CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMFORTER
June 10, 2021

A BLUEGRASS MASS

This Sunday
We are blessed this Sunday to welcome Luke Teague and Catherine Robertson of Rae’s Creek Revival for our first ever Bluegrass Mass! We are in for a treat, so clap your hands, tap your toes and get ready to sing your hearts out! While Luke is passionate about his profession, he enjoys spending free time surrounded by his growing collection of guitars, banjos, and mandolins and is humbled by any opportunity to perform. He is a funeral director at Thomas Poteet and Sons. Take a look at some of his music:
Catherine is an Augusta native and cradle member of Saint Paul’s Church, who returned to Augusta in 2014, after retiring from teaching middle school in the Coffee County School System in south Georgia. In retirement, she is a professional genealogist.
 
Luke and Catherine will be here to lead us in such old favorites as "Will the Circle Be Unbroken", "I’ll Fly Away", and much more!

GUEST PREACHER FOR THE BLUEGRASS MASS
The Rev. Canon Joshua Varner will be our guest preacher on this Sunday joining The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor as the celebrant. Joshua is the Canon for Children and Youth for our diocese and has been working with the pastor and others on those ministry areas this weekend.

COVID GUIDELINES UPDATE
Masks are encouraged, but not required, for those who are fully vaccinated. Households are asked to keep three feet of spacing from others. 

SUNDAY WORSHIP
Join us for in-person worship this Sunday at 10:30am. The service of Holy Eucharist will continue to be broadcast live on our Facebook page at 10:30am each Sunday morning.

For this Sunday's bulletin, click here.

PLAYFUL PASTURES
This Sunday the children will be joining our preacher, Joshua Varner, rather than going downstairs. 

Last week's Story Gathering: What was the Point?
He was distracted and and squirmy throughout the whole story of Samuel; how Hannah prayed for a baby then dedicated him to God's service, the coats she made him, God calling him in the night, Eli, and on through a life of service till he encountered Saul as he was out looking for lost donkeys and anointed him as king. I wondered why this very bright child was having so much trouble listening during our Story Gathering. Just after we had "wondered" about where we might see ourselves in the story ("in the donkey" he said) I summarized the story and we prayed together that we might also be listening for God's voice and serve him our whole lives. As we headed out the door, he asked me what was the point of the lesson? First, I thought "if only he would have paid attention!" then, I realized he was looking for a take home application. As we attempt to implement some of the concepts of Godly Play, we are hoping to teach our kids to engage with the stories of the Bible and find meaning for themselves as they get to know God's heart of love. I hope my explanation satisfied him. Learning to find meaning for our lives through scripture is a process for us all. It was actually a very good question, but the answer may not come easy.
If you have questions about our program, contact Children's Ministry Director Cheryl Spessert at ckspessert@yahoo.com.

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENT:
MISTLETOE STATE PARK
July 24: Lake Day at Mistletoe State Park We have booked a picnic shelter at Mistletoe State Park for the day. We have a boat for rides and tubing and will be firing up the grill. More details soon. 

Pictures from our kayaking trip:

PASTOR AWAY AT CONFERENCE
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor will be attending the Christian Formation Conference at Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC next week, Monday - Thursday. 

WANTED - YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S MINISTERS
Cheryl Spessert will be stepping down from children’s ministry this summer in preparation for a move to Hungary. To say that she will be missed is an understatement.  We are looking for qualified candidates for both children and youth ministry. These are part-time positions. Candidates should have a love of God’s children, be self-starters as well as team players, organize programs and recruit volunteers. A good sense of humor is always a plus. Send resumes to The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Taylor at pastor@holycomforterchurch.org. 

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry and anyone who wants to socialize meet every Tuesday from 10:00am-11:30am in the Parish Hall.

FOOD DRIVE
Our drive through food drive is Saturday July 17 from 10am—noon. Bring non-perishable food such as applesauce, canned veggies and meats, crackers, boxed milk, healthy cereals and oatmeal, fruit cups, cooking oil and spices. Also needed are easily stored produce such as apples, oranges and potatoes. Or you can always bring non-perishables on Sunday and put them in the wagon by the front door. And thank you—you are making a difference in our area.
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.

STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
MAY FINANCIAL REPORT
GIVING

WAYS TO GIVE
  • Use the Square Reader in the foyer for debit/credit cards

  • Go to our website, click giving and use Pay Pal

  • Make checks out to Holy Comforter and/or give cash and put it in the offertory plate on Sunday.

  • Remember Holy Comforter in your will.

  • For those with an IRA account, consider using your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) as a way to give.

  • All gifts are tax deductible.
There are several ways to give. You can go on-line to our website at www.holycomforterchurch.org and click on Giving at the top right hand corner. Or, you can mail checks to: Church of the Holy Comforter, 473 Fury’s Ferry Road, Martinez, Georgia, 30809.  
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
For those in need of healing: Liz Corley, Joyce Shaw, Paulie Kane, and Christy Skalak.
 
For those celebrating birthdays:  Mallory Halterman, Gayle Jolley, Reymond Cardinal, Caty Lue, and Gage Skinner
 
For those celebrating anniversaries: Loren and Joy Waldo, Lou and Linda Scales, Rick and Claudia Mahaffie, Gregg and Harriette Graham
 
Thanksgiving for our partnership with Martinez Elementary School, The Claiborne, and 143 Ministries.
   
For those who are homebound: Donna Garvey and Joan Jackson
 
For the safety of all those who serve abroad, including Will Liebel.
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