A Letter from Father David

Transcription

1 A Letter from Father David Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. Joshua 1:3 Dear All Saints family, Volume 15, Number 8 August 2015 MISSION STATEMENT OUR MISSION IS TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD; TO CHALLENGE ALL TO GROW AS DISCIPLES THROUGH HIS WORD AND HOLY SPIRIT; AND TO SHARE HIS MESSAGE WITH OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE WORLD. Inside this issue: Letter from Fr. David 1 Vacation Bible Celebration 3 God s Older Children 2 The Sykes Toy Project 6 Announcements 7, 8 Calendar of Events 9 Summer Schedule 10 Way back in 1972 when we were first married, we belonged to a church where the gifts of the Spirit were manifest all the time. Christian Disciples Church was the place where we both dedicated our lives to Christ during the Jesus Movement days in California. One Sunday, an evangelist with the gift of prophecy was visiting. His ministry was to pray over people and pass on to them one or more of the thousands of Bible verses he had memorized. Janet and I went forward and the first verse he uttered was Joshua 1:3 (above). The second was Isaiah 54:2 Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. At the time these didn t make too much sense, but through the following years these prophetic words came true. Over the first 16 years of our marriage, we made 14 furniture moves. The soles of our feet landed in various towns in California and eventually we ended up in Ambridge, Pennsylvania at Trinity Seminary. This word from God came true for us. Everywhere we moved, God was with us and used us in many ways as ministers in His kingdom. Each location brought challenges and blessings as we were being prepared to enter into ministry full time. We learned where home was during this time. Many years ago on a flight from Reisterstown to San Francisco Janet asked, Where is home? We looked at each other and both said, Home is where we are. We moved to Fortuna to begin our ministry and were there for 10 years and it was home. We have been at All Saints for almost 18 years and this, too, is our home. As we consider our next move we trust that it will be home also. God is so very faithful! The second part of that prophetic word was about expanding our tent. It didn t mean that we would live in bigger and bigger houses, but it did mean that our family would continue to increase. It has come true with our children and grandchildren, but it is even truer of our family in God. Everywhere we have been we have met new and lasting friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, and fellow workers in the Lord with whom we remain close. A few years ago, we were planning to take a driving trip around the entire USA and discovered there were only a few times when we would have needed a hotel room. Instead of that driving trip, God took us to Zurich where our family increased abroad, even to East Africa. We have increased so much in our 17+ years in Reisterstown and you all are part of us as family. I tell all of this as we, and you, are preparing to move on to new experiences in God. Our faithful Lord will continue to bless our ministries and enlarge our tents as we keep close to Him who is our strength and comfort. Blessings, Fr. David

2 Volume 15, Number 8 The Bell Tower Page 2 God s Older Children submitted by Mary Thayer I have been in many places, but I ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there. I have, however, been in Sane. They don t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my children, friends, family and work. I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I m not too much on physical activity anymore. I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often. I ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. Sometimes I m in Capable, and I go there more often as I m getting older. One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! I may have been in Continent, and I don t remember what country I was in. It s an age thing. Life is too short for negativity, drama and petty things. So laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly! I hope everyone is happy in your head we re all doing pretty well in mine.

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4 Volume 15, Number 8 The Bell Tower Page 4 All Saints Prayer Shawl Ministry August 2015 Outreach Emphasis Our August emphasis is the All Saints Prayer Shawl Ministry, an outreach of God s Older Children. The Ministry s Vision Statement is To provide hope, joy, peace and comfort to all generations by wrapping them in the warmth of God's Love through prayer. The Prayer Shawl Ministry reaches many folks through prayer and blesses them with a shawl, blanket, lap robe, chemo or baby hat. Items are supplied to GBMC, St. Joseph's, Gilchrist Hospice, Seasons Hospice, as well as Dove House Hospice in Carroll County. Blankets have also been donated to Dr. Bob's Place, a Hospice for Children. We are thankful to all who serve so faithfully in this work of faith and love and also to all who have so generously supported us with their prayers and donations. If able to give a gift for this ministry, please make your check to All Saints Church and write Prayer Shawl/GOC on the memo line. As always, cash gifts are also welcome - just pick up an envelope in the narthex; place the cash in it; write Prayer Shawl/GOC (and your name) on the envelope; seal and place it in the offering.

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6 Volume 15, Number 8 The Bell Tower Page 6 The Sykes Toy Project has been in operation for 20 years, collecting and repairing toys for needy children in the Reisterstown, Owings Mills and Glyndon areas. Approximately 15 to 20 hard-working volunteers from Reisterstown meet twice a week at Northminster Presbyterian Church to refurbish toys, games, puzzles, crafts, and books for babies to teenagers. Last year, approximately 500 children from our community received presents from this project. All remaining toys go to the Bea Gaddy Family Center in Baltimore City. Whether you represent a service organization or are an individual who has cleaned out your toy room (or plans to do so), we respectfully request that you please recycle your gently used or new toys by giving them to this worthwhile project. To arrange a drop-off time, or to have someone pick up your donation, call Joan Stall at (leave a message), or Margaret Turner at A tax credit receipt is available. Thank You! Richard Dick Francis was a former member of All Saints Church as well as a Cemetery Committee member. Obituary for Richard Francis Richard C. "Dick" Francis, 83, of Upperco, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2015 at the Dove House in Westminster. Born October 1, 1931 in Aberdeen, MD, he was the son of the late Roy and Mary Shalone Francis. He was the husband of Margaret "Peggy" L.(Carmody) Francis, his beloved wife of 31 years. He served in the Army during the Korean War and was a plumber with the Plumber & Steamfitters Local 486. He also taught welding at the Plumbers & Steamfitters School for 30 years. Mr. Francis was a member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon Masonic Lodge, Boumi Temple Legion of Honor, and the American Legion Post 200. Surviving in addition to his wife is son, Dale S. Francis and wife Nancy of St. Louis, MO; daughters, Sandra G. Schuler of Oklahoma City, OK; Pamela I. Reeds and husband Carl of Oklahoma City, OK,; grandsons, Matthew Richard Francis, James H. Elliot, John S. Francis and Thomas L. Jeffery; granddaughter, Nicole L. Jeffery. Also surviving are many loved great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Monday, July 27, 2015, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Eline Funeral Home, 934 S. Main Street, Hampstead, MD. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, 11:00 am at the St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1373 N. Main Street, Hampstead with Rev. George E. Tuttle officiating. Interment will be in Wesley United Methodist Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1373 North Main Street, P.O. Box 249, Hampstead, MD

7 Page 7 BAPTISMS Dejan Tesnjak was baptized on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at All Saints Church. Dejan is the husband of Sarah Tesnjak, and son-in in-law of Janet & David Stenner. We welcome Dejan into the family of God! (Hadlenstr Kloten Switzerland) Emma Christine Tesnjak was baptized on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at All Saints Church. Emma is the daughter of Dejan and Sarah Tesnjak, and granddaughter of Janet & David Sten- ner. We welcome Emma into the family of God! (Hadlenstr Kloten Switzerland) Helena Grace Tesnjak was baptized on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at All Saints Church. Helena is the daughter of Dejan and Sarah Tesnjak, and granddaughter of Ja- net & David Stenner. We welcome Helena into the family of God! (Hadlenstr Kloten Switzerland) Abigail Olivia Kerner was baptized on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at All Saints Church. Abigail is the daugh- ter of Julia and Christopher Kerner, and granddaughter of Janet & David Stenner. We welcome Abigail into the family of God! (633 Brickston Road Reisterstown, MD 21136) OTHER HAPPY ANNIVERSARIES: Richard and Patricia Reier - August 2 (41 yrs.) Stella and John Etoh - August 28 Heidi and Rick Conley - August 31 (27 yrs.) NOTE FROM PARISH OFFICE: If your birthday or anniversary is not listed, we may not have correct information on file. Please provide the appropriate information to the Parish Office so we may update our records. Also, if your changes, please notify the Parish Office so that you will not miss out on news from All Saints Church! Thanks!

8 Volume 15, Number 8 The Bell Tower Page 8 Special Events At All Saints DEATH Kenneth Warren Sacra, Husband of Carole Bognanni Sacra died on Sunday, July 5, 2015 (Carole Sacra 37 Franklin Valley Circle Reisterstown, MD ) John Edward Morris, II, Brother of Mary Stroh Died on Friday, July 24, 2015 (Mary R. Stroh 410 Dyer Avenue Reisterstown, MD ) Merrill Sumey will celebrate his 87 th birthday SPECIAL AUGUST ANNIVERSARY; Joan and Neal Haynie Will celebrate their 50 th anniversary On Friday, August 14, 2015 (120 Lamport Road, Reisterstown, MD ) Special August Birthdays Jerry Kelly will celebrate his 82 nd birthday HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAYS Barbara Kelly - August 2 Rick Conley - August 11 Pat Long - August 11 Neal Haynie - August 13 Sally Kalbach - August 14 Mary Stroh - August 14 Josh Myers - August 21 David Waite - August 21 Katie Bolgiano - August 22 Mary Thayer - August 25 Allison Stone - August 28 on Monday, August 10, 2015 (Fairhaven C Third Avenue Sykesville, MD 21784) Jerry Kalbach Will celebrate his 80 th birthday on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 (111 Hanover Road, Reisterstown, MD ) on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 (117 Cherry Valley Road Reisterstown, MD ) 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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10 All Saints Episcopal Church 203 E. Chatsworth Ave. PO Box 279 Reisterstown, MD Phone: Fax: We re on the web: