October 2016

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North The GraceVine

“At the Master’s Bench” by The Rev. M. Alton Plummer

“Take, Thank, Bless, Break, Give.”

As part of a required seminary course -- “Christian Formation 101”—we were assigned to read a book written by the instructor, Sister Joan Marie Smith, entitled ­Teaching As Eucharist. In this slim but richly written text Sister Joan brilliantly uses the actions of the Eucharist as a paradigm for teaching. It not only has served me well for that specific purpose; it also opened to me just how central the actions of the Eucharist are to Christian discipleship and for application in daily life.

“On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks (blessed) to [God] he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat: “This is my body (ergo blessed and broken) which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” I

Life is transitory – it begins and ends – and through it all God is present--providing for our needs with “daily bread.” Whether actual bread, or another form, God has placed at hand what is needed for the journey. Taking an accounting and discerning what it is at hand, we are then to take hold thankfully – and bless, break, take and eat” – that is, set apart and divide what we have been given in ways that will meet our need, and also glorify The Provider.

As we do this we remember: we meditate (literally ‘chew’) upon what God has done – as we also “RE-MEMBER”: that is we participate in God’s reconciling work -- drawing all that sin has broken apart together into one community. As disciples of Jesus our generosity, and the level to which we give and share is and “outward and visible sign” that we are indeed grateful for the True Gift – the grace we have from God in Christ.

In one of “The Great Thanksgiving” prayers we use we lift up the intention, “Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the bread.” It is an intention of our hope that Christ will be made known in the breaking of the bread in that moment that we are gathered around the table. It is also an intention of hope that we carry away from the table within us; we rise from the table and we are sent out to live Eucharisticly, “… to seek Christ revealed as we “worthily serve the world in his name.” ii

God, in great faithfulness hath provided. May we, in great faithfulness, “Take, Thank, Bless, Break, Give” to the greater glory of God.

Until next time, when again we’ll gather ‘round The Master’s Bench,

I bid you peace.

Fr. Alton + i The Book of Common Prayer 1979, “Holy Eucharist Rite II” ii

Eucharistic Prayer ‘C’ - BCP 1979, pg. 372

Grace Episcopal Church 419 S. Main Street Lexington, NC 27292-3234 336.249.7211 phone 336.249.8711 fax gracechurch@lexcominc.net

www.gracechurchlexington.org or http://grace-lexington.dionc.org/ Sunday Services Rite 1 - 9:00 a.m., in the Chapel Rite 2 - 11:00 a.m., in the Church 9:45 a.m., Sunday School Summer - 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel

Page 2 The GraceVine—October 2016

Special Presentation

Have you been hearing more about essential oils in your readings or conversations? Many people have a healthy curiosity about these oils that can be used in our lives, and some people are pursuing the use of them. What about the use of these oils centuries ago, and how does that influence today's use? The Congregational Care Commission is hosting Susan Hilton, RN, Certified Aroma therapist on Monday, November 7 at 7:00pm who will talk with us about Essential Oils of the Bible. She will also have a small book by that same name available for anyone who might like to purchase one.

Susan has extended her education to include the use of oils in our everyday lives, and is the owner of The Nature Cottage.

There is no charge for this presentation, but there will be a basket available for anyone wishing to contribute for her time and expertise.

Mark your calendars now for Monday, November 7 at 7:00pm, and call the office to sign up (there is no limit so bring your friends too) - that way a decision can be made as to using the Commons Room or the Undercroft.

Kathie Goodman, Congregational Care

J2A News

The youth have resumed their meetings for the fall. We will be learning about the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith traditions and how they coexisted in ancient Spain. This will be in preparation for our pilgrimage to Spain in June 2017.

We continue to fundraise, and our youth can be hired for fall yard jobs. We look forward to working on a Habitat house this winter.

October 2 — Pet Blessing

Pet Blessing In honor of The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, actually celebrated on October 4th, we will gather on the steps of the Church at 3:00 PM to give thanks for and bless our animal friends and companions. Whether feathery, finned, furry, shelled, scaly or slimy all God’s creatures are welcome. All we ask is that everyone is safely leashed, caged, boxed, or bowled, both for their

protection, and for the protection of others. Blessing of “Cuddle buddies” At the 11:00 AM Sunday Service, Fr. Alton would also like to invite children of all ages to come forward and have their special “Cuddle buddies” blessed. A “cuddle buddy” may be a well-loved toy animal, like the Velveteen Rabbit, but it may also be a doll, or simply a blue blanket like Linus’ from the Peanut’s comic strip.

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 3

Wednesday Group

Meets to Learn

The 3rd-5th graders met in September and had a great time! We had a pizza dinner with Father Alton, got to know each other better, and learned about the funny hat that the Bishop wore to church (now they know it's called a mitre!). This group will be meeting the first

Wednesday of each month to learn more about our church, to help around the church, and to have food and fellowship. If you would

like to help provide dinner for one of our meetings, please contact Carrie Ingram 336-596-2810. carrieingram@gmail.com

Oct 2 John Burke

Oct 2 Rachel Dilley

Oct 3 John Koonts

Oct 4 Jay Williams

Oct 4 Nancy Hartzog

Oct 6 Seth Miller

Oct 6 Bill Gilleland

Oct 8 Kristie Miller

Oct 10 Deirdre Philpott

Oct 10 Donna Byrd-Wyatt

Oct 11 Anne Rives

Oct 14 Rick Mack

Oct 15 Lou Adkins

Oct 16 Nancy Phillips

Oct 19 Sarah Smith

Oct 19 Elizabeth Inabinett

Oct 20 Neusom Parker

Oct 21 Quig Bennett

Oct 24 Robin Petruzzi

Oct 25 Scott Hoffmann

Oct 31 Sandy Reynolds

Oct 31 Pam Harvey

October Birthdays

Adkins, Mark Parishioner

Alexander, Cora Friend

Amon, Amanda Rick Mack’s sister

Asebes, Ella B & W MacKinstry’s granddaughter

Beck, Jan Friend

Bingham, Georganne Staley & Ed’s mother

Brooks, Steve Friend

Brown, Baylee Susan Terrell’s granddaughter

Burkhart, Jerry Parishioner

Burkhart-Smith, Amy Art’s daughter

Burr, Chris Former Parishioner

Curia, Morgan Former Parishioner

DeLapp, Em Parishioner

DeLapp, William Em;s brother-in-law

Egan, Mike Parishioner

Garland, Shana Friend

Hare, Rob Penny Taylor’s brother

Hedrick, Ruth Libby’ O’Shea’s mother

Hodges, Chris Parishioner

Hodgin, Sue Parishioner

Huff, Kristen Friend

Kepley, Evelyn Lynne Cleckley’s mother

King, Anne Former Parishioner

Lang, Sally Parishioner

Leonard, Julia Parishioner

Linder, Larry Parishioner

Lovell, Jerry Friend

Marsh, Polly Jane Grimes’ mother

May, Carol Parishioner

Michael, Molly Talmadge’s cousin

Miller, Seth & Patsy Parishioners

O’Shea, Mike & Fran Glenn’s father & step-mother

Ratton, Tom Friend

Reynolds, Bob Friend

Rojas, Jacklynn M&L Cleckley’s granddaughter

Sheets, Suzy Parishioner

Smith, Martha Ellen Parishioner

Underwood, Toni Friend

Warren, Randall Friend

Welch, Frances Suzy Sheets’ mother

Prayer List

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October Ministries Schedule

Oct 2 Oct 9 “Feast of Grace”

Oct 16 Oct 23 Oct 30

Lector 9:00 11:00

Mary Matthews Barbara Presnell

Belinda MacKinstry Tere Wagner

Page Onorato Barry Wardle

Philip Matthews Karl Bolstad

Sally Dodd Nancy Mack

LEM Clarice Surratt Mary Matthews Karl Bolstad Patricia Wardle Kathie Goodman

Intercessor Dottie Burkhart Kathy Johnson Joe Wallace Belvie Gilleland Kristi Allred

Acolytes Jack Burke Erik Petruzzi

Parker Miller Kate Inabinett

Miles Stoner Will Burke

Parker Miller Erik Petruzzi

Jack Burke Owen Miller

Ushers Ed Huneycutt Richard Wolfe

Bert May Joe Wallace

Dan Moore Terry Reynolds

Tommy Black Henry Surratt

Jack Burke Bill Gilleland

Greeters Ed & Diane Huneycutt

Bett Hargrave Penny Taylor Patrick Miller Sandra Husted

Nursery Vickie Johnson Elizabeth Inabinett Mary-Cameron Welborn

Carolyn Wolfe Krista Manning

Social Hour Ed & Diane Huneycutt

Inabinett family Kathy Young Susan Terrell

Pam & Steve Harvey

Sandra & Bob Husted

Sunday Lunch Tammy Absher Lynn Meeks

Burke family Miller family Welborn family Inabinett family

Flowers Barbara Beck Max & Peggy Walser

Bob & Sandra Husted

Chris & Mike Hodges

OPEN

Altar Guild: Sandra Husted, Dottie Burkhart, Catherine Hoffmann, Pam Daniel, Sally Lang, Mary Matthews, Sandy Reynolds

Crisis Ministry Meal — October: Karl & Mary Bolstad, Pam & Steve Harvey, Hugo & Sue Hodgin, Deidre Philpott November: Carol Jordan, Jeri Burkhart, Kathy Johnson, Diane Huneycutt December: J2A & Riggan family

Vestry Person of the Month: Allen Ingram

Pastor’s Pantry/Grace Pantry Food of the Month: October—Canned Pasta (Ravioli, Spaghetti, etc.)

November—Dry Pasta/Pasta Sauce December—Canned Meat (Chicken/Ham/Beef) January—Macaroni & Cheese

*If you are unable to serve on the assigned Sunday, please secure a substitute and notify the church office by Wednesday noon prior to the Sunday you are assigned.

Grace Episcopal Church Lexington, North Carolina Page 5

CR = Commons Room CL1 = Classroom 1, 1st floor CL4 = Classroom 4, 2nd floor Chr = Choir Room UC = Undercroft CL2 = Classroom 2, 1st floor CL5 = Classroom 5, 2nd floor Nsy = Nursery Room CS = Children’s School CL3 = Classroom 3, 2nd floor CL6 = Classroom 6, 2nd floor CH = Church CP = Chapel

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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October 2016

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

Vestry Meeting 7:00 pm CR

4:00 pm CR Social Conc. Mtg

Food Pantry Item of the Month: Canned Pasta (Ravioli, Spaghetti, etc.)

10:30-7:00 pm CL1 Violin lessons

Non-Food Item: Toothbrush &

Toothpaste

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

3:00-4:00 pm CL2 Art Classes

3:15-4:30 pm CL2 Art Classes

7:15—Choir Rehearsal

1:00-2:30 CR BWB

8:00 pm UC: Al-Anon

12:30-7:00 pm CL1 Violin lessons

10:30-7:00 pm CL1 Violin lessons

10:30-7:00 pm CL1 Violin lessons 12:30-7:00 pm CL1

Violin lessons

Charity League Meeting

7:00 pm CR

10:30-7:00 pm CL1 Violin lessons

12:30-7:00 pm CL1 Violin lessons

2:30-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons

2:30-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons

2:30-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons

2:30-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons

2:30-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons

12:30-7:00 pm CL1 Violin lessons

2:30-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons

3:30-5:30 pm CL1 Guitar lessons

3:30-5:30 pm CL1 Guitar lessons

3:30-5:30 pm CL1 Guitar lessons

5:30 am CR Finance Comm.

Meeting 1:00-2:30 CR BWB

1:00-2:30 CR BWB

1:00-2:30 CR BWB

7:15—Choir Rehearsal

7:15—Choir Rehearsal

7:15—Choir Rehearsal

3:30-5:30 pm CL1 Guitar lessons

Pet Blessing

The Feast of St. Francis

of Assisi (celebrated)

3:oo pm

on the church steps

3:00-4:00 pm CL2 Art Classes

3:00-4:00 pm CL2 Art Classes

3:00-4:00 pm CL2 Art Classes

3:15-4:30 pm CL2 Art Classes

3:15-4:30 pm CL2 Art Classes

3:15-4:30 pm CL2 Art Classes

4:15-5:30 pm CL2 Art Classes

4:15-5:30 pm CL2 Art Classes

4:15-5:30 pm CL2 Art Classes

4:15-5:30 pm CL2 Art Classes

2:30-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons

2:30-6:00 pm Chr Piano lessons