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March 20, 2020- Vol 14, Issue 12
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Sunday Ministry Assignments
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Altar Guild
Ushers
Lectors
8 AM
10 AM
Presenters
Eucharistic
Mini
sters
8 AM
10 AM
Greeters
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Birthdays March
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03/22 Paul Karpinski
03/23 Jack McLaughlin
03/23 Paige Hunt
03/24 Jane Newcomb
03/25 Penny Curtis
03/25 Doug Kiley
03/26 Arlene Salzgeber
03/27 Mary O'Brien
03/28 Kay Petersen
03/28 Doug Smithwood |
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God's Eyes Are Not Our Eyes
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Beloveds,
Many asked for the prayer I used to open the sermon on Sunday. It follows for your use during this time of pandemic:
May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors remember those who are most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose
between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility of taking care of our children when their schools close
remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips remember those who have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market,
remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country, let us choose love.
During this time when we can not physically wrap our arms around each other,
let us find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.
This Sunday focuses on how God's Eyes Are Not Our Eyes. One heresy in the early church was called Donatism. The Donatists held that the sacraments were only efficacious if presided over by priests who were sinless. It didn't take the church long to realize that if it held to this policy there would be no sacraments for anyone. So if the gospel can be proclaimed through the preaching of a sinner, then we must allow for the possibility that God's healing may be accomplished through extraordinary means.
In Sunday's readings, God chooses a boy too young to be taken seriously to anoint as one chosen to lead Israel. When the prophet Samuel is sent by God to find the new king who will replace Saul, Samuel goes through a long line of all Jesse's tall, strapping, competent-looking sons of appropriate age. When none of them are chosen, finally Jesse sends for young David. All of the obvious-to-us choices were declined in favor of a boy. What we may see as authoritative, respectable, and trustworthy may not always align with God. Sunday's Hebrew Scripture reading reminds us that "the Lord does not see as mortals see" (1 Sam. 16:7).
This theme of sight runs throughout Sunday's texts, both in terms of how God does not see as we see and also in Jesus' healing of a man born blind. Jesus chooses to heal a blind man on the sabbath with dirt and saliva, much to the dismay of the good religious people who were certain they knew better than to display such questionable judgment and behavior. Lent is a time to reevaluate. Let it also be a time to examine the ways in which we do not see what God is doing around us because we too think we know better. Bottom line: God often uses the unexpected to accomplish redemption. [Sundays and Seasons, 2020]
Lenten Blessings+
Bill+
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Sunday Worship Opportunities
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There are two ways to participate in corporate worship from home:
- On our website www.wolfesaints.com and our YouTube Channel www.youtube.com All Saints Wolfeboro Channel are links to worship for each of the upcoming Sundays and links to corresponding worship bulletins so you can participate in worship. These are services we recorded for Liturgical Year A in 2017 using the assigned texts for this year. You may watch and worship anytime at your convenience.
- On our Facebook page I will livestream a brief liturgy and reflection Sunday mornings at 9:00 am. The livestream format will allow for real-time communication and prayer requests in the comments section. Click on: Livestream
Sunday Collect:
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Sunday Readings:
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Online Office Hours
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Join me for a time of prayer and Q&A Monday, March 23rd 10:00-11:30 am via Zoom meeting.
Meeting ID: 399 952 711 Password: 625589
To connect via telephone/audio only call: (929) 205-6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 399 952 711 Password is 625589.
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From The Music Corner
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Beloved friends,
Wherever this finds you, I pray deep love, peace and trust in our Lord. I've been very busy getting online coaching set-up for a number of my piano/vocal students. Of course, Ralph has been so helpful in this. I will be missing you all deeply, and trust that you will be connecting to others in ways that feel most helpful to you.
We know the healing, calming and inspirational power of music. The Enews is a good place to be reminded of songs and pieces that help and inspire us in our daily journey.
This week I want to share an All Saints choir anthem link for "Agnus Dei (from Requiem)" by Mark Hayes - a contemporary composer who has written this piece in a more classical style. Our choir sang this last November on All Saints Day, as we lit candles and remembered loved ones who have gone on before us. The text is in Latin mainly, but shares the well-known "Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us...... grant us peace." It ends with commending all saints to God by imploring that He "grant them rest". In this pandemic, and Lenten season, it is comforting to remember our Lord's suffering and beseech Him for mercy, peace and rest. He has led the Way for us all.
One more amazing piece of music for this season. Our friend and choir member Claudia Bissett, reminded me of composer Eric Whitacre and his phenomenal projects with virtual choirs. These videos link thousands of singers from around the world, singing peaceful and inspirational compositions from Eric, with him directing virtually. If you have not seen these, you will be amazed at the creativity and the faces/countries of so many from around the world, singing to us and with us. This one is entitled "Sleep"..... With emotion, I was reminded that we TRULY are "all in this together".
Ralph and I hold each of you, and all you know and love, in our hearts and prayers,
Holly
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Book of Common Prayer
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Church Publishing offers Book of Common Prayer, other free resources for devotional use
As congregations, families, and individuals seek to live faithfully in these uncertain times, Church Publishing Incorporated is working to support you. We are making available an easy-to-navigate PDF version of the Book of Common Prayer and other free resources
for devotional use.
Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, well-known author and retreat leader, offers
Living Lent
meditations on the hymns of the season. "I hope that you find yourself humming familiar tunes to yourself as you read, and that this condition persists for the rest of the day," writes Crafton. Those who have known the hymns forever as well as those who are new to these verses will find them, and Crafton's meditations on faith, prayer, forgiveness, healing and more, an excellent companion for these important seasons of the year.
For children, Karin Holsinger Sherman offers
Candle Walk a beautiful illustrated picture book that prepares children for sleep by taking them on a candlelit wander through the woods and inviting them to experience the Compline, a centuries-old practice of contemplative evening prayer. Appropriate for toddlers through elementary aged children, Candle Walk is a wonderful way to prepare children for sleep, assured of the nearness of God. The Order of Compline from The Book of Common Prayer is also included at the back of the book.
We are thankful to both authors for helping us to share their books digitally, and hope you will support them.
These free resources are available until April 15, 2020. Please visit www.churchpublishing.org to learn more and for a full list of resources.
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Coloring Pages
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Click Here*
to download coloring pages for the following prayers:
*Due to technical difficulties the pages will be sent separately. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Coloring Page 1 Prayer:
Holy God, You are with us from the spinning planets in our sky to the tiniest microbe that lives on the tiniest paw of the tiniest mouse. You care for creation and you care for us. Whether we are out in the world or tucked inside at home, we know that you are as close as the air we breathe. Thank you for being our friend and comforter. Amen.
Coloring Page 2 Prayer:
Into your spacious heart and loving hands, dear God, I place my fears, my "what ifs," my spinning world and mind... Comfort me with the truth no fear is too big for the Great One, who is always with me. I am never alone. Calming God, bring courage. Tender Spirit, breathe peace. Gentle Jesus, be close. Amen
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Coloring Page 3 Prayer:
God of presence and strength, Help us feel you here with us when we are anxious and afraid, when the future feels unwieldy and uncertain. We know nothing is unknown to you, O God, and we know you are our rock and our comfort in times of trouble. Give us wisdom and courage to make changes that will help things get better. Amen.
Illustrated Ministry is supporting local congregations and families, as we all work to flatten the curve amid a COVID-19 pandemic, by providing free, weekly, faith formation resources for all ages. Please sign-up here: Illustrated
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L.I.F.E. Ministries Goes Drive-Through Due to COVID-19
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The Food Pantry was open Wednesday, March 18th for drive-up service only. The Outreach Center was closed to clients so they entered the driveway from S. Main St. and remained in their cars. Volunteers took their orders and they pulled into the church parking lot where volunteers brought their orders. The pantry distributed food for two weeks and will be closed Wednesday, March 25th.
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You Make A Difference
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Is there an exceptional All Saints' volunteer we should recognize? Please share any recognition recommendations with our Senior Warden Carolyn Sundquist or Pastor Bill to bring to the Vestry for consideration. Who can we give thanks for the blessings they have shared with our congregation?
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Because You Asked
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Some of you have asked about how you can continue to support All Saints as we no longer gather for Sunday worship.
There are 2 options:
1. Send a check to All Saints at PO Box 359, Wolfeboro 03894
2. Make an online donation through our secure donation link. Click here:
Pledge
Click on the red donation button and follow the instructions. You will have to create an account if you don't already have one.
NOTE: Please know that we are providing this information for those who would have the ability to donate during these uncertain times. This is just the beginning and no one knows what the future may bring. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones. Blessings, Peace and Love to All!
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Sunday Worship on YouTube
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If you are unable to be in worship due to illness or travel, watch us on our All Saints' YouTube Channel:
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Earth Care Corner
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"At God's command, all things came into being, the vast expanse of interstellar space galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home. " BCP Eucharistic Prayer C
allsaintsearthcaremissioner@gmail.com
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Wolfeboro Reads
Winter-Spring 2020 Canceled
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Dinner Bell
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Unfortunately Thursday Evening Community Meals are suspended for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19.
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Office Hours
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Monday - 9 AM - 4 PM
Tuesday - 1 PM - 5 PM
Wednesday - 9 AM- Noon
Thursday - 9 AM - Noon
Friday - Closed
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March 22 - March 28, 2020 Calendar
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Food Pantry: To Be Announced
Wolfeboro Nursery School: Closed
All activities except AA have been canceled until further notice.
SUNDAY March 22
9:00 AM Facebook live service
MONDAY March 23
4:00 PM Women's AA (CC)
WEDNESDAY March 25
5:30 PM AA (CC)
THURSDAY March 26
FRIDAY March 27
8-9:30 PM AA (PH)
SATURDAY March 28
10:00 AM AA (L)
8-9:30 PM AA (PH)
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All Saints e-News
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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.
Feel free to share our e-News with others by clicking on the "Forward email" link below. They may then subscribe by clicking on the "Join Our Mailing List!" button above.
If you no longer wish to receive our e-News you may unsubscribe by clicking on the "SafeUnsubscribe" link below.
Rev. Bill Petersen
Rector, All Saints Church
Carolyn Sundquist
Editor, All Saints E-News
Christy Parker, and Ralph Simons
Associate Editors, All Saints e-News
603-569-3453
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