Holly & Ralph Simons; Peter & Mary Bertsch

Linked with the reading from 1 Thessalonians and Psalm 90, Jesus' parable of the talents invites a full-hearted response to God's lavish gifts of faith and purpose: "Use 'em if you've got 'em!" The people of God are meant to be engaged, alert, and ready to share what we have received from our prodigally (wastefully) generous God. While the parable has sometimes been interpreted in the context of judgment, a careful reading also spotlights the beauty of the faith-generated response to God's lavish grace.

One word for this is generosity. Presented in light of God's gift of faith and purpose, this response can be transformed to new understanding in the proclamation of the gospel text. Instead of the weight of obligation and duty we so often associate with stewardship, we are invited to another way: What does it mean to be awake to the grace of God?

On the surface Jesus' parable is a simple premise: the contrast of workers who please and workers who disappoint their master. Psalm 90 sings to us to carefully treasure our lifetimes, for there is something at stake. First Thessalonians is a letter reminding people they have exactly what they need to survive and thrive.

In a time in history when so many people are discouraged with work, home, life, and church, a word from Jesus' parables may be healing, enriching, and startlingly attractive. The gospel text for Sunday is an opportunity to remind us as the people of God that there is a depth to faith that is sustainable. In fact, beneath the parables of Jesus is a depth it will take a lifetime to unpack. [Sundays and Seasons, 2017]

Holding you in prayer as we journey,

Bill +

P.S. Kay and I leave will be on pilgrimage with a group visiting the Church in Jordan and the Holy Land much of November. We will be back in worship for Christ the King Sunday, November 26th. Should you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Deb in the church office or Don Holm our Senior Warden.

Audit Team Volunteers Needed

The Lakes Region Convocation of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire is seeking volunteers from each parish to be willing to participate on audit teams to assist one another. The Diocese requires annual audits and staff typically conduct parish audits every three years. Please speak with Art Slocum or Pastor Bill if you would like to serve or have questions.

Ecumenical Thanksgiving Worship at First Congregational Church on Tues. - 7 PM

The ecumenical community service of Thanksgiving this year will be held at First Congregational Church on Tuesday, Nov. 21st at 7 PM.

Join people of faith from around town to celebrate in the spirit of Thanksgiving. Clergy and choirs from local churches will participate in the leadership of the service. Deacon Rick Hilton will be preaching. The offering taken at this service will be for the L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry, an ecumenical ministry of our area churches.

The Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost- November 12, 2017

Lord & Tailor Closed Thanksgiving Week; Food Pantry Opened Tues.

Lord and Tailor will be closed next week.

The Food Pantry will be open on Tues. 10 AM to 1 PM, and 5 PM to 7 PM; Closed on Wed.

Holy Land Pilgrimage

The above photo was supplied by Kay and Bill Peterson. The group photo was taken on the way to Mt. Olives. Bill and Kay are on the right side of the second row.

Bill Petersen <pastorbillpetersen@gmail.com>

Phil Wasmuth

Today at 1:00 AM - Thurs., Nov. 16th

Dear Phil,

Kay and I are enjoying the richness of this holy place and peoples. We have had many profound experiences from Jerusalem to Jericho, Masada, Qumran and the Dead Sea. We are shifting from the typical Holy and historic part of our trip to meeting and learning about Palestine, the occupation and the complexities of two peoples who have been in this land and the struggles around justice and peace (those pics for next week).

Please share our best and especially our thanks for everyone's prayers.

Shalom, Salaam, Peace+

Bill and Kay

The above photo of the Wailing Wall supplied by Rev. Petersen

"The Wailing Wall or Western Wall is in Jerusalem and is believed by many people to be the remains of one wall of a great Jewish temple or the wall surrounding the temple's courtyard. It is a stone wall that extends about 62 feet (18.9 m) above the ground. The wall is considered to be a sacred site by Jews, and thousands of people make pilgrimages there each year. " Source: Wise Geek

Listening Devices Available

Don Johnson explains the use of the new hearing devices that are available for each service. The hearing devices received high marks for sound that originates thru our sound system. When individuals are not using the microphones it is recommended that at least one of the hearing buds be removed.

We have recently installed an "assisted listening system" for the sanctuary.

If you would like to try it out, let Don Johnson, Bill Meyer or Ralph Simons know and they will show you how it works. It is available now with ear buds, but will soon be available with ear phones. You may also bring your own ear buds or ear phones and just plug into the small receiver provided. It is not blue tooth enabled.

Respectfully submitted,

Ralph Simons

Mary and Peter Bertsch

All Saints welcomes Mary and Peter Bertsch who have recently moved to the Wolfeboro area from Durham, NH. The Bertsch's worshipped at St. George's Episcopal Church in Durham. Both of the Bertsch's have talked about enjoying the music from our choir.

L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry Expansion

The building permit to expand the L.I.F.E Ministries Food Pantry into the storage garage arrived on Wed., Nov. 15th. Work on that expansion began immediately with the removal of the overhead doors. In the above photo taken at 10 AM on Thurs., Nov. 16th, workers from Middleton Building Supply unload the new doors.

In the photo below taken at 2:30 PM on Nov. 16th, Head Wall construction workers Joe Hayman, in orange sweatshirt, and Eric Pelletier build an interior wall in the garage space to be occupied by the L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry. Mr. Hayman is the brother of All Saints Parishioner Richard Hayman. Frames for the new doors were under construction later that afternoon.

Holly and Ralph Simons

The above photo was taken on November 20, 2016

Sometimes decisions are made where you get a bonus that richly enhances and adds to the wisdom of the original decision. Four years ago this Sunday, - Nov. 13, 2013, - Holly Simons led our choir for the first time. The overwhelming consensus is that she has done an exemplary job in that endeavor. She stated that she loves All Saints and working with our gifted choir. She is happy because this is the perfect job for this stage of her career, and she hopes that this is the final stop on her musical career journey. She has chosen not only traditional Episcopal hymns, but also has augmented contemporary hymns into the mix.

The bonus in picking Holly was that we got her spouse Ralph, too. We not only got another terrific voice for our choir, but someone with a wealth of knowledge in setting up and operating sound and audio visual systems. Needless to say, Ralph also has done an exemplary job providing a professional quality to our sound system. Each service is also visually recorded, edited, and broadcast several times each week on our local tv channel. All of the services are also available to be seen and heard on YouTube. Past services are catalogued and can be seen by clicking on YouTube under links to Sunday Services in each E-News. Ralph has been responsible for all of that happening. Wow, now that is a bonus!

Holly was born in Oak Park, Illinois and spent the first five years of her life in the Chicago suburb of Downers Gove. The family moved to Massachussets where her father attended and graduated from seminary. Her father worked as a career in business administration for Gordon College. Gordon College is located in Denham, Ma. near Boston, and is ranked as one of the top Christian Colleges in the United States. Holly also attended and graduated from Gordon College where she majored in Music Education with a minor in Piano Performance. But of most importance she met and fell in love with a handsome Physics major, Ralph Simons during both of their junior years. Holly and Ralph were married a week after they both graduated in 1974.

Ralph was the son of missionaries, and was born and grew up in the Philippines. His parents were missionaries in China and left for the Philippines shortly after China was taken over by the Communists. Ralph's parents founded a school in the Philippines. Ralph did spend his 2nd grade, 4th grade and senior years in Bucks County Pennsylvania, which is about an hour north of Philadelphia.

After graduation, Ralph began a 27 year career with Frequency and Time Systems, Inc. Ralph was involved with engineering, sales, and marketing for the company. Much of the work involved working with the Atomic clock which is the most accurate clock made. The company developed an atomic clock that could survive a rocket launch. The clock would be used for G.P.S. and satellite systems for the rocket.

Ralph and Holly have three children, Matthew, Rachel, and James. Our church supports Rachel and her husband with their missionary work in Moldova in Eastern Europe. Ralph and Holly are blessed with three grandchildren.

Since she was in the 9th grade Holly has been involved with church music. She has formally served 5 churches.

Holly's parents lived in Wolfeboro, and Holly and Ralph moved here in 2001 when she was hired as musical director, and Ralph was hired as Information, Technology, and Communication Director for the 1st Congregational Church in Ossipee. They kept those positions until moving to All Saints in 2013.

There is one more bonus that Ralph and Holly brought to All Saints. Both have a deep faith and each in their own way exude a committed love in serving Christ. Holly is quick to smile, and loves serving Jesus, her Lord. She is a ray of sunshine and her personality and music reflects that joy. Ralph is reserved, and rock solid in his faith. He is a member and contributor to the Men's Thursday morning Bible Study Group. Their faith impacts our church in a positive manner. They are loved Christians who are companions with us on our faith journey.

The above photo of Holly and Ralph was taken at a Dinner Bell meal on November 12, 2017

Lord and Tailor Fashion Show

Property Committee Projects

The above photo was taken on Tuesday, Nov. 14th

Property Committee members Peter Walker, Dianne Wasmuth, Wayne Ghirardini, and Bill Meyer applied a second coat of paint to the Office Hallway.

In the above photo taken on Nov. 14th, Peter Walker and Ralph Simons "ham it up" after installing the wall mount for the new 55 inch television that will show services when there is an overflow in the sanctuary.

Ralph Simons attached the wiring and placed the television on the wall mount.

The above photo taken on Wed., Nov. 15th.

Paul Dostie 's Offertory Meditation Trumpet Medley

This past Sunday Paul Dostie played a trumpet medley: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee; and Come Ye That Love the Lord. To watch and listen to this beautiful trumpet music click on the following link:

Trumpet Medley

New Curtains for the Nursery

In the above photo taken on Nov. 14th, Lou Siracusa assembles and hangs the new curtains for the nursery.

The above photo was taken on Nov. 14th.

Looking Back: Kristin Slocum Kreiss

This summer Kristin Slocum Kreiss and her family visited her parents Art and Lynne Slocum. On Sunday, August 6th Kristin shared her musical gifts with our congregation. Her voice filled our sanctuary twice with the Offertory Anthem and the Communion Medition. Kristin first sang the Offertory Anthem: Arms of Love by Amy Grant. To watch and listen to Kristin sing this hymn click on the following link: Soloist Kristin Slocum Kreiss performs Arms of Love

Kristin also performed the Choral Communion Meditation: Give Me Jesus, and African American Spiritual arranged by R. Kirshbaum. Click on the following link to see and hear this hymn performed by Kristin: Give Me Jesus

Coffee Hour Schedule

All Saints' Church 10 AM Coffee Hour Schedule

Nov 19 - Dianne Wasmuth, Polly Jeffers, Pauline deRamer

Nov 26 -Bree Schuette, Carolyn Sundquist, Penny Meyer

Dec 3 - Choir Food - Arlene Salzgeber, Linda Pacheco

Dec 10 - Dianne Wasmuth, Danielle Pierpont, Sarah Day

Dec 17 - Jeannie Muir, Joanne Crowe, Gail Holm

Dec 31 - Bree Schuette, ________, _________

Respectfully submitted,

Anne Hunt

Flowers

The above photo was taken on Sunday, November 12th

Office Hours

Monday - 9 AM - 5 PM

Tuesday - 1 PM - 5 PM

Wednesday - 9 AM- Noon

Thursday - 9 AM - Noon

Friday - Closed

L.I.F.E. Ministries Help Needed!!

HELP NEEDED!!

The food pantry is still looking for people with a standard SUV or full size pickup truck with trailer skills to pick up food each week on Tuesday mornings at the NH Food Bank in Manchester. Also, pick up food every other month on Thursday mornings at the Tri-County Facility on Rt. 16 in Tamworth. Mileage reimbursement paid.

Contact VP Dana Robertson at robertson2900@roadrunner.com.

FOOD PANTRY - w elcomes and is extremely thankful for any and all donations. Items that are costly and cannot usually be purchased from the Food Bank are especially needed. These items are: Beef Stew, Soup, Canned Fruit, Hash, Spam, Cereal. Thank you for all your donations!

November 2017 Calendar

Thanksgiving Week Schedule for Lord & Tailor; Food Pantry

Lord & Tailor Closed Thanksgiving Week

Food Pantry Open Tues. -10 AM - 1 PM; 5 PM - 7 PM; Closed Wed.

Friday, November 17th

10 AM - 2 PM - Senior Meals and Activities - Parish Hall

8 PM - AA - Parish Hall

Saturday, November 18th

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - AA - Library

8 - 9:30 PM - AA - Parish Hall

SUNDAY, November 19th

8 & 10 AM Holy Eucharist - 24th Sunday after Pentecost, Rite II - Rev. Jane VanZandt, Celebrant

6:00 PM - AA Meeting - Parish Hall

MONDAY, November 20th

10 AM - 2 PM- Senior Meals and Activities

10 AM - Wolfeboro Friends of Music - Library

1:00 PM - Senior Bridge - Library

7 PM - Photo Club - Parish Hall

TUESDAY, November 21st

7 AM - 8:00 AM - Women's Worship - Parish Hall

1:30 PM Scrabble Club - Library

7 PM - Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service - First Congregational Church

WEDNESDAY, November 22nd

7 AM - 7 PM Benson Dinner Prep - Kitchen & Parish Hall

10:00 AM - 2 PM - No Senior Meals

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM - No Table Tennis - Parish Hall

6 PM - 8:30 PM - No Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, November 23rd

7:30 AM - No Men's Bible Study - Parish Hall

Noon - Community Thanksgiving Dinner - Parish Hall

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM - No Bible Study & Holy Eucharist - Library

5:00 PM - No Dinner Bell - Parish Hall

FRIDAY, November 24th

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - No Senior Meals & Activities

8:00 PM - AA Meeting - Parish Hall

All Saints e-News

We hope you have enjoyed reading our e-News and we encourage your feedback to help us make it even better. We publish an issue weekly on Friday afternoon, to help keep you up to date and in touch with our current news and activities. We think this may be especially helpful to those that are unable to attend our Sunday worship services, are out of town and away for the season. Please let us know if you have some information you would like us to share in future issues of this newsletter.

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Rev. Bill Petersen

Rector, All Saints Church

Phil Wasmuth

Editor, All Saints E-News

Carolyn Sundquist, Christy Parker, and Ralph Simons

Associate Editors, All Saints e-News

603-569-3453