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This Week@All Saints'

2/23/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
Dear Friends in Christ,
The end of the Season after Epiphany is upon us, when we have heard and sung and prayed in ways that have revealed Christ to us in new ways. This coming Sunday, at the 10 am service, will be the final use of the Enriching our Worship Eucharistic Prayer and the contemporary form of the Lord’s Prayer. We’ll process the Alleluia banner out as a reminder that in Lent we have no Alleluias.
All that, of course, means Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are not far behind. They are next week! A brochure with all of our Lenten offerings is available in the Narthex of the Church.
Please take a look at the announcements below, especially:
    Pancake Supper (Events)
    2016 Statement of Contributions (Stewardship)
    Scout Sunday (Worship)


EVENTS
This Week – 2/28, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper in the Parish House Lower Room,  5:30-7:15 pm (continuous servings); pancakes, sausage, applesauce. Cost is $5 per person; kids under age 3 free; $20 maximum per household. This year’s dinner will include our festive piñata for the kids (held over from Epiphany). Come and have a good time with your fellow parishioners in a relaxed, casual setting; invite a friend or neighbor.   There’s a sign-up sheet in the Narthex – both to RSVP for dinner, and sign up to help. Thanks! We need some help with kitchen set-up & clean-up, and middle school and high school kids to set tables, put up decorations and serve.

Save the Date! Spring Fish & Chips by Argyle of Kearny. April 27 – 5:30-7:30 pm

LENT
Lenten Daily Prayer in Virtual Community – all the details are in the brochure in the Narthex – also a reading schedule for the Gospel of Matthew during Lent. Sign up for this on the sheet in the Narthex, and/or send an email to allstsmill@hotmail.com.

Lenten Devotional Booklets – this year we have a variety of booklets from Forward Movement and from Episcopal Relief and Development. Please take one for your Lenten preparation.

Pilgrim, a Course for the Christian Journey: The Commandments. Monday nights at 7 pm, six sessions, starting 3/6. A foundation for our love and duty to God and neighbor, the Ten Commandments are the topic of this six-week series. Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex or e-mail to reserve a book ($10) and let us know if you’ll come for a simple soup supper at 6:30 pm.

Pathways of Faith Coloring Evening, Wed. 3/15 – using a Biblically-themed coloring book published by forward Movement, we’ll spend a reflective evening in the Church – 7:30 – 9 pm.

“The Road to Character” Book Discussion, Wed. 3/29, 4/5. Join us for this 2-part discussion of David Brooks’ important book (available through the library or Amazon). It highlights a variety of different notable people and the way they developed traits such as honesty, goodness, altruism, loyalty, courage, and faith.7:30- 9 pm in the Rath House.
There are sign-up sheets for these events in the Narthex.

WORSHIP
Ash Wednesday - Lent starts this week on March 1. There will be two services: 9:30 am and 7:30 pm. Both will include the Ash Wednesday Liturgy with Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes. New this year – if you are unable to come to either service, ashes and a prayer will be available in the Church between 11:45 am and 12:30 pm  that day.

Scout Sunday – Next Sunday, March 5 at the 10 am service we will recognize all    Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and their leaders. Scouts should wear their uniforms to Church. All Saints’ is the chartering organization for BSA Troop 56 and Cub Pack 56; we are also the host site for the monthly LHT Girl Scout Leader meetings, as well as many Den and Troop gatherings. If you know a Scout family, invite them to Church that day. All are welcome!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Bible Study – Wed. at 10:15 am, in the Rath House. We are reading through the Book of Acts; this week, 2/8, we’ll discuss Chapter 23.

The Celtic Heart @ All Saints’
Irish singer/songwriter Carmel Boyle returns to New Jersey to share her spiritual tradition with original spiritual songs, stories and rituals inspired by the Celtic tradition. Her mystic voice touches the heart and opens it to prayer and healing. There are two opportunities to hear Carmel.
Concert ~ The Singing Heart
Sunday, Mar. 5, 7:30 pm –9 pm: Goodwill offering
A night of song and spirit; bring a friend and be refreshed at the start of Lent ~ in the Church.
Retreat Day ~ The Open Heart
Wednesday, Mar. 8, 9:15 am– 2:30 pm: $50/hot lunch
Be enriched by Carmel’s unique presentation of the Celtic Christian Tradition that offers inspirational and creative ways of prayer. Broaden your spiritual life by connecting with this ancient tradition ~ in the Parish House.
To register for the retreat call Pat Hughes: 908-608-3160.
Carmel comes to us through the kindness of Sacred Thread Ministries and the Christian Community.

HELPING HANDS
Our Next Night to Make Sleeping Mats for Homeless is March 8th at 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall. We make “plarn” (plastic bag yarn) out of used grocery and newspaper bags, and then crochet a 3’ x 6’ mat out of it. Friends and neighbors are invited to be part of the effort and fellowship Questions? Speak to Susie Harris.

Flower Ministry – we are looking for a person to deliver Altar Flowers to those who are ill or at home after church one Sunday a month, starting after Easter. If you are interested, speak with Mother Vicki.

Winter Soup is available to take home after Church on Sundays during coffee hour ($5 quart/$3 pint – frozen). It is also available to take to sick or shut-in parishioners. If you buy soup, please write your name on the sheet posted on the Parish Hall fridge, and leave your payment into the box in the freezer. Thanks.

Twelve Baskets Food Ministry - Please remember to check out the Food Pantry donation display in the side hallway in Church. Pick an envelope with the type of food you would like to contribute; put cash or a check in the envelope; put the envelope in the offering plate to help purchase food from the Community FoodBank for distribution in our community and at the food pantry in Dover. Thank you!

STEWARDSHIP
2016 Year-end Statements of Contribution for tax preparation are in sealed envelopes with your name in a box on the Narthex table. Please pick yours up today. Thanks for your support of God’s mission through All Saints’!

PARISH CALENDAR
2/26 Guiding Team Meeting        Parish House, 11:30 am
3/1   Ash Wednesday Worship   Church 9:30 am
        Bible Study                            Rath House, 10:15 am
        Distribution of Ashes           Church, 11:45-12:15 pm
        Ash Wednesday Worship   Church, 9:30 am
3/2   Holy Eucharist                      Church, 7:00 am
        Small Saints’& Jr Choirs     Choir Room, 5:15 pm
        Adult Choir                            Choir Room, 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Preparing for Lent (aka “What Not to Give Up”)
Lent is sometimes referred to as a pilgrimage or a journey.  Very few people set out on any kind of journey without packing a bag.  What are the things that we need to include in our Lenten luggage?  The invitation to the observance of a holy Lent in the 1979 Prayer Book provides a packing list.  The list may not be exhaustive, but it is a good start:
  • self-examination and repentance
  • prayer, fasting, and self-denial
  • reading and meditating on God's holy Word.
Another way of describing this luggage is to call it a rule of life.  Many Christians have a formal rule of life which they observe throughout the year.  Their Lenten rule will usually add a few seasonal exercises.  For those who do not already have a formal, year-round rule, Lent is a good opportunity to begin one.  The purpose of a rule of life is not to set impossibly high standards that might be admirable but are not practical.  A rule of life must fit the person.  A new Christian or someone new to the whole idea of a rule of life will have a more modest rule than an older, more proficient Christian.  So, the elements in the invitation above need to be tailored to the maturity of the individual.  (A spiritual companion or director can be very helpful here.)  A runner might hope someday to run a marathon, but it may take years of training at shorter distances to build the stamina and strength to achieve that goal.  Holiness of life is the goal of every Christian, but progress towards that goal is a lifelong task, not the accomplishment of a single Lent.  At the same time, the basics of a Lenten rule can set a pattern for a lifetime of spiritual growth.

Here are some ideas for items for a Lenten Rule:
Self-examination and Repentance:  Commitment to a specific discipline regarding food and other resources:  a true fast from all food, if physically able, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; abstinence from meat on Fridays in Lent and abstinence from particular foods daily in Lent; a more frugal use of other resources inasmuch as possible.  (Note: Sundays are never fast days.  They can be exempt from the fasting rules of Lent, but should still maintain the spirit of Lent and should not be occasions merely to break the rules.) Additionally, ending the day with a review of one’s attitudes and actions, and asking forgiveness and making amends where needed. If an opportunity for private Confession with a priest seems useful, please call Mother Vicki to schedule a time.
Prayer, Fasting, and Self-Denial:  Commitment to feed the hungry by contributing to local charities such as food pantries and soup kitchens.  Commitment to aid the needy throughout the world by contributing to agencies that address those needs. Commitment to active support of particular efforts to end injustice and establish peace.
Reading and Meditating on God’s Holy Word:  Commitment to daily reading of Scripture and to a modern book on Christian themes.
The Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian  - from the Orthodox Christian tradition
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust of power, and idle talk;    But grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages.  Amen.
– adapted from www.fullhomelydivinity.org
 
Blessings,
Vicki+


2 Comments

This Week@All Saints'

2/18/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture

Dear Friends in Christ,
At this Sunday’s 10 am service we will formally commission our new and continuing Vestry members, and offer our thanks to those who are going off the Vestry. One additional Vestry member (since the Annual Meeting) is Barbara Barbeau. Please come and offer your thanks and support to our parish leadership!
Here are the announcements for this week. Please see especially:
  • Food Ministry (in Helping Hands)
  • Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (in Christian Formation)
  • Celtic Heart Concert (in Christian Formation)
We have received the sad and shocking news that one of our neighbors, high school student Maija Golden, died unexpectedly yesterday. While the funeral service will be private, there will be a memorial gathering at Valley Funeral Home in Stirling on Thursday, February 23, from 2:00-7:00 pm. 
School Superintendant Dr. Edwin Acevedo has also been in touch with me; the Long Hill School district has counselors available for conversation and support if any of the children in the district need it.
Please keep the Goldens in your prayers, as I know you will. Hug your children or your spouse or someone else close to you, and tell them that you love them. ~ VGM+
+ + + + + +

EVENTS
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (pancakes, sausage, applesauce) February 28 in the Parish House Lower Room, 5:30-7:15 pm (continuous servings); cost is $5 per person; kids under age 3 free; $20 maximum per household. This year’s dinner will include our festive piñata for the kids (held over from Epiphany).
Come and have a good time with your fellow parishioners in a relaxed, casual setting; invite a friend or neighbor.  
We need some help! 1 more person to cook pancakes, heat sausage; 2 people to help with kitchen set-up & clean-up; 1 person to shop; middle school and high school kids to set tables, put up decorations and serve.
There’s a sign-up sheet in the Narthex – both to RSVP for dinner, and sign up to help. Thanks!

Save the Date! Spring Fish & Chips by Argyle of Kearny April 27 – 5:30-7:30 pm.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Lenten Daily Prayer in Virtual Community – during the season of Lent participate in daily prayer with your Rector and others via e-mail. You can do this a number of different ways:
  • use a Daily Office (i.e. Morning/Evening Prayer) app or website;
  • use your  own Prayer Book;
  • use the short BCP forms in the Daily Office brochure available in the Narthex;
  • follow your own structure of prayer.
Details are in the purple Daily Office brochure in the Narthex. It includes the listing of the Psalms for morning and evening, as well as a schedule for reading the Gospel of Matthew during Lent. Sign up for this on the sheet in the Narthex, and/or send an email to allstsmill@hotmail.com. If you want the brochure sent to you electronically, we can do that, too.

Lenten Devotional Booklets – this year we have a variety of booklets from Forward Movement and from Episcopal Relief and Development. They are available in the Narthex. Please take one for your Lenten meditation.

The Celtic Heart @ All Saints’ - Irish singer/songwriter Carmel Boyle returns to New Jersey to share her spiritual tradition with original spiritual songs, stories and rituals inspired by the Celtic tradition. Her mystic voice touches the heart and opens it to prayer and healing. There are two opportunities to hear Carmel.
Concert ~ The Singing Heart: Sunday, Mar. 5, 7:30 pm –9 pm: Goodwill offering
A night of song and spirit; bring a friend and be refreshed at the start of Lent ~ in the Church.
Retreat Day ~ The Open Heart: Wednesday, Mar. 8, 9:15 am– 2:30 pm: $50/hot lunch
Be enriched by Carmel’s unique presentation of the Celtic Christian Tradition that offers inspirational and creative ways of prayer. Broaden your spiritual life by connecting with this ancient tradition ~ in the Parish House.
To register for the retreat call Pat Hughes: 908-608-3160.
Carmel comes to us through the kindness of Sacred Thread Ministries and the Christian Community.

Bible Study – Wed. at 10:15 am, in the Rath House. We are reading through the Book of Acts; this week, 2/15, we’ll discuss Chapter 22.

WORSHIP
Scout Sunday – On Sunday, March 5 at the 10 am service we will recognize all Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and their leaders. Scouts should wear their uniforms to Church. All Saints’ is the chartering organization for BSA Troop 56 and Cub Pack 56; we are also the host site for the monthly LHT Girl Scout Leader meetings, as well as many Den and Troop gatherings. If you know a Scout family, invite them to Church that day. All are welcome!

Ash Wednesday – Lent starts on March 1. There will be two services that day: 9:30 am & 7:30 pm. Both will include Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes.

HELPING HANDS
Twelve Baskets Food Ministry – Please remember to check out the Food Pantry donation display in the side hallway in Church. Pick an envelope with the type of food you would like to contribute; put cash or a check in the envelope; put the envelope in the offering plate to help purchase food from the Community FoodBank for distribution. In addition to kitchen staples and homeless take-out bags for Dover and some local families, we also provide healthy weekend snacks for Vets in the transitional housing program at Lyons and assist with a meal at the monthly Vets’ Recovery retreat at the Shrine. Thank you!

Make Sleeping Mats for Homeless – Our Next Night to Make Sleeping Mats for Homeless is March 8th at 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall. We make “plarn” (plastic bag yarn) out of used grocery and newspaper bags, and then crochet a 3’ x 6’ mat out of it. Friends and neighbors are invited to be part of the effort and fellowship Questions? Speak to Susie Harris.

Winter Soup is available to take home after Church on Sundays during coffee hour ($5 quart/$3 pint – frozen). It is also available to take to sick or shut-in parishioners. If you buy soup, please write your name on the sheet posted on the Parish Hall fridge, and leave your payment into the box in the freezer. Thanks.
+ + + + + + + + +
PARISH CALENDAR

2/20 Parish Office Closed for Presidents’ Day
        Evening Prayer                      Church, 6:00 pm
        Pilgrim Study Group              Rath House, 7:00 pm
2/21 Vestry                                      Rath House, 7:30 pm
2/22 Bible Study                             Rath House, 10:15 am
2/23 Holy Eucharist                       Church, 7:00 am
        Small Saints’& Jr Choirs       Choir Room, 5:15 pm
        Adult Choir                             Choir Room, 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.
+ + + + + + + + +
Christian Spiritual Practices
Prayer Surrounding Death

O God, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust those we love and pray for to your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with those who mourn in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here is a link to “The Lord is My Shepherd” from John Rutter’s Requiem. The entire work is worth listening to, as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovPbeXYUD-g
Blessings,
Vicki+

* Image above by Julien Dupre.


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All Saints' Episcopal Church

 15 Basking Ridge Road, Millington NJ 07946    phone: (908) 647-0067    email: allstsmill@hotmail.com
Photo used under Creative Commons from Dustin A. Lewis