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
August 14th, 2022
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The Rector's Reflection
The door of our car was left accidentally unlocked one night this week. Whoever checked it out was looking for something—money, drugs, who knows what—and the contents of our car were spread all over. The glove box was open, sunglasses were strewn about, and I wondered what they thought, if anything, when they took out my small Prayer Book/Bible with the cross on the front. Nothing was taken, and other than feeling creeped out because someone had gone through our things, we haven’t suffered any loss.
Jesus tells us brief parables in Matthew 24:36-43 and Luke 12:35-39 about our need for watchfulness, for being ready because we do not know the hour that the Lord will return, like a thief in the night. While I am not likely to see the person who went through our car as Christ, I am thinking about what it would be like to have my life broken into by Christ Jesus and not be ready for that encounter.
Imagine living a comfy, Christian life where we are not working for the Kingdom of God, but are in church to meet our needs alone. It is so easy to want church to be our way, a place where we can receive comfort and spiritual food, fellowship with friends and neighbors, but want not much more than that. We will indeed be surprised when we say, “Lord, Lord,” at Christ’s return and have Christ Jesus reply, “Truly, I tell you, I do not know you” (Matthew 25:1-12). We want, instead, to be like the wise bridesmaids who have the wicks of their lamps trimmed, and their lamps filled with oil (faithful service and deeds).
In the life of All Saints, there are ministries of “in-reach,” ways that we serve the faith community inside All Saints: altar care, choir, lectors, eucharistic ministers, hospitality ministries like receptions and coffee hours, Building and Grounds, Finance, and Vestry. There are also ministries of “out-reach,” ways we minister to people beyond our doors: caring for the women and children at the Women’s Shelter through weekend meals and providing items that make their lives better, food distribution at Mt. Zion Church, providing school supplies, the backpack ministry that provides weekend food for children who experience food insecurity, home visitation and work done through the Rector’s Discretionary (Alms) account. I know many of you serve neighbors, friends and others at work, carrying out ministry as a way of life.
In our Baptismal Covenant we promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.” Seeing those we serve as Christ is a challenge that we are all called to live. Living this way, loving our neighbors as we love ourselves and looking for Christ in each of them, is how we keep our lamps filled and our wicks trimmed. Living in this way, we can be watchful for the Lord’s return and not be worried about Christ’s coming as a thief in the night.
I don’t feel creeped out anymore about our “visitor” that night. Rather, I feel called to pray for them that their needs will be met and that God will bless them with God’s grace and love. All in all, I am thankful to have had this time of reflection this week, that I wouldn’t have otherwise had, had the car not been “visited.” Maybe, I am learning to see Christ in our “visitor.”
I hope this finds you well. I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Lynn+
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SCHEDULE OF CHURCH SERVICES
All worship services are in-person except the 10:30 service which my be viewed online or in-person.
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ALTAR FLOWERS DEDICATION
The flowers today are given in thankfulness, and to the glory of God, in celebration of Cheryl’s ten years of survivorship from breast cancer.
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News From Lambeth
The flowers to read about the Lambeth Conference that the Bishop attended, read the summary from Episcopal News Service.
Click Here For Link
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BOOK STUDY GROUP
BOOK STUDY ON WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 10:00 AM
The Book Study is reading The Irrational Season by Madeline L’Engle. The group is led by Rev. Lynn, and we never read more than we all agree is a comfortable amount. Please read through chapters 6 & 7. We would love for you to join the group which meets on Wednesday morning via Zoom at 10:00.
The Zoom link for the meeting is as follows:
Click here for link to Book Study
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PACESETTERS
Our next outing will be on Tuesday August 23rd when we will visit the Gaston County Museum located in Dallas, NC and eat lunch at Sammy's. We will be leaving the Church at 10 a.m. There is a sign-up sheet in the Family Life Center for the trip to the Dallas Museum.
In September, we will picnic at Jim and Bonnie McPherson's house on Lake Wylie.
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Bible Study on Violence
Will meet Tuesday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Library/Conference Room at All Saints. This Bible Study will be every Tuesday through August 16th, 2022.
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Planning for the End of Life
Please put this important date on your calendar and plan to attend. We will have Emily Leazer, Attorney, meet with us in the Family Life Center on September 20, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. to go over Estate Planning (wills, Power of Attorney, Living Wills, where to keep the documents). After her presentation, Rev. Lynn will go over Funeral Planning and what All Saints offers to its members. We will have forms and hopefully most of us will be able to plan our funeral service which is a wonderful benefit/gift to your family.
We will have lunch provided for everyone which I think will be oriental food.
If you have guests who would like to attend any or all of the presentation, please invite them. There will be a sign-up sheet if you plan to attend in person. Perhaps we can do this via Zoom for those who cannot attend in person.
We are planning to have the All Saints' Guidelines available for you before the meeting so you can begin to think about what hymns and readings you would like at your own funeral. I can send these to you once Rev. Lynn reviews and updates them.
I hope all of you can attend this workshop for it is relevant for all of us.
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COFFEE HOUR
We are needing individuals to sign up for Coffee Hour for any available dates. As a member of All Saints, attending Coffee Hour is very important to welcome newcomers into the church. A sign-up sheet is posted in the Family Life Center, or you can let the Parish Administrator know what Sunday you will provide for Coffee Hour. A small plate of cookies is all that is necessary. We will make sure you know how to operate the coffee pot if you want to serve coffee, but lemonade or tea is also good. Our signs say All Are Welcome! So let’s make sure we make an effort to ensure everyone feels welcome.
Click here for link to coffee hour schedule
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All Saint's Music Ministry | |
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All Saints Singers
The All Saints Singers is our adult worship choir open to anyone high school age and up. We have begun meeting on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in the choir room on the second floor of the education building. We welcome anyone and everyone to come join us as we sing and worship together!
Coming Soon: All Saint’s Ringers
On September 11th, our handbell choir will be starting rehearsals again for the fall and we welcome anyone who wishes to learn to play to come join us! We practice right after worship for 30 minutes every Sunday in the choir room. The bells are shined up and ready for players. Even if you have never rung before, please come and check us out. These first few rehearsals will be a refresher course in ringing.
If you have rung before and are a more advanced ringer, please talk to Becky about ringing with our advanced ringers.
Music with Children
Children that come to Sunday School starting September 11th will also be having music time with Becky. We will be learning songs and playing instruments and eventually will be a part of worship. I look forward to singing and having fun with them!
FRIDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 19 AT 7:00 pm
HOT DOG ROAST AND CAMP SONGS AROUND THE “FIRE PIT”
“Kum ba Yah”, “Michael Row Your Boat”, “The Papaya Song”, - What’s your favorite camp song? Do you have a funny/mildly scary campfire story you can share? This coming Friday we will eat hot dogs and “s’mores” and share around in the circle. Sign up so we know how many hotdogs to make and come be a part of our end of summer fellowship!
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YOU CAN HELP ALL SAINTS BY SIGNING UP FOR AMAZON SMILE
All Saints is a registered nonprofit on Amazon Smile! Amazon will give .5% to All Saints on every purchase made through Amazon Smile. This can be a significant amount when considering all the people you know who use Amazon. Simply type in the link and start shopping: Our unique charity link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-1372678
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UPDATE IN REGARD TO MASKS
Masks are required at this time.
Please continue to remain in place during the peace.
All are invited to receive Holy Communion.
For those who may not have received the letter sent out by Rev. Lynn
Click here for link to letter
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ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION
There Will Be Christian Formation This Sunday.
Please join us on Sunday morning at 9:15am in the Library of the Family Life Center for Christian Formation led by Brett Brown. The study is on the "History of Christian Theology". Refreshments are served.
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Children's Christian Formation
We are looking for people to help with the Children's Christian Formation program. Is Christ calling you to help teach our children the love of God? If so, please contact Rev. Lynn.
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Lector, Acolyte, and Eucharistic Minister Training
For those who were unable to attend the Lector, Acolyte, and Eucharistic Minister training on July 31st, there will be another on Sunday, August 21, after the 10:30 service. Everyone who participates in Sunday services must go through the training to serve. If you cannot come on the 21st, contact Deacon Martha to set up another time. The deadline for training is September 1st.
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Donations Needed for School Supplies
It’s that time of the year when parents are thinking about getting their children ready to return to school. This is especially true for the children and teachers of Pleasant Ridge Elementary. This is a school that serves a high number of underprivileged children. We are asking for financial donations to purchase school supplies for them.
In addition, if you would like to pick up some items while you are out shopping , please purchase 3 ring notebooks, backpacks, childrens headphones, dry erase markers, dry erasers, bleach wipes, or child scissors. Any of these items or financial donations will be greatly appreciated. These items can be left on the round table in the conference room. Please let Deacon Martha know that you have dropped items off and she will collect them.
We will contact the school to find out what supplies are most needed, then a team will purchase and deliver them to the school. Money and supplies will be collected through September 10th. Please prayerfully consider making a donation today by check, and put school supplies in the memo line. Thank you in advance for your wonderful generosity
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SATS UPDATE (Serving at the Shelter)
During August, we are collecting bathrobes for the women and children served by the
Women’s Shelter. Often women and their children flee their homes with nothing. At the
Shelter they have a common bathroom, and it is important for the women to have a
bathrobe to wear. They will take the robes with them when they leave. Please bring
them to the church any Sunday in August, you may also drop them off at the Shelter
yourself if you prefer. They need all sizes for the women, and all sizes for the children,
too.
We also provide a meal on the first and third Saturdays of each month. There is a sign-
up sheet on the bulletin board in the Family Life Center. You may prepare something or
bring pizza or fast food. Please remember to bring drinks as well. Contact Deacon
Martha with questions.
Thank you for supporting the Catherine Mabry Cloninger Women's Shelter through your
contributions of supplies and food. It means so much to those women who have so
little.
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August 14 - Mary Anne Whitesides
August - 16 Emily Thomasson
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August 19 - William & Priscilla Graham | | | |
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All Saints Prayer List
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble. We pray for Linda, Jane, Courtney, BF, Eleanor, Luciell, Kirby, Harold, Nancy, Mike, Wayne, Carol, Deloris, Kristy, Carol, George, Sehayla, Elynanne, Sang, Frank, Vito, Kate, Lisa, Michael, Sally, Carroll, Amanda, Michelle, Brad, Sharon, Ashley, Walter, and Kim.
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SERVERS FOR SUNDAY SERVICES | | |
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Servers
Eucharistic Minister
Reader 8:00 AM
Prayers of the People 8:00 AM
Ushers
VPOD
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August 14
Ben Hopkins
Doug Orville
Bruce Kiser
Bruce Kiser
Rev. Lynn
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August 21
Ben Hopkins
Jerry Wertz
Ken Harvey
Jerry Wertz
Rev. Lynn
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Servers
Eucharistic Minister
Reader 10:30 AM
Prayers of the People 10:30 AM
Acolytes
Ushers
Sound Tech
Altar Guild
Altar Flowers
VPOD
Coffee Hour
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August 14
Phill Wertz
Claudette Forbes
Kathy Mckenna
Linda Duffy & Kathy McKenna
Marc Dudley
Gay Lindsey
M. Richard
Claudette Forbes
Jordan & Nikki Avery
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August 21
Ben Hopkins
Jim McPherson
Josie Polhemus
Connor Kish
Gay Lindsey & Carol Maiden
Doug Orville
Glenda Carpenter
W. Graham
W. Graham
Gay Lindsey
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The Rev. Lynn Orville
Emergency phone number: 207-801-8060
Church Contact Information
phone: 704-864-7201
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