He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed. Alleluia!
Dearly Beloved,
Happy Easter to one and all! Easter Sunday was absolutely different here at All Saints. None of us could possibly have imagined back on Ash Wednesday how drastically things were going to change around here and across our country. But our heavenly Father gave us the wherewithal to roll with the changes. The big thing, of course, was the ability to live-stream our worship services. Now I know not everything went off without a hitch but we did the best we could working with a technology that is not normally used in a traditional church setting. Many of you made use of our online services and I give thanks that you made use of them. In fact, the online broadcast of our Easter Day Holy Communion garnered over 650 people watching! That is amazing! So, technically, you could say we had more folks attending Easter Day than the past four years combined! Hallelujah!
I think this merely shows that if we remain faithful, God will continue to bless us. All of our worship services during Holy Week and on Easter Day are available here on our website: www.allsaintsmillsriver.org.
Live-stream to continue
The live-streaming of our services will continue for at least the next two weeks as we await guidance from Gov. Cooper’s office on the re-opening, or not, of our state. Sunday Holy Communion will be broadcast at 11:00 a.m. and Wednesday evening Holy Communion will happen at 6:00 p.m. Live-streaming happens on our website or on our Facebook page. My emails over the past few weeks have all the instructions on how to do so.
Spiritual Communion Prayer
Here is the prayer I am using for spiritual communion when live-streaming. Please have it handy so you can pray with me right after the altar party receives communion.
- My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I believe that thou art truly present in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Since I cannot now receive thee with my lips, I humbly beseech thee to enter spiritually into my heart. I unite myself unto thee, Lord Christ, and embrace thy presence with my whole heart, soul, and mind. Let me never be separated from thee. May the Body and Blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, celebrated at the altar, fill me with divine strength, preserve me from any evil and danger, and bring me unto life everlasting. Amen.
We Are Open!
Despite what other churches may be doing, we are open! While Dss. Cynthia and I took this past week off, starting tomorrow we are back open as usual. On Sundays, the church will be open from 8:00 a.m. until after the live-stream Holy Communion. Monday through Thursday we are open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This is your opportunity to come by and spend some quiet time in the church while no one else is around, except the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost, and the angels, archangels, and all the company of Heaven! And remember, you have the opportunity to come pick up a book or two from our children and adult libraries.
Food Banks
It is time to get back to caring for those who find themselves in difficult circumstances. Here again are the things that are needed in our community.
- Non-perishable food items—canned meats, pasta, pasta sauce, cereals, peanut butter, canned beans, etc.
- Personal items—soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes (adult and child), deodorant, and shampoo.
Also needed are items for cooking meals at Bread of Life over in Brevard such as bulk quantities of fruits, vegetables, and desserts (fresh baked or store bought). The food bins will be out front every day we are open.
Ladies Primrose Tea
The Primrose Tea scheduled for May 2 has been canceled and will be rescheduled some time in the future.
Your Financial Support
Please keep current on your financial support of the church. Just like you, our bills keep coming. Just mail your checks to the church street address, use your bank’s bill pay service, or you can donate directly online by clicking here or hitting the “DONATE” button on the front page of the website.
Our Family Videos
AS we still have to be apart for a while, I encourage you to check out the “Our Family Videos” on the front page of the website. You can get the entire archive of videos by clicking here.
Easter Pictures
Down below are some pictures of the church on Easter Day. I know you saw how beautiful the church was while you were watching on Easter Sunday but a few still shots are always a lovely thing to look at.
Blessings to all of you and I will “see” you tomorrow on the live-stream.
Fr. Erich
Easter Sunday Pictures
