Church Notes. News, Events, and Notes of Interest CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES. 170 Fairview Avenue Coventry, Rhode Island 02816

Transcription

1 Church Notes News, Events, and Notes of Interest for the week ending October 11, 2013 CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES 170 Fairview Avenue Coventry, Rhode Island 02816

2 CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES Evangelical Anglican The Truth Shall Make You Free (John 8:32) We are Christians proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ who worship in the Anglican tradition. Church of The Apostles is a member of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.

3 All Saints Day November 1st LET US NOW PRAISE famous men, and our fathers that begat us. The Lord hath wrought great glory by them through his great power from the beginning All these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times....these were merciful men, whose righteousness hath not been forgotten Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for ever more. The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will shew forth their praise. (Ecclesiasticus 44:1-2, 7, 10, 14-15) The Collect for All Saints Day Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer)

4 The Deacons Corner... Clothes Closet at Riverpoint Advent Christian Church I was naked and you clothed me... (Matthew 25:36a) For the past three or four years, members of the Riverpoint Advent Christian Church in the Arctic section of West Warwick have been providing donated clothing to any whom have need. Since mid-summer of this year, the Clothes Closet has been temporarily closed for remodeling and improving the room they have been using in the basement of the Church. During this remodeling, they are still accepting donations of clothing from all persons who have clothing they are willing to donate. I know some members of Church of The Apostles have contributed in the past. Any members of our Congregation (or people we know) who have any clothes they would like to contribute, are welcome to do so. They graciously accept men s, women s, and children s clothes. Clothing may be delivered to Riverpoint Advent Christian Church at 1107 Main Street (corner of Main Street and Gough Avenue), West Warwick during weekdays. There are usually people at the Church at all times, but especially between ten and eleven in the morning. If no one is there, you may also leave donated items on their doorstep on Gough Avenue. The Clothes Closet expects to be re-opened later this month. At that time, they will inform all interested persons of the days and times of operation. We will announce these dates in Church Notes and in the Church announcements. Anyone with questions may contact me. Or you may contact the Riverpoint Church Office at Tom Bourn Servant Evangelism Deacon tbourn8@cox.net

5 Stewardship Stewardship Sunday is coming November 17, 2013, the Last Sunday after Pentecost: The Feast of Christ the King. Beginning October 20th, and each Sunday until November 17th, we will be hearing testimonies from members of our church family who will speak about how the Holy Spirit is working in their lives, how they offer their body and souls as their spiritual sacrifice to our Risen Lord, and what that looks like in how they live their lives. This time leading up to The Feast of Christ the King is a time of self-reflection for us all, a time to examine how the Holy Spirit is alive our own hearts, and a time to recommit ourselves to how we can best serve our Lord and Savior. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God s varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10) Deacon Deb Adams Stewardship Minister CareNet Rhode Island Thank you to all who participated in the fund raiser dinner for CareNet Rhode Island. It is not just the $250 that was raised to provide twenty-five $10 gift cards for the Baby Boutique allowing expectant mothers to choose their own needs in building up their nurseries for the awaited babies; or the church s additional donation of $200 to help with expenses; it is also a message to the community and to CareNet that we believe that life is precious and a gift from God, not to be thrown away in any circumstance. The CareNet Pregnancy Center of Rhode Island is a faith-based non profit organization that exists to serve women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. All of their services are confidential and free of charge. They offer free pregnancy testing, referrals for free ultrasounds, options counseling, parenting support and programs for men and women who have had abortions in their past. 3

6 God s Word is clear about when life begins. Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). Abortion is not an option. We must do all that we can to support this organization that fights for God s definition of life! Anyone who feels drawn to this precious ministry is encouraged to speak with Deacon Kathy Kettle or Deacon Emerita Cathy Morgan or to contact CareNet directly at anytime to ask questions about volunteering, making a donation or scheduling an appointment. Christmas Toy Days The Artic Mission will be serving the Pawtuxet Valley community with their Christmas Toy Days ministry for its fifteenth year on Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 9th, by providing a unique and structured Christmas shopping experience (parents for children and children for parents) to select the presents to be put under their tree for Christmas morning. The shopping is free, however the shoppers (families) must pre-register and earn points throughout the year in order to qualify a hand up instead of a hand out. The shoppers earn points by meeting with Christian mentors, attending life skills classes, going to church, etc. The Artic Mission is a Christian based organization. Jesus Christ is always at the center of all of their many ministries. In the past, Church of The Apostles has participated in Toy Days by collecting toys, volunteering in different areas and by chairing the Evangelism Team. This year the Outreach Ministry will provide a monetary donation and Deacon Tom Bourn and Deacon Emerita Cathy Morgan will, again, co-chair the Evangelism Team which is responsible for meeting with the families prior to their shopping time to talk about the real meaning of Christmas and Christ s love for them. Through this ministry last year, Church of The Apostles distributed 300 New Testament Bibles and a beautifully prepared Gospel message story encompassing Genesis 4

7 through Revelation to explain that God (and Christ Jesus) was and is and is to come. If you find it in your heart to join the Evangelism Team this year please speak to Deacon Tom Bourn or Deacon Emerita Cathy Morgan. For more information on Toy Days you can visit the Artic Mission website at Men s Fellowship Breakfast Saturday, November 9th at 7:30 a.m. Church of The Apostles Please join with your brothers in Christ to share food, fellowship and the Word of God. Bring a friend! For further information, please speak with Deacon Bill Sexton ( ). Annual Fall Yard Cleanup Saturday, November 16th at 8:30 a.m. (Rain date: November 23rd) Bring a rake, a tarpaulin or a leaf blower, along with a pair of gloves and a willing spirit. Juice, coffee and pastries will be available. All are welcome. Bring a friend! For further information, please speak with Buildings and Grounds Minister Harry Sacchetti ( ). 5

8 Health and Wellness: A Healthy Heart Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23) Psalm 139:14 declares, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. The context of Psalm 139:14 is the incredible nature of our physical bodies. The human body is unique, the most complex organism in the world, and that complexity and uniqueness speak volumes about the mind of its Creator. Every aspect of the body, down to the tiniest microscopic cell, reveals that it is fearfully and wonderfully made. Just look at the human heart. The heart weighs between seven and fifteen ounces and is a little larger than the size of your fist. At the age of 75 your heart has beat more than 3.5 billion times. In fact, each day, the average heart beats 100,000 times, pumping about 2,000 gallons of blood. Your heart and circulatory system make up your cardiovascular system. Your heart works as a pump that pushes blood to the organs, tissues, and cells of your body. If all the vessels in your body were laid end-to-end, they would extend for about 60,000 miles. You cannot live without a beating heart. What the physical heart is to the body is what the spiritual heart is to the soul. And just as we must guard our spiritual heart so should we guard our physical heart. Google Heart Health and over 556,000,000 sites pop up: that s 556 million! Read just a few of those articles and you see that heart disease is the number-one killer of both men and women. When it comes to lowering your risk of heart disease, what you eat is a big factor. It s essential to watch fat and calories. To maintain a healthy weight, focus your diet on foods with less sodium (to keep blood pressure in check) and increase the amount of fiber (they ve been proven to help lower cholesterol). The evidence is overwhelming there is a direct correlation to 6

9 what we put into our bodies and the health of our heart but making just a few simple changes to your diet can make a big difference in keeping you and your family heart-healthy. If you want to give your family s daily diet a heart healthy makeover, start with your kitchen. It stands to reason that how we fill our kitchen in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer sets the pattern for what we eat. When you stock your kitchen with nutritious but flavorful whole foods, you and your family are more likely to eat a heart-smart diet and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends these tips for a heart-healthy diet: Eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits. Choose whole grain and high fiber foods. Consume fish, especially fatty fish such as mackerel, trout, salmon or herring, at least twice a week. Choose lean meats that are prepared in a way to limit intake of saturated fat and trans fat. Choose fat-free, 1% fat or low-fat dairy products. Limit high cholesterol foods with a goal to eat less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol a day. Limit sugary drinks and foods with added sugars. Choose and prepare foods with little or no sodium. Aim to eat less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day. These suggestions may sound overwhelming. But one helpful guideline is to eat a diet rich in mostly whole foods. Think about the most wholesome foods you know: fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, etc. Most of these foods we buy whole, not in a processed package. And while whole foods don t carry a nutrition label like packaged foods do, we know that in most cases whole foods are naturally healthy. When we do buy packaged foods, be sure to read the label. Look for foods that are 7

10 low in saturated fats, trans fat and sodium, yet high in fiber. By making healthy food choices you can reduce your risk of heart disease the leading cause of death of men and women in the United States. In the next issue of Church Notes we will provide you with eight tips to make over your kitchen for a healthy heart. Deacon Kathy Kettle The Affordable Care Act In 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into federal law. The legislation improves access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans, regardless of income level, work situation, or health status. HealthSource RI will play a critical role in making this happen here in Rhode Island. Starting on October 1st, HealthSource RI is the place to go to find health insurance that fits your budget and health care needs. They can answer questions about doctors, hospitals, prescription drug coverage, health insurance options and other health insurancerelated questions you may have, such as: 1. An individual can earn up to $15,856 a year and qualify for free health insurance. 2. ALL plans will cover doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital stays, mental health and substance use disorder care, maternity care and more. 3. They offer 12 different plans for individuals. The particular doctors that are available will differ by plan but the website will offer a look up table. To get started click on If you need assistance with this website or would like more information contact Deacon Kathy Kettle. 8

11 Operation Christmas Child Good News. Great Joy. Sending the Gospel... Around the World The Outreach Ministry, together with the Christian Education Ministry, is participating in Operation Christmas Child for the upcoming Christmas season. Operation Christmas Child is a unique and exciting outreach ministry of Samaritan s Purse, an organization directed by Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham. Operation Christmas Child distributes giftfilled shoe boxes to poor, sick, and suffering children around the world. The boxes are filled with small gifts, hygiene items, hard candy, school supplies, personal letters, pictures and prayers. When the filled boxes are delivered to the child, they also receive a Bible in their own language and an opportunity to attend a twelve week course to learn more about Jesus. There are several ways that members of the Congregation may participate. Prepare your own shoebox either individually or as a family project. Donate individual items that can be added to other boxes. Monetary donations are also appreciated to help offset the shipping costs. Most importantly, pray for the children who will receive these gifts. Stop by the display table in the Narthex for further information and a list of suggested items for the boxes. If you have questions, contact Deacon Kathy Kettle, Donna Tyler, Erin Mead, or Director of Christian Education Linda Jones. All boxes and donations are due on November 3rd. Every shoebox offers an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a hurting child. Franklin Graham President, Samaritan s Purse 9

12 Ministry Notes... The Prayer List And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Luke 11:9) We all journey together in the power of prayer and here at Church of The Apostles we have many members who are committed to prayer on a daily basis. These people are disciplined in their daily devotions seeking the Lord for His love and support and bringing before Him our prayers and supplications. Many churches like ours have a prayer list with names of all those in the church and the community that need God s healing touch, guidance and support. Our Prayer List at Church of The Apostles consists of names written on the Prayer List signup sheet that is on the Lectionary stand in the Narthex. This list is revised every week and is sent out by or snail mail to people in our Intercessory Prayer Ministry. There are copies available next to our signup sheet for anyone one who would like to take one home. For anyone who would like to receive a copy of the weekly Prayer List, there is a signup sheet on the table in the Narthex. Also, if anyone s information who is already on the list has changed please update it on the list. If you have any questions about our Prayer List please contact Erin Mead ( ). Crossroads Ministry Our next visit to the Crossroads Family Center will be Friday, October 25th. We will be painting pumpkins with the children and taking pictures of the kids and their families. If you would like to join us please sign up in the Narthex. If anyone would like a ride please let Erin Mead ( ) know and we can meet at the church for 6:00 p.m. Baked goods and snacks are always appreciated. Thank you to everyone who helped out at our last Crossroads visit when we had a cookout for the residents. It was so nice to have our Youth Group join in and help serve dinner to everyone. Donna Tyler created a beautiful fall backdrop scene for family portraits that were appreciated by all the families. 10

13 Pocket Prayer Shawls The Pocket Prayer Shawl Ministry has made, prayed over and distributed 500 pocket prayer shawls. Volunteers have been very busy and we can t thank you enough! And we still need more! Praise God! Among the places where they have been distributed are CareNet Rhode Island, The Artic Mission and Crossroads Family Center as well as to many friends and neighbors. Prayer shawls will be included in the shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We are always looking for new volunteers! If you knit or crochet or are interested in helping with assembling them (includes a small amount of sewing and putting them in a zip lock bag), please contact Donna Tyler at A stewardship thought to ponder... God has taught us that we cannot love without giving and that giving includes our time, talent, and treasure. If we give ourselves to God and let the Lord Jesus use our talents to serve others, we will be amazed by the results. Not only will our lives be changed but so will the lives of others. "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." (Luke 3:11) 11

14 Lay Visitation He called the twelve disciples and sent them out two by two. (Mark 6:7) We the members of Christ s body, the laity of the church, are called to help unite, show compassion, friendship and love to our church members and others. Lay Visitation, in its thirtieth year of ministry, has been doing this by sending members of this Congregation, two by two, to visit God s family in their own setting (home, nursing home, hospital, etc.). We bring Christ s love to help unite all, answer questions, show mercy and pray for and with you. A team of prayer partners remain at church to pray for the visitors and those being visited. During the visit, nothing is asked of you but an open door and an open heart. Please consider saying yes to a visit from a church friend. We would love to get to know you better, even if you attend church weekly! If you have not been contacted and would like a visit, please speak with Linda Greco ( ) or sign up on the Lay Visitation sheet in the Narthex. Visitations are on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. and at other times as needed. The Ministry of Lay Persons in the Congregation The ministry of Lay Persons is to represent Christ to the world; to bear witness to him by word and deed wherever they may be; and according to the gifts given to them, to carry on Christ s work of reconciliation with all people; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Congregation and the Church Universal. (The Common Prayer Book) 12

15 Mark Your Calendar... October Monday, Oct 14 Office Closed: Columbus Day Monday, Oct 14 7:00 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal Wednesday, Oct 16 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer Thursday, Oct 17 7:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting Friday, Oct 18 7:00 p.m. Youth Group Saturday, Oct 19 8:00 a.m. Joyful Women Bible Study Wednesday, Oct 23 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer Friday, Oct 25 7:00 p.m. Crossroads Ministry Monday, Oct 28 7:00 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal Wednesday, Oct 30 All Saints Memorial deadline Wednesday, Oct 30 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer November Friday, Nov 1 7:00 p.m. Youth Group Meeting Saturday, Nov 2 8:00 a.m. Joyful Women Bible Study Sunday, Nov 3 All Saints Sunday Monday, Nov 4 Church Notes deadline Monday, Nov 4 7:00 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal Wednesday, Nov 6 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer Thursday, Nov 7 6:30 p.m. Lay Visitation Saturday, Nov 9 7:30 a.m. Men s Breakfast Monday, Nov 11 Office Closed: Veterans Day Wednesday, Nov 13 5:15 p.m. Shepherd s Table Friday, Nov 15 7:00 p.m. Youth Group Meeting Saturday, Nov 16 8:00 a.m. Joyful Women Bible Study Saturday, Nov 16 8:30 a.m. Yard Cleanup Sunday, Nov 17 Stewardship Sunday Spring forward...fall back Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 3rd. Don t forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday! 13

16 Notices... Save the Date!! A musical Christmas pageant, Advent to Epiphany II will be held on Saturday evening, December 7th. It will be preceded by a delicious dinner by our Kitchen Ministry. Rehearsals will be at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 24th (a walk through) and Sunday, December 1st (Dress Rehearsal). It will include pageantry by the Sunday School, and music by various musicians and choral groups. If you have a hidden musical talent, and would like to participate, please speak with Marianne Salisbury. Handbells continue to rehearse on the following Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m.: October 14th & 28th and November 4th. New members are always welcome; however, please let Organist Marianne Salisbury ( ) know if you are planning to join the group so that music will be available for you. The "Strengthening Marriage" Ministry (aka Holy Couples) is being revamped and a letter with a survey is being prepared for all participants. The Christmas gathering at the Galloway home will be held in December and the Holy Couples sessions will begin again in January. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry or have any questions, please contact Ed Farrell at or EFarrell1542@Cox.net. Blood Drive Thank you very much to the fifteen people who stepped forward on September 22nd to donate blood, the gift of life. Eleven whole blood pints and two double reds were collected. With each unit having the capability of helping three people, your donations impacted 39 lives! That is wonderful! The RI Blood Center (RIBC) is currently running a TV ad campaign where the by-line is Blood Donors are Heroes. Without your gifts of time and blood, many Rhode Islanders would be in trouble. I m sure you are heroes to the recipients and I know you are heroes to me! Thank you!! The next drive has been scheduled for December 8th please mark your calendars! We will be trying something new that day. Due to the shrinking 14

17 available space in the Sunday School wing, on December 8th the RIBC will send their famous colorful Bloodmobile to us! The Registration Desk will remain in the Church Hall. Any questions, please contact me at Thank you very, very much for your continued support of this Outreach Ministry. Joan Clarke Tent Meeting CD s: If you requested or would like to have copies of the presentations from the Tent Meeting: Hope is Our Anchor, held over Labor Day Weekend, they are available on the table in the Narthex. Morning Prayer: A service of Morning Prayer is offered each weekday at 9:00 a.m. As you have opportunity, please join with your Elders, Deacons, Church Staff and friends as we give thanks to the Lord for all the blessing of this life and offer our prayers for the Church, the world, our community and the needs of our Congregation. The Church Notes deadline for articles and announcements to be included in the next edition is Monday, November 4th. In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you. (Psalm 5:3) 15

18 In the Mail... To our Friends and Family at Church of The Apostles; Please accept our thanks for the donation of $1,600 for our new sound board. Your love and kindness to us at Riverpoint Advent Christian Church is deeply appreciated. Again thank you for your kind gift. Sincerely, Reverend Douglas W. Tourgee Pastor Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I would like to extend my appreciation for all of the prayers that have been said for my daughter Sandi. The Lord has surely blessed her in many ways. In His Love, Florence Bradley Memorials for All Saints Sunday: If you wish to have loved ones remembered on All Saints Sunday, November 3, 2013, please fill out the form below and return it to the Church Office by Wednesday, October 30th ALL SAINTS SUNDAY November 3, 2013 On ALL SAINTS SUNDAY please remember the following persons who have departed this life: 16

19 CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES Evangelical Anglican 170 Fairview Avenue Coventry, Rhode Island Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Church Office: (401) Superintendent s Residence: (401) website: apostlesri.org office@apostlesri.org The Holy Eucharist Christian Education Sunday Brunch Evening Prayer Morning Prayer Superintendent Church Administrator Communications Officer Director of Christian Education Pastoral Assistant (MSW, LICSW) Youth Minister Health and Wellness Minister Organist and Music Director Assistant Organist Sacristy Minister Property Maintenance Technician Sexton Treasurer Clerk Saturday 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Sunday 9:15 a.m. Sunday 11:45 p.m. Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. Church Staff Board of Elders The Reverend Mark R. Galloway Erin Mead Barbara Bickerstaff Linda Jones Roberta Tvenstrup Roger Hall Sharon Galloway, RN Marianne Salisbury Shyanne Slinko Barbara Battey Jim Quinn Mike Edwards Bob Bickerstaff Joan Clarke Elder Chad Tvenstrup Elder Rob Geoffrey Elder Emeritus Conrad Ruppert Board of Servants Archdeacon Bill Sexton Congregational Care Minister Deacon Tom Bourn Servant Evangelism Minister Deacon Kathy Kettle Outreach Minister Deacon Harry Sacchetti Buildings & Grounds Minister Deacon Deb Adams Stewardship Minister Deacon Emerita Cathy Morgan

20 CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES 170 Fairview Avenue Coventry, Rhode Island Church Notes A publication of Church of The Apostles. Reviewed by The Reverend Mark R. Galloway, Superintendent. Edited by Barbara A. Bickerstaff, Communications Officer. October 11, 2013 Volume 8, Number 9