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
August 23, 2018
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 Greetings in the name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
In our reading from Ephesians this week we are reminded that there is a lot to deal with in life. There is more than taxes and death, more than sickness or harassment at work, more than family struggles and having enough to eat. There are the "cosmic powers of this present darkness." There are the other gods that want to pull our faith away from Jesus, the other gods we choose to make our days feel good. Those other gods look so much better than someone crucified.
Yet only Jesus offers resurrection, mercy, forgiveness and peace with God. To deal with life, Jesus, through our Spirit-given faith in his promises, gives us his goodness to put on like our daily clothes or to take up like the tools we use at work. We wear his gifts to overcome judgment, hate, greed, jealousy and quarrelsomeness. We wear his gifts to give others hope as we tell them, "Jesus makes you good."
Loving Father, as we deal with life, give us the tools of Jesus' mercy and forgiveness, that we may use them to give peace and hope and comfort to others. Amen.
See ya Sunday!
Blessings,
Fr. Gary+
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Parade of Tables:
Saturday September 22, 2018
From 5:30 pm to 9:00 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)
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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.
*
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.
* Help Wanted
: We need two or three persons to organize linen room in Education Building. No heavy lifting. Please contact William Graham. 704-674-9166
* 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: The remaining 2018 date that we will be host to the Family Promise guests are 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), 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
[email protected].
* 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.
* 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:
* 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 27th - 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
* 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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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.
- Beginning September 2018, vegetable gardens will be available to be "adopted" by members of the congregation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- Checks to be made out to All Saints, please specify "garden plot" in memo section of the check.
- Questions and checks may be given to Jerry Wertz or Linda Klocker.
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| Upcoming Schedule 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 |
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This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Lesson: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel:
"Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God."
Psalm 34:15-22
15
The eyes of the
Lord are upon the righteous, *
and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the
Lord is against those who do evil, *
to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the
Lord hears them *
and delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The
Lord is near to the brokenhearted *
and will save those whose spirits are crushed.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous, *
but the
Lord will deliver him out of them all.
20 He will keep safe all his bones; *
not one of them shall be broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked, *
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 The
Lord ransoms the life of his servants, *
and none will be punished who trust in him.
The Epistle: Ephesians 6:10-20
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
The Gospel: John 6:56-69
Jesus said, "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." He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father."
Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
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Saint Day / Feast of the Week
Moses the Black
Desert Father and Martyr, c. 405
Moses of Ethiopia (d. c. 405), sometimes called Moses the Black,
was a fifth century monk who lived in one of several isolated desert
monasteries near Scete in Lower Egypt. He was described as being tall,
strong, "black of body," and in his early life, the hot-blooded leader of
a marauding robber band.
Little is known of his actual life, but an imaginative collection of
religious legends has accumulated about him. Such tales point to the
deep struggles of a Christian soul seeking salvation in difficult settings.
Moses was portrayed as a person of deep excesses, a slave who was
both a thief and a murderer, a perennial fornicator who, after he
became a monk, still struggled for several years with sexual fantasies.
To rid himself of sexual temptation he reportedly stood all night in his
cell with his eyes open. This endured for seven years, after which the
temptations went away.
He led an ascetic life, lived in a simple cell, and ate only ten ounces
of dry bread each day. Once when the monks gathered to judge a
member who had sinned, Brother Moses arrived carrying a leaky
basket filled with sand on his back. He explained that what he was
holding behind him represented his own many sins, now hidden from
his own view. "And now I have come to judge my brother for a small
fault," he remarked. The other monks then each personally forgave
their erring brother and returned to their cells.
Moses was not ordained until late in life; also in his later years he
founded his own monastery. At about age 75 he was warned that an
armed band of raiders was approaching to slay him. "They who live
by the sword shall die by the sword," (Matthew 26:52) the former
robber-murderer calmly replied. He and six other brothers waited
patiently, and were slain, after which a monastic account, St. Moses
the Ethiopian recounts, seven crowns descended from heaven over the
place where they were martyred.
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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!
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MINISTRY SCHEDULE
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2018
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August 26
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September 2
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CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
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Don Stine
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Tony Fugate
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CHALICE
10:30 AM
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George Sowersby
Kyle Tilly
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Cheryl Richard
David McDowell
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LECTOR
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Allison Wells
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Pete Laine
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ACOLYTES
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Lee Wells
Faolin Tilly
McNeal Miller
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Phill Wertz
McNeal Miller
Faolin Tily
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GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
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Laurie Stewart
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David Klocker
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GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
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Candy Albergine
Marc Dudley
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George Sowersby
Pam Hart
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ALTAR GUILD
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Marc Dudley
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Cathy Webster
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BREAD
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September
Kelly Halley
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ALTAR FLOWERS
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BF & Eleanor Beasley
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Don & Lynne Stine
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COFFEE HOUR
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Erin Balco
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Parish Breakfast
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MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
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William Graham
Judy Mullins
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Steve Morris
George Sowersby
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SOUND TECH
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Terry Eckard
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Marc Dudley
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EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
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Jerry Wertz
David Klocker
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George & Susan Sowersby
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Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
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