By George! Growing with You in God s Love and Service MARCH 2015

Transcription

1 By George! Growing with You in God s Love and Service MARCH 2015 Rule of Life for St George s By George! MARCH 2015 A monthly publication of Based on our spiritual values and practices, this is our commitment to each other. We:! Nurture ourselves with the Bible and spiritual books! Care deeply about each other, including in prayer.! Fellowship together and have fun.! Are grateful, glad and giving stewards of God s creation.! Reach out to the world, living and spreading the Word. St.George s Episcopal Church 5600 Winding Way Carmichael, CA (916) St. George s Episcopal Church 5600 Winding Way Carmichael, CA (916) stgeorge@sgec.us The Very Rev. Ray Hess, III Priest in Charge fatherray@frontiernet.net Ryan Saunders ryan.saunders@sbcglobal.net Rev. Bob Gould, Assoc banjobobg@yahoo.com Rev. Robert Olsen, Deacon rolsen8070@gmail.com Timothy Mascarinas, Organist/Choir Director tmascarinas@ucdavis.edu Sandy Olsen, Editor sandyolsen8070@gmail.com Dolores O Brien, Deacon Bob and Carol Adkins, Circulation In this issue BIRTHDAYS BOOK CORNER BOUNTY BAG COMMUNITY GARDEN DEACON BOB EASTER FLOWERS HAPPENINGS FROM OUR PIC HOSPITALITY ROSTER SENIOR PRODUCE MARKET SENIOR WARDEN SERVICES WOMEN S GUILD

2 Thoughts from Our PIC (Priest in Charge) Journey On! As I write this article, Deborah and I are doing our final preparations for our vacation trip to South America. This is not only a trip to a far-away place, but also a journey or pilgrimage for us. When we went to the Holy Land a couple of years ago, Bishop Beisner and the other trip leaders were careful to point out that we were doing more than a vacation trip; we were on pilgrimage. The idea of doing a pilgrimage or journey is very important in the Bible. Think about the journey of Abraham to the land God would show him, or the journey of the Hebrew people in wilderness on their way to the promised land, or the journey of Jesus and his family to Egypt to flee King Herod, or Jesus journey to Jerusalem on his way to the cross (especially as told by Luke). For Deborah and me, seeing our vacation as a pilgrimage brings in another element. We want to see the sights and experience new things, and we also want to be open to what God has in store for us as we travel. Where will we see signs of the Risen Christ as we journey through Brazil and Argentina? What will be holy about our trip? We can also see Lent as a kind of journey. We have the beginning of the pilgrimage with Ash Wednesday and the conclusion on Easter Sunday. What new things does God have for us as we go through this time? What new truths will I discover about myself and about God as I travel through Lent? How can I grow deeper in my relationship with God and with the people around me? I wish us all a wonderful journey through Lent on our way to Easter! In Jesus love, Father Ray I want to thank you all for the gift of the wind chime for my 40 th ordination anniversary in February. It looks and sounds great in our back yard, and Deborah and I will enjoy this reminder of your love for a long time! --Father Ray 1

3 Our Senior Warden One of the perks of being Senior Warden is the monthly opportunity to write an article for the By George. So, here is my first attempt. Feel free to score my performance in the arena of article writing with a thumbs up or a thumbs down next time you see me at St. George s. If you give me a thumbs up, I will take all of the credit as an English Major from UC Davis. If you give me a thumbs down, I will blame my editor. A little background on me and my family (wife Angela, daughters Sophia and Natalie): I grew up in Southern California (Go Dodgers!) and moved to Sacramento when I attended UC Davis. Angela and I met at UC Davis as we were both English majors. Must have been the Shakespeare. I work for AT&T, and Angela is an elementary school teacher. Our oldest daughter, Sophia (10), is in 5 th grade and enjoys basketball, soccer, dance, and selfies. Our youngest daughter, Natalie (5), is in Kindergarten and enjoys animals, soccer, gymnastics, and wants to be an entomologist when she grows up. I m still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. Our family has lived in Arden-Arcade/Carmichael (near El Camino High School) for 10 years. I am very involved in our community, sitting on the Board of Directors for the Del Paso Manor Water District as well as coaching my daughters soccer teams and basketball team. We have been attending St. George s since July of I would like to highlight what I see as some of the Vestry agenda items for Based on the feedback that the Vestry received as a product of the mutual invitation session during the Annual meeting in January, we will be proceeding with the planning and implementation of the reconfiguration of the Sanctuary. Some of the components of this reconfiguration will include the replacement of the lighting, upgrading the Audio/Visual equipment, as well as other aesthetic aspects that will greatly enhance the worship experience at St. George s. I believe this will be a very exciting change that we will all benefit tremendously from. The Vestry will be putting a plan together, along with a budget, to ensure that this change is implemented in a cost effective manner. Our hope is that it can be accomplished in a pay as you go manner and be absorbed in our annual budget for Another continued focus for the Vestry will be the Community Garden. Much like the seeds that grow in our Community Garden, this ministry has truly blossomed into something special that brings much joy and utility to our community in Carmichael. A third agenda item for the Vestry will be focusing on our continued journey towards becoming a Total Ministry congregation. Under the guidance of Fr. Ray, and partnering with our Diocese, we are learning more and more about Total Ministry, unlocking new doors, and discovering what steps need to be taken to meet this objective. Much of this will involve all of you in our wonderful congregation and the many ministry opportunities that exist within our church community. The last thing I would like to say is Thank you for the opportunity to serve you all as our Senior Warden. I have some big shoes to fill and hope I can live up to the great leadership that has been demonstrated over the past few years by Mel Rose and Becky Freie. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any of the Vestry members if you have any feedback or suggestions that would benefit St. George s. Take care and see you on Sunday! Ryan Saunders, Senior Warden 2

4 WOMAN S GUILD Thank you to all who helped make our Mardi Gras Brunch a success. Many hands where involved and all greatly appreciated. There was great food, fun singing along with our musicians (Sandy on the banjo and Tess on the accordion), and merriment in general. Check the Sunday bulletins and our church website for future activities. Besides helping with church receptions and coffee hours, the Guild is always looking for events of interest to all members of the congregation and we welcome any suggestions. All women of St. George s Church are encouraged to attend our monthly meetings the third Wednesday of each month. Mark your calendars now for our next meeting on March 18 at 11:00 AM. We will meet in the Parish Hall for a business meeting and then do some socializing while eating our brown bag lunches. Dessert and beverages will be provided. Carol Adkins, President MARCH BIRTHDAYS 3 Christopher Lloyd 13 Tami Gutschall 17 Wilma Brown 20 Matthew Hook 23 Jan Fazekas (If your name was not included, please let Sandy know so she can add your name.) MARCH ANNIVERSARIES 2 Brian & Lisa Downing ( 84) 17 Betty & Bob Gould 26 Robert & Rebecca Freie (`82) 3

5 Hospitality Sunday will be the 1st Sunday of each month, special offering envelopes are included in the bulletin. These are used by the Women's Guild to provide weekly coffee hours, special receptions and other events for parish members. Please make checks payable to St. George's Church with a memo note in the left corner for HOSPITALITY. SPECIAL HAPPENINGS ON EASTER SUNDAY Bring flowers to flower the cross at both services We have an Easter Egg Hunt between services The women s Guild is happy to provide the book corner for your e nj oyment. We appreciate the books y o u a ll d o n a t e. However, I would like to remind you to bring fiction, non-fiction, historical or humorous books. Please NO self-help or study books. Thanks for your attention to this matter. CDs...$1 BOOKS...$1 PAPERBACKS...50 Happy reading! Janet Jenkins 4

6 March/April MARCH 1 st 2 nd SUNDAY IN LENT Genesis 17: 1-7 Psalm 22: Romans 4: Mark 8:31-38 CELEBRANT: Gini Hummel PREACHER: Deacon Bob EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Ryan Saunders LECTORS: Joan Tennis & Becky Freie ALTAR GUILD: Angela Saunders & Joy Allmuth USHER: Conrad Cookman & friend MARCH 8 th 3 rd SUNDAY IN LENT Exodus 20: 1-17 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 1: John 2:13-22 CELEBRANT: Susan Plucker EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Diana Perparos LECTORS: Annelise Connell & JoAnn Cookman ALTAR GUILD: Barbara Cooper & Vicki Karsten USHER: Conrad Cookman & friend MARCH 15 th 4 th SUNDAY IN LENT Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 102: 1-3, Ephesians 2: 1-10 John 3:14-21 CELEBRANT: Susan Plucker EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Aaron Adkins LECTORS: Carol Adkins & Becky Freie ALTAR GUILD: Joy Allmuth & Angela Saunders USHER: Cathy Crosby & friend MARCH 22 nd 4 th SUNDAY IN LENT Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51: 1-13 Hebrews 5: 5-10 John 12:20-33 CELEBRANT: Fr. Ray Hess EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Diana Perparos LECTORS: Annelise Connell & JoAnn Cookman ALTAR GUILD: Barbara Cooper & JoAnn Cookman USHER: Conrad Cookman & friend MARCH 29 th PALM SUNDAY Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1-- 15:47 CELEBRANT: Fr. Ray Hess EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Aaron Adkins LECTORS: Anne Mangels & Bob Gould ALTAR GUILD: Vicki Karsten & Cruz Siaz USHER: Carol Adkins & friend APRIL 5 th EASTER SUNDAY Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, Corinthians 15:1-11 Mark 16:1-8 CELEBRANT: Fr. Ray Hess EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Dave Allmuth LECTORS: Becky Freie & Joan Tennis ALTAR GUILD: Joy Allmuth & JoAnn Cookman USHER: Cathy Crosby & friend 5

7 Reading the Bible I mentioned last month I ve been reading a book by Samuel Wells, the introduction to one of the chapters seemed fitting for what I want to suggest for Lent well actually the rest of the year, that folks join in this year s Bible Challenge. The church doesn t need a theory of scriptural authority or even a precise doctrine of revelation. It just needs to read the Bible, to gather around the Bible, to expect God to speak through the Bible A much more succinct way of saying what I ve thought and said a couple of times before in articles and sermons. The Bible has a message for us today, right now, if we ll only open the pages, or in my case turn on my ipad. By this time, Lent will have already started, but it s not too late to begin the Bible Challenge as a Lenten discipline. This year s Bible Challenge began the Monday after First Lent (Feb 23 rd ) with the reading of the first and second lesson and the morning psalm(s) for the day. We are in Year 1, and starting with Lent, the appointed readings beginning with Lent 1, are found on page 952 of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Then you just need your Bible, but note that there is a little + like symbol in the BCP that separates psalm(s) for the morning/afternoon from those for the evening, so no you don t need to read 3 or 4 psalm selections. There are Daily Office Books available at the Trinity Cathedral Bookstore and on Amazon but even the paperback version can be pretty expensive. The Day-by-Day s on the tract rack offer the daily lessons. Each day one of the lesson s is printed and then at the bottom of the page is the psalm and other lessons for the day. While our Sunday lectionary gets us through quite a bit of the Bible every three years, the daily office gives us a significantly larger portion of the Bible. And though the Bible Challenge this year does not include the Gospels, I think you ll find the Old Testament and New Testament readings will give you food for thought as well as your soul. Having now preached for 15 years, even on an infrequent basis I find I am now preaching on the same texts a second or third time, and each time I find a different message. Through the Bible the spirit speaks to what is happening now in my life, the life of St George s and our community, as you read and re-read the Bible the Spirit will have a different message for you. I am praying that you will take the Bible Challenge and let the spirit speak to you each day. Amen Deacon Bob 6

8 Community Garden Our seventh gardening season is about to begin at the St George s Community Garden. We will be contacting current gardeners about continuing and advertising for new gardeners. Plots are approximately 15 x 15, and there are water outlets close to all plots, with hoses provided by the garden group. There is an annual fee of $50, which covers water and funds to replace hoses and purchase tools for common use by gardeners. There is a garden shed where personal items can be stored. The shed and garden gates have combination locks, so gardeners can come and go. For more information, please contact Deacon Bob through the church office March 29 Palm Sunday 9 & 1030 April 2 Maundy Thursday 6 p.m. (Potluck Dinner) April 3 Good Friday Noon April 4 Easter Vigil 7 p.m. (Saturday service at St. Frances) April 5 Easter 9 &

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10 Second 6:45 pm Last 11 a.m. The choir will now be meeting 6:15 St Michael's is forming a hand bell choir. We are set to meet every other Wednesday starting March fourth from seven to eight p.m. at St. Michael s Johnstone hall, in Carmichael. You are welcome to join us! 9

11 St. George's custom is for individuals to make gifts to purchase special flowers to adorn the Church on Easter Day and the Sunday following. You are invited to make your donation along with the form below to indicate if the flowers given are to be in memory of or Thanksgiving for a special person or event in your life. How much to donate? Whatever you choose to give. One guide: Lilies usually cost about $ All gifts are gratefully received by our Altar Guild. The names of the honorees and donors will be listed in the bulletins on Easter Day, April 5 th and the Second Sunday of Easter, April 27 th. To be listed, donations must be received by the Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday), March 29 th. K * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I would like to help provide the flowers for Easter Day and the Sunday following. Enclosed is $ in (circle one): Loving Memory of/in Thanksgiving for Name(s) From REMEMBER: Please make checks out to `St. George's: MEMO: Altar Guild' (Place in alms basin at any service of worship or mail to St. George's: 5600 Winding Way, Carmichael, CA BOUNTY BAG We re collecting dry goods, canned goods, dried cereals, soaps, toothpaste tooth brushes or any non-perishables, SUNDAY SERVICES Family Service 9 a.m. Sunday School 9 a.m. Traditional Service 10:30 a.m. We collect Bags ANYTIME!! NO TIME TO SHOP a check to St. Georges with memo to River city Food Bank (everything is welcome). Articles are always welcome...but KEEP it short! The best way to submit an article is via my new sandyolsen8070@gmail.com 10