This Week's Announcements
September 17, 2018
Message from the Rector
September 17, 2018
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." Every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.        
                                                     
Mark 8:27-29; James 3:7-10
In the gospel lesson this week, Jesus pushes his disciples to make some declarations about who people say he is. "Who do people say that I am?" But then he pushes them even further by asking, "Who do you say that I am?" That question digs even deeper because it compelled them to say something about who they were and the truths that were to come out of their mouths.  Jesus asked his disciples to declare who they were by declaring who he is. Peter got it--at least in that one moment--when he declared, "You are the Messiah." He was revealing something important about Jesus, but he was also revealing something about what he believed and what was in his mind and heart. Now this was challenging, because not everyone believed that to be true; not everyone believed that Jesus was, or even could be, the Messiah. Jesus was asking them to stand up for an idea that wasn't popular, that challenged the status quo, saying things and doing things that were different from the way the rest of the world does it. St. James, in his letter that we also read this week, wrote that life as the Church, life as the people of God carries with it great responsibility, and what we say is part of that responsibility. Even when it seems to go counter to what we hear the everybody else saying, what we say can have far reaching effects.

These days, it seems like we are being bombarded by issues of freedom of speech and First Amendment rights. We take that right very seriously, but I think these days, people go overboard in trying to exercise that right. Just because we have the right to say it, doesn't mean that we should say it. We must always be mindful of the effect of what our words will have once we've said them. Words, even when they're the truth, can either hurt or heal, words can either beat down or build up. I heard someone say, not too long ago, that when the truth is told with the intention of being hurtful or spiteful, then it's just as damaging as a lie. We must always be compelled to say that which will have the power to heal, build up, and reveal the love and power of God.

When we're like Peter and declare that Jesus is the Messiah, we are doing more than just verifying Jesus's ID. We are proclaiming that his words, his actions, and his teaching shape who we are, what we do, what we say, and what we teach. Often that means standing up for what is unpopular or going against the norms of our own society and culture. Jesus was always standing up for the marginalized, the disenfranchised, those who were shunned, even those who were in desperate need of repentance. "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it." These words aren't just about living vs. dying, they also refer to how we are looked at by the world, how we portray ourselves in the face of the voices that want to put others down, strip away another person's dignity, or point fingers. We may risk our popularity when we stand up and say that it is not ok to disrespect another person or group of people for the way they live, what they believe, or how they practice their faith, what country they come from, the color of their skin, or whatever other labels that society uses to discriminate. We may also risk our popularity when we tell Christian folk that what they are doing and what they are saying are not fulfilling Christ's commandment to us to love one another, especially when the words of the Bible are used to justify discrimination, belittling, or making and upholding bad laws. We have to be willing to take that risk for the sake of the Gospel, for the sake of declaring to the world that Jesus is the Messiah and that there is a better way to live.

St. James cautions us in his epistle against using empty words. Just as much as negative words can have a destructive impact, empty words can be just as bad. Saying that we are Christians, but not supporting our claim by our actions is empty faith. Giving lip service to being a Christian and declaring Jesus as Messiah, but not helping the poor or defending the marginalized is empty faith. If we bless the Lord and Father in one breath and curse those made in the likeness of God in the next breath, that is empty faith. And if James's words aren't convincing enough, perhaps we ought to ask the cliché question seen on bumper stickers: WWJD--What would Jesus do? Well, just think about how he responded to the Pharisees' scolding when he ate with even tax collectors and sinners. If we call ourselves Christians and claim to take the Word of God seriously, but we don't show love, respect, and compassion toward our fellow humans, then we are living with empty faith. It means having respect for one another, not beating someone down with Bible verses; welcoming the stranger, the foreigner, the refugee, the ones of another faith, not ignoring them or marginalizing them; caring for the poor, making certain all can earn a decent wage, insuring that all can receive decent health care and an education. We all have a responsibility to use our tongues to steer us toward the benefit of others and the glory of God.

So, take the responsibility that comes with Christian living and use your speech to further God's kingdom on earth. Let your proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah mean something. Hold your tongue until it can utter good.



The High Altar has a new look!

Thanks to the generosity of Fr. Ephraim Goorahoo on the occasion of his 90th Birthday in 2016, we have acquired eight new silver-plated candlesticks: six for the retable behind the High Altar and two for the altar itself. They were blessed and commissioned for use before the High Mass yesterday and will be used during Ordinary Time and on various other occasions.
Two of the candles (one tall & one short) were engraved with the following words:

THESE CANDLESTICKS
ARE A GIFT OF
FR. EPHRAIM GOORAHOO
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
ON THE OCCASION OF
HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY 2016

Events this Week
(Proper 19)

Monday, September 17
7:30 PM - Monthly Vestry Meeting

Tuesday, September 18
7:00 PM - Tuesday Evening Bible Study

Wednesday, September 19
(Ember Day)

7:00 PM - Low Mass

Friday, September 21
(St. Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist)

9:30 AM - Low Mass
7:30 PM - Estudio Bíblico

Saturday, September 22
1 PM to 6 PM - International Food Fair

Sunday, September 23
(Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost)
8:00 AM - Said Mass (Rite 1)
9:30 AM - La Misa en Español (Orden Episcopal)
11:00 AM - High Mass (Rite 2)


Tuesday Evening Bible Study Returns This Week!

The topic for the fall season will be

The Gospel of Mark


Tuesdays @ 7:00 PM
in The Rectory



A potluck dinner is served, so bring a Bible and a dish to share.
All are welcome.












Congratulations!

Marion Brown
Enid Kelly

are being honored by
Episcopal Ministries of Long Island
for their leadership with the Senior Lunch Program.





From the Vestry

At their meeting on August 20, 2018, the Vestry and Wardens approved a  change in the Sunday Mass Schedule.

Effective Sunday, October 7, 2018:
Said Mass will begin at 7:45 AM,
La Misa en Español will begin  at 9:15 AM
Sung High Mass will begin at 11:00 AM


Parish Hall Construction Update

Installation of the elevator is scheduled to begin this week. It will take approximately two weeks to complete. The floors are being installed on the upper floor, and painting of the walls has begun. Kitchen equipment has arrived. the new stairs are in. Your prayers and patience have been greatly appreciated.













                 Elevator Parts                                          Elevator Parts





















                   Elevator Parts                             Stairs from Vestibule to Upper Floor

Back Stairs to Upper & Lower Floors



FUTURE PARISH EVENTS
Tickets are now on sale!

In the final months of 2018, please keep up with your pledges.

In order for All Saints Church to continue its ministry and mission, we require an average weekly pledge of $4,000. This week we received $1,879.
 
You can pay your regular pledge and make other contributions to the General Church Fund online, or you can check the status of your contributions. Go to our church management page, called OnRealm. Contributions can be made by e-check (preferred) or by credit/debit card, and are automatically credited to your church record within one or two business days.  Click here to be directed to OnRealm to sign in or create a password. If you have any questions or trouble signing in, please send us an e-mail or call the church for assistance.
Update your information.
Actualiza tu información.
 
Please click below to be directed to our website where you can download the Demographic Information Form. You may attach it to an e-mail and send it back to the church, or place it in the designated box on the table in the rear of the church.
 
Por favor, haz clic abajo para dirigirte a nuestro sitio web donde puedes descargar la forma demográfica. Puedes adjuntarla a un correo electrónico y enviarla a la iglesia, o ponerla en la caja designada en la parte de atrás de la iglesia.
 


AROUND THE DIOCESE


Pastoral Care Opportunities offered by Pastor Leticia
Oportunidades de Cuidado Pastoral ofrecidas por Pastora Leticia

Sometimes we all need a listening heart to process the questions we face.

Give yourself the gift of a confidential conversation that is nonjudgmental, open to YOUR questions and spiritual challenges, and fully supportive of your life quest and spiritual needs.  Hard or challenging times need not be walked alone.  All Saints wants to be there for you, whatever the pain or need.

To schedule a conversation or visit, please call 718-350-9536 or 
click here to e-mail Pastor Leticia.



Hay tiempos cuando todos necesitamos un corazón que escuche para poder procesar las cuestiones que la vida nos presenta.

Date el regalo de una conversación confidencial donde no serás juzgad@, donde lo que importa son TUS preguntas y donde encontraras apoyo para tu búsqueda personal y tus necesidades espirituales.

En tiempos difíciles no es necesario caminar solo.  ¡Todos los Santos quiere estar ahí para ti!

Para acordar una convarsación o visita, llama al 718-350-9536 o envía un correo electrónico a Pastor Leticia, por tocar aquí .

COMMUNITY NEWS
Be a good steward of God's creation and save energy!
Take advantage of this FREE program.


For more information, please contact
the Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator
Karryl -  (646) 643-3325

OUTREACH
 
 
Donate to Disaster Relief in the US and Worldwide

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Texas & Louisiana and Hurricane Irma in The Caribbean and Florida, there are many places in need of disaster relief.  Natural disasters are happening all the time around the globe.  You can contribute to the many relief efforts through Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD).
 

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