our guide is Professor William Cook. Some of those we will journey with are St. Antony, the First Monk; Francis of Assisi; Augustine; and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 in The Life Center.

* Bishop's Visitation: Our bishop, The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin, will make his parochial visit on Sunday, September 16, 2018 (Please note the date change. The Bishop had to change his visitation date due to a calendar conflict). A bishop's visit is time for celebration as well as Baptism, Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation. For new members this is a time for being received or confirmed into your new faith community. Fr. Gary will offer a course, Episcopal 101, to assist anyone interested in better understanding our tradition.

* Save the date: Parade of Tables on Saturday, September 22nd.

* 2018 Sign Up Sheets: For Coffee Hour, Altar Guild and Altar Flowers are on the bulletin board in the FLC. 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).

* Cookbooks: $5.00 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.

* Zumba: Now being offered 3 days a week in the Family Life Center!

- Tuesday & Thursday 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! ($5/class or $20/month)

- Friday at 9:15AM: 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! ($5/class)

* 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.

* 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.

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

* Food Pantry: Please help us restock the shelves! 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, and Fr. Gary preaches the other Sundays. We hope you find the different voices fulfilling in your spiritual journey.

* Salvation Army Service Schedule: Monday, June 11th - Team #4. (Carol Maiden)

* 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.

* 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

June 11th: Youth Christian Formation Review

June 12th: Pastoral Care

June 19th: Vestry

June 30th: Cooking for the Army

September 16th: Bishop Jose Visit

September 22nd: Parade of Tables

This Sunday's Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; 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: Genesis 3:8-15

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" He said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate." Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent tricked me, and I ate." The Lord God said to the serpent,

"Because you have done this,
cursed are you among all animals
and among all wild creatures;

upon your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.

I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;

he will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel."

Psalm 130

1 Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice; *
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.

2 If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss, *
O Lord, who could stand?

3 For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.

4 I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; *
in his word is my hope.

5 My soul waits for the Lord,
more than watchmen for the morning, *
more than watchmen for the morning.

6 O Israel, wait for the Lord, *
for with the Lord there is mercy;

7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

The Epistle: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

Just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture-"I believed, and so I spoke" -we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

The Gospel: Mark 3:20-35

The crowd came together again, so that Jesus and his disciples could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, "He has gone out of his mind." And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons." And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

"Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"- for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."

Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you." And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."

Saint Day / Feast of the Week

Gilbert Keith Chesterton
Apologist and Writer, 1936

Born in 1874, Gilbert Keith Chesterton was one the intellectual
giants of his day, and was known for his writing that spanned
fields as diverse as literary criticism, fiction and fantasy, satire, and
Christian apologetics. Chesterton often blended elements of such
genres together, as indicated in his famous novel The Man Who Was
Thursday, which combines a mystery plot with Christian imagery and
symbolism. His work in the field of literary criticism was immensely
influential in his day, and his book length study of Charles Dickens
can be credited with bringing that author's work back to the forefront
of scholarly study.

As a young man, Chesterton had been fascinated with spiritualism and
the occult, but his faith grew stronger over the years, as he devoted
himself to the defense of what he called "orthodoxy," which was for
him, among other things, an acknowledgement of the mystery and
paradox of Christian faith in an age of increasing skepticism. His
spiritual journey toward the ancient faith of the Church culminated in
his conversion to the Roman Catholic Church in 1922.

In works such as Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man, Chesterton
defended Christian faith with a unique blend of wit and religious
fervor, while simultaneously satirizing the prevailing viewpoints of the
day that often sought to dismiss faith as irrational and unnecessary.
The latter work was particularly important to C.S. Lewis, who called
it "the best apologetic work I know." Today, Chesterton is still known
and loved for his sharp wit, his intellectual tenacity, and his refusal to
resolve the ambiguities of Christian faith in favor of facile and passing
conceptions of truth. His work has influenced intellectual figures as
diverse as Ernest Hemingway and Dorothy L. Sayers, and he is a figure
beloved of Protestants and Catholics alike.

June 9th - John Still

June 15th - Brenda Bostian

June 17th - Claudette Forbes

June 17th - Cheryl Saylor

June 19th - Sophie Martin

June 21st - Carol Wertz

June 22nd - Theo Sloop

June 24th - Cathy Harvey

June 25th - Vic Cooper

June 27th - Lee Wells

June 27th - Emory Borner

July 1st - Mark Sims

July 2nd - David McDowell

July 4th - Lana Ray

July 4th - Don Stine

July 5th - William Graham

July 6th - Kelly Morris

July 6th - Lee Allison

July 9th - Cheryl Richard

July 11th - Ofejiro Sido

July 13th - Allison Roberts-Miller

July 15th - Lindsey Wells

July 15th - Amber Forbes

July 16th - Debbie Birk

July 16th - Josie Polhemus

July 19th - Judy Mullins

July 23rd - Martha Richard

July 25th - Connor Kish

July 25th - Eileen Klimkowski

July 26th - Bob Tatlock

July 26th - Flo McCarthy

July 30th - Wayne Butler

July 30th - Alice Braddy

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

MINISTRY SCHEDULE

2018	June 10	June 17
CHALICE/LECTOR 8:00 AM	Dennis Bolin	Tony Fugate
CHALICE 10:30 AM	George Sowersby Kyle Tilly	Jim & Flo McCarthy
LECTOR	Marc Dudley	David McDowell
ACOLYTES	Sydney Wertz Lindsey Wells Faolin Tilly	Lee Wells Zoe Tilly Emory Borner
GREETER/USHER 8:00 AM	Kelly Morris	Bruce Kiser
GREETERS/USHERS 10:30 AM	William & Priscilla Graham	Gay Lindsey Pete Laine
ALTAR GUILD	Glenda Carpenter Marc Dudley	Cathy Webster
BREAD	June Chris Butterworth	July Cheryl Saylor
ALTAR FLOWERS	operating budget	Father's Day
COFFEE HOUR	Erin Balco	Coffee Hour (No Parish Lunch)
MORNINGSIDE 10:30 AM	Jim McCarthy Eileen Klimkowski	William Graham Judy Mullins
SOUND TECH	William Graham	Terry Eckard
EUCHARISTIC VISITORS	David McDowell Adam Nygren	George Sowersby Susan Stroud
VPOD 8:00 10:30	Jerry Wertz William Graham	Marsha Ellison

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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