Called to Worship . Sent to Witness . Led to Welcome .
A Word from the Rector
Greetings from the North Carolina Mountains!

Greetings from the mountains of North Carolina, where I am away on vacation with my family this week. Although it has been a fairly rainy week thus far (and that doesn't look like it will change), we are having a great time spending time together as a family, hiking (sometimes in the rain), enjoying the scenery and wildlife, watching movies, playing cards, and taking it easy. We are looking forward to getting in a few more hikes -- and possibly some outdoor gem mining -- before the week is over.

Observing the Feast of Bernard Mizeki

This evening, I hope that you will set aside time to say Evening Prayer using the service that I pre-recorded with my friend and former student, The Rev. Canon Shearsby Mupfudzapake of South Africa, who is our guest preacher for the service. The service is actually available now (via the linked image found in the Worship Schedule section below) and can be watched at any time. Below are a couple of pictures from almost twenty years ago, when I was serving as an Episcopal Young Adult Service Corp member in Zimbabwe teaching at the Anglican seminary there--and Kacey was there through a university fellowship doing HIV-funding and education work. It was an incredible joy to get to do worship with Fr. Shearsby last week -- even though we were separated by an ocean and over 8000 miles when we were doing it!
Fr. Shearsby, our guest preacher for Evening Prayer, is pictured with me and other members of the Bishop Gaul College community. (Fr. Shearsby, who was not yet ordained in these pictures, is fourth from the right holding the yellow book).
Fr. Shearsby with me and Kacey not long before we returned home from Zimbabwe
Reminder of Upcoming Plan for Worship

In case you need a reminder, below is a restatement of our plan for worship going forward:

  • Through this Sunday, June 21 - We continue to focus on training worship leaders in our new protocols for the safe, gradual opening of worship, while continuing to have only one Sunday service:
  • 10:30 AM Sung High Mass - This service is similar to the format of the Sung High Mass that we have been live-streaming for the past two months (and will continue to be live-streamed) but with the following adjustments:
  • Face masks or shields will be required of everyone participating in the service.
  • Six-to-ten-foot social distancing of participants not in the same household will be maintained throughout the service.
  • Up to 10 participants allowed in worship. For now, that number is comprised of the following participants: priest, subdeacon, organist, lector, vestry person of the day, two ushers, and two altar guild members.
  • Starting Sunday, June 28 - We will have two Sunday services as follows:
  • 8:30 AM - Morning Prayer (Rite II) - This 30-to-40 minute service will take place outside in the church courtyard.
  • 10:30 AM - Sung High Mass (Rite I) (in the Church) - This service will continue to be very similar to the format that we have been using for the past two months (and will continue to be live-streamed) and will be limited, at least initially, to no more than 10 participants. Later this summer, it is possible that, if the testing trend lines improve, this service could open up to a few more participants -- though probably not more than 20. The exact method for allotting those spaces is still under development. (To the extent that you have ideas, please do not hesitate to let me know via e-mail.)

Thank you for your patience and your continued faithfulness to Saint Andrew's. I look forward to being back with y'all next week!

Grace & Peace,
Fr. Gary+
LIVESTREAM WORSHIP LINKS
A Prayer of Spiritual Communion
from the Armed Forces Prayer Book (1951)
In union, O Lord with the faithful at every altar of Thy Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer Thee praise and thanksgiving. I present to Thee my soul and body with the earnest wish that may always be united to Thee. And since I can not now receive Thee sacramentally, I beseech Thee to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to Thee, and embrace Thee with all the affections of my soul. Let nothing ever separate Thee from me. May I live and die in Thy love. Amen.
Worship Schedule
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - Feast of Bernard Mizeki, Catechist & Martyr (observed)
6:30 PM Evening Prayer led by Fr. Gary and Fr. Shearsby Mupfudzapake ( via Facebook Live or YouTube - pre-recorded )
  • Before going on vacation, Fr. Gary pre-recorded a special service of Evening Prayer with his former student, the Rev. Canon Shearsby Mupfudzapake, who serves in the Anglican Province of Southern Africa and is our guest preacher for this service. This service will be available on our website and Facebook page -- and is already available via YouTube -- using the linked image below.
  • Bulletin
Sunday, June 21, 2020 - Third Sunday after Pentecost
10:30 AM,   Sung High Mass, Rite I ( via Facebook Live ) (Mtr. Melanie Rowell, celebrant)
Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist (observed)
6:30 PM Low Mass with Healing Prayers followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament ( via Facebook Live )
  • Bulletin will be emailed next week
Prayer Requests
The following people have been commended
to the prayers of the parish:
Agnes, Barbara, Betty, Bill, Bob, Bobbie, Buddy, Chuck, Corinne, David, Dick, Eddie, Edward, Ena, Frank, Ginger, Hamilton, Hannah, Jane, Jodi, John-Frank, Ken, Leigh Ann, Margaret Lee, Mary, Nancy, Nell, Ray, Sandy, Scott, Tracey, Wade, Weesie, Winnie
To add someone to the Daughters of the King prayer list, please e-mail
daughters1913@gmail.com . There is also wooden box in the Narthex where you can fill out prayer cards. The Daughters will add your names to their prayers. 
Announcements
Mother Melanie Rowell Presiding at Mass Sunday
As Father Gary is away on vacation with his family this week, Mother Melanie Rowell will preside at Sunday's mass. We are grateful to Mother Melanie for her participation in our worship life. Father Gary will return to the parish office on Tuesday. 
Bishop Waldo Announced Plans to Retire in 2021
Recently, our Diocesan Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Andrew Waldo, sent an email to the Diocese detailing his decision to retire in December of 2021. Please click here to read. Your prayers for our diocese in this time of transition are requested.
Sunday Altar Flower and Presence Candle Dedications
On Sundays, we have the opportunity to offer a special dedication of the altar flowers or presence candle in honor, memory, or celebration of loved ones. The cost to the church for altar flowers is now $100 per Sunday, so we are suggesting that donations for dedicating altar flowers be in the range of $50 to $100 to help us cover those costs. The suggested donation for a presence candle dedication is $10.

If you would like to sign up for a Sunday, please see the sign up sheet on the bulletin in the Parish Hall or click on the button below. You may place a check in the offering plate with "Altar Flowers" or "Presence Candle" noted in the memo.

During the summer, we will only have Altar Flowers if someone has signed up and paid for the arrangements. As a result, we will need to know by the Tuesday prior to the upcoming Sunday if you would like to sign up.
Service Opportunities
Feed Thy Neighbor
During the COVID-19 pandemic, FTN continues to serve a hot breakfast to those who are the most vulnerable in our community every Saturday of the month. Saint Andrew's parishioners handle the third Saturday of each month, and Christ Church, Saint James, and Saint Peter's handle the other Saturdays--with volunteers from the Roe Cassidy Law Firm serving whenever there is a fifth Saturday in a month. Though it's not the usual hot breakfast under current circumstances, our guests continue to be very appreciative.

If you are interested in ways you can help support this ministry, please contact the office.
United Ministries in Need of Food Donations
United Ministries' Emergency Assistance program is fully operational and focused on helping families keep their homes and putting food on the table. At this moment, they need canned meats, pop-top cans (meats/fruit etc.) and 1 lb. bags of rice .   

The pantry is open daily (Monday thru Friday) 8:00 AM until 11:00 AM. If individual church members would like to donate food, it can be dropped off behind the United Ministries administration building at the loading area, located at 606 Pendleton Street, Greenville, SC 29601 . The pantry door will be open and someone will retrieve the food.  

For more ways to help United Ministries in responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic, please click button below.