All Saints’ Episcopal Church Reisterstown Parish
December 2010
The Bell Tower A Letter from Father David
As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all man‐ kind will see God's salvation.' " (Luke 3:4‐6) Dear All Saints’ family,
Volume 10,Number 12
Vision Statement: All Saints’ strives to be a place where people come to know Jesus Christ, are transformed to His glory, and become witnesses to God’s unchangeable word.
Inside this issue: Poem
2
Letter from the Vestry
3
The Body
3
Words from the Congregation
Highlighted Events
4
Congratulations
4
Calendar of Events
5
Closing
6
Where did 2010 go? I was told that the older one gets the faster the days seem to go by. I guess that someone was right. Here we are in the season of Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year and the ‘official’ beginning of the holiday season, although that too seems to come earlier and earlier each year. Advent is a time when the church continually reminds us to slow down and remember what it is we are preparing for. It is a time when we need to take the time to not let Christmas get in the way of Christmas. That might sound odd but the secular holiday has become so big, so com‐ mercial, and so busy, that we can indeed forget what it is we are celebrat‐ ing. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ, the savior of the world! Advent literally means coming, the coming into the world of the Messiah. We begin by stating the future, that Christ will come again at the end of the age. The lessons then shift to John the Baptist who cries out in the wil‐ derness, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” This was not only for those who lived in Palestine 2000+ years ago, but it is the same voice that cries out to us. Prepare yourselves for the Messiah to come, prepare your hearts to receive the Christ child on Christmas day. Unless we are intentional about our spiritual preparation the frenzy of the season will distract us. We will miss the true blessing that comes when we receive Jesus Christ in our hearts. I pray you all have a wonderful Advent, filled with the light and hope that only Jesus can bring. Unless we stop and pay attention, December will go by in the wink of an eye. Blessings, Fr. David+
Newsletter Title Volume 10,Number 12
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‘’Twas
the Night Before Jesus Came
by unknown author
'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand Was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed. Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
The people whose names had been written with love He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready He rose without a sound. While all the rest were left standing around.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter. I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY! The light of His face made me cover my head It was Jesus! returning just like He had said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late; I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate. I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if only I had been ready tonight. In the words of this poem the meaning is clear; The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There's only one life and when comes the last call We'll find that the Bible was true after all! Will You be caught unaware?
...My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior...
Luke 1:46‐47
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From the Senior Warden Unfortunately again this year we are unable to give our great staff the monetary "thank you" they so richly deserve. So we are going to ask each person in the congre‐ gation to think about how each of these folks has helped in our spiritual walk. No do‐ nation is too small or large. The monies will be distributed around Christmas. Please put in the memo part of your check, "Staff Thank You". Thank you in advance for helping with this very important project. For the Vestry, Erik Ewertz, Sr. Warden
Pledge Drive News
When receiving all your new gifts to celebrate Jesus, re‐ member to put aside your used items for next year’s rum‐ mage sale!
I bet you are all wondering, where is my pledge card? No, we haven’t forgotten. This year the vestry changed the way we traditionally ask for your finan‐ cial commitment for next year. Rather than ask for your yearly pledge in the midst of the holiday shop‐ ping season, we will be sending out a letter with our request near the end of December and are asking they be returned by the time of the annual meeting on January 23rd, 2011. Our prayer is that you will have more time to consider your gift to the church for God’s work during the time we celebrate God’s gift to us, His Son, Jesus Christ. Please begin to pray about how you will support the mission and ministry at All Saints’. We will form a budget based on our past experience and for budgetary reasons we do need to know if there will be any significant changes in your commitment for 2011. May the Lord richly bless you and in turn may we all return those bless‐ ings to Him.
…you are to bring every thing I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the LORD. ‐Deuteronomy 12:11
Special Thanks To our family members at All Saints’: Thank you so much for all the cards, prayers, visits and prayer shawl during Fr. Melvin’s illness. Most of you know by now that Fr. Melvin is walking without his walker and is doing great! GOD IS SO GOOD. FR. MELVIN AND MARGARET TURNER
The Bell Tower
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2010 All Saints’ Talent Show—All Saints’ Got Talent!! The Talent Show on November 6 was a night to remember again. Our congregation stepped up and flaunted what they got by singing, dancing, reciting, being goofy, and sashaying down the runway. Here are some highlights: Hilary Lutwych & Mervin King ‐ reciting Father Melvin Turner’s poetry
Volume 10,Number 12
Naomi and Makayla King – African dance Terry Kratz – funny skit of Women of Faith Mary Stroh and Bonnie Bajkowski ‐ “I Wuv You” Susan Ryder – reciting Silly Sayings and Anguish Languish As well as Fabulous Runway models!!! You were great! Our audience, about 90‐100 enthusiastic viewers, was great and appreciated those who had the nerve to strut their stuff. Thank you to all for another entertaining evening. God’s Older Children sponsored this event. It was heart warming to see such a range of ages on the stage.
SPECIAL MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES
SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS The Rev. Frederick J. Hanna will celebrate his 86th birthday on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 (Fairhaven 7200 Third Ave., Room #79 Sykesville, MD 21784) Ms. Phyllis Fox will celebrate her 85th birthday on Tuesday, December 29, 2010 (Apt. 505 6111 Montrose Rd. Rockville, MD 20852)
Estelle and Don Aker will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 (111 Cedarmere Road Owings Mills, MD 21117-2405) Jennifer and Gregory Mace will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary on Thursday, December 30, 2010 (323 Leatherwood Drive Westminster, MD 21157-6513) Marcia and Robert Henshaw will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on Saturday, January 1, 2011 (2213 Cedar Hill Drive Finksburg, MD 21048-1714)
Note from the Parish Office: If you know of anyone who will celebrate their 80th birthday or older– or who will have a 50th wedding anniversary or higher, please call the parish office to make sure we are aware of the information. Thank you.
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December 2010
Christmas 1
Advent 4
Advent 3
Advent 2
Sun
5 11:00a Young Adults 4:00p Youth for Truth Progressive Dinner 7:30p Alanon 8:30p A.A.
Mon
Tue
6 7:00p Prayer meeting, GH Prayer Room 7:30p R.O.G./GH
7 10:00a Bible Study 7:00p Vestry Planning 7:00p Women/FH 7:00p Men’s Fellowship 8:30p A.A.
Wed
Thu
Fri
1 7:00p Adult Study “Experiencing God” 7:00p Youth Study 8:00p Choir Reh.
2 10:00a Adult Study “Experiencing God”
3
4
Advent Tea Set Up
12:30p Advent Tea
8 9:30a Cemetery Committee, GH 7:00p Adult Study “Experiencing God” 7:00p Youth Study 8:00p Choir Reh.
9 10:00a Adult Study “Experiencing God” 10a-3p Franklin Garden Club
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15 7:00p Adult Study “Experiencing God” 7:00p Youth Study 8:00p Choir Reh.
16 10:00a Adult Study “Experiencing God”
17 7:00p Group Bible Study McNamara’s House
19 11:00 Young Adults 2:00p Decorate Church 4:00p Altar Guild Pm YfT Caroling & Christmas Party 7:30p Alanon 8:30 A.A.
20 21 7:00p Prayer meeting, GH 10:00a Bible Study Prayer Room 7:00p Women/FH 7:00p Men’s Fellowship 8:30p A.A.
22 7:00p Adult Study “Experiencing God” 7:00p Youth Study 8:00p Choir Reh.
23
24 5:00p Family Service 8:00p & 11:00p Traditional Service
26 2 Worship Services (see below) 11:00 Young Adults 7:30 Alanon 8:30 A.A.
27 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
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30
Dec 4: Advent Tea
•
Dec 12: Youth for Truth Outreach @ Center
11
13 14 7:00p Prayer meeting, GH 10:00a Bible Study Prayer Room 7:00p Women/FH 7:00p Men’s Fellowship 8:30p A.A.
•
•
10 7:00p Group Bible Study McNamara’s House
7:00p Vestry
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8:30p A.A. Fr. David & Janet on vacation, December 27, 2010 to January 12, 2011
Schedule of Special Events
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7:00p Group Bible Study McNamara’s House 7:30p Play Practice
12 11:00a Young Adults 12:00p Youth for Truth Outreach @ Center 4:00p Alanon Holiday Party, GH 8:30p A.A., FH
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*Dec 26th & Jan 2nd* Sunday Service Schedule
December 24th Christmas Eve Service Schedule •
Dec 19: Church Decora‐ • tion Dec 19: Youth for Truth • Caroling Party
5:00pm: Family Service
•
8:00am: Quiet Ser‐ vice
8:00pm: Traditional Service with Choir
•
10:00am: Blended Contemporary/ Traditional Service
11:00pm: Traditional Service with Choir
Sat
1p-3p Prayer Shawl Workshop, FH
25
CHRISTMAS
All Saints’ Episcopal Church 203 E. Chatsworth Ave. PO Box 279 Reisterstown, MD 21136-0279 Phone: 410-833-0700 Fax: 410-833-2352 E-mail: allsaints_church@verizon.net
We’re on the web: www.allsaints.ang‐md.org
Non-Profit Org.
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