The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation 308 College Drive

Gaffney, SC 29340 864-489-6183

www.incarnation-gaffney.org

March 2018

The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation

The Rt. Rev. W. Andrew Waldo Bishop of Upper S. C. The Rev. Jenny Gettys Rector The Rev. Pat Gotautas Deacon Mrs. Ann Batchler Parish Sec. / Bookkeeper Mr. Hal Tyson Choir Director and Organist

2018 Vestry

Mike Johnson Sr. Warden and Evangelism 864-838-6646 Niccie Dearing Jr. Warden and Outreach 803-280-0441 Scott Glidden Hospitality 704-473-7318 Jennie Hamrick Christian Education 864-649-5002 Randy Pirkey Buildings and Grounds 864-489-2474 Tyler Proctor Worship 864-425-4377

ex officio, David Taylor Treasurer 864-838-5602 ex officio, Renée McFalls, Vestry Clerk 864-487-0049 The Incarnation Word 1

It’s the question of the season: “What did you give up for Lent?” I’ve even heard Stephen Colbert ask it of his guests on The Late Show. And early in Lent it was fun to answer with grandiose litanies of all I in-tended to give up for this season. But now that we’re approaching the halfway mark of Lent, the question is more embarrassing, because it reminds me of all the ways I’ve fallen short of the promises I made. Pope Francis reminds us that the “fast” God desires from us is less about giving up material things and more about giving up those attitudes and habits that distance us from God and one another. He urges us to turn away from our indifference to the suf-fering of others and instead to give and work to alleviate their pain. He encour-ages us to spread the good news of Easter by treating others with love and compas-sion in Lent. But this isn’t a new idea - it’s reflected in the following poem, written by Robert Herrick in 1648.

To Keep a True Lent By Robert Herrick, 1648

Is this a Fast, to keep The Larder lean? And clean From fat of veals and sheep?

Is it to quit the dish Of flesh, yet still To fill The platter high with fish?

Is it to fast an hour, Or ragg’d go, Or show A down-cast look and sour?

No: ’tis a Fast to dole Thy sheaf of wheat And meat Unto the hungry soul.

It is to fast from strife And old debate, And hate; To circumcise thy life.

To show a heart grief-rent; To starve thy sin, Not bin; And that’s to keep thy Lent. May the remainder of your Lent be deeply blessed!

God’s Peace,

Jenny+

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Sunday Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Sat

25 2nd Lent

8:30 Holy Eucharist I 9:30 Christian Ed 10:30 Holy Eucharist II

26

5:30 Sew-cialize

27

6:30 EfM

28

5:30 Kids’ Choir

6:00 Supper 6:30 Service

1

5:30 Sewcial-

ize

2 Rector’s Sabbath

3

4 3rd Lent

8:30 Holy Eucharist I 9:30 Breakfast 10:30 Holy Eucharist II 11:45 Worship Commit-tee Meeting

5

5:30 Sew-cialize

6

6:30 EfM

7

5:30 Kids’

Choir 6:00 Supper 6:30 Service

8

5:30 Sewcial-

ize

9

Rector’s Sabbath

10

10:00 DOK

11 4th Lent

8:30 Holy Eucharist I 9:30 Christian Ed 10:30 Holy Eucharist II 11:45 Vestry Meeting

12

5:30 Sew-cialize

13

6:30 EfM

14

5:30 Kids’ Choir

6:00 Supper 6:30 Service

15

2:00 Bread From

Heaven Set-Up

16

Rector’s Sabbath

17

8:30-12 Bread from

Heaven

18 5th Lent

8:30 Holy Eucharist I 9:30 Christian Ed 10:30 Holy Eucharist II

19

5:30 Sew-cialize

20

6:30 EfM

21

5:30 Kids’ Choir

6:00 Supper 6:30 Service

22

5:30 Sewcial-

ize

23

Rector’s Sabbath

24

9:00 Parish Work Day

25 Palm Sunday

8:30 Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist I 9:30 Fellowship 10:30 Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucha-rist II

26

5:30 Sew-cialize

27

Clergy Vow Re-

newal

28

29 Maundy

Thursday

6:00 Agape

Meal and Foot-

washing Service

30 Good Friday

12:00 Service

7:00 Tenebrae

31 Holy

Satur-day

TeenText Grades 7-12 Sundays at 9:30 Our teenagers will study each Sunday’s readings.

March 11 - Numbers 21:4-9 God answers the people’s prayer, but not in the way that they had wished. Have you had similar experiences in your own life? What does this say about the nature of God and the relationship of God with God’s people?

March 18 - John 12:20-33 What does it mean to you that Jesus knew what his future was and submitted to it anyway? What does this reveal about his nature? How can we model this?

Adult Education Sundays at 9:30 Join us as we continue discuss-ing how and when we meet Jesus. We’ll share the insights we’ve gleaned from the week’s reflections in “Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John” and then go beyond its pages to explore all the ways we meet Jesus in Lent. How did you first meet Jesus? We’ll explore.

Godly Play Ages 3 - 2nd Grade Sundays at 9:30 The children will continue their journey with Jesus to the cross and Easter.

March 11 - Jesus the King I wonder what it would be like to live in Je-sus’ kingdom…

March 18 - Jesus’ Last Passover I wonder how it felt to be around this table and to hear Jesus say, “Take. Eat. This is my body broken for you.”

Brick by Brick Grades 3-6 Sundays at 9:30 The ‘tweens, too, continue to learn about Jesus’ last days.

March 11 - A Dinner in the Upper Room I wonder what you think happens to the bread and wine when the priest blesses them…

March 18 - The Crucifixion I wonder what would have happened if God had saved Jesus from the cross...

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Lent Wednesday Evenings 5:30 Kids’ Choir Practice 6:00 Supper 6:30 Kid-Friendly Worship Through March 21

Wednesday nights in Lent are full! At 5:30 the kids will practice the anthems they’ll share during 10:30 services all season. Then at 6:00 we’ll all share a supper of soup and sandwiches - sign up on the bulle-tin board in the hall-way to bring all or part of a week’s meal.

Then at 6:30 we’ll begin our kid-friendly worship service. Each week we’ll enjoy a dramatic presentation of one part of Jesus’ passion and we’ll make a cross craft to take home. Join us as we meet Jesus in his suffering for us.

Palm Sunday Sunday, March 25 8:30 and 10:30 We’ll begin both ser-vices outdoors (weather permitting) as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We’re still ironing out the details, but it’s possible that at 10:30 we’ll join with some of our

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neighboring churches and welcome Jesus on his donkey. Both services resume in-doors with a dramatic reading of the Pas-sion Gospel as we head into Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday Thursday, March 29 6:00pm We’ll begin the evening with an Agape Meal in the parish hall. Bring

bread, cheese, fruit, or olives and the bev-erage of your choice and we’ll share a feast of love together. At 6:30 we’ll move into the church for the Footwashing Service. We’ll remember Je-sus’ lovingly serving his disciples at the Last Supper by washing their feet. And those who choose will humble themselves to serve and be served as Jesus did.

Good Friday Liturgy Friday, March 30 12:00 noon This is the one day of the year we do not receive communion, as we remember the day of Jesus’ death. This service of prayers and hymns will also allow us each time to make our personal devotions at the cross.

Date March 29 Maundy Thursday

6:00pm

March 30 Good Friday

Noon

March 30 Good Friday

7:00pm

Crucifer Zoe Dearing Cathy Roberts Peyton Hughey

Torch Bearers None None Zoe Dearing Ellis Greene

Gospel Book None None None

Lector 1 Tyler Proctor Mike Johnson Tyler Proctor

Lector 2 None Pat Gotautas Niccie Dearing

Intercessor None Pat Gotautas

Euch. Min. Pat Gotautas None

Cross Nailer None None Jamie Greene

Greeters Greene Family Mike Johnson Tyler P, Brad H

Altar Guild All Altar Guild All Altar Guild All Altar Guild

Godly Play None None None

Brick by Brick None None None

Nursery None None None

Children’s Chapel

None None None

Coffee Hour Agape Meal None None

Counters None None None

Pew Racks None None None

Date March 4 3rd Lent 10:30am

March 11 4th Lent 10:30am

March 18 5th Lent 10:30am

March 25 Palm Sunday

10:30am

Crucifer Owen Dearing Ellis Greene Zoe Dearing Peyton Hughey

Torch Bearers None None None Owen Dearing Patterson Greene

Gospel Book None None None Available

Lector 1 Angharad Torres John Gelok Jon Nathan Tyler Proctor

Lector 2 Ellie Bird Brad Hughey John Gelok Jackie Hoffman

Intercessor Tyler Proctor Hope Greene Scott Glidden Niccie Dearing

Euch. Min. Cynthia Glidden Peyton Hughey Niccie Dearing Robin Childers

Cross Nailer None None None None

Greeters Pirkey Family Don B, Tyler P Torres Family Hoffman Family

Altar Guild Jackie Hoffman

Carla Winter

Marty Marett

Hope Greene

Dawn Bird

Freyah Batten

Jennie Hamrick

Niccie Dearing

Cathy Roberts

Godly Play None Hope Greene

Marty Marett

Julia Self

Ann Torres

None

Brick by Brick None Niccie Dearing

Ginnie Kidd

Niccie Dearing

Ginnie Kidd

None

Nursery Jennie Hamrick Marty Marett Cathy Roberts Carla Winter

Children’s Chapel

Jackie Hoffman

Carla Winter

Don Bird

Sara Harding

Jennie Hamrick

Jon Nathan

Robin Childers

Cathy Roberts

Coffee Hour Breakfast Marty Marett Dawn Bridges

Jennie Hamrick

Sudie Gelok

Ginny Kidd

Counters Scott Glidden

Niccie Dearing

John Gelok

Cynthia Glidden

Ben Torres

Michael Johnson

Ellie Bird

Jon Nathan

Pew Racks Zoe Dearing Hope Greene Freyah Batten Cora Torres

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Good Friday Tenebrae Friday, March 30 7:00 pm This year we’re marking Good Friday a little differ-ently. We’ll focus on the Seven Last Words of Je-sus from the cross. We’ll hear readings reflecting on each word, and then watch candles snuffed as the Light of Christ retreats from earth. The clang of hammer on nails punctuates each word. This service engages all the senses to make the horror and hopelessness of Good Friday real to us.

Altar Guild Friday, March 30 at 9:30am Saturday, March 31 at 10:30am

Our Altar Guild have a big job to do, transform-ing our church from the gloom of Good Friday to the joy of Easter. We’ll meet on Good Friday at 9:30am to polish all the silver and brass for Easter. Then on Holy Saturday at 10:30 we’ll

gather to decorate with lilies and our best altar hangings. Everyone is invited to come help!

Easter Day Festive Choral Eucharist, Covered Dish Brunch, and Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, April 1 at 10:00am We’ll all worship together in one big glori-ous celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord! As we enter, the children will cover the cross up front with flowers. Even if you don’t have children, please bring flowers from your yard to share with them as they transform the symbol of death into one of new life. Our service will feature incense, singing,

and bells every time we declare “Alleluia!” The sermon will be interac-tive and will engage all ages.

After the service, we’ll have brunch to-gether, so please bring a covered dish to share. And as the adults relax, the chil-dren will hunt for Easter eggs (parents, please bring your chil-dren’s Easter baskets to carry all their eggs as they hunt). So come spend the morning with your church family as we celebrate the high point of our faith.

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Easter Lilies Gorgeous white lilies will surround our altar on Easter Sunday. Sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway to purchase one in honor or memory of someone special, or in thanks for someone or something. Plants are $25 each and will be yours to take home after the service Easter Day.

Easter Egg Hunt

Our children so look forward to hunting for eggs on the playground! We have plenty of plas-tic eggs, but we need your help with things to stuff inside them. Candy needs to be indi-vidually wrapped and

something that won’t become a melty mess in the sun. Stickers are great, as are very small toys. Donations can be dropped off in the church office any time between now and Sunday, March 18. Thank you!

January Totals Income: $10,599.65 Expenses: $11,141.44

Year-to-Date Totals through January Income: $10,599.65 Expenses: $11,141.44

Please remember before God those who’ve asked for our prayers.

The Sick Edith Cribb Hannah Green The Homebound and those with Long-Term Needs: Jake Blackwell Melissa Bridgwood Renée Carnes Adam Delang Jonah DeLang Isaac Gelok Melissa Gray Kim Guthrie Ginger Horton Joan Lyman Louis Miller Vincent Moore Ted Opie

Debra Rich Jeremiah St. Sauver

Keith Smith Angharad Torres

Kim Turner

Those expecting children: Jason and Jessica Niblack Kanupp Those who’ve died: Andy Gilfillan Paul Thompson Those whose jobs place them in harm’s way: Jamie Greene

Sarah Batten Mar. 2 Elizabeth Roberts Mar. 3 James Batten Mar. 4 Ree Batten Mar. 4 Cynthia Glidden Mar. 5 Julia Self Mar. 8 Miles Gettys Mar. 11 Jenn Wallace Mar. 30 April Mabry Mar. 31

Sunday, February 4 33

Sunday, February 11 32 Ash Wednesday, February 14 52 Bread from Heaven, February 17 69

Sunday, February 18 46 Wednesday, February 21 31

Sunday, February 25 42 Wednesday, February 28 30

Steve & Paula Boggs Mar. 10

Daughters of the King

Sometimes it’s hard to feel the prayers that others are lifting on your behalf, Well, our Daughter of the King group have crocheted some beautiful prayer shawls as a tangible reminder that people are wrapped in prayer in their time of need. They’ve given them to people all over the United States - one woman even tried to convince her doc-tor to let her take hers into surgery with her! If you know of someone in need of a prayer shawl, let Ellie Bird or any of the Daughters know. And, of course, the Daughters would love to add any of your concerns to their prayer list!

Deacon in Discernment

Have you met Janet Atkins yet? She’s with us while she discerns a possible call to the diaconate. We’re honored to be her home while she listens for God’s call.

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Lenten Wednesday Suppers March 7, 14, and 21 6:00 pm Each Wednesday in Lent we share a sim-ple meal of soup and sandwiches at 6:00 between Kids’ Choir at 5:30 and our ser-vice at 6:30. Would you like to bring all or part of one week’s meal? Sign up on the bul-letin board in the hallway. Thank you!

First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel

March 4 Third Lent

Exodus 10:1-17

Psalm 19

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

John 2:13-22

March 11 Fourth Lent

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

Ephesians 2:1-10

John 3:14-21

March 18 Fifth Lent

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm 51:1-13

Hebrews 5:5-10

John 12:20-33

March 25 Palm Sunday

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 31:9-16

Philippians 2:5-11

Mark 14:1-15:47

March 29 Maundy Thurs.

Exodus 12:1-14

Psalm 116:1, 10-17

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-7, 31b-35

March 30 Good Friday

Noon

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Psalm 22

Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9

John 18:1-19:42

Parish Work Day Saturday, March 24 at 9:00am Let’s make the church grounds sparkle for Easter! Bring your pruners, rakes, and any other lawn equipment. We’ll weed out the old to let the new growth flourish. There

are jobs to do inside and out, from heavy lift-ing to light housework - so everyone come join us!

Bread from Heaven Set-Up Thursday, March 15 at 2:00 Shopping Saturday, March 17, at 8:30

One of the ways we can meet the needs of our less fortunate neighbors is by feeding them at Bread from Heaven. This Lent, consider coming to meet some wonderful people as we share Christ’s love by treat-

ing them with kindness and respect. And we al-ways need donations of food, especially canned vegetables (greens are a big hit) and staples like rice.

Mission Donations

Each month Incarnation sends $50 to a charity to help with their work. Here’s the list approved by your vestry for 2018: Episcopal Relief and Development Cherokee Children’s Home

Meals on Wheels of Gaffney

Iron City Ministries

Peach Center Ministries

Cherokee County Senior Center Salvation Army of Gaffney

Habitat for Humanity of Gaffney

Cherokee County Literacy Association Miracle Hill of Gaffney Gaffney Soup Kitchen Fort Community Home

Through these agencies we reach even farther to be the Incarnation of Christ to those around us.

Gaffney Irish Festival Saturday, March 17

Incarnation will have a booth at the Irish Festival this year to let our com-munity get to know more about our church. We’ll pass out our new bro-chures which tell

people all about the Episcopal Church in general and Incarnation in particular. And we’ll display some of our favorite pictures of church events. And we’ll be available to pray with anyone who wants a prayer. Want to help staff the booth? Sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway!

Business after Hours Event Incarnation had a table at this special event which introduced local business-people to the different non-profit agencies in town. We met some wonderful people and passed out our church brochures. We also spread the word about Bread from Heaven, let-ting folks know we always need donations.