All Saints’
The Weekly WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG
Twenty Sixth Sunday after Pentecost November 17, 2013
Delight in Serving in the Name of Jesus By Robin Denney
Meet Bishop Francis Loyo, of the Diocese of Rokon, the longest serving bishop in the Episcopal Church of Sudan, and former prisoner for the Gospel.
the name of Jesus who sustains us, who leads us, who gives us a joy, who it is a delight to serve!
The name of Jesus has power: power to heal, power to set free, and power to overcome all manner of evil. When we serve in the name of Jesus, we are not serving for ourselves or our own glory, but rather claiming and remembering that the strength, courage, hope, and love that flows through us is not our own, it is from Jesus. “By your endurance you will gain your souls,” is the hopeful message that closes the Gospel reading today, and it colors all that comes before it. Bishop Francis toiled for more than a decade on the front lines caring for people in the midst of war, he was imprisoned, and he now struggles to minister to people in the newest and least developed country on the planet. Bishop Francis is also one of the most joyful people I have ever met. Through the darkest hour, our hope is in
Recommendation:
Scripture, Tradition and Reason By Greg Troxell
Most Episcopalians find pleasure in our style of worship and in the Book of Common Prayer. While it is replete with Scripture passages, and is a book devoted to corporate prayer and worship, it takes a conscious effort to engage our minds and be transformed in thought, word and deed. My own catechist taught me the significance of the three legged stool: Scripture, tradition and reason. Each has value and adds strength and stability to our lives, corporately, relationally, and individually. Is your life strengthened by your devoted reading of the Scriptures? Has your remembrance of God’s activity among us brought balance to your life? Can you give a reason for the hope that lies within you and gives you strength when all else seems awry? Let us together urge one another on in the faith, offering ourselves, our souls and service in Jesus name.
Scripture Lessons for Today Malachi 4:1-2a Psalm 98 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Luke 21:5-19
Scripture Lessons for Next Week Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 46 Colossians 1:11-20 Luke 23:33-43
All Saints’ • The Weekly
Revere the Name of the Lord By Robin Denney
“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.” The end of the passage from Malachi is a hopeful close to a fire-and-brimstone scene. What is it to revere the name of the Lord? It is not merely to refrain from using God’s name in vain; it is also committing yourself to live as God calls you to live, to make your life about loving God and loving neighbor. One who reveres the name of the Lord spends time in prayer, participates in a worshiping community, lives their life as a testament to the Gospel, seeks forgiveness from God, serves and respects others, and seeks justice. As we try to live our lives this way, we are changed, we are drawn closer to God, and we experience the sun of righteousness rising up within us with healing in its wings!
Highlighted Events and Meetings November 17 November 23 November 23 November 24 November 25 November 26 November 26 November 28 November 28 December 5 December 7
Requiem for Nancy Costello at St. Dunstan’s Church (3:00 p.m.) All Saints’ Fine Arts & Craft Faire Santa Lucia Work Party Committment Sunday Walking Through Jello IOC Thanksgiving Service I-HELP Thanksgiving Day Liturgy Thanksgiving Day Dinner Christmas Food Box Preparation Bishop Nicholas Celebration
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Commitment Sunday November 24 Bless the mountain of donated food Renew our baptismal vows Bless our pledges Celebrate God’s love
Blessedness of Surrender By Greg Troxell
As the frequency of war and injustice spreads, we can better understand the fear and anxiety of the disciples that Jesus was addressing in today’s Gospel reading. Often such events threaten our way of life, reduce our freedom, and undermine our inner strength and resolve to be loving and faithful servants. Despite the fact that terrible things will happen, Jesus stresses that we ought not to rely on our own wits or means. As in other instructive moments, he assures his disciples that even in losing everything all is not lost and never will he forsake us. To the humble and devout believers the Holy Spirit will provide wisdom and confidence of God’s unending love. In peace, in war, in strife, in rest, we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, have mercy.
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Thanksgiving Day, November 28 Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Dinner at noon Our parish Thanksgiving dinner, at noon on Thanksgiving Day, is a time to join with friends for a festive shared meal. Use the sign-up sheet to RSVP. We’re planning an elegant setting with a diverse array of foods, and you’re invited to bring your favorite seasonal dish to share.
All Saints’ • The Weekly
The Politics of Compassion in the Name of Jesus By The Rev. Rick Matters
Handcrafted items by local artisans Handcrafted Supporting local artisans Items Made by of Local Artisans and the missions
All Saints’ Parish Great Christmas Gift Ideas throughout Monterey County
Food and Beverages Available
All Saints Episcopal Fine ArtsChurch Fall 2012 & Crafts Fine ArtsFaire
Saturday, November 23, 2013 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. No Admission Fee Saturday, November 17th
& Crafts Fair
Food and beverage available 9 AM to 3 PM Dolores and 9th in Carmel
All Saints’ Episcopal Church No Admission Fee
On the corner of Dolores and Ninth in Carmel-by-the-Sea www.allsaintscarmel.org
Today Jesus warns us of suffering to come (Luke 21:5-19). Suffering in Paul’s time led some Christians to stop working because they expected Jesus’ immediate return (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13). The suffering has not stopped: the cataclysmic nature of last week’s super-typhoon pricks our fear that creation is rapidly imploding, while political and financial instability intensifies our worries. Even though God does not cause suffering, Jesus enters into that suffering, because he is the One-for-Others. Our compassion leads us into that suffering, as it helps us embrace our own humanity by affirming the dignity of those who suffer. Instead of running to a mountaintop to wait Jesus’ return, we walk with our brothers and sisters through the valley of shadows. Our food collection and ERD donations for the Philippines light a path. Our prayers remind us that Jesus not only offers new life, but suffers with those who suffer. We meet Jesus as we exercise the politics of God’s Kingdom.
The Feast of Santa Lucia Potluck Dinner and Celebration Friday, December 13, at 5:00 p.m. Seccombe Hall at All Saints’ Church
Grateful Toil By Robin Denney
Remembrances of long-term campers Thanksgiving for past commission members Special recognition of Jim & Izzi Shillinglaw
Save the date: Sunday Evening at 5:30 on December 1, 2013
In the reading from Thessalonians today, Paul exhorts the Christians there to put aside idleness, and toil for what is right. Paul is not telling us that we must earn our salvation, but rather is communicating to the people that work of the Church is the task of all the people. It sounds from Paul’s letter as though many in the church in Thessalonica were receiving the gifts and fruit of the toil of others in their community, but not contributing themselves. The Church today, just like the early Church, requires the participation of all its members. We are each uniquely gifted by God to serve the Church and the world. Some have been given wealth, some have been given talent, some have been given time, some have all three! In this season of stewardship, as we consider with gratitude what God has given us, let us consider prayerfully what God has entrusted to us to share with the Church and thus the world!
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Announcements
Wednesday: Bible study from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. in Grant Hall. Contact Greg Troxell to learn more about this study through the Gospels. gtroxell@allsaintscarmel.org
Commitment Sunday is just a week away! Present your 2014 pledge on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, or mail it ahead of time.
Wednesday: The Friends of St. Benedict will meet in the library from 3:30 to 5:30 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.
Join with Church of the Wayfarer to collect non-perishable food for the hungry (spaghetti/spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, chili/hearty soups, tuna, rice, cereal, macaroni and cheese, canned fruits and vegetables). Don’t forget to check expiration dates! Our joint donations will be collected and blessed next Sunday, November 24. Place your donations in the containers provided in the church.
Saturday: Santa Lucia work day—There’s lots to do before the rains begin! RSVP to Mother Cynthia at 831-667-2310 or thevicarofbigsur@gmail.com. Bring a sandwich; beverages, fruit, and snacks will be provided. Saturday: Calling all bakers! The bake sale at the November 23 Craft Faire helps the parish discretionary fund offer assistance to those in need. Can you help stock our table? Contact Andrea Matters at 831-624-3090 or andreamatters@gmail.com.
All Saints’ Episcopal Parish Ninth and Dolores PO Box 1296 Carmel, CA 93921 Phone: 831-624-3883 Fax: 831-624-1459 www.allsaintscarmel.org
Outreach food ministry events—Monday, November 25, at 9:30 a.m. we’ll bring large amounts of food from the altar to Seccombe Hall and then separate, organize, and plan for distribution. Thursday, December 5, we’ll organize food for Christmas food boxes at 10:00 a.m. Come help us!
Thanksgiving services—The annual IOC Thanksgiving service will be held on Tuesday, November 26, at 7:00 p.m. in Carmel Mission Basilica. All Saints’ will offer a Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, followed by a shared Thanksgiving dinner. Big Sur Coat and Blanket Drive—This month Santa Lucia Mission is collecting sweaters, coats, blankets, tents, and sleeping bags. Collection boxes will be available at All Saints’ on Sundays and during the week. I-HELP is opening a small apartment complex in Marina and is in need of furnishings and housewares, including bedroom and living room furniture, twin bed frames, box springs, and bedding, kitchen accessories, flatware, serving ware, and appliances. To help or learn more, call Janie at 831-384-3388.