LENTEN PROGRAM

All Saints Family Please take this opportunity to renew your faith through the many opportunities we have during the Lenten Season.

1) Wednesday Nights in Lent

Join us for Evensong (Sung Evening Prayer) at 6.30 pm followed by Soup and Salad Dinners and Program.

Sign-up sheets are in the narthex to prepare a soup or salad on any given Wednesday night.

2) This years program is Becoming a Contagious Christian.

We'll learn how to share our faith stories about Jesus, with each other and be equipped to share faith in Christ with others searching for his comfort, strength, and love.

Sign-up for participants guide in the Narthex.

Youth will have their own small group in this program (6-12th grades). There will also be a separate track for children (K-5th grades).

3) Beginning Thursday February 23rd we will have Daily Evening Prayer offered at 6.30pm in the Chapel. Please join our officiant in the quiet and thoughtful prayers and reading of scripture. The service will continue Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday evening in Lent.  

Denise Villanueva

Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr of Smyrna, 156

February 23

Polycarp was one of the leaders of the Church who carried on the tradition of the apostles through the troubled period of Gnostic heresies in the second century. According to Irenaeus, who had known him in his early youth, Polycarp was a pupil of John, "the disciple of the Lord," and had been appointed a bishop by "apostles in Asia."

We possess a letter from Polycarp to the Church in Philippi. It reveals his firm adherence to the faith, and his pastoral concern for fellow Christians in trouble.

An authentic account of the martyrdom of Polycarp on February 23 is also preserved. It probably occurred in the year 156. The account tells of Polycarp's courageous witness in the amphitheater at Smyrna. When the proconsul asked him to curse Christ, Polycarp said, "Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" The account reports that the magistrate was reluctant to kill the gentle and harmless old man, but his hand was forced by the mob, who clamored that he be thrown to wild beast, as was the fate of other Christians on that dreadful day.

Polycarp was burned at the stake. Before his ordeal, he is reported to have looked up to heaven, and to have prayed: "Lord God Almighty, Father of your beloved and blessed child Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, God of angels and hosts and all creation, and of the whole race of the upright who live in your presence, I bless you that you have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to be numbered among the martyrs and share in the cup of Christ, for resurrection to eternal life, for soul and body in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. Among them may I be accepted before you today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice just as you, the faithful and true God, have prepared and foreshown and brought about. For this reason and for all things I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved child, through whom be glory to you, with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for the ages to come. Amen."

Emily's Pantry

Sign up! To help in various ways by stocking shelves, and dating, bagging, and distributing food.

Volunteers Needed-for Tuesday, Thursday and 2 Fridays a month. Hours are from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Please call the office if you are able to help out.