The Church Bell
Vol. 3, no. 9
November/December 2019
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November 24 - Christ the King Sunday
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Sunday, November 24th, marks the end of the church season we know as Ordinary Time after Pentecost. It also marks the end of the church year.
We refer to this day of transition as
Christ the King Sunday
, and also as "The Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King".
This day celebrates the full authority of Jesus Christ as King and Lord of the Universe. The feast is relatively new having been formally adopted in the Year 1925. The rise of secularism and dictatorships in Western Europe promoted church leadership to reassert the apostolic belief in Christ's authority.
We can all agree that the reaffirmation of Christ's teaching and authority is as critical to the church's witness today as it was in 1925 - or any other time in history.
As we prepare our hearts to worship God together on Christ the King Sunday, let us reaffirm our faith and our conviction that Jesus Christ is truly our Lord and King.
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November 24 - Community Thanksgiving Service
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"Come Ye Thankful People Come" to a time of worship and praise at the Community Thanksgiving Service!
The various Cowan churches will gather to give thanks for a bountiful harvest and a season of many blessings.
The service will be held on
Sunday evening, November 24th, 5:00 p.m. at Cowan Fellowship Church
. The speaker will be Rev. Bill Welch from First Church of the Nazarene. The Celebration Choir from Cowan First Baptist Church will lead in music and song.
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November 24 - Thanksgiving Food Drive
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St. Agnes' will support the Thanksgiving Food Drive at New Creation Ministries (a.k.a. historic Rayburn Chapel).
You can participate by bringing non-perishable groceries to St. Agnes' on Sunday, November 24th.
The items will be distributed on Wednesday, November 27th.
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December 1 - First Sunday in Advent
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Where Christ the King Sunday marks the end of the church year, Advent marks the beginning.
The focus of the season is the coming of the Lord. Due to the season's timing before Christmastide, we tend to observe Advent as preparation for the Season of Christmas.
Indeed, Advent anticipates the coming of the Lord at his nativity, but that's not the entire emphasis of the season. Advent calls us to prepare for the coming of the Lord at the end of the age as well.
In essence, Advent is the anticipation of the Lord's coming to us at any time in human history, be it his divine nativity or his return in glory. Regardless of our vantage point or our place in time, all of us anticipate his coming and are called by God to prepare ourselves accordingly.
In this Advent season that begins next month, think of ways to prepare yourself. Make a special point to pray and read scripture every day. Consider fasting and setting time aside for quiet reflection. Advent has a special emphasis that can nurture our faith and help us grow in grace.
May God truly add his blessings as we anticipate and prepare. "Our King and Savior draweth nigh: O come, let us adore him."
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December 7: 55th Annual Cowan Christmas Parade
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St. Agnes' sponsors one of Tennessee's oldest and largest parades!
This year's Cowan Christmas Parade will be "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" with solo artist Brenda Lee as our Grand Marshall.
Bring the family and enjoy a long line of floats, bands, dancers, antique vehicles, music, and small town fun!
The parade starts at 1:00 p.m. (rain or shine). For complete information, including parade entry information, log on to
www.cowanparade.org
.
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December 8: Christmas Hand Bell Concert
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Ready to ring in the season?
You are invited to a Christmas Hand Bell Concert on Sunday afternoon, December 8th, 2:00 p.m. at the Fayetteville Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Friends and family of Wynona, John and Marcia will be participating.
The church is located at 1015 Lewisburg Highway in Fayetteville just north of the downtown square.
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December 15 - Stir-Up Sunday
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Stir-Up Sunday is a beautiful tradition we inherited from our ancestors in The Church of England.
At the 3rd Sunday in Advent, the
Book of Common Prayer
brings us a powerful opening collect that says:
“
Stir up
thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.”
The traditional English custom - dating back to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – is to “stir-up” something good to eat on “Stir Up Sunday”.
For coffee hour on Sunday, December 15
th
, we invite you to stir-up a tasty dish or snack to share and enjoy.
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December 24 - Christmas Eve Service & Reception
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Christmas Eve Service - 4 p.m.
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The highlight of the season is our candle lit Christmas Eve Service on December 24th at 4:00 p.m. Bring the entire family plus a friend or two and enjoy a most meaningful time of worship. "O Come, Let us Adore Him, Christ the Lord."
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Fr. Werlein Christmas Reception
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Following our Christmas Eve service we invite everyone to a pleasant time of fellowship in the parish hall. We will have refreshments, hot cider, and gift bags for the kids. The reception is held in memory of The Rev'd Philip Werlein.
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Memorial Poinsettias and other memorial gifts
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At St. Agnes’ we enjoy seeing poinsettias in church during the season of Christmastide.
If you are planning to bring a poinsettia, please give the name(s) of the departed to Jarod before our Christmas Eve service.
Or, if you want the church to pick up a poinsettia for you, simply enclose $15 - $20 in an envelope and place it in the offering plate with the name you would like to remember written on it. (Or you can hand it to Jarod or Alice.)
Other Memorial Gift Ideas
There are other ways to remember the faithful departed, such as:
- Purchase a Hymnal or a Book of Common Prayer in someone’s memory.
- Contribute to the altar guild for candles, frontals, etc.
To contribute funds toward a Christmas Memorial, you can enclose a check or cash in an envelope and write detailed information and instructions it.
You can place it in the offering plate or hand it to Jarod or Alice.
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Happy Trails to Fr. Laban
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On Sunday, November 10th, we wished a safe return to Kenya for The Rev'd Captain Laban Agisa.
Laban completed his Master of Sacred Theology at Sewanee and has rejoined his family back home.
His ministry in the Diocese of Nairobi involves work at the Tumaini Hospitality Center in rural Maseno West. The center is dedicated to evangelism, healthcare, and poverty relief.
Laban and his wife have three children (ages 14, 8, and 2). His parents are deceased, but he is close to his stepmother, Claris.
We thoroughly enjoyed working with Fr. Laban and being part of his field education. Although we will miss seeing him on Sunday's, we will stay in touch and maintain a partnership with his ministry.
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Confirmed in the service of Christ
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On October 27th, Brian Judd received the Rite of Confirmation from Bishop Bauerschmidt assisted by Bishop Lambert.
We were blessed an honored to be part of this special time in Brian's life. May the Holy Spirit, who has begun a work work in him, direct and uphold him in the service of Christ and his kingdom!
The congregation welcomed Bishop John with an Easter-size crowd, an enormous lunch, and one of our trademark gifts that brings gives the Bishop a good laugh.
The Bishop recognized St. Agnes' on the 120th anniversary of our founding and for 125 years of Episcopal ministry in Cowan.
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Some Updates from Our Church Family
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Carl Goodman
underwent knee surgery at St. Thomas Rutherford on November 18th. We are pleased to report that he came home on Wednesday the 20th! He thanks us for our prayers, and please continue to remember him as he starts recovery and therapy.
Brian Judd
got more good news from his follow-up tests: He is still in the clear and showing no sign of cancer! His port has since been removed, and he will undergo one more test before the end of the year. Praise God for these and other blessings!
Sara Money
underwent gallbladder surgery in late October. She recovered in good time and returned to work soon afterward.
Marcia Ruffing
is moving right along with her recovery from surgery! We have enjoyed seeing her progress week-after-week!
Royana Stewart's
family reported to us that she is doing fair. She is now in long-term status at The Waters of Winchester.
Pat Underwood
sends her love to the congregation. Jarod visited her at home and is glad to report that she's doing better overall and hopes to see everybody as soon as her health allows.
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November 20 - Christie James Grissett
November 20 - Andrew Williams
November 27 - Shelia Leitzel
December 11 - Wynona Gibson
December 12 - Carl Goodman
December 14 - Bobby Gass
December 16 - Jonathan Scott
December 19 - Lee Glenn
December 22 - Bill Keller
December 31 - Frances Weddington
January 4 - Jason Paton
January 18 - Wes Nevels
January 31 - Hilary Goodman
***Are we missing any birthdays? Please send an e-mail to the church at saintagnescowan@gmail.com.***
"O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on thy servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
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Carl Goodman, Iris Ellidge, Mary McDonald, Will Olsmit, Marcia Ruffing, Marilyn Williams, Peggy Nunley, Gena, Jordan and Austin Cleek, Brad and Anita Warmbrod, Ben Boswell, Payton Hargis, Roy Tankersley, Emeline Pearson, Laura, Kevin, Royana Stewart, Bill Keller, Howard Gene Eslick, Linda Milligan, and Karen McCallie.
We bless and commemorate Judge Tim Brock and Sandra Langston who recently passed away.
We pray continually for Christians around the world in grave danger and for those in our armed services, especially Wes Nevels.
***
"O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayer, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sicknesses may be turned into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
***
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Sunday Service
....................................11:00 a.m.
Sunday School .....................................10:00 a.m.
Location/Address: 105 England Street E., PO Box 356, Cowan, TN 37318
Telephone: (931) 636-6313
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The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt..................Bishop of Tennessee
The Rt. Rev'd Paul Lambert................................Pastor and Celebrant
The Rev'd Charles Chiutulas...............................Visiting Priest
The Rev'd Jean Mweningoma.............................Visiting Priest
L. Jarod Pearson..................................................Lay Reader
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