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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
August 9, 2018
In This Issue
  

Gary

The Forward Day by Day Meditation for THURSDAY, August 16

Psalm 105:1  Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; make known his deeds among the peoples.

Struggling to pray sometimes-or not knowing where to begin-is a familiar experience. I have found that thanksgiving is a great place to start when I struggle in my prayer life. Reflecting on the blessings that God has given me can be like following a bread-crumb trail back to the source of those blessings. In his book,  Letters to Malcolm, theologian C.S. Lewis suggests we see blessings as the easiest path to God. As Lewis says, "The warmth of a ray of sunlight can lead us back to the source of that warmth, the sun."
  
What blessings in your life have helped lead you back to God? Does your work help you understand the ways in which God is reaching out to you? Does forgiving someone who hurt you help you better understand how God forgives us when we fall short? Does the love of your family help you better understand the love of God? 

MOVING FORWARD: If your prayers are in a slump, try letting your blessings revive your quiet time. 


FINANCIAL REPORT
 
Year to Date (YTD) Income
$126,818.99
YTD Expenses
$146,413.67
Difference to the negative
$19,594.68
Behind for the year (in percent)
 14.3%
 
Please note that we are running a negative discrepancy in our giving trends. Please try to bring your pledge amounts up to date.  
We thank you for your generosity and attention to this matter.

Parade of Tables:
Saturday September 22, 2018
From 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Tickets: $30.00 per person
 
Come join us for an elegant evening of Fellowship, Food, Fun and more. This annual event includes dinner, musical entertainment, an auction and lots of fellowship. Hosts will decorate tables in various themes and sell tickets to their tables This is an outreach/fundraiser for the church to help provide services to many organizations we serve. So please mark your calendars for this exciting night!!!
 
Please contact Lee and Casey Allison with any questions or concerns.
(704-909-0544)

ANNOUNCEMENTS  

*  Friday Gathering Sponsored by Pacesetters :  Gaston Chord Weavers will be performing for free on Friday, August 24th at 6PM in the Family Life Center.  The group has been entertaining Gaston County for 26 years and consists of men who sing acapella.  8 Members of the group will be coming.  A barbecue supper (Barbecue served at yard sale) will be provided.  Please sign up in the Family Life Center.  

*  Fr. Gary  is in Nevada next week helping the Diocese of Nevada with their Bishop Discernment Retreat. In case of emergency please contact Deacon Cris or Deacon Martha.

*  Vacation : Debra, our Parish Administrator, will be on vacation from Thursday, August 16th through Tuesday, August 21st. Please be patient and understanding when calling or writing during this time.  

*  Blessing of the Backpacks : Calling all students, Kindergarten-College and all teachers and professors!  On Sunday August 26th, Fr. Gary will have a "Blessing of the Backpacks" for all those who are returning to school (in any capacity).  Bring yourselves, backpacks, computers, briefcases, etc. for a blessing and start out your school year with the Blessing of God!  We will also be collecting backpacks, pencils, crayons, glue sticks and any other school supplies to donate to Pleasant Ridge Elementary that we support through the Backpack Ministry.  

*  Work Day:  We will have a parish workday on Saturday, September 8th.  Please put the date on your calendar and join us in sprucing up the church and the grounds before the Bishop visits. Many hands make light work! "Please don't fall for that voice that tells you someone else will do it"

*  Bishop's Visitation: Our bishop, The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin, will make his parochial visit on Sunday, September 16, 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. Please let Fr. Gary know if you would like to be confirmed or received.

*  Family Promise:  Our Family Promise guests are here and will be with us the entire week until Sunday, August 19th. This program is a wonderful opportunity to give families without a place that they can call home, a temporary sanctuary by providing shelter, substance and a bit of compassion. Family Promise is a community program that provides housing and support to homeless families.  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 volunteer for several activities during on that week. This includes helping to unload and load the families' belongings on the Sunday mornings of the week they are with us (8:30am - 10:15am) , to greet and engage guests (5:00-6:30 pm), to prepare and serve dinner (6:30-8:00 pm), to spend the night (8:00 pm - 7:30 am), to provide homework and enrichment activities for children (5:30-6:30pm). Currently we still need volunteers for greeting the families, providing enrichment activities for the children, provid dinner on Sunday, Friday or Saturday, and to spend the evening on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. For more information, or to volunteer please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or marcdudleync@gmail.com.

*  Saturday, August 25, noon - 2pm: It's All About the Dough!
In this class, you will learn how to make perfect pie dough every time and many creative ways to use it:
               Mushroom Duxelle Pasties (past-eez): a European hand pie
               Apple Galettes: a rustic, no pan, hand-formed fruit pie
               traditional Double-Crust Pie (blueberry)
               Quiche Lorraine with bacon and Swiss
$25 fee gives you a hands-on workshop, all of the recipes, and a whole lotta pie to sample! Register by contacting Jerry Wertz (704-577-9699)  no later than August 20. Then watch out for the fall class that will include Salmon Wellington, sides, and dessert!

* Cooking for the Army :  On Saturday, September 8th 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.

*  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.

*  Bible Study :   Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is the book being studied.  We have just gotten started so if you would like to join us please do so on Wednesday's in the Family Life Center at 10:00. 

* 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. 

*  Summer Choir schedule :  The choir will  resume on  Sunday August 19th at 9:25am.

*  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:

Our unique charity linkhttps://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-1372678

*  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 2 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)
  
*  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.

*  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, August 20th - Team #2.  (George Sowersby)

*  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
  
* 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.
ADOPT A PLOT!
 
At our last Vestry meeting, the vestry approved allowing parishioners to "adopt a plot" in the family garden located next to the church.
 
  1. Beginning September 2018, vegetable gardens will be available to be "adopted" by members of the congregation.
  2. The adopted gardens are for the member's personal use. The members would be responsible for planting, weeding, maintaining, fertilizing etc. said plot and the walkway between and around the plots.
  3. The food grown in this plot is for the members use. Any overabundance of vegetable that the growers wish can be given to the church for the Salvation Army or stored for the member's personal use.
  4. Cost of the plot is $25.00 annually payable with the first payment due in September 2018. This first payment will cover cost for end of 2018 and all of 2019. After that, $25.00 will be due in January of each year beginning in 2020. Fees will split between the Salvation Army Salad Fund and maintenance (mostly water usage).
  5. Plots can be shared between members. There are 6 plots which are 4 feet x 24 feet and three that are 4 feet x 8 feet.
  6. Plots will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, one plot per family. A drawing of the plots and paid assignments will be posted on the bulletin board in the family life center. Additional plots will be available if not "adopted" by September 30th.
  7. Checks to be made out to All Saints, please specify "garden plot" in memo section of the check.
  8. Questions and checks may be given to Jerry Wertz or Linda Klocker.

 Upcoming Schedule  

 

August 21st:  Vestry

August 24th:  Last Friday Get Together

August 26th:  Blessing of the Backpacks

August 28th:  Outreach

September 8th:  Parish Work Day

September 8th:  Cooking for the Army

September 16th:  Bishop Jose Visit

September 22nd:  Parade of Tables

 This Sunday's Scripture Readings

The Collect

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson: Proverbs 9:1-6

Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
from the highest places in the town,
"You that are simple, turn in here!"
To those without sense she says,
"Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live,
and walk in the way of insight."

Psalm 34:9-14

9 Fear the Lord, you that are his saints, *
for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger, *
but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.

11 Come, children, and listen to me; *
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Who among you loves life *
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?

13 Keep your tongue from evil-speaking *
and your lips from lying words.

14 Turn from evil and do good; *
seek peace and pursue it.

The Epistle: Ephesians 5:15-20

B e careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever."
Saint Day / Feast of the Week

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

Bartholomew is one of the twelve Apostles known to us only by his
being listed among them in the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark,
and Luke. His name means "Son of Tolmai," and he is sometimes
identified with Nathanael, the friend of Philip, the "Israelite without
guile" in John's Gospel, to whom Jesus promised the vision of angels
ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

Nothing more is heard of him in the four Gospels.

Some sources credit Bartholomew with having written a Gospel,
whose existence was known to Jerome and Bede, but which is lost
today. There is a tradition that Bartholomew traveled to India, and
Eusebius reports that when Pantaenus of Alexandria visited India,
between 150 and 200, he found there "the Gospel according to
Matthew" in Hebrew, which had been left behind by "Bartholomew,
one of the Apostles."

An ancient tradition maintains that Bartholomew was flayed alive at
Albanopolis in Armenia.


August 31st - Bob Forbes
September 1st - Bill Collins
September 2nd - Jay Roberts-Miller
September 2nd - T.J. Solomon
September 3rd - Jessica Woodward
September 5th - Justin Butterworth
September 5th - Jack Gaskey
September 5th - Lydia Kish
September 5th - Carol Maiden
September 6th - Lynne Stine
September 8th - George Sowersby
September 9th - Adam Nygren
September 11th - Susan Maxon
September 14th - Aiden Klocker
September 15th - Ryan Klocker
September 17th - Casey Allison
September 19th - Kathleen Sowersby Deviney
September 22nd - Joan Cieslik
September 26th - Rob Forbes
September 28th - Laura Tilly

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

2018
August 19
August 26
CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
Susan Maxon
Don Stine
CHALICE 
10:30 AM
Lee Wells
Bob Forbes
George Sowersby Kyle Tilly
LECTOR
William Graham
Claudette Forbes
ACOLYTES
Sydney Wertz
Noelle martin
Sophie Martin
Lee Wells
Faolin Tilly
McNeal Miller
GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
Linda Boyd
Laurie Stewart
GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
Sharon & Bob
Tatlock
Candy Albergine
Marc Dudley
ALTAR GUILD
Terry Eckard
Marc Dudley
BREAD
August
Allison Wells
September
Kelly Halley
ALTAR FLOWERS
William & Priscilla Graham
Beasley
COFFEE HOUR
Jerry Wertz
Deloris Stewart
Erin Balco
MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
George Sowersby
William Graham
Judy Mullins
SOUND TECH
William Graham
Terry Eckard
EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
William & Priscilla Graham
Jerry Wertz
David Klocker
VPOD 8:00
10:30
Don Stine
Lee Wells
Linda Boyd
Flo McCarthy

Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+

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