We are Disciples of Christ

Transcription

1 A PUBLICATION OF ST. CHRISTOPHER S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Monthly Newsletter SEPTEMBER 2018 We are Disciples of Christ Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ, Our Lord Jesus Christ came to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God and bring salvation to everyone. He called the disciples to teach the doctrine about His Kingdom and organize the community of believers. In the Bible we find how the Lord started to call the first disciples; we find this passage in the Gospel of Matthew (4:18-22) where it says: As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him. Since the beginning of our Lord s ministry he called disciples to teach them the importance of continuing work to preach the good news of God s Kingdom. Jesus wanted to send his disciples to the ends of the world with the mission. We read in Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. It is indeed the mission of the Church to follow our Lord s command to maintain the same vocation which led the first disciples to preach the good news and teach. Every baptized person receives this vocation to make present the Kingdom of God in the world; we have this calling to make a difference in our daily interaction with people. We have this opportunity to share our faith with our family and friends. Let s pray that more people come to believe that Jesus is the living God who takes away the sins of the world. Yours in Christ, Alex Reyes Greetings Everybody! Children s Music Ministry August was a good month, we were able to get back into the flow of things after a long summer break. I have many plans for September, one being more music! I'm planning on teaching the kids more songs so that they can sing more during mass. As of know the goal is to get them to sing all songs for one service so will keep working on that. I'm also asking the kids to be more responsible in their role as a choir and I ask again for the support of all the parents. I know it takes a while to get them to perform but I'm working really hard so that we can all hear their wonderful voices. Thanks again for all of your support, have a great month! In Christ, Ana Bernal, Children s Music Ministry Director

2 Game On! Family Vacation Bible School St. Christopher s held its first Family Vacation Bible School in August, during the week of the 13th through the 18th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Forty-one children, teens, parents, and VBS workers participated, and it was a roaring success! Each evening began with a fellowship dinner (kid-friendly foods!), followed by a daily theme and Bible story, crafts, games, and music. The parents participated each evening in a Bible Study, led by Fr. JJ. On Friday night, everyone enjoyed a Firepit outside, roasting marshmallows for s mores, then settled down for movies and a sleepover. On Saturday morning, a great breakfast was served before clean-up and dismissal. It was a wonderful, exciting week, and everyone had a fabulous time! A huge Thank-you! to our great clergy, topic teachers, crafts leaders, games and music leaders, kitchen crew, teen assistants, and parents! - Holly Truesdale Family VBS turned out great and I'm glad I could be a part of it. We did a lot of cool activities and of course there was music involved. This time however there was also dancing involved as we learned a new song and practiced our dance moves. It was hard to get the kids moving so we also played freeze dance, which the kids really enjoyed. There were other games we did such as musical hot potato, freeze tag, and some ice breakers. I really enjoyed working with the kids and I hope we can do it again next year. - Ana Bernal A FULL GALLERY OF FVBS PICTURES WILL BE POSTEDON THE CHURCH WEBSITE! Page 2

3 Please RSVP to Toye Robertson by September 4th The Bishop and his staff look forward to seeing you then! Page 3

4 SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES BISHOP VONO RETIREMENT PARTY BIRTHDAYS Javier Dominguez Jr. 3 Brian Fuller 8 Bren Truesdale 17 Bruce Truesdale 21 Sammy Bernal 23 José Rodriguez 31 MEETINGS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 NO MEN S GROUP MEETING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 11:15 a.m. VESTRY MEETING BIBLE STUDY 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 11 & 25 in the Founders Room *Notice* The Anti-Racism Training scheduled for September 15 at St. Alban s has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 10:00 a.m. Rio Grande Borderland Ministry Board meeting at St. Andrew s, Las Cruces Retirement celebrations are planned in each of the four deaneries, and everyone within the Diocese is encouraged to attend any or all the events. 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 29 St. Andrew s Episcopal Church 518 N. Alameda Las Cruces, New Mexico If you will be attending the Retirement Party, please let Holly know no later than September 15 so that she can give St. Andrew s a count for planning GIFT FUND DONATIONS FOR BISHOP-ELECT MICHAEL HUNN For those not gifting a specific item but wishing to contribute to the Bishop-Elect's gift fund, donations should be sent to: Diocese of the Rio Grande 6400 Coors Blvd. NW Albuquerque, NM Please note in the memo line of your check "Gifts Bishop-Elect Michael Hunn" or something similarly descriptive. All contributions are welcome. *NOTICE* The Rector will be in Albuquerque from Monday, September 24 through Thursday, September 28 for a Pension Meeting for Clergy followed by the Diocesan Clergy Conference For assistance or in emergency please contact Holly at or via at htnect@elp.rr.com Page 6

5 SEPTEMBER PRAYER LIST Please keep these members and friends of St. Christopher's in your daily prayers... Katie Hudak (Member), Maria and Tony Moreno (Members), Betty and Jim Holley (Members), Luis Garcia (Member), Mary Reyes (Cano), Ray Vega (Vega), Gary Welsh, The Schofill family (Truesdale) Kevin Salcedo, Joe Heidrick (Shinn), Christie Lechuga (Perez), Fernando Peña, Max & Levi Moreno (Moreno), Christy Darling, Leo Luevano (Maldonado), Jerry Brown (Shinn), Flor Alvarado (Bernal), Tamara Banda (Brooks), Octaviano Tavares (Rodriguez), Donna Hvizdos (Hudak), Maria Morgan (Anderson), Irma Lopez (Mowad), John Hudak (Hudak), Keni Langberg (Brooks), Mary Jensen (Brooks), David White (Brooks), Amanda Vallejo (Brooks), Skip Bambrook, James Mowad (Mowad), Jo Ann Orr (Brooks), Bill Fields (Fields), Heather (Navidomskis), Manuel Vida, Helen Bell (Hudak), Bunky Mitchell, and Mrs. Mitchell, Andrea Soto (Cano), Alyson (Navidomskis), Mariann Chavez (Shinn), Cristy Kime (Middleton), Chassidy Cantrell (Truesdale), The Most Reverend Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop, The Right Reverend Michael Vono, Bishop. Almighty God, we commend to your care and keeping all of the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad: Sgt. Charles Barden, Matthew Barnes, Jerry Carreon, Sgt. Jean-Louis Bishop, Army, Adam Garcia, Navy, Magie Gonzalez, Lt. Jody M. Daniels, Navy, Roberto Salgado, Mark Logan, USAF, PFC Jose Gonzalez, Oscar I. Gonzalez, Comd. Darren Rich, SP Woody Needler, and the families and friends of all who are serving at home and abroad We update our Prayer List as needed. OUR MINISTRIES AND ACTIVITIES CERTIFICATIONS I have updated the Food Handler and Safeguarding Our Children certification rosters, and will post them on the bulletin board in Rice Hall on Sunday, September 2. If you are involved with our children and teens in any capacity or ministry, are in a leadership position, or are on the Vestry, please check the rosters for your current status. If you find that you need to certify or re-certify, please let me know and I will give you the site information for online training. Both courses are offered in English or Spanish. Thanks! - Holly SOUP KITCHEN SEPTEMBER AT SOUP KITCHEN Saturday, September 8 Gloria Rodriguez and Martha Gonzalez Menu: Mexican Picadillo & Mexican Rice Saturday, September 15 Carol Garcia and Denise Anderson Menu: Mexican Soup & Flour Quesadilla If you would like to contribute to the Soup Kitchen, make your check out to St. Christopher s with Soup Kitchen on the memo line Our thanks to Tony Moreno and family for their faithful service to the Soup Kitchen for several years! Page 5

6 CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AND LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! ST. CHRISTOPHER S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 300 Riverside Drive El Paso, Texas Church Office: THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WELCOMES YOU! stchristopherselpaso@gmail.com Website: WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Holy Eucharist 10:00 a.m. Thursday Eucharist & Healing 10:30 a.m. St. Christopher s Soup Kitchen Outreach at 11:00 a.m. 2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month CLERGY AND STAFF The Reverend Canon José J. Bernal Rector The Reverend Miguel Ramirez Associate Priest The Reverend Kenneth Anderson Deacon (Ret.) Holly Truesdale Parish Administrator VESTRY Tony Moreno - Senior Warden Joe Maldonado - Junior Warden Katie Hudak Carlisle Navidomskis Alex Reyes Virgie Shinn CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Rector 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday Fr. Bernal will be also available on Saturdays by appointment. Administrator and Church Office 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday Administrator in Office at home on Monday and Wednesday or Church Offices Closed on Friday ST. CHRISTOPHER'S MISSION STATEMENT Our Mission, as vessels indwelt by the Holy Spirit, is to proclaim the Gospel and teach the Faith; to bring Christ s healing power to those who are wounded and hurting; to share our blessings with those in need; to administer the Holy Sacraments; and to live our lives to God s glory, sharing the love of Jesus Christ with all people.