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Church
Notes
News, Events,
and
Notes of Interest
for the week ending
December 12, 2014
CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES
170 Fairview Avenue Coventry, Rhode Island 02816
CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES
Evangelical Anglican
The
Truth
Shall
Make You
Free
(John 8:32)
We are Christians proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ who worship in the Anglican tradition. Church of The Apostles is a
member of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24, 2014
5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
Christmas Day
Thursday, December 25, 2014
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
God our Father, on Christmas Night you make known to us again
the coming of our Lord Jesus: confirm our faith and fix our eyes on him
until the day dawns and Christ the Morning Star rises in our hearts.
To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2
The Epiphany of
Our Lord Jesus Christ
Sunday, January 4, 2015
8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
The First Sunday after Christmas: Holy Innocents
Sunday, December 28, 2014
8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Jesus said: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
(John 8:12)
“An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt,
and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’”
(Matthew 2:13)
3
Reservations Required !!!
Freewill Offering
(Offerings to benefit the air mattress drive
for the Galatians 6:10 Project)
Invite a Friend!!
There is a signup sheet in the Narthex for reservations, or you may call the Church Office (821-7609), or
email Barbara Bickerstaff (bickerstaff@apostlesri.org).
Ecumenical Worship Service: 5:00 p.m.
Riverpoint Advent Christian Church
1107 Main Street • West Warwick
Roast Pork and Turkey Dinner: 6:30 p.m.
Praise & Music with Kinsman-Redeemer: 8:00 p.m.
Dessert and New Year’s Toast: 9:00 p.m.
Church of The Apostles
170 Fairview Avenue • Coventry
Ring in the New Year
United In Faith with Galatians 6:10
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 A Multi-Church Event
4
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Be it known to you by these Presents, that I, Mark R. Galloway, Master of Biblical Studies and Master of Theology,
by Divine Permission, a Presbyter of the holy Catholic Church
and the Superintendent of the Church of The Apostles
(Evangelical Anglican), Coventry, Rhode Island, under the
protection of ALMIGHTY GOD, and with a single eye to His
glory, by the imposition of my hands and prayer (being
assisted by two ordained Elders of the Congregation and two
other orthodox Presbyters of the Church Universal), did, on the
twenty-third day of this month, November, in the year of our
LORD two thousand and fourteen, being the Feast of the
Christ the King, properly set apart for the ministry of a
Presbyter in the Congregation, our beloved brother in JESUS CHRIST
Mark Adam Tellier
servant of the WORD of GOD, whom I judge to have
“unquestioned integrity;” a man “who is hospitable, a genuine
lover of what is good, and who is discreet, fair-minded, holy
and self-controlled: a man who takes his stand on the
orthodox faith, so that he can by sound teaching both stimulate
faith and confute opposition” (Titus 1:6, 8-9). And I do hereby
recommend him to all whom it may concern, as a fit person to
serve as an Elder in the Church of The Apostles, Coventry.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
Signature, in the town of Coventry, on the day and in the year
herein above written, and in the twentieth year of our
ordination as Presbyter of the holy Catholic Church, and our
ninth year as the set apart and installed Bishop of the Church of The Apostles, Coventry, Rhode Island.
Superintendent
5
A License to Preach in the Pulpit and Preside at the holy Table
This letter is to inform all whom it may concern, that I, Mark R.
Galloway, Master of Biblical Studies and Master of Theology, by
Divine Permission, a Presbyter of the Church Catholic and the
Superintendent of the Church of The Apostles (Evangelical Anglican),
Coventry, Rhode Island, do hereby certify that Chad W. Tvenstrup,
who served in function with honor and dignity as an ordained Elder
in the Congregation from July 16, 2006 through September 1, 2014,
has been, in accordance with the authority granted to my episcopal
office, licensed to Preach in the Pulpit and Preside at the Holy Table
in this Congregation.
Our brother Chad, having retired in good standing from the
work of the ordained ministry within the Church of The Apostles, is,
nonetheless, as one holding fully credentialed status as an Ordained
Minister of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
(of which this Congregation is a member), a Presbyter of the Church
Universal who remains in full communion with our fellowship.
Therefore, let it be known, that the Reverend Tvenstrup shall be
allowed to serve as a licensed preacher in this church and shall be
allowed at the discretion of the Bishop to serve as the presiding
Minister in liturgy and administer the Sacraments in the
Congregation.
Therefore, I hereby appoint and license Presbyter Tvenstrup to
perform the honors and duties outlined above. This license shall be
for a period of one year’s time and may at the Superintendent’s
discretion be renewed annually.
In testimony of these Presents, I have here unto set my
Signature, in the town of Coventry, on the fourteenth day of
October in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Fourteen, and
in the twentieth year of my ordination as a Presbyter of the Church
Catholic, and in my ninth year as the set apart, consecrated and
installed Bishop of the Church of The Apostles.
Superintendent
6
Providence Rescue Mission
“For I was hungry and you fed me food, I was thirsty and you
gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me in, I was
naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in
prison and you came to me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)
“The above words are those of Jesus Christ and His instruction on
what was important to Him. All throughout the Bible God is
clear that He has a special heart for the poor and homeless. Here
at the Providence Rescue Mission (PRM), His priority is our
priority.” (quote from Sean Carew, PRM Director)
This holiday season marks the 15th year the Mission has been
serving on the front lines of caring for the poor and homeless of
Rhode Island. Daily they provide Christ centered hope through
chapel services, hot meals, safe shelter, medical and dental
assistance, education, prison outreach, discipleship programs,
holiday celebrations and so much more.
Way back in 2011 volunteers from Church of The Apostles
refurbished a room at a three story building in Providence (this
property was donated to the PRM). The facility, serving women
and children, has been open for some time. Since then, the PRM
has opened another shelter and is working on a third. The
original (commercial building) facility is where daily worship,
human services, educational programs, administration, etc. take
place. PRM does not accept any government money so is able to
provide for the community as a Christian organization. They
operate solely on corporate and private donations. Fellow
Deacons Kathy Kettle, Tom Bourn and I toured three of the four
facilities in March of this year. Very impressive.
If you have any questions about the Providence Rescue Mission
please contact me. PRM website is www.providencerescuemission.org.
Bill Sexton,
Congregation Care Minister
The Deacons’ Corner ...
7
What Are the Men Doing on Tuesday Nights?
For the past three or four weeks, the Men’s Bible Study has been
viewing portions of “Your Move” at our weekly sessions. I
cannot, nor will I, speak for the other men in our group, but the
consensus from all the men who have watched these episodes
thus far is that they are pleased with both the content and
presentation of every episode we have viewed.
“Your Move” describes itself as a worldwide exporter of
innovative ideas designed to simplify and enhance life for its
users. The show airs on Saturday night following Saturday Night
Live and claims that it’s on at that time because if we are honest,
some pretty important decisions are made on Saturday nights, so
that’s why they’re on right after Saturday Night Live. As Andy
Stanley said at the beginning of their undertaking, “We want to
help people make better decisions and live with fewer regrets.”
The show is called “Your Move” because Andy does all the
talking, so it needed a title that helps you remember you’re
supposed to do something.
Charles Andrew “Andy” Stanley, who has served as the senior
pastor of several churches in the Atlanta, Georgia area, is also the
founder of North Point Ministries, which is a worldwide Christian
organization.
We were introduced to the “Your Move” program by Mike
Aballo, who is a member of our Men’s Bible Study. We viewed
an episode of this program after we completed our study of
Joseph: Overcoming Life’s Challenges. We will continue
viewing these studies for the next few weeks.
If anyone is interested in learning about the “Your Move”
program, it is available at www.yourmove.is; it’s absolutely free
and available at any time. If you would like other opinions of
“Your Move,” please speak with me or another member of the
men’s study group.
Tom Bourn
Servant Evangelism Deacon
8
Outreach Notes
Christmas Brunch
Please join us in celebrating Christmas at Church of The Apostles.
Following the service on Christmas Day a brunch will be served
for anyone wishing to enjoy food and fellowship. The service
starts at 9:00 a.m. with brunch immediately following. If you
have any questions please contact Deacon Deb Adams or myself.
Christmas Blessings
A small gift can make a HUGE difference in someone’s life!
Hanging on the cross in the Narthex are small gift bags with a
pocket prayer shawl. We ask that you keep the prayer shawl for
yourself (or pass it on to someone else) and if you feel so moved
by God, place a financial donation in the envelope in the gift bag
and put it in the offering plate. These Christmas Outreach
Blessings will be distributed to families in need in our
Congregation and the community.
Time to Spare?
Do you have an hour or two you can spare each week? If so,
please see me as there are several projects that need attention. No
special skill needed...just a willingness to help.
Things to Spare?
The Outreach Ministry is in the process of assisting several
individuals in the community in need of basic clothing, linens and
household supplies, etc. If you are interested in helping to
“adopt” these folks, let me know.
Room to Spare?
Do you have an extra bedroom? Occasionally we have church
members or friends in the need of short-term or temporary
housing. If this is an area of ministry that you can provide, speak
with me.
Deacon Kathy Kettle
9
Blood Drive Update
Thank you to all who stepped forward during the past two Blood
Drives! On August 31st we had six successful donations and on
November 16th, we had eight, making for a grand total of 14.
Fourteen whole blood donations became 42 blood products
potentially saving 42 people’s lives! The RI Blood Center is
thrilled with our continued success and passion in helping our
brothers and sisters in the community. Personally, I would like to
thank you as well for I have been the recipient of donated blood
during this year! Thank you!!
I would also like to thank Erin Mead, Jane Venditto and Barbara
Bickerstaff for picking up the ball and running with it during my
absence. Without them, the Drives would not have been so well
publicized and donators would have been wandering around the
property looking for The Bus!! Thank you, ladies! I’m so
appreciative! For all of you!
The next Blood Drive is scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2015
from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Save your blood and drink plenty of
water!! Any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
—Joan Clarke
Santa sees a counselor ...
10
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there
remember that your brother has something against you, leave your
gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your
brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)
Before we can come to the Lord in prayer, worship, or the Lord’s
Supper, He wants us to deal with any unresolved conflict between us
and our neighbor. God calls us to forgive.
Forgiveness is the key to God’s plan for our redemption and eternal
life. God’s forgiveness is a miracle of His grace and mercy. The
only way to forgive sin is through the painful cross of Jesus Christ.
“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
(Romans 8:1).
To experience God’s grace and forgiveness, we must first humble
ourselves before Him and accept that we are utterly helpless to
forgive and change without his help. We can receive the grace of
God only when we despair of our own ability. In this humility, we
open our hearts to God’s grace and experience the power of the
Resurrection. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the
humble” (1 Peter 5:5). Through faith in Jesus Christ, we see our need
for God’s forgiveness and redemption. We can begin to understand
why we must turn to God. Forgiveness means more than being
saved from judgment and God’s wrath; it means that we are forgiven
and recreated into fellowship with God through his son, Jesus Christ
(1 Corinthians 1:9).
The kingdom of God is founded on forgiveness. God says He has
already forgiven you if you will receive His forgiveness
(2 Corinthians 5:19). Now Jesus says God’s acceptance of your
worship and sacrifice depends on your forgiveness of those who
have wronged you. If you refuse to forgive, then you are in
rebellion against God. Satan has founded his kingdom on hate,
unforgiveness, and getting even. If God has forgiven us everything,
why should someone have to deserve our forgiveness?
Sooner or later you are going to be mistreated, hurt, or wounded
(John 16:33). The pain may come from your family, a friend, or a
coworker. You will be required to forgive and cancel what this
The Freedom of Forgiveness
11
person has done to you. For we cannot have God’s forgiveness
without extending forgiveness to others (Mark 11:25). There is no
forgiveness apart from the grace of God. When we are forgiven, we
will exhibit that same forgiveness to others (Ephesians 4:32). When
you refuse to forgive, you keep God from forgiving you and give
Satan an advantage over you. Nothing will poison your body, soul,
or spirit like unforgiveness. When we have been healed by
forgiveness, we let go of the hate.
What if you are the person you won’t forgive. There may be some
shameful sin in your past for which you won’t forgive yourself.
This brings as much destruction as though it were directed toward
another person (Matthew 18:32-35). When God forgives you, He
gives you the power to forgive yourself (Romans 8:1).
Nevertheless, unless Jesus lives in you, all your efforts will be in
vain (John 15:5; 1 John 4:4). Forgiveness of the hurts of others is
only possible through Jesus Christ, who loves you and can forgive
you with His atoning blood. But the sin of unforgiveness must be
seen, acknowledged, and confessed. We must ask God to shine His
light into our hearts. For light is capable of “showing up everything
for what it really is” (Ephesians 5:13).
On the Day of Judgment you will not have to answer for what others
have done to you—but you will answer for your responses to what
they have done. Instead of trying to justify yourself, ask God to
forgive you. Your wounded pride will try to hold you back. We all
know bitter people who are full of resentment and self-pity. They
remember the smallest detail of their hurt, real or imagined, and live
to get even. Holding a grudge opens the door to Satan and closes the
door to God (Matthew 6:15). Bitterness takes God’s place in control
of your life. “Vengeance belongs to God, not you” (Romans 12:19).
Few disputes are one-sided. Our pride sees only the sins of others
and is blind to our own (Luke 6:42). Humility allows you to move
beyond the hurt, to turn it over to God, and forgive. When you have
been deeply hurt, you will never be healed until you forgive.
Forgiveness breaks the curse of sin, setting you free from your past
and giving you God’s power to love. By God’s grace we not only
pardon the person who has wronged us, but also accept the sinner
and want to restore him.
12
The power to forgive comes from God. The decision to forgive
must come from you when you turn to God in prayer, recognizing
your weakness. Then, God gives you the power to “love your
enemy” (Matthew 5:44). Your heart may feel nothing but coldness
toward that person, but now you choose to want what is best for him
or her. That is when God’s love will flow through you, warming
your heart (Romans 12:20-21). As soon as resentment and anger
comes to your mind, you should stop and say two things to the Lord.
First, “Lord, forgive me for my resentment and anger. I forgive the
person who put it there.” Then, “I turn them over to you and ask
you to bless them.”
Ultimately, the wrongs people do to you cannot separate you from
God; only your unforgiveness can. Those hurts, resentments, and
bitterness must be given to God. Let God heal your wounded spirit
(See Psalm 147:3). Christ’s redemption brings forgiveness and frees
you from the bondage of sin. Your part is to release the person from
the debt you feel he owes you. Say in your heart to him, “You are
forgiven and freed from what you did to me because I am forgiven
and accepted by God unconditionally. I have released you; you are
no longer accountable to me for those actions.” Thank the Lord for
using these people as a tool in your life to give you greater grace and
conform you into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:28-29).
Deacon Deb Adams
~The Health and Wellness Ministry
(excerpts from Faithencounter.org:
The Freedom of Forgiveness, by John David Hicks)
You Are My King
I'm forgiven, because You were forsaken
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died, and rose again
Billy Foote
13
Deep In Our Hearts
“The ransomed of the LORD shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
(Isaiah 35:10)
Joy and sadness are as close to each other as the splendid
colored leaves of a New England fall to the soberness of
barren trees. When you touch the hand of a returning
friend, you already know that he will have to leave you
again. When you are moved by the quiet vastness of a sun-
colored ocean, you miss the friend who cannot see the same.
Joy and sadness are born at the same time, both arising from
such deep places in your heart that you can’t find words to
capture your complex emotions.
But this intimate experience in which every bit of life is
touched by a bit of death can point us beyond the limits of
our existence. It can do so by making us look forward in
expectation to the day when our hearts will be filled with
perfect joy, a joy that no one shall take away from us.
Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996)
Christians celebrate the human birth of the infant Jesus
knowing full well that he grew to be a man, gave himself up
to death for our sake and was raised from the dead to new life.
The mystery of death and life is part of the celebration of
Christmas, a celebration that proclaims the victory of life over
death. We have not been promised a life free from sorrow,
but one in which joy will have the last word.
14
Mark your Calendar …
December
Monday, Dec 15 5:00 a.m. Cross Fit
Wednesday, Dec 17 12 noon Holy Eucharist
Wednesday, Dec 17 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
Thursday, Dec 18 7:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting
Sunday, Dec 21 12:30 p.m. Greening the Church
Monday, Dec 22 Christmas Memorials due
Monday, Dec 22 7:00 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal
Wednesday, Dec 24 12 noon Holy Eucharist
Wednesday, Dec 24 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
Thursday, Dec 25 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Service
Thursday, Dec 25 10:00 a.m. Christmas Brunch
Friday, Dec 26 Office Closed
Monday, Dec 29 Office Closed
Wednesday, Dec 31 12 noon Holy Eucharist
Wednesday, Dec 31 5:00 p.m. “Ring in the New Year”
January
Sunday, Jan 4 The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Wednesday, Jan 7 12 noon Holy Eucharist
Wednesday, Jan 7 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
Wednesday, Jan 14 5:15 p.m. The Shepherd’s Table
Sunday, Jan 25 1:00 p.m. Annual Meeting
“Going into the house
they saw the child with
Mary his mother, and
they fell down and
worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered
him gifts, gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:10, 11)
15
Notes and Notices ...
Greening the Church: On Sunday, December 21st, the Altar
and Flower Guilds will be dressing the Sanctuary and Narthex
for Christmas following the 10:30 a.m. Service. All hands are
welcome! We especially need “a few good men” to bring the
Christmas tree and some boxes down from the attic.
Thanksgivings and Memorials: The Altar Flowers, Sanctuary
Candle, and Communion Wine are usually offered as a memorial
to a loved one, but may also be offered in thanksgiving for a
special occasion, such as a birthday, wedding anniversary or
baptism. If you would like to offer the Altar Flowers, Sanctuary
Candle, and/or the Communion Wine, there are signup charts on
the bulletin board in the Narthex. Please refer to the directions on
the bottom of the appropriate chart. You may also contact the
office with the name and date you would like or if you have any
questions.
The Altar Guild appreciates offerings to help offset the cost of
Greening the Church. If you would like to have loved ones
remembered at the Christmas services, please list their names
below and return this form to the Church Office by Monday,
December 22nd. Checks should be made payable to “Church of
The Apostles.”
Offerings for Christmas Flowers and Greens
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Requested by_______________________________ Offering_____________
(Please make checks payable to “Church of The Apostles.”)
16
In the Mail …
To all of our church friends,
A belated (but very grateful) thank you to all of you for the
wonderful retirement party for Roger this fall! Many thanks to
Rebecca and her team for a very special evening. We will always
cherish the special moments we have shared with “our kids”—
mission trips, community service projects, lots of pizza, etc.
Although we will miss working with the youth, we are confident
that Rebecca will be a great youth leader!
Roger & Cindy Hall
A Christmas Prayer Almighty God and
Father of Light,
a child is born for us,
and a son is given to us.
Your eternal Word
leaped down from heaven
in the silent watches of the night,
and now your Church
is filled with wonder
at the nearness of her God.
Open our hearts to receive His life
and increase our vision
with the rising of dawn,
that our lives may be filled
with His glory and His peace
forever and ever.
Amen.
CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES Evangelical Anglican
170 Fairview Avenue Coventry, Rhode Island 02816
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Church Office: (401) 821-7609 • Superintendent’s Residence: (401) 397-3652
website: apostlesri.org • email: office@apostlesri.org The Holy Eucharist Sunday 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Wednesday 12:00 noon Christian Education Sunday 9:15 a.m. Sunday Brunch Sunday 11:45 a.m. Evening Prayer Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Morning Prayer Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m.
Church Staff
Superintendent The Reverend Mark R. Galloway Church Administrator Erin Mead Communications Officer Barbara Bickerstaff Director of Christian Education Linda Jones Youth Minister Rebecca Galloway Health and Wellness Minister Sharon Galloway, RN Organist and Music Director Marianne Salisbury Assistant Organist Shyanne Slinko Sacristy Minister Barbara Battey Property Maintenance Technician Jim Quinn Sexton Mike Edwards Treasurer Bob Bickerstaff Clerk Joan Clarke
Board of Elders
Elder Rob Geoffrey 943-4661 Elder Mark Tellier 580-6199
Elder Emeritus Conrad Ruppert
Ecclesiastical Dignitaries
Lady Linda Greco 228-3060 Lady Sue Pillsbury 884-2947
Board of Servants
Archdeacon Bill Sexton Congregational Care Minister 726-4549 Deacon Tom Bourn Servant Evangelism Minister 294-4186 Deacon Kathy Kettle Outreach Minister 573-0773 Deacon Deb Adams Stewardship Minister 828-7998
Deacon Emerita Cathy Morgan
CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES
170 Fairview Avenue Coventry, Rhode Island 02816
Church Notes A publication of Church of The Apostles. Reviewed by The Reverend Mark R. Galloway, Superintendent. Edited by Barbara A. Bickerstaff, Communications Officer.
December 12, 2014 Volume 9, Number 11
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