The Bell Tower December 2010

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,

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+

A Letter from Father David

The Bell Tower

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.

All Saints’ Episcopal Church

Volum

e 10

,Num

ber 1

2

Dec

embe

r 201

0

Inside this issue:

Poem 2

Letter from the Vestry 3

The Body Words from the Congregation

3

Highlighted Events 4

Congratulations 4

Calendar of Events 5

Closing 6

Reisterstown Parish

‘’Twas the Night Before Jesus Came by unknown author

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 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.

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?

'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.

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.

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.

New

sletter T

itle

Volum

e 10

,Num

ber 1

2

...My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit re-joices in God my Savior...

Luke 1:46‐47

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

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.

From the Senior Warden

Pledge Drive News

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

…you are to bring every-

thing I command you: your

burnt offerings and sacri-

fices, your tithes and special

gifts, and all the choice pos-

sessions you have vowed to

the LORD.

‐Deuteronomy 12:11

Special Thanks

When receiving all your new gifts to celebrate Jesus, re‐member to put aside your used items for next year’s rum‐mage sale!

2010 All Saints’ Talent Show—All Saints’ Got Talent!!

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.

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)

The Bell T

ower

Volum

e 10

,Num

ber 1

2

SPECIAL MILESTONE

ANNIVERSARIES

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)

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

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.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 7:00p Adult Study “Experiencing God” 7:00p Youth Study 8:00p Choir Reh.

2 10:00a Adult Study “Experiencing God”

3 Advent Tea Set Up 7:00p Group Bible Study McNamara’s House 7:30p Play Practice

4 12:30p Advent Tea

5 11:00a Young Adults 4:00p Youth for Truth Progressive Dinner 7:30p Alanon 8:30p A.A.

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.

8 9:30a Cemetery Commit-tee, 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 7:00p Vestry

10 7:00p Group Bible Study McNamara’s House

11

12 11:00a Young Adults 12:00p Youth for Truth Outreach @ Center 4:00p Alanon Holiday Party, GH 8:30p A.A., FH

13 7:00p Prayer meeting, GH Prayer Room

14 10:00a Bible Study 7:00p Women/FH 7:00p Men’s Fellowship 8:30p A.A.


16 10:00a Adult Study “Experiencing God”

17 7:00p Group Bible Study McNamara’s House

18 1p-3p Prayer Shawl Workshop, FH

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 7:00p Prayer meeting, GH Prayer Room

21 10:00a Bible Study 7:00p Women/FH 7:00p Men’s Fellowship 8:30p A.A.


23

24 5:00p Family Service 8:00p & 11:00p Traditional Service

25 CHRISTMAS

26 2 Worship Services (see below) 11:00 Young Adults 7:30 Alanon 8:30 A.A.

27 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

28 8:30p A.A.

29

30 31

December 2010

• Dec 4: Advent Tea

• Dec 12: Youth for Truth Outreach @ Center

• Dec 19: Church Decora‐tion

• Dec 19: Youth for Truth Caroling Party

December 24th Christmas Eve

Service Schedule

• 5:00pm: Family Service

• 8:00pm: Traditional Service with Choir

• 11:00pm: Traditional Service with Choir

Schedule of Special Events

Adv

ent 2

Adv

ent 3

Adv

ent 4

Chris

tmas 1

*Dec 26th & Jan 2nd* Sunday

Service Schedule

• 8:00am: Quiet Ser‐vice

• 10:00am: Blended Contemporary/Traditional Service

F r . D a v i d & J a n e t o n v a c a t i o n , D e c e m b e r 2 7 , 2 0 1 0 t o J a n u a r y 1 2 , 2 0 1 1

203 E. Chatsworth Ave. PO Box 279 Reisterstown, MD 21136-0279

Phone: 410-833-0700 Fax: 410-833-2352 E-mail: [email protected]

All Saints’ Episcopal Church

We’re on the web:

www.allsaints.ang‐md.org

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit No. 45 Owings Mills, MD.

The Bell Tower December 2010

Documents

Transcript of The Bell Tower December 2010