
Here are the week’s announcements. This coming week, of course, is Thanksgiving. The Parish Office will be closed Thursday and Friday for the holiday. I you are traveling, please go with God’s blessings, and traveling mercies. If you are gathering to celebrate with friends and family, may you day be filled with gratitude, love, and peaceful hearts.
- Pledge Cards (Stewardship)
- Thanksgiving Day (Worship)
- Confirmation/Adult Inquirer’s Classes (Christian Formation)
WORSHIP
This Sunday we move into our season before Advent. We are using the Advent hangings and service music, including using the “O” Antiphons as a response to the Gospel music (at the 10 am service). This helps us to move more fully and intentionally into the season of preparing for the Coming of Christ – both as the Child of Bethlehem and as the Savior and Judge of all creation in the fullness of time.
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, Nov. 22 at 10 am.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a simple, intimate service of Communion and Hymns. Gather with friends and fellow parishioners to give thanks to God for all the blessings of this life. Put the turkey in the oven and then come on over!
No Thursday 7 am Eucharist and Healing Prayer this Thursday – we’ll start again on 11/29.
STEWARDSHIP
Annual Pledge Drive for 2019 - Thank you to everyone who has already returned a pledge for 2019. Your support for God’s mission in and through All Saints’ Church is very important. As of 11/15, only about half of those who made pledges in 2018 have returned a pledge card. This is certainly a busy time of year, but we do need to hear from everyone – ideally by the end of this month. If you need another pledge card or packet or more information, please email the Parish Office and we will be happy to talk with you or send you materials. Thank you!
CHRISTIAN FORMATION & SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Bible Study will not meet this week, due to Thanksgiving preparations. We’ll be back on Nov. 28.
“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” Book Discussion – Sunday in the Parish Hall at 11:15 am. This is our last discussion group before Christmas. We’ll pick up again with another Narnia Book after the New Year!
Sunday School Classes will meet on Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Weekend.
Narnia Movie Night – December 1st, 5:30 pm in the Parish House Lower Room. “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.”
Everyone is invited for this wonderful family-friendly movie. Pizza and popcorn will be served. Hope to see you there!
Confirmation/Adult Inquirer Classes – Youth Confirmation Classes for students in Grades 8 & 9 (and older) will start in January, preparing for the rite of Confirmation by Bishop Hughes in May. Adults who have not been Confirmed or would like to be formally received into the Episcopal Church, or who have been away from the practice of their faith and would now like to make a renewed commitment, are invited to participate in an Adult Inquirer’s class which will begin in February, leading to Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation with the Bishop in May. Please contact Mother Vicki to indicate your interest. Details will be coming soon.
FUN & FUNDRAISING
ShopRite gift cards for your grocery purchases are available in $25 increments on Sundays during Coffee House or at the parish office. You pay face value and 5% goes to All Saints’ ministries. Please speak to Barbara Barbeau.
PARISH CALENDAR
11/18 Narnia Book Club Discussion Parish Hall, 11:15 am
Memorial Service: Ann Brown Church, 12:00pm
11/20 Vestry Rath House, 7:30 pm
11/22 Thanksgiving Service Church, 10:00 am
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
The Seven Practices of the Way of Love:
Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, REST
The last spiritual practice in The Way of Love is REST: Receive the gift of God’s grace, peace, and restoration.
From the beginning of creation, God has established the sacred pattern of going and returning, labor and rest. Especially today, God invites us to dedicate time for restoration and wholeness - within our bodies, minds, and souls, and within our communities and institutions. By resting we place our trust in God, the primary actor who brings all things to their fullness.
For Discernment and Reflection
- What practices restore your body, mind, and soul?
- How will you observe rest and renewal on a regular basis?
- With whom will you commit to create and maintain a regular practice of rest?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bceLf7DPRI
The English translation is here:
Sleep child upon my bosom,
It is cosy and warm;
Mother's arms are tight around you,
A mother's love is in my breast;
Nothing shall disturb your slumber,
Nobody will do you harm;
Sleep in peace, dear child,
Sleep quietly on your mother's breast.
Sleep peacefully tonight, sleep;
Gently sleep, my lovely;
Why are you now smiling,
Smiling gently in your sleep?
Are angels above smiling on you,
As you smile cheerfully,
Smiling back and sleeping,
Sleeping quietly on my breast?
Do not fear, it is nothing but a leaf
Beating, beating on the door;
Do not fear, only a small wave
Murmurs, murmurs on the seashore;
Sleep child, there's nothing here
Nothing to give you fright;
Smile quietly in my bosom,
On the blessed angels yonder.
Blessings, Vicki+