The Apostle monthly newsletter for
Grace Episcopal Church 105 S Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472 www.gracechrist.com T: 910.642.4784
PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS: Carol and Jacob Brack, The Deans Family, Peggy Blackmon, Brantley Elliott, Ruth & Johnnie B. Glass, Shirley Jo and Seth Smith Sr., Harold & Marie Hughes, Jack & Alice Babb, Lisa Richey’s mother (Edna Bearnes), Elsie Campbell’s niece (Brenda) and nephew (Jimmy), Jerry Jupina’s brother (Michael), the Jupina’s daughter (Vicki Di Muzio), Margaret Palmer’s father (Shep), Peggy Blackmon’s sister-in-law (Jennifer Yoder), Kay Horne’s uncle (Jack Terrell), Jacqui Lye’s husband (Michael Newton), Alice Murphy’s brother (Tony), all in war’s way, the unemployed, underemployed, and those in financial crises. A complete list of prayer requests is located in the on the bulletin board by the rector’s office. We express Christian sympathy to Alice Murphy on the death of her sister-in-law, Nancy. May her soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Organ repairs – A big “thank you” to former grace organist Doug Spivey! The good news is that Doug repaired a bad connection in the organ counsel. The bad news is that in exploring in the crawl space above the sacristy, Doug discovered that during last squirrel attack, the furry critters did more damage than we had previously detected. The speaker for the lower octave foot pedals is severely damaged and needs to be replaced.
Lent and Holy Week Schedule Sundays in Lent: February 22-March 22, 2015 - 9:30 AM Holy Eucharist* *The service on March 1 will be Episcopal Morning Prayer, Rite II. The services on March 8th and March 29 will be celebrated using the Lutheran Book of Worship
including the Lutherans of Christ the King
March 2015 Wednesdays in Lent: February 25; March 4, 11, and 25, 2015 6:00 PM Holy Eucharist Rite II with Healing 6:30 PM Soup Supper & Lenten Series* *We will celebrate St. Patty’s Day on March 11th with corned beef & cabbage Palm/Passion Sunday: March 29, 2015 9:30 AM Liturgy of the Palms (Episcopal) followed by Lutheran service with Eucharist Holy Week Monday, March 30 8:30 AM Morning Prayer Tuesday, March 31 8:30 AM Morning Prayer Wednesday, April 1 6:00 PM Holy Eucharist Rite II with Healing Maundy Thursday, April 2 6:00 PM Agape Meal & Communion, Stripping of Altar, Prayer Vigil Good Friday, April 3 Noon - 3 PM Good Friday Liturgy, Stations of the Cross, Labyrinth Walk & Meditation Easter Sunday, April 5: Feast of the Resurrection 9:30 AM Festival Holy Eucharist (Episcopal Rite II)
Lenten Soup Suppers: March 4, 11, 25 Wanted: A few good cooks to prepare soups for our Wednesday night Soup Suppers in Lent. Sign up sheet on the bulletin board. St. Patrick’s Day Party (a little off date, but who’s checking), Wed. March 18 For Grace Family Night in March, we will have our belated St. Patty’s celebration. We will chow down on Irish fare at 6:30 PM. Mother Anne will prepare corned beef and cabbage. We still need volunteers to help with potatoes, “copper penny” carrots, green punch and dessert. If you can help, please contact Anne+.
A big THANK YOU to all the men (and a few good women) who helped put on another successful Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on March 4th. The food was delicious! We can’t wait ‘til next year.
Wednesday Night Lenten Series: February 25, March 4, 11, 25 at 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall Topic: Spiritual Grandparenting Focus: Leaving a spiritual legacy. All current grandparents, possible future grandparents, parents, mentors, elders . . . EVERYONE interested in children is invited to Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. Combining his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints, Lent Madness was born on his blog “Clergy Family Confidential” which has subsequently moved locations and become the more stream-lined “Clergy Confidential.” The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo. The first round consists of basic biographical information about each of the 32 saints. Things get a bit more interesting in the subsequent rounds as we offer quotes and quirks, explore legends, and even move into the area of saintly kitsch. Follow Lent Madness and vote for you favorites on Facebook, twitter, and on-line at www.lent.madness.org. A large bracket poster is located on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.
Food Pantry: We have a need for EVERYTHING: canned meats, fish, and pastas; hearty soups, stew, and chili; spaghetti sauce with meat; bags of white rice, dried pasta and lima beans; canned fruits and tomatoes; coffee and tea; peanut butter and jelly; mac & cheese; grits, cereal; powdered milk and hot cocoa mix; snacks; dish soap, laundry detergent, toilet tissue, tooth paste and hygiene items; and cooking supplies such as oil, sugar, and flour. Clean Water Project: As part of the Millennium Development Goals, efforts ensuring environmental stability are being sponsored through Episcopal Development and Relief. Funds are being collected throughout the season of Lent to support clean water projects. Please make a donation in the large plastic bucket in the Parish Hall. Information on water conservation also is available in the Parish Hall. Shoe Boxes: Don’t wait for Christmas; start working on your contribution to our centennial project of a100 filled shoe boxes for Christmas Child (Samaritan’s Purse). Box Tops for Education: Look for and clip Box Tops for Education coupons as you shop for your meal preparation supplies. Hospice: We still are collecting soda and paper goods for Lower Cape Fear Hospice. Please place your donations in the blue tub by Connie’s office. Families First: Contributions of laundry soap and cleaning supplies continue to be gathered for Families First. Please place your donations in the blue tub by Connie’s office. COMMUNITY EVENTS
Community Services of Worship on the Wednesdays of Lent, Whiteville United Methodist Church Worship Services at 12:00 Noon followed by lunches at 12:30 P.M. February 25/Wednesday of Lent I Rev. Justin DuBose, Pastor Missionary Alliance Church, Whiteville, NC
Roof leaks at Grace House have been repaired. Bids for repairs to rotten fascia and eves are being gathered.
March 4/Wednesday of Lent II Rev. Charlrean B. Mapson, Pastor St. Mark AME Zion Church, Whiteville, NC
March 11/Wednesday of Lent III Rev. Dr. Anne M. Natoli, Rector Grace Episcopal Church and Christ the King Lutheran Church, Whiteville, NC March 18/Wednesday of Lent IV Dr. David B. Heller, Director of Missions Columbus Baptist Association, Whiteville, NC March 25/Wednesday of Lent V Rev. Stephen T. Bazan Bethel/Lebanon United Methodist Churches, Whiteville, NC April 1/Wednesday of Holy Week Rev. Bob Hankins (ret.) Whiteville United Methodist Church, Whiteville, NC
bits and pieces . . . Set your clocks ahead! Spring forward; fall back. Daylight Savings Time arrives Sunday, March 8 at 2 AM. Set your clocks ahead Saturday night before going to bed so you get to church on time!
Dates to save: Founders’ Day – May 3, 2015; Centennial Celebration – July 19, 2015 Please remember to submit your Grace and Christ the King Story and pictures.
Centennial Project – A 100 Years of Service, A 100 Shoe Boxes In the spirit of sharing, helping and serving that has always been a part of Grace Church, and in recognition of the 100th anniversary of our unique parish, a project incorporating a hundred items would be significant and appropriate. Since filling Christmas shoe boxes has been part of our outreach in the past, aiming for a hundred shoe boxes in 2015 would give us a tangible way to see and celebrate what one hundred can be. Yes, it is a daunting and challenging task, but if it was easy it would not be worthy of our anniversary. Here are some suggestions for reaching our goal: 1. Start in January of 2015, not waiting for the green and red boxes. Plastic shoe boxes from the local dollar stores are appreciated since they can be used to store food and carry water. Just a taped label explaining the sex and age of the recipient is all that is needed. One box every other month would be doable. 2. Contact all of our grown children and invite them to donate a box in honor of Grace Church. It may give them an excuse to visit! 3. Former parishioners could help out with a box. 4. Donate a box in honor of your children/grandchildren. And I am sure there are ways to reach the goal that I have not thought of. As the boxes are filled remember that each item you touch and place in the box will next be touched by an excited child, thankful for the stranger who cared enough to share Christmas. Watching the stack of boxes grow through the year will be an exciting reminder of what can be done by a small but determined group of believers. For more information, contact Kay Horne.
OUR FEBRUARY STEWARDSHP DATE 02/01/15 02/08/15 02/15/15 02/22/15
ATTENDANCE 30 30 27 36
02/23/15 Total
Transfer from MRS
Our weekly Ministry needs are $ 2,487.29
OFFERING $ 2,962.00 $ 830.00 $ 347.00 $ 734.00 $ 4,873.00 $ 4,000.00 $ 8,873.00
SPECIAL GIFTS______ Families First Cash $ 10.00 Help Mission $ 19.00 Food Pantry $ 110.00
$ 9,949.16 1,076.16 Short
Budget needs YTD Income YTD
$ 19,898.32 $ 14,523.00
SERVICE SCHEDULE Day/Service March 1 Lent 2 MP II 9:30
March and the first Sunday in April
Acolytes
Lectors
Usher/Greeter
Altar Guild
Lisa R Alice M
John D
Lisa R
Shari G Connie G Shirley JoS
Fellowship of the day Hilly H
Vestry People John D Alice MJ
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ March 8 Gary B© Willie W same as Elsie C Kay H Lent 3 volunteer Peggy B above Paula B H.E. 9:30 Lutheran _ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________ March 15 Ruth G Lent 4 Connie G Donna T© volunteer Paula B Jamie F John D HE I 9:30 Ray T Connie G _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ March 22 same as Lent 5 volunteer Gary B © Bill H above Alice M Jerry J HE II 9:30 Kay H Alice M March 29 Lisa R© Willie W Lynn C Paula B Ray T Palm Sunday Lisa R Alice M Dulcie B Connie G HE 9:30 Lutheran ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________ April 5 Ray T© John D same as Lisa R Ray T Easter Lisa R Donna T above Jerry J MP II 9:30
THANKS FOR FINDING A REPLACEMENT (and letting Anne & Connie know) IF YOU CANNOT SERVE YOUR SCHEDULED TIME.
Grace Episcopal Church 105 S Madison Street Whiteville NC 28472
MARCH 2015 1 Lent 2 9:00 choir 9:30 Morning Prayer
2
3
8 Lent 3
9
9:00 choir 9:30 Lutheran HE
7 PM Compassionate Friends Meeting
10 noon Clericus @ Church of the Servant, Wilmington
4 Noon Lenten Svc @ Whiteville UMC 6 PM HE II 6:30 Lenten study & soup supper 11Noon Lenten Svc @ Whiteville UMC 6 PM HE II 6:30 Lenten study & soup supper
15 Lent 4 9:30 Episcopal HE I
16
17
23
24
21
Clergy Day with the Bishop @ Trinity Center 5 PM Choir rehearsal
26
Svc @ Whiteville UMC 6 PM HE II 6:30 Lenten study & soup supper
5 PM Choir rehearsal
2 April
3 April
Maundy Thursday 5 PM Choir rehearsal
Office closed Good Friday Noon Service, Stations of the Cross, Labyrinth Meditation
Noon Lenten Svc @ Whiteville UMC Holy Week 6 PM HE no bible study or fellowship meal
Easter Monday
5 PM Choir rehearsal
25Noon Lenten
1April
14
closed
closed
8:30 Morning Prayer
6 Office Closed
13 office
closed
31 Holy Week
5 April EASTER
12
20 office
9 choir 9:30 Blessing of Palms & Lutheran HE
8:30 Morning Prayer
5 PM Choir rehearsal
19 office
29 Palm Sunday 30Holy Week
7 Daylight Savings Time TURN CLOCKS AHEAD before bed
Svc @ Whiteville UMC 6 PM HE II 6:30 St. Paddy’s Day Party
9:00 choir 9:30 Episcopal HE II
6 office closed
18Noon Lenten
6:30 Vestry Mtg
22 Lent 5
5
27 office
28
closed
6 PM Agape Supper, Stripping of the Altar
4 April