eNews for November 24th 2023

Weekly eNews for November 24th 2023

From the Desk of the Rector...

As we enter this holiday season it is hard for us not to think about our neighbors who are suffering in this land and in foreign lands. As considerate, nice, and generous Judeo-Christians it is our nature to eschew suffering. What is suffering? Suffering is the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. Unfortunately, none of us are immune to suffering. We will all suffer sickness, heartache, pain, failure, loss, and death. Our culture/society actively refuse to discuss and/or examine the realities of suffering and when it does, it is certainly not for long. Why do we have to suffer? No one knows why and it seems that a life dedicated to following God will engender even more suffering. We must follow God anyway because God is faithful. Why does God allow for suffering? Because we live in a sinful and fallen world in which the HaSatan works in tacit cooperation with God acting as a trial attorney seeking to convict us of our sin. 2 Timothy 3:12 reads, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” This scripture does not specify whether that persecution will be external or internal. No, it just states that we will suffer. The short answer is that we will suffer both because of a world acting upon us and because of our personal choices. All of this at times seems unfair, indiscriminate, and random – it is all of these. The choice to refuse or accept the reality of the nature of God is our real challenge. Rather, than basking in our futile attempts in making the Triune God a Disney-like caricature (Just love like Jesus). The unexplainable, sorrowful, and painful will happen. Thus, it is the task of the followers of God to keep our chins up as we seek to muster the strength, faith, and belief needed to endure this earthly pilgrimage without losing hope.

Ordinary Time Blessings,

Fr. Reginald

Join us for Worship Services

at 8:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. each week and live-streaming

via Facebook and our website under the "worship" tab.

November 26th Sunday Service bulletins

8:15 a.m. (Rite I)

In-person only

11:00 a.m. (Rite II)

Live-streaming and Children's Chapel available

Online Book of Common Prayer

ST. AIDAN'S CALENDAR

FALL/WINTER 2023 CHOIR CALENDAR

TITHES + OFFERINGS

Announcements

Pints with your Priests

December 6th from 6:00 – 7:00pm at 7 Acre Bar’n’grill

Breakfast Schedule Through End of Year |

December 10th (Team #4)

The Church Offices Will Be Closed |

Friday November 24th in observance of Thanksgiving.

Advent Study + Soup Lunch | Tokens of Trust: An Introduction to Christian Belief by Rowan Williams. Wednesdays at noon during the season of Advent. Beginning December 6th.

Second Semester Sunday School |An Introduction To The Old Testament Second Edition by Bruce C. Birch, Walter Brueggemann, Terence E. Fretheim, David L. Petersen. Beginning January 14th

Wednesday's 6pm Bible Study |

December – January: The Gospel of John

February – March: The Acts of the Apostles

Lessons and Carols | December 3rd at 10:00am,

followed by making Christmas wreaths.

Bishop Visit + Baptism | January 7th at 8:45am

Confession | Available every Wednesday from 2-4pm

Holy Land Pilgrimage | Coming Spring 2025

Big News!

Coming in the 2024-2025 school year, St. Aidan’s Preschool will offer a full school day! School hours will be 8:30-3:00 with an extended option from 3:00-5:00. Further details to come! If you are interested in this program, please contact us at 770-521-0208.

Ministry Needs

Children's Ministry

If you are looking for an opportunity to minister at St. Aidan's, a great way to serve is by joining the children's ministry team. For more information, and to take next steps, email Fr. Josh: [email protected]

Eucharistic Ministry

Another opportunity to minister at St. Aidan's is by serving as a Eucharistic Minister, and administering the Blood of Jesus Christ during the Holy Communion. If you are interested, please email Kathy Bump: [email protected]

Altar Guild Ministry

We are looking for members of St. Aidan's to help prepare the sanctuary for services, and assist with clean up afterwards. The guild prepares all things necessary for the celebration of the Eucharist and/or special services including weddings, baptisms, ordinations, confirmations, memorials, and funerals. For more information, please email Joanne Goione: [email protected]

Flower Guild Ministry

Flower Guild is looking for new volunteers to help us decorate on Sundays and holidays! If you love flowers, making arrangements, designing, decorating for the holidays, look no further! No experience needed, as we will teach you all you need to know! Join our group of lovely ladies as we add beauty to our church and for the glory of our Lord. Contact Jan Quackenbush [email protected] or Carol Phillips [email protected].

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets every Tuesday at 11 a.m. and

the 2nd and 4th Mondays at 6 p.m. Newcomers should always double check with Laura Van Riper for schedule changes: [email protected]

Prayer Warrior Ministry

St. Aidan’s has a dedicated team of prayer warriors who pray prayers of intercession for those in need. To become part of the team, please email Nancy Babcock: [email protected].

Usher Ministry

If you would like to provide hospitality and assistance, particularly for newcomers, but also for members in need, please consider becoming an usher. Ushers help to promote a sense of reverence, limit disruptions, and are prepared to assist with health emergencies, should they arise. If you are interested, please contact Dave Hofstetter: [email protected]

Breakfast Ministry

Our breakfast gatherings will resume on Sunday, September 10th at 9:15am. We are still looking for volunteers to help prepare and serve breakfast, and to keep this ministry going. Please contact Don McPherson 770-560-6034.

Backpacks of Love

Thank you St Aidan’s family for your donations this past Sunday! Every item helps us Backpacks of Love serve food insecure children. The barrel is always open in the narthex and we always are in need for more! Do you have questions or would like to have a food drive? Contact Marty McPherson 770-639-5643

For further information on Backpacks of Love, please contact [email protected].

Visit us on Facebook.

Vestry Retreat

Guest Speaker

February 23rd + 24th

Darlene Price Swanson serves as a licensed lay preacher in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and facilitates Christian retreats. She is passionate about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and helping others discover God’s empowering and life-changing gifts.

Darlene earned a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta and undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Speech Communications from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

Professionally, Darlene serves as the president of Well Said, Inc., a speech and communications training firm which she founded in 1995. As an executive speech coach, Darlene helps business leaders speak and present more effectively. She’s the author of an award-winning book entitled, Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results.

Darlene is married to the The Reverend Dr. Ken Swanson, the retired rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Roswell, GA. They live in Atlanta.

St. Aidan's Episcopal Church Ticket Pricing

General Audience: $20.00 in advance, $25.00 at the door. Seniors (65+) $10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door. Family Rate: $5.00 Children Under 18/Adults, Regular Pricing. Following the concert there will be a magnificent reception in Burtenshaw Hall!

BUY TICKETS HERE

“TO PRAY FOR OTHERS IS TO LOVE THEM”

THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED:

PRAYER CONCERNS:

Emil Hoffman, Jennifer Hoffman’s husband

Lois Beach, Aunt of Don McPherson

Family and friends of Hal Mills

Andy Miller, Cathy Biondi’s brother

Jeff Heal, friend of Charles

Roy Bar Sela and the Sela Family in Israel

Brad Howell and the Howell Family

Rosemary O’Donnell friend of Laurie Cronley*

Debbie Grewel, friend of Corrine*

John Lehigh*

David and Jenny Hembree, Wade’s parents

Kevin O’Hara*, Meghan Rosser & Hannah Collins

Carolyn Boatner, friend of Laura Van Riper

Jason Parker, Kathy Bump’s son-in-law

Barbara Smith, Mac Smith’s Aunt*

Gretchen Blackwell, Roy, and Rory: friends of Heidi Reynolds

Gail Zelley, Sister-in-law of Laura Van Riper*

Bud Alexander, husband of Melanie Joyce

Eric Dhali, cousin of Kathy Bump

Suzanne Yanders, friend of Kristin Eastabrooks*

Peggy McPherson*

Don Walker, friend of Marty McPherson

Heather Parker, friend of Susan Reilly*

Debbie Kulick, friend of Marty McPherson*

Shirley Bearden

Angela Heyman, Aunt of Heather Okuda*

Richie, friend of Keith Richards

Deb Barcus, neighbors of Kristin Eastabrooks*

Jeff Smith, friend of Keith Richards

Candace Porche, wife of Celeste Gravois nephew*

Hikari, friend of Bonnie Olentine*

Conor Griffin, grandson of Joe and Marilyn Rich*

Katie Thielens*

Jane Adams

The Ledford Family-Mark Ledford, Terry Ledford* and Cozy

St. Aidan’s Church Family

FOR OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS:

Hannah Collins, RN & Case Worker at Children’s Healthcare, daughter of Anita Hilbun; Evelyn Tran, EMT Grady Hospital; Dr. Kasey Shapp-Reilly, OBGYN, Susan and Jay Reilly’s daughter-in-law; Anne Dickson, RN-N’Side ER, daughter of Evelyn Goodendorf; Will Hembree, EMT at Grady EMS, son of Wade and Melanie; Dr. Heidi Moore; Dr. Greg Melnikoff; Emma Campbell, RN at Northside-Gwinnett, Trauma Unit, and Grace Campbell, RN NICU at Children’s Hosp., Granddaughters of Bonnie Moore; Caroline Eastabrooks Cochran, RN; Dr. Richard Shack; Marcus Jakubiszak, RN, son-in-law of Cathy & Daryl Biondi.

St. Aidan’s has a dedicated team of prayer warriors who will pray for you. Thank you for any updates, they are very much appreciated. Send prayer request or updates to Nancy Babcock at [email protected]

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A PRAYER SHAWL

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Quick Links

Lectionary readings

The Book of Common Prayer

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The Episcopal Church

St. Aidan's Preschool