February 22, 2024 Edition

"I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word." – Ash Wednesday service, BCP p. 265

Lenten practices are an invitation to expand our love of God. Lenten practices are stretches, exercises, and disciplines to open more room or space in our lives to experience God’s love. 

Just as assistance in improving our physical health often begins with an examination in your doctor’s office and a decision to change our treatment plan, so improving our spiritual health starts with a thoughtful look at our spiritual lives (self-examination) and a decision to make a change (repentance). Some of the changes in which people engage include deciding to spend more intentional time with God (prayer), stepping back from things that get in the way, giving up something (fasting and self-denial), or taking up a practice such as daily Bible reading or lectio divina (a Biblical meditation practice). Click to read more.

The new experiential Learning Gardens at All Saints' will be doing hands-on spring garden work on the first 4 Saturdays in March – March 2, 9, 16, and 23. We will gather in the Welcome Center at 9:30 AM and start work promptly at 9:45 AM. Contact Mark Robinson, if you wish to join the group. All are welcome!

Lent is a season of spiritual contemplation and renewal and a time when we should be aware of neighbors who are food insecure. We can help them by supporting the Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM) food bank. Every year CCM helps feed thousands of people in our community. Please help by bringing shelf stable food to church with you on March 10 and March 17. The food bank especially needs: canned meats, especially chicken; canned vegetables and fruits; canned soup, chili, stews; peanut butter and jelly; and disposable diapers. You can also make monetary donations by using the link below or by check payable to All Saint’s’ with “CCM Food Bank”; on the memo line. Questions? Contact Don Foskey. Click for details.

We invite you to join us in discussing our Lenten discipline at 7 PM on Wednesdays until Easter. The "Will You" questions from our Baptismal Covenant articulate how we are to animate our baptism and follow Christ's example in our relationships with others, our communities, and the world. These questions move from a "gathering in" to a "sending out." They are a call to embrace and practice evangelism by proclaiming the Good News of Christ in all we do and say.

This five-week Lenten small group study offers daily reflections, examples of evangelism in action, and an invitation to think in new ways about the promises we make to God, each other, and ourselves in baptism. The eBook and Audiobook versions are available, or you can find print copies for sale with other online retailers and independent bookstores. Find the eBook on Amazon Kindle and Apple Books. Listen to the audiobook on Audible and Apple Books. Questions? Contact Chuck Collier or Karen Robinson. Information in Realm.

If you've ever felt like you just can't get in control of your money, you're not alone. You'd be surprised how many people you know are struggling just like you. But it's time for your struggle to end – starting today. Join Financial Peace University class at All Saints' starting on Thursday, March 21, 2024 and learn how you can pay off debt, save more money, and build wealth. Click here to sign up! Scholarships are available for the cost of the class. The class will be facilitated by Bob and Beth Simpson, please contact them if you have any questions or would like more information.

You're Needed! Sign Up to Provide EYC Meals! We have enjoyed the outpouring in the provision of food for our group each Sunday, which has fed 15-20 mouths each time! We’d like to give special recognition to Stephen Ministries, who is on the calendar once a month, and to all the individuals who volunteer their resources and time to love us through food. If this is an area you or your ministry team are interested in helping with, please know we have plenty of grateful bellies you can fill! Click to sign up!

Updates from your Vestry | All Saints’ is committed to the health and safety of all our parishioners, and of our Lockhart Child Development Center students. With that in mind, we are a smoke-free campus. Please refrain from tobacco use of any kind while on church property.

In addition, alcoholic beverages are not allowed on church property during Lockhart Child Development Center operating hours. During functions where alcohol is served, proper approval is required and certain guidelines must be followed. Please see a member of the vestry with any questions you may have. Thank you!

Great news! We are working on a plan for much-needed improvements to our parking lot. Dates for this work are still to be determined. While this work is being done, our parking lot will be closed for a short time. Stay tuned for more information!

We offer condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Patricia Porter Goodnight, aunt of Jason Porter, who entered into the Resurrection on February 21, 2024. We offer him God's loving comfort during this time of loss.

We offer condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Haate Freeman, nephew of Emma Johnson, who entered into the Resurrection on January 21, 2024 in Emma's home country of Liberia. We offer her God's loving comfort during this time.

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 Lisa, Ian, Doreen, Duke, Eric, Rochelle, Leilah, Otella, Gina and her family, those who work/worked in the tech industry, especially those who have been laid off and those making decisions at the companies, and Julie's mother and family situation. We continue to keep Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in our prayers.