All Saints Messenger 6-15-17

Some years ago, our new assistant priest, Father Mario, made a hospital visit to a Jamaican woman who was not recovering well from surgery. He paid his visit at night, when things were quiet. Days had passed since this woman's surgery, and she still had no appetite. As they talked about their respective homes-Jamaica for her and Cuba for him-he asked what her family would be bringing her to eat if she were home. She said, "Fresh oranges." He said, "Wait for me. I'll be back."

Father Mario drove to a grocery store and purchased six oranges and a knife. Back in her hospital room, he peeled the oranges and described how his grandfather in Cuba taught him to peel oranges without tearing the membrane. Father Mario listened to her-and the woman began to recover. She ate two oranges that night and had a supply for the next day.

When we take the time to listen deeply, being sensitive to what a hurting person is saying or not saying, we may find that we are able to soothe broken bodies and broken hearts. God has given us to each other just for this reason.

MOVING FORWARD: Who has listened to you deeply and helped set you free? Write them a note or give them a call and offer your thanks.

PRAY for the Diocese of Northern Malawi

June is CAM (Crisis Assistance Ministry) month for All Saints.

CAM is a cooperative ministry of the greater Gastonia faith community and provides emergency food and financial assistance to those facing financial crisis or struggling with the burden of poverty. CAM needs financial assistance, food contributions, and volunteers. More information can be found on the table in the Family Life Center. Please get your donations in early. If you have any questions contact Linda Klocker.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

* Holy Land trip: Fr. Gary and ten others will be in the Holy Land from June 12th-25th. Please keep them all in your prayers. If there is a pastoral need during this time please contact Deacons Cris or Martha. The Rev. Dr. Valori Mulvey Sherer will be All Saints Supply Priest on June 18th and 25th. Valori most recently served The Church of the Redeemer in Shelby, NC. Please welcome her.

* Outreach: Will meet on Wednesday, June 21st at 6:30PM in the conference room.

* Invitation to All Saints Members: Eileen Klimkowski has engaged Marsha Ellison, Karen Solis and others to play on her deck on Saturday, June 17th at 1pm. All Saints members are invited to bring lawn chairs & drinks & enjoy the music.

* Children's Christian Formation: Our youth formation committee has been meeting and have decided to place Godly Play in a "Season of Reflection" for the upcoming year. In its place we will be using an Episcopal Church curriculum that is accessible to children and the adults leading it. Presently, we are in need of 10 or more volunteers and a coordinator. At the conclusion of the 2017-2018 year we will assess where we have been with Godly Play and the new curriculum and plan accordingly. If you feel called and/or are interested in this very important ministry please see Fr. Gary.

* Follow the Holy Land Trip: Follow along on our parishioners journey in the Holy Land

@ https://garyholyland2017.wordpress.com/blog/

* Last Friday Get Together: June 30th.

* Parish Breakfast: Sunday morning breakfast will take place on July 2nd. If anyone has a special item they would like to bring, please sign up and let us know. Breakfast starts early for those attending choir practice ( 9:00) and continues until 10:00. Hopefully we can get more 10:30 people to attend with these expanded hours. It is a great time to relax and visit!

* Family Promise : The remaining 2017 dates that we will be host to the Family Promise guests are: 8/6 - 8/13, 10/8 - 10/15. Family Promise is a community program that provides housing and support to families that are less fortunate. 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, to provide homework and enrichment activities for the children, to prepare and serve dinner, and to spend the night.The other way that parishioners can assist these families is to donate items that our guests need. Suggested items to donate are 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. For more information, or to volunteer please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or [email protected] .

* Parish Nurse Ministry will be taking blood pressures after the 8:00 and 10:30 services on the second Sunday of the month. Nurses interested in the parish nurse ministry please contact Cheryl Saylor, MSN.

* Cookbooks: $10 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.

* The Wednesday morning Bible Study , which meets at the church at 10:00am , is reading "An Altar in the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor. If this sounds of interest to you, please plan to join us.

* 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 Garden: Planting of the garden is underway 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. 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.

* Zumba: All Saints will host a Zumba Gold class on Fridays at 9am in the Family Life Center. It will be taught by certified instructor Barbara Mooradian who has been teaching for 6 years. Especially suited to older adults or those with mobility issues or restrictions, Zumba Gold has all of the liveliness and fun of Zumba while being low impact and easier on the body. It can even be done while sitting! Zumba Fitness is fun-filled, energetic, and contagious. You do not have to know how to dance; you just have to enjoy yourself and keep moving! Classes will be $5 each and payable by the month. Come try it out. You will be glad you did. For more info email Barbara at [email protected] or call 808-281-7172. See you on Friday.

* 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!

* Parade of Tables: Save the date!! Saturday, September 23rd.

* Choir: Rehearsal will now be on Sunday mornings at 9:25am.

* 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, June 19th - Team #1. (Candy Albergine & Susan Marshall)

* 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.

* 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

June 9th: Zumba

June 20th: Vestry

June 21st: Outreach

June 30th: Last Friday Get Together

July 2nd: Parish Breakfast

July 18th: Pacesetters

September 23rd: Parade of Tables

This Sunday's Scripture Readings

The Collect

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson: Genesis 18:1-15

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on-since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?" The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son." But Sarah denied, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. He said, "Oh yes, you did laugh."

Psalm 116:1, 10-17

1 I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.
10 How shall I repay the LORD *
for all the good things he has done for me?
11 I will lift up the cup of salvation *
and call upon the Name of the LORD.
12 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
in the presence of all his people.
13 Precious in the sight of the LORD *
is the death of his servants.
14 O LORD, I am your servant; *
I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;
you have freed me from my bonds.
15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and call upon the Name of the LORD.
16 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
in the presence of all his people,
17 In the courts of the LORD'S house, *
in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Hallelujah!

The Epistle:

Romans 5:1-8

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person-- though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

The Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:8

Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

Saint Day / Feast of the Week

The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

John the Baptist, the prophet, and forerunner of Jesus, was the son of
elderly parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, and was related to Jesus on
his mother's side. His birth is celebrated six months before Christmas
Day, since, according to Luke, Elizabeth became pregnant six months
before the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

John figures prominently in all four Gospels, but the account of
his birth is given only in the Gospel according to Luke. His father,
Zechariah, a priest of the Temple at Jerusalem, was struck speechless
because he doubted a vision foretelling John's birth. When his speech
was restored, Zechariah uttered a canticle of praise, the Benedictus,
which is one of the canticles in the Daily Office.

John lived ascetically in the desert. He was clothed with camel's hair,
with a leather belt, and ate locusts and wild honey. He preached
repentance, and called upon people to prepare for the coming of the
Kingdom and of the Messiah, baptizing his followers to signify their
repentance and new life. Jesus himself was baptized by John in the
Jordan.

John had many followers, some of whom became Jesus' disciples.
Because of his denunciation of the sins of Herod, especially Herod's
incestuous marriage, John incurred the enmity of Herodias, Herod's
wife, and was put in prison. Through Herodias' plotting with Salome,
her daughter, Herod was led to promise a gift to Salome, who
demanded John's head. John was thereupon executed.

John is remembered during Advent as a prophet, and at Epiphany
as the baptizer of Jesus. The Gospel according to John quotes the
Baptist as saying to his followers that Jesus is the Lamb of God, and
prophesying, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

June 15th - Brenda Bostian

June 17th - Claudette Forbes

June 17th - Cheryl Saylor

June 18th - Shelton Current

June 19th - Sophie Martin

June 21st - Carol Wertz

June 22nd - Theo Sloop

June 24th - Cathy Harvey

June 25th - Vic Cooper

June 27th - Lee Wells

June 27th - Emory Borner

July 2nd - Danielle Witry McMillan

July 2nd - David McDowell

July 4th - Lana Ray

July 4th - Don Stine

July 5th - William Graham

July 6th - Kelly Morris

July 6th - Lee Allison

July 9th - Cheryl Richard

July 11th - Ofejiro Sido

July 15th - Lindsey Wells

July 15th - Amber Forbes

July 16th - Debbie Birk

July 16th - Dorothy DeCristofor

July 16th - Josie Polhemus

July 19th - Judy Mullins

July 23rd - Martha Richard

July 25th - Connor Kish

July 25th - Eileen Klimkowski

July 26th - Bob Tatlock

July 26th - Flo McCarthy

July 30th - Wayne Butler

July 30th - Alice Braddy

Please let the office know if we have missed your birthday!

MINISTRY SCHEDULE

2017	June 18	June 25
CHALICE/LECTOR 8:00 AM	Brad Frazier	Susan Maxon
CHALICE 10:30 AM	George Sowersby Kyle Tilly	Cheryl Richard Adam Nygren
LECTOR	Susan Stroud	Kyle Tilly
ACOLYTES	Lindsey Wells Emory Borner Lydia Kish	Phill Wertz Sydney Wertz Lindsey Wells
GREETER/USHER 8:00 AM	Jim Howard	Jerry Wertz
GREETERS/USHERS 10:30 AM	John & Jessica Woodward	Gay Lindsey Pete Laine
ALTAR GUILD	Marc Dudley	Terry Eckard
BREAD	June Kelly Halley	July Jay Oden
ALTAR FLOWERS	Father's Day	Cathy Harvey
COFFEE HOUR	Diane Camp	Erin Balco
MORNINGSIDE 10:30 AM	Lee & Allison Wells	Pete Laine Judy Mullins
SOUND TECH	Marc Dudley	John Woodward
LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS	Lee & Casey Allison	Jim & Flo McCarthy
VPOD 8:00 10:30	Linda Klocker Marc Dudley	George Saylor Phill Wertz

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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