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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

      

The All Saints Messenger
November 16, 2017
In This Issue
  

Gary
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

Our passages last Sunday through next Sunday are from Jesus' Final Discourse or the Discourse on the End of Times. It is mostly about judgment and the expected conduct of the followers of Jesus and the need for vigilance by his followers in view of the coming judgment. 

This Sunday's passage is about the servants and the talents and what they individually do with them. One is scared and puts it in the ground for safekeeping, and the ones with two and five talents doubled theirs. These parables are often confusing and perplexing and ask us to think differently since Christ is asking us to act differently.

 Jesus' teaching in these parables invite us to think about what life in the kingdom of God looks like as we wait for Jesus to come again. In this particular parable, Jesus focuses on being a good steward of the gifts God has given us. Life would be much easier if being a good steward were simpler. We could be confident that we knew or were able to avoid actions that lead to outer darkness and gnashing of teeth. However, if that were the case, then Jesus wouldn't have had to die. Jesus, in telling this parable, calls us to lives of responsible stewardship that is not close-fisted, but openly corresponds to the generosity of God's gifts. The faithful steward knows that God's generous ways are beyond human comprehension, and so seeks to use God's gifts in ways that give honor to this faithful and generous giver.

Gracious God, your ways are not our ways, your heart is bigger and you forgive debts freely. Help us to understand and treat all of our neighbors with your justice. Amen.

See ya Sunday!

Blessings,
Fr. Gary+
ANNOUNCEMENTS  

*  Pledge Card Ingathering: Hopefully you have received the All Saints Annual Giving Campaign brochure. We hope you enjoy participating in our journey with The Rev. Henri Nouwen as we use everything entrusted to us to transform the world around us and ourselves. We hope you feel called to participate in the opportunity to invest what you have in the work of God. Our ingathering of Pledge Cards will be on the First  Sunday of Advent, which is December 1st. You may send them in ahead of this date or on December 1st. All pledges will be blessed and offered to the service of God on December 1st. If you have any questions or concerns please see Fr. Gary or one of the committee members.

*  Parish Lunch:  Lunch will be Mexican Lasagna this Sunday along with tossed salad and desserts.  Our thanks to Helene Goulet for preparing the main course.   A donation of $5 is suggested to off-set the cost of the meal.  Any profits go to Outreach.  We hope to see many of you there.

*  Picture Directory *FINAL WEEK*  There are 3 copies of the new Family Picture Directory on the table in the Parish Hall.  Please take a moment to proof your entry.  If there are any changes, please note them in one of the copies.  If you do not have a picture in the directory, you can email one to Debra and she will add it to the directory.  (secretaryallsaintsgastonianc@gmail.com)  Please do not remove these directories from the Parish Hall.  

* Statements:  Third quarter statements are available after both services on Sunday.

*  Advent Bible Study:  We are doing something different this advent! Our bible study will be based on the first part of Handel's Messiah, the Christmas Messiah. Not only will we look at the biblical texts which make up its lyrics, we will also listen to the wonderful music and discover the story of how it was written and initially performed.
When: 4  Saturday mornings from  9-11:30 AM (11/25, 12/2, 12/9, and 12/16).
Where: All Saints Family Life Center Conference Room
Bring: your Bible and yourself
Sign up sheet on bulletin Board so we know how many to plan for
Snacks provided
We hope to see you there!

*  Christmas Pageant:  All children who would like to be in the Christmas pageant are welcome.  Practice will be on Sunday, December 17th after the 10:30 service.  Questions contact Eileen Klimkowski (803-619-4053) or Judy Mullins (704-718-1522).

*  The Pacesetters will gather in the Family Life Center on Tuesday December 12th at 10:30am for our Christmas Party.  Ham will be provided but sides, rolls, desserts are needed.  Please let Jerry Wertz ( jerrywertz@att.net) know if you plan to attend and what you will provide.  Guests are welcome.

*  A Blue Liturgy : ­ For many of our brothers and sisters, this time of year brings back memories of past pain, sorrow, and loss. It highlights and heightens new experiences of suffering. For our sisters and brothers who are struggling, this time of year is no holiday at all. It is often filled with difficult times, humps to get over, gatherings to endure, varieties of pressures and a flood of memories that darken and dampen their days.  All Saints Episcopal will offer a "Blue Service" allowing for some time to recognize that this season is not a joy for everyone. When others are going "merrily along" there are many of us who would rather have the season just go away.  In this service, we will be given a chance to sing and to pray. We will be invited to offer up the pain, the loneliness, the sad and dark memories, and the anxiety and fear to the one whose birth we eagerly await...Jesus Christ. We pray that you will find hope and peace in this service and comfort in knowing that you are not alone.  Please join us and bring any friend or acquaintance who may be struggling this season on Wednesday, December 20 th @ 7 PM.  

*  Bible Study:   The  Wednesday Bible Study Group is reading a new 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 jerrywertz@att.net.  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.

*  Parish Lunch :  Thanks to all who helped with the 3rd Sunday luncheon.  Between the cooks and clean-up crew we had 10 helpers.  We made $95.00 for Outreach from the October luncheon and $79.29 from the September luncheon.  (This is after expenses were removed.)  The 3rd  Sunday luncheon now has a committee to prepare and cook.  We can always use more help.  The proceeds from the luncheon goes to Outreach.  If this is something you would like to help with, please contact Jerry Wertz at  jerrywertz@att.net.

*  Needed:  Monetary donations for lettuce and carrots for the Salvation Army salads on Mondays.  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.  UPDATE:  Our salad fund is in the black at $91.20. Thanks to the many people who continue to regularly contribute.  It is much appreciated.

*  Garden re-cycling of leaves and grass clippings:  If you bag your leaves or grass clippings, we would like to have them for organic mulch for the garden.  If you can haul them to the garden area, please do.  If you have bagged leaves or grass and cannot haul them, call Charlie Jenkins at 704-739-5332 or email:  jenkinscharlesl@bellsouth.net

*  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!
     - Friday at 9AM:  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!  

*  Adult Christian Formation: The 9:30 formation class will be learning about Islam. Our guide on this journey is professor John Esposito of Georgetown University. Please join us in The Life Center for this tour into one of the Great World Religions.

*  Family Promise: 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

*  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 Friday, December 8th.  Parishioners will gather at 5PM 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.

*  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.

* 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.

* 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. 

*  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, November 20th - Team #5.  (Jacquie Burr, Linda Boyd & Charlie Jenkins)

*  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 calbergine@gmail.com. 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.  

*  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 (secretaryallsaintsgastonianc@gmail.com) or speak to Fr. Gary.

 Upcoming Schedule  

 

November 21st:  Vestry

November 25th:  Advent Bible Study

December 8th:  Cooking for the Army

December 12th:  Pacesetters

December 20th:  Blue Liturgy

This Sunday's Scripture Readings

The Collect

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The First Lesson:  Judges 4:1-7

The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the  Lord, after Ehud died. So the  Lord sold them into the hand of King Jabin of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-ha-goiim. Then the Israelites cried out to the  Lord for help; for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly twenty years.

At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, "The  Lord, the God of Israel, commands you, 'Go, take position at Mount Tabor, bringing ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun. I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand.'"

Psalm 123

To you I lift up my eyes, *
to you enthroned in the heavens.
2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, *
and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
3 So our eyes look to the  Lord our God, *
until he show us his mercy.
4 Have mercy upon us, O  Lord, have mercy, *
for we have had more than enough of contempt,
5 Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
and of the derision of the proud.

The Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

The Gospel:  Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus said, "It is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"
Saint Day / Feast of the Week

Elizabeth
Princess of Hungary, 1231

Elizabeth's charity is remembered in numerous hospitals that bear
her name throughout the world. She was born in 1207 at Pressburg
(now Bratislava), daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary, and was
married in 1221 to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, to whom she
bore three children. At an early age she showed concern for the poor
and the sick, and was thus attracted to the Franciscans who came to
the Wartburg in 1223. From them she received spiritual direction. Her
husband was sympathetic to her almsgiving and allowed her to use her
dowry for this purpose. During a famine and epidemic in 1226, when
her husband was in Italy, she sold her jewels and established a hospital
where she cared for the sick and the poor. To supply their needs, she
opened the royal granaries. After her husband's death in 1227, the
opposition of the court to her "extravagances" compelled her to leave
the Wartburg with her children.

For some time Elizabeth lived in great distress. She then courageously
took the habit of the Franciscans-the first of the Franciscan
Tertiaries, or Third Order, in Germany. Finally, arrangements with her
family gave her a subsistence, and she spent her remaining years in
Marburg, living in self-denial, caring for the sick and needy. She died
from exhaustion, November 16, 1231, and was canonized by Pope
Gregory IX four years later. With Louis of France she shares the title
of patron of the Third Order of St. Francis.


November 16th - Anita Ware
November 19th - Steve Bostian
November 20th - Jim Martin
November 23rd - Hayden Kish
November 23rd - Linda Boyd
November 26th - Mary Neil
November 28th - Candy Albergine
November 28th - Dennis Bolin
November 29th - Alex Haymaker
December 1st - Henry Baird
December 9th - Laurie Stewart
December 10th - Tony Fugate
December 13th - Glenda Carpenter
December 15th - Emily Solis
December 18th - Diane King
December 19th - Judy Cheek
December 21st - Linda Klocker
December 23rd - Christine Borner
December 25th - Barbara Mooradian
December 26th - Noelle Martin
December 30th - Helene Goulet

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

2017
November 19
November 26
CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
Susan Maxon
Dennis Bolin
CHALICE 
10:30 AM
Adam Nygren
David McDowell
Terry Eckard
Jack Gaskey
LECTOR
Casey Allison
Bob Forbes
ACOLYTES
Cheryl Richard
Noelle Martin
Sophie Martin
Lee Wells
Randy Mullins
Lydia Kish
GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
David Klocker
Jerry Wertz
GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
Allison & Lee
Wells
John & Jessica Woodward
ALTAR GUILD
Allison Wells

BREAD
November
Cheryl Saylor
December
Allison Wells
ALTAR FLOWERS
Kelly Morris
Cathy Webster
COFFEE HOUR
Parish Lunch

MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
Pete Laine
Judy Mullins
Jim McCarthy
Morningside Resident
SOUND TECH
Marc Dudley
William Graham
EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
William & Priscilla Graham
George Sowersby
Susan Stroud
YOUTH 
FORMATION
Deb Alzner
Christine Borner
Allison Wells
Eileen Klimkowski
VPOD 8:00
10:30
Jerry Wertz
Adam Nygren
Linda Klocker
John Still

Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+

phone: 704-864-7201
e-mail: secretaryallsaintsgastonianc@gmail.com
Fr. Gary's blog: