All Saints Messenger 4-19-18

This Sunday we have the pleasure of hearing one of our own, Adam Nygren deliver his first sermon. Many of you know (and for those who don't) Adam is in the discernment process discerning a call to the priesthood. He has been forwarded to the diocesan Commission on Ministry and will go on retreat in May. The retreat will move him forward or ask him to do some more study. If he moves on Adam will depart from us for a few months as he joins another faith community as he continues his discernment, and the Church continues theirs.

We have been touched and many of us have been changed by Adam's presence in our community. I encourage you to pray for him and the process.

This coming Sunday is often called "Good Shepherd Sunday." In our reading for today Jesus begins by calling himself the Good Shepherd, alluding to Ezekiel 34:11ff. According to Jesus, a good shepherd stands apart from a hired hand, because the shepherd is willing to give up their life for the sheep. This willingness to sacrifice is rooted in the love and care the shepherd feels for the ones the shepherd tends to. The sheep trust the shepherd because they know the shepherd. Jesus, our good shepherd, promises to lead us into green pastures--to give us the safety and freedom to enjoy them without fear, while he stands by to protect us. This freedom is pure grace for us. We, like sheep, do nothing to earn the sacrificial love of our good shepherd, who lays down his "life for us "of the shepherd's own accord."

Shepherding God, thank you for the freedom you have given us through your son, our Good Shepherd. We pray for all those in our world who live in fear, that Jesus' loving and guiding presence would be a constant source of peace and strength. Amen.

See ya Sunday!

Blessings,

Fr. Gary+

Workshop Exploring the Lord's Prayer :

Deacon Cris South & Rev. Roxanne Whitelight

Sunday, April 22, 2018 - 1 pm - 4 pm

The Lord's Prayer, the only prayer given to us by Jesus, is one of the most beautiful and perfect prayers we have in the Christian church. This workshop is in 2 parts...the first part explores the prayer in different English translations, symbolism and meaning in each part, and music/meditation (Cris). The second part takes the prayer back to its roots, exploring the significant differences in the text in Aramaic (Roxanne), and we will learn to pray it in the original language, bringing us into an expanded understanding of Jesus' intentions in these words.

Rev. Roxanne Whitelight will be visiting from Maui, Hawaii. She is ordained in the Reformed Catholic Church and often attends Trinity Episcopal Church By-the-Sea

in Kihei, Hawaii.

This workshop was originally presented in 3 parts to the Episcopal churches

on Maui in 2013

Please sign up for this workshop in the Family Life Center lobby.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

* Spring Worship & Potluck: On Sunday April 29th we will gather at 10:30 at the Waterfront Pavilions at Rankin Lake for our Spring worship and potluck. No chicken will be provided so we ask people to bring main dishes, side dishes, salads, desserts and drinks. There will be an 8 AM service at the church. Please join in the fun as we worship our Lord in the beauty of creation.

* Mother's Day Flowers : If you wish to make a donation in Memory or in Honor of all mothers' or women who have guided, mentored and loved us, please fill out the form on the table in the Narthex.

* Statements: First quarter statements are available for pick up after both services on Sunday.

* Yard Sale: May 5th is coming up so please think of us when you do your spring cleaning Costume jewelry, clothes, books are a few items that are good sellers. The proceeds from the Yard Sale will go to the church. Some of our needs are new carpet in the Family Life Center and professionally pressure washing the church and Family Life Center. You may start bringing in your items now and place them in the Education Building using the lower door. There are 2 rooms on your left you can use to leave your items. . Please let Jerry Wertz ( [email protected]) know if you can help sort and price ahead of time and if you can help the day of the sale.

* 3rd Sunday Luncheon: Thanks to Linda Boyd, Tony Fugate, Charlie Jenkins, Jerry Wertz and Marlene Nivens for preparing the meal and to Lee Allison, Lee Wells, Jim McCarthy, Marc Dudley for helping to clean up. We took in $150 and had expenses of $30 netting us $120 for Outreach.

* Cooking for the Army: Sunday, May 6th parishioners will gather at noon (after the 10:30 service) 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 Event: May 20 @ 2:00pm Putt Putt Golf - details to follow. This is our final activity until the Fall.

* 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.

* Pacesetters: The Pacesetters will travel to St. James Episcopal church in Lenoir on Thursday, May 3 to hear the Caldwell Community College Chorus final performance and tour the church's collection of Christian art by the renowned artist Johannes Oertel. The collection consists of 18 pieces by the Bavarian art master. Located at the altar is one of the pieces painted in 1872 using oil and gold gilt on canvass depicting Jesus administering bread and wine. The painting is situated within a carved gothic frame called a "reredos" which consists of 400 pieces of wood. The church was built in 1844 and is filled with a history of its own. St. James is located in downtown Lenoir at 806 College Ave. SW. Phone number is 828-754-3712. The tour will begin at 11 and the concert at 12:15. Those who want to carpool can meet at All Saints at 9:30 AM. We can plan to have lunch at one of the restored restaurants downtown within walking distance of the church at 1:00.

* Book Exchange: The book exchange is set-up in the Family Life Center in a bookcase along the wall to your left when entering the big room. Read and return and perhaps contribute some you have as well. Thanks to Jim Braddy for donating the book case.

* Pastoral Caregivers: Committee meetings will now be once a month on the second Tuesday of the month in Conference Room starting in May. The Pastoral Care Committee is reorganizing. We are looking for parish volunteers to walk, communicate and visit with our parishioners who are homebound, struggling, lonely or sick. This ministry is key to ensuring those who are in need receive care and knowing that their church family loves them. Our desire is to have enough people on our team that no one has more than two people. No special skills are required; just a desire to love their neighbor. If you are interested please contact Deacon Martha, Deacon Cris or Father Gary.

* Wednesday Book Club at 10:00: We are reading Original Blessings: Putting Sin in Its Rightful Place by Danielle Shroyer. Since we have just started, this would be a great time to join the group. You can get the book through Amazon. Please come and join us.

* Amazon Smile: All Saints is NOW a registered nonprofit on Amazon Smile! We need your help and assistance. 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. The procedures are simple, simply log into amazon by going to www.smile.amazon.com, if this is the first time you have used Amazon Smile you will be taken to a page to select your charitable organization. At this point type in "All Saints Episcopal Church Gastonia," (be sure to put in Gastonia because there are 5 pages of All Saints) select it and then every time you order go through smile.amazon.com and All Saints will receive .5%. If you have identified another charitable organization and desire to change it to All Saints please click the down arrow beside the 'supporting' link in the black header and change to "All Saints Episcopal Church Gastonia." That's all there is to it. We thank you for your support!

* Family Promise: Our next week to host is August 12th. Family Promise is a program that offers assistance to families who are in need of food and shelter. During this 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. Justin and Miranda and their kids, Trayvon (9), Tristian (6), and Jackson (6mos) and new baby Harmony (1 week), Crystal and her 2 kids Morgan (18) and Caleb (15), and Amy and her daughter Sharon (16). 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]

* Donation: Linda Klocker has donated a set of DVD's/books from "The Great Courses". The Holy Land Revealed and Great Figures of the New Testament. Will put them in the conference room if anyone wants to borrow them.

* Adult Christian Formation: A study on The Lives of Great Christians. Our guide is Professor William Cook. Some of those we will journey with are St. Antony, the First Monk; Francis of Assisi; Augustine; and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 in The Life Center.

* Bishop's Visitation: Our bishop, The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin, will make his parochial visit on Sunday, September 16, 2018 (Please note the date change. The Bishop had to change his visitation date due to a calendar conflict). 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.

* Building Use Policy: Our buildings are being used more and more and scheduling conflicts have occurred. Effective immediately, all rooms/buildings will be reserved and scheduled by the Parish Administrator through the submission of a form which are available at the office. Additionally, if you are in need of advance set-up for the room or event you are scheduling (night before, earlier than the event, etc.) please take that into consideration when reserving. We appreciate your understanding realizing that this will improve our ability to serve our parishioners and ministries.

* Save the date: All Saints Outreach will host a "Summer Blast Picnic" fundraiser on Saturday, June 2nd from 5-8. Please put it on your calendar and plan to attend. More details will follow!

* Save the date: Parade of Tables on Saturday, September 22nd.

* 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).

* 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.

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

- 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! ($5/class or $20/month)

- Friday at 9:15AM: 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! ($5/class)

* 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.

* 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.

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

* Food Pantry: Please help us restock the shelves! 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, and Fr. Gary preaches the other Sundays. We hope you find the different voices fulfilling in your spiritual journey.

* Salvation Army Service Schedule: Monday, April 23rd - Team #3. (William Graham, Pete Laine & Milton Halley)

* 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.

* 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.

Upcoming Schedule

April 21st: Vestry Work Day

April 24th: Outreach Meeting

April 27th: Last Friday Get Together

April 29th: Worship & Picnic at Rankin Lake

May 3rd: Pacesetters

May 5th: Yard Sale

May 6th: Cooking for the Army

May 8th: Pastoral Care

May 20th: Youth Event

June 2nd: Summer Blast Picnic

September 16th: Bishop Jose Visit

September 22nd: Parade of Tables

This Sunday's Scripture Readings

The Collect

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The First Lesson: Acts 4:5-12

The rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is

`the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;

it has become the cornerstone.'

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.

3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.

4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.

6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The Epistle: 1 John 3:16-24

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

The Gospel: John 10:11-18

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father."

Saint Day / Feast of the Week

Saint Mark the Evangelist

A disciple of Jesus, named Mark, appears in several places in the New
Testament. If all references to Mark can be accepted as referring to the
same person, we learn that he was the son of a woman who owned
a house in Jerusalem, perhaps the same house in which Jesus ate the
Last Supper with his disciples. Mark may have been the young man
who fled naked when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul refers to "Mark the cousin of
Barnabas," who was with him in his imprisonment. Mark set out with
Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but he turned
back for reasons which failed to satisfy Paul (Acts 15:36-40). When
another journey was planned, Paul refused to have Mark with him.
Instead, Mark went with Barnabas to Cyprus. The breach between
Paul and Mark was later healed, and Mark became one of Paul's
companions in Rome, as well as a close friend of Peter's.

An early tradition recorded by Papias, Bishop of Hieropolis in Asia
Minor at the beginning of the second century, names Mark as the
author of the Gospel bearing his name. This tradition, which holds
that Mark drew his information from the teaching of Peter, is generally
accepted. In his First Letter, Peter refers to "my son Mark," which
shows a close relationship between the two men (1Peter 5:13).

The Church of Alexandria in Egypt claimed Mark as its first bishop
and most illustrious martyr, and the great Church of St. Mark in
Venice commemorates the disciple who progressed from turning back
while on a missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas to proclaiming
in his Gospel Jesus of Nazareth as Son of God, and bearing witness to
that faith in his later life as friend and companion to the apostles Peter
and Paul.

April 23rd - Calvin Boyd

April 24th - Deacon Cris South

April 25th - George Saylor

April 25th - Steve Stanford

April 26th - Allison Wells

April 29th - Robert DeCristofor

May 2nd - Lynn Witry

May 5th - Emily Frazier

May 8th - Ally Miller

May 10th - Emma Butterworth

May 11th - Tim Whittaker

May 12th - Mike Mong

May 16th - Al Ellison

May 16th - Randy Mullins

May 18th - LouAnne Hicks

May 21st - Joshua Jager

May 26th - Courtney Brunder

May 26th - Charlie Jenkins

May 29th - Abby Woodward

May 30th - Paul Balco

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

MINISTRY SCHEDULE

2018	April 22	April 29
CHALICE/LECTOR 8:00 AM	Kelly Morris	Jim McCarthy
CHALICE 10:30 AM	Cheryl Richard Adam Nygren	George Sowersby Kyle Tilly
LECTOR	Claudette Forbes	Pete Laine
ACOLYTES	Sydney Wertz Noelle Martin Sophie Martin	Lee Wells Omar Scott McNeal Miller
GREETER/USHER 8:00 AM	Laurie Stewart	Linda Boyd
GREETERS/USHERS 10:30 AM	Priscilla & William Graham	John & Jessica Woodward
ALTAR GUILD	Cathy Webster
BREAD	April Judy Cheek	May Gay Lindsey
ALTAR FLOWERS	Staff
COFFEE HOUR	Erin Balco
MORNINGSIDE 10:30 AM	Allison & Lee Wells	William Graham Judy Mullins
SOUND TECH	John Woodward	Marc Dudley
EUCHARISTIC VISITORS	Jerry Wertz David Klocker	David McDowell Adam Nygren
YOUTH FORMATION	Chris Butterworth Judy Mullins	Eileen Klimkowski
VPOD 8:00 10:30	Jerry Wertz	Linda Boyd George Saylor

Blessings & Peace,

Fr. Gary+

phone: 704-864-7201

e-mail: [email protected]

web site:
www.allsaintsgastonia.org

Fr. Gary's blog:
http://thevenite.blogspot.com

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