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 |
|
The All Saints Messenger
February 16, 2017
|
|
Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Wow, what a time in the life of our nation to be hearing Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. This Sunday we find ourselves about a third of the way into the Sermon on the Mount. A few weeks back, the sermon began with the Beatitudes, those lovely petitions about blessedness. Surely the crowd gathered around Jesus--the poor, the meek, the marginalized, the hungry--found solace in those poetic blessings from God. However, now we hear Jesus preaching about revenge and vengeance, or rather, the lack thereof...the command to turn the other cheek, give up your coat and to go the second mile...tough stuff. He dares to tell his followers to love their enemies, and even to pray for them. Surely by now members of the crowd are looking for a way out...an exit strategy to get as far away as possible from this itinerant preacher and his impossible call to them (us).
What would you have done had you been there? I believe I would have run. I often find myself still running. That's what these last few weeks have been about for me. I find myself being convicted guilty of not following my Christian call when times get rough and so I have to meditate, study, reflect, pray and talk about them. If I stay I'm called to love everyone: political leaders, relatives who make me cringe, members of churches unlike ours and so on. So just as I start running, I remember that Jesus' call-painful, difficult, unpleasant, uncomfortable as it is-is, most likely, the most desperately needed action of our day: loving all, especially those we deem unworthy.
Jesus, sometimes your call to love my enemies seems impossible. Perhaps it is. Give me strength to try. Teach me how to pray for those who hurt me and oppress others. Make me a witness of your counter-cultural love. Only by your grace will this happen. Amen.
See ya Sunday,
P
eace
Fr. Gary+
|
|
A LENTEN STUDY
So I Send You
A Discipleship Study Based on the 7 Signs in the Gospel of John
Saturday February 18 - Saturday April 8, 2017 - 9 am
All Saint's Episcopal Church - 704.864.7201
Deacons Cris South and Martha Richard
How are we called to serve God in this world he has created? What is it he wants us to do? How do we find the strength to do what he wishes? And we ask ourselves, "Why me?"
So I Send You is an 8 week course, meeting each week on Saturday mornings, Feb. 18 - April 15 for approximately 2 hours, and culminating with the 8th
session during which we will share our stories, a meal, and the Eucharist together. It is open to all adults and is non-denominational. All are invited and it is designed to be a welcoming, accepting space. We will explore the lessons Jesus taught through his example and actions in John's gospel. What are we to learn from his feeding of the 5,000, walking on water, or raising Lazarus from the dead? And how do we discern our place in each of the stories? The goal of this course is to dig deep and find - or renew - our call to be Christ's hands, feet, and mouth to all of his people.
Course materials will be supplied but each participant is asked to bring their Bible every week (any translation). Coffee, tea, and light snacks will be provided. Donations to help cover the cost of the course are not a requirement but are considered a blessing.
Space is limited so register as soon as possible by calling All Saint's at 704.864.7201 or sign up sheet in The Family Life Center.
|
|
(Click date to go to sermon)
|
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Family Promise:
Our week to host the Family Promise will start this
Sunday, February 19th. Family Promise is a program that offers assistance to families who are in need of food and shelter. The families will be with us from this Sunday and will be with us until
next Sunday. During this upcoming week we will be greeting the families when they arrive in the evening on each day, providing activities for the children, preparing and serving meals to the families here at the church, and staying overnight during their stay to provide any assistance they might need. Currently, there are 2 families in the program. Cheryl Smith and her 2 children, Jeremiah (6) and Victorie (3), and Mary and Billy Black and their son Preston (6). We are still in need of volunteers and would appreciate any time that you might volunteer to the program. If you would like to volunteer for one of the activities or are just interested in finding out more about the program please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or at
[email protected]
.
* Parish Lunch:
This Sunday following the 10:30am service. Please make a $5 donation per person to offset the costs of this wonderful meal. We are always in need of people to stay after lunch and be part of the clean-up crew. See Jim McCarthy if you can help or sign up on the sheet in The Family Life Center.
* Shrove Tuesday Pancakes: On
Tuesday February 28th at 6PM we will have our Annual Pancake Supper. Donations go to Outreach. There is a sign-up sheet in The Life Center. We are in need of donations of syrup, butter & sausage. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending!
* Monthly Parish Breakfast: Beginning on
Sunday March 5th at 9AM and continuing the first
Sunday of every month thereafter, we will be having breakfast for the entire church. The
10:30 volunteers will be the cooks and the
8 o'clock volunteers will clean up. For the first breakfast, the church will provide eggs and meat. We ask all of you to bring an item: fruit, orange juice, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, egg/sausage/ham casseroles, etc. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the Family Life Center to ensure a good assortment of food. Besides increasing opportunities for fellowship it is one of the best ways to get both the
8 AM and the
10:30 people together so we get to know everyone. We also hope committee heads will take the opportunity to talk up their ministries and let people know how they might help.
On that
Sunday, there will be no Adult Christian Formation but there will be
Sunday School for the children. If you want to assist with this event, please contact Jerry Wertz at 704-577-9699 or
[email protected].
* Picture Directory: FINAL DATE - March 5th. There is a sign up sheet in the Family Life Center - make your photography appointment now! Emma Butterworth will be our photographer.
* Adult Christian Formation: We are studying "Great Figures of the New Testament." Our guide is the esteemed Jewish scholar Amy-Jill Levine who teaches at Vanderbilt University. What Ms. Levine brings to the table is a unique Jewish understanding of the New Testament, the culture and people of the day. She will take us on a journey of specific characters: who they are, what they do and how they have been assessed across the centuries. We begin at
9:25 AM. Please join us!
* 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. We have no space to store your donations before the sale. We can not accept old tv's - only flat screens that work. If you have large items or furniture that must be moved prior to the yard sale, please call George Sowersby. Contact Claudette Forbes or George Sowersby with questions.
* Fr. Gary's Annual Meeting Address: Fr. Gary's address to the Parish at the Annual Meeting is available on the table in the Life Center. If you were not able to make it to the Annual Meeting please pick up a copy.
* Foyers: The group lists are available in the Family Life Center. Contact Jerry Wertz if you have any questions -
[email protected] or 704-577-9699.
* Parade of Tables: Save the date!! Saturday, September 23rd.
* 2017 Pledge Cards: If you have not turned in your pledge card yet, please think about doing so. Pledge Cards are available in the Narthex. The Vestry thanks everyone for their generosity.
* The Bible Study Group began a new study of Paul. The group meets
on Wednesday at
10:00am in the Family Life Center. We welcome anyone who would like to join us. You do not have to be a member of All Saints to come. If you would like to learn more about the group, please contact Jerry Wertz at 704-577-9699.
* Choir: Rehearsal weekly on Wednesday at 7PM.
* Pastoral Care Meeting: Tuesday, March 28th at 7PM.
* 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.
* 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).
* Salvation Army Service Schedule: Monday, February 20th - Team #1. (Candy Albergine & Susan Marshall)
* Mid-Week Service: All Saints offers a "Service of Healing with Eucharist" on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 PM. All of us are hurting, in need of healing, or want to be made whole again. Christ comes to us in the quiet times of a contemplative service where we can "be still and know that God is God." Think about joining us and be renewed, refreshed, transformed, and continue your journey towards "wholeness."
* 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!
* 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.
* 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.
* Ministry Schedule: The 2017 February through April Ministry Schedule is on the table in the Family Life Center.
* 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.
* 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.
|
| Upcoming Schedule February 18th: Lenten Study February 19th: Family Promise February 21st: Vestry Meeting February 28th: Shrove Tuesday March 1st: Ash Wednesday March 5th: Monthly Parish Breakfast March 28th: Pastoral Care April 29th: Yard Sale September 23rd: Parade of Tables |
|
This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18
The
Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the
Lord your God am holy.
When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the
Lord your God.
You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the
Lord.
You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the
Lord.
You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the
Lord.
You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the
Lord.
Psalm 119:33-40
33
Teach me, O
Lord, the way of your statutes, *
and I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; *
I shall keep it with all my heart.
35 Make me go in the path of your commandments, *
for that is my desire.
36 Incline my heart to your decrees *
and not to unjust gain.
37 Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; *
give me life in your ways.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, *
which you make to those who fear you.
39 Turn away the reproach which I dread, *
because your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for your commandments; *
in your righteousness preserve my life.
The Epistle: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
"He catches the wise in their craftiness,"
and again,
"The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are futile."
So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future-- all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
The Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
|
|
Saint Day / Feast of the Week
Charles Todd Quintard
Bishop of Tennessee, 1898
Charles Todd Quintard was the second bishop of the Diocese of
Tennessee and the first Vice Chancellor of The University of the South
at Sewanee.
Quintard was born in 1824 in Stamford, Connecticut. In 1847
he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Medical
College of New York University and worked at New York's Bellevue
Hospital. After a brief episode of practicing medicine in Athens,
Georgia, Quintard became the professor of anatomy and physiology
at Memphis Medical College and an editor of the Memphis Medical
Reporter. In 1848, Quintard married Katherine Isabella Hand, a
native of Roswell, Georgia, and together they were the parents of three
children.
It was while he was in Memphis that Quintard came to know Bishop
James Hervey Otey, the first bishop of Tennessee. Under Otey's
personal tutelage, Quintard prepared for holy orders. He was ordained
to the diaconate on New Year's Day 1855 and to the priesthood on the
Feast of the Epiphany, 1856. He served as rector of the Church of the
Advent, Nashville, until his election as the second bishop of Tennessee
in October 1865. He served as bishop until his death in 1898.
During the Civil War, Quintard played dual roles in the Confederate
Army as both chaplain and surgeon. Following the war, he was
instrumental in bringing together the previously divided factions and
extending the reach of the Episcopal Church, particularly among
African Americans.
Bishop Quintard was a strong advocate of education at every level
and played a major role in the establishment of schools. Perhaps his
greatest accomplishment was the rebuilding of the University of the
South at Sewanee after its destruction during the Civil War. He made
several successful trips to England to raise the funds to secure the
future of the University. From February 1867 to July 1872, Quintard
served as the reconstituted University's first Vice Chancellor. Quintard
believed that a great Episcopal university was essential, not just to the
church in Tennessee and the southeast, but to the whole church, and
thus devoted much of his ministry to Sewanee.
|
|
Prayer List
We pray for Anne Dalton, Page Lee, Adam Barnes, Cathy Harvey, Laura Beth Murray, Joshua Scruggs, Jack Dixson, Charles Clamurro, Courtney Birk, Charlie Metcalf, Madison Krontz, Linda Stanford, Joseph Colarossi, Vic Cooper, Maureen Cooper, Art & Chong Saile, Brendan McKiernan, John, Owen Harpold, Johnny Featherston, Carolyn Healy, John King, Jim & Glenda Carpenter,
William Knowles, D
onald & Sadie Woody, Susan Lamb, Linda Klocker, Walter Frazier, Jane Tucker, Maxine Justice, Aiden, Tony & Liz Butler, Michael Driscoll, Rita Ensminger, Mary Lou Butterworth, Sharon Alzner, Jamison Barr, Carol Sutton & Christine McCular
.
|
February 19th - Kirsten Witry
February 22nd - Dennis Stewart
February 24th - Sydney Wertz
February 26th - Katie Huskins
March 2nd - Kyle Tilly
March 4th - Marian Watts
March 5th - Sid Brandon
March 5th - Christina Solis
March 9th - Anita Elgin
March 9th - Linda Stanford
March 14th - Chong Saile
March 14th - Larry Kish
March 24th - Jocelyn King
March 28th - Debra Sayles
March 29th - Jerry Wertz
March 30th - Kelly Eckard
March 31st - Millie English
March 31st - Bruce Kiser
Please let the office know if we have missed your birthday!
|
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
|
2017
|
February 19
|
February 26
|
|
CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
|
Susan Maxon
|
Lee Wells
|
|
CHALICE
10:30 AM
|
Lee Wells
Bob Forbes
|
Cheryl Richard
Adam Nygren
|
|
LECTOR
|
Susan Stroud
|
Marsha Ellison
|
|
ACOLYTES
|
Lydia Kish
Sophie Martin
Cheryl Richard
|
Scott Witry
Zoe Tilly
Phill Wertz
|
|
GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
|
Jim Howard
|
Jerry Wertz
|
|
GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
|
Priscilla & William
Graham
|
Gay Lindsey
Pete Laine
|
|
ALTAR GUILD
|
Marc Dudley
|
Terry Eckard
|
|
BREAD
|
|
March
Chris Butterworth
|
|
ALTAR FLOWERS
|
Carol Maiden
|
Phill & Carol Wertz
|
|
COFFEE HOUR
|
Parish Lunch
|
|
|
MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
|
George Sowersby
Morningside
Resident
|
Jim McCarthy
Judy Mullins
|
|
SOUND TECH
|
Terry Eckard
|
John Woodward
|
|
LAY EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
|
Adam Nygren
David McDowell
|
William & Priscilla Graham
|
|
VPOD 8:00
10:30
|
Linda Klocker
William Graham
|
Lee Wells
Marc Dudley
|
|
|
Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
