Dearly Beloved,
The year 2019 is now upon us but we, as Christian people, focus on something more important than “Happy New Year.” We celebrated the Epiphany this past Sunday, that great day when the Wise Men came to Jerusalem on their quest to find out, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” (St. Matthew 2:2) The great African theologian, St. Augustine of Hippo, reflected on the coming of these men and wrote this:
“He was not clad in purple, nor did a diadem shine upon his brow. Neither did the splendor of a court, nor the fear of a great army, nor the renown of victories, bring these men from remote lands in such fervor of supplication. He lay in a manger, a child newly born: tiny in body, abject in poverty. But in this child something great lay hidden, of which these, the first-fruits of the Gentiles, had learned, not from earthly rumors, but from heavenly revelation. Hence they say, we have seen His star in the East. They announce, yet they ask; they believe, and yet they seek to know: as though prefiguring those who walk by faith, yet still desire to see.”
These three “kings” were men of faith. They believed in what God had revealed to them and yet they did not rest. They came seeking. They came asking. And they finally did knock and “they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him.” The lesson for us is that this journey of faith of ours is never over. It must continually seek. It must continually ask. And it must continuously knock so that we too might see this young child…when He comes again as the King of Glory!
This is our first weekly news since before Christmas. It is now time to review what has happened and what we having coming up.
Christmas
All of our Christmas worship was very well attended this year, from the joy of the Family Eucharist, to the solemn beauty of the Midnight Mass, and finishing with the simplicity of the Christmas Day Communion. Thank you to everyone who made all of this possible by decorating the church, preparing the music, and bringing family and friends to worship with us. Here is a picture of the children as the Christmas Gospel is read to them at the Family Eucharist.
Deacon Louis, Deaconess Cynthia, and I would like to thank all of you for your love and support of us and the ministry here at All Saints, as well as “Thank You” for the gifts at Christmas time.
On a personal level, Kathy and I were thrilled to have our entire family together for Christmas, especially having our grandson Tucker with us for Christmas. It has been many years since we had a baby in the house for Christmas. So much fun! I wanted to share with you this Christmas Day picture of our son Peter and little Tucker. Such a sweet picture.
Twelfth Night
We ended the Christmas season in our usual fashion with our Twelfth Night Party on January 5. It was a lovely, peaceful evening as we bid adieu to the festivities of our Savior’s birth. There are many pictures on our parish Facebook page and also on our website. Thomas Baldwin and Katherine Grady were crowned King and Queen of the day. What a handsome couple!
Construction Update
The cross is back! As you can see in the picture below, the cross has returned to the front of the church building. Bob and Jim Brooks finished all the work on the front of the church this week by getting all the architectural panels installed and then the cross went back up on Tuesday. Many small little details were dealt with over the Christmas season. Most of the electrical work has been completed and should be done today. The HVAC system is nearly complete. The gas lines have not yet been connected to the new furnace but we already have heat in the new building because the heat pump is connected. The plumbing work for the bathroom in the new offices is finished. I want to give a “shout out” to my son-in-law Nathan, who took time out from his vacation to help me install the last of the lights in the offices. Thanks Nathan.
Finish the Office!
We plan on moving in to the new offices by the end of this month but we need your help to make it happen. We will have parish workdays the next three Saturdays, January 12, 19, & 26, starting at 9:00 a.m. on those days. Breakfast will be provided. We will be cleaning, caulking, painting, moving furniture and equipment to get us settled. The more hands we have the quicker we can finish up. For this coming Saturday, if you have a caulk gun, bring it with you. We will supply the caulk! See you on Saturday morning.
News of Note
As many of you are aware, Kathy Willis’ cancer has returned. After consultation with her doctors, she has decided to submit to another round of chemotherapy in order to eradicate the cancer. This time around, she will be traveling to Charlotte for the treatments. Please keep her, Candler, and their whole family in your prayers for healing and strength. Also, pray for all the medical professionals who will care for her that they might have the wisdom and skill to effect a cure for her.
News of Note #2
Bill Fishburne will be having surgery on Monday, January 14, to repair the mitral valve in his heart. The surgery will take place at the VA up in Asheville. Bill has had a “leaky” valve most of his life but it has deteriorated over time and needs to be repaired. He is in good spirits about the surgery and looks forward to getting his strength back afterwards. Certainly keep him, and Barbara and his family, in your prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. His two daughters will be in town to help him and Barbara get through this process. We will keep you updated on his progress, as well as what is going on with Kathy Willis.
World Traveler
Ethan Byrd is in Italy this month, traveling there for his January term of college. I am sure it is such a hardship for him??!! Ha, ha. He is really enjoying his time studying in Rome, but, of course, has had plenty of opportunities to travel around. Here is a picture of him dealing with hardship thrust upon him! God’s speed on your travels, Ethan. We know we will see you soon.
Sunday Fellowship Meals
There is a new sign-up sheet for the Sunday Fellowship meals, which follow our 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion each week. Please get with your team and choose two Sundays between February and June 2019. If you are not on a lunch team and would like to participate in this ministry, please see Kathy Zwingert.
Vestry Meeting
The Vestry meets Monday, January 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall.
Please be sure to continue reading in the announcements below to see what is scheduled over the next several weeks. God bless each and every one of you in this new year and remember to pray for this your parish family, that the light of Christ would continue to shine forth from here throughout this year and well into the future.
Fr. Erich
Announcements
Ladies Meeting
· Ladies, please mark your calendars today for Saturday, February, 2. This will be our first LASSES meeting of 2019, beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the parish hall. This is our annual “kick-off” planning meeting, so we need all ladies to come out and join us in making this another great year in the life of our parish family here at All Saints.
Altar Guild
· Prior to the LASSES meeting on Saturday, February 2, the Altar Guild will hold its first meeting of 2019 at 9:00 a.m. in the church. All members of Altar Guild should plan on attending that morning. Please see Alice Owen if you are unable to be there.
Adult Sunday School
· Adult Sunday school is back this week at 9:45 in the parish hall.
Tuesday Book Study
· The Tuesday Book Study is reading The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Please read through chapter 20 for this Tuesday’s class.
Wednesday Night Bible Study
· Our Wednesday night Bible study continues to makes its way through Chapter 6 in St. Matthew’s Gospel. It is never too late to join us.
Romeo and Juliet, performance by Classical Scholars
· On Sunday, February 3, the Classical Scholars will perform Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet for our parish, immediately following the 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion. Please R.S.V.P. on the sign-up sheet, which is on the bulletin board in the parish hall, to secure your seat that day. Lunch will be provided before the performance begins.
Hendersonville Rescue Mission
· A new sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board for our work at the Rescue Mission in 2019. Please sign-up today for one of the Wednesdays we will be serving lunch in the coming year. The first Wednesday is on January 30. See Tom Clyde or Cynthia Hensley if you have any questions about this ministry.
College Care Packages
· There is a new sign-up sheet on the parish bulletin board for our parish college students in 2019. Please see Sara Briggs or Sandy Peninger if you have questions regarding this ministry.
Flower & Sanctuary Candle Charts
· New charts are available on the bulletin board for the giving of flowers and sanctuary candles for 2019. 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.
Food Bank
· Interfaith Assistance Ministry of Henderson County is this month’s recipient of our in-gathering of food stuffs.
This Week in the Parish
Saturday, January 12
· 9:00 a.m., Finish the Office Workday
Sunday, January 13, First Sunday after Epiphany
· 8:30 a.m., Holy Communion
· 9:45 a.m., Sunday School
· 11:00 a.m., Holy Communion
· 12:15 p.m., Fellowship Lunch
Monday, January 14
· 6:30 p.m., Vestry Meeting
Tuesday, January 15
· 11:00 a.m., Book Study
Wednesday, January 16
· 6:00 p.m., Holy Communion
· 6:30 p.m., Fellowship Meal
· 7:00 p.m., Bible Study
· 7:00 p.m., Choir Practice
