Dearly Beloved,
This coming Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Lent, popularly is called Rose Sunday. This is the mid-Lenten day when the rigors of the Lenten Fast are relaxed somewhat. It gets its “Rose” designation when the normal purple of Lent is set aside for the day and rose colored vestments bedeck the altar and the priest. There is also a note of joy in the scripture lessons of the day. The Gospel, St. John’s Feeding of the Multitude, gives the day another one of the names it is known by: Refreshment Sunday. In years gone by, the Pope at Rome would distribute bread to the poor on this day. The Epistle of the day, from St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, gives the day another name, which is especially popular in England: Mothering Sunday. This name comes from “the medieval custom of visiting the mother church of the diocese with special offerings.” (American Prayer Book Commentary) In England, this was the day which would find “servants and apprentices making a special visit to their parents and taking with them a present, usually a simnel or ‘mothering’ cake.” (Ibid.) This is the day that is the model for our American holiday of Mother’s Day.
TIME CHANGE
It is “spring ahead” time. Tonight, Saturday, March 10, is the night to set your clocks ahead by 1 hour so that you can be sure that you are not late for church!
Capital Campaign & Building Project Update
As most of you know, we had our groundbreaking this past Sunday, March 4. It was very well attended and we rejoice in what this means for us a growing congregation in Christ. If you missed being with us, you can watch the ground breaking video on our website. Just click here to watch the video now!
We continue to receive commitments to our Capital Campaign. At present, we stand at $232,485! That means we are “oh so close” to our goal. Pledge cards are under our “thermometer tree.” Please fill one out as soon as you can, if you have not already done so. Thank you.
There is quite a bit “behind the scenes” work going on. We are ready to bring in the excavators to dig out the foundation for the expansion but we have to wait on Henderson County give us a permit. We are hopeful that we receive the permits by the end of this week.
Lenten Fish Fry
Our annual Lenten Fish Fry will be held this coming Friday, March 16. 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. Tomorrow is the last day to get your advance tickets and please turn in your monies for any ticket packets you signed out. We have to go buy fish!
News of Note
Kathy Willis began her chemotherapy treatments this past Thursday. Her treatments will be tri-weekly and last through June. Please continue to keep her in your prayers that the Lord may give her strength to undergo what is certainly a trial and that His healing graces might abound to her.
News of Note #2
Last Friday, Betty Parkinson returned to her home from rehab. She continues to get stronger and we pray we see her in church very soon.
There is much other news in our announcements below. Please do read on so you do not miss a thing.
Blessings to all of you and I will see you in church.
Fr. Erich
Announcements
Lenten Fish Fry Desserts
· We know everybody loves desserts when coming to the Fish Fry but we need your help to make this happen. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board that shows what we need. Please sign-up and have your desserts to the church by 3 o’clock on Friday afternoon.
Parish Outdoor Workday
· We will have an outdoor workday to spruce up the exterior of the church in time for Easter. Please set aside Saturday, March 24, starting at 9:00 a.m., to come out and help us get ready.
Easter Flowers
· Envelopes have been placed in the pews for Easter Flowers. Your gift in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for a blessing will be noted in the Easter Day bulletin, April 1. The suggested donation is $25.00 and allows us to purchase lilies and special flower arrays for Easter Day, the Queen of all celebrations for Christian people.
Annual Lenten Appeal
· Mite boxes are available in your pews to use in this year’s Lenten Appeal.
Lent
· Lent is that time of year in which we make special devotion to our Lord in the Christian Duties of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Morning and Evening Prayer is offered daily and we also walk the Way of the Cross in church. It is never too late to “jump in” and take on something as part of your Lenten disciplines.
Wednesday Bible Study
· Our Bible Study this week will continue with Chapter 12 in St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Join us!
Tuesday Book Study
· Our Tuesday morning book study will return after Easter.
Meatless Wednesday Fellowship Meal
· Our weekly Wednesday fellowship meals will be meatless during the Lenten season as part of our fasting and abstinence.
Flowers and Sanctuary Candle Charts
· New charts are available on the bulletin board for the giving of flowers and sanctuary candles. The suggested donation for flowers is $50.00 and it is $10.00 for the sanctuary candle. Sign up today to be sure you are able to get your desired day.
Palm Crosses
· Mark your calendars! On Saturday, March 24, 2018, the All Saints Altar Guild will host a morning of making palm crosses. No experience necessary and ALL are welcome! We will gather for Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m. and begin making the crosses for Palm Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Breakfast will be provided that morning. Please join us!
Food Bank
· Western Carolina Rescue Ministry in Buncombe County is this month’s recipient of our in-gathering of food stuffs.
This Week in the Parish
Saturday, March 10
8:00 AM, Morning Prayer
5:30 PM, Evening Prayer
Sunday, March 11, Fourth Sunday in Lent
8:00 AM, Morning Prayer
8:30 AM, Holy Communion
9:45 AM, Sunday School
11:00 AM, Holy Communion
12:15 PM, Fellowship Lunch
5:30 PM, Evening Prayer
Monday, March 12
8:00 AM, Morning Prayer
5:30 PM, Evening Prayer
6:30 PM, Vestry Meeting
Tuesday, March 13
8:00 AM, Morning Prayer
12:00 PM, Stations of the Cross
5:30 PM, Evening Prayer
Wednesday, March 14
8:00 AM, Morning Prayer
5:30 PM, Evening Prayer
6:00 PM, Holy Communion
6:30 PM, Meatless Dinner
7:00 PM, Bible Study
7:00 PM, Choir Practice
Thursday, March 15
8:00 AM, Morning Prayer
5:30 PM, Evening Prayer
Friday, March 16
8:00 AM, Morning Prayer
5:00 PM, Lenten Fish Fry
