Dearly Beloved,
The Christian year essentially comes to us in two halves. The first half begins in Advent and rehearses for us the great Drama of our Redemption, moving through Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost. It all culminates, as it did this past Sunday, on Trinity Sunday, when we celebrate God as He is in and of Himself, as He has revealed Himself to us…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The second half now begins for us. This is the time that we focus on conforming our lives to the Truth that has been revealed to us in the first half of the year. “As Christians we are not only to know that our salvation is in Jesus Christ, but we ourselves must become like him. Religion consists of things to be believed and things to be done. Advent to Trinity has made clear the truth to be believed; but belief is unreal unless it is made the basis of action. The emphasis in Trinity season is on the transformation of our life by and through the Love of God.” (Vol. 4, Common Prayer) Simply put, we know the Truth. Now we must respond to that Truth. Let’s get to work!
Live-streaming our worship
Live-streaming our worship over the past 15 months has been an undeniable benefit in allowing us to worship together, yet remain apart, during the height of the pandemic we have been living under. As you know, matters have eased considerably over the past few months and, following the guidance of the CDC and Gov. Cooper’s office, we removed capacity limits in our buildings a month ago. It now is time to take the next step in returning to full fellowship in the parish.
Back on the Feast Day of St. Mark, I emphasized in my sermon that we must “grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:15).” Following St. Paul and all the New Testament writers, it is very clear that we can only “grow up into him” when we are actually present with one another “speaking the truth in love.” I specifically addressed those in the live-stream audience that day encouraging them to return to fellowship here at All Saints or any other congregation of saints near where they live. We are a church that lives and breathes in Word and Sacrament, neither of which can be had on the other side of a television or computer screen. It is high time for all of us to abandon our “emergency” measures and return “to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:24-25).”
I recognize that there is still some fear and uncertainty among some in our parish but it is time to diminish our live-streaming presence. In order to help you have time to digest fully the idea of returning to worshipping in-person, we will continue to live-stream our 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month, throughout the summer, beginning this Sunday, June 6. For the benefit of those who are shut-ins and for the purposes of evangelism, the other Sundays this summer will be recorded and posted on our website by Monday morning every week.
While live-streaming will begin to slow down, we have all sorts of things happening this month. Read on below.
New Playground
Our new playground equipment was installed yesterday, as you can see in the picture above. There are a few items that have yet to be accomplished, such as fencing, new mulch, etc. to make the playground fully functioning and safe for children. Check it out when you come to church on Sunday. There are a few more pictures showing the playground set going up down below.
Tuesday Book Study
The Tuesday morning book study has been reading In His Image by Jen Wilkin. This coming Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. will be the last class for the summer. Please finish reading the book for this last session.
Adult Sunday School
This coming Sunday morning, June 6, at 9:45 a.m., we will hold our last Adult Sunday School class prior to taking a break for the summer. We have been dealing with the topic What Christians Believe & Why It Matters, using the Nicene Creed as our discussion guide. What we do not finish this week, we will pick back up on in September.
Vacation Bible School Volunteer Meetings
As you know, the dates for our Vacation Bible School are June 21—25 this year. We ask that all volunteers please plan to attend at least one of 2 informational sessions. Those sessions will be held this Sunday, June 6, at 9:45 a.m. and also next Sunday, June 13, at 9:45 a.m. in the conference room in the church office.
Ladies Meeting
It has been well over a year since the Ladies of All Saints have met to discuss their ministry in the parish. They will meet next Saturday, June 12, at 10:30 a.m. in the parish hall to plan for upcoming events and ministry opportunities. A fellowship lunch will be provided. Ladies, I encourage all of you to please make the time and come out that morning. Everyone’s input is very important to the work of the Ladies here at All Saints.
Altar Guild Meeting
The Altar Guild will also meet the same morning as the Ladies Meeting. The guild meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the church. This is an especially important altar guild meeting and all members are expected to be there. Please let Alice Owen know if you have a pressing reason for not being able to attend.
Congratulations to Our Young Men
Some very important events have happened in the life of our younger adults here at All Saints.
- Back on May 8, Ethan Byrd graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Classics from Samford University.
- Also in May, Sam Linn graduated with a Master of Science in Management from Lander University.
- This past Tuesday, my son Peter was promoted to Petty Officer, 2nd class in the US Navy.
Congratulations to these fine young men we are proud to call our own. May the Lord bless them in all their future endeavors.
There are several other things of which you should be aware, such as the Grace & Grub Book Club. Please read the rest of the announcements below and always remember to pray continually for one another and this our beloved parish of All Saints.
Blessings,
Fr. Erich
Playground Installation
Additional Announcements
Wednesday Bible Study
· Our Wednesday night Bible Study is on break for the summer months. Holy Communion at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights continues its normal schedule throughout the summer.
Sunday School
· Beginning Sunday, June 13, our Sunday School classes will be off for the summer months.
Food Bank
· Western Carolina Rescue Mission in Buncombe County is this month’s recipient of our in-gathering of food stuffs.
Grace and Grub Book Club
· While our Adult Sunday School, Tuesday Book Study, and Wednesday night Bible Study are on break for the summer. Dss. Cynthia will host a monthly book club at her home in June and July. Each month we will share a few favorite recipes while discussing our selected reading.
· At June’s Grace and Grub meeting, we will be discussing Jesus the Bridegroom: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told, by Brant Pitre. July’s book selection will be The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn.
· Copies of our June reading, Jesus the Bridegroom, are now available at a cost of $15.00. This book is also on Kindle and Audible via Amazon.com.
· Grace and Grub will meet on Tuesday, June 29 from 6:00—8:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday, July 27. All are welcome, so invite a friend!
Vacation Bible School
· The dates for our Vacation Bible School are June 21—25. We will gather each morning at 9:00 a.m. and close each day at 12:00 Noon.
· We need volunteers for setup on Sunday, June 20 after the 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion and breakdown on Friday, June 25. And we can always use more volunteers for VBS mornings!
· Attention all volunteers, we will be meeting today, Sunday, June 6 and next Sunday, June 13 at 9:45 a.m. in the conference room. Please plan on attending at least one of these meetings!
Craft Market 2021
· Our 2021 Craft Market will be on Saturday, October 16, from 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the Craft Market, please see Dss. Cynthia.
· Craft Market committee will meet again on Sunday, June 27 at 9:45 a.m. in the conference room.
This Week in the Parish
Sunday, June 6, First Sunday after Trinity
· 8:30 a.m., Holy Communion
· 9:45 a.m., Sunday School
· 9:45 a.m., VBS Volunteer Meeting
· 11:00 a.m., Holy Communion
Tuesday, June 8
· 11:00 a.m., Book Study
Wednesday, June 9
· 6:00 p.m., Holy Communion
Saturday, June 11
· 9:30 a.m., Altar Guild Meeting
· 10:30 a.m., Ladies of All Saints Meeting
