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
October 12, 2017
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The Forward Day by Day Meditation for THURSDAY, October 12
Matthew 9:22a
Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well."
When this woman says to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well," she knows what could happen. But she also knows no one must see what she is about to do. Determined to be made well, the woman sneaks through the crushing crowd, reaches out, and brushes Jesus' garment.
Jesus turns and sees her; the woman's eyes are downcast and drowning in shame. In this one moment of connection, Jesus banishes shame, fear, social stigma, and physical pain from the woman. The crowd pushes and pulls the action in another direction, but the woman doesn't notice. She is a new creation-she is
daughter, not
unclean. In the freedom of this new peace, I can imagine Hosea's words arising in her mind: "Those who were not my people I will call 'my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call beloved" (Romans 9:25b). "And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they shall be called children of the living God" (Hosea 1:10).
MOVING FORWARD: Visit a friend or community member who may be recovering at home or in the hospital. Talk to your priest or clergy person about taking communion to them as well.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Parish Lunch: This Sunday, October 15th following the 10:30 service. If you attend, please consider making a $5 donation per person to offset the costs of this wonderful meal.
Hope you can join us!
* Quarterly Statements: Are available for pick up after both services on Sunday.
* All Saints Walk: The first All Saints Walk will be held at
6:00 pm on
Wednesday, November 1. We invite all to come and join in the fun! We are in need of 5 adults or older teens who would like to pick a saint and dress up and tell the children and adults a story about the saint. Also, you get to pass out goodies. Nothing elaborate... a choir robe with fabric draped over it, so please don't let that stop you.
After you decide which saint you want to portray and talk about, just google their name on the internet. We are looking for a short 5 minute story from you, as your saint about their life. The rooms will be darkened except for a candle. People will be split into groups and rotate. This is a lot of fun for the adults as well - both the ones portraying saints and the ones listening.
We are in need of donations of candy and small trinkets or raisins, etc.. Each saint will have a bucket filled and offer the children a few after their talk. At the end we will meet back in the parish hall for popcorn and a prayer. We know that it is a school/work night and hope to be done within an hour. We can't do this without the help of the parish. We want to support our youth and this is a great way for them to learn and have some fun.
There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the Life Center. While on vacation I can be reached via email for questions, comments etc. Thank you for your help in advance!!
* The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus will host an interfaith celebration of community, compassion, and equality in their final stop on the Lavender Pen Tour. The event is this Saturday, October 14th at 11AM at First United Methodist in Charlotte.Their address is 501 North Tryon. All are welcome to attend. It will be followed by a concert on Saturday evening at Ovens Auditorium. Further information can be glenaned at
http://www.sfgmc.org/ Contact Cris South with any further questions.
* Parade of Tables: The Outreach committee wishes to thank EVERYONE who participated in this event for all the work and the outstanding results in raising funds for our Outreach ministries. A special THANKS to the Table Leaders, Chef Jim McCarthy, MC Lee Wells, Marsha Ellison for the entertainment, and everyone who donated items for the auction! Profit from this event was $4,435!! The Outreach Committee
* Work Day
: We will have a parish workday this Saturday, October 14th at 8:30AM. William Graham will be the coordinator so please see him for your work assignment.
* Fr. Gary on Vacation -
Fr. Gary and Chris will be on vacation October 8th through October 22nd. If a pastoral need or concern arises please contact Deacons Cris or Martha.
* Parish Lunch
: The 3rd
Sunday luncheon now has a committee to prepare and cook. We can always use more help. The proceeds from the luncheon goes to Outreach. If this is something you would like to help with, please contact Jerry Wertz at
[email protected].
* Church Treasurer: Our church treasurer, Jessica Woodward, has announced her resignation effective the end of 2017. We are sorry to lose her and want to thank her for her many years of service to All Saints. As such, we are now looking for a new treasurer. If you are aware of anyone who has financial experience and who needs a part-time job, please mention us to them or them to us. The Treasurer's duties include: reconciling bank accounts, preparing vestry financial reports, works with Finance Committee to develop budgets, payroll, retirement administration, prepare financial portion of parochial report, workers comp audit, etc. Please contact Fr. Gary or Debra if you know of anyone or have questions.
* Pacesetters: The Pacesetters will be touring JAARS in Waxhaw on Tuesday October 31st. Our tour starts at
9:30 so we will leave here at 8. JAARS translates the Bible into many languages and then transports the Bibles to regions not easily reached. We will visit the different departments to see the role aircraft, boats, computers and media play in Bible translation. We will eat lunch on-site and then tour the Alphabet Museum and Mexico Museum just across the road from the JAARS center. The Alphabet museum at JAARS is the only one in the US that presents the trace history of writing systems, from the ancient world to today. We plan to take the bus and were told the guide will get on the bus and take us through the area to minimize walking. If you would like to attend this outing, please let Jerry Wertz know at
[email protected]. This trip is open to anyone who would like to go.
* Zumba: Now being offered 2 days a week in the Family Life Center! $5/class
- Tuesday at 7:15PM: Please join Dana Wolfe for a fun workout made for everyone.
The class that started the dance-fitness revolution and changed the way we look at a "workout" forever. It's fun, effective and best of all? Made for everyone!
- Friday at 9AM: Taught by certified instructor Barbara Mooradian who has been teaching for 6 years. Especially suited to older adults or those with mobility issues or restrictions, Zumba Gold has all of the liveliness and fun of Zumba while being low impact and easier on the body. It can even be done while sitting!
* Adult Christian Formation: The 9:30 formation class will be learning about Islam. Our guide on this journey is professor John Esposito of Georgetown University. Please join us in The Life Center for this tour into one of the Great World Religions.
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World Food Day is observed by more than 150 countries each year on Oct. 16. It is an opportunity to be grateful for our own blessings and to prayerfully consider what we can do to help alleviate hunger in our own community and worldwide. In observance of world food day, you can help replenish the food pantry at Crisis Assistance Ministry. You can help by donating any non-perishable food item, however, some specific items needed are: spaghetti sauce, noodles, instant potatoes, beef stew, canned fruit, pancake mix, syrup, grits & rice. Please place your items in the CAM bin in the Family Life Center.
* Family Promise: Our Family Promise guests have been with us this week and will move to the next church on S
unday October 15th. All Saints is one of the original churches that helped establish this ministry more than ten years ago. This program offers our guests shelter, substance and some compassion due to a temporary situation. During the week we provide them housing, breakfast and dinner meals, and activities for the children. This ministry provides assistance to families who for various reasons need a temporary home and other support while they work toward creating a better life for themselves and their families. A heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who make this program possible and such a success. If you would like to be part of this ministry contact Marc Dudley with an email at
[email protected] or a phone call/text message at 704-718-4044.
* First Sunday of the month Coffee Hour: We need someone to set up and clean up only
for Coffee Hour on Parish Breakfast Sunday. You do not have to provide any food, just set out the food left from breakfast. Please sign up for this on the Coffee Hour sign-up sheet.
* Cooking for the Army: Our next day to cook will be Saturday, November 4th. Parishioners gather at
9AM 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.
* Outreach Meeting: Tuesday, October 24th at 6:30PM.
* Youth Christian Formation
: Christian Formation for our young people begins
at 9:30 sharp. Our new program is an Episcopal curriculum. We have 11 dedicated teachers and three dedicated musicians who will be guiding our young people. Please bring your children and let them experience God and Jesus with others.
* Towel Ministry Coordinator
: All Saints Towel Ministry funds and builds handicap ramps and does other small building projects for those in Gaston County who have a need. If you are a good organizer and understand basic building techniques All Saints could use your services as our new Towel Ministry Coordinator. You are not expected to do all the work, just take requests, assemble the teams and help out the citizens in our community who need help. If interested please speak to Fr. Gary.
* Ministry Schedule: The September through December Ministry Schedule is on the table in the Family Life Center.
* Choir Rehearsal: Sunday mornings at 9:25 am.
* Handbell Rehearsal: Rehearse on 11/1, 11/8, 11/15 - Ring on 11/19.
* Food Pantry: Please help us restock the shelves by bringing in the following items: canned meats only (chicken, ham, vienna sausages, spam, salmon, etc.). Through your generosity, we have been able to help many families and individuals.
* Preaching ROTA (rotation) at All Saints: We are blessed at All Saints to hear three different voices in preaching. Each one of our clergy; Gary, Cris and Martha, have experienced the world and see the world differently and through different lenses. Because our community is made up of different people from different experiences we need to hear different voices. At All Saints, Deacon Cris preaches on the 3rd
Sunday of each month, Deacon Martha preaches on the 1st
Sunday of alternate months (next time is in September) and Fr. Gary preaches the other Sundays. We hope you find the different voices fulfilling in your spiritual journey.
* Bible Study: The Faith Club is a wonderful book that has generated excellent discussion. It is not too late to join this group which meets on Wednesday morning at 10:00 in the Family Life Center library. If interested in joining, get the book and come.
* Needed: Monetary donations for lettuce and carrots for the Salvation Army salads on Mondays. Each week, we use up one large bag of sliced carrots and 6 heads of lettuce. Cost is about $20 a week. Donations are needed to offset this cost. Anyone willing to donate cash or a gift card to the project, please see Linda Klocker, 704-827-3901. Checks should be made out to All Saints, garden fund. Thanks for your generosity. The clients at the Salvation Army really enjoy a fresh salad.
* Parish Nurse Ministry will be taking blood pressures after the 8:00 and 10:30 services on the second Sunday of the month. Nurses interested in the parish nurse ministry please contact Cheryl Saylor, MSN.
* Cookbooks: $10 If you don't need a cookbook, but would like to help our Outreach committee reach their budget goal, consider buying a cookbook to donate to our newcomers committee. Any donated cookbooks will be included in the welcome bag we hand out to newcomers.
* Adult Christian Formation: We are studying "Great Figures of the New Testament." Our guide is the esteemed Jewish scholar Amy-Jill Levine who teaches at Vanderbilt University. What Ms. Levine brings to the table is a unique Jewish understanding of the New Testament, the culture and people of the day. She will take us on a journey of specific characters: who they are, what they do and how they have been assessed across the centuries. We begin at 9:25 AM. Please join us!
* Sign Up Sheets for coffee hour, altar guild and altar flowers are on the bulletin board in the Family Life Center. Coffee Hour hosting can be as simple as drinks and cookies. Coffee hour is provided to have fellowship with our parish family. Please sign up or call the church office to add your name to the list (704-864-7201).
* Salvation Army Service Schedule: Monday, October 16th - Team #6. (Jerry Wertz & Deloris Stewart)
* 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.
* Church Directory: Available on the table in the Family Life Center.
* Building Use Policy: Our buildings are being used more and more and scheduling conflicts are occurring. Effective immediately, all rooms/buildings will be scheduled by the Parish Administrator by the submission of a form which is available at the office and will soon be available on the web site. We appreciate your understanding realizing that this will improve our ability to serve our parishioners and ministries.
* Planned Giving: Programs for Outreach Ministries are an important part of our parish. You can ensure the continuation of these programs by setting up an endowment or including a bequest in your will. The Episcopal Foundation of Western Carolina has set up "The Living Stones Society" to provide Education and training to all clergy and parishioners about setting up a program. For more information see Fr. Gary or call the foundation at 828-225-6656.
* Ministry Opportunities: There are a variety of Ministries available at All Saints including feeding at The Salvation Army, tending the Garden, Family Promise where we take care of those without a home for a week at a time, Altar Guild, Readers, Lectors, Acolytes, Chalicers, and many more. Everyone at All Saints is encouraged to serve in some way. Please let us know what you are interested in and we will put you in touch with the ministry coordinator. You can call the office (704-864-7201), email ([email protected]) or speak to Fr. Gary.
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| Upcoming Schedule October 13th: Zumba October 14th: Parish Work Day October 15th: Parish Lunch October 17th: Zumba October 24th: Outreach October 27th: Last Friday Get Together October 28th: Vestry Work Day October 29th: Worship & Picnic at Rankin Lake October 31st: Pacesetters November 1st: All Saints Walk November 4th: Cooking for the Army November 5th: Parish Breakfast |
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This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
L
ord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
The First Lesson: Isaiah 25:1-9
O
Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you, I will praise your name;
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
For you have made the city a heap,
the fortified city a ruin;
the palace of aliens is a city no more,
it will never be rebuilt.
Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;
cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
For you have been a refuge to the poor,
a refuge to the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.
When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,
the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place,
you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;
the song of the ruthless was stilled.
On this mountain the
Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord
God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the
Lord has spoken.
will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the
Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
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: Philippians 4:1-9
My brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
The Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14
Once more Jesus spoke to the people in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.' But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.' Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."
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Saint Day / Feast of the Week
Saint Luke the Evangelist
Luke was a Gentile, a physician, and one of Paul's fellow missionaries
in the early spread of Christianity through the Roman world. He has
been identified as the writer of both the Gospel which bears his name,
and its sequel, the Acts of the Apostles. He had apparently not known
Jesus, but was clearly much inspired by hearing about him from those
who had known him.
Luke wrote in Greek, so that Gentiles might learn about the Lord,
whose life and deeds so impressed him. In the first chapter of his
Gospel, he makes clear that he is offering authentic knowledge about
Jesus' birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. The Gospel is not a full
biography-none of the Gospels are-but a history of salvation.
Only Luke provides the very familiar stories of the annunciation to
Mary, of her visit to Elizabeth, of the child in the manger, the angelic
host appearing to shepherds, and the meeting with the aged Simeon.
Luke includes in his work six miracles and eighteen parables not
recorded in the other Gospels. In Acts he tells about the coming of
the Holy Spirit, the struggles of the apostles and their triumphs over
persecution, of their preaching of the Good News, and the conversion
and baptism of other disciples, who would extend the Church in
future years.
Luke was with Paul apparently until the latter's martyrdom in Rome.
What happened to Luke after Paul's death is unknown. Early tradition
has it that he wrote his Gospel in Greece, and that he died at the age
of eighty-four in Boeotia. Gregory of Nazianzus says that Luke was
martyred, but this testimony is doubted by most scholars. In the fourth
century, the Emperor Constantius ordered the supposed relics of Luke
to be removed from Boeotia to Constantinople, where they could be
venerated by pilgrims.
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October 12th - Barbara Cooper
October 12th - Lucas Balco
October 14th - Marlene Nivens
October 14th - Jason Witry
October 17th - Phil Hicks
October 17th - Monica Vogt
October 17th - Sharon Tatlock
October 21st - Deloris Stewart
October 23rd - Chris Butterworth
October 23rd - Inga Kish
October 24th - Rob Webster
October 25th - Autumn Jager
October 27th - Robert Weeks
October 31st - Mark Ballenger
Please let the office know if we have missed your birthday!
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MINISTRY SCHEDULE
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2017
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October 15
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October 22
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CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
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Kelly Morris
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Don Stine
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CHALICE
10:30 AM
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Terry Eckard
Jack Gaskey
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Lee Wells
Bob Forbes
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LECTOR
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Kyle Tilly
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Susan Stroud
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ACOLYTES
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Lee Wells
Zoe Tilly
Lydia Kish
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Phill Wertz
Noelle Martin
Sophie Martin
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GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
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David Klocker
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Laurie Stewart
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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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Adam Nygren
Glenda Carpenter
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Cathy Webster
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BREAD
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November
Cheryl Saylor
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ALTAR FLOWERS
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Jim & Glenda Carpenter
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COFFEE HOUR
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Parish Lunch
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Erin Balco
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MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
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William Graham
Judy Mullins
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George Sowersby
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SOUND TECH
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Terry Eckard
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Marc Dudley
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LAY EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
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David McDowell
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Jim & Flo
McCarthy
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YOUTH
FORMATION
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George Sowersby
Christine Borner
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Emma Butterworth
Christine Borner
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VPOD 8:00
10:30
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Jerry Wertz
Lee Wells
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Linda Klocker
John Woodward
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Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
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