Dearly Beloved,
Over the past few weeks, I have written about the idea of biblical membership in the church. The first idea to remember is that we are all necessary for the church to be whole, to be complete. We are all different parts of the Body. Last week, I touched on how all we do as members of the church is based on the foundation of love. Finally, this week, I would like you to know that biblical church membership is functioning membership. If you want to remain a country club member, you pay your dues and then others will serve you. In the church, remaining a biblical member requires us to give abundantly and serve without hesitation. Note the word biblical. In many churches, you can be a member without ever darkening the door. In others, you are considered “active” if you show up on Christmas and Easter only. You can also be considered an upstanding member if you keep writing a large check but never lift a finger in service. This is NOT biblical membership! “It is man-made, man-centered, and man-maintained (I am a Church Member, p. 15).” This is actually in complete opposition to what the Bibles teaches.
Let us consider again Paul’s words about the Body in 1 Corinthians 12. While a body must be whole, all its different parts must actually do what they were designed for. In short, they must function. The foot for walking, the eyes for seeing, the nose for smelling, etc. And so, all of us who are members must function in the church, doing our part. This is how we remain proper and biblical members of the church. An inactive church member is an oxymoron. The Bible does not admit that there is such a thing.
We should always ask ourselves, and of course God in prayer, “How can I serve in the church?” The question should never be if you should serve. Biblical membership in the church is, quite simply, a functioning membership. We must ALL function in the church.
And now on to what else you need to know for this week.
Blessings of Animals
Our annual blessing of the animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi is tomorrow morning, Saturday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m., in the courtyard. Bring all your furry, feathered, and scaly friends out in the morning, as we bless them as part of God’s creation and focus on our responsibility as stewards of that creation.
Tomorrow is also the Feast Day of St. Michael & All Angels. We will have Holy Communion at 12:00 noon.
Parish Directory Photos
We are in the process of updating our parish directory. If you are new to our parish or would like to replace your old picture in our parish directory, our first photo session will be this Sunday, September 30 following the 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship times.
Fall Fish Fry
Just one week away! Next Friday, October 5, the Friar’s Friday Fall Fish Fry in honor of St. Francis returns! Tickets are $9.00 each in advance ($10 at the door) for breaded tilapia filets, roasted potatoes, hush puppies, coleslaw, and iced tea or lemonade. Take-out will be from 5-6 PM and dine-in will run from 6-8 PM. Kids under 12 eat free. Ticket packets and individual tickets are now available. If you signed out tickets, please pay for them this Sunday because we have to go buy the fish this week.
If you would like to donate a dessert, please see Loretta Reynolds or Verna Shipman to sign up.
Cynthia’s Setting Apart
Sunday, October 7, at 11:00 a.m. is the date and time for Cynthia Hensley’s setting apart as a Deaconess in Christ’s Church. Bishop Grundorf will be with us that day to preside over this historic event in the life of this parish. Be sure to be here that day. There will be a reception that day following the service so please plan to stick around to congratulate Cynthia and greet all of her family and friends who will be with us.
Construction Update
I know it is shocking but it actually rained this week! Again, all week…sheesh! This delayed, of course, the rock work for the façade. As I am writing today, the stone masons are here to actually begin the work, as you can see in the picture above. Yesterday, the basement slab was poured in the office addition. Tomorrow, another contractor will be here to put the block wall back in place where it was removed for the erection of the bell tower.
Annual Craft Market/Baked Goods Sale
Don’t forget that the annual craft market is on October 13, starting at 9:00 a.m. All the tables have been sold for this event! One of the extremely successful parts of the craft market is a baked goods sale. Julie Morton will be waiting outside the church after services this Sunday to sign you up to bake. More details are below in the announcements.
As usual, the announcements are below, so keep on reading. I pray all of you will participate in all the great upcoming events here at the church. Remember, being members of this place means we must function and the best way to start is to be here!
Blessings,
Fr. Erich
This Week in the Parish
Saturday, September 29, St. Michael & All Angels Day
· 10:00 a.m. Blessings of Animals
· 12:00 p.m. Holy Communion
Sunday, September 30, Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
· 8:30 a.m., Holy Communion
· 9:15 p.m., Directory Photos
· 9:45a.m., Adult Sunday School returns
· 11:00 a.m., Holy Communion
· 12:15 p.m., Directory Photos
· 12:15 p.m., Fellowship Lunch
Tuesday, October 2
· 11:00 a.m. Tuesday Book Study
Wednesday, October 3
· 6:00 p.m. Holy Communion
· 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Meal
· 7:00 p.m. Bible Study
· 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice
Friday, October 5
· 5:00 p.m. Fall Fish Fry
Announcements
First Friday Youth and Kids
· For our October First Fri-Yay, our youth and kids will be serving at the Friars Fish Fry. Please arrive by 5:30 p.m. to eat. We start serving at 6:00 p.m.
Craft Market Bake Sale
· Our Craft Market Bake Sale has been extremely successful in the past due to the outstanding participation of all of you that donate your delicious baked goods. It’s time again to sign up. Today and next Sunday, Julie will be at the door as you exit. Please sign up to bake. The best selling items are: cakes, pies, breads, cookies, scones and strudel. Surprisingly, cup cakes do not sell well. Please wrap and identify each item and deliver to the church kitchen Friday, October 12th or Saturday, October 13th before 9:00 a.m.
Sharing is Caring!
· Only two weeks away, and all of our tables are sold! However, you can still help. Our Craft Market 2018 ad is on Facebook. If you have a Facebook page, please click the “share” option and help us advertise the LASSES biggest fundraiser of the year to your family and friends on Facebook. Also, please come out that day to shop and bring a friend.
Adult Sunday School
· Our Adult Sunday School meets in the parish all at 9:45 a.m. The topic is the Seven Virtues taught by Fr. Paul.
· Since Bp. Grundorf will be here next Sunday, we will turn over our adult Sunday school class to him so that he can update us on what is happening in our diocese, national church, and throughout the world in our traditional Anglican movement. Bp. Grundorf has indicated that he will retire in 2020. Since he only comes around every other year, this may well be the last time he joins us as our diocesan bishop. Please do come to class.
Tuesday Book Study
· Tuesday’s Book Study this week will be looking at chapters 3-5 in Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Cost of Discipleship. It is never too late to join us.
Wednesday Night Bible Study
· This coming Wednesday we will begin Chapter 3 in the Gospel according to St. Matthew. Come, join us!
Food Bank
· Western Carolina Rescue Mission is this month’s recipient of our in-gathering of food stuffs.
