CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMFORTER
May 6, 2021
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HONORING OUR GRADUATES
THIS SUNDAY
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This Sunday morning we recognize those who are graduating from high school, Natalie Belair and Ben Blake. It has been no mean feat to graduate during a pandemic. Congratulations!
Natalie will be attending Georgia Southern University.
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Ben will be attending Augusta University.
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KEEP THE FOOD COMING
THIS SATURDAY
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Our next drive through food drive is this Saturday May 8 from 10am—noon. The focus for this drive is feeding children this summer. Please bring ‘kid friendly’ non-perishable food such as fruit cups and granola bars or easily stored produce such as apples and oranges. And thank you—you are making a difference in our area. |
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The Way We Were—A Slow Return to Normalcy
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The COVID guidelines from the Diocese of Georgia are being updated. Masks are still required. Starting next Sunday May 16 we will resume normal distribution of communion and beginning on Pentecost Sunday we can resume congregational singing. More details coming! |
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OUR GUEST SOLOIST THIS SUNDAY
ELIZABETH LEE
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Elizabeth Lee is a singer based in Augusta, GA. She earned her degree in Vocal Performance with honors from Augusta State University and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. She has studied with Sandra Walker and Dr. Bill Hobbins.
Ms. Lee currently sings with The Cecilia Ensemble under the direction of Joel Scraper. Her solo work with The Cecilia Ensemble includes an international choral festival in Moscow in 2015, and the world premiere of “Angel Band” by Timothy Powell and Tim Sharp in 2019. She is the soprano section leader of the St. John United Methodist Chancel Choir under the direction of Jamie Garvey, and is featured on the “Old Time Religion” album. Ms. Lee also sings with the Augusta All Stars band for special events.
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Join us for in-person worship this Sunday at 10:30am. We are still operating under the guidelines set by the Diocese of Georgia working in cooperation with the CDC. That means a limit of 89 people at worship, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
The service of Holy Eucharist will continue to be broadcast live on our Facebook page at 10:30am Sunday morning.
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Inspired by Godly Play, our children are learning about the wonder and stories of Jesus, lead by Children’s Ministry Directory Cheryl Spessert. This Sunday they will be “playing with fire” - the fire of the Holy Spirit that is! This is for pre-school through 5th grade.
Last Sunday, we spent a second week with the Good Shepherd and enjoyed a Shepherd's Walk through playful pastures as we experienced Psalm 23. We wandered through the soft grass, splashed in the cool, still water of the fountain, and enjoyed a table spread before us with... Cheetos! To simulate walking through the dark valley, they closed their eyes as the Shepherd continued to talk to them and lead them through the "danger." To the surprise of one of our lambs, she observed that she could still follow me without much effort and wondered why. An older child explained that it was because she could still hear the Shepherd's voice and follow the sound. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Knowing his voice is a comfort indeed, may we stay close enough to hear it even in the dark. Learning with the children of Holy Comforter is a gift!
If you have questions about our new program, contact Children's Ministry Director Cheryl Spessert at ckspessert@yahoo.com.
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Thunder Over Evans - A Gathering for Our Youth and Families
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Our youth group has had a long pause button pushed during the pandemic but we are re-grouping with a variety of social events including kayaking, laser tag, a day at the lake, movies and more. But first up is Thunder Over Evans on Saturday May 15 at 6:30 pm.
Gather at the boulders near the south entrance to Evans Town Center at the corner of Antebellum Drive and Evans Town Center Blvd. Look for Jennifer Cardinal and the red flag.
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RSVP so we know to expect you by emailing The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor at pastor@holycomforterchurch.org. This is for rising Middle School thru 12th grade and their famililies.
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A PENTECOST PARTY: A "SPIRITED" CELEBRATION
SUNDAY, MAY 23
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Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian church and Holy Comforter’s Feast Day. The Diablo Food Truck will be with us for an outdoor picnic.
Cost is $10 per person. Alternatively, you can bring your own picnic. If anyone needs financial assistance contact the pastor, Cynthia Taylor.
We have a slew of activities for all ages including kite flying, spin painting, bubble machines as well as music and special “spirited” drinks for adults as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Bring your own chairs or blankets and maintain social distancing.
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Inspired by the humorous coincidence of having "Diablos" (the devil) coming to Holy Comforter for our Pentecost Party: May this be true of our church!
Pentecost at Holy Comforter
The devil came down to Georgia
On the day of Pentecost
We gave him some holy spirits
We figured that he was lost
He slammed those shots and
He scanned the crowd
He was lookin’ for a soul to steal
But he shook his head
And the devil said
These folks have no appeal
Their hearts are pure
And one thing is sure
They’re united in a common bond
This lot is tight and
try as I might
with these souls, I can’t abscond
So together we stood as the
Spirit wind blew and we ushered him
On down the road
We raised our glass to his receding ass
Holy Comforter with joy did explode!
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A BLUEGRASS MASS
SUNDAY, JUNE 13
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Welcome summer worship with A Bluegrass Mass on Sunday June 13 at 10:30 am. Luke Teague and his banjo will be with us along with other members of his trio playing guitar and upright bass. They will be playing such beloved and familiar bluegrass hymns as “I’ll Fly Away” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” and more. Who says Episcopalians can’t have fun in worship? So mark your calendars now and bring your friends for our first ever Bluegrass Mass. |
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A RETURN OF OUR ACOLYTES
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We’ve missed our acolytes! What is an acolyte? They assist in the worship service with the clergy. They may be called to carry the Gospel Book, assist in setting the altar for Holy Communion, carry the Processional Cross or banner and much more. Adults as well as children are encouraged to be acolytes. You just need to be in the 2nd grade or older. Training is always available. Contact person: The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor at pastor@holycomforterchurch.org
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NEW MINISTRIES HANDBOOK AVAILABLE
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Interested in what ministries are available at Holy Comforter? Check out our updated Ministries Handbook which highlights many of our ministry opportunities from Outreach to Mentoring and Prison Ministry to serving during worship and much more. Please note that the pandemic has affected the ability of some of these ministries to meet. Please reach out to the contact persons for the latest updates. |
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JOIN THE PRESIDING BISHOP
FOR A LIVE Q&A SESSION
WITH OUR DIOCESE
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Bishop Logue will moderate a Zoom session on Tuesday, May 18 at 6:00pm where we will discuss the Presiding Bishop's book Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times. We will also have time for questions live from those in attendance and will put a video of the event online after for those who can not attend. More information coming soon.
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A RETURN TO THE HOLY LAND
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We are again offering a pilgrimage to the Holy Land! As COVID restrictions on travel begin to ease, we anticipate a return to the Holy Land in May of 2022 lead by The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor and The Rev. Dr. Donald and Sarah Fishburne. This is similar to our 2018 pilgrimage. Pilgrimage sites include the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Capernaum, Nazareth, the Mount of Olives, Magdala and other holy places.
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An altar at a church in Magdala, one of the places we will be staying. |
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We will be staying in hotels in Magdala, Jerusalem and Tiberias. This is being offered through EO - Educational Opportunities. Our pilgrimage dates are May 11 - 20, flying out of Atlanta. There is an optional extension to visit Jordan, in particular Petra (remember Petra from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?) More details including pricing coming soon. |
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Preparing for Sunday is a tool to help us 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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STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
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The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor
Vivian Vaiden
Lara Fort
Brad Green
Cheryl Spessert
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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: Billy Carter, Paulie Kane, Travis Frasier, Lynn Eldridge, Joy Waldo, Christy Skalak and the people of India.
For those celebrating birthdays: Ansley Jones, Sara Lue, Richard Zgol, Marsha Varner, and Beth Goolsby
Thanksgiving for our partnership with Martinez Elementary School, The Claiborne, and 143 Ministries.
For all our mothers in heaven and on earth.
For those who are homebound: Donna Garvey and Joan Jackson
For all who have died from COVID-19 this past week.
For all who have died for the Christian Faith and for those who have persecuted them.
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