The Church Bell
Vol. II, no. 12
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Get "Stirred-Up" this Sunday!
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This Sunday, December 16th, is "
Stir-Up Sunday!"
Stir-Up Sunday is a beautiful tradition we inherit from our mother church – The Church of England. Every year at this time the
Book of Common Prayer
brings us a powerful opening collect that goes as follows:
“
Stir up
thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and ,because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.”
The old English custom - dating back to the days of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – is to “stir-up” something good to eat on “Stir Up Sunday”. Pudding is the most popular choice among the people of the British Isles.
This Sunday, December 16
th
, why not stir something up and bring it to church for coffee hour?
Between now and then, let the prayer for “Stir Up Sunday” be your prayer for this time Advent and for the coming season of Christmastide!
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St. Agnes' is
going green
on Monday December 17th
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There's another important custom related to Stir-Up Sunday.
The words of the collect not only prompt parishioners to make puddings and casseroles, they are also a reminder that it's time to get the church ready for Christmas.
On Monday, December 17th, we invite all who are able to come to church at 1:00 p.m. to
green the church.
Rose Pearson was able to pull together a beautiful collections of wreaths and garlands that smell as fresh as they look! We can't wait to see them adorning this already beautiful house of prayer!
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Christmas Eve - Monday the 24th
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December 24th Christmas Eve Service - 4:00 p.m.
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The highlight of the season is our candle lit Christmas Eve Service on December 24th, at 4:00 p.m. Bring the entire family plus a friend or two and enjoy a most meaningful time of worship. "Unto us a child is born: O Come, Let us Adore Him."
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December 24th Fr. Werlein Memorial Christmas Reception
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Following our Christmas Eve service we invite everyone to a pleasant evening of fellowship in the parish hall. We will have lots of good refreshments, hot cider, and gift bags for the kids. See you then!
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Memorial Christmas Poinsettias
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Christmas poinsettias are a worldwide symbol of Christmas.
The leaves grow in a star shape, representing the Star of Bethlehem. The foliage also turns into beautiful colors due to the reduced amount of sunlight during winter. The colors symbolize the attributes of Jesus: the red represents his precious blood and the white represents his purity.
At St. Agnes’ we enjoy bringing poinsettias to church on Christmas Eve in memory of the faithful departed. If you are planning to bring a poinsettia, please give the name(s) of the departed to Jarod before our Christmas Eve service so that they can be read aloud as part of our offering.
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Other Memorial Gift Ideas
There are other ways to remember the faithful departed. We invite and welcome proceeds to purchase a
Hymnal
or a
Book of Common Prayer
in someone’s memory.
We also welcome and invite monetary donations in any amount to go toward candles or other supplies and fixtures for the altar guild.
To contribute a gift as a Christmas Memorials, please enclose your check or cash in an envelope and write detailed information and instructions on the envelope.
You can place it in the offering plate or hand it to Jarod or Alice.
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The Caccese's came to visit
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Nick, Jessica, Julia and Hannah stopped by...
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On Wednesday, November 28th, a group of St. Agnes' parishioners had a wonderful evening with the Caccese's.
We hosted a chili supper in the parish hall and had time to hear about their life and ministry in Florida.
Needless to say, they love their new home, but they miss St. Agnes'.
And we miss them too!
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A few days after their visit, on December 8th, Nick was ordained into the holy orders as a priest. He now serves in the ministry of the Word and Sacraments under the Bishop of Southwest Florida and as the Associate Rector of Trinity-by-the-Cove in Naples, Florida.
May God fill him with grace and power and equip him for the work of ministry!
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The Legendary Father Werlein
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Cowan has a very special Christmas legend: The Rev'd Phillip Prentiss Werlein was a priest, a Rhodes
Scholar, a WWI Army veteran, and a giver of Christmas cheer for the people of Cowan.
Father Werlein came to Sewanee in 1968 after retiring from the Diocese of Louisiana. He took the helm at St. Agnes’ and helped grow the congregation.
One of his many great contributions was the Christmas Eve reception that he organized every year with a Christmas tree, cider, cookies, and a gift for each child in attendance. Some of the children came from households that could not afford Christmas gifts.
He was truly devoted to the people of Cowan. This time of year we make a special effort to honor his legacy.
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Linda, David and Linda Remember:
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Linda Milligan, her brother David Bohannan, and her sister-in-law Linda Bohannan, shared on video some of their Christmas memories of Father Werlein.
This is an honest and candid assessment of a man who was larger-than-life in many ways!
Watch and enjoy!
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December 4 - Dalton Brewer
December 11 - Wynona Gibson
December 16 - Jonathan Scott
December 19 - Lee Glenn
December 22 - Bill Keller
December 31 - Francis Weddington
January 4 - Jason Paton
February 4 - Abby Garner
February 11 - Andrew Wilkinson
February 16 - Janelee Wise
February 26 - Karen McCallie
February 26 - Georgia Scott
"O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on thy servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
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Bryan Pearson, Phyllis Bishop, Julius Mauro, Sandra Langston, Jacqueline Boyanton, Joe Money, John Kastrinos, Kurfees Boswell, Royana Stewart, Tammy and Victoria Keese, Sue Hill, Carter and Judy Smith, Celest Simmons, Fran Perry, Lamar Davis, Kirkland Leonard, Jimmy Moss, Bill Keller, Howard Gene Eslick, Benny and Betty Haney, Linda Milligan, Karen McCallie, and Subamma (our sponsored child).
We pray continually for Christians around the world in grave danger and for those in our armed services.
We pray especially for the victims of recent and ongoing wildfires in California and for recent tornado victims in our area.
We bless and commemorate Morris Robertson, George Wilkinson, and Kim Piper who recently passed away.
We join our nation in remembering The Hon. George HW Bush who recently passed away.
***
"O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayer, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sicknesses may be turned into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
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Please remember Pat and her family
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Pat Underwood informed the congregation that her daughter, Kim Piper, passed away on December 8th following a long battle with brain cancer. Pat will remain in Arizona with her family until December 23rd and then return home.
We are planning to purchase a meal for Pat to share with her family on Christmas. Please keep Pat a family covered in prayer.
"Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Kim. Acknowledge, we beseech thee, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen."
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A Special Man Named George
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On Wednesday, December 5th, our nation paid tribute to a special man named George - The Hon. George HW Bush who served as 41st President of the United States.
That same day, here in Cowan, we paid tribute to another special man named George - our beloved friend and fellow parishioner,
Mr. George Wilkinson.
George's burial service was beautiful in every way. Bishop Lambert led the liturgy and a color guard provided military honors. The highlight of the service must have been the cattle from McBee Angus Ranch joining in song following the gun salute. George, as a cattleman, must have been smiling from heaven!
Members of St. Agnes' quickly pulled together a hot meal for George's extended family and friends to enjoy on a cold day. We had a meaningful time of fellowship and reflection with plenty of laughter and tears to boot.
On Sunday, December 9th, members of the congregation wore hats to church to continue the celebration of George's life. George loved hats, and he loved to be seen in one when arriving at church!
We will miss him, but we must always bear in mind that George passed from this life in certain hope, faith and belief in the Resurrection. May God receive him into His arms of mercy and grant our dear brother in Christ a peaceful and eternal rest.
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Sunday Service
....................................11:00 a.m.
Sunday School .....................................10:00 a.m.
Location/Address: 105 England Street E., PO Box 356, Cowan, TN 37318
Telephone: (931) 636-6313
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The Rt. Rev'd Paul Lambert...............................Pastor and Celebrant
The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt.................Bishop
The Rev'd Jean Mweningoma............................Visiting Priest
L. Jarod Pearson................................................Lay Reader
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