The Apostle monthly newsletter for
Grace Episcopal Church including the Lutherans of Christ the King 105 S Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472 www.gracechrist.com T: 910.642.4784
Peggy Blackmon, Carol and Jacob Brack, The Deans Family, Brenda Horne (our church housekeeper), Ruth & Johnnie B. Glass, Shirley Jo and Seth Smith Sr., Harold & Marie Hughes, Jack & Alice Babb, Lisa Richey’s mother (Edna Bearnes), Elsie Campbell’s niece (Brenda), Jerry Jupina’s brother (Michael), the Jupina’s daughter (Vicki Di Muzio), Margaret Palmer’s father (Shep), Peggy Blackmon’s sister-in-law (Jennifer Yoder), Kay Horne’s uncle (Jack Terrell), Jacqui Lye’s husband (Michael Newton), Alice Murphy’s brother (Tony), Amy Strickland’s nephew (Wesley), all in war’s way, the unemployed, underemployed, and those in financial crises. A complete list of prayer requests is located in the on the bulletin board by the rector’s office. Collect for the Fourth of July, BCP p. 242 Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Thanksgiving for the Nation, BCP, p. 838 Almighty God, giver of all good things: We thank you for the natural majesty and beauty of this land. They restore us, though we often destroy them. Heal us. We thank you for the great resources of this nation. They make us rich, though we often exploit them. Forgive us. We thank you for the men and women who have made this country strong. They are models for us, though we often fall short of them. Inspire us.
July 2015 We thank you for the torch of liberty which has been lit in this land. It has drawn people from every nation, though we have often hidden from its light. Enlighten us. We thank you for the faith we have inherited in all its rich variety. It sustains our life, though we have been faithless again and again. Renew us. Help us, O Lord, to finish the good work here begun. Strengthen our efforts to blot out ignorance and prejudice, and to abolish poverty and crime. And hasten the day when all our people, with many voices in one united chorus, will glorify your holy Name. Amen. The Episcopal Church’s 78th General Convention made history June 27 when it chose Diocese of North Carolina Bishop Michael Curry to be its 27th presiding bishop. Curry, 62, was elected by the House of Bishops from a slate of four nominees, on the first ballot. His election was confirmed by the House of Deputies, as outlined in the church’s canons. He will serve a nine-year term that officially begins Nov. 1. On that date, Curry will succeed current Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and he will become the first person of color to hold that position. A liturgy marking the beginning of Curry’s ministry as presiding bishop and primate will be celebrated Nov. 1, All Saints Day at Washington National Cathedral. Curry has been North Carolina’s 11th diocesan bishop since he was ordained and consecrated on June 17, 2000. He was the rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church, Baltimore, Maryland, when he was elected to the see on Feb. 11, 2000. He is also the current chair of Episcopal Relief & Development’s Board of Directors. This makes the second time in a row that the General Convention made history with its election of a presiding bishop. In 2006, Jefferts Schori became the first woman ever elected presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church. She was also the first female among the primates, or