ANNOUNCEMENTS  

*  Family Promise: Our week to host our Family Promise guests will start this  Sunday, January 7th. Family Promise is a program that offers assistance to families who are in need of food and shelter. During this upcoming week we will be greeting the families when they arrive in the evening on each day, providing activities for the children, preparing and serving meals to the families here at the church, and staying overnight during their stay to provide any assistance they might need. Currently, there are 3 families in the program. Stephanie and her two girls, Keandra (13), and Alisha (15). Jermeka and her 6 children, Dewayne (18), Justin (16), Latina (15), Angel (14), Andrea (13) and Dejuan (10). Tonya and her 2 children, Messiah (8) and Solomon (2). If you would like to volunteer for one of the activities or are just interested in finding out more about the program please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or at  [email protected]. 

*  All Saints Annual Meeting:  On Sunday, January 21st, immediately following the  10:30 service we will have our Annual Parish Meeting.  This meeting is the only time during the year that we gather as a community and vote on things, hear reports, and discuss the state of the parish.  We will distribute the 2018 budget, elect new vestry members, and discuss the parish and the way forward.  Food will be provided.  We would love to have everyone attend.

*  Episcopal 101 : Begins this Sunday, January 7th and continuing for 6-8 weeks, from  9:30-10:15  Fr. Gary will offer an introductory course, Episcopal 101, for new and established members of the Episcopal Tradition. We are a tradition rich in scripture, history, heritage, literature, art and so much more. Fr. Gary's class will journey through our history, the Sacraments, prayer and how they intersect with our world today. Please mark your calendar to attend these classes and learn some new things about our tradition.

*  Parish Breakfast:  The next Breakfast will be this Sunday, January 7th starting before 9:00 and running until 10:00.  On the menu is french toast, eggs, sausage & bacon.  There is enough time to eat and then attend Sunday School.  Hope to see many of you there.  

*  Annual Giving: The first Sunday of December was our ingathering of financial pledges for 2018. We thank everyone for their generosity. If you have not returned your pledge sheets we encourage you to do so. We appreciate your gifts in our corner of God's Kingdom.

*  2018 Sign Up Sheets:  For Coffee Hour, Altar Guild and Altar Flowers are on the bulletin board in the FLC.   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).

*  Cooking for the Army : On Saturday, January 13 ^th , parishioners will 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.

*   Server, Acolyte & Eucharistic Visitor (EV) Training : Servers, Acolytes and EVs have a unique and important history in our tradition. Each fills a unique calling in worship that goes back thousands of years. It has been a while since we have had dedicated training for these ministries. We know that in worship everyone wants to do things correct and uniformly. Thus, we will have two training sessions on the weekend of January 27-28 ^th ,   2018: Saturday morning at  9 AM  and Sunday immediately following the  10:30  service. Please mark your calendars now for this important training. We thank each of you who serve for your time and dedication. We also invite anyone who desires to serve or has questions to join us on this training weekend.

*  Pacesetters :  The Pacesetters will gather on Tuesday January 16 th  at 10:00 in the Family Life Center for the 2018 organizational meeting and for event planning for the year.  We will go to lunch after the meeting.  Please come with lots of ideas of what you would like to do this year.  Pacesetters is a group of 50+ individuals, both male and female, who gather in fellowship to enjoy each other's company.  You do not have to be a member of All Saints to be a member.  Our purpose statement is as follows:  Using the wisdom and experiences provided us through our lives, Pacesetters are called to Share The Blessing of His Love by:

* Cookbooks :   $5.00   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. 

*  Lenten Study:  Beginning on Saturday, February 17 and continuing every Saturday through March 24 (6 sessions total), we will have a  study entitled "The Great Teachings: From Disciple to Apostle, A Lenten Study Based on the Gospel According to John." The group will meet from 9am-11:00/11:30am. Written and led by Deacon Cris South (perhaps with a friend or two), it will build upon last year's study as we move deeper into our lives in Christ. Everyone is welcome so please feel free to invite adult family and/or friends, regardless of religious affiliation. Also please call the church office and leave your name and phone number or sign up in the lobby to register so we have an accurate count. This is necessary for making sure there are enough study guides and snacks for everyone. From the course Introduction..."From the example of humble service through the washing of feet in John 13 to the great priestly prayer in John 17, Jesus prepares them to take his mantle and continue his work. In these chapters, he reiterates his entire message one last time. In doing so, he invites all of us to move into that same apostleship under our Christ.  Although a Bible study, this course is meant more to be a deep self-study, relating the teachings to ourselves and our lives in ways that enlighten and empower. Rather than lectures, each participant is invited to be present in that "upper room" with Jesus as he teaches, using his last chance to make all of us understand. It is only through that understanding that we can move from being disciples (believers and followers) to becoming apostles (literally, a person sent forth) of Christ's church in the world. It is relevant to us today and is meant to lead us to an apostolic life in Christ, serving the world and transforming all that is around us with his love. The season of Lent is a perfect time to deeply examine our faith, to commit ourselves, to accept our responsibility as new (or perhaps RE-newed) apostles. We come into this quiet season of reflection, knowing that we follow our Christ into the power, agony, and glory of Easter, and into his great triumph." I hope to see many of you there!

*  Bishop's Visitation: Our bishop, The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin, will make his parochial visit on  Sunday, March 4, 2018. A bishop's visit is time for celebration as well as Baptism, Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation. For new members this is a time for being received or confirmed into your new faith community. Fr. Gary will offer a course, Episcopal 101, to assist anyone interested in better understanding our tradition.

*  Bible Study:   The  Wednesday Bible Study Group is reading the book, Zealot, The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan.  If you are interested and need to order a copy of the book, contact Jerry Wertz 704-577-9699 or [email protected].  The group meets at 10 AM in the Family Life Center.   We don't rush through a book and have excellent discussions during the meeting.  Afterwards, we usually go to lunch together.  We hope to see a lot of you there on Wednesday.

*  Zumba:  Now being offered 3 days a week in the Family Life Center!  $5/class

     - Tuesday & Thursday at 7:15PM:  Please join Dana Wolfe for a fun workout made for everyone.  The class that started the dance-fitness revolution and changed the way we look at a "workout" forever. It's fun, effective and best of all? Made for everyone!

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.

*  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.

* Choir Rehearsal:  Sunday mornings at 9:25 am. 

*  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. 

*  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.

*  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.

The First Lesson: Genesis 1:1-5

The name "Epiphany" is derived from a Greek word meaning
"manifestation" or "appearing." Anglican Prayer Books interpret the
word with an alternative title, "The Manifestation of Christ to the
Gentiles." The last phrase, of course, is a reference to the story of the
Wise Men from the East.

A Christian observance on January 6 is found as early as the end of
the second century in Egypt. The feast combined commemorations of
the visit of the Magi, led by the star of Bethlehem; the Baptism of Jesus
in the waters of the River Jordan; and Jesus' first recorded miracle, the
changing of water into wine at the marriage of Cana of Galilee-all
thought of as manifestations of the incarnate Lord.

The Epiphany is still the primary Feast of the Incarnation in Eastern
Churches, and the three-fold emphasis is still prominent. In the West,
however, including Anglican Churches, the story of the Wise Men
has tended to overshadow the other two events. Modern lectionary
reform, reflected in the 1979 Prayer Book, has recovered the primitive
trilogy, by setting the event of the Baptism as the theme of the First
Sunday after the Epiphany in all three years, and by providing the
story of the Miracle at Cana as the Gospel for the Second Sunday after
the Epiphany in Year C.