September, The Saga. St. Stephen s Episcopal Church 5019 Sam Houston Avenue Huntsville, TX The Anglican presence in Walker County

Transcription

1 September, 2016 The Saga St. Stephen s Episcopal Church 5019 Sam Houston Avenue Huntsville, TX The Anglican presence in Walker County

2 WE ARE ALL LEARNING HOW TO SERVE I became an acolyte at 18. The first time I served, I trembled all the way down the aisle. The flame on my torch shook back and forth as I tried to keep my hands steady and keep my candle even with the other acolyte. The aisle felt a mile long as I worried that I d drop the torch, or trip, or MESS THIS UP! Looking back, there was a lot of pride wrapped up in that fear of doing something wrong like one acolyte might mess up enough to RUIN the entire service. It didn t take me long to stop worrying when I served around the altar. It was A relief to learn that the best servers, both acolytes and LEMs, aim to be invisible or at least aim to be so calm in their service that people only notice the cross or the chalice and not the person carrying them. Pride and worry slip away as you learn to serve at the altar. I ve learned that a congregation will forgive even the most glaring mistakes and I have never ever seen one acolyte manage to ruin an entire service! I ve learned that there is no more room for pride when you serve with a heart that says I am serving God, I am not serving myself. If you are interested in serving as an Acolyte (carries the cross), LEM (serves the wine) or Lector (reads the scripture) set all your worries and trembling aside. Trust me, there is no way that you will mess up or ruin the service! We are all learning how to serve God and not ourselves. - KELLAURA Lay Eucharistic Minister Training Saturday, September 24th, am Please plan to attend if you are an LEM. New LEMs are welcome come to the training and learn how to serve. CELEBRATION OF NEW MINISTRY Thursday, August 25th, was a grand celebration of the Rev. Kellaura Johnson s formal induction as rector of St. Stephen s. Bishop Andy Doyle presided over the service, and many other priests and pastors of several denominations processed and participated in the celebration. The Rev. Glenice Robinson- Como preached and representatives of various ministries presented symbols of their work. During this service Kellaura committed herself to the trust and responsibility of St. Stephen s and the congregation vowed to uphold Kellaura in this new ministry. This celebration is the culmination of the search process. Welcome Kellaura! SUNDAY SCHOOL KICK-OFF SEPTEMBER 11th! Beginning on September 11th Sunday School will be held for all ages- children and adults from 9:30-10:15. We look forward to a year of learning together about God s plan for His people and where we fit into His plan! WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY at 11 AM Join us in the parlor for study of the book of Romans using the NT Wright study guide. All are welcome to begin at any time! TREASURER S TIDBITS We welcome Pieter Hollar in this new role as treasurer. Information on Sunday s outreach contributions will be listed in the In God s Service section of your bulletin.

3 EPISCOPAL STUDENT CENTER NEWS Many thanks to all who painted, moved furniture, made food, and helped us get the ESC ready for our school year. Because of you, our space is beautiful and our Open House was a great success! The school year at Sam also began with our first Wednesday meeting on August 24, and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with our St. Stephen's family throughout the semester. Make sure you sign up to bring a meal on a Wednesday if you are the cooking or food-delivering type, and feel free to stop in and spend time with our ESC community on any Wednesday (5:30 Bible Study, 6:30 Service, 7:00 Meal) or Sunday ( and Fellowship). SIGN UP FOR NURSERY HELPERS With the requirements for Safegaurding God s Children we need to have an additional adult in the Nursery during the 8:30/10:30 services. Those who have been trained in the course Safegaurding God s Children are eligible to volunteer. Please see the sign up sheet on the door opposite the women s restroom. share your time with our precious children! Contact Helen Crosby with questions at hcrosby1942@yahoo.com. RESPONSE TO THE FLOODS IN LOUISIANA The Bishop of Louisiana has made it clear that no out of state volunteers are needed at this time: Monetary donations can be made directly to the Diocese of Louisiana: or to Episcopal Relief and Development, which is already spending grant money in the area: When faced with images and stories of suffering and destruction our Christian hearts long to act and give. At this point in the recovery effort, monetary donations are the most needed and practical gift. The Church has always allowed money to overflow from one community to another as needs arise. It is one way that we share in both the blessings and sufferings of life as the Body of Christ. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. 2 Corinthians 8:13-14 wellness program Regular blood pressure screening continues! The next blood pressure screening will be on Sunday, September 11th. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity. For questions contact Gladys Awode at awode@sbcglobal.net. Give Blood, the Gift of Life The next opportunity to give blood is on Saturday, September 10th at Gibbs Elementary on 19 th Street. All are welcome this is a great way to support your fellow man/woman/child! Please contact Margaret Ferguson at for questions.

4 Community of Hope If you are interested in becoming involved in pastoral care through the Community of Hope, contact Carrie Watson at Daughters of the King The next Daughters of the King meeting will be held at 6:00 PM on Thursday, September 1st, in the Parish Hall. There will be a training class in the fall for new Daughters. Please contact Dottie Fulton at dottiefulton45@icloud.com. regarding training for Daughters of the King. CELEBRATION SERVICE Celebration Service is scheduled for Friday, September 16th at 6:30 at the home of Ed Davis and Sharon Lynch, 2003 Avenue P (southeast corner of P and 20th). Since the house is on a hill, many folks enter from the driveway on 20th Street. This is a worship service with acoustic guitars/dulcimer, lots of singing, and a shared Eucharist, followed by a potluck dinner. Everyone is welcome and it is a great time to visit with others in an informal setting. SAVE THE DATE! Friday, October 21st will be Celebration in the Park, at the picnic shelter at Huntsville State Park. Our Celebration Service will include games, a cook-out, music, Eucharist, and fellowship. Please bring a dish or soft drink to share! Anyone needing transportation should contact Ed Davis at edsalpc@shsu.edu or Please make plans to be there! THE BROTHERHOOD OF SAINT ANDREW This regular monthly meetings will be held on September 3rd and 17th at 9:00 AM in the Parish Hall. The Brotherhood is currently reading the book Being Christian by Rowan Williams, retired Archbishop of Canterbury. Discussion of the book is led by Nick Johnson. All men are welcome! St. Stephen s Episcopal Church Website: THANK YOU FROM LOUIE PAYNE Mrs. Louie Payne, the longest-serving member of St. Stephen s, sends her thanks to everyone who brightens her days with their visits! ststephensep@sbcglobal.net 5019 Sam Houston Ave. P.O. Box 388 Huntsville, TX Huntsville, TX 77342

5 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL The Flowing Waters of God Vacation Bible School was a huge success involving 40+ children, 4 junior leaders, and 15 adult volunteers from St. Stephen s! With the theme of God s Flowing Waters, Rev. Kellaura told the stories of Noah s Ark, Jonah and the Big Fish, John the Baptist Baptizing Jesus, and Jesus Walking on the Water. Following Kellaura s story in the sanctuary, the children participated in crafts, outdoor games, and songs related to the Bible story. Thanks go to Marisa Wight for her leadership, and to all the others who helped: Gladys Awode, Chase Blosser, Donna & Robert Chappell, Millie Duncan, Joy Francis, Nancy Franklin, Dottie Fulton, Linda & Mike Gary, Alison Hall, Sharon Lynch, Cindy Supan, Katie Wright, and Cecilia Yuoh. Junior leaders Mackenzie Hall, Shandleigh Hall, Leslie Prokosch and Benjamin Williams were awesome! Thanks also go to all of you who made monetary and food donations.

6 CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

7 September 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY August 28 August 29 August 30 August 31 Noonday Eucharist September 1 6:00 PM Daughters of the King September 2 September 3 9:00 AM Brotherhood of St. Andrew September 4 September 5 September 6 September 7 Noonday Service September 8 September 9 September 10 Blood Drive September 11 9:30 Sunday School Wellness Screening September 18 9:30 Sunday School September 12 September 19 September 13 September 14 Noonday Eucharist September 20 September 21 Noonday Eucharist September 15 September 16 6:30 Celebration Service 2003 Ave. P September 17 9:00 AM Brotherhood of St. Andrew September 22 September 23 September 24 September 25 9:30 Sunday School September 26 September 27 September 28 Noonday Eucharist September 29 September 30 October 1 9:00 AM Brotherhood of St. Andrew

8 Sunday Service Altar Guild Counters LEM 8:30 LEM 10:30 Greeters 9:30 Greeters 10:30 Vestry Person Of the Day Sept. 4 Helen Crosby Drema Kabosius Katie Wright Joy Francis Carrie Watson Helen Farrar Gladys Awode Mike Gary Jeanine Jacoby Millie & Doug Duncan Kathleen Becker Connie Parker Sept. 11 Susan Parker Terry Stivers Helen Blaylock Bob Streeter Nancy Franklin Chase Blosser Irene D Veney Stan Fletcher Len Breen Jeannine Jacoby Sept. 18 Margaret Ferguson Marsha Phillips Steve Cook Helen Farrar Ed Davis Sharon Lynch Helen Blaylock Nancy Franklin Ed Davis Helen Farrar Sept. 25 Linda Gary Bobbie McClintock Dottie Fulton Cindy Supan Bob Streeter Linda Badger Marsha Phillips Helen Crosby Bobbie McClintock Nancy Franklin Oct. 2 Helen Crosby Drema Kabosius Katie Wright Joy Francis Golda Rich TBD TBD Jeanine Jacoby Vivienne McGehee Mike Gary