Dearly Beloved,
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. The 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!
Twelfth Night Party
Last Saturday evening, we enjoyed our time together at our annual Twelfth Night party. Thanks so much to our young people for hosting the party. You can see them in the picture above. We had so much fun being with one another, nibbling on all sorts of goodies, singing songs, playing games, and crowning our King and Queen for the New Year. You can see their majesties, Carolyn Pugh and Jeff Wyatt, in the pictures to the right. One of the highlights of the evening was the “Have You Ever?” game. It is always so much fun to watch everyone running around trying to find a seat. If you missed it, just be sure to be here next year! Here are a few more pictures.
Tuesday Book Study Our Tuesday Book Study returns this coming week, January 14, at 11:00 a.m. in the parish hall. Deaconess Cynthia will be leading this class as we study the book Angels and Demons: A Patristic Perspective by Harry Boosalis. The finally arrived this week so pick up your copy on Sunday morning and read the first 30 pages. They are $15 each.
Wednesday Evening Activities I will be off to Atlanta this coming week for the Anglican Joint Synods. This gathering is when our Anglican Province gathers with our intercommunion partners for the furthering of the work of God’s Kingdom. Since I will be out of town, most of our usual Wednesday activities are canceled (Holy Communion, Fellowship Dinner, and Bible Study). Choir Practice, however, will still happen. Our usual Wednesday activities will resume on January 22.
Shakespeare is Back in the House! The annual Shakespeare production is ready to set sail. This yearly event is brought to us by the Classical Scholars middle school and Great Expectations high school programs here at the church and some of our youth are in the productions. This has become a very big deal in our community and, because of the demand for seats, the production will span nearly 3 weeks this year, from January 23 to February 8.
This year’s production is As You Like It. And as is always the case, there is one performance set aside for our All Saints family. That will happen on Sunday, February 2, immediately following the 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion. We do, however, ask that you let us know you are coming to that performance. Please let Deaconess Cynthia know and she will sign you up! You can, of course, come at another time if you can’t make it on February 2. It is very easy to do so to reserve your seat at another time. Just click here to pick the performance you want to attend.
Vestry Meeting The vestry will hold its monthly meeting this coming Monday, January 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room.
Don’t forget to read the rest of the announcements, which are down below, so you don’t miss any important upcoming events.
Blessings, Fr. Erich
This Week in the Parish
Sunday, Jan. 12, First Sunday after Epiphany · 8:30 a.m., Holy Communion · 9:45 a.m., Holy Communion · 11:00 a.m., Holy Communion · 12:15 p.m., Fellowship Lunch
Monday, Jan. 13 · 6:30 p.m., Vestry Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 14 · 11:00 a.m., Book Study returns
Wednesday, Jan. 15 · 7:00 p.m., Choir Practice
Announcements
Flowers and Sanctuary Candle · The new charts for 2020 are up in the parish hall. Sign up now to get your preferred dates.
Hendersonville Rescue Mission · A new sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board for our work at the Rescue Mission for 2020. Please sign up for one of the Wednesdays we will be serving lunch in the coming year. The first Wednesday is on January 29.
Altar Guild · Prior to the LASSES meeting on Saturday, February 8, the Altar Guild will hold its first meeting of 2020 at 9:30 a.m. in the conference room. All members of Altar Guild should plan on attending that morning. If you are interested in joining our Altar Guild, please see Alice Owen, our Altar Guild Director.
Ladies Meeting & Brunch · Ladies, please mark your calendars now for Saturday, February 8. This will be our first LASSES meeting of 2020, 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. The meeting should last about an hour and brunch will be served!
Craft Market 2020 · Our 2020 Craft Market date has been set for Saturday, October 17. The first “strategy” meeting for those interested in being a part of this LASSES fundraiser will immediately follow the Ladies meeting on Saturday, February 8 at 11:30 a.m.
Men’s Breakfast · Guys we will have our first Men’s Breakfast of 2020 on February 8 at 8:30 a.m. at Mills River Restaurant. All men of the parish, young and young at heart, are encouraged to come out and join in fellowship.
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 2020. If you are not on a lunch team and would like to participate in this ministry, please see Kathy Zwingert.
Food Bank · Interfaith Assistance Ministry of Henderson County is this month’s recipient of our in-gathering of food stuffs.
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