Purpose To be a Community where all persons will encounter the power and love of the Living God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Vision All Saints Episcopal Church is called by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to... · Worship Jesus Christ · Learn and Teach His Word · Minister in His Name · Proclaim Him and Share the Blessing of His Love · Welcome All in His Name |
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The All Saints Messenger
December 22, 2016
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Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
The Incarnation, the coming of God among us in human flesh, happened in such a quiet and out of the way place that few even noticed when it happened. However, the impact on human existence has been like a bolt of lightning that continues to grow and generate new life and fire in all who share that hunger.
Jesus comes among us like the short seasons of firefly's - will we notice his presence in the street-sleeper? He pierces the dark like a silent, streaking hawk seeking food for hungry and defenseless new born babes. He will overturn this world's unjust foundations like termites undermining a window sill or wall. Like the bat's sonar, his call comes to each one of us uniquely - have we heard his urgent "come and follow"?
God is among us, and within us, and around us, encountering, nudging, loving, transforming the world and its creatures toward the glorious dream the shepherds announced so many years ago, toward the beloved community of prophetic dreams, and the nightwatch that proclaims "all is well, fear not, the Lord is here."
May Christ be born anew in you this Christmastide. May his light burn in you, and may you labor to spread it in the darkness. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, and it is the harbinger of peace for all creation.
Merry Christmas!
Blessings
Fr. Gary+
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
*
End of Year Giving: If possible, all pledge and any other gifts should be made by
Friday, Dec 30th so that they may be deposited in the bank and reflected in annual statements.
*
2017 Pledge Cards:
Our 2017 budget is being fine-tuned. If you have not turned in your pledge card yet, please think about doing so. Pledge Cards are available in the Narthex and in the lobby of The Family Life Center. The Vestry thanks everyone for their generosity.
* Healing Service: Is cancelled for Wednesday, December 28th. It will resume on January 4th.
* Christmas Pageant: All children of the parish, including grandchildren are welcome to participate in our Christmas Pageant at the
5 PM Christmas Eve Family service. We ask you to come dressed as Angels (or not) and be ready to sing Away in a Manger, that's it, simple and easy! Please show up at
4:30 PM on Christmas Eve. For further information contact Eileen Klimkowski.
* Sharing Christmas: Some of our All Saints Family have no families and will be alone this Christmas. There are also All Saints families who are willing to share their Christmas day with others. If you fall into either category please call the Church office this week,
Monday-
Thursday and speak to Debra or Fr. Gary. They will coordinate and coordinate those in need with those willing to host. The gift of sharing is so important to our Church Family!
* All Saints Annual Meeting: On Sunday, January 15th immediately following the
10:30 service we will have our Annual Parish Meeting. This meeting is the only time during the year that we gather as a community and vote on things, hear reports, and discuss the state of the parish. We will distribute the 2017 budget, elect new vestry members, and discuss the parish and the way forward. We would love to have everyone attend. Meat will be provided and we ask everyone to bring a side dish or dessert to share.
* Thanks, Thanks, Thanks: The Garden Shed tools have been replaced through your generosity and overwhelming response. The Team says Thank You!
* Angel Tree: Thank you for the out-pouring of gifts for the Christmas Angel Tree for S.O.C.K.S. (Serving Our Community with Kindness in Springwood) You provided 10 families and 18 children with presents of clothing, toys and food for a happy, happy holiday. For your information, S.O.C.K.S, Inc. is a volunteer run crisis assistance ministry serving Gaston County and is a non-profit United Way Agency. They also provide fresh food, clothing, fuel oil, medicine and assistance with power, rent and home health equipment throughout the year and depend on people like you to assist with Christmas blessings. What a great job you did this year! Thank you, again and Gold Bless You All! (From Mary Neil)
* The 2017 Sign Up Sheets for coffee hour, altar guild and altar flowers are on the bulletin board in the Family Life Center. 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).
*
Youth Brainstorming Meeting:
On January 8
th
, immediately following the
10:30
service, we will gather with parents of our youth and any and all interested parishioners who care about how we minister to our children. Our goal is to brainstorm and then act on doing ministry for our youth in exciting, real and new ways in this time of doing Church differently. Questions contact Fr. Gary.
* Souper Bowl Of Caring: is youth across the nation working to fight hunger and poverty in their own communities around the time of the Super Bowl. On Sunday, February 5th, our children will have a soup pot available for you to drop your money into. Dig deep in your pockets for loose change and bills! All donations go to CAM (Crisis Assistance Ministry). Please see Carol Wertz if you have any questions.
* Family Promise:
The 2017 dates that we will be host to the Family Promise guests are: 2/19 - 2/26, 5/21 - 5/28, 8/6 - 8/13, 10/8 - 10/15 . Family Promise is a community program that provides housing and support to homeless families. 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 (5:00-6:30 pm), to prepare and serve dinner (6:30-8:00 pm), to spend the night (8:00 pm - 7:30 am), to provide homework and enrichment activities for children (5:30-6:30 and 7:00 - 9:00 pm), and to donate items that our guests need (see below). For more information, or to volunteer please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or
[email protected]. Suggested Donations List: Clothes detergent, toothbrushes and toothpaste, small first aid kits, hair products, soap and/or body wash, suitcases (both used or new), 10, 20, and 30 gallon storage tubs w/ lids, towels and washcloths (both used or new), bed linens (both used or new), family friendly movies or videos, board games, & craft supplies.
* Save The Date
: The 2017 All Saints Yard Sale will be on Saturday, April 29th so start collecting items for our sale. Please only donate items that are in good, working condition, clean and no stuffed animals. We will need lots of help the week prior for setting up and pricing, as well as on the day of the sale. The sale is sponsored by the All Saints Outreach Committee. If you have any questions please contact Claudette Forbes or George Sowersby.
* Adult Christian Formation: Continuing through the Christmas Season, Fr. Gary will lead a Bible Study and discussion on the Birth Narratives of Matthew and Luke Chapters 1 & 2.
* Cookbooks:
$15 each or 2 for $25 - 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.
* 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!
* Parish Lunch:
Help is needed to clean up the kitchen after lunches. There is a sign up sheet in the Family Life Center.
* Holy Land Pilgrimage: Our next gathering will be after the
10:30 service on January 22nd. We hope to have The Rev. Shawn Griffith with us who went this past summer to answer specific questions we may have as well as offer some insight.
* 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.
* Handbells:
will reconvene in January 2017
* 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.
* Picture Directory: We will have one make up day for pictures. Watch for the sign up sheet in the Family Life Center. Emma Butterworth is our photographer.
* Ministry Schedule: The 2017 January through April Ministry Schedule is on the table in the Family Life Center.
* Parish Nurse Ministry will be taking blood pressures after the 8:00 and 10:30 services on the first Sunday of the month. Nurses interested in the parish nurse ministry please contact Cheryl Saylor, MSN at 803-656-5110.
* Fr. Gary's Blog: theway2016blog.wordpress.com
* Gaston Library is sorely in need of used books etc. for their annual book sale held next year. Paperbacks, hardback, fiction, nonfiction, children's, magazines, DVD and CD's are needed. If you're cleaning out, now's a good time to give those old books a new home. Books can be left at the dock at the library or at the church and I'll see they get over there. (Put them next to the CAM box). Please no wet, moldy or books with broken spines. Thanks, Linda Klocker.
* Food Pantry: Please help us keep our food pantry stocked. If you would like to give a monetary donation, we'd be happy to do the shopping for you.
* Salvation Army Service Schedule: Monday, December 26th - Team #1. (Candy Albergine & Susan Marshall)
* Flower Ministry: We are looking for a volunteer to head up our Flower Ministry. It entails breaking down the large
Sunday flower arrangement into smaller arrangements
on Monday mornings. These smaller arrangements are then delivered to parishioners who are home bound or sick. Please let Debra know if you would be interested in this ministry.
* New Partnership: All Saints has entered into a new relationship with the YMCA's Resource Connection Gateway. This new 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.
* Christian Formation for Youth. If you have questions please ask Laura Tilly, Phill Wertz, or Fr. Gary.
* 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.
* Church Directory: Available on the table in the Family Life Center.
* Towel Ministry: We are excited and thankful that Vic Cooper and Jim McCarthy have taken over the coordination of our Towel Ministry. Please approach them and let them know your talents and availability when projects arise.
* Building Use Policy: Our buildings are being used more and more and scheduling conflicts are occurring. Effective immediately, all rooms/buildings will be scheduled by the Parish Administrator by the submission of a form which is available at the office and will soon be available on the web site. We appreciate your understanding realizing that this will improve our ability to serve our parishioners and ministries.
* 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.
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| Upcoming Schedule January 7th: Cooking for the Army January 8th: Youth Brainstorming Meeting January 15th: Parish Lunch/Annual Meeting January 17th: Vestry January 22nd: Holy Land Pilgrimage Meeting February 5th: Souper Bowl of Caring April 29th: Yard Sale |
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This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.
Psalm 98
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.
2 With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.
3 The Lord has made known his victory; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *
and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
6 Sing to the Lord with the harp, *
with the harp and the voice of song.
7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
shout with joy before the King, the Lord.
8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
the lands and those who dwell therein.
9 Let the rivers clap their hands, *
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,
when he comes to judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he judge the world *
and the peoples with equity.
The Epistle: Hebrews 1:1-4,(5-12)
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
[For to which of the angels did God ever say,
"You are my Son;
today I have begotten you"?
Or again,
"I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son"?
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
"Let all God's angels worship him."
Of the angels he says,
"He makes his angels winds,
and his servants flames of fire."
But of the Son he says,
"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."
And,
"In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like clothing;
like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be cha
nged.
But you are the same,
and your years will never end."]
The Gospel: John 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was
in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one
thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light
of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to
the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to
testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not
know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all
who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,
who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
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Saint Day / Feast of the Week
Charlotte Diggs (Lottie) Moon
Missionary in China, 1912
Born in Virginia, in 1840, Charlotte Diggs (Lottie) Moon was the child
of pious, and affluent, Baptist parents. Precocious in schooling, she
received an M.A. in Classics, thereby earning one of the first graduate
degrees awarded a woman in the South. She had a gift for languages,
learning first the Biblical and Romance languages-and then later, and
famously, Mandarin.
Lottie Moon's piety lagged behind her learning, and through her teens
she remained indifferent to her Baptist heritage. During a revival at
age eighteen, she experienced a powerful conversion and devoted the
rest of her life to Christ.
After college, Moon taught school in Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia,
one of the few occupations open to educated women in the South.
Another vocation became available to her when Southern Baptists began
to appoint women as foreign missionaries in 1872, and the following
year, at age 33, Moon accepted an appointment in China.
Moon settled in Northern China and continued her work of education
for girls. She soon became restless in teaching and she began
evangelizing among adults, particularly women. Her supervisors
disapproved of her initiative, but Moon quickly gained credibility
because of her ease in relating, woman-to-woman.
Lottie Moon's ceaseless correspondence with Baptist women in the United
States, seeking their support and encouraging would-be missionaries,
was instrumental in the denomination's burgeoning missionary
movement. She appealed to women for a special offering for missionaries
at Christmastime in 1887. Her influence led to the formation of the
Women's Missionary Union in 1888, which continues the Lottie Moon
Christmas Offering as a hallmark of Southern Baptist practice.
On arriving in China, Moon remained aloof from the Chinese,
thinking them her cultural inferiors. Over time, however, she found a
deep respect for Chinese culture, adopting not only their language but
their dress and customs. As she wrote, "It is comparatively easy to give
oneself to mission work, but it is not easy to give oneself to an alien
people. Yet the latter is much better and truer work than the former."
Lottie Moon died on Christmas Eve, 1912.
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Prayer List
We pray for Anne Dalton, Page Lee, Adam Barnes, Rev. Deacon Alice Mason, Cathy Harvey, Laura Beth Murray, Joshua Scruggs, Jack Dixson, Charles Clamurro, Courtney Birk, Charlie Metcalf, Caroline, Carolyn Reese, Eric Hilemon, Eddie Butler, Madison Krontz, Randy Mikeal, Coleen Birk Falk, John Klimkowski, Anne Ebe, Ron Blew, Linda Stanford, Joseph Colarossi, Vic Cooper, Maureen Cooper, Art & Chong Saile, Amber Nash, Brendan McKiernan, John, Lester Walker, Owen Harpold, Johnny Featherston, Wilma Walker, Joan Cieslik, Lloyd White, David Jensen, Carolyn Healy, John King, Glenda Carpenter, Marian Watts, H
olly,
William Knowles, Debra,
and Donald & Sadie Woody
.
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December 23rd - Christine Borner
December 23rd - Robert King
December 23rd - Jeff Meeks
December 25th - Barbara Mooradian
December 26th - Noelle Martin
December 30th - Helene Goulet
January 2nd - Priscilla Graham
January 3rd - Hope Paasch
January 3rd - Michelle Dudley
January 4th - Marc Dudley
January 4th - Denise Whittaker
January 7th - Marsha Ellison
January 10th - Jim Carpenter
January 11th - Terry Eckard
January 18th - Gary Butterworth
January 18th - Brad Frazier
January 18th - Jim McCarthy
January 21st - Erik Jager
January 22nd - Cathy Webster
January 26th - Kelly Halley
January 31st - Jay Oden
Please let the office know if we have missed your birthday!
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MINISTRY SCHEDULE
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2016/2017
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January 1
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January 8
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CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
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Susan Maxon
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Lee Wells
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CHALICE
10:30 AM
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Lee Wells
Bob Forbes
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George Sowersby
Kyle Tilly
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LECTOR
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William Graham
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Bob Forbes
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ACOLYTES
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Lydia Kish
Cheryl Richard
Emory Borner
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Phill Wertz
Lindsey Wells
Autumn Jager
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GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
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Linda Boyd
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Jim Howard
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GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
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George Sowersby
Pam Hart
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Anita & Cohen
Elgin
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ALTAR GUILD
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Cathy Webster
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BREAD
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February
Gay Lindsey
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ALTAR FLOWERS
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COFFEE HOUR
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Graham
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MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
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C.B. Barr
Morningside Resident
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William Graham
Eileen Klimkowski
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SOUND TECH
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Terry Eckard
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Marc Dudley
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LAY EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
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Jerry Wertz
Chong Saile
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Adam Nygren
David McDowell
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VPOD 8:00
10:30
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George Saylor
William Graham
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Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
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