Welcome back from vacations, travels, and what have been some beautiful summer days! Thank you to everyone who kept the worship and spiritual life at All Saints’ going while I was away. It’s so good to know that All Saints’ is a community where people step up and do what is needed for the life of God’s people in this place.
On a sad note, Wayne Morse’s mother, Rosemary D’Elia Morse, died this past Wednesday. She was taken to the hospital suddenly at the beginning of the week. Her funeral will be early next week at the Shore. Please keep the Morse family – especially Wayne, Hilary, Chandler, Megan and Allie – in your prayers. May Rosemary rest in peace and rise in glory.
This Sunday the Eucharist will be celebrated at both the 8 and 10 o’clock services (despite it being a fifth Sunday of the month). Although I know many of you will be out of town because of the Labor Day holiday, it will be good to see those of you who are around, and to share stories after worship about what God has been doing in our lives since we last saw each other.
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WORSHIP and MUSIC
Welcome Sunday Worship Next week (Sept. 7) our fall schedule begins with worship at 8 and 10 am. The later service will include our choir and it will be a Family Service, children worshiping with their parents. All kids (PreK- Grade 12) are invited to bring their school backpacks for a special blessing of the backpacks for the start of the new school year. Birthday and anniversary prayers will be included at both services.
All Saints’ Choir - Do you love to sing? Would you like to have fun with others in offering your time and musical gifts to God? Do you want to learn and develop your musical skills? The All Saints’ Choir is open to new members and would love to have you participate. Children (in Grade 2 and older) rehearse Thursdays at 5 pm. Adults rehearse Thursdays at 7:30 pm. The choir sings at the 10 am service on Sunday mornings.
All Saints’ Choir is affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music in America, which encompasses music education, choir and vocal training, and Christian education, spiritual development and leadership for all ages. For more information, please speak to our Director of Music Alison Siener Brown.
Mid-Week Worship Early morning Eucharist and Healing Prayer resumes Thursday, September 11 at 7 am. It’s a simple, quiet way to start your day before work and connect with Christ and others during the week. An optional light breakfast is served in the Rath House following the service.
FORMATION
Sunday School Ice Cream Social – September 5, 7 pm on the Parish House Playground. Come and meet your teachers, friends and classmates for a fun event before Sunday School starts. Add your name to the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
Welcome Sunday Hot Dog Picnic – September 7, 11:15 am. Gather after worship for a picnic on the Parish House lawn. We’ll provide hot dogs, rolls and beverages; you bring a salad, side dish or dessert. This annual event is the official start to our fall program year! Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. Hope to see you there!
Sunday School for Pre-K through high school start September 14 at 10 am. Registration forms and calendars will be e-mailed home next week, and will be available on Welcome Sunday. Questions? Please speak to Jackie Sullivan.
Wednesday Bible Study Group meets 10:15-11:30 am in the Rath House. This week we’ll finish our study of Jesus’ parables. On September 10 we’ll start a new series: The Gospel of John. We read The Bible together and discuss how it applies to our lives today. Newcomers to Bible reading are welcomed and encouraged. We’ll provide you with a Bible if you need one. Come and try us out! Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.
Women’s Book Group meets Wednesday, September 17 at 7:30 pm in the Rath House. The book for discussion will be The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd (delayed from the summer). Come for a fun evening of friendship and discussion.
Adult Faith Study Group Wednesday nights 9/24-10/29, 7:30 pm, meets in the Rath House. We’ll read and discuss The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others, by Scott McKnight. The basic question of the book is What does it mean to be a spiritually formed person? and the author answers that by helping us to look at our relationship to Jesus, especially in light of his Jewish background. The book costs $10. Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex so we know you are coming!
STEWARDSHIP
The Rummage Sale is coming very soon – September 20! Here are the September hours for accepting rummage:
September 2nd - 2-4pm, 6:30-8:30 pm
September 4th – 6:30-8:30 pm
September 5th - 5-7pm
September 7th - noon-2pm
September 8th - 7-9pm
September 12 - 2-4pm
September 14 - Noon-2pm
And any weekday morning (Monday-Thursday) when the Parish Office is open.
September 14 is the last day of rummage collection.
If you have questions, or still haven’t signed up to help out please speak with Kimberly Celeste or Charlotte Davis.
Buildings & Grounds
Our Parish House has a new coat of paint on two sides to match the stucco on the new entryway. The remaining sides will be in progress soon. Take a look!
The Church Undercroft and the side entrance of the Church have been under construction, due to leaking and flooding we had this past winter and spring. The side entrance was newly plastered, painted, the carpet removed and the wood floor refinished. Terra cotta floor tile was installed on the entrance floor. Earlier, the flat roof was repaired with a new rubber membrane. A new system of French drains and sump pumps was put in. The green asbestos tile floor in the Undercroft was taken up and will be replaced with new commercial grade vinyl tile. The choir room and classrooms are not yet ready for use. We hope they will be by the middle of September. Please stay tuned for how this will affect various classes and programs. Thank you for your patience. We are very grateful that Church Insurance for funding the majority of this work!
HELPING HANDS
Food for Friends All Saints’ is the primary support for Food for Friends at St. John’s Church in Dover. We ask for contributions of nutritious, non-perishable foods each week: canned meats and fish (preferably with pop tops), juices, parmalaat milk, pasta, rice, canned vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, whole wheat crackers, canned or dried fruit, etc. Thank you! Your efforts help so many!
COMMUNITY HOSPITALITY
Musik Garten Music Classes - This fall All Saints’ will become the host site for music classes for children from babies up to 8 years old – singing games and musical play all the way up to pre-piano/instrument classes on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. The classes are offered in partnership with the community organization Music in the Somerset Hills, and are taught by our own Alison Siener Brown. For more information or registration speak to Alison or go to http://musicsh.org/musikgarten/.
PARISH CALENDAR THIS WEEK
Mon 9/1 Parish Office Closed
Wed 9/3 Bible Study: Parables 10:15 am, Rath House
Thur 9/4 Choir (children) 5:00 pm, Church
Choir (adults) 7:30 pm, Church
Fri 9/5 Ice Cream Social 7:00 pm, Playground
And be sure to check our full on-line calendar on the parish website www.allsaintsmillington.org.
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A Prayer for Labor (Sun)day
God, help us to build a new world in the midst of the old. A world where all workers are valued. A world where those who clean houses are able to buy houses to live in. A world where those who grow food can afford to eat their fill. We pray for the coming of a world where all workers everywhere share in the abundance that you have given us. We ask these things knowing that you give us the courage and strength to live out our faith in the workplace and in the marketplace, as well as in the sanctuary. Laboring God, as you labor with us, may we labor for you, ever committed to do your world in the world. Amen. ~ written by Edi Rasell
Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+