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 5, 2017
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Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
In the days of Jesus the purpose of God's vineyard had been rationalized away. The righteously religious had replaced the intent of God's covenant promises with nationalistic pride, self-interest and self-justifying traditions.
How long does it take to develop such theological blinders? The historian Phyllis Tickle, in her book, "The Great Emergence", observes that it takes around 500 years for religious communities to lose their spiritual way. It's just 500 years since the time of the Reformation. Perhaps we are sitting at the juncture of another moment when the tenants of the vineyard are likely to kill those sent to collect it's valuable produce.
In today's parable Jesus does not suggest God will withdraw the covenant promise, but he does warn his hearers: "Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom." Does any part of that warning ring true for the congregation of which you are a part of? Does any ring true for the larger church with which you are in association? With whom in your circle of faith can you ask humbly and honestly, "What is our purpose for being here, and how does it relate to the cross and empty tomb of Jesus?"
God of the covenant promise, renew in us a clarity of identity and purpose. Grow in our lives and in our communities a rich harvest of faith, hope and love. Amen.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
* 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 on Saturday, October 7th at 8:30AM. Stephen Morris will be the coordinator so please see him for your work assignment. We will continue the work day on Saturday, October 14th, with William Graham being the coordinator.
* Fr. Gary on Vacation -
Fr. Gary and Chris will be on vacation starting Sunday 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.
* 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!!
* 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 week to host the Family Promise will start this
Sunday, October 8th. Family Promise is a program that offers assistance to families who are in need of food and shelter. The families will be with us from this Sunday and will be with us until
next Sunday. During this upcoming week we will be greeting the families when they arrive in the evening on each day, providing activities for the children, preparing and serving meals to the families here at the church, and staying overnight during their stay to provide any assistance they might need. Currently, there is one family in the program, Amanda and her son Danny Rae. We are still in need of volunteers and would appreciate any time that you might volunteer to the program. If you would like to volunteer for one of the activities or are just interested in finding out more about the program please contact Marc Dudley at 704-718-4044 or at
[email protected].
* 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, October 7th. 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. Our lettuce in the garden has "gone over to the dark side...bolted". Will be a month or two before the new crop is in. Until then, we need donations for lettuce and carrots. 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 9th - Team #5. (Jacquie Burr, 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.
* 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 6th: Zumba October 7th: Parish Work Day October 7th: Cooking for the Army October 8th: Family Promise Arrives October 14th: Parish Work Day October 15th: Parish Breakfast 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 5th: Parish Breakfast |
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This Sunday's Scripture Readings
The Collect
A
lmighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The First Lesson: Exodus
20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Then God spoke all these words:
I am the
Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the
Lord your God, for the
Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.
Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work.
Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the
Lord your God is giving you.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die." Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin."
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The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7 The law of the
Lord is perfect
and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the
Lord is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8 The statutes of the
Lord are just
and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the
Lord is clear
and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the
Lord is clean
and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the
Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.
11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O
Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
The Epistle: Philippians 3:4b-14
If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
The Gospel: Matthew 21:23-32
When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
The Gospel: Matthew 21:33-46
Jesus said, "Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance." So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time."
Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures:
'The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord's doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes'?
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls."
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.
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Saint Day / Feast of the Week
Wilfred Thomason Grenfell
Medical Missionary, 1940
Sir Wilfred Thomason Grenfell was born in Cheshire, England in
1865, the second of four sons of the Reverend Algernon Sidney
Grenfell, headmaster of Mostyn House School, Parkgate, and his
wife Jane Georgina Hutchinson. While studying medicine at the
London Hospital Medical School, he came under the influence of
American revivalist Dwight L. Moody. An athlete skilled in boxing,
cricket, rugby, and rowing, he was an early exponent of the "muscular
Christianity" made famous by Charles Kingsley.
In 1887, following his medical qualification, he joined the Royal
National Mission to Deep-Sea Fisherman as a medical missionary,
serving in Iceland and the Bay of Biscay. During a visit to Labrador
in 1892, Grenfell was appalled by the near-starvation, poverty, and ill
health of the British workers there. Devoting himself to their nurture
and improvement, be built the first hospital of the Labrador Medical
Mission in 1893, eventually opening boarding schools, hospital ships,
clothing distribution centers, and the Seaman's Institute at St. John's,
Newfoundland, often with money he raised himself with speaking
tours and books. Several of his books about Labrador and his religious
books appealed to those with whom he worked due to his modest and
simple style.
In 1912, he organized the International Grenfell Association, with
branches in Newfoundland, the United States, and Canada, and this
organization supported his work and ministry for the remainder of his
career.
Grenfell retired from his work in 1935 due to ill health. He died in
Vermont in October of 1940.
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October 8th - McNeal Miller
October 10th - Cathy Wright
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 8
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October 15
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CHALICE/LECTOR
8:00 AM
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Dennis Bolin
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Kelly Morris
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CHALICE
10:30 AM
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Nancy Byers
David McDowell
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Terry Eckard
Jack Gaskey
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LECTOR
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Pete Laine
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Kyle Tilly
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ACOLYTES
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Sydney Wertz
McNeal Miller
Lindsey Wells
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Lee Wells
Zoe Tilly
Lydia Kish
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GREETER/USHER
8:00 AM
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Brad Frazier
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Jerry Wertz
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GREETERS/USHERS
10:30 AM
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Allison & Lee Wells
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Gay Lindsey
Pete Laine
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ALTAR GUILD
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Terry Eckard
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BREAD
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November
Cheryl Saylor
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ALTAR FLOWERS
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Jim Martin
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Jim & Glenda Carpenter
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COFFEE HOUR
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Diane Camp
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Parish Lunch
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MORNINGSIDE
10:30 AM
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Jim McCarthy
Eileen Klimkowski
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William Graham
Judy Mullins
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SOUND TECH
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John Woodward
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Terry Eckard
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LAY EUCHARISTIC
VISITORS
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David McDowell
Adam Nygren
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Lee & Casey Allison
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YOUTH
FORMATION
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Sharon Tatlock
Judy Mullins
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George Sowersby
Christine Borner
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VPOD 8:00
10:30
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George Saylor
Adam Nygren
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Jerry Wertz
Lee Wells
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Blessings & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
phone: 704-864-7201
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