All Saints Messenger 5-10-18

This Sunday's entire reading from the Gospel of John is part of a prayer made by a son to his father. Jesus is going down the checklist, as if his father had asked whether he had completed the chores that were assigned. I've made your name known, Abba. The words you gave me, I gave to them. I protected them. Jesus, like any human son, is assuring his beloved father that his duties have been accomplished. But it's verse 13, speaking of his joy, that highlights his humanity and endears him to me even more.

Happiness, delight, pleasure--his innermost feeling is revealed, giving us a sense of what he has endured. Unspoken are the years away from his father, the yearning to be back where he belongs, the self-discipline required to be faithful in all things, the intensity of his love. Reunion pictures whiz through my mind; like children running on the tarmac to a returning military dad, or an immigrant son crying with joy as he is united with his absent father once again.

Lord of all joy, with a grateful heart I praise and thank you for loving me so much in spite of the cost demanded of you. Grant me courage for the living of my days as you lived yours. Amen.

See ya Sunday!

Peace,

Fr. Gary+

SUMMER BLAST PICNIC

Saturday, June 2^nd

5 - 8PM

Hot dogs, hamburgers & all the toppings

Children's games

Music for dancing

50/50 raffle

Donations only

We need volunteers for cooking, children's games & clean up.

Please contact Lee & Casey Allison if you can help.

All proceeds go to Outreach.

Bring your friends & family!

RSVP on sign-up sheet in the Family Life Center or

email Claudette Forbes at claudetteforbes1 @gmail.com .

ANNOUNCEMENTS

* Yard Sale Results: A big thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make our yard sale a huge success. Monies are still coming in but we project we will reach income of $4,000 minus expenses of $465 netting us around $3,535.

* Parish Nurse Ministry: blood pressures will not be taken on Sunday May 13th, but will resume the following week. Nurses interested in the parish nurse ministry please contact Cheryl Saylor, MSN.

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

* Cooking for the Army: Once a month, parishioners 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.

* Youth Event: Putt Putt will be held Sunday May 20, 2:00 pm at the Adventure Fun center located on Franklin Blvd near the cross road of Cox Rd. Father Gary will be there to play. Emma and I will be out of town; we apologize for missing. The cost for two hours of mini golf and tokens is $8.00 per person, if we have more than 10 people attend. Gary will pay for the youth; parents get to pay for themselves. Adults and other kids are most welcome!!!!! Please respond to this email by May 16 to let Gary know how many are coming; he needs to call and give them the count. Come out All Saints and have some fun!

* Assistance needed: Linda Klocker (CAM representative from All Saints) will be unavailable for about 2 weeks in June (5-18). This is All Saints month for CAM donations of food. She is looking for a "back-up" to take food delivered to church to CAM when she is unable. Give her a call if you can help out with this. Thanks.

704-827-3901.

* 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.

* 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.

* Pastoral Caregivers: Committee meetings will now be once a month on the second Tuesday of the month 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.

* Wednesday Book Club at 10:00: We are reading Original Blessings: Putting Sin in Its Rightful Place by Danielle Shroyer. Since we have just started, this would be a great time to join the group. You can get the book through Amazon. Please come and join us.

* 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. The procedures are simple, simply log into amazon by going to www.smile.amazon.com, if this is the first time you have used Amazon Smile you will be taken to a page to select your charitable organization. At this point type in "All Saints Episcopal Church Gastonia," (be sure to put in Gastonia because there are 5 pages of All Saints) select it and then every time you order go through smile.amazon.com and All Saints will receive .5%. If you have identified another charitable organization and desire to change it to All Saints please click the down arrow beside the 'supporting' link in the black header and change to "All Saints Episcopal Church Gastonia." That's all there is to it. We thank you for your support!

* 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].

* Donation: Linda Klocker has donated a set of DVD's/books from "The Great Courses". The Holy Land Revealed and Great Figures of the New Testament. Will put them in the conference room if anyone wants to borrow them.

* 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.

* Building Use Policy: Our buildings are being used more and more and scheduling conflicts have occurred. Effective immediately, all rooms/buildings will be reserved and scheduled by the Parish Administrator through the submission of a form which are available at the office. 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.

* 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, May 14th - Team #6. (Jerry Wertz & Deloris Stewart)

* 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

May 20th: Youth Event

May 25th: Last Friday Get Together

June 2nd: Summer Blast Picnic

September 16th: Bishop Jose Visit

September 22nd: Parade of Tables

This Sunday's Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The First Lesson: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

I n those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus-- for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us-- one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

Psalm 1

1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, *
nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the seats of the scornful!

2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, *
and they meditate on his law day and night.

3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; *
everything they do shall prosper.

4 It is not so with the wicked; *
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, *
nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, *
but the way of the wicked is doomed.

The Epistle: 1 John 5:9-13

If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

The Gospel: John 17:6-19

J esus prayed for his disciples, "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth."

Saint Day / Feast of the Week

William Hobart Hare
Bishop of Niobrara, and of South Dakota, 1909

William Hobart Hare was a missionary bishop to the Niobrara
Territory and later the first bishop of South Dakota.

Hare was born in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1838. Although he studied
at the University of Pennsylvania, he never received a degree and
prepared for ordination without attending seminary. He was ordained
to the diaconate in 1859 and to the priesthood in 1862. He served St.
Luke's and St. Paul's, Chestnut Hill, both in Philadelphia.

He moved to Minnesota in 1863 with the hope that a different climate
would improve his wife's failing health. It was there that he first came
into contact Native Americans, an encounter that would change his
life and shape his vocation. Hare returned to Philadelphia in 1867 to
become the Rector of the Church of the Ascension, but his personal
interest in the church's ministry among Native Americans never
waned.

In 1871, the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church created the
Missionary District of Niobrara encompassing much of the Dakotas.
A year later, the House of Bishops elected Hare to become the Bishop
of Niobrara and he was ordained to the episcopate on January 9,
1873.

Bishop Hare, often referred to as "The Apostle to the Sioux," devoted
himself to work among the Native Americans in the vast expanse
of the Niobrara Territory. Well ahead of his time in his approach to
mission work, Hare believed it was important to honor as much of
the tradition and culture of the people as possible. His desire was not
to destroy the fabric of Sioux culture, but to bring the gospel into the
midst of it so that the people could also come to know Jesus. Instead
of suppressing the customs of the people, he saw them as vessels that
could communicate God's grace.

In 1883, the House of Bishops divided the Missionary District of
Niobrara into the districts of North and South Dakota. Bishop Hare
from that point took responsibility for what would become the
Diocese of South Dakota.

May 10th - Emma Butterworth

May 11th - Tim Whittaker

May 12th - Mike Mong

May 16th - Al Ellison

May 16th - Randy Mullins

May 18th - LouAnne Hicks

May 21st - Joshua Jager

May 26th - Courtney Brunder

May 26th - Charlie Jenkins

May 29th - Abby Woodward

May 30th - Paul Balco

June 3rd Karen Solis

June 5th - Susan Stroud

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

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

MINISTRY SCHEDULE

2018	May 13	May 20
CHALICE/LECTOR 8:00 AM	Susan Maxon	Lee Wells
CHALICE 10:30 AM	Lee Wells Bob Forbes	Terry Eckard Jack Gaskey
LECTOR	Susan Stroud	Adam Nygren
ACOLYTES	Sydney Wertz Zoe Tilly Lindsey Wells	Cheryl Richard Phill Wertz Sydney Wertz
GREETER/USHER 8:00 AM	Jerry Wertz	Tony Fugate Bruce Kiser
GREETERS/USHERS 10:30 AM	Sharon & Bob Tatlock	Bob & Claudette Forbes
ALTAR GUILD	Cathy Webster	Allison Wells
BREAD	May Gay Lindsey	June Chris Butterworth
ALTAR FLOWERS	Mother's Day	Helene Goulet
COFFEE HOUR	Helene Goulet	Parish Lunch
MORNINGSIDE 10:30 AM	Jim McCarthy Eileen Klimkowski	George Sowersby
SOUND TECH	William Graham	Marc Dudley
EUCHARISTIC VISITORS	Lee & Casey Allison	Jim & Flo McCarthy
YOUTH FORMATION	Allison Wells Christine Borner	Deb Alzner Judy Mullins
VPOD 8:00 10:30	Jerry Wertz Susan Stroud	Lee Wells

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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