All Saints’
Parish The Seventh Sunday of Easter May 12, 2013
Breaking Through to Freedom by the Rev. Cynthia Spencer Today we rejoice in the freedom to be made whole in Christ. We are reminded that Jesus is coming soon and that we are all given the sweet water of life, as a gift. Today’s psalm, Psalm 97, envelopes us in wonderful images of freedom breaking through into our lives. Out of the clouds of thick darkness that often surround our world, we can envision Jesus lighting our world like streaks of lightening. We follow him as he walks ahead holding the fire that brightens our way.
Take with you into this week the image of God leading you on through the dark places in your life to the peaceful place, where the soft light of dawn reveals a solid ground of righteousness and justice. That is where the in-dwelling peace of Christ brings us joy to burst forth on each new day. Rejoice! He is risen in our hearts and in the world. Live into this new day, free at last to love. Happy Mother’s Day!
Recommended Prayer “A Prayer for Leader”s by Dr. Pamela Chinnis, former president of the House of Deputies (As published in Women’s Uncommon Prayers, Morehouse Publishing, 2000) Almighty God, you have given us responsibility for the leadership of the Church for a season. Grant us patience, courage and wisdom to discern your will amidst the many competing claims and conflicts of this present time. Give us an appreciative memory for all who have gone before, and a strong clear vision of the Church in the future. Let us exercise our stewardship with energy and enthusiasm, so that, when the time comes, we may joyfully relinquish our tasks to those who will come after. We ask this in the name of our redeemer, Jesus Christ, who calls us into fellowship and sends the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire us, generation after generation, that we may do all to your greater glory. Amen.
Today’s Lectionary: Acts 16:16-34 Psalm 97 Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 John 17:20-26
Healing Within by Robin Denney I rediscovered an Amy Grant album this week, which was my favorite album as a child. One song goes, “All I’ll ever have to be is what you’ve made me.” In our outcome- and success-driven culture, there is tremendous freedom in the notion that we already have been given everything we need to be who it is that God is calling us to be. We are beloved children of God, mysteriously and wonderfully made. Yes, there is still work for us to do! Jesus continues to lead us day by day on a path, outside our comfort zones, toward becoming all that we were created to be, and participating in the work of being Christ’s hands in the world. Freedom in Christ is not independence, but rather the utter joy of being who you were made to be.
Building Up God’s Kingdom One Relationship at a Time by the Rev. Rick Matters The portion of Jesus’s prayer we hear today (John 17:20-26) teaches us about freedom in relationships. Notice how Jesus acknowledges his own glory, and immediately acknowledges that this glory is a gift from God. Further, he seeks to share that glory with his companions, and shares it for the sake of the friends and acquaintances of his followers. Likewise, Jesus prays that we embrace the gifts, skills, and character traits that God has given us. It is so easy to downplay the talents and interests we enjoy! He also prays that we acknowledge them as gifts from God. He desires for us to have a strong ego by being freed from an inflated one. The oneness that results from such self-giving inspires others. We are set free and empowered by God for the sake of relationships. When we put this prayer into action, Christ’s love flourishes in our own relationships and in those of others.
The Season of Pentecost. We encourage you to participate each Sunday, beginning next week. Bring your search for forgiveness, healing, and the power to overcome challenges in life. Discover the courage to serve, as a strong and humble Christian – for “all things are possible with God” (Matthew 19:26).
Highlighted Events MAY 12
Happy Mother’s Day
MAY 17
Music at All Saints’ presents Balázs Szokolay
MAY 19
Pentecost Sunday
MAY 24
I-HELP Dinner
MAY 27
Memorial Day Church office closed
JUNE 3
Le Salon des Artistes
Announcements Wednesday: Our midweek Bible study class will resume on Wednesday, June 5 at 10:30 a.m. in Grant Hall. We will begin a study on the harmony of the Gospels. Wednesday: The Friends of St. Benedict will meet this Wednesday, May 15, in the library from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. for study and prayer. Our aim is to integrate the wisdom of monastic life and spiritual theology into our everyday lives as Christians. We meet the third Wednesday of every month, and all are welcome.
Freedom in Response to Violence by the Rev. Rick Matters The Roman world of the early Church was founded and maintained by violence. In Acts 16:16-34, magistrates order Paul and his companions to be severely flogged and thrown into prison in order to appease the crowd. The guard, thinking the prisoners have escaped, prepares to kill himself. Paul does not retaliate with violence. Instead, he chooses the way of the cross by enduring injustice. Even though he is
innocent, he does not flee after his shackles fall away and the prison doors open. He asks himself where Christ is in that moment. Paul’s sacrifice and risk result in the conversion of the guard’s family. Until the reign of God is complete, the misuse of power will be part of our lives. We can de-escalate violence by following the way of the cross, by orienting our responses to Christ’s purpose, and by risking deep respect for all people. This is freedom in the Redeemer.
Engage with others in these joyful and transformative experiences.
Three Opportunities: June 7-9 The Gift of Poverty & Abundance September 23-26, and 27-29 Exclusion & Embrace - Living in Community
Friday: Taizé at Epiphany, Marina— Created by French protestant monks in 1940, Taizé worship is peaceful, prayerful, introspective, and deeply moving. The service is built around simple sung melodies accompanied by acoustic instruments. This Friday, May 17, Epiphany will offer a Taizé service from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The church is located in Marina, at the intersection of Carmel and California. Saturday: work party at Santa Lucia Chapel in Big Sur—Join in the fun as we gather to prepare our campground for the upcoming camping season. Bring a bag lunch and join the team from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information or to arrange a carpool, contact Susan Sonnthal at 603-557-2467 or enzulumeti@sbcglobal.net. Next Sunday is the Feast of Pentecost. Don’t forget to don your flame-colored Pentecost outfit! The updated 2013 church directory is now available. Please stop by during regular office hours to obtain a copy. Sierra Service Project—Nine All Saints’ youth and two adults will be going on the SSP mission trip this summer! Can you help them raise the $5, 060 they will need? Write a check to All Saints’ and note “SSP” on the memo line. Names added to the parish prayer list will remain on the list for one month. If you wish to have the name(s) remain on the list after that time, please add them again or call the office (624-3883). Sunday handout deadline— To be included in next Sunday’s handout, your announcement must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the preceding Wednesday. Contact Andrea Matters at andreamatters@gmail.com or 624-3090.
Witnessing to the Healing Power of Love by Robin Denney Aspiring to the level of unity that Jesus proposes, the unity that the Trinity experiences, has always been a challenge for the universal Church. Denominations and individual churches can be divided by beliefs, worship preferences, and anything in between. What if instead of splitting apart, we were free to be one, as God and Jesus are one? As it turns out, the Episcopal Church has been at the forefront of Christian unity since 1886 with the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral (BCP page 876-877). There the bishops passionately and solemnly declared their readiness to forgo their own preferences of
worship and custom in order to unite with other denominations, declaring that all baptized Christians are members of the same universal church. To date, the Episcopal Church is in full communion (including interchange of clergy) with the Lutheran Church (ELCA) and the Moravian Church, and continues to have active dialog with the Methodist Church and Presbyterian Church about entering into full communion. As denominational walls fall, we experience the freedom of unity.
Please pass this on to your family members and friends. Read more news online: WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG | 831-624-3883
All Saints’ Episcopal Church PO Box 1296 CARMEL, CA 93921
The Feast of Pentecost Don’t forget to don your flamecolored Pentecost outfit next Sunday!