We Embody the Presence of Christ and these words scare us. They may be the biggest barrier to being the hands, feet, voice and face of Jesus for us. But at the Eucharist when we hold out our hands, we receive what we are, the body of Christ. Christ is given for you and we are called in our baptism to be Christ for the world.

On this last Sunday of the Church year, we hear a parable from Jesus challenging and inspiring us to embody him in every moment and with all of our being. But the parable of the sheep and the goats has sometimes been used to instill fear of God's judgment. However, it is possible that Jesus' point of the story is to urge his followers to share God's generous saving grace with all. While these parable stories can take a lifetime to unpack, they are important texts for the church and world today that hungers for story, for connection and meaning.

With shepherding texts from Ezekiel and the Psalms as well as Ephesians (a letter written to build faith), we will hear of God's intimate-even incarnational-love of creation. The parable even suggests that being merely intentional about ministry in the name of Jesus is not the point. After all, both "sheep" and "goats" groups are equally shocked at the news that Jesus was present in those relationships involving thirst, imprisonment, and so forth. Instead, Jesus seems to invite us to wonder what's at the deepest foundation of our presence and purpose-and perhaps even walk away faithfully bewildered at the possibilities of God's kingdom being practiced on earth as it is in heaven.

P.S. This week we hold in prayer the hundreds of hungry families who utilize the L.I.F.E. Ministires Food Pantry.

Youth Sunday This Week

Our youth group will be doing all of the readings this week for both services along with the sermon. The first lesson will be done by Curtis Heath; second lesson by Natalie Rollins; Gospel by Sarah Heath. All of the group will be doing the sermon.

Community Thanksgiving Worship Service

Join us as the Faith Communities of Wolfeboro gather for a Service of Thanksgiving Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at 7:00 pm at the First Congregational Church, 115 S. Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH. The free-will offering collected will be shared with the food pantries in Alton and Wolfeboro.

Mission Slideshow by Phil Wasmuth

Dear All Sainters',

Several weeks ago, the Stewardship Committee asked me to put together a slide show that depicted All Saints' Church members working on our Church Mission. In part, our Mission at All Saints' is, "to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by word and deed, by worship and outreach, by teaching and pastoral care, that all the saints will be equipped for the ministry we share." The slideshow focuses on worship, outreach, teaching, and pastoral care.

The program lasts about 12 minutes, and each photo is shown for 4 seconds. By clicking on the bottom of the slide show after the program starts a slider will appear that will allow you to adjust the number of seconds each photo is shown. I find that because the slide show has captions 5 seconds per photo allows more time to read the captions and see the photos.

Prior to the showing of the slide show, our Senior Warden, Lee White, talked about sharing our time, talents, and financial resources with our church. Our Rector, Bill Petersen, then closed the program with an explanation of the 2015 sharing gifts planning card, and asked that they be placed in the offering plates in the next few weeks. Bill then closed the meeting with a prayer.

During the program laughter filled the undercroft when Bill mentioned the missing collection plates at the just completed church service. The message of the missing collection plates was obvious, that we need resources to complete our mission. This may have been the only time in the history of the world, that a church congregation collectively and silently prayed that collection plates would be quickly located by our Rector so that an offering could be given, and the church service completed.

My wife, Dianne, was a Lay Eucharist Minister (LEM) on Stewardship Sunday. I asked her after the service if the missing collection plates were planned by the Alter Guild and Bill. A smile was her answer. I've drawn my conclusion based on nothing but her smile, and I think it was a brilliant idea that was flawlessly enacted. The story of the missing collection plates on Stewardship Sunday, will be told to future generations of our church.

Best wishes and much love to All the Saints'

Phil Wasmuth

The Mission of All Saints' Church: All Saints' Mission - Phil's Albums - Powered by Phanfare

Updating of Homebound Parishioners and Friends

If you know of anyone that would benefit from receiving flowers from our delivery team, please contact the church office. Thank you.

Tree Help Needed

A community member and his wife who heats with wood are in need of help cutting several felled trees at their home. If you have a chain saw and/or could split and stack firewood, please speak with Donna or Pastor Bill. Thank you.

We Make the Road By Walking

This weekly class is held each Wednesday at 3 pm and 7 pm. If you wish to attend the 7 pm session, please email Bill at pastorbillpetersen@gmail.com.

How to Join All Saints

Just show up. OK, this may not be the only requirement, but it is by far, the most important one. Many Episcopal parishes are intentionally vague about assigning membership. We don't want to be known as places where weekly attendance is taken, annual contributions are tabulated, and your membership is assigned only if you pass muster. We are much less concerned about counting the people who are in, than we are about leaving someone out. Baptism in this or any Christian church, confirmation or reception by a bishop of the Episcopal Church or of a church in communion of the Episcopal Church (expected of all adult members), attendance, reception of Holy communion, and some sort of financial commitment. Of course, some people claim membership to our churches because a long-lost relative once attended, and this is fine by us. We believe the church should reflect the open and accepting arms of Jesus. (Source: The Episcopal Handbook, 2008)

From The Music Corner

As we continue our journey toward Advent, we find our hearts and homes gratefully punctuated by the focus on "thanks - giving". What a transformation in our lives and culture if every day was permeated with praise and thanksgiving!

If you hum or sing the following text to the tune of "Morning Has Broken", I pray this small offering to God will bless you this week.

Praise and thanksgiving, now we would offer

for all things living, created good:

Harvest of sown fields, fruits of the orchard,

hay from the mown fields, blossom and wood.

Bless, Lord, the labor we bring to serve you,

that with our neighbor we may be fed.

Sowing or tilling, we would work with you,

harvesting, milling for daily bread.

You are providing food for your children,

by your wise guiding, teach us to share

one with another, so that, rejoicing

with us, all others may know your care.

Then will Your blessing reach ev'ry people,

freely confessing your gracious hand.

Where all obey You, no one will hunger

in your love's sway you nourish the land.

(@2007, Albert F. Bayly, Upper Room Worship, p.215)

Helping Hands

Do you know someone in the congregation who is ill or recovering from surgery?Or are you anticipating a medical procedure?Remember Helping Hands is a group of members of the Parish who provide meals for people in temporary need. Please contact Pastor Bill, Pat McLaughlin 569-6270 or Georgia Mosher 569-9291so that Helping Hands can help you!

Caregivers

Caregivers of Southern Carroll County Drivers needed. 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.

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 to contact the church office at 569-3453. Thank you.

Life Ministries

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. November's food is applesauce. Please place donations in the basket in the Narthex. Thank you for all donations!

Activity Schedule for the Week

Sunday

2:00 p.m. AA Meeting - Parish Hall

6:00 p.m. AA Meeting - Parish Hall

Mon.

10-2 Wolfeboro Senior Meals and Activities - Parish Hall/Kitchen

Monday

10:00 a.m. Friends of Music - Library

1:00 p.m. Hospitality Committee - Bill's Office

1:00 p.m. Adult Bridge - Library

3:00 p.m. All Saints Strength Training Group - Stevens Room

6:00 p.m. Holly's Recital - Parish Hall/Kitchen/Sanctuary

Tuesday

6:30 a.m. Women's Worship - Sanctuary

1:30 p.m. Scrabble Club - Beck Memorial Library

Thursday

7:30 a.m. Men's Bible Study - Parish Hall

12:00 p.m. Benson Thanksgiving Dinner-Parish Hall/Kitchen

Parish Office Closed

Lord & Tailor Shop - Closed

Fri 10-3

Lord & Tailor Shop - Outreach Center

Parish Office Closed

Sat.

8:00 p.m. AA Meeting - Parish Hall

Saturday

10-1 Lord & Tailor - Outreach Center

10:00 a.m. AA Meeting - Library

8:00 p.m. AA Meeting - Parish Hall

All Saints e-News

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.

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Rev. Bill Petersen

Rector, All Saints Church

Phoebe VanScoy-Giessler

Editor, All Saints E-News