Dressed up with presents, lights, TV specials, extra concerts, parties, and spending money, there is a sense that Christmas is the time to feel good, do good, and perhaps live a little better than the rest of the year. Even the most cynical get swept up in the idea that the world and their lives shine a little brighter. It is a sugar-coated holiday rush only to be met days later by an emotional crash. Yet these signs point to a deep-seated hope that is lodged in the hearts and minds of those moving into this season. There is a longing and fervent hope that God will enter in and counter the challenges and humbugs of our days and world. And to this longing and fervent hope we look to one who claims us from marginal lives and engages us in a central story of hope and promise.

Wrapped in every breath, song, and action is God's direct connection with the earth and her peoples. Christmas counters voices and theologies that view God as distant and unengaged with humanity and the world. From old, the promise of God drawing near has been uttered; in the gospel we witness the birth of God's yearning presence through a teenage girl; throughout we are invited to join the song of creation, hope, and salvation. At Christmas we pulse with the exhilaration of Mary and the shepherds, and those who have lived at the margins, as we experience and proclaim, that "God dwells with us." While people may often talk of the "magic" of Christmas, it is our call to speak to the incarnation of Christmas. As people come together to hear a familiar story and sing familiar hymns, the blessing and challenge is to witness again to God's promise and promise-keeping with vitality and to join the chorus of joy in what God has done and continues to do in being made real among us.

This Sunday we light four candles as we remember that Advent is a time to bind up the broken hearted. As the light shines, we turn to the Savior who came to rescue the lost, to help the hurting and to bind up the broken. At 10:00 am worship our children will bring light through the annual pageant telling of the incarnation of Christmas.

On Christmas Eve we light all the candles as we remember our savior's birth is celebrated with bold faith. We light the Christ candle that radiates the hope of Jesus Christ for all to receive it. At 5:00 pm worship we have a special message for the children and at 10:00 pm our choir adds their voices to the light of Christ this holiest of nights.

Into the lights and presents, the music and gatherings, even the wars, poverty, little empires, and tumult of the world, God meets and claims us in that spirit of hope. God calls us to dream and live into a new reality as we encounter this babe at Bethlehem and find this Christ-child born in our lives again. Christmas speaks to our greatest longing, and turns the "humbugs" to carols of joy.

From Music Corner

Even if you worship at the 8 AM service, you may want to extend your worship this 4th Advent Sunday to bask in the highlights of our 10 o'clock worship time. Our children will offer the ageless birth story anew, interspersed with favorite Christmas hymns. Our guest trumpeter, Randy Ouellette, will aid our hymn singing, and offer prelude and postlude selections with organ as well.

As we enter our final Advent week, we hope to see you for our Christmas Eve services, where once again the watching and waiting culminates in the deep joy of Emmanuel..... God with us.

The J.S. Bach setting to "Wachet auf" (Sleepers, wake!), our opening hymn this week, is particularly striking, as is the text by Philipp Nicolai (1556 - 1608).

I leave you with these glorious words to ponder, from verse 3:

Lamb of God, the heavens adore you; let saints and angels sing before you, as harps and cymbals swell the sound.

Twelve great pearls, the city's portals: through them we stream to join the immortals, as we with joy your throne surround.

No eye has known the sight, no ear heard such delight:

Alleluia! Therefore we sing to greet our King; forever let our praises ring!

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year 2015!

Holly, for Ralph and Ellie, too

First Nite Spaghetti Dinner

The committee preparing for this fundraiser for the church is looking for monetary donations. Money is needed to purchase all of the items needed to make the dinner. This is one of our most popular fundraisers. There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the parish hall and checks are to be made out to All Saints'. Thank you.

Join in Something Big & Wonderful

From Scratch Baking Co. in Wolfeboro will provide a variety of jobs for people who live with a variety of developmental disabilities. It is our hope that through your support, we'll not only be able to bring this incredible bakery to life, but we'll also be able to spread awareness that everyone has something to contribute.

The goal to provide training and employment for people in the surrounding communities who have developmental disabilities will serve people who are often the most unemployed, despite a desire, willingness, and ability to work. Through positive interactions with customers, From Scratch Baking Co. seeks to demonstrate that people with developmental disabilities are capable of meaningful work.

Visit and support this project at: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/from-scratch-baking-co-love-people-bake-things/x/9413507

Twelfth Night Potluck & Hymn Sing

Hold the date: Tuesday, January 6th we will gather in the parish hall for a potluck dinner followed by a Christmas Carol hymn sing. Start planning a favorite dish to share and check-out hymnal numbers 77-115 to prepare for a night of fun and fellowship! Dinner is at 5:30. Please see the sign up sheet in the undercroft.

News from the NH Episcopal Diocese

Their new website has launched! Please take a look at the new site at: www.nhepiscopal.org. On their homepage, you'll see buttons to connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram--please join the conversation! Their new news blog--The Bulletin--is available for subscription. You can fill in the subscription information and you will receive news updates as they are posted. The diocese is now being called the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire.

Annual Meeting February 8

All Saints Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 8th with one service at 9 am and meeting and brunch to follow. Please begin gathering materials for your reports that should be submitted to allsaints@metrocast.net by January 16th.

All Saints' YouTube Channel

We have set up a "channel" on You Tube to hold occasional videos of our faith community. While there are just a couple, do check it out and hit the "subscribe" link to get notification when new videos are posted: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXwCLuleEk5lUWMwcMD_RBA

Stewardship Reminder

Stewardship is the sharing of the gifts we have been given by God. Please remember to return your 2015 Sharing Gifts Planning Card to the church office, or drop it in the offering on Sunday if you have no already done so. Thank you!

ECW Selling Fatwood Baskets

There is a display with baskets in the parish hall. These can be purchased. All proceeds benefit the programs and charities of the ECW.

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)

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.

Guest Trumpeter

This Sunday, please welcome our guest trumpeter, D. Randall Ouellette, currently living in Conway, NH with his wife Jennifer, toddler Declan, and another child arriving soon. Randy completed his graduate studies at Temple University under the tutelage of Robert Early and Jeffery Curnow of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He has also traveled extensively in Europe, performed under Grammy award-winning conductor Dr. Robert Page, and recorded with the Eastern Wind Symphony under the Klavier and Masters labels with Alfred Reed. Recently, Randy has been appointed as the associate principal trumpet with the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra. He freelances across New England and also the New Jersey tri-state area for such noted individuals as Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, former Archbishop of Philadelphia. Randy has also enjoyed performing at nationally recognized venues such as the National Constitution Center, and Capital Center for Performing Arts. Randy teaches extensively, and has seen many students go on to recognized awards and ensembles. He is currently teaching at the North Conway Music Center.

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. December's food is canned peaches and pears. 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 &Tues

9-Noon All Saints' Preschool

Monday

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

1:00 p.m. Adult Bridge - Library

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

Tuesday

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

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

Thursday

Parish Office Closed

Lord & Tailor Closed

Fri

Lord & Tailor Closed

Sat.

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

Saturday

Lord & Tailor Closed

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