Dear Fellow Sinners and All Saints,

Being a follower of Jesus is all about perspective... that is having an expansive understanding on forgiveness. Sunday Matthew's gospel tries to expand our perspective and understanding about the good news that God's forgiveness is abundant. God's forgiveness isn't based on what we see as fair, but instead on the abundant and often unimaginable grace of God. Thankfully, God "does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities" (Ps. 103:10). The king forgives our entire enslaved debt of sin, no matter how enormous it is (Matt. 18:23-27).

God's abundance doesn't stop at laws or rules about how many we are to forgive but we're challenged to stretch our comfort zones, understanding of fairness and our judgmental perspective, and forgive each other. With Peter, we learn to stop keeping score (Matt. 18:21-22). Forgiveness and judging when and if to forgive is not an easy thing to do, but God's forgiveness is far greater than what is fair, or what any of us we deserve.

Paul points to what this perspective of abundant forgiveness looks like in our lives as Christians and in the church: "Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them" (Rom. 14:3). Because all are always welcomed by God, we too are called to share that good news and welcome in all that we say and do.

Blessings+
Bill

P.S. Several folks have asked for the questions I raised from the pulpit last Sunday when I invited everyone to ponder and pray about:
1.) What kind of faith community do you want us to be? and

2.) How much are you willing to risk or work for that kind of community?

Church School Resumes 9/14

Sunday, September 14th will be the first day of Church School with the traditional cookout following. Please spread the word to any repeat or new church school students.

ECW Meeting

Phil Wasmuth took a photo of the ECW meeting on Wed., Sept. 10th. ECW support 11 charities including Caregivers and the food pantry. Those in attendance were: Beth Smith, Betty Brown, Jane Newcomb, Gail Holm, Marge Morris, Dianne Wasmuth, Jane Milligan, Kathleen Codyrachel, Sandi Johnson, Bill Petersen, Pat McLaughlin, Martha Cross, Prue Fitts, Dorothy Maus, Donna Cote, Joyce Lake, and Wilma Greymont.

All Saints Preschool

All Saints Preschool invites all parishioners to view the classrooms that are ready for the new school year. Please stop by after either service today. School started this past week and the teachers expect it to be another rewarding year. Our programs host 3 year olds on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 4 year olds on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

L & T Fall Changeover 9/20

Lord and Tailor Shop needs all volunteers that can help with the switch from Summer apparel to Fall apparel on Saturday, September 20th at 1 pm. Please mark this on your calendars. Thank you.

Pastor Bill's Community Bible Study

Pastor Bill's Community Bible Study is based on a book which is a year-long quest for spiritual formation, reorientation, and activation. The concept of walking in faith is not new, but seeing our Christian faith tradition as a road, one often asks what it means to walk the road as followers of Jesus. Our walk is never done, even when we might want to stop where our tradition has brought us, but Jesus calls us with our experience, tradition, questions and doubt to walk together and make a new road into the future. Together we will explore what a difference an honest, living, growing faith can make in our world today. We will gather to "walk together" twice each week: Wednesday afternoons at 3:00 pm and evenings at 7:00 pm in the Library. Bring your favorite Bible and our weekly reading and reflection will be provided. The course began on Wednesday 9/10 but all are invited to participate each week.

Those attending the first afternoon session were captured by Phil Wasmuth's camera: Sandy McBeth, Jane Newcomb, Danielle Pierpont, Dianne Wasmuth, Susie Walker, Peter Walker, Bill Petersen, Sandi Johnson, Don Johnson, Kathleen Codyrachel, Harry Liedtke, and Lee White.

ECW Kitchen Tour 9/17

Cost for tickets are $25.00. Please spread the word about this wonderful event and fundraiser for our ECW. Tours can be done from 10 am until 3 pm and lunch will be served from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm in the parish hall.

From the Music Corner

Two thoughts this week:

Choir has begun, and we'd love more choristers to join us! You are welcome to come, even if you feel you cannot sing every week. Contact me if you, or someone you know, might enjoy worshiping through the group experience of singing sacred music. It's an inspiring journey! Contact me if you'd just like to explore your options.... holly.simons@gmail.com OR 603 - 520 - 0615.

Please know you are WELCOME to sing along at any musical point in our services! Some have asked whether they can sing with the choir during communion, with the listed hymns or selections.... the answer is YES. We are in community, and the lifting of voices to our Lord includes one and all.

The only service pieces needing "listening" are instrumental selections, and the choral anthem which takes special preparation. We love to hear your voices.... and more importantly, so does our loving God.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Holly

Susan Fuller Rides to support GALA-Global Awareness Local Action in CLIMATE RIDE, Sept. 20-24

All Saints' Church member, Susan Fuller, plans to participate in the 300 mile long NYC-DC Climate Ride, September 20-24 to raise money for GALA and Interfaith Power and Light. She also plans to visit our congresswomen to voice her concerns about climate change.

Most of you are familiar with GALA (Global Awareness, Local Action), a local organization born in 2006, whose mission is to translate sustainability education into local action that is practical, effective, and FUN! Susan has worked to have GALA named as a beneficiary of the nationally acclaimed Climate Ride. Climate Ride, 501(C)(3) organization based in Montana, was founded in 2008 to raise money and awareness to support organizations focused on sustainable development and environmental protection. It now provides grants to 70+ non-profit organizations selected for their work on environment, conservation, clean energy, sustainability, climate education, or active transportation advocacy. Also known as a green conference on wheels, Climate Ride also features an acclaimed nightly speaker series addressing policy, advocacy, and innovation.

Susan's second beneficiary is Interfaith Power and Light. IPL's mission is to be faithful stewards of Creation by responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. This campaign intends to protect the earth's ecosystems, safeguard the health of all Creation, and ensure sufficient, sustainable energy for all.

Susan hopes to raise $4000 through her efforts. For more information, to make a donation, or to follow Susan's training and travels, go to www.climateride.org. Contributions must be made by September 12, if possible.

Bulletin Style Feedback

Pastor Bill is looking for feedback on the new bulletin style. Please email or call with any comments (569-3453).

Outreach Luncheon 9/25

The first outreach luncheon of the fall will be Thursday, September 25th. We will need volunteers to setup, serve and cleanup. Please contact Marge Morris or Sandi Johnson.

Altar Guild Annual Meeting 9/30

The Altar Guild will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, September 30th at 6:30 in the library. All members are invited to attend. Volunteers are always needed for this important ministry, please consider attending and learning about the group.

Congregational Church Dedication 9/28

Pastor Gina from the Congregational Church has extended an invite to our congregation for the dedication of their new building of worship. It will be on Sunday, September 28th at 3 pm. There will be a reception following.

Save the Date(s)

Are you ready for your close up? (Don't worry. Not THAT close up!)

Save the Date: All Saints will be producing another photo directory of our parishioners and we would like full participation from everyone. October 16, 17 and 18 will be the dates for picture taking. Please mark these dates on your calendars. You may login and signup for an appt. at: https://www.securedata-trans14.com/ap/allsaintsepiscopal/index.php?page=10. Lifetouch is running a special program for donations of a canned good providing a $5.00 off coupon and if you register online, you receive a $10.00 coupon. Both can be used together.

Scooter For Sale

All Saints had a scooter donated to the summer fair. It is for sale and in the parish hall. We will be starting the bids at $750.00. The scooter is valued at $1500.00 is in excellent working condition and has new batteries. Please spread the word to anyone interested. If interested, please contact the church office. Thank you.

Blood Drive at All Saints 9/13

Our Red Cross annual Blood Drive will be held here at All Saints on Saturday, September 13th. Please plan on donating or volunteering to staff the drive. Sign up sheets will be up next week. Thank you for your interest.

Caregivers Needs Drivers

Caregivers of Southern Carroll County is in need of drivers. This group is a non profit in town that provides rides for medical appointments to hospitals and doctors. You can choose how much or how little you wish to participate. You can also choose if you wish to stay local or drive longer distances. If you are interested, please contact Shirley Bentley at 569-3714.

Food Pantry Needs

All Saints is going to be featuring a food monthly that is in need for the Life Ministries Food Pantry. We welcome any and all donations of non-perishable items. September's food is spaghetti sauce. Please place donations in the basket in the narthex. Thank you for all donations!

Bereavement Group

Rev. Gina Finnochiaro and James Miller from Central NH VNA & Hospice will be holding a bereavement group starting in late September on Thursday mornings at All Saints. Interested people can contact James Miller (569-2779) for more details. All are welcome, whether your loved one died in Hospice care or not.

Activity Schedule for the Week

Sunday

2:00 p.m. AA Meeting

6:00 p.m. AA Meeting

Mon-Fri

9:00 a.m. All Saints Preschool

Mon/Wed/Fri

10-2 Wolfeboro Senior Meals and Activities

Monday

3:00 p.m. ASSTG

7:00 p.m. Al-Anon - Library

8:00 p.m. AA Mtg. - Stevens Room

Tuesday

6:30 a.m. Women's Worship

1:30 p.m. Scrabble Club - Library

5:00 p.m. Weight Watchers - Parish Hall

Wednesday

10-3 ECW Kitchen Tour

6:00 p.m. Table Tennis

7:30 p.m. Women's Only AA Group - Chapel

Wed./Fri.

10-2 Wolfeboro Senior Center

Thursday

7:30 a.m. Men's Bible Study

12:00 p.m. VNA Potluck Lunch

3:00 p.m. ASSTG

5:00 p.m. Dinner Bell

Thur/Fri

10-4 Lord & Tailor

Fri. & Sat.

8:00 p.m. AA

Saturday

10-1 Lord & Tailor

10:00 a.m. AA Meeting

5:30 p.m. Friends of Music - Hanani & Fisk

8:00 p.m AA Meeting

All Saints e-News

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Rev. Bill Petersen

Rector, All Saints Church

Phoebe VanScoy-Giessler

Editor, All Saints E-News