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The Episcopal Church Welcomes You!
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Birthdays Sept/Oct
| 09/30 Ann Champagne
09/30 John Farley
09/30 Gerald Hess
10/01 Danielle Pierpont
10/02 Sam Kiley
10/03 Brock Jones
10/03 Kurt Dietzer
10/04 Deb Bunting
10/04 Deborah Rourke |
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It is so easy and so tempting to build ourselves up at the expense of others. "I can't imagine ever doing that." "How can people live like that?" "Who would do such a thing?" At some point we all think or say these sorts of things. Like it or not, we use these words to comfort ourselves at the expense of others. These words are a reminder that all people stand in need of God's grace.
Each of Sunday's readings shows us this reality. In the parable of the two sons, Jesus invites us to choose between two sons when neither fully does the will of their father. Here Jesus makes the point that we are all equally in need of God's grace. Ezekiel proclaims God's invitation, "Turn, then, and live" (Ezek. 18:32). This is an invitation that extends to all people, from a God deeply desiring a loving and life-giving relationship with humanity.
In Philippians, we are reminded of Jesus' act of grace on the cross, emptying himself, becoming sin so that all creation might be redeemed through him. In response, we discover a vision of the day in which all creation speaks with a unified voice, declaring Jesus Christ is Lord.
Every day is a day of confession and forgiveness. We confess our need for God, our distance from God, and our failures before God. In response, to our joy, we discover again the grace of God outpoured. All humans are in need of God's grace; God extends grace to all, and one day we will confess that salvation as one people. All of the readings for Sunday reveal the way in which all humans are equal in the eyes of God. [Sundays and Seasons, 2020]
Grace and peace,
Bill+
Readings:
Click on the following links: Sept27
Worship (including bulletin for Sunday worship live stream)
FaceBook (Facebook account NOT required)
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We welcome Rev. Jane Van Zandt back to All Saints this Sunday
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Bill and Kay celebrated their 30th anniversary on September 23rd this week in Maine. Wishing them an abundance of love and happiness in the next 30!
Pastor Bill returns Monday September 28th.
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The whole world is sacred,
O Holy One,
a creation of beauty and wonder;
You breathe and there is life.
May we regain a sense of
awe,
wonder,
Mystery
to remember who we are -
Your children,
creatures -
called to care for life,
to pass on
blessing not curse,
life not death.
-The Rev. Tom Carr
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The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed our deep need for community. The urgency with which people ask, "When can we come back to in-person worship?" is palpable. The fact remains, however, large gatherings in crowds are an enemy to us, and a friend to the virus, which preys on the aged and those with pre-existing conditions. Thankfully, our pre-pandemic worship gatherings are not the only way to do church.
Throughout the centuries, Christian community has taken many forms. Some of those might be useful to us today. Long before there were church buildings, the early church met in small groups in homes, outside, and in cemeteries. As someone once quipped, "Jesus only had twelve, and apparently that was one too many." We will continue our Sunday 9:00 am livestream as our primary worship for the foreseeable future, even when we can safely gather indoors we will continue to livestream for the homebound and those who cannot participate in group due to age or pre-existing conditions.
This month, Pastor Bill is available for "Pop-up Eucharist" appointments outside with individuals or small groups meeting on your driveway, front yard or porch (or in the courtyard at church). We will practice Covid courtesies by wearing masks and distancing at least 6 feet while we enjoy share a brief time together, praying, and sharing the Body of Christ (Bishop +Rob requests that individuals provide their own bread). Please contact the church office at 569-3453 to schedule an appointment.
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From the Music and Tech Corner:
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If you were able to join (or watch later) the launch of "Sacred Sing!" this past Wednesday evening Click here: Facebook, we are open to any feedback (and not the microphone kind of feedback; we've had enough of that --ugh! :0).
This coming week we will be singing "Be Thou My Vision", "Blessed Assurance", and a song the choir has sung entitled "Be Unto Your Name". Join us on Wednesday, September 30th at 6:57 PM for a flute and piano prelude of "Be Thou My Vision", featuring Claudia Bissett on flute. THANK YOU Claudia for recording some lovely pieces with me recently!
... and from Ralph: This streaming thing has been a work in progress. You noticed that last Sunday morning we had audio issues which I didn't notice because I was singing with Holly and the sound system, and not the delayed stream. Thanks for the feedback on that, Bill Meyers. Oh well! We think we've figured out the bugs so onward and upward. Writing this Tuesday night we're hoping the Wednesday stream goes well and gives us more experience for next Sunday, with Rev Jane Van Zandt, while our Pastor Bill and Kay are away. Looking forward to being with you online!
Holly and Ralph in the loft for Sacred Sing on Wednesday evening
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United Thank Offering In-Gathering
October 18th through October 31st
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Our United Thank Offering is sponsored by All Saints Episcopal
Church Women as one of their Outreach Missions. In this effort we
are connected to those communities which are helped through the
United Thank Offering grants. The Diocese of Minnesota acts as a
companion to a community in Belize. Their grant will allow for the
construction of a 34,000 gallon concrete cistern at Holy Cross Anglican
School for the collection and storing of water for daily use. It will, also,
allow for the structural foundation of a community building which will
provide worship space, classrooms, hurricane shelter, and water to the
school and neighborhood in times of crisis. This is again one of the many
examples in the way your United Thank Offering is used to help those
in need of the most basic necessities. In this case water which we so
often take for granted as we enjoy our showers, wash our dishes, or
water our gardens.
Our Fall UTO In-gathering will be anytime between the dates
of October 18th and the 31st of Oct. Please convert your coins into
bills or a check made out to All Saints Church, but indicate on the
check UTO. You may mail your offering to: All Saints Church,
P.O. 359, Wolfeboro, NH 03894 or drop off your offering at the church
office.
As you think about your United Thank Offering, you may include
in your thoughts the following prayer:
Gracious God, we come before you in the knowledge that,
although we are varied in our gifts, we are united as laborers in your
harvest. With grateful hearts, we give thanks for the blessings and
challenges that inspire the work of the United Thank Offering. May
the offerings given to the UTO as an expression of gratitude go on to
address the needs of our ever-changing world.
All this we ask through Jesus Christ whose life is a blueprint we
strive to follow. Amen
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P.O. Box 21 update from Mission Outreach Team
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SANDWICH - Our neighbor in Sandwich, Martha Carlson reports that PO Box 21 continues its mission to detained asylum seekers who are being held at the Dover city jail. PO Box 21 raises bail money to release detainees and works to identify host families where detainees can stay until their asylum hearing.
The organization also helps those released to be taught English and to get training for gainful employment, once they are legally allowed to work. PO Box 21 helps host families to meet the needs of their guests and has been amazingly successful: all who were released on bail and have had their court hearings have been granted asylum.
Those fleeing violence and seeking asylum in the United States are being held at the Dover jail simply because there is no place for them to go as they await the months it takes to get a court hearing on their request for asylum.
All Saints has previously contributed outreach funds to help address this humanitarian crisis. We're calling these ongoing efforts to everyone's attention now (when we would normally have a return visit from Martha Carlson with the PO Box 21 update) because some parishioners may be interested and able to help directly.
Martha and PO Box 21 can be reached at nhhelpsimmigrants@gmail.com, PO Box 21, Center Sandwich, NH 03227, or 603-707-2203. There is a newsletter and the website is:
Thanks from the Mission Outreach Team
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We are excited to share that our sale was a success. First a BIG thank you to all the volunteers who worked with set up, the sale, and clean up. The job was big but everyone came with a great attitude and helpful hands. We were able to offer our community a good deal on clothes as we asked only for a donation. The shop decreased the amount of stock by a great deal. And our customers were generous. We took in $6,100.00 over the 6 days. We are so thankful that we are able to continue to contribute to the church, the missions, and beyond. God is good.
L&T Board of Directors
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St. Francis Day + Sunday, October 4, 2020
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Bring your leased, caged, stuffed, or picture of your beloved on Sunday afternoon, October 4th between 2:00 and 4:00 pm to have them blessed. Pastor Bill will be available in the courtyard at church rain or shine.
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Memorial Garden Path Update
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The path should be completed this week. A special edition of the eNews will be sent as soon as we have a picture of the finished project.
If you would like to be a Memorial Garden Angel and make a gift to help with start-up costs, please write "Memorial Garden Angel" on your check and mail or drop it off to the church office. Thank you!
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Worship bulletins, devotional books and Episcopal News available for pick-up outside Parish Office.
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STEWARDSHIP, GENEROSITY, AND GIVING ARE NOT SYNONYMOUS
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The terms stewardship, generosity and giving are often used interchangeably and confuse people. Stewardship is simply the act of being a steward. In biblical times a steward was a respected person of high integrity entrusted with their master's possessions. They were expected to manage the possessions following the master's wishes. Since God created and still owns all we have, stewardship is recognizing God as the owner, and we as God's managers. As managers, we are responsible for using God's possessions to please God.
Giving is an act, and generosity is an attitude. Generosity involves a willingness to sacrifice for the benefit of others personally out of love-love of God, and loving one's neighbor as one's self. Giving is merely the act of abandoning something of value. Giving can be done without being generous (the Pharisees are an example), but you cannot be generous and not give.
- God is a giver. Our willingness to give reveals our relationship to God.
- God is generous. Our willingness to sacrifice reveals our relationship to God.
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Wolfeboro Reads Fall 2020 Schedule
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You are invited to our community read, a joint ministry of All Saints' and First Congregational Church Wolfeboro via Zoom. Pastors Bill and Gina facilitate lively discussions three Tuesday afternoons a month 4:00-5:00 pm. To join the discussion via computer click: READS
Meeting ID: 982 3048 8609 and Passcode: 012281 To join via telephone call: (929) 205-6099 *note long distance charges may apply Meeting ID: 982 3048 8609 October Book The Weight of Ink, a novel by Rachel Kadish to be discussed on 10/13,20,27 November Book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer to be discussed 11/10,17,24
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LISTENING AND LOOKING FOR GOD IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
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God is up to something new. As the Holy Spirit is moving ahead of the Church, calling the Church into a new future in a time of disruptive social and cultural change, you are invited to love God and neighbor by listening and looking for what God is already doing in our community.
We listen and look to better discern what God is calling us to be a part of during this time. We listen and look to our neighborhood, those places you frequent including: where you work, where you live, where you worship, and where you play-physically and virtually during Covidtide. So as you walk and drive in your neighborhood and spaces online make note of how you see God in these spaces and share them via phone call, text, e-mail or mailed note with Pastor Bill. Be intentionally on the look-out for "God sightings" and take photos of them so they can be shared with one another here...
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GOD SIGHTINGS
Please continue to share your God sightings with us!
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The beauty and variety of nature...we are blessed.
Look carefully, you can see the sunbeams are different colors!
Carolyn Sundquist
Sunrise at Nags Head Outer Banks North Carolina, this is a day that God has made let us be glad and rejoice in its blessings in the spirit. Jay and Teresa Wyman
The word of God is always "in the beginning."
And this means that it is always in the process of being born and is
already born.
Now, it is the nature of the word to reveal what is hidden.
The Word that is hidden still sparkles in the darkness and whispers in the silence.
It entices us to pursue it, to yearn and sigh after it.
For it wishes to reveal to me something about God.
-Meister Eckhart (1260-1329)
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Wolfeboro's Dinner Bell program has resumed its community meal weekly on Thursdays. To Go meals must be reserved ahead of time and will be distributed in the parking lot.
Reserve your meal(s) by calling the church office 569-3453 Mondays 10am to 4pm or Tuesdays 2pm- 4pm and indicate pickup time for Thursday between 4 and 6 pm. When picking up your meal(s) please remain in your vehicle, wear a mask and a volunteer will check you in and place your meals in your vehicle's trunk or backseat.
A donation for your meal(s) may be left with the volunteer.
October Menu:
1st Lentil soup, pan seared chicken, rice pilaf, vegetable, water, and fruit.
8th Pasta fagioli, ziti with meatballs, bread, water, and fruit.
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ANY N.H. VOTER CAN CAST ABSENTEE BALLOT, DUE TO COVID-19
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NH voters now can use Covid-19 concerns as the reason to vote absentee. The form from the Secretary of State is available on the church office door, or at: Absentee
Voters will be safer and poll workers and officials as well as those who vote in person will be safer if there is significant absentee voting.
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ALL SAINTS PRAYER LIST
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PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST
Bob Champagne Bob Pierpont Ruth Gray Dylan Allwine
Mark Luken Shirley Bentley Rodney Morgan Stephanie Schroeder
Carolyn Toshney Gina Vivian Penny Meyer Jan Sauda
Faye Juul Penelope Bennis Mary McAuley Gwendolyn Deneau Mary Ellen Davis Prue Fitts Judy Hess
Michael Dowd Zell Kellogg Joe Blackett
Jacqueline McLaughlin
Winona Blake
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How Are Feeling?
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Please let us know by emailing allsaints@metrocast.net
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Love Looks Like All of Us
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Wine & Whine on Friday Evenings
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Join us Friday Evenings at 5:00 pm with a glass of your favorite beverage on Zoom at WINE
Meeting ID: 938 3255 5628 Password: 592973 By Phone: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 938 3255 5628
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Monday Morning Check-In
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Grab a cup of coffee and join Pastor Bill at 10:00 am for a Monday Morning Check-in. No topic, just a chance to be together and share via Zoom. Join by computer at*: Click here: Monday Check-In
*If you've already downloaded Zoom, click on the icon on your device and enter the following:
Meeting ID: 296 849 095 Password: 027471
Join by phone at: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 296 849 095
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Connect With God & With Others
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"...have you ever found God in church? I never did. I just found a bunch of folks hoping for him to show. Any God I ever felt in church I brought in with me. And I think all the other folks did too. They come to church to share God, not find God." -Alice Walker
The church is where God's people-YOU-are. While we are in exile in our homes, we don't need to go to church to find God, because when we are church together on-line we share God. There are many ways to connect, to see, hear and share God online at All Saints'...
Sundays
10:00 am - Virtual Coffee Hour via Zoom
Meeting ID: 625 293 985 Password: 686500
By phone: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 625 293 985
Tuesdays
9:00 am - Women's Worship via Zoom (*Note: new Meeting ID and Password)
Join by computer at*: Women's Worship
Meeting ID: 998 0107 3469 Password: 003176
By Phone: (929) 205-6099 US Meeting ID: 998 0107 3469
Thursdays
9:00 am - Men's Bible Study of the readings for Sunday via Zoom
By phone at: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 377 746 725
3:00 pm - Midweek Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew via Zoom
By phone at: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 546 551 506
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Thank You for Giving During This Time of Pandemic
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Thank you for all who have continued to support the work of All Saints during this time. You may make contributions by mail, using your financial institution's automated check writing service, or secure online giving via Donate Creator of all we enjoy, we give you thanks for the countless people you have gathered to do your work as All Saints' Wolfeboro. We thank you for your Holy Spirit inspiring some as they longed for this church, others as they built this church and still others as they lovingly and boldly led this church through times of abundance and times of scarcity. Help us to be bold as we model giving of time and money during this time. Make our generous giving a symbol of both our faith and our gratitude. We pray in the name of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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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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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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September, 2020 Calendar
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Food Pantry: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 10 am - 1 pm and 4-6 pm
Wolfeboro Nursery School: Starts September 8th
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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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