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
September 14, 2017
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Greetings in the name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
The work of a bishop often requires mediating conflict in the church--between rectors and vestries, congregation members, with the diocese and other scenarios. Our Episcopal tradition confesses that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. Most often (maybe ALWAYS) our conflict erupts because we do not love God with our whole heart, and our neighbors as ourselves.
In Sunday's gospel reading Matthew makes clear that such conflict has been with the community of believers from the beginning. There are temporal consequences for our behavior, and Jesus doesn't let the community off the hook easily. Yet, he reminds his followers that we are called to be people of forgiveness because we have a God who eternally forgives through Christ. So forgiven we must take that call seriously. But how many times should I forgive? Seven times is great plenty right? No. Those who have been forgiven are called to forgiveness that is extravagant beyond measure.
Forgiving Christ, you stretched your arms out on the cross to gather all into your embrace. Help us to move past our grief, anger and selfish ambition to seek wholeness, peace and forgiveness. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
See ya Sunday!
Fr. Gary+
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Refectory Fare: Over the past years Jim McCarthy and his team has provided us with wonderful meals on the 3rd
Sunday of each month. This wonderful ministry has offered up the opportunity for fun, food and fellowship throughout the years. As with all good things they eventually end. Jim is retiring from this ministry and we want to thank him for his love and wonderful meals. Please thank him when you see him. In its place, Vestry members will provide "Refectory Fare" every 3rd
Sunday. Refectory is a term meaning, "a dining hall in a religious house, a college, or other institution" and fare is a term that can mean "food offered to the public for enjoyment or consumption." Some Vestry members will provide a lunch and some will provide heavy Hors d'oeuvres. We hope this new offering provides the same opportunities of fun, food and fellowship. Please join us this Sunday, September 17th as Jerry Wertz & Marsha Ellison serve a potato bar.
If you attend, please consider making a $5 donation per person to offset the costs of this wonderful meal.
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Youth Ministry: Chris & Emma Butterworth are beginning a once a month youth event for All Saints. All children over the age of 6 are invited to participate. The hope is for three different age specific activities with a holy time together at the beginning and/or end. We thank Chris & Emma for their willingness to start this. They will need volunteers for each event, most especially the All Saints Walk. More information will be coming very soon and personal postcards are being sent to each youth over the age of 6. If you have any questions or input, please contact Chris at
[email protected] or 704-396-6053. Thank you all for your much needed support of this endeavor for our youth.
- Sunday, OCTOBER 1, 2017
4-5:30 pm FALL Get Together
- Wednesday NOVEMBER 1, 2017 6:00 pm ALL SAINTS WALK (Sort of a substitute/addition for Halloween.) Parishioners dress up as Saints and tell their stories to those who come by and the Saints pass out candy and treats) (Children and youth of ALL ages are welcome)
- Sunday, December 3, 2017
4-5:30 pm ADVENT Get Together
* The Pacesetters will gather at
10:00 on Thursday September 21st in the Family Life Center to hear Deacon Martha give a history of Martin Luther as well as perform a monologue portraying Martin Luther's wife. There will be a brief meeting and then the presentation. Afterwards we will go out to lunch. If you plan to attend, please contact Jerry Wertz at 704-577-9699 or
[email protected]
. For any newcomers to All Saints, the Pacesetters is a group of 50+ individuals, not all from All Saints, who adhere to the following purpose statement: Using the wisdom and experiences provided us through our lives, Pacesetters are called to Share The Blessing of His Love by:
Serving His Church Where Needed
Learning From Each Other To Better Teach The Word Of Jesus Christ
Ministering To Each Other and To Those in Need in the Community
* 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.
* Cooking for the Army: Our next day to cook will be Saturday, October 7th. Parishioners gather at
9AM to cook approximately 700 meals for The Salvation Army & Cornerstone Ministry. We are always in need of more hands to assist in this life-giving project since "more hands make light work." If you are interested in this ministry, please contact the church office and we will put your name on the monthly e-mail reminder.
* Work Day
: We will have a parish workday on Saturday, October 7th at 8:30AM. Please put the date on your calendar and join us in sprucing up the church and the grounds. Many hands make light work! "Please don't fall for that voice that tells you someone else will do it"
* Youth Christian Formation
: Christian Formation for our young people begins
at 9:30 sharp. Our new program is an Episcopal curriculum. We have 11 dedicated teachers and three dedicated musicians who will be guiding our young people. Please bring your children and let them experience God and Jesus with others.
* Towel Ministry Coordinator
: All Saints Towel Ministry funds and builds handicap ramps and does other small building projects for those in Gaston County who have a need. If you are a good organizer and understand basic building techniques All Saints could use your services as our new Towel Ministry Coordinator. You are not expected to do all the work, just take requests, assemble the teams and help out the citizens in our community who need help. If interested please speak to Fr. Gary.
* Ministry Schedule: The September through December Ministry Schedule is on the table in the Family Life Center.
* 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. Please let your table host know if you need babysitting as we can have it available.
* Choir Rehearsal: Sunday mornings at 9:25 am.
* Handbell Rehearsal: Rehearse at 6PM on 9/20, 9/27 - Ring on 10/1.
Rehearse on 11/1, 11/8, 11/15 - Ring on 11/19.
* Food Pantry: Please help us restock the shelves by bringing in the following items: canned meats only (chicken, ham, vienna sausages, spam, salmon, etc.). Through your generosity, we have been able to help many families and individuals.
* Zumba: FIRST CLASS IS FREE! 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.
* Preaching ROTA (rotation) at All Saints
: We are blessed at All Saints to hear three different voices in preaching. Each one of our clergy; Gary, Cris and Martha, have experienced the world and see the world differently and through different lenses. Because our community is made up of different people from different experiences we need to hear different voices. At All Saints, Deacon Cris preaches on the 3rd
Sunday
of each month, Deacon Martha preaches on the 1st
Sunday
of alternate months (next time is in September) and Fr. Gary preaches the other Sundays. We hope you find the different voices fulfilling in your spiritual journey.
* Bible Study: The Faith Club is a wonderful book that has generated excellent discussion. It is not too late to join this group which meets on Wednesday morning at 10:00 in the Family Life Center library. If interested in joining, get the book and come.
* Family Promise:
Our Family Promise guests will once again be with us starting Sunday October 8th, and will be with us the entire week until Sunday, October 15th. This program is a wonderful opportunity to give families without a place that they can call home, a temporary sanctuary by providing shelter, substance and a bit of compassion. 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 volunteer for several activities during on that week. This includes helping to unload and load the families' belongings on the Sunday mornings of the week they are with us (8:30am - 10:15am) , to greet and engage guests (5:00-6:30 pm), to prepare and serve dinner (6:30-8:00 pm), to spend the night (8:00 pm - 7:30 am), to provide homework and enrichment activities for children (5:30-6:30), and to donate items that our guests need (see below). For more information, or to volunteer please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or [email protected]. Suggested Donations List: Clothes detergent, toothbrushes and toothpaste, small first aid kits, hair products, soap and/or body wash, suitcases (both used or new), 10, 20, and 30 gallon storage tubs w/ lids, towels and washcloths (both used or new), bed linens (both used or new), family friendly movies or videos, board games, & craft supplies.
* 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 $20 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.
* 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.
* 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, September 18th - Team #2. (George Sowersby, Nancy Byers & Alex Haymaker)
* 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.
* 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 September 15th: Zumba September 19th: Vestry September 23rd: Parade of Tables September 26th: Pastoral Care Meeting September 29th: Last Friday Get Together September 29th: Lion's Club BBQ October 1st: Parish Breakfast October 1st: Youth Ministry Get Together October 7th: Cooking for the Army October 7th: Parish Work Day October 8th: Family Promise Arrives October 29th: Worship & Picnic at Rankin Lake |
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This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
O
God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; 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 50:15-21
Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers said, "What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?" So they approached Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this instruction before he died, 'Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.' Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, "We are here as your slaves." But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones." In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
8 The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 He will not always accuse us, *
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he removed our sins from us.
13 As a father cares for his children, *
so does the LORD care for those who fear him.
The Epistle: Romans 14:1-12
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God."
So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
The Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
Peter came and said to Jesus, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
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Saint Day / Feast of the Week
James Chisholm
Priest, 1855
James Chisholm was the rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in
Portsmouth, Virginia.
In 1855, an aggressive yellow fever epidemic swept through tidewater
Virginia. Many of the region's wealthy citizens were able to escape
the area to avoid exposure and contamination. In most cases the
physicians and clergy who served them departed as well. This left the
area's poor bereft of doctors, caregivers and, in some cases, the basic
provisions of food and water to sustain life.
James Chisholm sent his family away to safety, staying behind to
provide whatever care for the sick he could. Chisholm provided food,
amateur medical assistance, and pastoral care. He was even known to
have dug graves for those who had died.
As the ravages of the plague were beginning to subside, Chisholm,
weary to the point of exhaustion from his faithful priestly service,
contracted the yellow fever and died.
An account of Chisholm's sacrifice, written only months after his
death, marvels at the inner strength that Chisholm discovered that
enabled him to stay behind and serve the people many of whom were
only waiting to die. Before the crisis, Chisholm was not thought of as
a particularly strong man in body, and was described as having been
retiring to the point of bashfulness, delicate, weak, and lacking much
fortitude. When faced, however, with the call of these priestly duties in
the face of great hardship, Chisholm showed a strength and courage
few knew he possessed.
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September 14th - Aiden Klocker
September 15th - Ryan Klocker
September 17th - Casey Allison
September 18th - Erica Baird
September 19th - Kathleen Sowersby
September 22nd - Joan Cieslik
September 26th - Rob Forbes
September 28th - David Outsen
September 28th - Laura Tilly
September 29th - Tyler Baird
October 1st - Ken Wright
October 2nd - Jim Braddy
October 4th - John Woodward
October 8th - McNeil Miller
October 10th - Cathy Wright
October 12th - Barbara Cooper
October 12th - Lucas Balco
October 14th - Marlene Nivens
October 14th - Jason Witry
October 17th - Phil Hicks
October 17th - Monica Vogt
October 17th - Sharon Tatlock
October 21st - Deloris Stewart
October 23rd - Chris Butterworth
October 23rd - Inga Kish
October 24th - Rob Webster
October 25th - Autumn Jager
October 27th - Robert Weeks
October 31st - Mark Ballenger
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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September 17
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September 24
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CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
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Kelly Morris
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Susan Maxon
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CHALICE
10:30 AM
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George Sowersby
Kyle Tilly
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Cheryl Richard
Adam Nygren
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LECTOR
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Marc Dudley
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Nancy Byers
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ACOLYTES
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Cheryl Richard
Noelle Martin
Sophie Martin
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Lee Wells
Randy Mullins
Lydia Kish
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GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
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Jerry Wertz
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Linda Boyd
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GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
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John & Jessica Woodward
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Bob & Claudette Forbes
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ALTAR GUILD
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Allison Wells
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BREAD
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September
Chris Butterworth
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October
Gay Lindsey
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ALTAR FLOWERS
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John Still
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REFECTORY FARE
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Vestry Provided
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Diane Camp
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MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
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Lee & Allison
Wells
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Pete Laine
Morningside Resident
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SOUND TECH
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Terry Eckard
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Marc Dudley
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LAY EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
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Jerry Wertz
Chong Saile
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Lee & Casey
Allison
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YOUTH
FORMATION
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Laura Tilly
Judy Mullins
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Chris Butterworth
Eileen Klimkowski
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VPOD 8:00
10:30
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Jerry Wertz
Marc Dudley
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Lee Wells
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Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
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