Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church Clarkesville, Georgia MMUSTARD SEED Grace-Calvary Church is open to all people for communion with God and each other in Christ. Within and beyond this historic Church we strive to do God’s work: nurturing our spirits, reaching out to those in need, valuing and caring for the diversity of God’s creation.
CONTENTS Assisting Priest Workshop Cycles Committees And Happenings Children’s Liturgy Birthdays and Anniversaries Prayers of the People Lent 2007 Worship and Special Events Calendar	Greetings From the Rector The Reverend Dena S. Bearl † Beloved, How’s your fast, if you chose one for Lent, going? I’ve had to turn around and start over once so far. But all in all, I’m surviving my small sacrifice. I’ve noticed something this Lent that has happened to me before. Maybe it has for you, too. “A funny thing happens on the way to Lent!” While we choose certain things to empty out of our lives, to make room for God’s holy presence within, sometimes things choose us. Or, the Holy Spirit assigns us the fast that really needs to take place. I did something “good” recently (being brought up to be a good girl, of course) and it went unnoticed (and I noticed that it went unnoticed!) And the good girl in me wanted to call attention to it (because attention is what lets a good girl know she’s being good.) While I
was half fidgeting about it and half praying about it, the Church’s ‘marinade’ of Christ-like formation came through louder than the family ‘tape’ that runs on an endless reel telling me how to be a good girl. A smiling, understanding voice of Christ came to me like a parent that watches a child trying to make a potholder or hit the ball off the tee. (T-ball or golf will work here!) The voice simply said with a nod: It happens to me all the time God’s love and care comes forth to us without ceasing. It has the power to bring life and light and flavor and color into the dead, dark, and dull places of our lives and of our world. And the vast majority of it goes unacknowledged. It happens to God all the time. Yet, it has not occurred to me that God would ever fidget and look for ways to get compliments! Of course not! How unlike God that would be! I’m thinking that if I pay attention the many times it will happen again through life, I might remember to look within to Christ with a nod and say: It happens to me all the time. And know that what is truly good for us and for the world is to reflect God’s goodness by extending the life and light and salt that didn’t originate with us in the first place – and to do it joyfully, freely, with no strings attached. To paraphrase Jesus’ words – Don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing. Love those who will not love you back... that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

SUNDAY LECTIONS FOR APRIL, 2007

April 1	Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14-23:56
April 8	Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18
April 15	Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 118:14-29, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31
April 22	Acts 9:1-6, Psalm 30, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

1-7-2007	Isaiah 43:1-7,Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17,21-22
1-14-2007	Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11
1-21-2007	Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21
1-28-2007	Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

1-7-2007	Isaiah 43:1-7,Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17,21-22
1-14-2007	Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11
1-21-2007	Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21
1-28-2007	Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

1-7-2007	Isaiah 43:1-7,Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17,21-22
1-14-2007	Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11
1-21-2007	Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21
1-28-2007	Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

1-7-2007	Isaiah 43:1-7,Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17,21-22
1-14-2007	Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11
1-21-2007	Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21
1-28-2007	Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

1-7-2007	Isaiah 43:1-7,Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17,21-22
1-14-2007	Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11
1-21-2007	Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21
1-28-2007	Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

1-7-2007	Isaiah 43:1-7,Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17,21-22
1-14-2007	Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11
1-21-2007	Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21
1-28-2007	Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

1-7-2007	Isaiah 43:1-7,Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17,21-22
1-14-2007	Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11
1-21-2007	Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21
1-28-2007	Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

1-7-2007	Isaiah 43:1-7,Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17,21-22
1-14-2007	Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11
1-21-2007	Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21
1-28-2007	Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK – If you have questions or suggestions regarding the Mustard Seed please contact us at! 706-754-2451 or email chancegc@alltel.net

Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church

P.O. Box 490

Corner of Wilson & Green

Clarkesville, Georgia 30523

(706) 754-2451

(706) 754-5621 (fax)

www.grace-calvary.org

gcalvary@alltel.net

Bishop – The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander

Rector – The Rev. Dena S. Bearl

Assistant Priest – The Rev. Don Harrison

Parish Administrator – Mrs. Jean Chance

Organist – Mr. Anthony Woronowski

Choir Director – Dr. Edwin Calloway

Vestry

Sr. Warden – Mr. Ray Bass ‘08

Jr. Warden – Ms. Kathy O’Keefe ‘09

Mr. Jimie Yearwood ‘08

Ms. Pat Statler ‘08

Mrs. Susan Smith ‘09

Mr. Clair Langmaid ‘09

Mr. John Andrews ‘10

Mr. Eph Davis ‘10

Mr. David Lewis ‘10

TRANSMITTING THE FAITH - PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Every parent I’ve ever encountered wants their child to grow up with knowledge of right and wrong, a strong sense of morality, and an abiding faith in God and those things we call “spiritual”. The problem is that parents are not only the earliest teachers of these

values, but they are the principal ones. I cannot tell you the number of parents I have talked to who confess that they feel a sense of inadequacy when it comes to teaching their children about God, prayer, the Holy Scriptures, or those issues of life and death that shake our foundations.

On a recent Sunday the Grace-Calvary Parents With Young Children gathered after church with their children and clergy to eat lunch and talk about the role of parenting in developing a mature faith in our children. We had a wonderful turnout; nearly all our

families were there. (Fourteen children and fifteen adults) We talked about the fact that modern family life is hectic and disjointed. Families seldom sit down at a dinner table and eat a meal where there is a discussion of family topics. We are a “eat and go” people. Often children go to bed at different times and there isn’t that quiet time that used to be called “tucking in time”. For many, Bible stories are not being read, prayers are not being said, and blessings over food are reserved for guests.

At Grace-Calvary we will have a quarterly luncheon for parents with young children and talk about how to raise children with faith. Resources will be shared and guests who work in the area of early childhood learning will share their experience and wisdom. Activities for the children will be available. Listed below are some of the resources we discussed this past Sunday:

Don Harrison +

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Reading List for Parents

Baptism: saying yes to being a Christian, Herbert O’Driscoll

Birth: holding you newborn child, Herbert O’Driscoll

Children and Prayer, Elaine M. Ward

Children’s Letters to God: The New Collection, Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall

Deep Waters: An Introduction to Baptism, Marianne Micks

The Hand Prayer: A simple guide to prayer, Kathy Allday Timberlake

Holy Baptism: A Guide for Parents and Godparents, Rev. Dr. John H. Westerhoff

Kids Talk About God, Carey Kinsolving & Friends

A People Called Episcopalians: A Brief Introduction to Our Peculiar Way of Life, Rev. Dr. John H. Westerhoff

Raising Children of Faith: A Parent’s Guide, Sylvia Sweeney

The Saddest Time, Norman Simon

What can I tell my child about God?, Andrea Martineau

When Your Child Is Baptized, Ron DelBene with Mary & Herb Montgomery

Where Does God Live? Questions and Answers for Parents and Children,

Rabbi Marc Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman

Will Our Children Have Faith?, John H. Westerhoff, III

COMMITTEES AND HAPPENINGS

FIRST SUNDAY BREAKFAST NOTICE

First Sunday Breakfast will not be held on Palm Sunday, April 1^st.

Instead, there will be an Easter Breakfast at 8:00am on April 8^th.

Please join us!

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GOOD NEWS!

On March 21, Bejda and Teufik Lilic became United State Citizens!  The Lilic's (Bejda, Teufik, Anel and Nejra) came to this country in July 2000 and Grace Calvary, through its Outreach Committee, sponsored them.  Scores of Grace Calvary members assisted in getting this family settled and started on their road to this important day.  If you wish to congratulate them, they are living in their own home at 235 Cook St.  Alto, Ga.  Bejda, who used to work at the BiLo in Cornelia, is now working in the shoe department at Belk's and Teufik is employed at Mt. Vernon Mills in Alto.  We will have the opportunity to celebrate this special event soon. 

Margaret Parsons

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Children’s Liturgy

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Leap into Spring with a good book!

The Spiritual Formation Resource Center committee spent some time recently organizing the

books to make the room more user-friendly.  Check out our progress and check-out a book!

We are also introducing the “Rector’s Recommended Reading” shelf. 

Stop by and see what books Dena has selected as her favorite reads.

Attention: Young Readers

We have books for you to check-out. Ask your Mom or Dad to  

help you sign-out the book in the notebook on the center table.

We want to create a shelf with teen/youth spiritual books. 

Please provide the committee with your ideas.

E-mail your suggestions to Sidney at vermeeringa@yahoo.com

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APRIL BIRTHDAYS		APRIL ANNIVERSARIES
3	Al & Carol Mason	1	Al & Carol Mason
5	Jack & Gail Grimes	5	Jack & Gail Grimes
6	Paul & Corrine Rice	11	Paul & Corrine Rice
11	Johnnie & Judith Creech	16	Johnnie & Judith Creech
12	Matt & Joely Mixon	25	Matt & Joely Mixon
13	Bill & Billye Runion		Bill & Billye Runion
14	Bryant & Jennifer Tench		Bryant & Jennifer Tench
15	Gene & Martha Smith	28	Gene & Martha Smith
18	APRIL ANNIVERSARIES
20	Al & Carol Mason
22	Jack & Gail Grimes
23	Paul & Corrine Rice
25	Johnnie & Judith Creech
27