Water is an integral part of the created order. Water sustains and fosters life; too little or too much water can end it. A glance at the news headlines points out the destructive power of water's presence or absence: In the United States alone, 2011 saw severe droughts afflict several parts of the country. On the opposite end of the spectrum, floods ravaged the Plains states in the spring and summer, displacing from their homes many people who live near rivers and streams. For those dwelling on or near the Eastern Seaboard, hurricane season is a tense time every year. Yet we need water as much or more than we need food, shelter, or the other "staples" of human life. Since ancient times we have established our communities near sources of water. We cannot survive long without it.

The tension between the saving and destructive powers of water fills Sunday's lectionary readings. The waters of the flood overwhelmed the world in the days of Noah, yet 1 Peter reminds us that God delivered Noah and his family from death. The Holy Spirit descends on Jesus only after his baptism by John, yet the Spirit immediately drives Jesus into the desert-a place defined by its lack of water. Through water and the word, in baptism our old, sinful self is put to death, and we are reborn as children of God. But the current that flows through these paradoxes is this: in death and life, in flood and drought, God remains faithful. As the psalmist reminds us, God's mercy and steadfast love "are from everlasting."

Help Wanted

Pastor Bill is in need of someone for a small fabric project for Easter. If you sew or paint on fabric, please contact him at: pastorbillpetersen@gmail.com for details. Thanks!

All Saints on the Web

You can view many of All Saints services on the All Saints YouTube Channel. Ralph Simons most recently posted Pastor Bill's homily from Ash Wednesday. You can also watch many All Saints' services on the Wolfeboro Community Television website. Audio of sermons can be found on the church website.

Sharing God's Blessings - The Little Things in Life

A lot of life is about noticing the little things. Those seemingly insignificant events and people in our lives that-when we take the time to pay attention-cause us to realize the great influence they had and the powerful example they showed.

The leadership of All Saints' invites you to take notice. Notice how God has gifted you and those around you. See the abundance of God's grace in the midst of scarcity. Observe the examples of faithful service and generosity that inspire us to greater action and giving. Just notice.

Thoughts on Lent

Our journey toward the Cross is both a reminder of death and the promise of new life. It is both a fast and a feast and Jesus calls us to...

Fast from judgment-Feast on compassion

Fast from greed-Feast on sharing

Fast from scarcity-Feast on abundance

Fast from fear-Feast on peace

Fast from lies-Feast on truth

Fast from gossip- Feast on praise

Fast from anxiety- Feast on patience

Fast from evil- Feast on kindness

Fast from apathy- Feast on engagement

Fast from discontent- Feast on gratitude

Fast from noise- Feast on silence

Fast from discouragement- Feast on hope

Fast from hatred- Feast on love

This Lent, what will be your fast? What will be your feast?

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

How welcome it was to have in attendance a remarkable number of parishioners, family and friends, along with such a vital group of talented young people.

-Christy Parker, Photographer

To see many more of Christy's great photos from Shrove Tuesday, please visit the All Saints' website.

We Make the Road By Walking Together in Lent

Please join us for a casual Bible Study + Eucharist gathering on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm or 7:00 pm in the All Saints' Library this Lent. Our theme and primary texts follow...

February 25th - Making It Real: Mark 2:1-19

March 4th - A New Identity: Matthew 5:1-16

March 11th - A New Path to Aliveness: Matthew 5:17-48

March 18th - Your Secret Life: Matthew 6:1-18

March 25th - Why We Worry, Why We Judge: Matthew 6:19-7:12

April 1st - The Choice is Yours: Matthew 7:13-29

February Outreach Luncheon

Outreach Luncheon for February will be here on Thursday. All Saints will be cooking for the guests and the menu is meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, cranberry salad and cookies. Please look for the sign up sheet that will be on the bulletin next Sunday. As always, volunteers are needed for setup, serving and cleanup. Mark your calendars and ready your kitchens for this important ministry. Any questions, please contact Marge Morris 569-6073 or Donna in the church office. Thank you.

Lenten Carbon Fast

This is the fifth year that Carbon Fast has been happening. Each day you will receive a message to fast from carbon as a Lenten discipline. Initiated by the UCC and endorsed by other denominations and faith groups, people of every Christian perspective - and people who are not Christians - have benefited from this opportunity to become more conscious and conscientious in their daily lives. We don't expect everyone to be able to do everything suggested; but serious consideration of each day's activity can raise people's awareness, inviting them to think more carefully about how their day to day living impacts the environment and make the changes they can.

On your cellphone, just text CARBONFAST to 22828

or email by going to: http://www.macucc.org/carbonfast

Please let Susan Fuller know if you are participating by emailing her at sfuller5277@yahoo.com

Friday Dinner to Go!

Starting February 20th, come by All Saints to pick up a hot meal after work or school. Just $8 per person. Pick up anytime from 3:30 - 6:30. Call ahead or just stop by!

Coordinated by Wolfeboro Senior Center & Meals. 603-515-1385.

New Members will be received Sunday, March 22nd

The Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld will visit All Saints' on Sunday, March 22, 2015. During his visit any individuals who wish to officially become members of the church will be welcomed through: Confirmation, Reception, Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, or the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Please review the various rites below and contact our rector: pastorbillpetersen@gmail.com if you wish to prepare for membership during February and March.

Confirmation: The sacramental rite in which the candidates "express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop" (BCP, p. 860). Those who were baptized at an early age and those baptized as adults without laying on of hands by a bishop are expected to make a mature public affirmation of their faith, recommit themselves to the responsibilities of their baptism, and receive laying on of hands by a bishop (BCP, p. 412). Adults baptized with the laying on of hands by a bishop are considered to be confirmed.

Reception (Christian Commitment): Baptized persons who have been members of another Christian fellowship and who wish to be affiliated with the Episcopal Church may make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism in the presence of a bishop. The bishop lays hands on each candidate for reception and says, "We recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion" (BCP, p. 418). Candidates for reception normally have made a mature commitment in another Christian fellowship.

Reaffirmation (of Baptismal Vows): The BCP refers to those persons already baptized who are presented to the bishop in the context of a service of Baptism or Confirmation to reaffirm their baptismal vows. These might be persons returning to the church after a period of unbelief or those who have entered a new level of spiritual life. The BCP does not specify who these persons are, and a variety of interpretation exists. The BCP provides a form to be used for reaffirmation of baptismal vows instead of the confirmation formula (BCP, p. 419). The word "renewal" rather than "reaffirmation" is used to describe the reaffirming of the baptismal covenant by the entire congregation at Baptism, Confirmation, or the Easter Vigil (BCP, p. 292).

New Member Information Gathering

There will be a gathering for those interested in officially joining All Saints' and the Episcopal Church on Thursday, February 26th at 6:30PM in the All Saints' Library in preparation for the Bishop's visit and reception of new members on Sunday, March 22nd.

Cyprus Friendship Program

Cyprus, located in the eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, north of Egypt and west of Syria, has been divided by a patrolled UN buffer zone since 1974, with Turkish-speaking Muslims on the north and Greek-speaking Christians on the south. The Cyprus Friendship Program (CFP) brings together teenagers from both Cypriot communities to promote peaceful interaction and understanding between the two groups. CFP is a year-long peace-building and leadership training program in Cyprus, with a four week cultural exchange component in the United States in the summer. By developing cross-cultural friendships, the teens build mutual respect for each other, breaking down the historical stereotypes and mistrust that exist. Upon return to Cyprus, the teens are in a position to share the message with family and friends of their own communities that Greek-speaking and Turkish-speaking Cypriots can live together peacefully. Indeed, many of the students who have participated in the program are doing just that - working together for peace.

If you would like to know how you can contribute to Cyprus Friendship Program, please contact Warren Muir at warrenm@cyprusfriendship.org. For more information you can visit the website: http://cyprusfriendship.org/

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. February's need is diapers, any size but newborn. Please place donations in the basket in the narthex. Thank you for all donations!

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.

Activity Schedule for the Week

Sunday

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

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

Mon/Wed/Fri

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

Monday

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

10:30 a.m. VNA Bereavement - Library

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

Wednesday

1:30 p.m. Knitting Club - Stevens Room

3:00 p.m. Bible Study - Library

7:00 p.m. Bible Study - Library

Thursday

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

12:00 p.m. Outreach Luncheon

1:30 pm End 68 Hours Hunger - Library

5:00 p.m. Dinner Bell

10-3 Lord & Tailor Shop - Outreach Center

Friday

10-3 Lord & Tailor Shop - Outreach Center

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