All Saints’
The Weekly WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG
Twenty Sevetnh Sunday after Pentecost November 24, 2013
Delight in Serving to Remember By The Rev. Rick Matters
It might seem ironic that the Gospel for Christ the King Sunday tells the story of the crucifixion of Jesus. We might expect to hear about the Transfiguration, or Jesus Christ enthroned in heaven. In actual fact, Jesus’ kingship is precisely his self-emptying love. The cross is a sign of the power of God’s love to overcome our sinful divisions. It is from the cross that Jesus opens his arms to both welcome those who come to him, and to love all the world. We ask God to bless our cruciform life of self-giving, including the mountain of food and the pledges we bring this week. As we renew our baptismal vows we once again open our arms to respect the dignity of every human being.
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Scripture Lessons for Today
Commitment of our Treasure By The Rev. Rick Matters
Pledging our time and money to support the ministries of All Saints’ is a spiritual undertaking. Turning in a pledge card naming our financial support for 2014 helps us live for others, following the example of our Lord. Giving ten percent of our income is a challenging, but very rewarding, spiritual discipline. I invite you to calculate the percentage of your giving, and strive to increase toward a tithe. If you already tithe, tell someone else how meaningful it is to you. There are many good reasons for pledging, and the very best one is to glorify Christ and to serve others with love.
Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 46 Colossians 1:11-20 Luke 23:33-43
Scripture Lessons for Next Week Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44 Psalm 122
All Saints’ • The Weekly
Remember the Work of Chirst By Greg Troxell
There is a clear and joyful proclamation in the Gospel reading this Sunday before Advent, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free.”—Luke 1:68 Christ, our Redeemer and Reconciler, entered the world to save every soul. God did not forget promise to Abraham, but remembered. We, my friends, are able to reap the benefit. Able? Yes, for if we do not remember that the benefit comes by the work that Christ completed for us, our daily journey will be filled with toil, perhaps even dismay, or fear of death. If we can, however, hold onto the Good News that Jesus paid the price for every soul and our every sin, then we can celebrate with Luke and proclaim the joyful entry of the savior of the world. To give people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Who is a Beloved Child? By Robin Denney
Remember, never forget! Remembering the past supports tradition, honors the sacrifice of others, brings us comfort and joy, but also bring us pain. In relationships, the time spent together, things said and done, shared experiences, shared love, the good and the bad, all weave together to form the fabric of the relationship. Some relationships are more complicated than others, and all relationships constantly require both remembering what the other person means to us, and letting go of those things that have hurt us. When the criminal on the cross says to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” we know that he is not saying, “remember my sins,” or “remember I died a criminal.” He says, “remember ME,” or “remember who I am.” The criminal, just like each and every person, is a beloved child of God. As we live and serve God in relationship with others, we are called to remember who we are, and who they are, and to leave the judging to God.
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Highlighted Events and Meetings November 24 November 25 November 26 November 26 November 28 November 28 December 1 December 5 December 7 December 8 December 13 December 17
Committment Sunday Walking Through Jello IOC Thanksgiving Service I-HELP Thanksgiving Day Liturgy Thanksgiving Day Dinner Advent Service: Lessons and Carols Christmas Food Box Preparation Bishop Nicholas Celebration Concert: Ensemble Galilei Santa Lucia Celebration and potluck Last day to bring in Christmas gifts
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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 Feast of Santa Lucia Potluck Dinner and Celebration Friday, December 13, at 5:00 p.m. Seccombe Hall at All Saints’ Church
Remembrances of long-term campers Thanksgiving for past commission members Special recognition of Jim & Izzi Shillinglaw Sunday Evening at 5:30 on December 1, 2013
An Advent Service of Lessons and Carols
With me in Paradise By Robin Denney
When we serve in Jesus’s name, we remember who we truly are, members of his body, and we remember who he truly is, one with God, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer and King of all that was, all that is, and all that will be. As Jesus was dying on the cross, one of the criminals dying beside him said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” It seems that the man was afraid of being left behind, forgotten. Jesus replies, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Someone who is always with you is always remembered. When we serve in the name of Jesus, when we share Jesus’s love with others, we are his hands and feet in the world. It is then that he is remembered to us, and we to him. When we are remembered with Jesus, we are in Paradise. To be with Jesus, to be part of his body, to serve others as he calls us, brings us delight, joy, and humility. As December draws near, what better way is there to celebrate Thanksgiving, Advent, and the coming of our Lord, than by giving of ourselves to honor and serve the poor, the sick, prisoners, the hungry, the oppressed, the lonely, and the downtrodden.
From Whence our Help comes? By Greg Troxell
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae because apparently they had adopted some pagan teaching and practices. It was more than being respectful of others about which he wrote. It was about their doubt of the power of Christ. Paul wanted them to understand the sufficiency of Christ and of redemption through him. In this era, where the calm of nature seems to help people connect to God, let us reflect not only on the words of Paul in Collosians but also the wisdom in Psalm 121, remembering that it is God, the maker of heaven and earth, who keeps us safe, who comforts us, who guides those who will but listen and watches over us all. What a relief! Should we forget and wander, may the rocks and waves resound and cause us to remember; and may we remind one another of the goodness of God Almighty.
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Announcements
Monday: Outreach food ministry—At 9:30 a.m. we’ll bring our mountain of food to Seccombe Hall to separate, organize, and plan for distribution. On Thursday, December 5, we’ll organize food for Christmas food boxes at 10:00 a.m. Come help us! Tuesday: The annual IOC Thanksgiving service will be held at 7:00 p.m. in Carmel Mission Basilica. Wednesday: No Wednesday morning Bible study this week. Thursday: All Saints’ will offer a Eucharist at 10:30 a.m., followed by a shared Thanksgiving dinner, a time to join with friends for a festive 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. Advent Lessons and Carols, a peaceful candlelit beginning to the season, will be offered next Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
All Saints’ Episcopal Parish Ninth and Dolores PO Box 1296 Carmel, CA 93921 Phone: 831-624-3883 Fax: 831-624-1459 www.allsaintscarmel.org
The seventh annual St. Nicholas Celebration will take place at ASDS’s Coats Hall on Saturday, December 7, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Join us for a time of crafts, storytelling, singing, treats, and fellowship for all ages. Santa Lucia celebration and potluck—We’ll gather to honor the past, present, and future of Santa Lucia Mission and Campground, thank commission members and other volunteers, and recognize Jim and Izzi Shillinglaw for their many years of faithful service. Join us on Friday, December 13, at 5:00 p.m. in Seccombe Hall. Outreach Commission Christmas ministry— Once again we are gathering gifts for the children at Epiphany Church, Marina. Fr. Jon suggests warm clothing (jackets, heavy sweatshirts), art supplies, books, and toys for children ages infant to twelve years. These unwrapped items may be placed in the red and green box in the back of the church. Gift cards (not to exceed $25), cash, or checks are also most welcome, and should be taken to the office for safekeeping. Fr. Jon and his staff will use
these contributions to buy more gifts, and all will be distributed on Christmas Eve. All Saints’ parishioners have traditionally been very generous, and we hope that many of you will participate again. All donations should be at the church by noon on Tuesday, December 17. For information, contact Judy Kirk (620-0820) or any Outreach member. Concert on December 8, 7:00 p.m.—The soulful and captivating music of Ensemble Galilei will be heard at All Saints’ with A Winter’s Night: Music and Poetry for the Solstice: music interwoven with text and poetry narrated by special guest, NPR’s Neal Conan. Tickets $35 at the door. 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. Most special parish events are included in the announcements for three weeks before they occur. Contact Andrea Matters at andreamatters@gmail.com or 624-3090.