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First Holy Communion

Both Jenny and Pastor Jim are leading Communion instruction for some of our young people. In the Anglican Church we allow children to receive communion, as a part of the family, when the parents feel it is appropriate. However, we also have instruction and a ceremony to mark First Communion when the children are old enough to understand the significance of the Sacrament a little deeper. One of our youth will also be baptized at the same. Time to celebrate!

Women's Retreat

The plan is to have Friday Night and Saturday Retreat at Casa San Carlos Retreat in West Delray Beach. More details will follow as to Retreat Leader (a number are in consideration), cost and date. It is our intention that the Men of the Parish will provide the Saturday Lunch for the women. There is availability for 32 women to stay overnight – and, in addition, plenty of space for those who wish to only attend the Saturday Conference.

If you would like to serve on the formation committee please see Father Cass.

ACOW Church Cook Book

It's a'comin…

More details to follow soon - and ‘Yes’… Fr. Cass’s Sausage and Cheese Quiche recipe will be in it… (If you are on a low calorie, low fat diet… be afraid, be very afraid)!

Alpha

A second ALPHA team is being formed. Brent Swanson is the team coordinator. We will have home training sessions in the next couple of weeks. I hope all will look at attending this exciting program. It will be once a week for 10 weeks.

The program will be a meal at a local restaurant, a video presentation in important issues to Christians (and others), and a time of discussion. It is a time of gentle, but important, learning.

I urge all to consider this program – and – to invite others to join with us. More info will follow, shortly. If you have any questions please feel free to ask Brent or Fr. Cass.

The “Tool Box”

“To do a good job, you need the right tools”

We are in the process of developing a series of brochures for us all to use to explain our faith to others. In addition, we are making up church business cards for each of you to carry with you. It is also my hope to have a packet for each of you that will hold a copy of each brochure. These can also be studied individually, as a primer, or by “Encounter Groups”, etc.

There will also be a swiveling brochure rack in church for guests and visitors. The initial brochures will be: Mission and Outreach; The Anglican Church; What Anglicans Believe; The Book of Common Prayer; Holy Eucharist; Holy Baptism; and Becoming a Christian.

The Horizon Fund

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

None of us know just exactly what the Lord has in store for us, nor for our ministry. But most of us do know that it is wise to either have plans or a contingency plan. Over the years we have become somewhat “comfortable Christians”, and there is some comfort in that. However this does not mean that we should be too content or relaxed or snug. An axe that isn’t used becomes dull.

If we were to be called to a new ministry, would we be ready? We need to expand our ministry and enlarge our church (not for the sake of numbers but for the salvation of others). Therefore, the Horizon Fund will be established. For years we have had “The Building Fund”. And, as we’ve been comfortable coming to church each Sunday at 9AM, are we missing attracting new members; being able to hold mid-week services and ministries? Have there been opportunities to find our own place for worship that have been overlooked – because we weren’t even looking?

I think that we all have to pray about our Horizon as a church. We need to pray and reflect, personally and corporately, on Jeremiah 29:11. I also feel we need to be “active” rather than a “re-active” church. We need to energize ourselves by relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit only.

That is why we will have a new “Tool Box” to help us. That is why we will have “Encounter Groups” to help us grow. After much prayer and reflection, I know that we, The Church of the Word, have a brighter future than we can ever imagine. So, it is, I believe, time to build the “Horizon Fund”. We are to build this fund as we watch for the Lord to lead us to that new horizon.

To help “prime the pump” we are beginning with one donation to the fund of $500.00 dollars. I feel it is important to support this fund and to get us excited about our future as it grows. One word of mild caution, this fund should not be at the expense of our church’s needs. These funds should be above and beyond what you and the Lord have decided upon as your Tithe for the operations of the church. So, let’s get excited – and search the Horizon… together.

Submitted with thanksgiving… for being your Rector,

Fr. Cass+

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