Last week a friend, knowing that we were in the midst of our annual pledge drive, asked me, "Is asking people for money your least favorite part of being a priest?"  It may not be my favorite part of serving as your Vicar, but I really don't mind asking you to share your time, talents, and treasure. I don't mind because I have experienced the joy that comes from giving.  It feels good to give back some of the riches we have been given.  I want you to experience the joy that comes from being generous with the resources you have.

 

I'm pretty skeptical of preachers who proclaim a "prosperity gospel", claiming that if you give money to the church that you will receive a handsome monetary return on your investment.  However, I can tell you that if you live a life of generosity, then your awareness of all the blessings that already surround you will be enhanced.

 

Consider tithing.  If that is not possible, then figure out what percentage of your income it is possible for you to give in 2017.  And over the years, move from giving 2% or 3% of your income toward the biblical 10%.   Permit yourself the joy of living generously.

Bring your pledge card to church next Sunday and place it in the offering plate. Or you can pledge online here. Thank you!

 

In Christ's peace,

Roger+

Come and enjoy a lively time of music and fellowship and a reenactment of the Christmas story by the youth of All Saints'/Todos Los Santos. The meal is a potluck so bring your favorite dish to share!

Saturday evenng and Sunday 11:00 a.m. service

All Saints' very own seminarian, Greg Warren, will be preaching at All Saints' at the English services on Dec 10 and 11.  Please join us for this special time and welcome home Greg and Mark! 

Each year at All Saints' a tree goes up during Advent. We don't decorate this tree with the usual ornaments, lights and tinsel. This tree sprouts decorations of scarves, gloves, hats, and socks. These items are given out to people in need at the Wednesday food pantry and Feast of Grace. If you would like to help us keep the Giving Tree decorated, please bring your items and "hang" them on the tree when you come to church.

What do we really know about the world in which Jesus was born into?  This fall we viewed a 3-part series about the personhood of Jesus.  Who was he and what can we really know about him?  How did the stories and ideology get passed down through the ages?

Ralph Kunz just concluded a wonderful 3-part series about early Christianity and the impact of Paul and the gospel writers on our faith, presented by Bart Ehrman. On December 4th, we begin part two of the series Jesus' Redux, which looks beyond the Jesus of the gospels and gives us a glimpse of the world into which Jesus was born, specifically - the Roman Empire.  What made the Empire so powerful? Was Jesus and his message the catalyst for a new ideology?  Did he intend it to be? In the second week of this series, we will discuss Jesus' birth and the concept of Incarnation as we celebrate the season of advent at All Saints.  The presenters of the series include Brian McLaren, Dominic Crossan, Walter Bruggeman, Stephen Patterson and many others. Each has made a lifetime of studying Jesus, and are often referred to as the "Jesus Scholars".  In week 3, we look at the teachings of Jesus as part of the wisdom tradition.  According to Stephen Patterson, this is how Jesus taught and spoke.  He didn't give us the answers, only the questions.  Our quest for answers is where we find God.

Chalice: Kyle

Lector: Deborah