St. Matthew's Anglican Church
Asheville/Weaverville, NC
Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
Dear Members and Friends of St. Matthew's,
Diocesan Women's Retreat, November 4-6
The DEUS Fall Women's Retreat takes place November 4-6 at the Roman Catholic Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, GA (just East of Atlanta). Dss. Tina Jenkins has organized this annual retreat. The focus of the retreat will be the study of "The Lamb's Supper" by Scott Hahn, (a commentary on the Holy Eucharist). Fr. Paul Rivard will be the "Spiritual Guide" and Dss. Tina will be the Retreat Director. I highly recommend this retreat to the women of the Parish. My wife, Leslie, is planning to attend. For further information and reservations, please call Dss. Tina at 704-502-3599.
Deanery Picnic, September 25
The Deanery Picnic, sponsored by All Saints, Mills River, and chaired by Katrina Morgan and Thad Osborne will be from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, September 25, at Lake Julian Campgrounds, Skyland, NC, just north of I-26. We are asked to bring side dishes and desserts. The meat will be donated and furnished for grilling on site. Leslie and I love going to these picnics, seeing old friends, meeting new ones and having a great meal together.
This Sunday at St. Matthew's, the 14th Sunday after Trinity, 5 September 2010
- 10:00 a.m. Bible Study with Jim Tucker and the Book of Revelation.
- 11:00 a.m. Children's Sunday School in the Parish Hall with Larry Allison & helpers.
- 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion with Sermon & Music. The Hymns are 563, 125, 209(2), 599. The Old Testament Lesson is Micah 6:1-8. The Psalm is 19. The Collect, Epistle & Gospel are found on pages 209 & 210 in the Prayer Book. The Ushers are Walter Erikson & Greg MacDonald; the Greeter is Bettye Erikson; the Acolyte is Eli Sackett; the Reader is Russ Scott; the Chalice Bearer is Ronnie Harbin; the Teller is Alan Shaw; the Checker is Rick Benfield.
- Flowers are given to the Glory of God by Jan & Russ Scott.
- Refreshments are being provided by Cecil Beumer.
What is Anglicanism? Course
Fr. Don has put together a five week course on "What is Anglicanism?" It will be meeting on Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:00 p.m. beginning, Wednesday, September 15. It is open to anyone and will be a good review course for many of us who have come from the Episcopal Church. There will be a sign-up sheet at Church this Sunday or talk to Fr. Don. This session is limited to ten persons.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
In this parable, which only appears in St. Luke's Gospel, Jesus makes a clear statement about the requirement of the moral law. Generally, the Christian moral imperative is about restraint (no murder, no adultery, no stealing, no lying etc.) But here, Jesus calls us to radical moral action, namely "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love here is not like, but an action of good will without thought of return. And who is my neighbor? Jesus says anyone in need no matter how you feel towards about that person. Compassion and actions of love (agape) are the required response by Christians when faced with someone with genuine need.
God willing, I will see you Sunday at St. Matthew's,
Fr. John
