CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMFORTER
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Cheetos remains the “go to” snack for Morning Prayer. Mallory Halterman, pictured below with her son Finn, has been making sure the children of Holy Comforter have their Cheetos in which to celebrate Sundays. And, apparently knowing our love of animals, Blitz the Cat, has decided that Cheetos aren't just for humans.
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The service of Morning Prayer is livestreamed Sundays at 10:30am on our
Facebook page
.
Or, if you prefer, you can view it later on our
YouTube channel
. This week's readers are Henry, Grady, and Reggie Riser, and Lee Anna Maynard. And we have surprise guests to help with the dismissal.
For this Sunday's bulletin, click
here
.
Children's Bulletin Ages 3+
here
.
Children's Bulletin Ages 7+
here
.
Last week’s full service, click
here.
Last week’s sermon, click
here.
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KEEP YOUR DISTANCE BUT HELP MAINTAIN OUR GROUNDS
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There will be a Yard Day at the church to lay down pine straw and trim hedges on Saturday, May 23 at 8am. Thanks to Ray Bourne for the donation of the pine straw and helping to organize this venture. However,
you must maintain physical distancing.
You’ll be wearing gloves anyway, but keep your mask handy in case any interactions are needed. Also be aware that we are respectfully requiring that anyone needing to enter the church that day wear their masks. Have fun helping to create something but keep safe. The virus hasn’t gone anywhere.
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THE CONSECRATION OF THE XI BISHOP OF GEORGIA AND THE CELEBRATION OF PENTECOST
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On Saturday May 30 at 11am, The Rev. Canon Frank Logue will become The Rt. Rev. Frank Logue, XI Bishop of Georgia. Before the advent of COVID-19, this was going to be a public celebration. It will still be a time of great joy and you can still join in the celebration but via Live Streaming at
www.facebook.com/georgiaepiscopal
. Plan now for a watch party with your household.
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We give thanks and celebrate with all those who have
graduated from high school:
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Jonathan Redding is graduating from Greenbrier High School. Jon was in JROTC and attended Kirby Smarts football camp at UGA. While in JROTC, he attended USMC training program at Paris Island Basic Training Base. He was also a coach for Special Olympics program as a volunteer. He plans to take the summer off then is looking at both the Army or Navy. No decision just yet.
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Brittney is graduating from the Academy of Richmond County. Brittney was on the swim team and the tennis team. She served as president of the sophomore and junior council, and treasurer of the senior council. She was also a member of the International Baccalaureate class of 2020 committee. Brittney has also represented Holy Comforter on the diocesean Happening staff three times and is looking forward to serving again this July. She will attend the University of Georgia and plans to major in criminal psychology.
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Caty is graduating with honors this year from Lakeside High School. She was a member of the National Beta Club, the National English Honor Society, and the Science National Honor Society. Caty will be attending Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA in the fall and is majoring in Neuroscience.
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Abby is graduating from Evans High School. During her four years at Evans she was in the marching band and a member of the model United Nations. She also served on the student council and is a member of both the National Honor Society and the Beta Club. Abby will be attending Georgia State University and plans to major in music education.
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DRIVE THROUGH FOOD DRIVE
FOR CHILDREN AND OTHERS
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Drive through and drop off non-perishables at Church of the Holy Comforter, 473 Fury’s Ferry Road on Saturday, June 6 from 10 to Noon.
Please bring non-perishable food. You do not need to get out of your cars. Volunteers wearing masks and gloves will collect the items from your vehicles. You can also bring baby food, kids books (in good condition) and pet food.
We are joining with other area churches and want to be able to feed three hundred children this summer.
Want to volunteer? Contact Food Drive Chairperson Jenny Frey at spadejentrowel@gmail.com.
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We are entering new territory and are going to delve into the new world of virtual Sunday School! I will share a link for younger elementary students, older elementary students and a craft to try at home. Please share your pictures and videos of at home Sunday School with us! I am working on a virtual VBS platform, but I think it would be helpful if each family would fill out the survey below to aid in my planning.
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We are starting a series on the Miracles of Jesus. In this time of Covid-19, it is good to remember that Our first lesson is “Jesus Turns Water Into Wine”. We can experience miracles everyday! Look for the miracles, big and small that happen in our everyday life. CHALLENGE: Draw or paint a picture sharing an everyday miracle in your life! We would love to see pictures or video of you attending virtual Sunday School with us or of you making the Origami cup!
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Younger Elementary: The Miracles of Jesus | Early Childhood Lesson 1
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Older Elementary: Miracles | Elementary Lesson 1
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Origami cup craft: Click
here.
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UPDATE ON OUR YOUTH MINISTRY
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Join in for Compline on Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 8:00PM. This is geared for the youth in the diocese, but anyone can join in! Zoom meeting ID can be found on the Diocese of Georgia Youth Facebook Page. You will need to message them for a password.
The youth are doing a 5-day devotional this week through the YouVersion Bible app called Facing the Unknown.
Driveway greetings begin today, as Darlene Bourque, youth minister begins to visit middle and high school youth at their homes, maintaining social distancing protocols. Stay tuned next week for fun pictures!
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Our worship continues even while we are physically separated. Preparing for Sunday is a tool that we will be using to help each of us do just that - prepare for Sunday worship by engaging in the assigned lessons from Scripture.
It includes an overview, a lesson introduction, a reflection, and a prayer starter. It is available on our website
here
.
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LAST MEETING OF BIBLE STUDY ON ACTS
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Because our last meeting for Acts falls on Memorial Day, we have moved our study to Thursday, May 28 at 11:00 am. Join our Zoom meeting at:
Meeting ID: 815 0057 6723
Password: 267968
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The church office will be closed Monday, May 25th
in observance of Memorial Day.
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Presiding Bishop will preach at ecumenical memorial service
on May 24 for COVID-19 victims
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will offer a brief sermon for a
virtual memorial service
for the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic hosted by the National Council of Churches on May 24 at 6 p.m. Eastern time.
Over 325,000 people worldwide
have died of COVID-19
, including more than 92,000 in the United States. The NCC noted in a
press release
announcing the memorial service that “the nation has not had a public moment of collective grief to acknowledge and mourn the impact of losing so many lives in such a short period of time.”
“Every life deserves to be remembered and properly acknowledged in the most meaningful way possible,” said Jim Winkler, president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches. “Religious ritual is an incomparable way to do just that. We’ve planned a program we hope Christians of all traditions will feel comfortable joining in — as well as those of other religions and no religion at all. This is as much about human dignity as it is about faith.”
Titled “A Time To Mourn” (a reference to
Ecclesiastes 3
), the service will include reflections of “lament, comfort, encouragement, and hope” from Curry and other leaders from NCC member churches, as well as music and Scripture readings.
The
NCC
– an alliance of Christian denominations in America, including The Episcopal Church – invites all to participate in the “time of remembering, mourning and celebrating the lives of loved ones.” Those who would like to include the names of loved ones who have died during the pandemic can
submit them here
.
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THE HOLY COMFORTER STAFF
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Even though the state of Georgia is beginning to open up, the staff will continue to work from home for now. And, as you have read, we will continue to live stream our service on Sunday for the foreseeable future.
Those of you who are working or teaching from home know the difficulty of maintaining a work/life balance. I’ve discovered that it is even more important than ever for me to set limits on my work time and availability and I need your help in maintaining those boundaries. For everyday matters concerning the church, please contact me Monday – Thursday from 9am – 5:00pm. E-mail is the best way to reach me at
pastor@holycomforterchurch.org
. I am still taking Fridays as my Sabbath day.
If there is a
pastoral emergency
, you can call or text me at 706-951-0984. An emergency is anything that needs my
immediate
attention. Regular prayer requests should be sent during office hours.
To contact other staff members, you can reach them at the following e-mail, Monday – Thursday:
Vivian Vaiden
Lara Fort
Brad Green
Darlene Bourque
Ayn Colsh
Thank you so much for working with us during these unusual times.
Blessings,
Cindy+
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MORE STORIES OF GIVING
I continue to be deeply touched by the generosity of our church. This past week I received a card with a check for my Discretionary Fund. The note said, I thought I’d send you “a little bit of the Federal check that finally arrived. Figured I’d let you put it to good use.” It will be. Another person e-mailed me that she was re-working her budget to see how much she could share with others in need. Much like the stories I shared last week these are people not asking how they can help, they are seeing a need and, when and where they can, jumping in to help. That’s walking with Jesus in the Way of Love. Thank you. It blesses my heart.—Cynthia Taylor+
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If at all possible, please keep up with your financial gifts to the church. Money is always tight but never more than now. When this crisis has passed, I want us to pick up where we left off and continue to expand our mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.
There are several ways to give. You can press the "Donate Now" button below or go on-line to our website at
www.holycomforterchurch.org
and click on Giving at the top right hand. Finally, you can mail checks to: Church of the Holy Comforter, 473 Fury’s Ferry Road, Martinez, Georgia, 30809.
For those with an IRA account,
due to COVID-19, RMDs in 2020 are not required but are still a tax saving for the donor and much needed and appreciated by Holy Comforter.
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For those in need of healing:
Kristy Skalak
For the mission and ministry of Holy Comforter
as we enter a new phase of our live as the virtual Community of the Beloved.
For those celebrating birthdays:
Amy Sheppard, Linda Scales, Sally Griffin, and Menger Morgan
For those celebrating anniversaries:
Court and Stacey Hooper, Rick and Beth Connolly, and Baxter and Pamela Whitaker
Thanksgiving for our partnership
with Martinez Elementary School and The Claiborne at West Lake.
For the safety of
all those who serve abroad.
For those who are homebound:
John Howell, Marjorie Sinclair, Donna Garvey, Bobby and Lorraine Banks, and Joan Jackson
This Memorial Day we remember and give thanks
for all who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country.
For all who have died for the Christian Faith
and for those who have persecuted them.
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FOR THE LATEST UPDATES, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
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