Dearly Beloved,
The Epistle this past Sunday from Ephesians, Chapter 4, had a phrase in it that is essential for us to comprehend: “Be renewed in the spirit of your minds.” What does that mean? St. Paul gives us an entire list of things which are the “fruit” of our being renewed in the spirit of our minds (read the Epistle again on p. 216 in the prayer book). He ends the discussion with “…and be ye kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” This last “fruit” certainly is the easiest for us to see. The last words of that phrase, though, give us the hint of what being renewed really means. St. Paul wants us to recognize what God has done for us in the gift of Christ Jesus. And if we truly recognize that gracious gift, what must spring forth from us? The only answer is thankfulness. There is nothing more spiritually powerful than a thankful recognition of the fact that God has forgiven us because of Christ. The entire list St. Paul gives us in the Epistle cannot possibly be accomplished unless that thankfulness is there. When we recognize that gracious gift in Christ Jesus, the renewal of the spirit of our minds is when we cultivate and live thankfulness. Nothing is more fundamental to our spiritual lives. Thankfulness must be the cornerstone of our daily prayers…and our lives! It is only with this thankful recognition that we can master St. Paul’s list in the Epistle and this is the only way that we can ever be “kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another.”
Congratulations and Bon Voyage!
Congratulations to Peyton and Jack Klein, who were confirmed here yesterday, October 26. We were blessed to have Bp. Chad Jones up here from Atlanta to confirm them before they move to Montana. This coming Sunday, Jack and Peyton will receive their First Holy Communion at our 11 o’clock Holy Communion. We then will have a reception for them, and of course for Mark and Megan, as we wish them well on the new adventure they are embarking upon. We will certainly miss them all and pray God’s speed for them as they head out west. Here are some pictures of Confirmation Day for them.
Goodbye Pizza Party
The young people of our parish threw a Goodbye Pizza Party for Peyton & Jack at Brixx Pizza in Biltmore Park this past Tuesday. They topped the afternoon off with some ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery.
News of Note
Irene Hamly came through her surgery very well. She has been released and has returned home to Deerfield and begin her rehab there. Please continue in your prayers for her.
News of Note #2
Last Saturday, Margaret Dillon, the 21 year old daughter of Lisa Dillon, our school principal, was hospitalized due to a series of strokes. She also is at Mission Hospital. There has not been any indication of any further incidents since last Saturday. Her diagnosis has not as yet been confirmed but she will undergo a brain biopsy on Monday in an attempt to give the doctors definitive proof as to what is happening to her. Please continue keeping Margaret in your prayers as well.
Episcopal Visit
Our Suffragan Bishop Chad Jones will be back for an “official” visit in 9 days on Sunday, November 5. He will confirm many of our new members and young people. He will also receive several into our Anglican Way of Christianity. You definitely should make plans to be here on that day to support our children and new members. And if you have never met Bishop Chad, you are definitely in for a treat! Bishop Chad will also give us a presentation during Adult Sunday School about the recent mission trip to Ecuador, as our national church assisted our newly established sister church in that country.
Annual Stewardship Campaign
As you know, our annual campaign is ongoing. Please return your commitment cards as soon as possible to assist our Vestry in the work they must do to prepare a budget for next year.
Note from the Treasurer
Jeff Wyatt asks me to let you know that 2 people turned in commitment cards this past Sunday but did not fill out the name and address on the back of the card. If you turned in your commitment AND you receive the third stewardship letter today or tomorrow, this may well be you. Please contact Jeff to let him know so he can properly credit your commitment to the Gospel work of this place.
There are a few more announcements down below. Please keep on praying for one another and always give thanks to Almighty God, who “for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you!”
Blessings,
Fr. Erich
This Week in the Parish
Sunday, October 29
Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
· 8:00 a.m., Holy Communion
· 9:45 a.m., Sunday School
· 11:00 a.m., Holy Communion
· 12:15 p.m., Fellowship Lunch
Tuesday, October 31
· 11:00 a.m., Book Study
Wednesday, November 1
All Saints Day
· 6:00 p.m., Holy Communion
· 6:30 p.m., Fellowship Dinner
· 7:00 p.m., Bible Study
· 7:00 p.m., Choir Practice
Announcements
The Saints Evergreens
· Our Saints Evergreens fundraiser is ongoing! We are selling Christmas Trees and Wreaths. This is a “pre-selling” campaign. There will be 2 brochures in each bulletin on Sunday. We ask that all members buy a wreath and/or a tree and then take the extra brochure and sell to a family member or friend. The students of Classical Scholars are also helping us with this. See Doug Hensley if you have any questions.
Food Bank
· Interfaith Assistance Ministry here in Henderson County is this month’s recipient of our in-gathering of food stuffs.
Sunday Fellowship Lunch
· We always have a Sunday Fellowship Lunch following our 11 AM Holy Communion. Be sure to invite our visitors to stick around and join us so we might get to know them better.
College Care Packages
· We need some folks to sign up for December & April. Please do so now! Please help us care for Ethan and Sam! The sign-up sheet is on the Youth bulletin board in the parish hall.
Education Classes
· Children’s Sunday School is ongoing every Sunday at 9:45 a.m.
· Adult Sunday School is focusing on why Anglicanism is unique and distinct in Christianity. Class begins about 9:45 a.m. every week.
· Tuesday Book Study is studying C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. Class starts at 11:00 a.m. Please read Letters 9-11 for this week.
· Wednesday Night Bible Study is studying St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. We are in the third chapter of the book. Join us Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.
