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The Armor of God
Renee Stephens
This week, we are making preparations to welcome more than 80 children, 50 youth, and 24 adult volunteers for Vacation Bible School, and we are reminded of the beauty and holy chaos of a church filled with people studying the Bible every day and all day. Laughter and music will echo through the halls, crafts and games will fill busy hands, and throughout it all, seeds of faith will be planted and nurtured in all of our hearts.
This year’s theme comes from Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:10: “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.” These words were never meant only for adults facing life’s hardest moments. They are also for children learning what courage looks like, for teenagers discovering who they are, and for every believer trying to follow Christ faithfully in an often confusing world.
The armor of God reminds us that spiritual strength does not come from ourselves. We do not put on truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God because we are already strong enough. We put them on because we need God’s strength every single day. The good news of the Gospel is that God does not send us into life’s battles alone but instead equips us, walks beside us, and reminds us that God’s power is greater than fear, temptation, discouragement, or doubt.
During VBS week, our children will hear stories, memorize Scripture, sing songs, and build friendships. But beyond the activities, our prayer is deeper and simpler: that every person who enters our doors would know they are loved and called by God. We pray that our young people will discover that faith is not just something learned in church for one week each summer, but a daily relationship with Jesus Christ, who strengthens and sustains us.
As a church family, we also recognize that ministry like this is never accomplished alone. It takes teachers, youth helpers, bakers, decorators, organizers, and countless unseen acts of service. Each person becomes part of God’s work in bringing about the Kingdom of God.
So as we begin this special week together, may we all hear Paul’s encouragement anew: “Be strong in the Lord.” May God strengthen our children with truth, encourage our volunteers with joy, and remind every one of us that divine power is made perfect not in our ability but in our dependence upon God.
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Confirmation
May 31

Join us for Confirmation this Sunday! We will have breakfast at 8:45 AM. The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright, Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta, will join us for formation and our 10:15 am service for a joint Confirmation with Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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Summer Forum Series: 
The Bible With and Without Jesus
June 7-July 19, 9:00 AM
Join us this summer for a thought-provoking formation series exploring The Bible With and Without Jesus by renowned scholars Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler. Together, we will examine some of the most familiar passages from the Hebrew Bible and discover how these texts have been understood in both Jewish and Christian traditions across history.
Through engaging discussion, prayer, and reflection, we will explore stories and themes such as creation, Adam and Eve, Jonah, Isaiah’s Suffering Servant, and Psalm 22. This series invites us to deepen our understanding of Scripture by considering its historical context, literary richness, and theological interpretations, while reflecting on how these ancient texts continue to speak into our lives today.
Each session will include guided discussion questions, opening and closing prayers, and interactive activities designed to foster meaningful conversation and spiritual growth. Whether you are new to Bible study or a lifelong learner, this series offers a welcoming space to encounter Scripture in fresh and inspiring ways.
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Young Adults: Pool Party
June 6, 11:00-1:00 PM
Young adults in their 20s-30s are invited to kick off summer with us at a pool party at Jenny Cantrell’s home! Join us on June 6 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm for swimming, snacks, and a fun time hanging out together. Bring your towel, sunscreen, and a friend!
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Newcomers Dinner
June 10, 6:00 PM
New to Holy Innocents? We’d love to welcome you! Join our clergy, vestry, and welcome team for a fun evening of barbecue, conversation, and connection as we gather to make new friends together. The Newcomers Dinner will be held on Wednesday, June 10, at 6:00 pm at the home of Alex & Bill Allen. Kids are encouraged to wear their swimsuits! Email RSVP@holyinnocents.org or register on Realm by June 7.
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Patriotic Concert and Lunch
June 25, 12:00 PM
Celebrate the arrival of our new Director of Music, Dock Anderson, at a special concert on Thursday, June 25! Enjoy an afternoon of patriotic music and familiar favorites. A lunch will be held beforehand. Dock’s first Sunday will be June 21, with a reception following worship.
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Church of the Common Ground 
Sandwich Build
July 12, 11:15 AM
Please join us in the Parish Hall tomorrow to make sandwiches for our unhoused siblings who worship in Woodruff Park weekly. If you would like to help deliver the lunches and worship with our friends, we will leave at 12:15 PM.
Contact Robin Hickey | hickeys5040@gmail.com
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Support VBS: Donate or Volunteer!
Vacation Bible School is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it a fun, faith-filled experience for our kids! You can support VBS by donating supplies through our Amazon Wishlist or by volunteering your time. We’re especially looking for helpers to set up, clean up, guide kids as they move between stations, or bring a baked treat to keep our volunteers energized and appreciated. Contact Renee at
rstephens@holyinnocents.org for more information or to volunteer.
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VBS Decorating Party
May 28 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
We need your hands to help prep for VBS. In just a few short weeks, we will welcome 100 kids for an entire week of crafts, science experiments, music, games, and other activities. Help us prepare our space and supplies for this exciting ministry. Pizza provided!
Please note: The final VBS Leader meeting is before the decorating party. Youth leaders, please be there at 10:00 AM, adult leaders at 10:30 AM.
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VBS 2026: Knights of the North Castle
June 1-5 from 9:00 AM-12:15 PM
Get ready for an unforgettable week of faith, fun, and adventure at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church! Kids will explore exciting Bible stories, music, crafts, games, and more as they discover how to “Be strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10) and learn about the Armor of Faith. Cost: $85 per camper. Optional aftercare is available until 3:30 PM for an additional $85. Open to rising Pre-K through rising 5th grade. Spots are filling quickly. Register today!
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Reading Connections
June 8, 6:00 PM | Inglett C
The June Women’s Reading Connections book is Didn’t You Use to Be Queenie B? by Terri-Lynne DeFino. A novel about a disgraced celebrity chef, who vanishes after a public downfall and resurfaces as a soup kitchen manager in New Haven, Connecticut, mentoring a struggling line cook named Gale Carmichael, who eventually gets cast on a cooking show, forcing her to confront her past and potentially make a comeback.
Contact Michelle Driscoll
dris1296@yahoo.com
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Men's Dinner & a Book
July 14, 6:30 PM
The next Men's Dinner and a Book is Tuesday, July 14, at 6:30 PM, and the book is Phantom Fleet by Alexander Rose. Jeremy Webber is hosting. If you would like to attend, please contact him for details. All men at Holy Innocents are included and invited.

Contact Jeremy Webber
jhwwebber@gmail.com
| | Click the video to watch last Sunday's service! | | |
Realm Access
Realm is our database system, which allows us to communicate all of the things that the clergy and staff do behind the scenes to make Holy Innocents' our home. You are also now able to connect to your record with instant access to the directory, your giving, event registration, and more. To connect to your account:
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Email Renee Stephens at rstephens@holyinnocents.org for an invitation link.
- Create your password and remember it!
- Use your email address and password to log in through a browser or the Connect app
Connect app for iPhone: click here. Connect app for Android: click here.
Once you have your account access, update your contact information and upload a picture that will be used in the directory. Contact Renee for help. rstephens@holyinnocents.org
Pastoral Notes
If someone is in the hospital, has died, or has some other pastoral emergency, please contact our clergy directly. Call the church office at 404-255-4023 and follow the prompts. This will connect you directly with the clergyperson on call.
If you have joys to share, new births, grandbabies, graduations, or job announcements, we will gladly share them in our weekly Hi-Lights email if you send a note to communications@holyinnocents.org
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