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February 16, 2015
Greetings!

 

"We can all please God. We must only choose well. Many go abroad to study, pursuing knowledge far from home, but the kingdom of God is always here and now, wherever you are, within you. Precisely because the kingdom is within, and God is our friend, our salvation only requires that we be willing." 

 − Athanasius of Alexandria


The dying and rising of Jesus Christ, and our participation therein, is the heart of the gospel and the goal of our Christian life. Our mission as Christians, set forth at our baptism, is to grow into the full stature of Christ. That's a tall order, so tall in fact, that we can sometimes feel defeated before we even begin trying. St. Athanasius's words of encouragement are as necessary for us today as they were to the 3rd century Christians to whom he wrote. This is, of course, because our human condition has not changed- neither our desires to know and please God nor our propensity to fall short of the ideals God sets before us.

 

The season of Lent offers us a gracious opportunity to examine our lives in order to identify where we fall short so that we can turn our wills back toward the God whose nature is always to have mercy. Lent is an occasion to consider our spiritual health and deepen our spiritual lives. We do this by choosing well Lenten disciplines that leads us more deeply into relationship God. That may mean giving up a behavior that draws us away from the love of God, or it may mean taking on a practice that draws us in love toward God. Our individual Lenten disciplines will be varied, but they should always lead us more deeply toward our goal of participating in the saving love of Christ's cross and resurrection, for our sake and for the sake of the world's salvation.

 

This Lent, All Saints-by-the-Sea offers many opportunities to deepen our walk with Christ. Through seasonal opportunities for worship, devotion, and study, described within this email, we hope you will find yourself not only willing but able to please God and participate more fully in the work of God's kingdom.

 

May you have a holy Lent,

 

Rev. Aimée

Rector

 


Lent at All Saints

Worship
Ash Wednesday: February 18, Services at Noon and 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday Morning Eucharist at 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday Evening Eventide and Suppers, 6:00 p.m. 
(No Eventide or supper on Ash Wednesday)

Formation & Prayer
Sunday Mornings Healing Prayer & Centering Prayer, 9:15 a.m.
Monday Mornings Men's Bible Study, 8:00 a.m.
Monday Mornings Bible & Babble, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday Evenings Lenten Series: Called to Life, 7:15 - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday Mornings Lenten Series: Called to Life, 10:00-11:45 a.m.
Thursday Mornings Christ-Centered Prayer, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Saturday Quiet Day, February 28, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

"Lent is a 40 day journey that is about enlightenment...."
"That cross that comes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday is a reminder of the cross that's put there at Baptism," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said in her Lent Message 2015. Click here to listen to Presiding Bishop Schori's Lent message.
Ash Wednesday
February 18, Services at Noon and 7:30 p.m. 

The other night, as I was tucking my daughter, Willa, into bed, she turned to me and said, "Mommy, I know you always love me. Even when I do something you don't like, I know you still love me." With a warmed heart, I assured her that she was correct. I do love her always, no matter what, and nothing she can do will ever separate her from my love. Because she knows that my love for her is unwavering, she feels safe admitting to me when she has messed up and working together to learn a more kind and loving way.

 

The same is true about God. God loves us with a never stopping, never giving up, unbreakable, always and forever love. Grounded in the assurance of God's love, we can turn away from that which draws us from God and begin our journey back to God's loving embrace.

 

Ash Wednesday gives us an opportunity to ground ourselves in God's unwavering love for us so that we can admit that sometimes we mess up, and then begin to live in more kind and loving ways. Ash Wednesday is a day of humility, but it is also a day of great grace. Grounded in God's unfailing, never-ending, redeeming love for us, Ash Wednesday provides a safe time and space -a sanctuary- in which we can be honest about the ways we fall short of our own and God's desires for us, that we might set our hearts on love.

 

Come, Wednesday, February 18 at Noon or 
7:30 p.m. to continue our journey back to God.

 

A helpful lesson from our Jewish and Muslim cousins: take the day off from work and school to observe our holy day of penitence and fasting.

Lenten Series: Called to Life
Have you wondered where God is calling you? In the midst of life's busyness, we don't always give ourselves time to reflect on the deeper meaning of our lives in light of our faith. This Lenten season, you are invited to participate in "Called to Life," an adult formation series where we will explore how to listen for God and why we are all called to serve others.

Wednesdays in Lent,
7:15-9:00 p.m. 
or
Thursdays in Lent,
10:00-11:45 a.m.

Sign up by Emailing the church office (info@asbts.org) or on the patio after worship services. 

Click here to learn more.
 
Eventide During Lent

As we enter the season of Lent, I'm reminded of the words of Oscar Wilde, in his De Profundis (out of the depths):

 

Out of the depths I cry to thee, O Lord!

Lord, hear my voice!

Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

 

The holy season of Lent bears with it poignant symbols for the Church, including;

Water and Bread

Thirst and Hunger

Light and Darkness

Nakedness and Clothing

Suppression of Alleluia


 

Our weekly Eventide service is a time where the All Saints' Community of God's friends gathers to pray, share, sing, rejoice and become, as God calls us. Modeled after the ancient Vespers Office, the service revolves around ancient symbols, interpretive "windows" into the presence of the transcendent God. Everyone is invited to the Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Eventide, as we experience the ancient symbols and retell the ancient stories of this Holy Season of Lent.


 

Individual Devotion: 
Quiet Day, Saturday, February 28
Lent allows us a wonderful opportunity to quiet our minds and grow closer to God. We have a special time set aside at All Saints this month to enhance our spiritual journey through this especially prayerful time of the year. You are invited to experience a Lenten Quiet Day to add to the meaningfulness of the Lenten journey. We will gather on Saturday, February 28, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The day will include a gathering time in the Parish House for coffee and muffins; three opportunities for individual prayer and contemplation; gathered discussion; Eucharistic worship; and lunch catered by Connie Lindberg. Treat yourself to this time of self-care, fellowship, and alone time with God. You will leave refreshed and inspired! The suggested donation for the day is $10.00. A sign-up sheet and an envelope for checks is located on the Information Table (please make checks payable to All Saints-by-the-Sea). If you have questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Vicki at 969-4771.
Join the Madness! 
Lent Madness Returns to All Saints
If you are looking for a Lenten discipline that is fun, educational, occasionally goofy, and always joyful, join the Lent Madness journey! After all, what could be more joyful than a season specifically set aside to get closer to God? Join the Rev. Vicki Mouradian as she leads Team All Saints through Lent Madness. Click here to learn more.
Lent Flower Donations
Thanksgivings, Celebrations, & Memorials
This Lenten season, you are invited to give a dedication for the succulents on the high altar for $35. Please contact Anne in the Church Office (969-4771).
Lenten Resources Available at Book Table 

The Book Table will be open on the patio during coffee hour. Rev. Vicki has stocked it with fresh titles and Lenten resources for all ages - including a Journey Through Lent, this year's Lent Madness booklets and brackets, and fasting dice. 

Find many resources for individual and family Lenten devotion.

Lent at Home: Spirit-filled Practices for Families

Lent is a great time to integrate spiritual practices into family life. This Lenten calendar of daily practices for families provides a daily activity or subject for reflection, taking the busy lives of families into account. This Lenten offering helps individuals and families find meaningful answers to the question, "What should I give up or take on for Lent?" by outlining a season's worth of ways that children and adults can engage in the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and service.


Bishop Bruce Visits Sunday, Feb 22
Confirmation at 10:00 a.m.

Please join together in welcoming Bishop Diane Bruce on Sunday, February 22 when she visits All Saints.  She will preach and preside during both worship services. During the 10 o'clock service, this year's class of confirmands: Shannon Evans, Ricardo Calderon, Mary Jo Yaeger, Terry Dodge, Syd Walker, Melinda Zerrenner, Sharon Bifano, Heather Childress, Hunter Hawley, Grace Yoon, Ed Yoon, Jim Haslem, Rose Hodge, Doug Davidson, and Robert Brown will be confirmed. Please plan to attend church for this joyous day, as our confirmands lead us in deepening our walk with Christ!
Save the Dates: Holy Week and Easter

The rites of Holy Week and Easter are at the very heart of the Christian year, indeed of our Christian faith. They lead us deeper into the Paschal mystery of Christ's death and resurrection. For many of us they are, year after year, the most meaningful and life-changing services of the church. It's not too early to arrange your schedule so that you can participate in these most holy of days.

 

Palm Sunday - March 29

Maundy Thursday - April 2

Good Friday - April 3 

Easter Vigil - Saturday, April 4