ALL ANGELS BY THE SEA
WEEKLY TIDINGS
May 5, 2022
SUNDAY SERVICES
8:00 and 10:00 am

To live-stream - go to AllAngelsLBK.org, click on the "All Angels Enter Here" picture and you will be routed to our YouTube channel.
Zoom - go to https://zoom.us/j/5955701807 and watch and listen live. Be sure to stick around after the service for our coffee hour chat-with-your-neighbor time.

The bulletin can be found on the All Angels Website: 
AllAngelsLBK.org or at the following link: 
Dale Hooey is retiring.
We will be celebrating his music ministry at All Angels on Sunday, May 15th. There will be a special coffee hour to thank Dale 
for all he has done for our parish.
Altar Flowers for Sunday, May 8
are given by Anne Roberts in memory of her dear Warren
and in thanksgiving for all the mothers.

The last 8 am service of the season will be on May 15th. 

Scripture Readings, May 8

Acts 9:36-43
Psalm 23
Revelation 7:13-17
John 10:22-30

Mother's Day Prayer
Loving God, 
as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children,
so you watch over your Church.
We pray in gratitude for our mothers
and for all the women
who have joined with you in the wonder
of bringing forth new life.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
May we see in their loving care, your presence guiding them.
Bless them with the melody of your love, the strength of your Spirit,
and the joy of your eternal home.
May she who gave love be carried on that day to Your divine embrace;
there, for all eternity, rejoice with family and friends.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Peace Among the Nations (BCP 816)

Let us pray in this time of conflict for the countries of Russia and the Ukraine,

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world
into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them
that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Episcopal Relief and Development: Ukraine

Episcopal Relief & Development is working with The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, the Diocese of Europe, the Anglican Alliance and United Society Partners in the Gospel as the churches prepare to mobilize on potential immediate and long-term responses to assist Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Romania, Hungary and other parts of Europe.

If you can, please help us support these efforts and continue to hold the people of Ukraine in your prayers and thoughts as they face this ongoing crisis.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Last Sunday's Service
PRAYERS
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer invites you to pray with them, every day, at 8 am, wherever you are. When you enter into prayer at 8 am (Eastern), you will know that others are praying at the same time. 
We Pray for our People
We pray for all those in our lives who need love and care, especially: Downs IV, Holden, Brian and Tyler. Grant healing and recovery for Sandy, Barbara (Pickrell), Beverly, Bill and Mary Jo. Give peace and strength to those going through cancer treatments, especially Jane, Downs III, Victoria, Alex, Connie and Douglas. Visit and comfort all who are under the care of skilled nursing, especially Timothy, Barbara, Kim and Mary Ann. Be near to all who are in hospice care. 
PARISH ACTIVITIES
May and June Gallery Artist
Our featured artist for May/June is Carol Doenecke. Please stop by and enjoy the work of this talented local artist. Checks should be written to All Angels by the Sea.
Coffee Hour Hosts Needed
One of the most important things we do is gather after the service for coffee hour. If you are interested in hosting, the sign up sheet is on the Gallery table. If you would like help, sign up and we will find someone to show you how it is done. 
Men's and Women's Discussion Groups

If your news feed is anything like mine, you know what the top story is this week. At our discussion groups, we hold to these principles: we can talk respectfully about any topic, each person has the opportunity to speak and to be heard by the group. 
Although we certainly can talk about the leaked Supreme Court draft, the Episcopal Church (which since 1789 has always been concerned about improper governmental intrusion into our personal lives) has already made resolutions in 1967, 1976, and, in 1988 that, All human life is sacred, it is sacred from its inception until death. We regard all abortion as having a tragic dimension, calling for the concern and compassion of all the Christian community. Those were reaffirmed in 2018 and probably will be again at the General Convention this July. If you want to read more about it, here's the most recent news story from the Episcopal News Service:  https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2022/05/03/house-of-deputies-president-church-reaffirm-commitment-to-reproductive-rights-as-supreme-court-looks-poised-to-overturn-roe-v-wade/ 
If you would like to meet with me and discuss this topic, email or call me (941-704-2131) or sign up on my schedule on Sunday. We are called to pray for peace, understanding and reconciliation for our nation. Our baptismal covenant requires us to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves and to respect the dignity of every human being. ... with God's help. 
Taking a more personal approach next week, let's talk about friendships. David Brooks wrote about the secrets to lasting friendships - although I don't think they are "secrets" it is a good topic to bring up as many of us are spreading our wings post-pandemic. 
Lastly, I have been sent two good articles that didn't make it to the discussion group but still may be worth your time reading. The first one is about tipping; and are we being asked to tip too much -To Tip or Not to Tip
The second one is about the importance about wearing a bikini this summer, regardless of age -Body Positivity: Wearing a Bikini This Summer
For those in person, I will have the coffee ready. For those on line, here is the link: https://zoom.us/j/5955701807

Online Giving
If you would like to give to the offering plate electronically, you can find the online giving link on our All Angels website by clicking the link below:
REFLECTION
Mothering
 
 
Mother’s Day originated in the U.S. on Sunday, May 12, 1907. On that day, Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, whose mother had organized women’s groups to promote friendship and health, held a memorial service for her at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. Within five years virtually every state observed the day, and in 1914 Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday. The Episcopal Church in the U.S. has had 108 years to come up with a Mother’s Day liturgy; and yet, we – Rectors – have to basically make one up every year.
 
My sister-in-law’s UCC church in the San Francisco Bay Area celebrates Mothering Day. Not to be confused with the practice of the Middle Ages, the UCC celebration is to bless and pray for all those who are mothering others – regardless of gender or age or identity. I like the idea of turning “mother” in to a verb, “mothering”. I think that regardless of gender, we have, from time to time, nurtured and loved someone like a mother. At the same time, I am enamored by those who have given birth. It is beyond my comprehension to imagine birthing a new life. My wife and my mom are excellent mothers and it humbles me to be loved by them.
 
The closest thing I can imagine to giving birth is the adoption of our two daughters. They certainly grew in my heart during the year it took to adopt them. I still vividly remember seeing them burst out of the international wing of the SeaTac airport and into the overwhelmed and joyful arms of my parents. Although we did not bring them home in car seats; the way we brought home Ethan and Elijah from the hospital; the first car ride home with them was memorable. We had to show them how to get into the back seat of our Toyota Camry and put on a seatbelt. I watched in awe as Christi loved and nurtured them. While I was concerned about their physical heath, she was watching out for their emotional well-being. … and reminded me to drive slower because I was tired and excited to get home. When we arrived at our house, my mother-in-law was there to greet us. She nurtured and cared for us by making grilled cheese sandwiches for all of us weary, dazed and kind-of scared, travelers. In the twenty years since that day, we are blessed beyond measure to watch our daughters become mothers and continue in the tradition of nurturing and loving their children.
 
This Sunday, we will give thanks and pray for “the divine gift of motherhood in all its forms.” The first form is the Giver and Sustainer of All Life – who we call God. The second form is our biological mothers – those who have risen to the call of mothering and also for those who have fallen short. We will give thanks and pray for all those who have mothered us and for those who are a mother to others.
 
As far as the Episcopal Church liturgies go, perhaps one day there will be an All Angels Mother’s Day liturgy in use around the country. Nevertheless, on every second Sunday of May, we will continue to give thanks for the divine gift of motherhood in all its forms.
 
-Rev. Dave