APRIL 2024, MESSENGER

Welcoming, Worshipping, Working for God’s Kingdom

Dear Friends, On Palm Sunday (April 13) our service begins at

9:30 a.m. with the Liturgy of the Palms, that
With the coming of the Fourth Sunday in Lent, portion of our worship where we bless the palm
we can begin to see that there is a light at the end branches which, weather permitting, we will carry
of our Lenten tunnel. in procession as we move outside and around the
church, entering through the main doors and
On this Sunday, we will retire -- briefly -- the continuing our worship with the reading of the
solemn purple vestments and altar hangings of Passion of St. Luke, which recounts those days
Lent in favor of their rose-colored counterparts. and nights of our Lord’s suffering and sacrifice as
We will once again see flowers on the altar, they are recounted in Luke’s Gospel.
flowers that have been missing these past four
weeks and more, and they will remind us that the Each day at noon that week following, from
time for rejoicing is almost here. Monday through Thursday, we will follow the
Stations of the Cross. This truly meaningful
In two weeks we will mark Palm Sunday, the day and moving observance we have offered weekly,
on which we recall our Lord’s celebratory and on Wednesdays at noon, since the beginning of
triumphal entry into Jerusalem and we, too, will Lent. This prayerful time of quiet devotion allows
celebrate. And then, of course, we will re-enter the us to reflect and meditate on those events our
solemnity of the season as our attention turns to Lord endured as he followed the Way of the Cross
Holy Week. through Jerusalem, to Calvary and the tomb.

We have a full schedule of services planned again On Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., we will once
this year, and I hope you will all mark your again offer the Service of Tenebrae. From the
calendars. Latin for “darkness,” this ancient service makes
use of gradually diminishing light through the
extinguishing of candles which symbolize the Lord Christ, you have reminded us that a grain of
events of Holy Week, from the triumphant Palm wheat remains a single grain unless it falls into the
Sunday entry to Jerusalem through Jesus’ burial. ground and dies, but that if it dies it bears a rich
The increasing darkness symbolizes the harvest. Grant that we, like the grain of wheat,
approaching darkness of Jesus’ death and the may die so to self, so that we may live for others
hopelessness of a world without God. Worshipers and follow you in the path of sacrifice and service,
depart in silence to ponder the impact of Christ’s to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
death and to await the coming Resurrection.
Lord God in majesty, true King of heaven and
Our Maundy Thursday Service begins at 6 earth, it is in men’s hearts that you wish to reign.
p.m. with a Eucharist recalling the Institution of Help us to give ourselves without reserve to the
the Lord’s Supper. The service will include the one who entered Jerusalem on a donkey and
Washing of Feet and concludes with the solemn received a crown of thorns; for he is now seated
Stripping of the Altar. with you in glory, to reign with you to the end of
time. Amen.
At noon on Friday, GOOD FRIDAY, we
observe the Good Friday Liturgy with the Father in heaven, as your people prepare once
reading of the Passion according to St. John. more to follow the events of Good Friday and
The church will be open from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Easter, may we be led by your Spirit to deeper
for the Veneration of the Cross. insights into your love and saving grace; that we
may love you more and serve you better, for the
At 9:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday we will celebrate sake of him who died for us and rose again, our
a Festival Eucharist, signaled by the celebratory Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
pronouncement, “Alleluia, Christ is Risen! The
Lord is Risen indeed, Alleluia!” Lord Jesus Christ, betrayed for thirty pieces of
silver, deserted by your disciples, denied by Peter,
It promises to be a very full and, I hope, very mocked by Herod, scourged by Pilate, crowned
meaningful time for all of us. Again, please with thorns, and nailed to the cross: humbly and
remember to mark your calendars. with all our heart we thank you for your suffering
Sylvia joins with me in wishing you all a very and death, by which we have been forgiven and
Blessed Holy Week and a Joyous Easter! redeemed. Amen.
Some prayers appropriate for Palm Sunday, Holy
Week, and Eastertide: Lord Jesus Christ, who in the week of your
passion cleansed the temple in Jerusalem: purify
our hearts from all defilement, our worship from
all insincerity, and our lives from all selfishness;

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that we may become a holy temple in the Lord, a
dwelling place for God in the Spirit. Amen.

Son of Man, who on the night before your

passion took towel and water and washed the feet
of your disciples: give us understanding of what
you have done, and teach us to follow the example
of your humility, that by love we may serve one
another for love of you, our Savior and our Lord.
Amen.

Lord Christ, as we draw near to you under the

shadow of the cross, give us a new understanding of
your sorrow over us, true repentance for our sins for
which you suffered, and an ever deeper gratitude
for your redeeming love for us and for all mankind.
Amen.

Almighty God, at this Eastertide we ask you to

increase our faith, our hope, and our love. Give us
the faith that overcomes the world and enables us
to face both life and death with calmness and
without fear. Give us the hope that looks beyond
this mortal life and grasps hold of the things unseen
and eternal. Give us the love that binds us more
closely to one another, and to you our risen Lord;
to whom be all glory and praise, dominion and
power, now and forever. Amen.

Be well,
Be safe,
Be thankful,
for we have been richly blessed.

Father Tom+

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 OUTREACH
Our Outreach in April
The ARC of Cumberland
County

Gary & Kathie Sherman 04/16

Each One Bring One (EOBO)

Avalon Center

Celebrating all month long!

• The First Aid Kit is in the kitchen on
the wall, adjacent to the refrigerator. Dave Breneman 04/05
• There are always fresh bottles of
orange juice or apple juice in the
Donna Kilponen 04/19
kitchen refrigerator. Katherine Pellek 04/19
• In Case of an Emergency you can find
the church address and several phone
William Stokes 04/22
numbers at the bottom of the weekly Jenifer Kamperschroer 04/25
service insert. i.e. Phone numbers for
the Church, Father Tom+, the Senior
Warden and the Junior Warden.

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COFFEE HOUR HOSTS
SERVING IN APRIL Mariners
Thank you for providing an
opportunity for new visitors to
Knitters
interact with and socialize
with our tight-knit Once again it is that
community! Hopefully our time of year when
Coffee Hour will provide an opportunity for we should be thinking about starting to
new visitors to consider joining us again for
another Sunday service and/or consider knit new scarves and hats for the
joining our congregation. Mariners to send in the Fall. If you need
We can always use more hosts for the Coffee a Seafarers pattern, check out the ones
Hour. If you would like to host a future hour, posted on the wall in the Parish Hall.
sign up in the Parish Hall. So, dig out your yarn and favorite
knitting needles and create a work of
04/06 Carole Fogerty/Melody Bigi heart art!
04/13 ???
04/20 ??? ~~Carole Fogerty
04/27 Holly Battle

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From the Rectory
generically or in a more personal sense, so this
particular phrase was eye-opening for me.

Other translations use words such as reality,

assurance, or confidence of things hoped for — yet
“substantiating” really caught my attention. With
the same root as “substance”, it seemed to remove
any filters and it struck me as, well, substantial. I
think in some obscure way, I have always felt like
faith was ethereal, a wispy fabric of hopes and
dreams just beyond my fingertips. Dare I believe
Easter is my favorite liturgical season. I may have that faith can be something with a little more heft
mentioned that a time or two before. As the event to it?
which defines all of Christianity, what's not to
For decades, I've been content in my faith, and
love? Jesus DIED for me, and yet, He LIVES!
steadfast in my beliefs. What a marvelous
How can it get any more exciting?
realization that faith is not only an emotion, but
Even after more than half a century's worth of something which I can see and hear and touch!
Easters under my belt, there is still mystery, the There's a great praise song I remember from the
story of Jesus is still awesome, there is still so ‘70s — Love Is Something You Do — sharing the
much I am learning. message that we can show love through actions,
that it's more than a feeling. So it is with faith.
We often speak of “blind faith” or hear of How cool is that?
“professions of faith” and in general acknowledge
that our spiritual existence is a matter of faith. We've talked about our love language before, so
The scriptures instruct us to have faith, our clergy what about faith language? I've experienced it all
encourage us to walk in faith, and our along, but attributed it to God's will, or a miracle,
magnificent hymns extol the greatness of faith. or good fortune… BUT, (another buzzword
coming up) fruit of the faith is the manifestation
“Now faith is the substantiating of things hoped of our hopes and dreams… literally answers to
for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 prayer, whether it is in fact tangible, like a new
(Darby translation). car, or not, like receiving a clean bill of health.

These words were in the dialogue of a popular We exercise our faith language when we pray,
TV series we recently watched, and they really when we hope, when we believe, and the resulting
resonated with me. From our earliest experience blessings are the substantiating evidence of our
with religion, we learn that being a Christian is a faith at work.
matter of faith — yet I never thought about what
faith is. For me, it was always just “there” and I Now the second part of the verse — “the
basically took it for granted, just like the sky is conviction of things not seen” — is the model
blue, sunflowers are amazing, and tacos are I've always ascribed to as faith — firmly believing
delicious. I never thought about defining it, either
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in that which is completely intangible. My
favorite examples are, of course, hymns:

● I KNOW My Redeemer Lives

● I KNOW Whom I Have Believed
● I KNOW Who Holds Tomorrow
Morning Prayer Services
Faith is not just some churchy word we might In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives,
hear in a sermon or see in the liturgy. It's setting aside an hour each morning to connect
something we have, which we can see and touch, with the divine can provide a profound sense
something we can share in our testimony and of purpose, guidance, and inner peace.
example, something we can grow and hold! A
blessed bounty of believing… a covenant with Morning prayer is a beautiful way to start your
God renewed in our daily prayer… a comfort in day, seeking guidance, strength, and
the sure knowledge of everlasting life! inspiration from God.
St. Raphael’s offers a Morning Prayer service
And that, my friends, is just another Easter story!
Because we are, in word and in deed, Easter Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 9:30 am.
people! Not just for forty days of lent or for seven Father Tom+ also provides the Holy Eucharist
Sundays of Easter, but each day of the year with with Healing Wednesday mornings at 9:30 am.
the opportunity and responsibility to share this Whether you’re new to the practice or seeking
good news. to deepen your spiritual connection, we
encourage you to attend to any or all of these
You don't have to donate every dime you have or
heal the sick or feed the multitudes to make a services which provide inspiration to help you
difference and have an impact on others. Think start your day with intention and faith.
about a time someone affected you — a motorist Proverbs 3:5-6
stopping to help you with a flat tire; getting to the
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and
drive-up window to have the teen in a paper hat
tell you your order was paid for; a door opened lean not on your own understanding; in all your
for you; a friend's prayer; a stranger's smile. Find ways submit to him, and he will make your
ways to serve your neighbor. It doesn't have to be paths straight.”
monumental to matter, and we become part of
someone else's substantiating faith.

In this way, we are obedient in our own faith.

Thanks be to God.

From the Rectory…

Sylvia

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 April the Month of Renewal

On our small plot of land, the spring season

of renewal is evident in the colorful tulips
emerging delicately under the pear trees, and
the soon arrival of new baby goats in the
round bellies of the caprine in our fields.

April is the month of resurrection and

renewal when we think of the spiritual
meaning of this month. We are encouraged
ROCK PAINTING to begin anew.
Join us in painting rocks for our Meditation Trail;
other local hiking trails and our Welcome Bags Just as the garden is growing a new years
presented to guests at our church. There will be a
crop, so should we be renewing our growth
Painting Party on Wednesday, April 30 at 1:00
in Christ. By reflecting on the
pm.
transformation and promise of hope we
Plan to join us for this fun engaging event! attained through the resurrection of Christ.
All supplies, including the rocks, will be Our new selves are stretching and reaching
provided. Light snacks will be provided. for new heights and we yearn for the warmth
of the Son to strengthen us on our journey.
We look forward to seeing you there! Remember
to bring your painting apron! So too do the flowers and plants of the spring
~~ Jennie Lou & Vandy Fink season seek the Sun.
Event sponsors
God’s beautiful flora and fauna are renewed
in this season and joy is evident everywhere
we look.

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 Your Kroger Account
Community Rewards

Dear St. Raphaels Episcopal Church,

The Kroger Co. Family of Stores is

committed to bringing hope and help to the
local neighborhoods we call home. Our
stores are on a mission to not just part of,
but to help create a stronger community. We
recognize that every community has unique
causes that need support. Thank you for
being such an important organization in our
community.

We encourage you to ask your supporters to

link their rewards card to your organization.
Community Rewards is easy to use, The
more your supporters shop with us, the
more money your organization will earn!

We are committed to carefully protecting

our customer's personal information. In
order to meet their expectation of privacy,
we have adopted a simple policy to never
Twins share a customer's personal information.
03/19/2025 Our privacy policy applies to Community
Rewards participation as well.

Thank you for being such an important

organization in our community,

Community Rewards Staff

29-Nov-2024 to 28-Feb-2025

30
Households

Vasco & Antonio $ 58.47

Total Donations
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 Phillips, *Phyllis, *Ed Potts, *Rainee, *The Reed
PLEASE REMEMBER IN Family, *Ed Rein, *Charles Ripley, *Autumn
YOUR PRAYERS: Give Rodriquez, *Lyn Rogers, *Todd Rullman,
grace, O heavenly Father, *Maxine Scarborough, *Carol Schneider, *The
to all bishops and other Schneider Family, *Zach & Sara Schneider, *Myra
ministers, especially Justin, Sherrill, *Don Sikorski, *Martin Smith, *Sadie &
Archbishop of Canterbury; Zachary Smith, *Ralph & Nancy Stewart,
Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Brian, *JoAnna Stone-Inman, *Priscilla Sutton, *The
our diocesan bishop; and Tom our rector; that Sweeney Family, *Danielle Thomas, *Rhyan
they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth Thomas, *Ruth Tranas, *Sharon Walker,
thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly *Elizabeth Ward, *Michael Willingham,
administer thy holy Sacraments. For the President *Christopher Wyatt, *Zoee.
of the United States, the Governor of Tennessee,
the Mayors of Crossville, and Cumberland
County; all federal, state, and local law
enforcement, governing officials, and courts. We
pray for all of the Ministries of St. Raphael's.

We pray for the Armed Forces everywhere; we also

pray for these people: *Amber, *Aurelio Azpiazu,
*Matthew Bacon, *Bruce Bailey, *Bill Bathauer,
*Nance Bockstanz, *The Bolt Family, *Anne
Bolter, *Jean Boyd, *David & Victoria Breneman,
*Diane C., *Teresita D. Casamayor, *Paul
Coleman, *Sue Corless, *Karina Crass, *Flory
Dunigan, *Dorothy Eppolito, *Elizabeth Fresh,
*Mary Geldert, *Rev. Maurice Geldert, *Gina, *Joe
& Joan Gittings, *Earl Goff, *Denise Graham,
*David Goldstein, *Hannah, *Ezra Hewett, *Matt
& Kate Hewett, *The Hewett Family, *The
Hillmann Family, *The Hodgson Family, *Dick
Huddleston, *Joan & Larry, *John, *Amita Perez
Johnson, *Cynthia Johnson, *Barbara Kaczmarek,
*Kelly, *Ken, *Donna Kilponen, *John
Koharcheck, *John Kucsan, *Mary Kuligowski,
*Kylee, *Larry, *Craig Lacey, *Larry & Linda
LaClair, *Jeff Link, *Marian MacDonald, *Susan
Martin, *Scott Mason, *Gary & Rae Miller, *The
Myover Family, *Gloria Olp, *Lavonda Owens,
*Shirley Parsons *Diane Parvin, *Patrick, *Edna
Sue Patton, *Malorie Perkins, *Philip, *Debra

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 ST. RAPHAEL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH APRIL 2025

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 **Father Tom+ 3 4 5
at Grace Point 9:00 Fr. Tom+ & Vandy in
**Articles for the Messenger 8:00 Men’s Breakfast the Office
are due by Wednesday, at Shoney’s 9:30 Morning Prayer
April 23 for publishing in the 9:00 Vandy in Office 10:00 Dorcas Society
12:00 Stations of the
May Messenger.
Cross

6 7 8 9 9:00 Fr. Tom+ & 10 11 12

9:00 Vandy in the Office 9:00 Fr. Tom+ in Vandy in Office 9:00 Fr. Tom+ & Vandy in
9:30 Holy Eucharist/ 9:30 Morning Prayer the Office 9:30 Holy Eucharist the Office
Rite I 12:00 Disciple Women of 9:30 Morning w/ Healing 9:30 Morning Prayer
the Plateau Prayer 12:00 Stations of the 10:00 Dorcas Society
Cross
13 PALM SUNDAY 14 15 16 17 MAUNDY 18 19
9:00 Fr. Tom+ & Vandy 9:00 Fr. Tom+ in 9:00 Fr. Tom+ & 9:00 Father Tom+ & Vandy GOOD
9:30 Holy Eucharist/ in the Office the Office Vandy in Office 9:30 Morning Prayer FRIDAY
Rite I 9:30 Morning Prayer 9:30 Morning 9:30 Holy Eucharist 12:00 Stations of the Cross
12:00 Stations of the Cross Prayer w/ Healing 10:00 Dorcas Society
12:00 Stations of the 1:00 Daughters of the King
12:00 Stations of
Cross 6:00 Holy Eucharist/Rite
the Cross
II: Institution of the Holy
Eucharist, Foot Washing,
Stripping of the Altar
20 EASTER 21 EASTER MONDAY 22 23 9:00 Fr. Tom+ & 24 25 26
9:00 Vandy in the Office 9:30 Morning Vandy in Office 9:00 Fr. Tom+ & Vandy in
9:30 Holy Eucharist/ 9:30 Morning Prayer Prayer 9:30 Holy Eucharist the Office
Rite II 10:00 Vestry w/ Healing 9:30 Morning Prayer
Meeting 10:00 Dorcas Society
** Father Tom OUT ***
27 28 29 9:00 Fr. Tom+ 30 9:00 Fr. Tom+ &
9:60 Fr. Tom+ & Vandy in the Office Vandy in Office
9:30 Holy Eucharist/ in the Office 9:30 Morning 9:30 Holy Eucharist
Rite II 9:30 Morning Prayer Prayer w/ Healing
1:00 Rock Painting

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 Serving in APRIL
If you are unable to serve on your scheduled date. Please make arrangements for another person to cover your
appointed position. Thank you

ACOLYTE FLOWER MINISTRY VESTRY

04/06 Janet Knipfing-Schult 04/06 Vicki Breneman 04/06 ???
04/13 Anne Bolter 04/13 Terri Whitfield 04/13 Jeff Moler
04/17 6pm Maundy Thursday ??? 04/20 Anne Bolter 04/20 Janet Knipfing-Schult
04/20 Charlene Glazier-Ross 04/27 Janet Knipfing-Schult 04/27 Marge Bacon
04/27 Frank Griggs

ALTAR GUILD LECTORS BIRTHDAYS

04/06 Team 3: Pam Hodgson/June Tebbetts 04/06 1st- Janet Knipfing-Schult/ 04/05 Dave Breneman
04/13 Team 2: Sandi Harrison/Kathie Sherman 2nd- Marian MacDonald 04/19 Donna Kilponen
04/20 Team 1: Melody Bigi/Rae Miller/ 04/13 1st- Anne Bolter/ 04/19 Katherine Pellek
Carole Staples 2nd- Marge Bacon 04/22 William Stokes
04/27 Team 4: Pat Benegar/Diane Parvin 04/17 6pm Maundy Thursday ??? 04/25 Jenifer Kamperschroer
04/20 1st- Charlene Glazier-Ross/
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS 2nd- Sandy Phillips
04/06 Carole Fogerty/Melody Bigi 04/27 1st- Frank Griggs/ ANNIVERSARY
04/13 ??? 2nd-Don Hammond 04/16 Gary & Kathie Sherman
04/20 ???
04/27 Holly Battle
USHERS
COUNTERS 04/06 David & Julianne Jaeger
04/06 Julie Jaeger/Judy or Bruce 04/13 Holly Battle/Jeanie Kriebel
04/13 John Cherecwich/ Jim Whitfield 04/17 6pm Maundy Thursday ???
04/17 6pm Maundy Thursday ??? 04/20 Bruce Bailey/Laura Ripley
04/20 Barbara Cherecwich/Steve Kamperschroer 04/27 Steve & Jenifer Kamperschroer
04/27 Randy Furtick/Dave Jaeger

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