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All Saints’ Mission:
We live into the love of God for all through our prayer, praise, and service.

Second Sunday of Advent - Dec. 4, 2022

From the Vicar

The church’s new year begins in Advent, a season of preparing for an arrival. I love that we mark the time with growing light, surrounded by findings from nature (or a craft store!). While our Advent devotionals encourage us to seek simplicity, to be aware of the extraordinary already among us, our holiday calendars may have something else in mind. Life may have other plans for us.


I know getting covid this Advent was not in my agenda, yet here I am with a stuffy nose and sore throat. I have plans, you know–important things to do. Fortunately, I am not so sick that I can’t do my emails or Zoom meetings; I have wonderful family to help with meals while staying in isolation; and our church family knows how to shuffle and carry on with church and even bingo night whether I can make it or not. It’s not unusual for me (or others for that matter), to get sick in a busy time of life. The realization is often that I need to slow down, check my expectations, and practice being over doing (which is also brought up in the devotional).


In a text response to a friend, I wrote, “What’s important will rise to the top.” May what rises to the top for us this season be the Light of Christ so we can be guided in all we do toward fulfillment of what God dreams for us. May we see the opportunities we have to share and celebrate this season with one another and our community as the gift they are and take them in stride so we can experience joy. And if we have to sit in time out for a bit, for whatever reason, may we know that we are in good company and take the time to rest and heal so that we can be ready for what is to come, too.

 

Second Sunday of Advent readings: 

Isaiah 11:1-10 | Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 | Romans 15:4-13 | Matthew 3:1-12

Church Finance

THANK YOU to all who turned in their pledges for the upcoming year. If you haven’t yet, don’t worry! Pledge cards are still available in the nave, just inside the door. You are welcome to put them in the offering plate. If you have any questions regarding finances or wish to see our balance sheets, please contact Leigh Cole, treasurer@allsaintsbentonville.org. If you need a summary of your donations and pledges, please contact Sr. Warden Julia Bailey jkb@theridgeway.com or Edie Paxton bookkeeper@allsaintsbentonville.org.

Christian Education & Formation

We have you covered when it comes to opportunities to learn more about our faith and growing as Christians in the Episcopal tradition. 

  • Youth: Godly Play is at 1:45pm on Sunday afternoons, for ages 4-10. Rehearsals for the Christmas Pageant begin at 2pm each Sunday through Dec. 11. All youth can have a role! If you have questions or want to be involved in supporting our youth programs, please contact Mandy Stiglets (youth@allsaintsbentonville.org). The performance of this one-of-a-kind Christmas Pageant will be on Dec. 18th at 1:45 pm. We will have cookies and cocoa at the performance, so if you would like to help Mandy with this, please contact her.
  • Older Youth: Our EYC kiddos will join the other youth for Christmas Pageant rehearsals.
  • Adults: We meet Sunday mornings at 9:30 am – Zoom (link here) or in-person in the back classroom. The current lectures and discussions are on The Historical Jesus, based on lectures and scholarship of Dr. Bart Ehrman.
  • Intro to The Episcopal Church: Father Kathy continues to lead discussion about our church and traditions after Sunday’s service. Grab coffee and some eats and meet in the back classroom, bringing all your questions.

Potluck Sunday! - Connie Woodbury

This Sunday will be our church-wide potluck after services. Bring your favorite dish to share! Also, we need, and greatly appreciate, help with cleaning up afterward.

Thank You!

Many thanks to Judi Sturgill and Connie Woodbury for coordinating the Advent wreath-making workshop that was enjoyed by many! Thanks to others who cut more greens, made wreaths for others, and helped with clean-up. Plans are already underway to hold the workshop again next year, so save the date for wreath-making the First Sunday of Advent!

ECW Meeting Dec. 8 - Lee Davis

The next ECW meeting will be on Thursday, Dec. 8. Please come at 11:00 am with your lunch for some social time. The business meeting will start at 12:00 noon. All women of the church are welcome!

Advent Resources

The church begins a new year (Year A) with Advent this Sunday. To mark the time, there are several resources available to you. Hopefully you’ll start with making (or bringing out) your Advent wreath. Here are some other practices for you:

  • Living Well Through Advent: we have a few print booklets available (in English and Spanish), and you can download a .pdf of them and learn more here.
  • Kate Bowler has an Advent devotional for those who need a more personal, contemporary approach.
  • AdventWord is a practice of using a word and a photo each day for reflection. You can find others sharing their practice on Instagram.
  • The ECW Advent retreat is a great opportunity for reflection (for women–see below).

Poinsettias for Christmas

We do not have altar flowers through Advent, but we invite you to contribute your dedications for the poinsettias for Christmas. Poinsettias are $20 each. Please send your dedications, memorials, thanksgivings to Lou Honderich (info@allsaintsbentonville.org) or Mother Sara, and they will be included in our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bulletins.

Applications Now Open for the

Transitions Committee

The Standing Committee is pleased to open applications for the Transitions Committee, an essential part of the bishop search process. The deadline to apply is December 31. We will announce members in early January, and there will be an orientation for the committee via Zoom on Saturday, January 28 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.  


The Standing Committee will present a charge to the Transitions Committee. Tasks will include the following: 

  • Introduce candidates to the diocese
  • Conduct the Meet & Greets (week of August 1, 2023)
  • Support the Electing Convention (August 19, 2023)
  • Oversee events of the consecration weekend (January  5-7, 2024)
  • Plan a celebration/farewell for the retiring bishop
  • Oversee gifts for the bishop-elect
  • Arrange for the bishop-elect’s transition into the diocese, if applicable 
  • Offer attentive pastoral care and thanks to all of the candidates


We believe that particular gifts and skills will be most helpful to the work of this committee. Ideally, members will be:

  • Very well-organized
  • Pastoral, collegial, and hospitable
  • Good at networking around the diocese
  • Tactful and diplomatic 
  • Experienced with event management and social media
  • Enthusiastic and creative


For more information, please contact the Rev. Kate Alexander, president of the Standing Committee, at kalexander@christchurchlr.org or (501) 375-2342.


Apply Here

Discretionary Funds Always Needed

Did you know that we get calls every week (nearly every day) requesting assistance for rent/utilities/gas/household goods? Gas cards and gift certificates (Walmart, Dollar General) are always welcome, as we try to help however we can. When we provide aid, we pay the companies, landlords, etc., directly. If you have questions on how the account is used or how requests for assistance work, just ask Mtr. Sara. So far this year, we have distributed $9040.61 in assistance to folks.

Little Free Pantry & Library

Each Sunday a basket is available to collect your non-perishable donations, and these will–if all goes well!--be brought forward at the offertory to be received and blessed. Thank you for your contributions, for sharing in your abundance with our community.

Noon Bible Study

On Tuesday, Dec 6, we will meet to conclude our study of Daniel via Zoom. We’ll be covering Chapters 8-12.

Jingle Bingo - Dec. 3rd!

Our last bingo night of 2022 – Jingle Bingo! The event will fundraise for the discretionary fund to assist families through the holidays. You can sign up to volunteer through the SignUp Genius, and you can purchase or reserve tickets in advance through Eventbrite. Thanks to everyone who makes these events possible! We will also collect non-perishable food and hats, gloves, coats, etc. Wear your favorite sweaters/holiday garb for this very non-Advent event. (Lord, forgive us!) ;)

Advent Women's Retreat Dec. 10th with

Kathleen Kichline - RSVP with Lee Davis

The Episcopal Church Women of St. Tabitha’s Guild invites all women to an Advent retreat on Saturday, Dec. 10th from 9am-12pm (plus lunch time). Contact Lee Davis to RSVP.

Christmas Parade Dec. 10th

We made it into the Bentonville Christmas Parade! If you would like to prepare the float and/or be in the parade, please let Mother Sara know ASAP! Showing up at city-wide events has been named as a way to bring more awareness of All Saints’, and this is a great opportunity to share the love and light of the season.

Weekly Schedule of Services and Meetings

At All Saints’, we encourage you to do what is best for you and your family. All are welcome to full communion, and we also welcome you to wear a mask, though not everyone will be wearing one. We will keep our Sunday services on Facebook Live for those who attend virtually, and many meetings also have a Zoom option. Truly, all are welcome.

December 1 - Thursday

8:00 am
Morning Prayer

December 2 - Friday

8:00 am

Morning Prayer

Facebook

6:00 pm

AA

Parish Hall

December 3 - Saturday

8:00 & 11:00 am
AA
Parish Hall

5:00 pm

Holy Eucharist

Church

6:00 pm

Jingle Bingo!

Parish Hall

December 4 - 2nd Sunday of Advent 

9:15 am
Adult Christian Education

Zoom/Church

11:00 am

Holy Eucharist

Church/Facebook

12:15 pm

Intro to the Episcopal Church

Classroom

12:30 pm

Santa Eucharista

Church

1: 45 pm

Godly Play

Church

2:00 pm

Christmas Play rehearsal

Parish Hall

December 5 - Monday

8:00 am
Morning Prayer
6:00 pm
AA
Parish Hall

December 6 - Tuesday

8:00 am
Morning Prayer

12:00 noon

Bible Study

Church/Zoom

December 7 - Wednesday

8:00 am
Morning Prayer
5:30 pm
Healing Service
Church
6:00 pm
AA
Parish Hall
7:00 pm
Choir
Church
Prayers - Please Pray With Us For...
  • Judi
  • John
  • Annie
  • Kitty
  • Ed & Sue
  • Stan
  • Lynn
  • Mike
  • Barbara
  • Lindy
  • Rosa
  • Peter and family
  • Leigh
  • Julie
  • All who grieve
  • The Bishop search process
  • Ginger
  • Joni
  • Vonnie
  • Katrina
  • Lynn
  • Mike
  • Carol
  • Shawn
  • Alex
  • Mavia
  • The people of Haiti, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, and all affected by war and unrest
  • Cameron
  • Laura
  • All who are traveling
  • Sara
  • Loretta
  • Jerry
  • Harry
  • Carolyn
  • Samantha
  • Victims of gun violence - those who've died and those who mourn,
  • Adrienne
  • Mary Sue
  • Refugees & Immigrants
  • The housing insecure

Prayers for the departed: Patricia “Pat” Everman, all who have died from sickness and at the hands of violence and injustice, and others whom we hold in our hearts.

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servants and grant them an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Ministry Leaders

It takes many people to support the ministries of All Saints'. Here are email links for leaders of lay ministries. If you have any questions or would like to help, please reach out. There is a place for you. Your participation is much needed and appreciated!


Acolytes - Ellen Corbett-Welch

Altar Guild - Jennifer Stoner

Bread Guild - Pedro Allegrio

Chalice Bearers and Lectors - Lou Honderich (Sunday) Marj Bernhardt (Saturday)

Creation Care - Jackie Bromley and Susan Woodruff

Diversity Representative - Julie Collins

ECW - Lee Davis. all women of the church are encouraged to attend!

EfM - Mtr. Sara Milford

Facebook - Belinda Ostrowski, pictures are always appreciated!

Flower Guild - Judi Sturgill 

Food Pantry Coordinators: Tom and Pam Throne

Hospitality - Connie Woodbury

Interfaith representative - Rev. Kathy Corbett-Welch

Music - Jayme Amonsen

Newsletter - Sandi Lynn, feedback and suggestions are always welcome!

Theology Pub - Sandy Wylie

Vestry - Julia Kilbourne-Bailey, Senior Warden

Youth Ministry - Mandy Stiglets

Church Phone Numbers and Office Hours
Church phone: 479.802.0302
Office hours: Tues - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and other times by appointment.

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