april layreader 2015

HEAVENLY

RESTSERVICES

Sundays8:00 a.m.Rite I with

Holy Eucharist in the nave

9:15-10:15 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m.Rite II with

Holy Eucharistin the nave

1:00 p.m.Morning Prayer

in Swahili

Weekdays8:00 a.m.

Morning Prayerin the chapel

Wednesdays5:30 p.m.

Healing Service, Holy Eucharistin the chapel

Service liturgy is from the Book of Common Prayer.

April 2015 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 4

O U R M I S S I O N As a community of faith centered in God through liturgy and Christian Practice, the Episcopal Church of the

Heavenly Rest exists to: CARE for members of all ages and stages of life; SHARE God’s inclusive and healing love with all people;.CREATE opportunities to grow in Christ; SERVE the church, the community, and the world.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE (Please check our website for the latest news and updates.)

Maundy Thursday, April 2: 7:00pm Service of Foot Washing, Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar. Mother Susanna will be our preacher and our service will conclude by candlelight in the Chapel of Repose.

Anyone who wishes to remain all night in watchful vigil is invited to stay. Security is provided.

Good Friday, April 3: 8:00am and Noon services. Reverend Amanda Watson will preach at the early service when the reserved sacrament will be consumed.

Father Luke preaches at the noon service and Dr. Wes will provide special music. All are invited to observe the Stations of the Cross in the Nave following the service.

Holy Saturday, April 4: 9:00am - Liturgy for Holy Saturday in All Saints Chapel.10:00am - Holy Saturday Children’s Events begin with an Easter Egg hunt for all ages

on the east lawn of the church, followed by a great story time inside the church. The morning concludes at 11am with a special visit to the tomb.

7:00pm - Holy Saturday Easter Vigil and Striking of the New Fire. This service begins in the Columbarium at Heavenly Rest and moves into the Nave

as the Light of Christ brightens the darkness around us. Dr. Doug Thomas will be our preacher and each member of the Confirmation Class will be recognized and honored at this service.

Easter Sunday, April 5: Special service times will be 9:00am and 11:00am. Brass musicians will accompany our Easter music program. Father Luke will be our preacher.

Easter Brunch, 10-11:00am, will be served between services in the Parish Hall. A special gift awaits each child within the gates of the Columbarium.

Join us as we participate in the overwhelming joy of Easter resurrection!

You are invited to St. John’s Sunday

April 19 • 10:30 a.m. servicefeaturing the

St. John’s Children’s Choir; ; ;

and afterwards at a reception in the Heavenly Rest Food Pantry

to welcome parents and students and give thanks for their

generous support.

Rev. Dr. Robert Pace is new Rector-Elect

The Reverend Jo Roberts Craig from St. Andrews in Amarillo has announced

plans to retire in May, 2016. She served the parish since January 2002, and has been the Rector since July 2011. After careful and prayerful consideration, the St. An-drews vestry unanimously voted to call the Rev. Dr.

Robert Pace as Rector-Elect. He will continue to serve

as Assoc. Rector until Rev. Roberts’ retirement,

working with Jo to make a seamless transition for the

parishioners. 2

Care. Share. Create. Serve. • April 2015

Happy Anniversary

Happy BirthdayApril 1

Jill BishopApril Ewing

Melissa StrainApril 2

Keith Boyd

April 3Eliana Pigott

April 4Sydney Underwood

April 6Sandra Sherman

April 7Brody Chung

Callie HamptonApril 8

Austin PartinApril 9

Sheila Petroski April 10

Tommy BartlettApril 12

Heather ManionApril 13

Melinda McCartyKim Phelan

April 15Ann Hollandsworth

Deanne Thomas

April 16Thomas MadridChris Rockett

April 17Joe Crowder

April 19Richard Hart

Melinda MorrisonApril 20

Kathy DiamondRader Ferrell

Kuleigh MorrisonBuddy Napier

April 21Robert BridgesBenje Morrison

April 22Tanner Morrison

Rita Turkett

April 23Gretchen Herman

Casey VoceApril 24

Wancele PritchettApril 25

Ross StrainApril 27

Benjamin DiamondViola Jepson

Allan LandwerWhit Strain

April 28Sarah FergusonHolly FrizzellSally Orsini

April 29Kaitlyn Morotini

April 30Camie Garvey

AprilCelebrations

ParishFellowshipFarewell Reception for the Peter Kent Family

Josh Black Is Our NewParish Administrator

Heavenly Rest parishioner Josh Black accepted the posi-tion of church administrator to replace our dear friend Peter

Kent. He comes to us from the oilfield where he performed duties of engineer, environ-

mental health & safety repre-sentative and company man, but still considers himself a hard-working roughneck.

His past experience in con-struction, horticulture and

irrigation should bring new insight and careful oversight

to our growing church. We welcome Josh, his won-

derful wife Jeannette and his young son Spencer into the

fold of our caring staff.

Blessings are given at both morning services:Birthday Blessings, April 12 • Anniversary Blessings, April 19 • Children’s Blessing: April 26

April 6Sarah & Dickson Ferguson

April 10Susan & Bob Bartlett

April 12Linda & Art Goolsbee

April 25Ann & Ken Hollandsworth

3

http://www.heavenlyrestabilene.org

Heavenly Rest in the Holy Land

Sea of Galilee

Temple MountJerusalem

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area

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uins

Heavenly Rest Chamber Music Concert Series

2nd Annual Tri-Collegiate Scholarship & Honors

Recital Thursday, May 7, 7pm

The fi rst Tri-Collegiate Honors Recital was a tre-

mendous success. The mu-sic students who auditioned and performed were of the highest caliber. We were

able to offer modest schol-arship to the judges’ top

three performers. Looking ahead to this year’s event we hope to offer an even

larger scholarship to refl ect the outstanding

applicants we received.

Tri-Collegiate Scholarship Fund:

Please consider a contribution to this year’s

Tri-Collegiate Scholarship & Honors

Recital. These students are very deserving and there is nothing like this available to them in Abilene. Your

contribution may be made in memory/thanksgiving

of a family member, loved one, or other deserving

honoree. If you have any questions

regarding the Tri-Collegiate Scholarship & Honors Re-cital, contact us any time: wgomer@heavenlyresta-

bilene.org or srockett@heavenlyresta-

bilene.org.

On the East Lawn for the Blessing of the Palms on Palm Sunday

Over the past several years working with Food for

the Poor, Pete Renick has helped raise about $500,000 for the Chantal community

in Southwestern Haiti. This money has been used to start 70 families on the

path to self-sufficiency with sturdy houses, crops, education and a new com-munity center. Members of our church family and our Outreach Committee have funded a significant part

of this project.

Another pilgrimage to Chantal in Haiti will be made on May 4-7 and

members of our church family are invited to join.

The cost will be about $1,500. It is a difficult trip over bad roads with long

days, but the spiritual rewards are rich.

If you have an interest in going you may contact

Pete at 572-5233 or Leann Chong at 954-427-2222, ext 6216. Many thanks to

the Heavenly Rest Outreach Committee and parishioners for both your financial and

spiritual support.

4


ParishStewardshipLatest News from ECWECW hosted the second Reward Party at Bowie Elementary on March 6. Fourth graders

could participate if they reached a certain level of academic performance, behav-ior and attendance. Those who achieved this goal were rewarded with hot chocolate, donuts and a movie. ECW volunteers provided refreshments and encouraged the students to keep up the great work! The word has gotten out about the fun time for the students– there was a 20% increase in stu-dent participation from the January Reward Party.

This increase resulted even though the teachers raised the goals that students had to obtain. It was so great to hear from the students: “I get to go to the party this time!” “ I can hardly wait for the party to start!”“You guys are awesome.”“Thank you for doing this for us!” What a joy to see their precious faces brighten-ing and showing appreciation for such a sim-ple thing. We all left feeling like the students blessed us!We have two more Reward Parties for this year. They are April 24th and May 26th. If you would like to help in any way, please contact Suzie Ramsey (692-7492) or Gay Ann Walts (829-2754). We would love to have you be part of this wonderful, fun community outreach!

SJES Track Attack UpgradeSt. John’s would like to send a colossal and heartfelt “Thank You” to Steve Strain and J.H. Strain & Sons for the construction of our new track. The existing track had be-come an eyesore and a hazard for the stu-dents. With the leadership of the St. John’s Board of Trustees, and the generosity of Mr. Strain, we have a track that students will en-joy safely for years to come.

St. John’s recently held a St. Patrick’s Day “Leprechaun Laps” event…a wonderful day of activities for students, faculty and parents, all focused on fitness and fun. This event not only served as the official ribbon cutting for the track, but also raised funds to help us maintain and further develop the new track of which we are so enormously proud.

St. John’s continues to thrive with the dedication and gen-erosity of our partners and supporters within the Heavenly Rest congregation and we remain tremendously grateful!

The Outreach Committee

gave a gift of $6700 to build homes in Haiti

this year. FROM THE TEACHERS: “Today we finished the first round of STAAR testing. I

speak on behalf of my entire fourth grade team when I tell you just how much we appreci-ate the STAAR testing bags that you all put together for our 4th graders. Not only were

the kids thrilled to have them, but you took a huge burden off of some already very stressed teachers. The students were also excited about

the snacks that were provided. We are truly blessed to have you as supporters of Bowie.

Please relay our gratitude to all of those involved. Our kiddos are already looking for-ward & working hard towards the next reward

party. Thank you again!”

5


Together We (can) DID Pack the PantryThe pantry shelves are so full, an ad-ditional storage room is now being used…wow! Packing the pantry by Eas-ter was definitely a group achievement. People came together to help make this happen– Church members as well as so many from outside of Heavenly Rest.

Members our of congregation dutifully brought in donations at each service, as well as many do-nating their time and talents to help behind the scenes. The students at St. John’s came together and surpassed their goal, generously donating over 1,800 goods…wow again! The team at United Supermarket on Buffalo Gap Road was another large part of our success by volunteer-ing to help collect over 1,000 cans for our pantry! In ad-dition, the middle school and high school youth groups took an active roll (on foot!) and collected donation sacks in the neighborhoods.

We are very grateful to all that helped. Together we DID pack the pantry. We truly can do great things together.

The Refugee Committee– Welcoming Our Brothers in Christ

Congolese women recently treated the committee to an authentic Congolese meal - above and at right they are cooking ugli or fufu.

Refugee Needs ListMost Needed Items

Cookware:Pots, Pans, Skillets

(2 families have 6-8 members and need large sizes)

Utility/Serving SpoonsKitchen Knives

Bakeware: cookie sheets, muffin tins, pie plates, etc.Tableware: forks, spoons, dinner plates, glassware

New only, PleasePillows for beds

Shower curtain/hangers Deodorant, Bars of Soap,

Shampoo, Lotion

Used, In Good ShapeMattress sets/bed frames

Bedding, Bath MatsTowels & Wash Cloths

Furniture All Furniture is Needed!(Call the office to arrange placement and delivery)Specific Requests:

Dining Sets for 6 or more(one family will eventually have

11 family members!) An entertainment center

1 man’s bicycle1 child’s bicycle

2 plain desks with office chairsFor Pastor Mulanda - working printer to print sermons and

song sheets for the Choir.Always Needed:

Headboards, Chests Coffee tables, Side tables

Couches & ChairsFoldout Sofabeds and Recliners are great!

Baby FurnitureComputer Desks & Chairs

For the Children,Newborns-12 yr olds

DiapersToys, Games, Picture Books

Crayons, Coloring BooksYoung Children’s Books

Stuffed Animals & Dolls (used is fine if nice and clean)

Sports EquipmentTricycles/Bicycles

The Outreach Committee established this group last September with a mis-sion to minister to the needs of African refugees in Abilene, many of whom are at Heavenly Rest as fellow Chris-tians and share a continuity of faith in the Episcopal tradition. Our goal is to provide resources that help stabilize the refugees and bring them closer to self-sufficiency. Currently, we offer pastoral and financial support. The committee is dedicated to: • Providing a spiritual home to these refugees as they resettle their families in Abilene

• Working with organizations who assist refugees• Welcoming the positive contributions of these refugees to our church life

The Refugee Committee is thrilled to report that in the last few weeks we have been blessed with many donations from our congregation, Hendrick Hospital and Global Samaritan. This allowed us to provide furniture, clothing, food, cookware and silverware for 8 families! We thank you for your generosity. There are many other ways to support the mission of this committee: •Are you a Garage Sale/Estate Sale shopper? We need people to take our list of needs to sales to buy items for these families– purchases will be reimbursed with designated funds. •Do you have a truck? Another HUGE need is people with trucks to help move furniture on Thursdays - usually in the morning to be delivered before 2pm. We pick up mainly from Global Sa-maritan in the Old Coca-Cola Building located at N.1st and Sayles. •Would You Like to Meet People from Different Cultures without having to travel? If you can help and wish to volunteer, please contact the office and they will pass the message on to Amanda Watson, Sue Ivey, Kim Snyder, Suzie Ramsey or Ann Hubbard Hollandsworth.

St. John’s students went beyond their goal and collected over 1800 items for the Pantry.

Over 1,000 cans were given at the United Supermarket on Buffalo Gap Road.


AprilCalendar

5:30am B.O.B.S

8:00am Morning Prayer

6:30pm Curate’s Study


9:30-11:30amHands-onOutreach

10am Staff mtg

6:00pm Change Ringers

6:15pm - EFM


SJES Chapel

9:30-11:30am Hands-on Outreach

5:30pmHealing Service Holy Eucharist*

(5:15pm on April 1)

6:15-8:00pm EYC grades 9-12

6:30pm Canterbury Bells

7:30pm Adult Choir


Please take time to thank our Sunday Servers. They work hard to make each service run smoothly. The server schedule

can be found on the website at www.heavenlyrestabilene.org, where it will be updated with changes over the course of the month and e-mailed to the servers at the beginning of each month. If you would like a hard

copy of the server schedule, please call the offi ce at 325.677-2091.6


9:30amBible Study

withMother Susanna

9:30-11:30am Hands-on Outreach

7:00pm Bagpipes

8:00am Rite I Holy Eucharist

9:15am Sunday School

10:15am Adult Choir*10:30am

Rite II Holy Eucharist*1:00pm - Morning Prayer in Swahili4:00pm - Junior

Ringers & Singers5:00pm

Change Ringers5:15-7:00pm

JEYPs grades 6-8

Childcare is available every Sunday, 7:30 a.m-Noon,

unless otherwise noted. *childcare will be available

for this event **childcare can be arranged

upon request

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Weekly Schedule at Heavenly Rest

Scheduled on Alternating Weeks2nd & 4th Tuesday, April 14 & 28

Centering Prayer (Bishop Mayer Room), 4:00pm

1st & 3rd Tuesday, April 7 & 21St. Margaret’s Guild, 6:30pm

For an up-to-date calendar of events, please visit the church website at heavenlyrestabilene.org.

Sunday Server schedules are posted on the website; click this:

YouthInActionThe youth had a scavenger hunt last weekend in the Church’s neighborhood and collected bags of food for the food pantry. We had a great time despite the heat Sunday evening.

Youth and Children Lent ProgramThroughout Lent, the children and youth learned about the Eucharist. On the last week we had a church serviced designed especially for them. Youth members made communion bread and wrote a prayer. The younger children wrote prayers for Prayers of the People and sang. Some of the teenagers sang beautiful songs in Swahili. Everyone took turns reading various parts, and it was wonderful. We have a great group of teenagers and children at this church.

Diocesan Camps - Camp Quarterman Sr. (completed grades 7-12) Colorado, June 7-13 Camp Quarterman Jr. (completed grades 2-7) Ceta Glen, June 28-July 4$

Youth FundraiserWe are raising funds for

our Youth Program begin-ning the fi rst Sunday after Easter. You will see 144 envelopes placed on the bulletin board in front of the women’s restroom.

Each envelope will have a number on it. That num-ber represents how much

money we ask to be placed in the envelope and given to the offi ce. The money from

this fundraiser will go to camp scholarships and other

youth events.Please prayerfully consider what you could give to sup-

port the programs for the youth at Heavenly Rest.

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BackPage†Dear Friends,

It’s time to face the cross. Crucifixion wails like a tornado siren, it blasts forth in blood and sweat, cries and groans, odor and horror, the harsh warning, “Don’t let his happen to you!” In ancient times the cross was an instrument of righteous punishment. The Romans used it to protect their power, by it the priests protected their control over the temple, the Pharisees protected their laws and the people protected their favorite violent celebrity Barabbas, a murderous hero.

Now, see the holy one who hangs on the cross. In Jesus, God shared and suffered, in an ISIS-like world. God in Christ, like millions of vulnerable children, lived and died under the terror of sin and death. Such evil has no national, religious, social or economic boundaries. The co-pilot that destroyed a Germanwing airplane full of human life, was an isolated instrument of ISIS-like tyranny. It is a hard fact of life that neither you nor I are immune to the cause or the effect of evil.

Not all ‘spirit’ is holy. The force of sin and death is another kind of ‘spirit’. It may infect nations, religions, political parties, and businesses, it may infect congregations and organizations, it may infect families and individuals. This spirit of sin and death often hides beneath a language of righteousness and protection. Violence against people infected with evil may sometimes limit their destructiveness, but it can also spread the infection to others — especially succeeding generations.

Terror is powerful because it incarnates a spirit of sin and death. It took almost four hundred years for the church to change the cross from a sign of terror into the Holy Cross of salvation and grace. Such a change involved great courage, pain and suffering, similar to what Jesus bore on the Cross. History tells us that Christianity, has occasionally fallen backward, incarnating the crucifiers instead of the crucified. If the road to heaven becomes a source of pride and superiority, we may be on the right road but heading the wrong way. Love only and always moves our souls toward God’s presence.

Priest Monk Alexander ( Tad Frizzell) recently participated in the funeral of Lane Frizzell at Heavenly Rest.

“To incarnate the risen Christ means to no longer be subject to terrorists of earth. We have been redeemed; we have been empowered for everlasting life.”

Easter Sunday is the day we celebrate our emancipation from the tyrannical grasp of sin and death. To

incarnate the risen Christ means to no longer be subject to terrorists of earth. We have been redeemed; we have been empowered for everlasting life. Even if they kill us, God’s love and purpose will not be thwarted. Resurrection brings new creation, a larger way of being alive. St. John proclaims, “Complete love drives out fear” (John 4:18) and Easter joy overwhelms all earthly hurt, singing “Alleluia!”

Faithfully, Luke Back +

Special thanks to the Very

Reverend George Back

for his helpful, heavenly Holy Week insights

toward the writing of

Back Page.

Heavenly Rest Office Hours Monday-Thursday: 8:30a.m.-12 noon; 1-4:30p.m.

Friday: 8:30a.m. - 12 noon(325) 677-2091

[email protected]://www.heavenlyrestabilene.org

Return Service Requested

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDAbilene, TX

Permit #249

VISIONThe Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest is a Christian community of faith rooted in the Anglican

tradition. Empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word

and Sacrament, we seek

to know the reconciling love of God and to share

that love with others.

Church of the Heavenly Rest602 Meander StreetAbilene, Texas 79602-1009

Telephone (325) 677-2091

Care. Share. Create. Serve.

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCHThe Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts-Schori, Presiding Bishop

THE DIOCESE OF NORTHWEST TEXASThe Right Reverend J. Scott Mayer, Bishop

PARISH STAFFThe Reverend N. Luke Back, Rector

The Reverend Susanna Cates, CurateThe Reverend Amanda Watson, Deacon

Bikole Mulanda, Swahili Minister Josh Black, Parish Administrator

Dr. Wes Gomer, Organist and Director of Music MinistriesApril Powers, Financial Manager

Katie Young, Office Assistant, Youth and Christian EducationLaura Wright, Communications Coordinator

Susetta Rockett, Music AssistantShelly Reed, Director: Junior Ringers & SingersCourtney Bryant, Christian Education Assistant

Barbradon Brooks, HarpistArnulfo Guerra, Sexton

Dorothy Guerra, Housekeeper

During the Lenten Series programs, children and youth learned about the Holy Eucharist. Above, receiving of the sacraments at the final service with Fr. Luke. Left, Ben Houghtalen tries on the priests’ vestments.

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