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
July 6, 2017
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The Forward Day by Day Meditation for THURSDAY, July 13
1 Samuel 16:23
And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him.
Last summer, after a two-year fight with chronic hip pain, my doctor began discussing surgery. When surgery sounds like a relief, pain has been in charge for too long. Pain doesn't stop at affecting your mobility-it seeps into your mind, convincing you that you don't deserve to feel better. Faith has to work doubly hard to stay on top of pain.
As I drove my daughter to school for her dance program, I handed her my phone so she could play DJ on our morning commute. Jaiya, being the insightful child God made her, choose the perfect song:
Just because I'm losing, doesn't mean I'm lost.
Just because I'm hurting, doesn't mean I'm hurt.
Of course, this youngest child of mine is right to remind that I'm not the negative feelings I feel-not alone, or hopeless, or unwanted. I am, have been, and will continue to be God's beloved child. God wants me to fight for my healing and peace. God wants me to be complete. And God is fighting alongside me, making me whole and giving me peace.
MOVING FORWARD: What song helps carry you through difficult times?
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The Fall session of EfM is coming up quickly. EfM is a four year program from The University of the South, Sewanee. It is a wonderful way to study the Bible, history and theology. EfM has two new Mentors, Don Stine and Adam Nygren. If you are interested in joining in the fun, please contact one of these Mentors as soon as possible. The Group
will register at the end of July in order to get books on time. If you have
any questions, please contact Don at 704-691-4089
or
Adam at 980-285-0915
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Statements: Quarterly statements are available for pick up after both services this Sunday.
*
Bible Study: Our next reading of the Wednesday Bible Study group will be The Faith Club, A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew - Three Women Search for Understanding when we complete An Altar in the World. Our next discussion from An Altar in the World will be on pain and then on prayer. We invite you to join us on Wednesday's at 10 in the Family Life Center for some very interesting discussions.
* The Pacesetters will gather for an indoor picnic on Tuesday July 18th at 11:00 in the Family Life Center. We will grill hamburgers and chicken and ask that attendees bring a side item or dessert. We will plan to eat around
noon. If you plan to attend, please let Jerry Wertz know at
[email protected]. There will not be a program - just socialization.
* Parade of Tables: Saturday, September 23rd from 6 - 8:30PM. This is an outreach event that raises money for our church. It is an elegant evening with friends and includes dinner, a band and an auction. Church members host a table that is decorated in various themes. The table hosts sell tickets for a seat at their table. There are usually 12 to 15 tables and each ticket is $25.00 dollars. This includes appetizers, dinner and desert as well as great music and an auction. We will also sell raffle tickets for 2.00 a ticket and a 50/50 cash prize. The evening is very enjoyable and full of fun. Please feel free to contact Lee and Casey Allison if you have any questions. All proceeds go to support our All Saints Outreach Programs. Tickets: $25.00 per person. Raffle Tickets: $2.00 per ticket. 50/50 cash prize: $5.00 for an arm length.
* Needed: Monetary donations for lettuce and carrots for the Salvation Army salads on Mondays. Our lettuce in the garden has "gone over to the dark side...bolted". Will be a month or two before the new crop is in. Until then, we need donations for lettuce and carrots. Each week, we use up one large bag of sliced carrots and 6 heads of lettuce. Cost is about $8 a week. Donations are needed to offset this cost. Anyone willing to donate cash or a gift card to the project, please see Linda Klocker, 704-827-3901. Checks should be made out to All Saints, garden fund. Thanks for your generosity. The clients at the Salvation Army really enjoy a fresh salad.
* CAM:
CAM needs help sorting through a mountain of bags from the Post Office food drive from May. Any help is appreciated. Short spurts of help ok. I'm going to try and go over for about an hour once a week. If you want info, or want to go with me, give me a call or call CAM directly. From Linda Klocker.
* Parish Breakfast:
Sunday
morning breakfast will take place on August 6th. If anyone has a special item they would like to bring, please sign up and let us know. Breakfast starts early (
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!
* First Sunday of the month Coffee Hour
: We need someone to set up and clean up only for Coffee Hour on Parish Breakfast Sunday. You do not have to provide any food, just set out the food left from breakfast. Please sign up for this on the Coffee Hour sign-up sheet.
* Diocesan Picnic: August 19th at Valle Crucis Conference Center.
The diocese will provide hot dogs (and lemonade) and each parish can bring dishes to share and a dessert for the dessert table. We will have lots of opportunities to play outside, enjoy the beauty of Valle Crucis Conference Center, hike, etc.
More details to follow...
*
Choir Rehearsal: will resume
Sunday August 20th at 9:25 am
.
*
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. There is a sign up sheet in The Family Life Center. 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.
* A liturgical change for the summer: We are currently rotating between three alternative Eucharistic prayers written by The Episcopal Church's Standing Commission on Liturgy & Music. The three prayers are in booklets placed in each pew. We hope these new prayers, with new images might help open the Eucharist in new and exciting ways for you. The plan is to return to the Prayer Book prayers in the fall. Other minor changes include: a different Gloria, the Contemporary Lord's Prayer (said not sung, also considered by some scholars to be the original prayer of our Lord), new Sanctus & Fraction anthems, and a new Great Amen.
* 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.
* Food Pantry
: The shelves are about empty! 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!
* 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, July 17th - Team #5. (Jacquie Burr & Linda Boyd)
* 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.
* Partnership: All Saints has entered into a relationship with the YMCA's Resource Connection Gateway. This 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.
* 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 July 14th: Zumba July 18th: Pacesetters July 18th: Vestry Meeting July 25th: Pastoral Care August 6th: Family Promise Arrives August 15th: Pacesetters (Holy Land Presentation) August 19th: Diocesan Picnic August 20th: Choir Rehearsal Resumes September 23rd: Parade of Tables October 29th: Worship & Picnic at Rankin Lake |
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This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Lesson: Genesis 25:19-34
These are the descendants of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. The children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it is to be this way, why do I live?" So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her,
"Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples born of you shall be divided;
the one shall be stronger than the other,
the elder shall serve the younger."
When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Esau said to Jacob, "Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!" (Therefore he was called Edom.) Jacob said, "First sell me your birthright." Esau said, "I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?" Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
105
Your word is a lantern to my feet *
and a light upon my path.
106 I have sworn and am determined *
to keep your righteous judgments.
107 I am deeply troubled; *
preserve my life, O
Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, O
Lord, the willing tribute of my lips, *
and teach me your judgments.
109 My life is always in my hand, *
yet I do not forget your law.
110 O The wicked have set a trap for me, *
but I have not strayed from your commandments.
111 Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; *
truly, they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes *
for ever and to the end.
The Epistle: Romans 8:1-11
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law-- indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
The Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!"
"Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."
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Saint Day / Feast of the Week
Saint Mary Magdalene
Mary of Magdala near Capernaum was one of several women who
followed Jesus and ministered to him in Galilee. The Gospel according
to Luke records that Jesus "went on through cities and villages,
preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And
the Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been
healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from
whom seven demons had gone out ... " (Luke 8:1-2). The Gospels tell
us that Mary was healed by Jesus, followed him, and was one of those
who stood near his cross at Calvary.
It is clear that Mary Magdalene's life was radically changed by Jesus'
healing. Her ministry of service and steadfast companionship, even
as a witness to the crucifixion, has, through the centuries, been an
example of the faithful ministry of women to Christ. All four Gospels
name Mary as one of the women who went to the tomb to mourn
and to care for Jesus' body. Her weeping for the loss of her Lord
strikes a common chord with the grief of all others over the death of
loved ones. Jesus' tender response to her grief-meeting her in the
garden, revealing himself to her by calling her name-makes her the
first witness to the risen Lord. She is given the command, "Go to
my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your
Father, to my God and your God" (John 20:17). As the first messenger
of the resurrection, she tells the disciples, "I have seen the Lord" (John
20:18).
In the tradition of the Eastern Church, Mary is regarded as the equal
of an apostle; and she is held in veneration as the patron saint of the
great cluster of monasteries on Mount Athos.
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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!
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MINISTRY SCHEDULE
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2017
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July 16
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July 23
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CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
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Kelly Morris
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Jim McCarthy
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CHALICE
10:30 AM
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Lee Wells
Bob Forbes
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Terry Eckard
Jack Gaskey
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LECTOR
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Casey Allison
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David McDowell
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ACOLYTES
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Phill Wertz
Noelle Martin
Sophie Martin
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Cheryl Richard
Autumn Jager
Lindsey Wells
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GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
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Linda Boyd
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Brad Frazier
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GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
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Candy Albergine
Marc Dudley
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George Sowersby
Pam Hart
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ALTAR GUILD
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Marc Dudley
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Marc Dudley
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BREAD
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August
Jocelyn King
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ALTAR FLOWERS
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Lee & Allison Wells
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Inga Kish
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COFFEE HOUR
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Tony & Bruce
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Graham
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MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
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George Sowersby
Morningside Resident
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William Graham
Judy Mullins
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SOUND TECH
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John Woodward
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Marc Dudley
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LAY EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
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Lee & Casey Allison
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Jim & Flo
McCarthy
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VPOD 8:00
10:30
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George Saylor
Marc Dudley
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Linda Klocker
Lee Wells
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Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
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