Easter Week; All Saints Church e-News

The servanthood of a teacher in Isaiah, the outcast in the psalm, those who bow down in Philippians: today's readings teach humility. On this day we move from Christ's triumphant ride on a humble donkey to the humiliation of the cross. The humility of the characters in the passion story is in question: Judas, Pilate, the Twelve, chief priests and elders, Barabbas, the crowd, the soldiers, two bandits. Among other things, their lack of humility is what brings about the passion of Christ. There is only one truly humble person in this story: Jesus the Christ.

Matthew's humble Jesus cries out from the cross to ask God why he has been forsaken.

Only in the stories of the resurrection do other humble characters appear: the centurion, the women, Joseph of Arimathea. A careful look at the complexity of humility in the palm and passion stories could set up a reflective theme carried through to Easter. Who in each story do we regard as humble? Why? How does our humility compare? Are there characters who seem to gain or lose humility in the course of the story from the triumphant entry to the resurrection? A deep and meaningful understanding of humility is a worthy and lasting gift to take away from the season of Lent and the celebration of Easter.

Joseph of Arimathea is a particularly good character on which to base an understanding of humility. A close look at all references to him in the Gospels, and a bit of creative narrative, create an image of a truly humble believer. He is referenced in both canonical and apocryphal texts. His devotion represents deep humility that leads to the very finest of good works as he cares for the body of Jesus. [Sundays and Seasons, 2017]

This Sunday, April 9th is a feast day marking the Sunday of the Passion and Palm Sunday; join us as we enter the holiest week of the year.

Grace and peace,

Bill +

Welcome Back Phil & Dianne

Phil and Dianne are back from their relaxing and fun-filled vacation in Florida. Phil will pick up the reins of the e-News starting next week.

Holy Week

Think of Holy Week and the Three Days as a song we get to sing only once a year. The song tells us again who God is and who we are in God. The church anticipates it, relearns the familiar parts, and discovers new harmonies to add this year. In this song, the prelude is Palm/Passion Sunday, followed by four distinct stanzas-Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Vigil of Easter, Easter Day. Yet together they form one song.

You are invited to embrace the "song" that is Holy Week. This week is the church's March (or April) Madness, for it seems like madness to come together for so much worship. Yet is it madness, or is it indeed right, our duty, and our joy, that for one week each year we should worship in assembly more than any other time? In Holy Week, we gather again and again: we need to remember and be re-membered by Christ crucified and risen.

Palm/Passion Sunday - Worship at 8:00 + 10:00 am

Sunday's liturgy begins with a palm procession, commemorating Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Quickly the tone of the service changes as we meditate upon Jesus' passion and death. Because this story is so central to our faith, we hear Matthew's account of the passion today and John's version on Good Friday. Though Jesus is obedient even unto death on the cross, he is exalted by God. We gather to remember his offering for the life of the world, and to be fed by his life-giving mercy. This holy week will culminate in the celebration of the Three Days of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection.

Holy/Maundy Thursday - Dinner at 5:00 pm + Worship at 6:30 pm

This year we join Dinner Bell for a community dinner with our neighbors in the parish hall (signup o n parish hall bulletin board) followed by worship. With nightfall our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus' death and resurrection. At the heart of the Maundy (Holy) Thursday liturgy is Jesus' commandment to love one another. As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, we are called to follow his example as we humbly care for one another, especially the poor and the unloved. At the Lord's table we remember Jesus' sacrifice of his life, even as we are called to offer ourselves in love for the life of the world.

Good Friday - Worship at Noon + Sanctuary open all day for private prayer

We gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ for ecumenical worship at noon featuring the procession of the cross and a joint choir from All Saints Episcopal Church, First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro UCC, and St. Katherine Drexel Roman Catholic Church. You are welcome in the sanctuary for private prayer and/or walking the stations of the cross.

At the heart of the Good Friday liturgy is the passion according to John, which proclaims Jesus as a triumphant king who reigns from the cross. The ancient title for this day-the triumph of the cross-reminds us that the church gathers not to mourn this day but to celebrate Christ's life-giving passion and to find strength and hope in the tree of life. In the ancient bidding prayer we offer petitions for all the world for whom Christ died. Good Friday's liturgy culminates in the Easter Vigil tomorrow evening.

The Resurrection of Our Lord: Great Vigil of Easter - Worship at 6:30 pm

Saturday is the night! This is our Passover with Christ from darkness to light, from bondage to freedom, from death to life. Tonight is the heart of our celebration of the Three Days and the pinnacle of the church's year. The resurrection of Christ is proclaimed in word and sign, and we gather around a pillar of fire, hear ancient stories of our faith, welcome new sisters and brothers at the font, and share the food and drink of the promised land. Raised with Christ, we go forth into the world, aflame with the good news of the resurrection.

The Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Day - Worship at 8:00 + 10:00 am

On this day the Lord has acted! On the first day of the week God began creation, transforming darkness into light. On this, the "eighth day" of the week, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. We celebrate this new creation in the waters of baptism and in the feast of victory. With great joy we celebrate this day of days, even as we begin the great fifty days of Easter. Filled with hope, we go forth to share the news that Christ is risen!

Maundy Thursday Dinner

Volunteers Needed for Maundy Thursday Dinner. If you can lend a hand, please sign up on the sheet located in the Parish Hall.

PLEASE HELP! 10 o'clock Coffee Hour - these dates are still open.

April 16 - EASTER SUNDAY - Sandi Johnson, Anne Hunt, (3)__________

FOOD - Dianne Wasmuth, Carolyn Hoffman, Ritva Torma, _________, _________, ___________

April 23 - Dianne Wasmuth, (2) ___________, (3)___________

April 30 - (1)___________, (2) ___________, (3) ____________

Please contact Anne Hunt at annehuntpt@gmail.com

All Saints Children's Initiative

The Mission Outreach Team is pleased to announce that our 2017 Easter offering will go into a new fund called the All Saints Children's Initiative. This fund will be used specifically to benefit local children and teens with camperships to New Hampshire summer camps or other programs offering mentoring or enriching programs. Please use the enclosed envelope to help celebrate new life in the Resurrection of our Lord and our mission through supporting local children this summer.

If you are not in town at this time, you can mail a contribution, payable to All Saints, to All Saints Church, PO Box 359, Wolfeboro, NH 03894. In memo line write - All Saints Children's Initiative.

Farewell and Godspeed to Edwin & Jo West

The West's have recently moved from Sugar Hill in Wolfeboro to Pleasant View in Concord. Their new address is: 227 Pleasant St. Apt. 327, Concord, NH 03301 (603) 247-6918.

Gracious God, we thank you for the work and witness of your servants Jo and Edwin, who have enriched this parish and shared their gifts with this community. Now bless and preserve them at this time of transition. Day by day, guide them and give them what is needed, friends to cheer their way, and by your Holy Spirit be present in their pilgrimage, that they may travel with the one who is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

ECW Meeting April 19th

The ECW will be meeting in the library on April 19th at 9:30. It is an important meeting as we need to start planning for the May bridge luncheon. It is also a change of date as we originally planned to meet on the 12th.

Gail Holm and Dianne Wasmuth - co-chairs

Thank You office Angels!

Thank you to the Office Angels who covered the office while Deb was out of the office last week following the death of her mother-in-law. Lorraine Crocker, Louise Graham, Sandi Johnson, and Arlene Salzgeber your service was much appreciated!

Henry Birge Kellog

Henry Birge Kellogg, Zell's husband, died early Thursday morning at Mountain View where he has been living most of the past year. A memorial service and burial will be held in Newington, CT later this month. Condolences may be forwarded to Zell at 60 Pleasant Street, Wolfeboro, NH 03894.

Almighty God, source of all mercy and giver of comfort, graciously tend to Zell, the Kellogg family, and all who mourn for Hank, that, casting all their sorrow on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Wolfeboro on PBS

"Our Hometown Wolfeboro" is on NHPTV, Thursday April 13th at 8 p.m. and Monday April 17th at 9 p.m. Hosted by Rebecca Rule, it includes interviews with six residents. Visit www.nhptv.org/hometown for more info.

Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross were colored by members of the congregation.

Beautiful job done by all!!

Altar Guild

Members of the Altar Guild gathered on Wednesday to prepare for Easter Week.

Sue Harding, Pauline deRamer, Carolyn Sundquist, Joanne Crowe, Anne Hunt

Epischopal Church of NH Lay Leadership Institute 2017

Registration is now open for the 2017 Lay Leadership Institute (LLI). We are offering ten different seminars this year, more than ever before. The LLI will take place in the Rundlett Middle School in Concord on Saturday, May 6. As before, a continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Since each seminar is limited by room size to 30 persons, and seminar leaders may cancel a seminar with fewer than six registrants, it is vital that you signal your intention to attend by registering in advance. Participants are asked to register for their first, second, and third choices. Registrants will receive confirmation of registration and seminar selection by email.
Information on the seminars may be found on our diocesan website: www.nhepiscopal.org/lay-leadership

Please email Deb in the office if you wish to register.

Easter Flowers

If you would like to dedicate a contribution toward Easter flowers please have your dedications to Deb in the office by April 9th. You can email your request to allsaints@metrocast.net or drop the completed dedication slip, provided in the bulletin, in the plate or in the office.

Wolfeboro Reads - Discover Islam

Tuesdays in Lent 4:00-5:30 pm in the Beck Memorial Library at All Saints we will gather for a series of short documentary films and discussion about our Muslim neighbors. Discover Islam has partnered with several church denominations including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the United Church of Christ (UCC) to provide these award-winning documentaries. Pastors Bill and Gina will provide additional resources throughout the series. Resources, including study guides, are available at: http://www.discoverislam.com/elca

New Directory

The new directory, printed in February, is available in PDF form. Please email your request to Deb at allsaints@metrocast.net. If you would like a paper copy please stop by the office to pick one up.

Bible Study

Join us as we move more deeply into God's Word. We will walk through Romans to bring contemporary application of Scripture to life. Discover how you can participate more fully in God's kingdom as we read Paul's letter to the Romans. We gather on Thursday afternoons 3:00-4:00 pm followed by a brief Eucharist in the Beck Memorial Library.

End 68 Hours of Hunger

END 68 HOURS OF HUNGER thanks you for your contributions to their box at the entrance of the Sanctuary. Now that school has started the items that are particularly needed are those geared to children like peanut butter and mac n'cheese. Please take a pamphlet which provides helpful suggestions for items to donate.

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!

April Calendar

Lord &Tailor Shop Thurs & Fri 10a-3p ~

Sat 10a-1p

Food Pantry Wed 10a-1p ~ 5p-7p

SUNDAY

02:00 p.m. AA Meeting - PH

06:00 p.m. AA Meeting - PH

9th - Palm/Passion Sunday

16th - Easter Sunday

23rd - 2nd Sunday of Easter

11:30 - Vestry

30th - 3rd Sunday of Easter

MONDAY

11:00 a.m. Senior Activities & Meal

01:00 p.m. Adult Bridge - Lib

03:00 p.m. ASSTG-Steven's Rm

Groups Scheduled:

10th - 12 pm Preschool Board-O

17th - 7 pm Photo Club-PH

TUESDAY

06:30 a.m. Women's Worship -PH

01:30 p.m. Scrabble Club - Lib

04:00p.m. Wolfeboro Reads-Lib

Groups Scheduled:

11th - 11 am Garden Club-PH

5:15 pm WACC-PH

WEDNESDAY

11:00 a.m. Senior Activities & Meal

01:30 p.m. Knitting Club -Lib

06:30 p.m. Choir

05:30 p.m. Table Tennis-PH

Groups Scheduled:

26th - 1 pm Pastoral Care Team

THURSDAY

07:30 a.m. Men's Bible Study -PH

03:00 p.m. Bible Study - Lib

03:00 p.m. ASSTG-Steven's Rm

05:00 p.m. Dinner Bell

Groups Scheduled:

13th - 1:30 pm End 68 Hours of Hunger-L

5-6:30 pm Community Dinner

6:30 pm Worship

7 pm Dist 16 AA-L

20th - 5:30 pm AMTP

6:30 - Friends of Libby-L

26th - 12 pm Outreach Luncheon

7 pm - CVTC-L

FRIDAY

08:00 p.m. AA Meeting - PH

11:00 a.m. Senior Activities & Meal

Groups Scheduled:

14th - 12pm Ecumenical Service

SATURDAY

10:00 a.m. AA Meeting - Lib

08:00 p.m. AA Meeting - PH

Groups Scheduled:

15th - 6:30 pm Vigil of Easter

All Saints e-News

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Rev. Bill Petersen

Rector, All Saints Church

Phil Wasmuth

Editor, All Saints E-News

Carolyn Sundquist and Ralph Simons

Associate Editors, All Saints E-News

603-569-3453