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
June 14, 2018
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Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
I've always admired gardener-types, especially my grandmother, who was able to transform a patch of dirt into a flower garden or a vegetable patch. A green thumb I am not.
Jesus reminds us of the power of a little underwhelming seed. This is how the Kingdom of God comes about--gently, slowly, breaking through ground. Earthly kingdoms break the ground too, but like a bulldozer--through coercion and force. Sometimes we expect the Kingdom of God to be like a bulldozer. We want to see progress that is earth-shattering and immediate.
A seed doesn't only change a garden bed, it can change an entire landscape. The Kingdom of God enters one's heart, and at first, it may seem to make no difference at all. But as one ponders, considers and wrestles with it, things begin to stir. And after a while, this little seed of Truth has the potential to transform our landscape and change the world.
Powerful Lord, you show us your strength through gentleness and your might through service. May the seed you plant in our hearts spread into all we do and say. Amen.
See ya Sunday!
Blessings
Fr. Gary+
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June is CAM (Crisis Assistance Ministry) month for All Saints.
CAM is a cooperative ministry of the greater Gastonia faith community and provides emergency food and financial assistance to those facing financial crisis or struggling with the burden of poverty. CAM needs financial assistance, food contributions, and volunteers. More information can be found on the table in the Family Life Center and you will find a grocery list in this week's bulletin. Please get your donations in early and place them in the CAM container in the Family Life Center. If you have any questions contact Linda Klocker.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Vacation
: Miss Bessie will not be with us this Sunday, June 17th.
* Building Use Policy: Our buildings are being used more and more and we are experiencing more scheduling conflicts with our church spaces. Effective immediately, all rooms/buildings will be reserved and scheduled ONLY by the Parish Administrator through a submission form available at the office. For planning purposes every parishioner is able to access the Church Calendar, which reflects reserved rooms and activities, on our website (
www.allsaintsgastonia.org) by using the News & Events tab. 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.
*
A delicious cooking class! Tantalizing Tarts,
Saturday July 14 at 11:00 in All Saints Family Life Center.
Three tarts, three crusts, six techniques...French Pear tart with Pate sucree crust, Chocolate Truffle Tart with Pecan crust, and Blueberry Tart with lemon curd and a cookie crust. They're not as hard as you think!
Get in the kitchen with Barbara and Cris, and learn all this and more! $25 includes recipes, demos, and hands on participation if you'd like,and lots of tarts to taste and share.
You must preregister for this class by calling Jerry Wertz at 704-577-9699 no later than
July 8
. Scholarships are available.
* Cursillo WNC Storage Locker:
Downsizing & Inventory! Wednesday, July 11th from 9am until ??? A self storage depot at 450 Naples Rd, Hendersonville, NC. Gate 0950, Unit 62. Please contact Cheryl at [email protected]
* Parish Nurse Ministry: blood pressures will be taken on the second Sunday of the month
after the 8 and 10:30 services
. Nurses interested in the parish nurse ministry please contact Cheryl Saylor, MSN.
* Pastoral Caregivers: Committee meetings will now be once a month on the second Tuesday of the month (July 10th) in Conference Room. 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.
* Summer Choir schedule
: The choir will sing through
Sunday July 1st
, take a 6 week break and resume on
Sunday August 19th at 9:25am.
* Cooking for the Army: On Saturday, June 30th at 9am, parishioners will gather 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.
* Bible Study: The Bible Study group meeting
on Wednesday at
10:00 will be reading and studying "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis starting
in two weeks. We have a study guide that will help us. Please consider joining us for this informative study. If you need a copy of the book, contact Jerry Wertz (
[email protected] or 704-577-9699). Used copies are $6.00.
* Ministry Schedule: The June through August Ministry Schedule is on the table in The Family Life Center.
* 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.
* 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. Simply click the link below and start shopping:
* Family Promise: The remaining 2018 dates that we will be host to the Family Promise guests are 8/12 and 11/4. 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), washcloths (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
[email protected].
* 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.
* 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.
* 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, June 18th - Team #5. (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 [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.
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| Upcoming Schedule June 19th: Vestry June 29th: Last Friday Get Together June 30th: Cooking for the Army July 10th: Pastoral Care July 14th: Cooking Class September 16th: Bishop Jose Visit September 22nd: Parade of Tables |
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This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
The First Lesson:
Ezekiel 17:22-24
Thus says the Lord
God:
I myself will take a sprig
from the lofty top of a cedar;
I will set it out.
I will break off a tender one
from the topmost of its young twigs;
I myself will plant it
on a high and lofty mountain.
On the mountain height of Israel
I will plant it,
in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit,
and become a noble cedar.
Under it every kind of bird will live;
in the shade of its branches will nest
winged creatures of every kind.
All the trees of the field shall know
that I am the
Lord.
I bring low the high tree,
I make high the low tree;
I dry up the green tree
and make the dry tree flourish.
I the
Lord have spoken;
I will accomplish it.
1
It is a good thing to give thanks to the
Lord, *
and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;
2 To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning *
and of your faithfulness in the night season;
3 On the psaltery, and on the lyre, *
and to the melody of the harp.
4 For you have made me glad by your acts, O
Lord; *
and I shout for joy because of the works of your hands.
11 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, *
and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.
12 Those who are planted in the house of the
Lord *
shall flourish in the courts of our God;
13 They shall still bear fruit in old age; *
they shall be green and succulent;
14 That they may show how upright the
Lord is, *
my Rock, in whom there is no fault.
The Epistle: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10,[11-13], 14-17
We are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord-- for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
[Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.] For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come."
He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
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Saint Day / Feast of the Week
Basil the Great
Bishop of Caesarea, 379
Basil was born about 329, in Caesarea of Cappadocia, into a Christian
family of wealth and distinction. Educated in classical Hellenism, Basil
might have continued in academic life, had it not been for the death of
a beloved younger brother and the faith of his sister, Macrina. He was
baptized at the age of twenty-eight, and ordained a deacon soon after.
Macrina had founded the first monastic order for women at Annesi.
Fired by her example, Basil made a journey to study the life of
anchorites in Egypt and elsewhere. In 358 he returned to Cappadocia
and founded the first monastery for men at Ibora. Assisted by Gregory
Nazianzus, he compiled The Longer and Shorter Rules, which
transformed the solitary anchorites into a disciplined community of
prayer and work. The Rules became the foundation for all Eastern
monastic discipline. The monasteries also provided schools to train
leaders for Church and State.
Basil was ordained presbyter in 364. In the conflict between the Arians
(supported by an Arian Emperor) and orthodox Christians, Basil
became convinced that he should be made Bishop of Caesarea. By a
narrow margin, he was elected Bishop of Caesarea, Metropolitan of
Cappadocia, and Exarch of Pontus. He was relentless in his efforts
to restore the faith and discipline of the clergy, and in defense of the
Nicene faith. When the Emperor Valens sought to undercut Basil's
power by dividing the See of Cappadocia, Basil forced his brother
Gregory to become Bishop of Nyssa.
In his treatise, On the Holy Spirit, Basil maintained that both the
language of Scripture and the faith of the Church require that the
same honor, glory, and worship is to be paid to the Spirit as to the
Father and the Son. It was entirely proper, he asserted, to adore God
in liturgical prayer, not only with the traditional words, "Glory to the
Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit;" but also with the formula,
"Glory to the Father with the Son together with the Holy Spirit."
Basil was also concerned about the poor, and when he died, he willed
to Caesarea a complete new town, built on his estate, with housing, a
hospital and staff, a church for the poor, and a hospice for travelers.
He died at the age of fifty, in 379, just two years before the Second
Ecumenical Council, which affirmed the Nicene faith.
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June 15th - Brenda Bostian
June 17th - Claudette Forbes
June 17th - Cheryl Saylor
June 19th - Sophie Martin
June 21st - Carol Wertz
June 22nd - Theo Sloop
June 24th - Cathy Harvey
June 25th - Vic Cooper
June 27th - Lee Wells
June 27th - Emory Borner
July 1st - Mark Sims
July 2nd - David McDowell
July 4th - Lana Ray
July 4th - Don Stine
July 5th - William Graham
July 6th - Kelly Morris
July 6th - Lee Allison
July 9th - Cheryl Richard
July 11th - Ofejiro Sido
July 13th - Allison Roberts-Miller
July 15th - Lindsey Wells
July 15th - Amber Forbes
July 16th - Debbie Birk
July 16th - Josie Polhemus
July 19th - Judy Mullins
July 23rd - Martha Richard
July 25th - Connor Kish
July 25th - Eileen Klimkowski
July 26th - Bob Tatlock
July 26th - Flo McCarthy
July 30th - Wayne Butler
July 30th - Alice Braddy
Please let the office know if we have missed your birthday!
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MINISTRY SCHEDULE
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2018
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June 17
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June 24
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CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
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Tony Fugate
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Don Stine
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CHALICE
10:30 AM
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Jim & Flo
McCarthy
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Adam Nygren
David McDowell
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LECTOR
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David McDowell
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Zoe Tilly
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ACOLYTES
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Lee Wells
Zoe Tilly
Emory Borner
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Phill Wertz
Sydney Wertz
McNeal Miller
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GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
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Bruce Kiser
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David Klocker
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GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
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Gay Lindsey
Pete Laine
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Sharon & Bob Tatlock
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ALTAR GUILD
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Cathy Webster
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Terry Eckard
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BREAD
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July
Cheryl Saylor
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ALTAR FLOWERS
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Father's Day
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George Sowersby
Susan Stroud
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COFFEE HOUR
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Coffee Hour
(No Parish Lunch)
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William & Priscilla Graham
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MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
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William Graham
Judy Mullins
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Lee & Allison
Wells
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SOUND TECH
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Terry Eckard
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William Graham
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EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
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George Sowersby
Susan Stroud
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Jim & Flo
McCarthy
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Jerry Wertz
Marsha Ellison
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Linda Klocker
Flo McCarthy
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Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
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