Dearly Beloved, Trinity season is now well under way. The Epistle this past Sunday was from St. John’s First Letter, Chapter 4, the unforgettable passage about love. Up until now in the Church Year, we have seen set forth for us, from Advent through Trinity Sunday, the love of God being “manifested…towards us, because that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” We have seen the love of God laid out for us in all those mighty acts of our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. St. John tells us that, since we now know the love that God has for us, we must respond to that love. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” This Epistle sets our starting point for the remainder of the church year, during which we focus on the application of Christian love in our lives. And we must focus on it, for as the Epistle ended this past Sunday, “this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.” Pray we can make it so. Kathy WillisWe bid adieu to Kathy this past Tuesday at her funeral here at the church. It is a testament to her and the influence she had on so many lives that the church was packed and we had to seat the overflow in the parish hall. We will miss her and yet we know that she continues to grow in love and service to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen. Vacation Bible SchoolLast week, our VBS was an outstanding success. We were blessed to have 26 children participating, along with 12 of our middle and high schoolers, who acted as junior leaders and friends to the youngsters. The children spent the week in Athens, Greece, learning that the love of God is an essential truth of our lives. They met with a certain man named Paul (Yes, THAT Paul!) and his crazy friend Dionysius, and learned how to share the love of God with others by introducing people to Jesus. I would like to thank all of the adults who volunteered to run the Athens Marketplace, led the music and song, and, of course, kept everyone fed! Special thanks to Deaconess Cynthia and Allison Sewrey, who did yeoman’s work preparing for the week and keeping things running smoothly, thereby ensuring the kids had a delightful, inspiring, and fulfilling week. I’ve included some VBS pictures below. Click here to see all the VBS pictures on our website. Steve MillerAs I had previously mentioned, this coming Sunday is Steve Miller’s last Sunday with us. Steve will be meeting with the Board of Examining Chaplains for his final oral interview for ordination. I am convinced he will come through the interview perfectly fine. I know we have all enjoyed having him, his lovely wife Jen, and cute children around here and will miss seeing them on a regular basis. But have no fear, upon ordination, Steve will be working at St. Matthew’s Church up in Weaverville, so I am certain we will see them at least every now and then. With that in mind, we are having a “send off” party for them on Sunday, with a special meal prepared by the ladies of the church, after the 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion. You really don’t want to miss this day, so be sure to be there! Men’s Night at the BallgameThe guys are heading off to watch the Asheville Tourists play on Monday, August 5. We have reserved the Ingles Picnic Pavilion for our evening, which will be for our use exclusively. The cost per ticket is $25.00. Included with your ticket is an all-you-can-eat, hot off the grill meal (burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken), which includes side dishes, dessert and soft drinks. Food service starts at 6:00 p.m. and runs for 1.5 hours. (The game starts at 7:00 p.m.) The area is under cover so we don’t have to worry about rain. We will also be seated in box seats along the right side of the field. We can accommodate as many as wish to attend. So feel free to invite any guy you know to come along with us. Can you think of a better way to introduce someone to All Saints than a fun evening of fellowship and baseball?! And for those of you who know a young man, bring him along. I will pick up the tab for anyone under the age of 18. And we may also be joined by some men from our deanery churches! Sign-up now on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Summer Break
- All of our education classes are on break for the remainder of the summer. We will look forward to September as we continue learning more as Disciples of Christ.
- Sunday lunches and Wednesday evening dinners will also resume in September.
Independence Day
- This coming Thursday, July 4, we will celebrate our nation’s Independence Day with Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m. There is no more fitting way to begin your holiday than to give thanks to Almighty God “through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties.”
- If you can’t be here that morning, you can come on Wednesday evening, July 3, at 6:00 p.m. to celebrate our Independence Day.
All Saints ChoirThe choir will be taking the month of July off. This is the last Sunday the choir will be singing for a while. As always, many thanks to Brian and the choir for so beautifully enhancing our worship each week. Enjoy a few weeks off folks! Food BankWestern Carolina Rescue Mission in Buncombe County is this month’s recipient of our in-gathering of food stuffs. Travel PrayersPlease remember to put your name on the travel prayer list as you prepare to travel this summer. This way we can pray for your safe return to us—and we can keep track of you! Now that I have overloaded you with announcements, it should be clear that, even though we are on summer “break,” there is still quite a bit happening around here. And please remember to keep on praying for others, as that is the sure way we practice the Christian life of love. Blessings,Fr. Erich
This Week in the Parish
Saturday, June 29, St. Peter, Apostle· 12:00 p.m., Holy CommunionSunday, June 30, Second Sunday after Trinity· 8:30 a.m., Holy Communion· 11:00 a.m., Holy Communion· 12:15 p.m., Farewell Lunch for the MillersWednesday, July 3, Independence Day Eve· 6:00 p.m., Holy CommunionThursday, July 4, Independence Day· 10:00 a.m., Holy Communion
VBS Pictures
(to see all the VBS pictures, click here)
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