October 10, 2024 Edition

"Therefore, encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing," – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

In this verse, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of supporting and uplifting each other as fellow members of the Body of Christ. It means much more than compliments or affirmations; it entails aiding one another’s spiritual growth, maturity, and steadfastness in faith. It entails working together to make all our ministries possible.

I am truly grateful for the various ministries, groups, and programs in our Church that carry on the work that Paul called us to. All Saints’ is truly about all of us working together to uplift one another, encourage one another, and empower one another to minister to the needs of our Church community and our larger community. 

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This past Sunday, we reflected with gratitude on our beautiful and sacred spaces at All Saints'. We have another survey for your response! If you have not yet participated, the survey can be found here. And be sure to join in the discussion about our reflection prompt on the All Saints’ Facebook page and on Realm (or by clicking the graphic). We are thankful for YOU and for joining us on this journey of gratitude!

You are invited to join the study of "John: The Gospel of Light and Life" starting Sunday, October 13 through November 17, during the 10 AM Adult Christian Formation hour. The Gospel of John is the most deeply spiritual of the four gospels. This writing is filled with rich images and profound truths, but John notes that his aim in writing the gospel is that readers will not only believe in Jesus Christ, but that they “may have life in his name.” 

Let's experience a season of spiritual growth and life-changing renewal during a six-week study of Adam Hamilton’s John: The Gospel of Light and Life. We’ll follow the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus through the Gospel of John and understand the context of some of the best-known verses in the New Testament. Chuck Collier will lead the discussion following a short video at the start of each session. Please purchase the book, which is available on Amazon for $15.52. Contact Chuck Collier, if you have any questions.

CROP Hunger Walk THIS Sunday, October 13 | Come join your friends and neighbors as they march against hunger in the annual CROP Hunger Walk. This year, the walk will start at Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church, 101 Vance Street, Kannapolis, at 2:00 PM Sunday October 13. It’s a wonderful walk though Kannapolis. Your donations will fight hunger in Cabarrus County and internationally. Bring your family, bring your dog, invite your friends. Any questions, contact Don Foskey.

Hurricane Relief Fund | Thanks to your generous contributions the $6,000 from current outreach funds was fully matched and exceeded. We mailed a check on Monday for $13,667 to Episcopal Relief and Development designated for those impacted by the flooding disaster in Western NC. Additional contributions can be made through Sunday, October, 13, made payable to All Saints’ with Hurricane Relief in the memo line. Online donations can also be through Realm by choosing the Hurricane Relief Fund. All donations will be bundled and sent to Episcopal Relief and Development.

Voting Information: Key Dates

• Deadline for regular registration: Friday, October 11, received by 5 PM at your county’s Board of Election office.
• Early Voting starts: Thursday, October 17 More details in next week's Weekly Word.
• Election Day: Tuesday, November 5 See Martin Ericson after any service (and ask for a car magnet or sticker). #VoteFaithfully.

Get this year’s flu vaccine (regular or high dose), and COVID booster on Sunday, October 20. Jeff Phillips of Walgreens will be at All Saints’ from 8:30 AM to 1 PM. The one-time RSV and pneumonia vaccines will also be available. Bring your insurance and/or red, white, and blue Medicare card.

All Saints’ is taking over the recently-renovated Gem Theatre in Kannapolis on Saturday, October 26 at 9:30 AM as a fundraiser to benefit the Concord/Kannapolis PFLAG chapter! The theatre will be ours for the morning, so let’s fill up the seats with all the saints and your friends! In celebration of this slightly spooky season and La Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), we saints will be screening the Disney/PIXAR movie "Coco" on the big screen! This will be a family event that will be appropriate for all ages (this movie is rated PG). "Coco" is filled with moving music and the tenderness of family relationships. You are invited to come in your favorite costumes, too, if you like! Concessions will be available but are not included in the cost of your ticket.

Advent Small Group Studies to Start the Week of November 11 | As we head toward Christmas, we enter into a time of expectant waiting and spiritual preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ during Advent. This year you are invited to join other parishioners in small groups to study Not a Silent Night: Mary Looks Back to Bethlehem by Adam Hamilton. Each small group will have a convener to guide the conversation after watching a short video. Advent small groups will begin the week of November 11 and end the week of December 16. There will be five Zoom gatherings, which will run

for about an hour. Stay tuned for the days and times for the groups. Please contact

Chuck Collier if you would like to convene a small group Advent Study.

We offer condolences and prayers for the family and friends of Geoffrey William Klag, father of Tiffany Fulton, who entered into the Resurrection on Friday, October 4, 2024. Geoff's Celebration of Life will be held at 11 AM on Friday, October 18, with Holy Eucharist and Committal of Ashes in the Memorial Garden at All Saints’. Reception to follow in the Welcome Center. Members of The Choir of All Saints' and Resurrection Choir are invited to help lead congregational singing. Please arrive, un-vested, by 10:45 AM on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Cooperative Christian Ministries, 246 Country Club Dr NE, Concord, NC 28025.

Tiffany shared, "We are celebrating that he is healed now, body, mind and spirit, and confident that Jesus is doing far greater things for him in heaven then we could do for him on earth." Please keep Tiffany, Steve, Bernadette, and Rosalie Fulton as well as the extended family in your prayers.

We offer congratulations and praise for the birth of Violet Rose Campechano Stead, daughter of Jonathan Stead, granddaughter of Barbara Horne-Stead and Kenneth Stead, born on September 13, 2024. We rejoice with the family and pray God's blessing over them all.

Prayer is the foundation of the ministry of this parish. If you would like to request prayers, please share here. If you are hospitalized, please let the church know. If you are unable to make the call yourself, ask for the chaplain on call and they will make it for you. The church phone number is 704-782-2024.

Prayers have been requested for Tom, Suzann, Kam, Felicity, Megan, Fannie, Thomasina, and Dana.