Those of us looking for good news in Sunday's gospel may hear John the Baptizer's preaching as primarily laying down the law. It can be difficult to reconcile his fire-and-brimstone style with the joy that traditionally belongs to the third Sunday of Advent. Yet despite John's harsh words for the crowds, the people seem eager for his teaching-"What then should we do?" They keep asking questions fervently, even when the answers call them to higher expectations of moral and selfless living.

It's the kind of teaching that people associate with the Messiah: good news that business as usual is on the way out and something new is on its way in. The status quo of greed, selfishness, scarcity, and complacency no longer has power. A new day of mutual sharing and justice is almost here. Images of the winnowing fork and the ax at the root of the tree suggest clearing out old habits and fears to make room for something new. In calling people to repentance, John invites them to turn away from the old life and turning toward God's new life.

John has even better news: The Messiah is indeed coming, one who will not only call people to high expectations, but also enable that faithful living. Because the Messiah is coming to baptize "with the Holy Spirit and fire," life will never be the same. Through baptism business as usual will be replaced by a fruit-bearing, joy-yielding, grace-filled relationship with God. It's an excellent reason to "rejoice always" (1 Thess. 5:16): The Lord is near!

Advent Blessings+

Sunday 12/27

Please mark your calendars that there will be one service at 9 am on Sunday, December 27th.

Syria Crisis Response Fund

Give to the Syria Crisis Response Fund to help people fleeing violence and unrest in the region. Your contribution will support our collaborations with agencies providing food, water, medical supplies and other emergency support. Go to www.episcopalrelief.org and make a difference today!

Christmas Worship at All Saints'

Syria Crisis Response Fund

Our pageant will take the place of a sermon on Sunday, December 20th at 10:00 am Worship. Please join us as our Sunday school share the story of the incarnation in a new way this year. Rehearsal 10:00-11:30 on Sunday, December 13th and at 9:30 am on Sunday, December 20th (just prior to Worship).

Hanging of the Greens

We gather on Monday, December 21st at 5:30-7:00 pm for a new event: The Hanging of the Greens to prepare our worship space for the Nativity of Our Lord. We will decorate our two Chrismon* Trees, hang swags and garland. Please bring Christmas cookies or an appetizer snack to share. All are invited and welcome to assist the Flower Guild and staff, hope to see you there!

*A Chrismon tree is an evergreen tree often found in the chancel or nave of a church during Advent and Christmastide. The Chrismon tree symbolizes the eternal life Jesus Christ provides and is decorated with white lights and white and gold "Chrismons" ancient symbols for Christ or some part of Christ's ministry from star to cross.

Holiday Basket

The Rotary Club of Wolfeboro will be holding it's annual "Holiday Basket" fund raising event for the L.I.F.E. Ministries Food Pantry starting on Tuesday, December 8th to Saturday the 12th.

As in past years they will set up a headquarters in the lobby of the Spencer-Hughes Real Estate office, downtown Wolfeboro at 22 South Main St. Rotarian's will be there every day from 7:00am to 1:00pm to talk about the need and to accept money and food donations. Wolfeboro's own AM radio station WASR with host Gary James will broadcast short segments over the air to publicize the event.

In past years the event has generated from $34,000 to $60,000 dollars per year for the food pantry, so this is the largest fund raising event for us and so very important to us. Last year was the year we received the $60,000 and so we are hoping to do as well this year.

I hope you all will be able to join us on at least one of those mornings to show your support of the food pantry and maybe share your feeling regarding the work that the food pantry is doing for this community.

Please let me know which days and approximate times you would be available to join us at the WASR Radio Studio at 73 Varney Rd in Wolfeboro. You may email me (stanleyanderson@yahoo.com) or call me at 569-1911.

Stanley Anderson

BE A FRIEND OF ALL SAINTS PRESCHOOL

All Saints Preschool is inviting our Church family to support the Preschool by sponsoring a school event, program or activity. On Sundays, December 13th and 20th a member of the Preschool Board will be manning a display showing all the ways you can be a friend. Also available for sale will be All Saints Outreach all purpose bags for $5.00 each. BE A SPONSOR. . . . BUY A BAG.

NOOMA resumes 1/7/16

NOOMA Bible Study to start Thursday, January 7th at 3 PM in the Library.

Annual Reports Time

Greetings all Ministry Chairpersons, it is that time of year when annual reports need to be prepared and sent to the church office. Please start the process and email to the church office at allsaints@metrocast.net. Thank you. Donna

Annual Meeting - 1/31

Our annual meeting will be held on Sunday, January 31st, there will be one service at 9 am with refreshments after service and during the meeting.

Sharing God's Blessing

Walking Together

At its heart, covenant is about belonging. We belong to God. As the Body of Christ we also belong to each other. God commits to us and we, in turn, commit to be God's people. Covenant knits us together. God initiates covenant and never betrays the call, gifts, and promises given to God's people. The church exists because God's Holy Spirit has called us together and bound us in covenant for the purpose of a particular mission: God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

Dave Knox

Dave Knox's address is Mountain View Community, 93 Water Village Road, Ossipee, NH 03864. Thank you.

Dinner Bell

Dinner Bell is looking for volunteers for the following weeks. Two people are needed between the hours of 3-6 pm for setup, serving and cleanup for Thursday, January 28th, February 18th and February 25th. Please contact Donna in the church office.

Betty Brown Art Exhibit

Our own Betty Brown has an art exhibit at the Kathryn Schultz Gallery and University Place Gallery in Cambridge, MA running from November 19th until January 5th. For more information please visit bettybrownfineart.com.

Hospice Tree of Memories

The Hospice Tree of Memories Celebration will be on December 12th, starting at 11:00 o'clock at the Huggins Hospital Medical Arts Building Lobby. The celebration is a time for people to gather to remember the lives of family, friends of neighbors.

ERD Gifts of Life

Episcopal Relief and Development "Gifts for Life" catalog is now available online for viewing and giving. Here is the link:

http://issuu.com/jsawler/docs/2015-gifts-for-life-catalog-general

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 tomatoes. 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.-Fri.

9 am - Noon All Saints' Preschool

Mon./Wed./Fri

10 am - 2 pm Wolfeboro Senior Center and Meals - Parish Hall

1:00 p.m. Adult Bridge - Library

Monday

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 - Library

Wednesday

1:00 p.m. Senior Club Meeting - Parish Hall

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

6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal - Stevens Room

Thursday

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

10-3 Lord & Tailor Shop - Outreach Center

1:30 p.m. End 68 Hours Hunger - Library

3:00 p.m. ASSTG - Stevens Room

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

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Rev. Bill Petersen

Rector, All Saints Church

Phoebe VanScoy-Giessler

Editor, All Saints E-News