THE EPIPHANY E-STAR – August 24, 2023 
 
From Father Michael:  Patience.  I pray for it, from time to time, with something like, “God, please give me patience – NOW!”  The restoration of our buildings following the biblical-sounding crises of the past year—lightning, rats, flooding, and more—is requiring patience from all of us.  Let me assure you, though – and I hope you read this and take it to heart – our Restoration Committee has been hard at work, their own patience having been tried multiple times.  We all want to get back into our parish hall as soon as possible, and you should know that much has already been accomplished toward that end:  new carpet, new roof, painting, replacement of countertops and cabinets (nearing completion as I write), and so much more.  The main task for those not included in those efforts is to be patient.  Thank you for your consideration of them and all that they’re doing.  Thank you, Deana, Cranz, Carol, Linda, Susan and RG!
 
Renovations:  Kitchen countertop measurements have been made.  Countertops and backsplash have been ordered and are targeted for installation about September 20th.  Hardware pulls were installed in the kitchen this week.  Baseboard tiles are being installed in this week in the Parish Hall.  (These were from removed during the flood).
 
We are still waiting for the estimate bid from Blackmon Mooring for cleaning the ductwork in the Nave. 
 
Cranz, the crafty Jr. Warden, has finished his trim and door painting project in the Youth Center.  It looks amazing!  Painters are working on the YC as of this writing.  They should be completed by the end of the week.
 
We enlisted the help of the Karate Class Martial Arts kids and parents on Tuesday night to move the furniture out of the Youth Center and Parish Hall in preparation of the painters.  We appreciate them so very much!  Good news!  The kids are back in the Parish Hall with all their equipment and supplies!  They are storing their things in the former counselor’s room.  Kudos to Linda and Lee Myers, Jim Dyke and Rufus Arrington for helping!  They are all an amazing group of people! 
 
The Rummage Sale coming up September 8 & 9 will be held in the Youth Center.  The overflow of items will be in the courtyard.  Please bring your items for the rummage sale to the church on Monday, September 4, Labor Day after 9:00 a.m.  Carol Weathers will be there to receive the items. The sale starts Friday, September 8 at 8 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Saturday, September 9 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  All proceeds go back to the community. 
 
SUNDAY, August 20, 2023:
                      Attendance:
                                                          43  In Church
                                                           4  On Zoom
                                                         47  Total
  
Those scheduled to serve this coming Sunday, August 27th are:
                  Layreaders………Jim & Carol Weathers
                  Altar Guild…….Carol Weathers, Karen Leitch, & Linda Myers
                  Acolyte………….Grady Gonzales
                  Ushers…………..David & Karen Leitch
                  VOPD…………..RG Guthrie
                  Alter Flowers
                  Given by………….Linda & Jim Dyke
                  Coffee Hosts……Diane Hays & Sherry Musgrove
 
Happy Birthday to Ellie Burks (8/29).
 
We pray for all who have died, especially Pat Seidensticker, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom. We pray also for all who mourn their passing.
 
Please continue to pray for all in need of comfort, healing, and support. We are all God’s children and are called to serve Him in any way we can. 
 
As a reminder, the Memorial Service for Claude Burks will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26 at the church.  A reception will be in the Library after the service.  In lieu of flowers, Ellie has requested donations be made to the church memorial fund in Claude’s memory.
 
Daughters of the King will meet in the Library after Sunday’s service.
 
This was the Devotional at our Vestry Meeting on August 17, 2023 given by Sherry Musgrove.  I thought it was worth sharing.
 
AT DAY’S END
 
Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
 
The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?
 
Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that’s slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
 
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;
Does the man whose hopes were fading, now with courage look ahead?
 
Did you waste the day, or lose it? Was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent?
 
As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say,
“You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?”
 
--John Hall
 
  
Janet Wilton
Parish Administrator
 
Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward.  If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.
--Roy T. Bennett