All Saints Messenger 2-23-17

It starts out innocently enough. A stroll up the mountain with Jesus. But then company comes. Jesus is joined by Moses and Elijah. What a sight that must have been! Moses, representing the law; Elijah, representing the prophets; and Jesus, representing the fulfillment of both. I'm sensing a theme in the image of mountains in this week's readings. Moses' face on Mt. Sinai outwardly reflects God's glory. On this mountain, Jesus' face radiates God's glory from within. His divine nature is revealed. Here once again on a mountain God shows up in a cloud that both terrifies and elicits worship. It is on a mountain that God's voice gives authority to the Ten Commandments. It is on a mountain that God's voice gives authority to Jesus' words. "Listen to him," we are told.

Sometimes I find myself dwelling on how I would have acted had I been on that mountain? Would I have cowered, would I have rejoiced, would I have felt unworthy? Reality is that all are true...at one time or another. We all have mountaintop experiences, but we also experience life's valleys. Isn't it nice to know Jesus meets us in both places?

Father, thank you for being a God of not only mountains, but of valleys as well. Wherever we find ourselves, we thank you that you meet us where we are. Amen.

See ya Sunday,

Peace

Fr. Gary+

Financial Report

Year to Date (YTD) Income	$20,514.90
YTD Expenses	$26,063.78
Difference to the negative	$5,548.88
% of monies received through January	7.3% (should be 8.34%)

Please note that we are running a slight negative discrepancy in our giving trends.

Please try to bring your pledge amounts up to date. We thank you for your

generosity and attention to this matter.

(Click date to go to sermon)

February 19, 2017

ANNOUNCEMENTS

* Ash Wednesday Service Schedule: Ash Wednesday is March 1st. All Saints will administer ashes on a walk in basis between 7AM-8AM, we will host the Noon Community Service, and we will also have a 7PM service. Please join us for one of these services as we are reminded "that we are dust, and to dust we shall return."

* 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].

* Salvation Army Garden: Plans are underway for the planting of the garden to provide vegetables for a salad each week or to use in the meals. Charlie Jenkins is in charge of the garden along with a team. We are in need of people/families willing to adopt 1 or 2 plots and do the weeding of those plots. Yes, we are a little ahead of ourselves but the garden will be planted soon and before you know it, the beds will be covered in weeds. There is a sheet in the Family Life Center for you to put your name on a plot. In case you didn't know, All Saints provides the meal and fresh salad every Monday night at the Salvation Army. The recipients are always very complimentary of the food provided. The vestry representatives for the garden are Jerry Wertz and Linda Klocker.

* Healing Service: Cancelled for Wednesday, March 1st.

* New Partnership: Beginning in late March/early April New Life Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) will begin using space at All Saints for their worship services. New Life is a small parish of about 15 people who have recently lost their worship space in Charlotte. They are a liturgical church that celebrates The Eucharist weekly and our traditions share many common rites, rituals, symbols and theological underpinnings. The Vestry and Fr. Gary have been in discussions and negotiations with New Life for about six months and most of the details have been finalized. New Life will contribute to the financial needs of All Saints in this arrangement. New Life's services are held on Sunday evening at 7PM and on first Sundays they will gather in our parish hall for a potluck supper and worship beginning at 6 PM. New Life parishioners hope to participate in some of our ministries and attend some of our more unique services. Please give them a wonderful All Saints welcome! Any questions please contact Fr. Gary.

* The Abrahamic Faiths: Past, Present, and What About the Future?: On Friday March 10th, 7-9PM at Temple Emanuel, you are invited to hear Rabbi Jonah Pesner of The Religious Action Center in Washington DC speak about "Confronting the rise of Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism together. This is a community event sponsored by the Gastonia Trialogue Steering Committee. All are welcome!

* 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.

* Parish Picnic: and worship service at Rankin Lake on April 30th.

* 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.

* Family Promise: The remaining 2017 dates that we will be host to the Family Promise guests are: 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), and to provide homework and enrichment activities for children ( 5:30-6:30). For more information, or to volunteer please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or [email protected].

* 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: Beginning in March, rehearsal will be on Sunday mornings at 9:25am.

* Handbells: rehearsal March 29, April 5 and April 19. Ring for 10:30 worship April 23.

* 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 27th - Team #3. (William Graham, Pete Laine & Milton H.)

* 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 25th: Lenten Study

February 28th: Shrove Tuesday

March 1st: Ash Wednesday

March 5th: Monthly Parish Breakfast

March 28th: Pastoral Care

April 29th: Yard Sale

April 30th: Parish Picnic & Service at Rankin Lake

September 23rd: Parade of Tables

This Sunday's Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy

mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be

strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The First Reading: Exodus 24:12-18

The Lord said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give

you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their

instruction." So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the

mountain of God. To the elders he had said, "Wait here for us, until we come to you again;

for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them."

Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a

devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered

the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Psalm 99

1 The Lord is King;
let the people tremble; *
he is enthroned upon the cherubim;
let the earth shake.

2 The Lord is great in Zion; *
he is high above all peoples.

3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *
he is the Holy One.

4 "O mighty King, lover of justice,
you have established equity; *
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob."

5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and fall down before his footstool; *
he is the Holy One.

6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,
and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *
they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.

7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.

8 O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *
you were a God who forgave them,
yet punished them for their evil deeds.

9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and worship him upon his holy hill; *
for the Lord our God is the Holy One.

The Epistle: 2 Peter 1:16-21

We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and

coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he

received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the

Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We

ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in

your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and

women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

The Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a

high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Saint Day / Feast of the Week

Anna Julia Haywood Cooper and
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright

Educators, 1964, 1904

Anna Julia Haywood Cooper was born about 1859 in Raleigh,

North Carolina, to an enslaved woman and a white man, presumably

her mother's master. She attended St. Augustine Normal School

and Collegiate Institute, founded by the Episcopal Church to

educate African American teachers and clergy. There she became an

Episcopalian and married George Cooper, one of her instructors,

who was the second African American ordained to the Episcopal

priesthood in North Carolina.

Widowed in 1879, Cooper received degrees from Oberlin College, and

was made principal of the African American high school in Washington,

D.C. Denied reappointment in 1906 because she refused to lower her

educational standards. Cooper emphasized the importance of equal

education for African Americans. An advocate for African American

women, Cooper assisted in organizing the Colored Women's League

and the first Colored Settlement House in Washington, D.C.

At the age of 65, in 1925, Cooper became the fourth African

American woman to complete a doctorate, granted by the Sorbonne

in Paris. From 1930-1942, she served as President of Freylinghuysen

University. She died at the age of 104.

Elizabeth Evelyn Wright was born in Talbotton, Georgia, in 1872. Her

father was an African American and her mother of Cherokee descent.

With the encouragement of her teachers, Lizzie, as she was called,

enrolled at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. She worked for the school

during the day and attended night classes, but Olivia Washington, wife

of the head of Tuskegee, Booker T. Washington, noted her promise

and strength of character. Mrs. Washington made it possible for Lizzie

to attend day classes.

Wright interrupted her studies and went to Hampton County, South

Carolina, to establish a school for rural black children. Arsonists

thwarted her efforts and she returned to Tuskegee to finish her degree,

graduating in 1894. She returned to Hampton County to re-start her

school, but once again her efforts were turned back. Together with

two colleagues, Jessie Dorsey and Hattie Davidson, she ventured

to friendlier territory near Denmark in 1897. There she started the

Denmark Industrial Institute, modeled after Tuskegee. It continues

today as Voorhees College, affiliated with the Episcopal Church.

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, Maureen Cooper, 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, Tony & Liz Butler, Michael Driscoll, Rita Ensminger, Mary Lou Butterworth, Sharon Alzner, Jamison Barr, Carol Sutton, Christine McCular & Nancy Byers .

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 26	March 5
CHALICE/LECTOR 8:00 AM	Lee Wells	Brad Frazier
CHALICE 10:30 AM	Cheryl Richard Adam Nygren	Jim & Flo McCarthy
LECTOR	Marsha Ellison	Casey Allison
ACOLYTES	Scott Witry Zoe Tilly Phill Wertz	Lee Wells Lindsey Wells Autumn Jager
GREETER/USHER 8:00 AM	Jerry Wertz	Laurie Stewart
GREETERS/USHERS 10:30 AM	Gay Lindsey Pete Laine	Sharon & Bob Tatlock
ALTAR GUILD	Terry Eckard	Glenda Carpenter
BREAD	February Gay Lindsey	March Chris Butterworth
ALTAR FLOWERS	Phill & Carol Wertz	Lenten Greens
COFFEE HOUR	Diane Camp
MORNINGSIDE 10:30 AM	Jim McCarthy Judy Mullins	C.B. Barr Morningside Resident
SOUND TECH	John Woodward	William Graham
LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS	William & Priscilla Graham	George Sowersby Susan Stroud
VPOD 8:00 10:30	Lee Wells Marc Dudley	Linda Klocker Glenda Carpenter

Blessings & Peace,

Fr. Gary+

phone: 704-864-7201

e-mail: [email protected]

web site:
www.allsaintsgastonia.org

Fr. Gary's blog:
http://thevenite.blogspot.com

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