Giving is a spiritual practice. Each of us is a child of God and a member of Christ's body in the Church. When you plan to give, you demonstrate your recognition and acceptance of your duty to God and to other people. Giving encourages our spiritual growth.

All Saints' has no membership fees or dues; instead we ask you to take part in the important, voluntary practice of giving. You are encouraged to give gratefully and from the heart-to give as God calls you to give, knowing that you are supporting our work together as All Saints' Church that touches so many lives in wonderful ways.

Lent is not a gloomy time, a sad time, or a depressing time for those who are remembering what God has done for them. Our self-examination, which reveals our sin, prepares us to recognize our need for God. Then we gather Sunday by Sunday in the liturgy where our story as the people of God reminds us that God has met and still meets our need. Our fasting and self-denial give us the resources with which we can join Christ in his struggle against evil and death. Joining with him in that struggle, we also join him in his victory. 

This Lent our Book of Common Prayer Rite II Liturgy is supplemented by Prayers of the People and Confession from Daily Prayer for all Seasons 2014, Eucharistic Prayer 2 from Enriching Worship, the Angus Dei (Lamb of God)  at the breaking of the bread, and a new post-communion prayer: Merciful God, Accompany our journey through these forty days. Renew us in the gift of baptism, that we may provide for those who are poor, pray for those who are in need, fast from self-indulgence, and above all that we may find our treasure in the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

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

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).